(The information contained here is only an opinion. For legal advice consult an attorney.)

1. Always purchase Insurance through an Insurance Agent.
We suggest having an agent that works for you and that's interested in your business (because the claims department typically doesn't care about your business, they just care about paying as little as possible and making their bonus). A good agent will work on your behalf to the extent that the policy allows if you have any disagreement. We suggest that your never purchase insurance on line or have no representative like an agent on your side.

2. Always review the Contract of Insurance BEFORE you sign the contract.
Would you sign a contract in a business relationship with out ever reading the contract and/or have the other party sign it? Isn't that what we do when we buy Insurance? Don't purchase a policy with out reviewing it first.

3. Review the Insurance Policy's Provisions of Loss, Appraisal and Exclusion Clauses:

a. Payment of Loss: Look for standard contract language that is simple, straight forward and customary like this: "We may pay for loss in money or repair or replace the damaged or stolen property." This language should be just a few sentences. Watch out for long, wordy and complicated Payment of Loss provisions. Anything different than the above language is going to be for the benefit of the insurance company, not the consumer. Some Payment of Loss provisions say that the Insurer can keep all or part of the property salvage upon payment to you of its agreed or appraised value. That means that they can take your property once they have paid for the agreed or appraised value even if you want to keep your property. Would you want this?

b. Limits of Liability: Look for standard contract language that is simple, straight forward and customary like this: "Our limit of liability for loss will be the lesser of: 1. The Actual cash value of the stolen or damaged property; 2. The amount necessary to repair or replace the property." Avoid language that allows for non original parts and labor costs to be determined by the insurance company.

c. Appraisal Clause: Insurance contracts have an appraisal clause that says: If we and you do not agree on the amount of the loss, either may make a written demand for appraisal of the loss. Make sure that this language allows for each party to obtain their own appraiser. Never accept just one appraiser as the insurance company knows all the local independent appraisers and will have an influence on them. Additionally, look for an appraisal clause where the insurance company pays for the cost of the appraiser, not you.

d. Exclusions: This is the part of the Policy that says what the insurance policy will not pay for. Read it thoroughly. Most policies are now excluding damage to your vehicle if caused at a facility designed for racing, regardless of what you are doing.

4. Check out the Office of Insurance Commissioner web site www.insurance.wa.gov to see how your insurance company rates against other companies for complaints.