Thinking about a move to Seattle? There’s plenty to think about – finding an apartment, school for the kids, the list goes on. You’ll need Seattle Renters Insurance, of course. But no matter how much you research and plan before you go, there are always things that escape you. We’ve come up with 29 things to know before you go so you can be a well-informed Seattleite.

#1 Summer Is A Lie In Seattle

Sure, July and August are awesome. But the rainy season starts in September. It usually runs through July or so. Seattle only has two seasons. On the other hand, Seattle is known for rain. You’ll appreciate that short summer.

#2 Seattle Is Known For Rain, And Drivers Who Don’t Understand Rain

That’s right, the residents of a city with a reputation for rain is full of drivers who have no idea how to handle anything more than a few drops. The number of people moving to Seattle from other areas might have something to do with it, but locals have long ago just given up and accepted it.

#3 That Movie?  It Never Happened.

The one with a city name in the title. Meg Ryan was in it. It was about some people who had difficulty with somnolence. Yeah, you know the one. Don’t mention it. Don’t bring it up. Don’t wear stuff that references it. Any of the above is cause for immediate banishment to a trailer park in Kansas. You’ve been warned.

#4 Seattle Is Better Than Sea World

There are entire parks where killer whales are trained and kept in captivity for the enjoyment and intrigue of humans. Some people are morally opposed to it, and some people are opposed to spending the ever-increasing price of entry. Why bother with the ones in captivity when you can see wild orcas in Puget Sound?

#5 Thinking Of Moving To Seattle And Buying A House? Bring A Big Checkbook.

The median price of a home in Seattle is well north of $300,000. Many homes are sold for well above that number. It won’t take you long to fall in love with Seattle and to commit to her. Once you do, you’ll have to consider whether it’s worth the considerable sacrifice to buy a home. Many people are just as happy renting, especially since expensive maintenance is someone else’s problem.

#6 Seattle Is Tolerant Of Everything Except Intolerant People

You probably know that Seattle leans pretty far to the left politically. Libertarians are welcome, thought. In fact, just about anyone is welcome. Intolerance, however, is not. Remember the 4,723 candidates in the Republican primary?  Not one of them would have been happy living in Seattle.

#7 You’ll Be A Local In No Time, Because There Are No Locals

For a variety of reasons, Seattle is primarily populated by people who came here from other places. There aren’t a whole lot of “born and raised” folks, so wherever you come from you’ll find someone with a similar story. Fitting in won’t be difficult.

#8 Most People Here Deal With Risk By Pretending It Doesn’t Exist

Not all risk, of course. But few people want to talk about the fact that Seattle is long overdue for a major earthquake. Even fewer want to talk about the volcanoes. While both are multi-century events, their probability over a span of time has no relevance to when they happen. The fact that something happens every few hundred years does not make it any less likely to happen today – or any more likely. Volcanic eruption is covered by Seattle Renters Insurance, and you can often add an earthquake endorsement for very little money.

#9 – Want To Fit In? Leave The Umbrella At Home

Seattleites don’t carry umbrellas. When it rains, they just deal with it. Having protection from the rain just marks you as a tourist.

#10 – Austin Might Be The Food Truck Capital But Seattle Is Close Behind

Seattle has tons of great food trucks, you just have to

#11 – Affordable Housing In Seattle Does Exist…

…but you’ll have to look hard to find it. The median gross rent is $995, which is reasonable for many families. It’s easy to spend much more than that to live in Seattle, but it’s not necessary.

#12 – Seattle Has Plenty Of Hotels…  Until Disaster Strikes

Seattle boasts 88,960 hotel rooms. Usually, that’s enough. One apartment building fire in the middle of the night would be enough to upset that equilibrium. Your renters insurance includes loss of use coverage to pay for the expensive hotel you’d need after a fire while you’re getting back on your feet.

#13 – Washington Defines Negligence Broadly, So You’ll Be Glad You Have Renters Insurance

In Washington, negligence is “failure to use ordinary care.” In other words, something that most people do at least once a day. Walking down the street with your face buried in your phone is negligent. Spilling your coffee on someone is negligent. It’s easier to prove negligence, and therefore liability, in Washington than in many other states. That’s why your policy offers liability coverage and defense against those claims.

#14 – Rent Control Is Illegal In Seattle

Actually, rent control is illegal across the state. That means there are no real bounds to the amount your landlord can increase your rent. Generally this needs to be done at the end of a lease, because the lease binds both of you during the term.

There’s plenty more to know about moving to Seattle and renting in Seattle. But one thing you already know for sure is that you’ll need renters insurance. You might also need auto insurance, jewelry insurance, or an umbrella policy. The insurance experts at Effective Coverage can help with all of those things. Just call (800)892-4308 or click to get covered - whether you need Seattle renters insurance quotes online or coverage anywhere else!

Effective Coverage offers the nation's only completely mobile platform to quote and purchase renters insurance right from your phone or tablet in just one minute. Get an online renters insurance quote today and protect your family.

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