PEMCO Poll Reveals Top 5 Insurance Misconceptions in Pacific Northwest

New survey highlights common gaps in consumer knowledge about auto, home, and liability coverage.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:19pm

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A minimalist studio still life featuring a stack of insurance documents, a pen, and a calculator arranged on a clean white background, conceptually representing the abstract ideas of financial planning and consumer education around insurance policies.A new survey from a regional insurer reveals widespread misunderstandings among Pacific Northwest residents about the details of their insurance coverage.Seattle Today

A new poll from PEMCO Mutual Insurance found that many Pacific Northwest residents have significant misunderstandings about how their insurance policies actually work in common real-world scenarios, from borrowed vehicles to fallen trees on their property.

Why it matters

Understanding the details of one's insurance coverage is crucial for consumers to avoid unexpected costs and ensure they are properly protected. This survey highlights opportunities for insurers to improve consumer education and transparency around common policy exclusions and limitations.

The details

The PEMCO poll asked PNW residents a series of true-or-false questions about common insurance situations. The results showed widespread confusion, with many respondents incorrectly believing their policies would cover incidents like damage from a fallen tree on their own property or liability for a friend's car accident.

  • The PEMCO poll was conducted in March 2026.

The players

PEMCO Mutual Insurance

A regional insurance provider serving customers in the Pacific Northwest.

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What they’re saying

“Many consumers don't fully understand the details of their insurance policies until they actually need to file a claim. This survey highlights some common misconceptions that can lead to unpleasant surprises.”

— Kristin Piepenburg, PEMCO Spokesperson

The takeaway

This PEMCO survey underscores the importance of consumers reviewing their insurance policies in detail and asking questions to fully understand their coverage, exclusions, and limitations before an incident occurs. Insurers also have a responsibility to improve consumer education and transparency around common policy terms.