June: Graduate Results

We moved 40 people from high risk rates to low-cost Preferred rates this last month through our Exclusive Graduate Department. That brings us to a total of 259 for the year!

Our top savers this last month... (These savings are per 6 month terms!)

Ben O - Enumclaw - $937

Maria A - Seattle - $773

Richard S - SeaTac - $734

Robert T - Seattle - $698

David D - Kent - $697

Robert L - of Orting - $578

Patricia K - Tacoma - $544

Jaime D - Kent - $510

Kathleen C - Edmonds - $499

Anatoliy V - Tacoma - $424

Kathleen C - Edmonds - $499

PEMCO news release addresses renters insurance

PEMCO Insurance issued a news release today concerning how many Washington residents carry renters insurance, and how many people inventory their personal property. Census data shows 35% of Washingtonians rent, and of those, a recent PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll revealed 58% do not have renters insurance. This is important because renters insurance is so affordable – typically costing $125 to $150 per year – that more people should buy it. The poll also revealed that one in three homeowners and renters have never inventoried their personal property.

U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics says rented households were burglarized at rates 79 percent higher than owned households.

Rented households experienced 210 property crimes per 1,000 households nationwide, while owned households experienced only 146 property crimes per 1,000 households in 2001, the bureau reported.

Thank you to PEMCO Insurance Company and RealtyTimes.com

Amazing Savings!

These Sav-on Clients were the top 10 savers through our Graduate Department for March! These savings are over the course of 6 months!!

Top 10 Savers:
Viktor L. of Kent $1207
Brandi S. of Renton $1004
Rosa L. of Renton $832
John B. of Edmonds $753
Miguel C. of Seattle $720
Olga P. of Kent $540
Tim H. of Bellevue $502
Johnny R. of Tacoma $468
Amber K. of Lynnwood $413
Erica V. of of Snoqualmie $411

The total savings was 33% and the total dollar amount saved was a whopping $13,844 !!

Take Inventory and Save Time on Claims

By anticipating a claim, you could save yourself time and money! This website makes it easy: KnowYourStuff.org. It allows you to upload photos, receipts, appraisals, and descriptions for free.

Features include taking inventory room-by-room and also points out what to take inventory of.

Most importantly, all your information is stored in a secure location online in the event that your home is destroyed-- making it easy to get your information from anywhere at anytime.

Kriedler Speaks Out About Canceling Coverage

WA Insurance Commissioner Mike Krielder gave these tips recently on the State Insurance Website and adds "In today’s economy, people are cutting corners wherever they can, but cancelling your insurance is not the answer. Instead, shop around to find a lower rate. I continue to be surprised by how much some consumers save simply by shopping around. It will save you money now and could protect you from complete financial ruin in the future."

• Compare rates – You may save money just by making a few extra calls or getting a couple more online quotes. Make sure you provide the same information to each insurer so rates are directly comparable.
  
  
• Ask about discounts – Discounts can vary widely between companies. For example, many insurers offer a lower premium if they also cover your home. Others charge less if your vehicle has safety features such as antilock brakes, airbags and automatic seat belts. You may save even more if your car has an alarm or anti-theft device. And if you have young drivers in your household, be sure to ask if good-student discounts are available.
  
  
• Increase your deductible – This is the amount you'll pay out of pocket if you have to make a claim. Raising it to $500 or $1,000 can mean lower premiums.
  
  
• Drop some coverage – If your vehicle is paid off, consider dropping the comprehensive and collision coverage. Be aware, though, that your insurer won’t pay for damages to your car if you are in an accident.
  
  
• Consolidate payments – Pay your premium in full every six months to avoid fees for financing monthly payments.
  
  
• Drive safely – If you have a good driving record, without tickets and accidents, you will pay less for insurance.

SAV-ON Insurance has been helping you, the consumer for 43 years by shopping from 30+ companies to find you the best rate. Our Graduate Department will check every 6 months (or at your renewal) to check rates for you. We saved our own insureds 36% last year by moving them into Preferred Companies.

You could be a SAV-ON Graduate! Call us for a quote: 1-888-867-2866, e-mail info@sav-on.com, or fill out our Quik Quote Form online!

Accident Near our Des Moines Location

A two car accident involving a third parked car held up traffic and brought some onlookers yesterday to try to figure out just what happened near our Des Moines location.

Speculators believe that the white SUV clipped the passenger rear of the other SUV causing the other driver to swerve due to the rain and mixed snow or possibly over-correct driving right over the sidewalk bending a railing over a parked car.

We wish the involved parties all the best.


Click images for larger version

Don't Be Fooled!

Other companies, agencies, and brokers have used similarities to our brand, our name, and even our logo.

We've been in business for more than 40 years and we're not going anywhere. Don't let flailing companies trick you by riding our coattails.

Don't be fooled by others using red hats, "SAVE ON INSURANCE" slogans, and even using layouts and similar ads!

We're the original SAV-ON Insurance and you can place your trust with us.

Graduate Results: February

These are savings for our February Graduates off their 6 month policies!

Alla D. of Tacoma - $1546   WOW!!!
Derendida V. of Kirkland - $813
Mario G. of Tukwila - $807
Lyubov K. of Kent - $754
Alfredo H. of Federal Way - $721
Julie D. of Issaquah - $621
Bonifacio G. of Mountlake Terrace - $619
Noe R. of Seattle - $526
Jason D. of Maple Valley - $498
Raul M. of Everett - $494

OUR TOP SAVERS SAVED AN AVERAGE OF $1479 PER YEAR!! And all our savers saved an average of 38%!


Do you know how the program works? We have a special department dedicated to looking at clients with "high risk" policies and work to move them to lowest-cost "preferred" companies.

It's the cornerstone of what we do and our clients happiness to show for it!

New Car Shopping Tips Part 1

You can do several things to ensure you get the best value possible when shopping for a new car. If you have a good relationship with a dealer, you’re in great shape. Otherwise, here are some tips:

Don't Wait Until Your Old Car Breaks Down Before Shopping For A New One
If you’re desperate for a new car, you might not make the best decision. It’s always best to allow yourself time to get exactly what you need.

Become Informed
There are many Web sites you can visit to get information, quotes, and prices for new cars. Autoweb.com, Vehix.com, and CarsDirect.com are just a few. Go to a search engine like Yahoo! or Google to find others. Then take a look at those sites to discover the features you want and what different cars cost. Visit dealers to check models and options. Knowledge is power, and the more you know the better choice you’ll make.

Buy At The Right Time Of Year
In general, there are two times during the year that are the best to buy a new car. One is the last two weeks of December. With everyone out buying holiday gifts, attending parties, and traveling, the traffic at car dealerships is down. That motivates dealers to cut costs, and there usually are year-end sales records they’re trying to break. Another good time is July to October, because that’s when dealers clear out last year’s models so they can sell the new model year. However, with the economic situation, many are finding now is a great time too!

Set A Price You Can Afford, And Don't Pay More
If you can remain firm in your price, you stand a better chance of paying the price you want. Dealers have many ways to make a deal profitable. Some you may never be aware of, such as factory-to-dealer incentives.

Thank You to Pemco Insurance Company

Client So Impressed Gives Agent Flowers

A Sav-on Special Client was so impressed with Claudia in our Kent office they brought her flowers and left her a raving testimonial!

And if you can believe it, this isn't the first time a client has left flowers for agents in our Kent office!

Guess that's our great service.

Top 10 WORST Foods to Eat While Driving

“Driver distraction” causes 25 percent of the car crashes reported to police. While cell phones get a bad rap, they actually rank in fourth place among distractions, according to insure.com, which recently reported results from a Response Insurance Agency survey. Eating was a major culprit, topped only by tuning the radio.

In a separate Exxon survey, 70 percent of drivers said they eat while driving. Eighty-three percent said they drank coffee, juice, or soda while behind the wheel. (A handful even admitted to wishing they had a microwave oven in the car!)

With such widespread freeway foraging, it’s probably no wonder that eating plays a big part in single-vehicle and rear-end collisions where the feasting driver fails to stop in time.

The problem, say investigators, often comes with a confluence of unexpected events – a sudden stop ahead or a sharp curve combined with a food spill.

Most of the food-distracted drivers agree. They report it wasn’t the food that caused them to take their eyes and minds off the road. It was trying to mop up a spill.

Mornings are the worst when coffee-swilling drivers abhor ruining their work clothes for the day. Fearing they’ll be late for work, they try to clean up the spill on the go rather than pulling over.

Keeping spills in mind, insure.com reported these as the top-10 worst foods to eat in a car:

1. Coffee. Those spill-proof lids aren’t – plus the hot temperature adds pain to the distraction.
   
2. Soup. Same problem as coffee.
   
3. Tacos. They self-destruct even under the best circumstances.
   
4. Chili. It drips and must be eaten with a spoon, taking one hand off the wheel.
   
5. Hamburgers. Grease, ketchup, and mustard are a stain waiting to happen.
   
6. Barbecued foods. Ditto.
   
7. Fried chicken. Greasy fingers mean greasy steering wheels.
   
8. Jelly or cream-filled donuts. The filling often ends up on your shirt.
   
9. Soda pop. Prone to spills, pop swallowed too fast also gives you a nasty nose fizz.
   
10. Chocolate. Since it melts from the warmth of your hands, it gets all over the steering wheel.

Driving a stick shift while eating seems to double the danger (one hand shifting, one hand holding the food, no hand left to steer). The danger increases further when you add yet another distraction such as a chatty passenger, cell phone, or tuning the radio.


Thank you to PEMCO Insurance Company.

The Economy is Down, And Theft is Up

According to a recent study by Javelin Strategy & Research, the number of identity theft cases increased 22 percent in 2008 to 9.9 million.

Some key findings from the study:

• 2008 was the first year that the number of cases increased since Javelin began tracking ID theft in 2003.
  
  
• Crimes of opportunity, such as stolen wallets, represented 43 percent of cases, compared to 33 percent in 2007, indicating an increase in the desperation of criminals.
  
  
• Women were 26 percent more likely to be victims of identity theft, reporting a higher incidence of lost or stolen information during purchases in stores.
  
  
• The survey showed that only 11 percent of cases involved online access.

Thank you to Safeco Insurance Company

Donate to Cheri for MS Research!

A longtime employee of Sav-on who retired last year has not yet retired from taking part in the annual MS Walk!

Cheri has been battling Multiple Sclerosis for many years and she is still doing the walk although it is difficult to do so at times. And she needs our support!

At the moment, she has $60 of her $250 goal. Please click here to donate or to find out more! You can donate anonymously or choose to show only your name and keep your donation amount anonymous. Proceeds go to the National MS Society.

All of us at Sav-on wish Cheri the best and we miss her very much!

Graduate Results: January

These are savings for January Graduates off their 6 month policies!

Tara H of Federal Way $781
Alejandro A of Auburn $683
Harold F of Renton $648
Michael D of Seattle $510
Phaly S of Seattle $508
Piter P of Auburn $480
Katy Q of Sumner $453
Andres T of Bellevue $446
Drago P of SeaTac $442
Lois S of Burien $407


That's an average savings of 33%!


Think you might be a graduate? Call your Sav-on Special Agent and find out today! 1-888-867-2866.

Experts Say Refi Soon...Or You Might Miss Out!

Eyeing a Refi? The Time is Now

Many homeowners may feel like burying their head in the sand, an understandable sentiment given the recent shakeup in many markets. But with most interest rates in 2009 hanging around the lowest levels in decades, those playing the "ignorance is bliss" game may be missing out on a rare chance to improve their finances.


The Advantages of Now

Interest rates have dipped to levels not seen in decades, particularly on fixed-rate loans for prime borrowers. As the new year and a new administration get into full swing, average interest rates on 30-year fixed rate mortgages have hovered in the low 5% range (and in some cases, have dropped below 5%).While these rates have yet to translate into a quick turnaround home sales, they have spurned an increase in mortgage applications by homeowners looking to refinance at a lower rate. For homeowners sitting on a higher fixed rate or a less stable variable rate loan, the current interest rates may present an opportunity that just can't be ignored.

If you've been considering a refinance but have been waiting to see exactly how far rates will drop, this just may be the time to make a move.


What to Expect

While the last few weeks have seen an increase in refinancing applications, a sizable percentage of these applications will not be approved. Low interest rates aside, lenders are focused on protecting their investors and to that end have more stringent credit requirements than in years past.

Homeowners who owe more than the current market value of their homes are unlikely to be approved for refinancing. By the same token, would-be borrowers with low credit scores or without well-documented income have a much greater chance of being denied. Some homeowners who hold jumbo mortgages (over the $625,000 limit for loans that can by guaranteed/bought by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac in high cost areas) may find refinancing hard to come by.


What to Do

• Do You Qualify? - Do you have a solid credit score (660 and above)? Are you up to date on your current mortgage payments? If the answer to either is no, your chances of being approved are much worse. Also, if you are shopping for a cash-out refinance, you'll find that the credit and loan-to-value requirements are even more stringent.
  
• Establish Value - The next step is to begin determining your home's value. You can use various online resources to get a rough gauge of current market value. Some owners will pay for their own appraisal prior to applying for the mortgage. Other homeowners have been known to seek a ballpark estimate from their real estate agent.
  
• Compare Savings - Conventional wisdom was that a refinance loan should be 2 percentage points below your current mortgage to be worthwhile. That standard may not apply, however if you can lower your interest rate slightly but still recoup closing costs in a short time span. Likewise, switching from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate mortgage may be worthwhile regardless. Be wary of refinancing that extends the life of the loan, as this will most likely make the loan more expensive over the long term.
  
• Prepare for Screening - Lending standards have become much stricter over the last year. Be prepared to discuss all aspects of your credit, your current loan and your income history. Have at least a two-year documentation of your income, as "stated income" mortgages have all but gone by the wayside.

From Prudential Real Estate Advisor e-newsletter

Washington Tenth Highest Uninsured Rate

Washington has the tenth highest rate of drivers without insurance and research suggests the number of uninsured drivers is rising.

According to The Insurance Research Council Washington 16% of drivers are uninsured. And a study shows that the number of uninsured drivers is, ironically, very close to the unemployment rate...and with estimates of a raising unemployment rate through 2010-- the number of uninsured drivers is also likely to rise.

What some people are doing, and what we suggest, is lowering coverage, raising deductibles, or removing coverage instead of canceling completely.

A graph showing uninsured rates vs. unemployment rates and the estimated number to the year 2010.
Click photo to enlarge in new window

Talk to your agent...

• to decipher which coverages to keep and which to drop
  
• about discounts you may be eligible for
  
• to raise your deductibles (note: there are sometimes limitations due to auto financing-- most require $500 deductibles)
  
• let us shop for you! We have 30+ companies both high risk and preferred to find you the best rates

Earthquake Rattles Washington Residents

Click to enlarge photo.

At 5:25am today, an earthquake registered at a 4.5 magnitude woke Washington residents from sleep and even rattled some as far as Vancouver, B.C.

The quake started in Kingston, Washington and seems to have moved mostly north though greater Seattle area citizens as far as Des Moines and the East Hill of Kent reported being woken this morning.

No damage to homes or injury has been reported at this time.


We urge you that if you don't already have an earthquake policy or earthquake coverage -- which is NOT covered on a regular home policy-- please contact us. "The Big One" has yet to come.

E-mail: info@sav-on.com or 1-888-867-2866.

Pemco Poll on SR-520 Bridge Toll

PEMCO Insurance Company released statistics on their poll on the proposed $3 toll on the SR-520 bridge.

"The poll, conducted by FBK Research, revealed that 51% would avoid 520, 11% would carpool, and 6% would ride the bus. Nearly half said they’d take I-90 more often, and 24% would drive around the north end of the lake," according to their release.

SAV-ON now asks you, what would you do?

Fire in Seatac Apartments

Just Saturday there was a 3 alarm fire at Emerald Place By the Lake Apartments, in Sea-Tac WA.

"There were firetrucks EVERYWHERE!" A witness reported. Reporters say there were an estimated 75 firefighters from 10 area departments who responded.

Reportedly, two women are in critical condition after they jumped the balcony 50 feet from the ground.

Onlookers from the nearby casino called 911 and brought ladders to help others down. Many assisted in catching children being lowered down to safety and went into the building to get others out.

Investigators don't know what caused the fire yet, but they will be looking this week.

Some photos of the aftermath...click for enlarged version.

Another great testimonial!

Another happy customer!

We received great and very friendly service with Evelyn at the Des Moines office.

Thank you very much!
Bryan and Cynthia, Kent

Ready for your Quik Quote? We now have a call center headed by one of our most prestigious agents to provide you with our lowest rate quote out of over 30 companies!
Why wait... you can e-mail us at info@sav-on.com, fill out the quote form on our website www.sav-on.com, or call 1-888-867-2866 to speak with an experienced insurance professional from one of our 6 locations!

We also provide services in Spanish and Russian!