Who is Responsible for Damages Caused to a Fence When It’s Shared?

In Lynnwood, WA, the agents of Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc are well-versed in property law and how to handle disputes when it comes to fence repair between neighbors. Everyone wants privacy, but it comes at a cost when you put up a fence along a property line that divides two neighboring lots. Both sides share a portion of the responsibility. It’s important to know each party’s portion of the liability to avoid legal disputes if the fence is damaged in any way.

Putting Up the Fence

If you plan on putting up a boundary or privacy fence between you and your neighbor, you will have to ensure that it complies with any local and state fencing laws. Permits may be required in your location, while they may not be in others. In Washington, if you put up a fence that only serves your purpose and it runs along your side of the property line, you have sole responsibility for its maintenance and any repairs that may be needed.

Sharing Responsibility

If you and your neighbor both "share" the fence, it means you both benefit from its presence. In this case, any repairs and maintenance would be shared equally between the two of you. Most neighbors mutually agree that when the fence benefits both parties, each should contribute equally to its upkeep. However, if your neighbor moves and new neighbors take possession of the property, the agreement is null and void. You will have to establish a new deal with the new owners.

The agents of Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc can answer your questions when it comes to fencing disputes and how to resolve them effectively. If you live in the Lynnwood, WA area and need answers about your liability when it comes to a damaged fence you share with your neighbors, call an agent to discuss your options and evaluate your existing insurance policy.

Protecting Specific Valuables at Home

Most home insurance plans are designed for the general protection of a Lynnwood, WA home. That means the policy is primarily focused on the structure of the house. These types of policies will include terms that help provide some level of recovery and restoration of personal belongings in the home, but it tends to be limited to a set dollar amount for everything. That approach doesn’t quite work when a customer has a specific type of valuable in the home, such as artwork or a jewelry.

Instead, what a customer needs, in terms of specific protection, is known as a rider in the insurance industry. This is an added on coverage tied to the homeowners’ insurance plan that is specific to the high-value item that needs to be covered. It is based on a certified appraisal of the item and then provides specific financial coverage for the item itself versus any other belongings in the home. The rider does come with an added cost, but this is to offset the specific high-value item risk added to the general home protection. Every rider is specific and unique, the crafting of the language and policy has to usually be handled case by case.

To find out more about how a Washington home can benefit from a rider on its coverage, the folks at Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc in Lynnwood, WA can help with questions and provide more information. We are experts in crafting unique policy packages for customers from a variety of insurance provider sources and can match the right policy with the right need every time. Give us a call today to get the protection you need or stop by our office.

Ways to Prep Your Home for Summer

The winter is over in Lynnwood, WA but that just means there are a few things you should do around the house. Spring is a time when everything comes back to life in the area but if you took the time to prep your home for winter, then there are a few things you need to do to get ready for summer. Use these tips from Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc. to get your home ready for Summer.

  • Get your HVAC checked– Now is the time to make sure that it is in working condition. You do not want to find out in the heat of summer that your air conditioning unit needs to be replaced or repaired. Go ahead and have a professional look at it now. 
  • De-winterize your home– If you winterized anything before the cold weather hit, be sure to take the time to get it de-winterized so that it works properly. 
  • Plant some flowers– if you have the space to plant things, now is the time to do it. In just a few weeks, your yard will be blooming and you will be amazed.
  • Do some spring cleaning– It is popular to do this kind of thing in the spring so take full advantage of the warmer weather and clean up a little bit inside your home. Consider donating clothes or cleaning out the garage. This can make room for new goodies you find over the Summer months.

If you do not already have a great home insurance policy set up, be sure to reach out to us at Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc., serving Lynnwood, WA, to get a quote. We also offer an online rating tool for those looking for quotes on their home insurance policies. There are many different policies available and we can work with you to find one within your budget.

3 Reasons to Switch Your Home Insurance Company Today

Your home insurance may be mandatory, but your home insurance company certainly is not. Although you may believe you have found the perfect company to suit your home insurance needs, you may be patronizing the wrong company. That said, the following is a closer look at three reasons for residents of Lynnwood, WA to switch your home insurance policy to a company like Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc. today. 

New on the Block

With the massive influx of new insurance agencies, it can be difficult to tell if a company is reputable or an all-out scam. By switching to a tried and tested company such as Sound Choice, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that your insurance company has been in existence since 1982. Whereas many companies have come and gone by the end of the year, Sound Choice will be here for many years to come. 

Bad Customer Service

In addition to that, customer service is also a major component of one’s insurance coverage. Although it may seem minuscule, having a collection of highly qualified professionals with outstanding customer service to depend on can mean the difference between quickly moving on after an incident or watching your life fall to pieces. By switching to a company such as Sound Choice, quality customer service is guaranteed. 

Excess of Negative Reviews 

Lastly, reviews often hold a lot of truth. If your present insurance company has an abundance of negative reviews online, it may be time to switch to a company that doesn’t. 

Overall, purchasing quality home insurance in Lynnwood, WA can be a cinch! Simply call, visit, or email Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc. today and find out how to begin your policy and save! 

What Factors to Consider when Purchasing Home Insurance

Most people understand that they need to purchase home insurance. A home is most people’s most valuable financial possession that they will invest in over the course of their lives. Home insurance is a necessity because it will help to cover the financial damages that occur if the structure of a home is damaged. On the other hand, there are many considerations that people must take into account when purchasing home insurance. Do not neglect the following factors when investing in home insurance.

First, make sure that the home insurance policy covers personal belongings. The structure of the home is not the only valuable item that makes up a home. Most people have expensive jewelry, electronics, and clothing that are stored inside the home. If the home goes up in flames, these belongings will be lost in the ensuing damage. These are worth a substantial amount of money and people should make sure that their home insurance policy covers these items.

Next, make sure that the home insurance policy covers living expenses. If the damage to a home is so bad that the home is no longer able to be lived in, people can rack up a significant amount of expenses by eating out at restaurants and staying in hotels while looking for a more permanent place to live. These are expensive bills that can place a significant amount of financial stress on the family. Therefore, make sure that the home insurance policy covers living expenses. They should not be neglected.

Residents living in Lynnwood, WA should make sure that they have the necessary amount of coverage when it comes to home insurance. Contact an experienced insurance agent at Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc serving the area of Lynnwood, WA for more information on a  home insurance policy today.