Auto insurance is crucial for protecting yourself and your vehicle from unexpected events and financial loss. Whether you’re looking to get a new policy, find the best rates, or simply understand your options, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate auto insurance effectively. 1. What is Auto Insurance? Auto insurance provides financial protection against damage or loss resulting from car accidents, theft, or other incidents involving your vehicle. It typically incl

As we age, the quest for financial security becomes more important than ever. For many, annuities can be a key part of that security. But what exactly are they? If you’re 60 or older, understanding annuities can empower you to make informed decisions about your retirement. Here are five intriguing facts about annuities that you might not know! 1. What Exactly Is an Annuity? Let’s start with the basics. An annuity is a financial product designed to provide a steady income stre

Did you know that just one inch of water can cause $25,000 in damage, according to FEMA? Did you know that every single house in the entire country is in a FEMA flood zone? It’s just that some flood zones are worse than others. You can check which flood zone your home is in by visiting FEMA.gov. Do I need Flood Insurance? No matter where you live in Washington State, flood insurance must be purchased as a separate, stand-alone policy because flood damage is typically not cov

Proper car maintenance will ensure that your car is running smoothly, and will also help to retain its value. It is important to have at least a general idea of what it takes to maintain the health and safety of your car. In this post, we’ll list 7 easy ways you can maintain your car, with a few resources on how to do these tasks yourself. It is always best to understand the specific needs of your car. Your owner’s manual will contain information on routine maintenance, with

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are crucial to the safety of your home. Statistically speaking, having a working smoke detector reduces the risk of death by fire nearly in half. It’s important to know where to install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and which type to get. Where to Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors First, you’ll want to install them in your living areas, such as the living room, TV room, play room, etc. Place one in each hallway close to slee

Just like cell phone plans and health insurance, it's common for adult children to be included on their parent’s car insurance policy. Insuring young adults is expensive, so it makes sense for parents to keep adult children on their policy to save money. While there is no age limit to how long adult children can stay on their parent’s insurance, certain life events can require them to get their own policy. To stay on their parents' policy, adult children should be: 1. Attendi

Ranked the 5th state in the nation with the most uninsured drivers, 21.5% of drivers on the road in Washington don’t carry insurance, even though it is required by law. That’s over 1.2 million people driving without insurance! So what happens if you’re in an accident caused by an uninsured driver? This happened to me, making this topic hit especially close to home. The summer before I left for college, I was t-boned by an uninsured driver who ran a red light. I came out with

It’s a good idea to review your insurance coverage at least once a year. This will help ensure that you or your family and belongings are appropriately protected. It’s also a good idea to review your coverage after you’ve made a major purchase or experienced a significant life event, such as buying a home, getting married, sending children to school or receiving an inheritance. These events are considered “insurance qualifying events” or “life-changing events for purpose of

Life insurance may not be something you have thought about before, or maybe you have. Either way, life insurance is not as complicated or expensive as you may think. Instead of brushing this important topic to the side, consider what it could mean to your loved ones someday if they lost you. We know that this topic is not a fun one, but life insurance can make a terrible situation much better, knowing that your family will have the funds they need after you die. So yes, you

What is a Reverse Mortgage?* A reverse mortgage is a national program available to homeowners age 62 and older providing you access to your home’s equity without having to make monthly mortgage payments. This program is available for your primary residence. You must continue paying your property taxes and homeowners insurance. How much can I qualify for?* The amount of funds available through a reverse mortgage loan is based on the youngest spouses age and the appraised val

It is very important to know your terms before applying for a mortgage . Bookmark this tab on your computer so that you can reference these terms at any time before or during the mortgage process. Appraisal : A rough estimate of how much the home is worth. Appraisals are required by lenders before a home loan can be signed. The appraisal tells the lender how much can be loaned to the borrower. Appraisals come from an independent third party, not the lender. Principal: The s

Tips for Filing an Insurance Claim for a Fallen Tree

Understand the fine print. Every insurance policy has fine print. Life insurance policies may have contestability periods that give the insu

1.   You want to have guaranteed income for life.

You take a huge risk when you depend solely on your investments – especially if you have dependents.

Owning a business in the U.S. is an integral factor of our economy. In fact, the U.S. has 28.8 million small businesses, comprising 99.7% of all business in America. While risks abound in entrepreneurship, owners can take measures to protect themselves and their companies by purchasing life insurance . Here are some essential ways that life insurance can help business owners: Coordinate buy-sell agreements Buy-sell agreements are an official contract that outlines how to