Here’s the top five insurance questions PNWers got wrong

Insurance is meant to provide peace of mind, but many Pacific Northwest residents may not be clear on how their coverage works. 

The latest poll by PEMCO Insurance put Washington and Oregon residents’ insurance knowledge to the test with a short quiz on everyday scenarios involving liability, claims, and rate factors. Across most questions, fewer than one-third of respondents selected the correct answer. 

Take borrowing a friend’s car, for example. If you’re in a crash while driving someone else’s vehicle, just 22% correctly said responsibility for covering the claim depends on the situation. Similarly, only 26% correctly identified that damage from a neighbor’s fallen tree is typically covered by your own homeowners policy, not your neighbor’s.  

The poll also revealed several common insurance myths. Fewer than one in five residents (18%) know that personal belongings stolen from inside a vehicle are generally covered by homeowners or renters insurance rather than auto insurance. And despite the long-standing rumor, only one in three respondents (32%) correctly answered that the color of a car does not affect insurance rates.  

When asked what causes the most expensive home insurance claims in the Northwest, most residents also missed the mark. Only 24% correctly identified water damage — with half of respondents selecting house fires instead. 

But there’s good news: some areas showed stronger understanding. Most residents (60%) correctly said their insurance would cover them if they’re hit by an uninsured driver, and just over half (51%) know insurers in Washington and Oregon can’t charge whatever rates they want. 

Taking time to review your policy and ask questions can help ensure you understand what your coverage includes before a claim ever happens. 

For more results from the PEMCO Northwest Poll, visit pemco.com/blog/nw-polls.