Auto Loan Coverage and why it’s important. You owe more on your auto loan than your vehicle is worth. How can that be? When you purchase a new vehicle, the car value depreciates as soon as you leave the dealership. This means that depending on how much you financed you may owe more on your loan than the car is worth. There are 2 ways to protect yourself if your car is totaled and you owe more than it is worth. You can purchase GAP insurance from the dealership as part of your financing agreement when you purchase your vehicle. Typically this adds $800+ to your auto loan and you will pay intere ..read more

Homeowners Insurance vs Lender Placed Coverage   Are there differences between a homeowner policy you would purchase from an insurance agent and a policy that you would get directly from your lender? Yes, there are.  Coverage directly from the lender is also known as “force placed coverage”.   The purpose of a homeowner policy is to make YOU whole again in the case of a covered loss. For example, if there is a fire, your homeowner policy would pay to rebuild your home. The coverage amount you would have is the amount of the repairs up to the limit stated on your policy ..read more

The aftermath of a catastrophic flooding is stressful. No one prepares you for what steps you need to take. Suddenly your home, that you have lovingly cared for, has sustained immense damage. What do you do now? 1. Turn off the power to your home at the electrical panel. Water and electricity is not a good combination. Have it inspected before turning back on. 2. Call a water damage restoration company and get on the waiting list. Unfortunately, because there has been so much damage in our area, you may have to wait a bit before they can get to you. 3. Contact your insurance company to see if ..read more

We often sing a song to our children when it is time to clean up their toys: “Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere. Clean up, clean up, everybody do your share.” While this song may sound simple, its intent really will help our friends and neighbors who are struggling to get back into their homes.  One way you can help is to donate cleaning supplies. Guide Insurance Services has partnered with Peoples Bank and a local Lynden Girl Scout troupe to collect cleaning supplies which will be given to families affected by the floods in Whatcom County. We are asking for donations of household ..read more

What Happens When a Tree Falls? Fall and Winter in the Pacific Northwest We are now in the Fall and Winter storm season and in the Pacific Northwest this means trees fall during windstorms. Are you covered if a tree in your yard falls on your house? What if a neighbors tree falls on your house? Or if your tree falls on a neighbors house? On Your House If a tree damages your home or other insured structure like your detached garage, fence or shop, your homeowners insurance policy typically covers the damage to the structure as well as any damage to the contents. If you have an active property i ..read more

Building a Safety Culture in your Restaurant Are your employees engaged in workplace safety? Safety isn’t the responsibility of a single person – everyone in a restaurant needs to be committed to safety. Our restaurant risk management tools can highlight the financial benefits of workplace safety and help establish collaborative safety programs. Did you know that you can see a massive return on investment for every dollar you invest in workplace safety and health? Providing food and beverage services may have your finances spread thin, and Guide Insurance Services is here to help.  We’ll ..read more

Fall Driving in the Pacific Northwest Fall in the Pacific Northwest is a beautiful time of the year, but this natural beauty comes with a set of hazards when driving. Every year thousands of people are injured and hundreds are killed due to daylight savings time changes and the change of the seasons. What to Expect Keep yourself and others safe by preparing your vehicle for the season and keeping these things in mind: Weather: Sudden changes in temperature, rain, snow and fog all make for hazardous driving. Be aware of the weather and current driving conditions each time you get behind the wh ..read more

Fall is in the air and we all know what’s coming. Winter doesn’t have to be hard on your home. Winterizing properly can make all the difference for a warm and cozy winter and reduce winter weather damage. Take a look at all of your windows & doors. Look for cracks, chipping paint and worn weatherstripping. You may also want to test for draft around windows, doors and outlets. Replace weather stripping and re-caulk gaps as needed. Apply a fresh coat of paint or sealant if you see wear or weathering on the frame or siding. Consider replacing old windows or installing storm windows to save o ..read more

The time has come, you have a child headed to college! There are several things to consider when your child leaves for college: Should they have a car with them? Should you leave them listed as a driver on your auto policy? Do they need a renters policy? Are you still liable for them when they are in college? Are there any discounts that can be added to your auto policy?   How your insurance policies are impacted by having a college student Auto Insurance is something to consider: Even though your child may not be taking a vehicle to college, it is important to leave them listed as a dri ..read more

What is a service line? A service line is the utility line (for water, sewer, electricity and natural gas) that runs from your home to the supply lines that are in the street.   You may have a gap in coverage. Maintaining and repairing the service lines for your water, sewer, electricity and natural gas is the homeowners responsibility. Coverage for these lines are excluded from a standard homeowner insurance policy. Good News! You can add this coverage to your homeowner policy with some carriers for as little as $25 per year.   Obstructions Damage can be caused by tree roots or even ..read more