What to Monitor While House Sitting

So your neighbors or someone else you know asked you to house sit. It could be fun, or it might just be a job for you to do. It depends on the home owner’s and how much time you can spend inside of the Matthews, NC home. Regardless of this though, you need to know what to monitor while house sitting. 

Water

JC Demo Insurance Group points out the most important area you can monitor while house sitting is the water situation. If the home owners turned the heat way down while away, make sure it is set at around 50 or higher. This way you can avoid any possible pipe freezing and bursting. If for whatever reason the power goes out in the winter, turn on a few faucets so there is just a slow, yet steady, drip. This prevents water in the pipes from sitting, helping reduce the chance of freezing. 

Mail

Bring in the mail and papers daily. This is one of the most important tasks you have and something you need to stay on top of. Doing this helps prevent identity theft while also giving the appearance of someone living inside of the house. 

Lights

When you visit leave lights on, even if you leave. If it is snowing out make sure to pull into the driveway, which leaves tire marks. All of this helps give the impression of someone living in the house. 

Snow in the sidewalk

You need to shovel the driveway and sidewalks around the house when it snows. Not only does this show the house is being lived in but it also helps prevent the home owners from landing a ticket. Home owners can receive a ticket from the city if the sidewalks are not shoveled a day or two after heavy snowfall. 

Gas Mileage Tips for North Carolina Drivers

Many people who live in the Charlotte, North Carolina suburb of Matthews commute into the middle of the city on a daily basis. This can cost a lot of money in gas, even when oil prices are low. However, there are some ways to cut gas expenditures down significantly. Below are some tips for increasing gas mileage and reducing the amount you spend on gas on a daily basis when commuting from Matthews to Charlotte or anywhere else in North Carolina and beyond.

DRIVE AT TIMES WHERE THERE IS LITTLE TRAFFIC

While traffic is relatively unpredictable, try not to drive during rush hours, as the more time you spend idling in traffic the worse your gas mileage usually will be. The more you can be moving while in your vehicle, the better, as you will get farther on less gas.

TRY TO LIMIT AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER USE

Using the air conditioner and heater will cost you a good amount of gas over time, especially if it is on full blast. So try to limit your air conditioner and heater use depending on the season in North Carolina and you will see better gas mileage results and ultimately pay less at the pump.

MAKE SURE TIRES ARE PROPERLY INFLATED

Tires that are low will slow the car down and significantly reduce gas mileage. It is also dangerous to drive with low tires as they may more easily result in a blow out at high speeds. So make sure your tires are properly inflated at all times.

BUY A FUEL EFFICIENT VEHICLE

Try buying or leasing another vehicle that is more fuel efficient, like a hybrid that gets double the miles per gallon most regular cars get. Of course, when you get a new vehicle it means getting new insurance to protect your investment, allowing you to see the monetary benefits over time of what you see at the pump. Check out JC Demo Insurance Group who serves the Matthews, North Carolina area for competitive rates.

4 Ways to Help Your New Charlotte, NC Community

Charlotte, NC is a beautiful place to live. With four seasons and a warm summer, there’s ample time to get out and explore. If you’re new to the community and you want to get to know people, you can do that easily through giving back and getting involved. Here are four ways to give back to your local community and make some friends in the process.

1) Donate your time – There are so many causes you can give back to, so choose the one you feel best about and head out to be a part of it. It’s an excellent way to help, and you can also meet friends and neighbors that way, as well.

2) Give blood – You can save a lot of lives by being a blood donor, so it’s well worth considering. Not only will that blood help local people, but you can meet others who also see the importance in blood donation, and that could lead to some great friendships.

3) Adopt a shelter pet – There’s nothing like a pet for companionship, and when you adopt a pet from a shelter you’re also saving a life. It’s a winning situation for you and for the pet you choose.

4) Feed the hungry – With Meals on Wheels and other programs that take food to people who may have trouble leaving their homes, you have plenty of options throughout Charlotte to help people get a good meal. You may make some great friends along the way, too.

Make sure you’re insured by someone in your community, too, like JC Demo Insurance Group, so you can get personalized service and help a local business see success. By keeping your money and talents local, you help your community thrive.

Andy Pierce is Joining JC Demo Insurance

Please join us in welcoming Andy Pierce to our agency team. Andy lives in the Indian Trail, NC area and comes to us with several years experience as an agent representing carriers such as Met Life, Travelers, National General and Progressive Insurance. We are super excited to have him on our team!!! He is here to assist you with your auto, home, business, and life insurance needs. You can reach him at andy@jcdemoinsurance.com or by phone at 704-506-9359 or 704-541-5155 ext 101.

Audit Your Business Address to Determine the Potential for Property Loss in Charlotte

Different areas of the city are more susceptible to potential property damage and loss. Property loss can range from theft to damage in a storm to more standard wear and tear due to the natural elements. To understand what sort of risk your business is in, performing an audit for your business address’ potential for property loss is a must. This way, you can properly assess your insurance coverage needs. From conducting your own research to receiving assistance in the process, JC Demo Insurance Group services the greater Charlotte area, so you can receive a complete understanding of what might take place in your business area and what to do in the event of property loss. 

There are different kinds of insurance options available to you. The insurance coverage offered by JC Demo Insurance Group can include property insurance, coverage that protects against theft, flood insurance. Other options include a BOP, or Business Owner’s Policy. This can cover everything inside of the business, ranging from computers to stacks of supplies. This way, if anything is stolen or damaged, you have the ability to claim the loss with this insurance coverage. 

Another element to consider is property loss or damage to company vehicles. Some areas in Charlotte are more prone to vehicle break-ins. While you can improve your chances of not being on the receiving end of such a break in, it is necessary to look at all of the different commercial auto insurance packages offered. This way, you can protect your entire business, especially after auditing the business address and finding out what is more likely to happen and what occurs on a regular basis in the area. For auditing and insurance needs, JC Demo Insurance Group is there to help. 

5 Ways To Help At A Wreck

Once you see a wreck, you likely want to help. There are a few ways you can do this, and ensure you aren’t doing any damage in the process. Below, there are five ways you can make a difference at an accident so you can be of help to the victims and the police.

Secure Your Car

Before you get out and help others, you need to secure your car on the side of the road, at least 100 feet away from the accident. This ensures that your own car is out of harm’s way.

Call 911

Call 911 as soon as you have secure in your car. You will need to tell the operator everything that you can see so that they know what is going on. You also want to be as specific as possible with your location.

Check on Everyone

Do your best to check on everyone within the cars are involved in the accident. If they can get out on their own, help them to do so. Never try and move someone who is injured.

Turn Off the Cars

Be sure that the cars involved in the accident have their ignition turned off – or do it for them.

Leave a Thorough Statement

When police arrive, you are going to be asked for a statement. Be as thorough as possible, providing them with everything they need to know. If you witnessed the actual accident, provide as many details as you can remember. You should also plan on leaving your contact information for follow-up.

Call now and speak to an agent at JC Demo Insurance Group. We’re here to help you with all of life’s emergencies. We can walk you through what to do at a wreck in Charlotte or help you find the most affordable auto insurance throughout North Carolina.

 

Independent Insurance Agents Play An Important Role When Buying Insurance

There is no reason to try and get Insurance on your own. Independent insurance agents know how to help you find the right policy. They will navigate through the different insurance companies on your behalf. They don’t work for a specific company and therefore can tell you which companies have the best deals. It can be difficult to compare policies, though they will do so for you, making it easier for you to purchase a policy with confidence.

Ultimately, you need to have an advocate who is looking out for you and your needs. It is difficult to get this on the Internet because you are left to your own devices. Insurance companies may make recommendations, but you don’t know whether it is best for them or best for you.

Insurance agents want to do right by you. They also have the knowledge to help you every step of the way. They know all about the different companies, the coverage levels, and where the best discounts are. This all works to your advantage because you can be comfortable knowing that you are choosing the best policy.

It can be dangerous to enter the insurance industry on your own because you simply don’t know what you are getting. You could be getting coverage that is not sufficient enough, which could cost you a lot of money out-of-pocket if there is ever a problem with your car, house, or anything else.

Insurance agents play an important role, and they have been around for a long time, regardless of what “experts” say. Agents are constantly on the forefront of trends, helping their customers.

Call and talk to our independent insurance agents today and JC Demo Insurance Group. Our agents can guide you into the best policies in Matthews, North Carolina and save you money with comparison quotes.

 

 

Tips for Buying a Car as a Present in Matthews, NC

Chances are you’ve been doing quite a bit of shopping for the holidays. If you really want to go big this holiday, you should consider buying a car as a present for a loved one. Unfortunately, buying a car as a present isn’t as easy as it is often portrayed. Here are a few tips that will help you buy a car as a present in Matthews, NC.

Paperwork

When it comes to buying a car as a present, there is quite a bit of paperwork involved. You need to put the title for the car in the recipient’s name. Chances are you already purchased the vehicle in your own name. Therefore, you need to fill out paperwork to transfer the title. You can refer to North Carolina’s Department of Transportation for more information about this process. However, if you plan on giving the car to your loved one at the dealership, you may be able to put the car in the recipient’s name to begin with. This will allow you to skip the process of transferring the title to the recipient.

You also need to have the vehicle registered with the Department of Transportation. There must also be an auto insurance policy for the car that meets North Carolina’s minimum requirements. JC Demo Insurance Group is one example of an auto insurance company that services North Carolina and may be able to meet your needs. 

Finances

You also want to keep finances in mind when it comes to buying a car as a present is finances. For example, you might have to pay a federal gift tax for the car. The cost of auto insurance should also be kept in mind. Therefore, it is a good idea to get an auto insurance quote from the JC Demo Insurance Group before you purchase the vehicle as a present to ensure that you make an affordable choice.

Keep Your Home Safe and Secure This Halloween

Halloween is a festive holiday full of treats. Unfortunately, however, a few people plan tricks for October 31. This Halloween, keep your home safe and secure with these three tips.

Keep Your Home Safe and Secure

You don’t need to place someone on watch to keep your home safe. You should, however, be a little more vigilant than normal. There’s no reason to lose sleep over what might happen, but it’s smart to prepare for potential risks. Specifically, you may want to:

  • leave your home’s outdoor lights on all night
  • activate your home’s security system when you go to bed
  • report any suspicious activity you see to the authorities

Keep Your Home Insured

Additionally, you may want to check your home insurance policy’s personal property coverage before Halloween. Personal property coverage is the portion of your home insurance policy that covers your belongings. In addition to your clothes and books, it may also cover outdoor furniture, a grill, or a basketball hoop if you have any of these things outside. As with all insurance coverage, whether these are included in your home insurance’s personal property coverage will depend on its terms and conditions.

If you’d like help reviewing your home insurance’s personal property coverage, send us a message. You can reach us through our website and our independent insurance agents can quickly help you review your coverage. If you don’t have enough protection, we at JC Demo Insurance Group can help you find better protection. We’re an independent insurance agency, so our agents can look at your policy and compare it to any other policy available to homeowners in Matthews, NC. Contact us today, and we’ll make sure you’re protected.

 

 

Matthews, NC: Life Insurance Myths You Need to be Aware Of

For those who are thinking about investing in life insurance, it is imperative to review all of the available policies. And while millions of policies are available, it becomes much simpler to narrow down the most appropriate ones by speaking with a qualified agent. Depending on your current and predicted future circumstances, you will be able to find a policy that both meets your needs and is affordable. While in the process of buying a life insurance plan, make sure you don’t fall for these myths. 

Myth #1: Term life insurance is better than whole life insurance

In all actuality, more whole life insurance policies pay out than term plans; however, for many people, a term life insurance plan is the best one to invest in because of their specific life insurance needs. If you are in need of life insurance only for a predetermined number of years, then a term life insurance policy will be best for you. If you know that you need a life insurance policy to pay out no matter when you become deceased, then perhaps a whole life insurance plan will work better. 

Myth #2: Life insurance costs too much money

The premiums that you pay for life insurance will be influenced by many factors, including your health; however, keep in mind that no matter your pre-existing conditions, life insurance is still available, and most people find that the younger they are when they purchase a policy, the more affordable their rates are. 

To learn more about life insurance in Matthews, contact JC Demo Insurance Group today.