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.

Keep your Friends and Family Safe from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Woodinville, WA

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Keeping your Home in Woodinville, WA Safe from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Woodinville, WAOur homes should be places of comfort, relaxation and memories. That’s why it is important to protect your homes from dangers such as fires, theft and one people too often overlook: carbon monoxide (CO).

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is produced when fuels such as wood, oil, natural gas and propane are not efficiently burned. Carbon monoxide can be produced by your household equipment such as generators, lawn mowers, barbeques and your furnace.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that each year, 170 people in the United States are killed by carbon monoxide poisoning in their homes. These deaths can be caused when equipment malfunctions or when the products are used in areas that are not properly ventilated, such as a closed room.

The Center for Disease Control lists the common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning as headache, dizziness, vomiting, chest pain and confusion.

The good news about all this is that protecting your family from CO poisoning is relatively simple.

Follow these tips for Carbon Monoxide poisoning prevention:

  • Always have your home’s gas burning furnace, water heater and fireplace serviced by a professional. A professional will ensure the appliance is burning properly and is properly vented.
  • Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home (newly constructed homes, apartments and condominiums will likely already have these installed). For an extra level of protection, consider installing a CO alarm in every bedroom of your house.
  • Never leave a car idling in a garage
  • Keep portable generators at least 20feet from an open window
  • Never use a charcoal barbeque inside a home, tent or camper
  • Never use a gas oven to heat a home

Even a single carbon monoxide detector in your home could save lives. If you rent a home or apartment that does not currently have a carbon monoxide detector, ask your landlord to provide one. Many states require that homes have them installed. Review your state laws here.

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.

Learn How to Keep and Maintain a Fire Extinguisher in Woodinville, WA

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How to Keep and Maintain a Fire Extinguisher in your Home

Fire Extinguisher Safety in Woodinville, WAYour home is much more than the place that you live or where you sleep. It is where you create memories, raise a family and have family and friends over to visit. Keeping everyone safe while they’re there should be a first priority. But, when was the last time you looked at your fire extinguisher to ensure it would perform if a fire broke out in your home?

A fire extinguisher is arguably one of the most important pieces of safety equipment in your home or apartment (second only to a smoke detector) and should be kept up at regular intervals. Just because you have a fire extinguisher in the home doesn’t mean that it will function in case of emergency. With these tips, however, you’ll be better set in case of emergency and in the event you have to use an extinguisher to put out a fire.

1.) Inspect your extinguisher once per month.

Inspecting your fire extinguisher will ensure the canister is charged and ready to work in case of a fire. You should inspect the extinguisher for damage and check the charge meter (typically a green to red meter near the top). Try to inspect your fire extinguisher monthly to ensure it is where you left it and that the extinguisher is in good shape.

2.) Maintenance

Your fire extinguisher really doesn’t require much, but should be maintained at least one time per year. Like any pressurized system, the canister will lose pressure over time. Ensure that it is “charged” and if required, get it recharged or replace the extinguisher. 

Other items that should be considered are:

  • Is your extinguisher accessible? Are there items in front of your extinguisher that would cost you time or block your access to it in case of emergency?
  • Is the needle pointing to green on your extinguisher’s gauge?
  • Is the nozzle in good shape (perhaps it was dropped and damaged). If not, replace the extinguisher.
  • Is the pin intact and appear to be in good shape?
  • Is the canister itself in good shape and free of dents, rust or obvious signs of leaks?

Keeping your fire extinguishers in your home in good working order is just one of the important steps to keeping your home and house guests safe. It is also a way to avoid a costly and emotional homeowner’s insurance claim. 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.