Author: AgentInsure

How Matthews, NC Residents Can Protect Their Car With Auto Insurance

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It’s important to protect your car with auto insurance in Matthews, NC. Although you will want to adhere to state standards, there are optional coverage levels that you can explore, too. With the help of our agents at JC Demo Insurance Group, we can see to it that you have a customized policy.

What the State Requires

The easiest and fastest way to protect at least the basics of your car is with the state-mandated insurance in North Carolina. The state requires you to maintain a certain minimum level of liability for property damage and bodily injury. This coverage will be a part of any auto insurance that you buy. It will cover you in the event you’re in a collision with another vehicle.

After you meet the state requirements, you are still vulnerable to other scenarios, including:

  • Collisions with debris in the road, animals, and other non-vehicles
  • Hail and storm damage
  • Hit and runs

The good news is that there are a few other forms of coverage that you can choose to add to your policy.

Exploring Optional Coverage

Our independent insurance agents can help you to explore collision and comprehensive coverage. Neither of these is required by the state but can offer a significant amount of protection in the event that you get into an accident or experience some kind of damage.

Collision coverage protects you against any collision that might occur with a non-vehicle. Whether you experience a rollover when going around a sharp turn, collide with a guard rail, or hit a deer in the middle of the road, you would be covered.

Comprehensive coverage protects you against all non-driving related incidents, such as hail damage, a rogue shopping cart, or something else that might occur when you’re not even behind the wheel.

Start shopping for more comprehensive auto insurance in North Carolina by calling us at JC Demo Insurance Group today.

Does my home insurance policy change after paying off my mortgage?

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Congratulations on finalizing your mortgage payment and welcome to the rank of homeowners in Matthews, NC. While paying off your mortgage comes with innumerable benefits, there is a lot of confusion and uncertainty regarding home insurance. Your mortgage must have come with mandatory home insurance from the lender. However, with the mortgage gone, you have a choice to either keep your home insurance or get rid of it. If you ask us at JC Demo Insurance Group, the latter is always a bad idea. So, what happens after you pay off your mortgage?

Does it change? 

A big yes. When you pay off your mortgage, a lot of changes with regards to your insurance. You are likely to receive several documents; one from your lender stating that your loan is fully paid, canceled promissory note, your canceled deed of trust or mortgage, and a certificate of satisfaction. A promissory note is what you signed when you took out a mortgage, which required you to pay your lender based on the agreed timeframe and interest. The mortgage is the agreement that grants your lender the title of your home.

What about your home insurance?

By now, you know the importance of home insurance and that you need it now more than ever. You don’t want to start dealing with fire damages or burglaries in your home just when you have owned it. An important step here is to inform your insurance company that you are the sole owner of the property so that they can remove your lender’s name. Failure to take this step can cost you penalties. If you keep your home insurance, you might also need to update your payment options and have your bills sent straight to your home.

Now that the challenging parts are over, it’s time to review your home insurance policy and update it accordingly. Speak to any insurance agent at  JC Demo Insurance Group serving Matthews, NC, and they will help you get some value for your money. 

Life Insurance Offers a Safety Net for Your Loved Ones

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If you don’t have life insurance, it’s time you came to talk to us at JC Demo Insurance Group. We want to make sure all our Matthews, NC area clients and their families are protected in the best way possible. When you choose a life insurance policy, you’re giving your family a safety net in case you pass away. That’s especially important if you’re the one who takes care of your family’s home and other needs. The goal of an insurance policy on your life would be to give your family options if they didn’t have you to rely on any longer. The right policy can give you and your family protection for the future, along with a lot of peace of mind.

There are a lot of things to consider about life insurance, but some of the most important things are how large of a policy you’re looking for, who the beneficiary will be, and whether you will get a whole life or term life policy. We can discuss all of those options, so you can find the one that works for you. What policy you need and how large it should be will change based on your situation and goals. You also want to remember to update your policy if your life changes, such as you have another baby, change careers, get a bigger house, or make other adjustments.

We can help you find or update your life insurance, so your family stays protected and cared for. Contact us at JC Demo Insurance Group today if you’re in the Matthews, NC area, and we’ll be happy to address your questions and insurance needs. Then you can get out there and enjoy living your life, knowing that you and your family are protected for the future.

Have You Reviewed Your Commercial Insurance Policy Lately?

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If you have a business, you probably have commercial insurance. But have you reviewed that policy lately? There are a lot of changes a business can have to happen to it, along with changes it chooses to make. All of those changes can affect the way things are done and the liabilities the business has, as well. With that in mind, it’s very important to make sure your insurance policy for that business is up to date. That’s the only way to ensure proper protection. If your Matthews, NC business hasn’t reviewed its insurance policy in a while, reach out to us at JC Demo Insurance Group and let us help you with that today.

Your business insurance policy provides protection for your company, and also for the people who come through your doors and purchase from you. Accidents and incidents can happen to employees, customers, or the structure of the business’ location itself, as well as your inventory and other areas of your company. But a good insurance policy will help you weather any storms that might come your way. It provides peace of mind and lets you take care of things in a way that keeps your business viable and strong while making things right for others, too.

If it’s been a while since you reviewed your commercial insurance policy, contact us at JC Demo Insurance Group today. If your business is in the Matthews, NC area, we’re here to help you have the coverage you need. Whether you have a policy with us now or you’re looking to change carriers, a review of your current insurance needs and what your policy offers can be an excellent way to make sure you’re properly protected and give you peace of mind for the future, too.

Home Insurance in North Carolina

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North Carolina is blessed with milder weather compared to other states in the US. Overall, the milder weather does contribute to lesser average home insurance premiums in the state of North Carolina. However, this average can be misleading because the actual premiums for home insurance will depend on several factors such as your exact location, age of the house, which provider you choose and more. A home inspection is typically required before you get home insurance rates finalized. In the inspection, they check several things such as foundation problems.

For most people, their home is the most expensive investment. Home insurance policies protect you financially in case of any damage caused by wind, storms, vandalism, fire and more. Keep in mind flood insurance and earthquake insurance are not included in home insurance policies and if your home is a high-risk region for floods or earthquakes, you must consider getting an additional policy to get coverage for them. Most mortgage lenders require you to have home insurance as they want to not protect the asset they are lending money on. Whether required by lenders or not,  it is highly recommended you get adequate home insurance as the benefits of home insurance outweigh the relative cost of premium payments. You don’t want to be in a situation where a single storm ends up costing you your entire life savings to repair the house.

JC Demo Insurance Group, a licensed and independent insurance agency serving Matthews, NC, has the resources to assist you with home insurance. Not only can they navigate you to the best home insurance policy for your needs, but they also guide you on common pitfalls to avoid and educate you on the policies so you can make an informed decision.  The contact details for JC Demo Insurance Group, serving Matthews, NC, are available on their website.

Recommendations to Help You Avoid a Car Accident

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Any car registered in NC must be insured for liability, says G.S. 20-309, a state law, which further states said insurance must be issued by an insurance company licensed by said state. This is because accidents are all too common. There were 20,326 car crashes in 2018 in Mecklenburg County alone. JC Demo Insurance Group in Matthews, NC, offers these recommendations to help you avoid a crash.

Making Complete Stops

Stop. Wait three seconds. Then go. This constitutes a complete stop. A rolling stop is careless and dangerous.

Looking Left, Right, Left

Look left, then right, then left again, before pulling out, because cars coming from the left will impact you first.

Keeping a Safe Distance

The “two-second rule” states that two seconds should pass between the car in front of you passing a fixed point and you pass that same point.

Changing Lanes Carefully

When changing lanes, check your side and rear-view mirrors, then look over your shoulder to check your blind spot, as well as other lanes to ensure another driver isn’t moving into that spot.

Ignoring Distractions Until the Next Stop

In 2018, 19.2 percent of crashes in Mecklenburg County were caused by distractions. Use your phone after you arrive.

Being Sober

There were 904 alcohol-related crashes in Mecklenburg County in 2018. Other drugs slow your reaction time, as well. Say no if driving.

Obeying the Speed Limit

Driving too fast can cause you to miss vital cues, like road signs or another driver’s intentions.

Driving Defensively

You may drive well, but not everyone does. Being cognizant of other drivers may save your life.

Many drivers are under-insured or not insured. Now, before you’re in a crash, protect yourself. Contact JC Demo Insurance Group, located in Matthews, NC, for information and details.

How to Pick the Right Life Insurance Policy

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Being properly covered by insurance is very important for all people in the Matthews, NC area. For many people, a big part of this is getting the right life insurance in place. For those that are in need of life insurance, choosing the right policy can be complicated. Fortunately, there are several tips that can be followed that can make this clearer and easier decision. 

Consider Coverage Needs

It is important to consider all of the future financial needs that your dependents will have. This can include paying the mortgage, for food, and for higher education costs. You should then compare this conservative estimate to what you currently have in savings. The difference should be a starting point when you are thinking about how much coverage you need to have in your policy.

Consider Insurance Types

Life insurance buyers will be able to choose from term and whole life insurance options. Each of these insurance options has different pros and cons. For those that would like the most coverage for the least amount of money, term life is normally ideal. Whole life can be a great option for those that are also looking for a conservative way to invest and whole life premium payments do build up and can be liquidated as well. 

It can be hard to determine what type and amount of life insurance someone needs. For those that are in the Matthews, NC area, contacting the team at JC Demo Insurance Group would be a great option. The insurance professionals at the JC Demo Insurance Group will ensure that you can get into a policy that provides you with the right protection. This will be done after an extensive review and assessment of your situation to ensure that all risks are covered. 

Is a North Carolina Business Required to Get Commercial Insurance?

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When you are looking for a fun and exciting career track, one great option to consider is to start your own business. This is especially a good option for people that are in the Matthews, NC area as this part of the country offers a variety of favorable variables. If you are going to start a business here, you should spend time carefully assessing your insurance needs. There are several situations in which a business in North Carolina will be required to have commercial insurance. 

Business Has a Loan or Lease

One situation in which you are going to need to have commercial insurance is if you have a loan or a lease. All lenders and landlords want to make sure that you are able to stay financially viable. This includes making sure you can withstand a fire that damages business assets or if you are sued for liability. A quality commercial insurance policy will protect you for both of these situations. 

Business Has a Staff

If you have a certain number of employees in the state of North Carolina, you will need to have worker’s compensation insurance. Those that do not have a commercial insurance policy with this coverage will find themselves in violation of state law. This could result in serious fines and other issues. 

Having commercial insurance in place for your Matthews, NC business is always a good idea. Since there is a lot of complexity that comes with commercial insurance, you should speak with the team at the JC Demo Insurance Group when choosing a new policy. The insurance team at the JC Demo Insurance Group can help to get you into a great policy that will give all of the liability and asset protection that you need. 

Three things you should know before you buy home insurance

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Your home is a valuable and important asset in your life. That’s why it’s so important to protect it with an appropriate home insurance policy. It’s important to do your homework before you purchase a home insurance policy and find a policy that best suits your needs and protects your assets. 

At the JC Demo Insurance Group, we’re devoted to helping our clients find the best home insurance coverage in Matthews, NC. We recommend that clients know the following three things before they purchase a home insurance policy.

What your lender is requiring

Mortgage lenders require that a borrower have home insurance. This protects the lender’s investment in the property. You need to meet your lender’s requirements when you’re purchasing home insurance.

Discuss insurance requirements with your lender and make sure you understand them. You’re going to need to provide proof of insurance to your lender, so make sure you discuss this need with a representative from the insurance company. 

What discounts are available

Home insurance is a significant expense that is going to stick with you long term. Therefore, anything you can do to save money on it and lower your premiums is going to help you out big time financially.

Look into any discounts you can enjoy on your home insurance before committing to a policy. You could enjoy discounts for bundling numerous insurance policies with the same provider or making home safety upgrades, for example. 

What cash value is in comparison to replacement cost

Usually, home insurance policies are designed to be either cash value or replacement cost policies. A cash value policy will cover all repairs or replacement costs necessary on a home minus any depreciation the home has experienced up to the policy limits. On the other hand, replacement coverage does not take depreciation into consideration and therefore compensates the policyholder more.

Although cash value is less expensive than replacement cost home insurance, it generally will not compensate for claims with as much money as a replacement cost policy would. 

If you’d like to explore home insurance policies available in Matthews, NC from the JC Demo Insurance Group, we’re here to help. Contact us with your questions and inquiries to learn more. 

 

 

Tips to Protect Your Auto From Theft

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Although modern technology has aided in the decline of automobiles over the past decade, there is still a high rate of stolen vehicles in the United States, including the area of Matthews, NC. In order to protect your automobile from being a crime of opportunity, there are a few steps you can take to deter potential thieves. JC Demo Insurance Group has put together a few tips to protect your auto from theft.

Park in Plain View

When parking your vehicle, especially in areas such as work or school where you will not have a visual view of your automobile, it’s important to park in an area where others will notice any potential thieves. You should never park behind a privacy fence or in the extreme back area of a parking lot. When parking at night, be sure to park in areas that have access to lighting, such as from a street light or porch light. When at home, park in the garage whenever possible.

Don’t Leave it Running

To avoid the risk of your vehicle being stolen, you should never leave your vehicle running, especially in an area where you cannot see the car. It’s also recommended that you not leave the vehicle running in the driveway while you are in the house. If you must warm your vehicle before driving, it’s best to start the car and let it warm up while you clean the windows.

Remove all Valuables

Before exiting your vehicle remove all valuables, including the cords for phones and electrical devices. If a thief spots a cord, they will assume the device that belongs to the cord is also in the vehicle, so do not leave them in view. Put briefcases, purses and other valuables that you aren’t taking with you in the trunk.

Always lock your vehicle before leaving it. If keys are lost or stolen, be sure to have the locks changed on your vehicle. One of the best ways to protect your vehicle from theft is to install a quality alarm as well as a tracking device, which will allow officials to locate the vehicle quickly in the case of it being stolen.

To learn more information about automobile insurance or to upgrade your policy, residents of Matthews, NC should contact JC Demo Insurance Group.