Category: Insurance

An RV is not your average vehicle in Federal Way, WA. Not only does such a vessel serve as a way to commute around town, but a motor home is also a great option when taking family trips through other parts of the state. The agents at Hart Insurance can help you determine how much RV insurance you need to feel fully protected. 

What does RV insurance cover?

The average RV insurance plan pays for damages in an at-fault accident as well as appliances damaged by an incident not caused by a natural disaster. 

A standard RV indemnity plan does not pay for flooding or fires caused by Mother Nature. You need additional protection for such financial backing. 

How much RV insurance is required?

Washington State requires drivers to furnish proof of at least liability insurance that pays a minimum of $25,000 ($50,000 per incident) for bodily injury and the same for property damage. You also must have underinsured/uninsured motorist protection that pays at least $25,000 per incident. 

How much RV insurance do you need?

The bare minimum is not enough when you own an RV in Federal Way, WA. You want to purchase a good indemnity plan that also covers expenses related to damages on the grounds where your RV is parked. It is also a good idea to invest in roadside assistance as towing costs are multiplied for motor homes. 

The agents at Hart Insurance can help you secure an indemnity policy that ensures your RV is fully protected. Call them today to get started with a quote for coverage or to ask more questions about how much RV insurance you may need in Washington State.

If you are a boat owner in the city of Federal Way, WA, you might want to know more about boat insurance. To get the right information, it would be a good idea to consult with a firm such as Hart Insurance.

There are many boat owners in the state of Washington. This makes sense, as there are many lakes and rivers, as well as the Pacific Ocean nearby. If you own a boat or are interested in owning one, it would definitely be good to look into all of the benefits that come with having the right boat insurance coverage. It is not actually required by the state of Washington, but it is definitely a responsible thing to do and a good idea.

There are many different types of boat insurance coverage from which you can choose since it is not actually required in Washington. The two basic types of boat insurance include agreed value policies (in which boats are covered based on their value when the policy was written), and actual cash value policies (which will take depreciation into account).

In addition to this, there are different types of boat insurance coverage. Specialized coverage covers specific items on your boat, such as navigation equipment. Salvage coverage will pay to remove your boat from an area when you have damaged. Consequential damage will cover a loss that was the result of wear and tear. Towing coverage will cover the expenses when it comes to towing your boat across a body of water. Cruising extension coverage can cover you if you are planning on leaving the United States.

If you are interested in learning more about boat insurance in Federal Way, WA, you should consider contacting the professionals at Hart Insurance. They will be able to answer any questions that you might have about boat insurance and perhaps suggest policies that would be of use to you.

Umbrella insurance is an important type of insurance to carry to protect yourself financially. Your assets could be at risk if you’re not carrying this type of coverage. At Hart Insurance, we provide umbrella insurance coverage to consumers in Federal Way, WA.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of misunderstandings out there regarding what umbrella coverage is and how it works. The following are three common misunderstandings regarding umbrella insurance that you should be aware of. 

You don’t need umbrella coverage unless you are very wealthy.

You shouldn’t assume that you’re not wealthy enough to be sued. Regardless of how wealthy you are, you could become the target of a lawsuit. Don’t think that you don’t need umbrella coverage just because you don’t have a super high net worth. 

Umbrella coverage isn’t necessary if my auto and home insurance maximum coverages are high. 

The coverage maximums on your auto and home policies most likely can’t go any higher than $500,000. However, liability costs could easily top $500,000 in the event of a severe accident. That’s why umbrella coverage is important to enhance any auto or home insurance policy. It’s also important to note that umbrella coverage can enhance other types of policy like boat insurance policies. 

Umbrella insurance covers my property.

When you buy umbrella coverage, it’s important to understand that umbrella insurance is a form of liability protection. It doesn’t cover the costs of damages to your property. However, it can protect your assets by covering large expenses from lawsuits against you that you might otherwise have to pay for by losing valuable assets. 

It’s important to do your research before you purchase an umbrella insurance policy in Federal Way, WA. At Hart Insurance, we can help. Contact us for answers to any questions you have about umbrella insurance coverage. 

Maintenance can make an RV last longer and prepare it for winter storage in Federal Way, WA. It can help reduce the chance of accidents which reduces insurance claims you need to file with Hart Insurance. Even if you live in your motorhome or use it during the winter months, you can benefit from conducting motorhome maintenance. This helps your motor run better, your transmission last longer, and improve your plumbing functions.

You might set aside about half a day for this. While this list is not too lengthy, it will require a few hours.

Contact Hart Insurance serving Federal Way, WA to learn more about how you can protect your motorhome investment. We can help you obtain an RV policy that protects you when you are on the road or off.

1. Drain the plumbing system and blow it out with compressed air. That includes your gray and black water tanks.
2. Pour a quart of antifreeze into each water tank to protect the drain valves and seals.
3. Empty the water heater drain. Flush the system using a rinsing wand.
4. If you will remain parked for the winter and you will not use it, raise it off of the ground with leveling jacks or outside jacks. Rotate the tires a half-rotation. This keeps them from getting flat spots.
5. Top of your fuel tanks and add fuel stabilizer.
6. Top off the fluid levels in your maintenance batteries and fully charge them. If it freezes where you will park the RV, take it out and store it in a warm, dry place. If it does not freeze, you can leave it in the RV, but disconnect the cables.
7. Protect the 120V AC system by flipping off the RV’s main circuit breaker. Disconnect the rig from the shore power.
8. Block the exhaust pipe with aluminum foil or steel wool to keep rodents from entering.
9. Fill all the propane tanks. If it will freeze where you parked, remove the tanks and store them elsewhere. Otherwise, cover the tank connection fittings with plastic bags secured with rubber bands.

One of the great advantages of living in Federal Way, Washington, is that you have access to so much water. There is plenty of incentive to own your own boat, but if you do, you need to have a plan for the changing seasons. Hart Insurance wants to see your boat last a long time, so here are some tips for dealing with seasonal changes.

Getting Ready for Winter

Your process will depend on where the boat lives in the winter. If it is going to be dry-docked, that’s a different process from leaving it on the water. Both are viable options.

Before you store the boat, regardless of location, it should be thoroughly cleaned first. It’s especially important that you remove potential contaminants from the boat for storage. The rainy season in Washington can easily sweep away contaminants and get them into bodies of water and groundwater.

If you’re keeping the boat in water, the total workload isn’t grueling. The engine doesn’t need to be winterized, and water lines are typically safe. Mostly you need to ensure that the boat is properly secured and protected from the continuous rain.

For land storage, it’s best to drain all fluids and get an appropriate cover for the boat. If it can be stored under a roof, that’s preferable.

Preparing for the Summer

Preparing for the summer is the inverse of winter. The warm season is great for enjoying the waters. Preparing the boat is mostly about maintenance. Go through your complete checklist to make sure everything is working properly. Check that your insurance is up to date and adequate. Get any accessories and extras you need to make the most of your boating experiences.

No matter the season, you want to make sure your boat has the right insurance policy. That is what will protect it and you from the unexpected. Talk to your representative at Hart Insurance Agency. They can help you craft a great plan for your boat in Federal Way.

If you live in the Federal Way, WA area, there are a lot of insurance options that you need to choose from that can provide you with various forms of protection. One form of insurance that you will need to carefully consider is umbrella insurance. This is a form of personal liability insurance that can protect policyholders. A quality umbrella policy will protect you a number of different ways, which can make it well worth the investment.

Provides More Insurance Protection

One way that an umbrella insurance policy can help is by offering you more insurance protection. Most people will have some personal liability coverage already through their home and auto policies. However, if there is ever a very bad accident, it is possible the damages you are liable for could exceed your base policy. If you have umbrella insurance, the coverage could give you the additional protection that you need.

Covers More Scenarios

You could also benefit from an umbrella insurance policy because it could cover more situations that come with liability risk. While home and auto provide coverage for the most likely situations that could come with a liability claim, they are not as conclusive and an umbrella policy. If you invest in an umbrella policy, you will get the additional coverage you need to cover more liability risk situations. 

As you are looking for an umbrella insurance policy in the Federal Way, WA area, it is important that you discuss your insurance needs and options with someone that you can trust. The team at Hart Insurance can help you find a policy that will offer you the right type and level of coverage. Hart Insurance is able to do this by carefully assessing your individual needs and then building a policy that offers adequate coverage and peace of mind. 

Pets deserve the best care

You know how important having regular checkups are for your pets, but did you know that you can get pet insurance that will help keep your friends healthy and happy? Hart Insurance, serving Federal Way, WA, can help you navigate the options for pet insurance to give you peace of mind. Having to make a difficult decision when your pet is ill and the procedure needed is too expensive to cover is every pet owner’s fear. It is possible to supplement those expenses with a pet insurance plan.

Dogs and cats make the perfect companions for people, and most people would give all they have to ensure a healthy pet. Unfortunately, pets cannot take care of themselves, nor can they tell you what’s wrong. Being able to bring them into the veterinarian whenever necessary is crucial, and having coverage through Hart Insurance is a great way to help with the cost. Veterinarians around Federal Way, WA, generally take pet insurance, and Hart can help you find the right plan. 

Pet insurance can offer you:

• Financial Protection. Having a plan to fall back on when an expensive procedure comes up helps in so many ways.
• Your Pet’s Gratitude. You may not think about it, but your pet relies on you for everything, including healthcare. 
• Happy, healthy pets. You protect your family with insurance, why not your pet?

Hart Insurance has been helping clients since 1967 and will help you with every step of your insurance needs. Whether you have an existing relationship with Hart or are shopping for pet insurance, stop in or call and get the right pet policy for your needs.

A classic car is a very unique asset that many people in the Federal Way, WA strive to own. This form of vehicle is often a dream for car lovers to own. While a classic car can be driven around the city, it are often considered an investment that is properly cared for and only taken out infrequently. If you do get a classic car here, it would be a good idea to get a classic car insurance policy as it provides some unique advantages to car owners.

Reduced Liability Risk is Reflected in Coverage

If you own a classic car, the number of miles that are driven each year are going to be much less than what someone would drive with a normal car. This then results in a liability policy that provides a lot less risk to the insurance company. The insurance provider is then able to offer rates that reflect this reduction in risk. 

Value is Agreed Upon

When you get a classic car insurance policy, you are going to want to make sure that your vehicle’s value is properly insured. This should include making sure the actual collectible and market value of the car is included in the policy. You can obtain this coverage by negotiating with the insurance company. 

If you are in the Federal Way, WA and want to buy a classic car, it would be a good idea to reach out to the team at Hart Insurance to discuss your insurance needs. The insurance professionals at Hart Insurance can help you to better understand the benefits that come with classic car insurance and how this unique form of insurance can protect you and your vehicle. They can then help you choose a policy that is ideal based on your situation. 

For us at Hart Insurance in Federal Way, WA, RV insurance has several types of coverage. Although some types of coverage are optional, we will base this article on only the basic coverage. So, here is what RV insurance basically covers.

Bodily Injury Liability

If you cause an accident with your RV and someone gets injured. It is your legal responsibility to pay the hospital bills of the injured person. Also, if the injury sustained will prevent him from working, you should also pay him for loss of income. With your RV insurance policy in hand, this coverage will provide funds for both settlements. 

Property Damage Liability

Using the scenario above, we have talked about paying the medical bills of the injured person. There’s something left. In an accident, all the vehicles involved usually encounter different degrees of damages. So, this coverage will provide the funds to fix the third party’s damaged vehicle. Even if it’s not a vehicle, this coverage will repair the property as long as you were the one who caused the damage with your RV.

Collision

If you get involved in an accident and your recreational vehicle gets damaged, this type of coverage will provide the funds to fix the vehicle, whether you’re at fault or not. It also applies to the scenario described above. The other two types of coverage described above are meant to take care of the victims of the accident that you caused, but collision coverage will fix your vehicle. 

Comprehensive

Without getting involved in an accident, it is still possible for your RV to get damaged. It could be vandalized, stolen, or razed by fire. Storms, floods, and other natural disasters could also wreak havoc on your RV. This coverage will take care of your vehicle when any of the perils happens.

Medical Payments

When you’re involved in an accident, regardless of who’s at fault, this coverage will pay your medical bills and that of your passengers, if any. 

For more information on RV insurance, contact Hart Insurance in Federal Way, WA, or book an appointment with us. 

If you own a boat or personal watercraft equipment, your homeowner’s policy may not protect you against liability and property damage. Anytime you take your boat or equipment out on the water, you’re at risk of an accident. Even storing your boat or equipment puts it at risk of sustaining damage. A boat insurance policy can protect you from both. Speak to an agency that serves Federal Way, WA like Hart Insurance. 

Personal Liability

Let’s say you’re enjoying a relaxing afternoon out on the water in your boat. However, as you go to make a turn, you accidentally crash into someone on a jet ski. The person sustains a personal injury and needs to go to the hospital. A boat insurance policy with the proper coverage limits can protect you from getting sued. 

Property Damage

Even if your boat or watercraft stays in storage, it is still susceptible to damage or theft. Strong storms often result in unexpected damage that a boat insurance policy can help you with. Your coverage needs will probably depend upon the size of the boat or type of watercraft equipment. Remember that unexpected accidents can also result in property damage or loss. 

Lender Requirements

If you’ve financed the purchase of your boat and have an active loan on it, your lender may require you to carry boat insurance. You’ll want to check to see what your lender has stipulated in terms of coverages and limits. If you don’t take out your own policy, the bank may take out force-placed insurance. This will likely be more expensive for you. 

Own a boat in Federal Way, WA, but don’t have insurance for it yet? Contact us at Hart Insurance today to find out how we can help!