Growth of Washington Population Slows

The annual population growth rate in Washington state has fallen .09%, according to the Office of Financial Management (OFM). And population gains due to migration have dropped from 81,000 in 2006 to 39,00 in 2009, according to Theresa Lowe, Washington's chief demographer.

“The continued housing contraction nationwide and poor economic conditions appear to be limiting the mobility of the population usually influenced by labor market opportunities,” Lowe said. “Many job seekers are finding it difficult to sell their homes or to relocate to accept employment at the price of paying two mortgages for an extended period.”

Immigration rates have also lowered with many permanent residents and situational immigrants returning home.

The population of Washington’s cities and towns totaled 4,115,700 on April 1, 2009, a growth of more than half a million people since the 2000 census count, reported OFM.


Thank you to KIRO

Vacant Duplex Erupts in Flames

A Federal Way, WA duplex left vacant due to foreclosure has erupted in flames for the second time in 2 days.

Officials stated when the firefighters arrived early this morning, flames were emerging visibly from multiple rooms on the second floor.

The home was boarded up Monday after the first fire.

Firefighters are investigating.

44 Citations in Clark County Crackdown

Police issued 44 driving citations during last weekend’s extra patrols aimed at speeders and impaired drivers.

Of the 44, three were cited on suspicion of driving under the influence, eight for speeding, one for aggressive driving and the remaining number for a variety of violations, said Vancouver Police Department spokeswoman Kim Kapp.

The patrols took place in Clark County, WA on Friday and Saturday as part of a statewide emphasis dubbed "X52" and initiated by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

The added patrols take place every week in a different part of the state and are paid for by grant money from the safety commission. The grant money covers overtime.


Thank you to Columbian News

Hagerty Insurance Co. Announces its Top 10 Most Unusual Collector Cars

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (May 2009) – For more than a decade, the nation’s largest collector car insurance agency has issued policies on some of the greatest and most valuable cars in the world. But from time to time they also receive a request that may prompt them to say: “You Want To Insure What?”

“When we first set out to insure collector vehicles, we intentionally didn’t want to discriminate and limit ourselves,” says McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance Agency. “But we never anticipated how broad the collector category really is or how many unique and cool vehicles there really are out there. It’s never dull. But we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Top Ten Quirkiest, Coolest and Most Unusual Collector Cars.”

1. Wienermobile - Invented in 1936 by Carl Mayer, the “Wienermobile” was created to travel across the country as a “traveling billboard” to advertise the Oscar Meyer brand name. Today, college graduates compete for the prestigious position of Hot Dogger so they can travel the nation to various events and promotions in the Wienermobile.

2. Pumpkin Chucker/Old Fire Truck – This vintage fire truck can shoot pumpkins ¼ mile in any direction you point it. The 25-foot long barrel makes garaging an issue, but it certainly keeps unwanted trespassers at bay.

3. The Big Red Phone car - This 1975 VW Beetle was transformed into exactly what it sounds like – a big, red telephone. Complete with a keypad, receiver and matching owner/mascot, this car is not easy to miss.

4. Star Wars Land Speeder - Used by Lucas Films, the hovering vehicle made its first appearance during Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. The dirty, beat up land speeder was Luke Skywalker’s alternate mode of transportation when his T-16 skyhopper was in the repair shop.

5. Cinderella’s Carriage – This carriage evolved from a mere pumpkin and was hauled by a couple of mice-turned-horses. Pretty unbelievable you say? Well, it happened and it needed insurance, so Hagerty gave it the best coverage a budding princess would ever desire. No word on whether elusive glass slipper coverage is next on their list.

6. Corvette Station Wagon – What do you get when you cross a truly iconic American sports car with a grocery getter? Apparently, you get what is most commonly referred to as a 1954 Commemorative Sport Wagon. Quite the oxymoron, but a conversation starter.

7. German Panzer Tank – Think you feel safe in your big, American SUV? This military vehicle can only hit up to 25 mph even on the flattest surfaces, but you’ll never have the problem of getting stuck in traffic.

8. Velorex Oskar 3-wheel car – This 3-wheel, Czechoslovakian, vinyl-covered mini car enjoyed quite a long production run. It was produced from 1953 to 1971 in a town named Hradec Kralove.

9. 1985 Owosso Pulse – This futuristic looking vehicle is one of just 347 Pulses ever built. The “Autocycle,” as it’s commonly referred to, appeared in the film Back To the Future Part II.

10. 1974 Dodge Clown Car – Want to be the funniest neighbor on the block? Park this in your driveway.

June 14th: Flag Day -- Exchange Your Old Flag Free

Last year we had an extremely successful flag drive sponsored by PEMCO. Anyone was invited to bring in their old flag to have it exchanged for a new flag at no cost. The worn flags would be properly disposed of by the American Legion.

Flag day is here again on June 14th and Claudia McClain will be running the drive. The drive is being promoted by Stubbs on KMPS and PEMCO will again be sponsoring the drive.

To exchange your tattered flag free of cost-- stop by Friday, June 12th at McClain Insurance Services:
10410 19th Ave SE Ste 101
Everett, WA 98208

Burien Arson Causes Injuries 5 and Kills 2

A deliberately set fire destroyed an 8-unit apartment building in Burien and quickly spread to 2 adjacent apartment buildings.

The fire killed 3 people-- a mentally disabled man with limited vision, an elderly gentleman, his 8-year-old grandson.

Many have turned to Red Cross or churches for immediate needs but soon will be placed with someone else to get back on their feet.

Like most of the residents and neighbors affected by the fire, Gina Popich didn't carry renters insurance but keeps her chin up that she, her husband, and 2-year-old son will get resettled soon.

They lost all their belongings in the fire, including her wedding ring and hundreds of dollars of texts books which she required for the classes she attended at night, while working days at Allied Waste.

The buildings had smoke alarms but did not have sprinklers. A total of 31 people are homeless.


The fire is being investigated by King County Fire Investigators and the Major Crimes Unit of the Sheriff's Office. A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of whoever is responsible. Anyone with information about the arson can call the Sheriff's Office at 206-296-3311.

Thank you to Seattle Times.

Insurance Fraud on the Rise, Costing Everyone Higher Premiums

The National Insurance Crime Bureau found a sharp increase in "questionable insurance claims" with the current economy. Insurance fraud is costing Northwest Households about $300 per year in higher premiums.

Seattle NICB investigator, Scott Wagner, says so far this year vehicle arson is up 27% nationwide. In many cases, he's found that vehicle owners are behind on their payments so they torch it and call it stolen. "The car ends up burning and the insurance company ends up finding out that they're four months behind on their payments," said Wagner.

In another example, Wagner shows a surveillance video of a woman pulling her S.U.V. into a Seattle restaurant parking lot. The video seems innocent enough, until she walks away from her car - forever. "She parked her car, set her alarm and then left and reported it stolen," said Wagner.

According to the NICB, in the first quarter of this year compared to the first quarter of last year, vehicle owner give-ups are up 24 percent.

Darrin Sanger with the Northwest Insurance Council calls insurance fraud a crime against everyone. He says that's because in the end all of us pay in the form of higher premiums. "When someone commits insurance fraud they're not just stealing from insurance companies," said Sanger, "They're stealing from fellow customers."

A recent study from the NICB shows property/casualty insurance fraud costs Americans nearly $30 billion each year.

The Northwest Insurance Council offers a reward for citizens who help investigators track down people who've committed insurance fraud.


Thank you to King5.com

Flood Insurance: When is it Important?

There are many factors to look at when deciding whether or not to purchase flood insurance but two important things to consider are where you live and the geographic risks for flooding. Common risks for flooding are tropical storms, hurricanes, spring thaw, heavy rains, levees and dams, flash floods, coastal threats and new developments/construction.

Surely, most everyone understands the devastating effects of flooding and the costs; astronomical! So we are providing a great website for you to use while making your decision regarding the purchase of flood insurance. This website can answer many questions for you. We highly recommend that you access it and read through: www.floodsmart.gov.

One thing many people do not realize is their homeowners insurance does not cover most aspects of flooding. For those of you who live in the Kent Valley, WA area we strongly suggest reading the following article: Howard Hanson Dam issues could complicate next rainy season.

Here at SAV-ON, we feel knowledge is power and very important when making life changing decisions! We encourage you to read up and be prepared or ask an agent! You can call us toll-free 1-888-867-2866 or e-mail info@sav-on.com.