What is Trella Insurance?

Trella Insurance is an independent insurance brokerage based in Bellevue, Washington. We serve high-asset households and real estate investors by conducting comprehensive risk reviews and designing personal lines coverage — home, auto, umbrella, and rental property.

How does an independent insurance broker differ from a captive agent?

A captive agent works for one insurance company and can only offer that company's products. An independent broker like Trella Insurance works with multiple carriers and shops the market on your behalf to find coverage that fits your actual situation — not just what one insurer sells.

What does a risk review cost?

Trella Insurance's initial risk review is complimentary. There is no charge for us to audit your current policies, identify coverage gaps or redundancies, and present our findings.

What types of insurance does Trella Insurance offer?

Trella Insurance offers personal lines insurance (home, dwelling, contents, liability, loss of use), auto insurance for daily drivers and collector vehicles, umbrella liability policies, and landlord coverage for rental properties.

What is an umbrella insurance policy and how much do I need?

An umbrella policy provides liability coverage beyond the limits of your home, auto, or commercial policies — it activates when a claim exceeds your underlying policy limit. Most high-asset households and property owners need significantly more umbrella coverage than a standard $1 million policy provides, especially if they own rental properties or operate a business.

Does Trella Insurance work with business owners?

Yes. Business owners often have more complex personal insurance needs — higher-value homes, rental properties, and greater liability exposure. Trella focuses on personal lines: home, umbrella, auto, and rental property. Commercial lines are coming soon.

What areas does Trella Insurance serve?

Trella Insurance is based in Bellevue, WA and licensed in Washington, WAOIC #1356476. We are expanding state licensing to serve clients nationally.

How does Trella Insurance get paid?

Like most independent brokers, Trella Insurance is compensated through commissions paid by the insurance carriers when a policy is placed. The initial risk review and brokerage service carry no direct fee to clients.

What is replacement cost coverage and why does it matter?

Replacement cost coverage pays to rebuild or replace your property at current construction costs, regardless of depreciation. Actual cash value coverage — common in standard policies — pays only the depreciated value, which is often far less than what it actually costs to rebuild. Many homeowners discover this gap only after a significant loss.

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Home InsuranceJune 8, 2025

Extended vs Guaranteed Replacement Cost

If your policy offers protection above your dwelling limit, it's probably one of two types: extended or guaranteed replacement cost. They sound similar and behave differently.

The difference

Extended replacement cost pays up to a set percentage above your dwelling limit — commonly 125% or 150%. So a $1M limit with 125% extended coverage pays up to $1.25M. It's a cushion, but a capped one.
Guaranteed replacement cost has no cap — the insurer pays whatever it takes to rebuild your home to its prior condition, even beyond the stated limit.

Which is better?

Guaranteed is stronger, but it's not offered by every carrier and usually requires the home to be insured to an accurate, full reconstruction estimate to begin with. Extended replacement cost is more widely available and, with a properly-set limit, provides a meaningful cushion for most situations.

What to check

Which one you have (it's in your policy declarations or endorsements).
The percentage, if it's extended (125% vs 150% matters).
That your base dwelling limit is accurate — both types assume the underlying limit is realistic.

Frequently asked questions

Is guaranteed replacement cost better than extended? Yes, it's stronger — no cap versus a percentage cushion. But it's less widely available and requires an accurate base limit.

What does 125% extended replacement cost mean? The insurer will pay up to 125% of your dwelling limit to rebuild — a $1M limit covers up to $1.25M.

Which one do I have? Check your policy declarations or endorsements, or ask your broker — it's worth knowing before a claim.

More in this series: What Is High-Value Home Insurance — and Who Needs It? · Insuring a Custom-Built or Architect Home

Insuring a high-value home is rarely just about the structure; High Net Worth Home Insurance in Bellevue and Insuring a Garage of High-Value Vehicles round out the picture.

Trella Insurance is an independent brokerage in Bellevue, WA. Try the coverage gap calculator or request a free review.

← PreviousWhat Is High-Value Home Insurance — and Who Needs It?Next →Why You Must Update Insurance After a Renovation

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