Is it an E-Bike or Motorcycle in Washington State?

Posted on by Matt McColm
e-bike have rules in Washington state

Beginning June 11, Washington state has made a major change around your E-Bike. Washington state recently updated its laws through Enhanced Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 6110 to better define the difference between electric-assisted bicycles (e-bikes) and electric motorcycles. With new technology, we see an update of laws.

In 2013, Washington state allowed for Electronic Proof of insurance. In 2019, we saw Washington State require motorcycles to be insured. As the laws change in Washington state, Wenatchee Insurance will be ready.

If your E-Bike has:

  1. Fully operational Pedals
  2. Has an electric motor rated at 750 watts or less.
  3. Can not exceed 20 mph on electric motor alone.

then your E-Bike is still considered an E-Bike.

If it does not meet those standards then it is considered a motorcycle and you may have additional requirements like:

  1. A valid driver’s license
  2. Vehicle Registration
  3. Insurance
  4. Helmet Requirements
  5. Compliance with traffic laws.

The old laws for a motor driven scooter had them not to exceed Five Horsepower. There are E-Bikes out there that can exceed 50 mph. E-Bikes with more than 1000 watt motors.

Motorcycle Helmet means means a protective covering for the head consisting of a hard outer shell, padding adjacent to and inside the outer shell, and a neck or chin strap type retention system, with the manufacturer’s certification for the Department of Transportation. Be aware of unsafe or novelty helmets.

To be insured in Washington state you must carry a minimum liability of:

  • $25,000 for injuries or death to another person
  • $50,000 for injuries or death to all other people
  • $10,000 for damage to another person’s property.

Wenatchee Insurance is an independent insurance agency that has multiple companies to insure E-bikes or Motorcycles. If you would like assistance then let us know.

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Recreational vs. Full-Time RV insurance: Who Needs It?

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Guys talking over coffee in front of their RV at Wenatchee Insurance

If you frequently travel in your RV to and from Wenatchee, WA, it may feel more like a primary residence than a vacation vehicle. Choosing the right RV insurance depends on how often you use your RV and whether it serves as your primary living space. The professionals at Wenatchee Insurance Agency can help you determine whether part-time or full-time RV insurance best fits your lifestyle.

RV Insurance for Recreational and Part-Time Use

Recreational RV insurance is designed for people who use their RV primarily for vacations, weekend trips, or seasonal travel. These policies function similarly to an auto insurance policy and focus on collision and comprehensive coverage while the RV is on the road.

Many recreational RV policies also include vacation liability coverage, which applies when your RV is parked at a campsite. Limited personal property coverage is typically included as well, often ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. This amount is usually sufficient for clothing, small electronics, and basic travel gear.

When Full-Time RV Insurance Is Required

Full-time RV insurance is intended for individuals who live in their RV for at least 183 days per year or who do not maintain another primary residence. These policies combine elements of auto and homeowners insurance to provide broader protection.

Common features of full-time RV insurance may include:

  • Full-timer personal liability coverage that extends beyond campground use
  • Loss of use coverage if your RV becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss
  • Medical payments coverage for injuries to others
  • Higher personal property limits, often $20,000 or more

Snowbirds who spend several months traveling seasonally and digital nomads who live and work year-round in their RVs typically need full-time coverage. If your usage does not match the policy you carry, your insurer may deny claims.

Understanding which RV insurance policy you need is essential to protecting both your vehicle and your lifestyle. Contact the professionals at Wenatchee Insurance Agency, proudly serving Wenatchee, WA, to learn more about part-time and full-time RV insurance options.

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2027 Proposed Individual Health Insurance Rates

Posted on by Matt McColm

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner has released the proposed individual rates for 2027. A consumer can even comment about the proposals on the OIC’s Webpage. It’s a very good idea to give feedback. Last year we saw a massive jump in rates and we are seeing a repeat with the lack of positive legislation.

Proposed rates Wenatchee

If you want to make a comment then head to the OIC’s page and you can make comments on each company.

The factors are pretty important.

  1. The loss of the Enhanced Tax credits has drove the uninsured number higher which costs to providers who pass on the cost to the consumer. These impact rural families, small businesses and early retirees the most. It directly impacts millions of Americans.
  2. The Medical Loss Ratio. A individual insurance company must spend at least 80% of premiums on healthcare or they rebate the owner of the policy. There isn’t a single insurance company that was under 80%. For a successful change to occur then Provider and Pharmaceutical prices have got to be addressed.
  3. The massive loss of enrollments. A record number have disenrolled compared to last year.

These are not the final rates. The average requested rate is 22.4% and individual plans could shift very differently that the overall picture. They have to be approved by the Office of Insurance then approved by the Healthplanfinder.

There are plans that are choosing to de-commission so consumers will have fewer options for customer service. The more plans that offer fewer commissions, it makes it a challenge to keep lights on for community resources. Some agents may drop out or start charging fees. We do our best to offer additional types of insurance to fill in the gaps and allow our health agents to continue despite an Insurance company failing to compensate.

Select your appointment early.

Medicare Annual Enrollment is October 15th through December 7th

Healthcare Open Enrollment is November 1sth through December 15th.

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June is Gay Pride Month in Wenatchee!

Posted on by Matt McColm
Gay Pride month

At Wenatchee Insurance, we do celebrate Gay Pride Month.

A little book keeping:

1. If you want to continue Military Appreciation Month into June then throw a party for Friedrich von Steuben, he was the Inspector General at Valley Forge and we wouldn’t have a country with out him. Yes, the LGBTQ community has been a part of the country since the beginning.

2. Gay Pride started in 1969 at the first Anniversary of the Stonewall Rights that were sparked by Police Brutality. The organizers decided against Gay Power because if they take everything away a person can still have their pride.

3. The original Rainbow Flag was designed in 1978 by Gilbert Baker with 8 colors and due to a fabric shortage went to 6 colors. In 2018 there was a Progress Flag and 2021 an Intersex-Inclusive Design. There are also core identity flags. It is a traditional non verbal method to signal friendly intent or identification. Here is a good list if you want more understanding: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags .

4. We have been directly working with protecting people’s rights since 2010’s passage of the ACA and Section 1557. It specifically protects individuals against sex discrimination. Prior we had people like Tyra Hunter or Robert Eads died after doctors refused to treat them because of their gender. https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/section-1557/fs-sex-discrimination/index.html

5. Yes, we are a member of GSBA. It is the state’s LGBTQ+ and allied chamber of commerce. The moto is Equality is good business. We have received more referrals from them than local Chambers.

6. We will be tabling at a few events across the state. The Big Night that we are able to sponsor this year is June 10th Pride Night at the Wenatchee Apple Sox. It is a historic event as the first Pride Night from a professional team in the area. There are multiple groups presenting so it should be an amazing time. Get you tickets here: https://www.applesox.com/2026-schedule?

We don’t Rainbow Wash our logo. Our year round logo has a wide spectrum of colors representing our inclusive business model. We do not shy away from supporting our community.

There are over 100 events to celebrate across the Pacific Northwest.

Stonewall News Northwest has a great list: https://stonewallnews.net/articles/pnw-pride-guide-2026/24889/

While Gay Pride came from some serious roots, it is a celebration. Pride Events in Washington State bring in $37 million a year. It can be a younger crowd as 28% of Gen Z identify as LGBTQ+ which is nearly double than the Millennials. So have fun and celebrate before it get’s serious again.

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First Pride Night with Apple Sox

Posted on by Matt McColm
Pride Night with Wenatchee Apple Sox presented by Wenatchee Insurance

There has never been a Pride Night with the Wenatchee Apple Sox. There has been a Pride Festival thanks to the hard work of Wenatchee Pride for nine years. There was a Inclusive Banner Program run by North Central Washington Equity Alliance for the last six years. This will be the third year that Out NCW will have done an Equity Leadership Summit. There hasn’t been a Pride Night with a local sports team until now.

Why a Pride Night?

At Wenatchee Insurance we are an inclusive business. If you want to see our history I blogged about it in 2023 or you can catch one of the Suzilla Podcasts on Spotify. If you are a business owner in Washington state we will always recommend joining the GSBA as they have been the most supportive Chamber that we have found.

It is not always easy living together in North Central Washington. We have a firm commitment to be supportive of our community members. We grew up and when we said the Pledge of Alliance, we meant “Justice for All.” It’s our differences that make us grow stronger as a community.

There are businesses that are afraid to do the right thing for fear of cancel culture. However, defending our people has always been our business model. There are times that we have to go in front of large companies and have them correct bad behavior. We don’t have the privilege of standing by silent for bad behavior. Standing up to bullies is part of our culture even if it means costing a policy or two.

At the end of the day, we want everyone to be able to gather June 10th at 6:35 pm to see history being made in Wenatchee.

The first pitch with be thrown by President Kelsey Riggs of Wenatchee Pride!

Resources will also be provided by Out NCW, Cafe, and Wenatchee Pride!

As a special treat we will also be giving away a unique Applesox jersey with a Rainbow logo to one lucky ticket holder.

Join us for this amazing and historic night!

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Motorcycle Insurance Cover Breakdowns Away from Home

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Motorcycle Insurance at Wenatchee Insurance for all of Washington state

Imagine you are on a road trip and your motorcycle suddenly breaks down. You may find yourself stranded with no easy way to get home or reach a repair shop. In some cases, your motorcycle insurance policy may help cover certain expenses, depending on the type of coverage you carry.

At Wenatchee Insurance Agency, we work closely with our clients to ensure they have coverage that fits their riding habits and travel plans. If you need motorcycle insurance in Wenatchee, WA, our team is ready to help you explore your options and request a quote.

When Motorcycle Insurance Can Help During a Breakdown

Standard motorcycle insurance policies usually provide limited assistance when a bike breaks down due to mechanical issues. However, if you have roadside assistance coverage, you may be able to request help. This optional add-on can provide services such as towing your motorcycle to a nearby repair shop, jump-starting a dead battery, changing a flat tire, or delivering fuel if you run out.

Another valuable option is trip interruption coverage. This add-on may reimburse certain expenses related to a covered breakdown, such as lodging, meals, or transportation costs, if your trip is cut short. Towing and labor coverage can also help pay for the cost of transporting your motorcycle to a repair facility so it can be serviced as quickly as possible.

Get the Motorcycle Coverage That Fits Your Needs

When reviewing your motorcycle insurance options, it is important to understand which coverages are included and which may need to be added. The team at Wenatchee Insurance Agency is here to help. For motorcycle insurance in Wenatchee, WA, contact us today to review your policy and make sure you have the protection you need before your next ride.

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Wenatchee Insurance is an independent insurance agency located on Mission Street in Wenatchee Washington . We write policies with a variety of companies for our customer’s needs. Yes, we can insure your apartment, care, and health along with your motorcycle.

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Does Boat Insurance Pay For A New Boat If It’s Stolen?

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Vessels can be your pride and joy, making their loss especially devastating if something happens to them. Some insurance policies in Wenatchee, WA may help replace a stolen boat, while others may offer limited protection depending on the coverage you carry. Boat Insurance is an important conversation.

Coverage Level

The level of coverage you have determines whether theft is included. Many boat owners have standard liability insurance, which is often required by marinas. However, liability insurance does not cover the cost of replacing a stolen watercraft. To protect against theft, you typically need comprehensive coverage. Speak with an agent at Wenatchee Insurance Agency to learn which level of coverage is right for you if theft is a concern.

Piracy Excluded

Many boat insurance policies include exclusions for piracy. Standard policies generally do not cover theft or damage caused by piracy. For protection against these types of risks, especially in international waters, you may need a specialized maritime policy designed for high‑risk areas.

Replacement Value

Depending on your insurer, your policy may reimburse you for a new or equivalent vessel if yours is stolen. Other policies only pay the boat’s actual cash value, which reflects its depreciated value. Because watercraft typically lose value over time, older vessels are usually worth less under an actual cash value policy.

Personal Property

Many policies exclude personal property unless you add coverage for it. Without this additional protection, items such as equipment, onboard furniture, electronics, or other belongings stored on your vessel may not be covered in the event of theft.

It is important to work with an agent at Wenatchee Insurance Agency to understand how your policy would respond if your vessel were stolen. As an independent insurance agency, we work with a variety of insurance types and companies. Yes, we do bundle on a regular basis. 

 

Contact us today. We proudly serve the Wenatchee, WA area.

 

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Don’t let Chat GPT confuse you about Life Insurance

Posted on by Matt McColm

OK, here is your quick lesson that Chat GPT won’t tell you about Life Insurance.

I had a client Message me the other day saying that they they, “wanted Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance” because they are not going to get conventional life insurance. They they included a screenshot with some telltale signs they were reading from a script that AI had produced for them.

AI was queuing up on a marketing terms and not providing the necessary details that had limitations and how a policy worked. We are still in the early stages of AI. It can provide you great driving directions to get to the baseball field but it won’t play the game for you. That is where an agent comes into play to provide the coaching necessary for a good selection.

What the client’s AI was failing to mention was they will still reference your medical records and do a questionnaires for policies that don’t have a physical examination. All Life Insurance goes through some sort of underwriting. Some are a lot less than others.

To solve the problems, I went looking at the No Physical Exams Policies underwriting guidelines and they all contained looking at Medical Records. Yes, the Medical Information Bureau (or MIB) is a real thing for Life Insurance. You would have to know what was in your file if you wanted to work with one of those policies.

You can request your consumer file at: https://mib.com/   

The one with the fewest questions and the fewest review for Medical Records that we have access to is called Final Expense. You must be 45 or older to start a policy. They won’t start them earlier.

You can play on my quoter and look to see if I missed one with easy underwriting. Or give our office a call and we will walk you through options that you might not know existed.

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Umbrella Insurance for Travelers: What is and isn’t Covered

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People planning an upcoming trip abroad or traveling internationally regularly may want to consider the benefits of purchasing an umbrella insurance policy. Covered situations vary depending on the policy you choose, but many insurers provide protection against a range of incidents that could create serious financial challenges.

What Does Umbrella Insurance Cover?

Umbrella insurance is not a standalone policy. Instead, it extends the coverage limits of your existing policies, such as auto and home insurance. It can also include additional protections that these policies do not cover. Examples may include reimbursement for damage to a rental vehicle, property damage claims from a hotel or short-term rental, and certain liability claims. In the event you face a lawsuit, umbrella insurance may also assist with settlement or judgment costs.

What Is Not Covered?

Umbrella insurance does not apply to work-related travel. It also does not cover property you own outside the United States or trips that exceed the policy’s time limits, which typically range from 60 to 90 days. Additionally, coverage ends if you relocate outside the country.

Because umbrella insurance is designed to work alongside other insurance policies, it is important to maintain adequate underlying coverage and comply with local laws to avoid issues. For example, if a country requires an International Driving Permit and you drive without one, an insurer may deny your claim for non-compliance with local regulations.

Need More Information? Wenatchee Insurance Agency Is Here to Help

Choosing the right umbrella insurance for international travel can save you high costs over time. The team at Wenatchee Insurance Agency is available to help Wenatchee, WA, residents explore standalone policies and policy bundles to select the coverage that fits their needs. Contact us at your convenience to learn more about umbrella insurance or to request policy quotes.

 

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Leaks, Water Damage, and Mold are a big problem

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water damage from leaks

If you’re a property owner in Washington State, you know that it’s wise to protect your investment in that property by purchasing property insurance. If your property is in Central Washington, our team at the Wenatchee Insurance Agency invites you to meet with us and explore our wide range of property insurance options.

Leaks, Water Damage, and Mold

According to the Office of the Washington State Insurance Commissioner, water damage is one of the most frequent reasons for a property insurance claim. The same website reports that when and why your property is damaged will make an impact on whether your water damage or mold infestation is covered by your insurance. Although it’s typically easy for property owners to discover a sudden leak, gradual leaks are often overlooked or undiscovered until significant damage has occurred. If a storm makes a hole in your structure, you’ll want to get it repaired as soon as possible.

According to the Office of the Washington State Insurance Commissioner, although excess water buildup may be responsible for mold infestations, a standard property insurance policy will not typically cover mold damage, rust, or rot. In some cases, your insurance may cover those damages if you can show that it was caused by water damage. Some property insurance policies offer limited mold damage coverage. Talk to one of our insurance agents for more information.

Call Us for Your Appointment Today

Property owners can’t predict the future, but they can prepare for it. Our team at the Wenatchee Insurance Agency understands your need to be prepared for any eventuality. Property owners in or near Wenatchee, WA, have discovered that we provide excellent customer service. Call us about your appointment today, and let’s talk about insurance.

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