How to Stop Procrastinating About Your Seattle Car Insurance

By  //  May 3, 2022

Life is full of personal and financial obligations. Making “smart choices” with your health, lifestyle, and money, can all suck energy away from things that we’d rather be doing or thinking about.

Car insurance is one of these things. For many of us, the annual chore of researching, comparing options, then paying for something that we hope we will never need is an inconvenience we’d rather do without.

So, what do we do? Many of us procrastinate. As Layne Staley of Seattle’s Alice in Chains said:

“I guess I can go anywhere I want. If only I knew where to go.”

In Washington State, doing nothing is an easy option because most auto insurers will renew policies on the same terms unless told otherwise. But this usually comes with a premium increase, which potentially leaves money on the table. No one likes to do that.

By changing your mindset, sorting car insurance in Seattle can be less stressful, and even fun. Here are two ways to look at things and get moving:

1. Focus on the positives

Car insurance is there for one reason: to protect you if the worst happens. That’s it. Knowing that you’re covered means you can sleep at night. Your family, friends, passengers, and other motorists benefit too by knowing that you’re protected.

It’s not just a nice-to-have either. Auto insurance is a legal obligation in most places. For example, in Seattle you must have coverage for at least:

■ $25,000 of bodily injury or death of 1 person in any 1 accident.

■ $50,000 of bodily injury or death of any 2 people in any 1 accident.

■ $10,000 of injury to or destruction of property of others in any 1 accident.

There are exceptions, such as self-insurance, but most people don’t qualify. And if you don’t get covered you run the risk of serious criminal consequences. Again, in Washington, if you drive without insurance, you could get fined $550 or more. And, if you cause a car crash while uninsured your driver’s license can be suspended if you fail to pay the resulting damages and/or injuries.

 2.  Flex your money-saving muscles

Inflation is at sky-high levels. You only need to go to Trader Joe’s, buy gas, or pay your Seattle Public Utilities bill to know that things cost more than last year. While we might try to limit expenses, some things can’t be skimped on. One of them is insurance for our homes, cars, and other things. But just because we need to renew, doesn’t mean we should settle for what worked in the past.

Looking at insurance critically and focusing on your present-day needs can help you get the right cover and save money in the process. For example, not everyone needs unlimited miles car insurance. Some Emerald City dwellers might be better with a pay-per-mile insurance option. Others may find that the comprehensive cover they once needed is no longer justified.

Adult life can be challenging at times. But, when done right, insurance does not have to add to the stress.