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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Specialty CoverageJanuary 19, 2025

Insuring a Wine Collection

A wine collection is a genuine asset, and a fragile one. Heat, a failed cooling unit, breakage, or spoilage can wipe out value quickly — and these are exactly the risks a standard homeowners policy doesn't address well.

Why standard coverage misses it

Homeowners policies cap collectibles at low sub-limits and cover named perils — they generally won't pay for spoilage from a cooling failure, which is one of the most common ways a cellar is lost.

What wine collection coverage provides

Agreed value based on inventory and appraisal, with appreciation provisions.
All-risk coverage — including breakage and accidental damage.
Spoilage from mechanical breakdown or power failure — the cooling-unit risk.
Coverage in transit and sometimes while stored off-site.

Managing the collection

Keep a current inventory with values.
Appraise significant holdings.
Schedule or blanket the collection.
Protect the cellar — monitored temperature and backup power reduce risk (and help coverage).

Frequently asked questions

Does homeowners insurance cover a wine collection? Only to a low sub-limit and not typically for spoilage from cooling failure. A dedicated wine policy or schedule covers full value and the real risks.

Does wine insurance cover spoilage if my cooling unit fails? Specialized wine coverage can — including spoilage from mechanical breakdown or power loss, which standard policies exclude.

How is a wine collection valued for insurance? Through inventory and appraisal, with agreed-value coverage and provisions for appreciation.

More in this series: Collector Car Insurance and Agreed Value · Jewelry Insurance vs Your Homeowners Policy

Valuables need protection that connects to your home and broader wealth, so see Insuring a Custom-Built or Architect Home and What Your ESPP Means for Your Insurance Plan.

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

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