What To Do If Your Vehicle is Recalled in Woodinville, WA

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What do I do when my vehicle is recalled?

Vehicle Recalls in Woodinville, WAVehicles being recalled in the United States is a common problem; in fact, one that happens around the globe, not just here at home. But, what do you do when your vehicle is recalled? Where do you start? How do you know what to do? These are common questions, one that we’ll address today in this post.

Start by Seeing if your Car was Impacted by the Recall

Just because your model year and make was recalled, doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be impacted by the recall. Manufacturers change distributors and parts throughout the year, so the best way to check is to input your VIN. You can check to see if your car was recalled by going to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations website. Click on the yellow button that reads “Search for recall by VIN.”

If you’re purchasing a used car, this is also a great place to start to ensure the vehicle you purchased doesn’t have an outstanding recall that you should address before purchasing the vehicle.

You Should Get some Mail

Because you have to register your vehicles, you should receive a notice via mail that your vehicle is likely impacted by a recall. This letter will typically inform you to contact your dealer to schedule a service. In the event the recall is considered very dangerous, the letter may go as far as to tell you to not drive the vehicle any longer.

How Much is a Recall Going to Cost Me?

The great news for consumers is that a safety recall will be fixed free of charge. If you happen to have repaired the affected part prior to the recall occurring, you can ask the manufacturer for reimbursement. Keep in mind though, you will not likely be given a loaner vehicle while the vehicle is being repaired, so plan on being out of the vehicle for a day or so unless the recall is something simple. EX: like a new sticker that replaces one with wrong information. One last thing to note here is that if your vehicle is recalled and you do nothing for 10+ years, the manufacturer will be off the hook to repair after this time.

Is this a Common Problem?

Most all manufacturers experience recalls. In fact, http://edmonds.com reported that over 61 million vehicles were recalled in 2014! While this is a staggering number, this is from all vehicles, not just model year vehicles. So, when GM recalled 7 million vehicles in 2014 for the ignition problem, this was for vehicles manufactured in 1997-2014. So, just because you have an older vehicle, doesn’t mean you won’t be affected by a vehicle recall.

Do All These Recalls mean Vehicles Are Becoming Less Safe?

Quite the contrary! According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety improved vehicle design and safety technology have resulted in a steady decline of fatal accidents. In fact, 9 vehicles reported zero fatal accidents in the 2011 calendar year. They also reported that the smaller the vehicle, the higher the risk of fatal accidents. The bigger, typically the less risk.

If you have questions about your home, auto or commercial insurance, call the insurance agents at ISU Insurance Solutions Group. Their office in Woodinville, WA is here to serve you. They have years of insurance experience and can help you insure everything from your home to your auto or business insurance. They live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so they can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out their website, 24/7.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proper Use of Space Heaters in Woodinville, WA Can Eliminate a Homeowners Insurance Claim

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Prevent a Costly Fire in your Home by Following Proper Space Heater Safety

Space Heater Safety in Woodinville, WASpace heaters are undeniably a convenient and efficient way to heat some spaces including garages, bedrooms and workspaces like shops or offices areas. But, an often overlooked fact with space heaters is the dangers that they may catch nearby items on fire.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that the number of residential fires caused each year by portable space heaters exceeds 25,000 annually. Furthermore, an estimated 300 people are killed annually by fires caused from space heaters being used improperly. In addition to fires being started, thousands of people each year receive hospital treatment to treat burns caused by improper use or handling of space heaters.

When using a space heater, regardless of type, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s safety and operational instructions.

Some things to consider when purchasing a space heater are:

  • Will you need to vent the space (propane heaters or kerosene heaters)
  • Does the unit you’re purchasing carry the “Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) label?
    • The UL is a global independent safety science company with more than a century of innovating safety solutions from the public adoption of electricity.
  • Does the unit have a built in thermostat to control the temperature?
  • Does the unit have a safety feature that will disable it if it tips over?
  • Will your unit be able to be placed away from flammable material and away from children and pets?
  • Never leave your space heater unattended or running over night.

The proper use of a space heater can provide you with a great solution to heating a space and being energy efficient in your home. Be sure to properly use the space heater and avoid leaving it unattended or in an area where children might play.

If you have questions about your home, auto or commercial insurance, call the insurance agents at ISU Insurance Solutions Group. Their office in Woodinville, WA is here to serve you. They have years of insurance experience and can help you insure everything from your home to your auto or business insurance. They live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so they can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out their website, 24/7.

 

Personal Injury Protection in Washington

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Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in Washington

You might consider increasing the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage on your policy from the minimum of $10,000 to $35,000.

Personal Injury Protection at $10,000 level provides the following benefits:

Up to limit of $ 10,000 for reasonable and necessary medical expense for each person injured in an auto accident.

Up to $200 per week for income replacement (some companies define as Income continuation benefits) coverage. This benefit is limited to the lesser of (1) $200 per week or (2) 85% off the insured’s weekly income from work. Usually it is limited to one year after someone has been disabled for 14 consecutive days after the accident.

Up to $ 2,000 for funeral expenses.

Up to $ 5,000 for loss of services (payment to non-family members for work you can’t do).

 

Increasing the coverage to the $ 35,000 option would provide the following benefits:

Up to limit of $ 35,000 for reasonable and necessary medical expense for each person injured in an auto accident.

Up to $700 per week for income replacement (some companies define as Income continuation benefits) coverage. This benefit is limited to the lesser of (1) $700 per week or (2) 85% off the insured’s weekly income from work. Usually it is limited to one year after someone has been disabled for 14 consecutive days after the accident.

Up to $ 2,000 for funeral expenses.

Up to $ 14,600 for loss of services (payment to non-family members for work you can’t do).

We would recommend increasing the limits to provide the extra protection in case of injuries involved in an automobile accident. It’s always a good idea to be on the safe side.

 

This information is an overview of Washington auto insurance policies and for informational purposes only. Refer to your automobile insurance policy for specific coverage language.