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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Umbrella InsuranceJuly 20, 2025

Dog Bites and Umbrella Insurance

Dog bites and dog-related injuries are one of the most common — and surprisingly expensive — sources of personal liability claims. If you own a dog, it's worth knowing exactly how your coverage responds.

How coverage works

Homeowners/renters liability is usually the first line — it typically covers dog-bite claims up to your policy's liability limit.
An umbrella sits above that, covering a serious claim that exceeds your home policy's limit. Given how large injury awards can be, this matters.

Where the gaps are

Breed exclusions. Some insurers exclude certain breeds or decline to cover dog liability at all. If your home policy excludes your dog, your umbrella may not cover the gap either.
Prior-bite history. A dog with a bite history can be excluded going forward.
Limit shortfalls. Serious dog-injury claims can exceed a standard home liability limit, which is exactly where the umbrella earns its place.

What to do

Confirm your home policy actually covers your dog — ask about breed restrictions.
Carry an umbrella sized to your net worth so a large claim doesn't reach your assets. The coverage gap calculator helps.
Disclose your dog honestly — an undisclosed dog can mean a denied claim.

Frequently asked questions

Does homeowners insurance cover dog bites? Usually yes, up to your liability limit — but some insurers exclude certain breeds or dogs with a bite history. Confirm your specific policy.

Does umbrella insurance cover dog-bite claims? It can cover a dog-bite claim that exceeds your home policy's limit — provided the underlying policy covers the dog in the first place.

What if my insurer excludes my dog's breed? Then neither the home policy nor the umbrella may respond. An independent broker can find a carrier that covers your dog.

More in this series: How Much Umbrella Insurance Do You Need? · Is a $1 Million Umbrella Policy Enough?

An umbrella only does its job when the layers beneath it hold up, so pair this with Your RSUs Vested. Now You Need Umbrella Insurance. and Landlord Insurance in Washington (DP-3), Explained.

Trella Insurance is an independent brokerage in Bellevue, WA. See your coverage gap with the 30-second calculator or request a free review.

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