Whenever spring rolls around, the streets begin to be filled with potholes. Caused by the freezing and thawing of water, these potholes are not only annoying, but they can do a significant amount of damage to your vehicle. If you have a flat tire or a broken rim, which are common damage caused by potholes, you may be wondering if your auto insurance policy can help you cover the repair costs. In some cases, this may be an option.

What Your Auto Insurance Covers

Every auto insurance plan is a bit different. It is important to contact your agent at JC Demo Insurance Group to learn more about the specific details of your plan.

If you have collision insurance, it may cover damage caused by striking a pothole. However, some auto insurance plans have specific exclusions to this type of damage. That means the policy does not cover the loss at all. If you do not have collision insurance, you generally will not be able to file a claim for this type of damage. It does not, in most cases, fall under comprehensive coverage.

In some situations, you may be able to file a claim against your city for the damage from a pothole. If you can prove the city knew about the pothole, had time to fix it, and did not do so, you may be able to file a claim there. Many cities have rules and laws that limit this type of legal action, though.

Get the Auto Insurance You Need in Place

To protect yourself, contact JC Demo Insurance Group to request a quote for collision or other coverage. We serve residents in Matthews, NC and the surrounding communities. We’ll help you customize a plan to meet your needs.

 

Auto insurance is one of those things that people think they know all about. Many of the things that people think are true about auto insurance, however, are myths in disguise. To help you better understand what is true and what is false, JC Demo Insurance Group, serving Matthews, NC, has developed a list of misconceptions you need to know the truth behind. 

• Older drivers pay more in insurance. You may think that declining sight and poorer reaction times would result in higher insurance rated but the opposite is true. Older drivers are seen as more mature drivers to insurance companies so they end up paying less for their premiums. Younger drivers actually end up paying more. In fact, there are even some additional discounts for drivers over the age of 55.
• Red cars cost more to insure. While this is a common myth, it could not be further from the truth. The color of the car is never even taken into consideration. Instead, companies look at the age of the vehicle, the make, the model, and the body style. They also look at the driving history, age, and credit score of the driver. Since the color of the vehicle is not even taken into consideration, you should never limit yourself or stop yourself from purchasing a vehicle in the color that you want. 

Whether or not you already have an auto insurance policy, it is worth it to reach out to JC Demo Insurance Group, serving Matthews, NC. They can run you a quote for auto insurance that will meet your budget needs as well as the minimum required in the state. If you do have a policy, they can take a look at your current one to ensure there are no gaps in coverage. 

You should be prepared for anything whenever you are operating a vehicle. Your car could break down, or you could suddenly have a flat tire, and you are in an area without cell phone reception. JC Demo Insurance Group has independent agents in Matthews, NC wants to let you know everything you need to have in your emergency car kit.

Homemade or Prepacked Kits

Kits that have everything already packaged together is a great place to start, but you may want to tailor your kit to suit your family and travel needs.

• Weather – in North Carolina, the temperatures could drop drastically, and you may need a small shovel or window scraper.
• Family Needs – include extra diapers, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, feminine protection, and pet food.
• Food and Clothing – add an extra supply of non-perishable food, water, zip lock bags, trash bags, and clothing.

Things You Will Need

Whether you are going to buy a prepacked emergency kit or create one of your own, you will need to have the following items included in your pack:

• First-aid kit
• Gloves
• Screwdrivers
• Pliers
• Flashlight
• Emergency triangle or cones
• Jumper cables
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Fire extinguisher
• Scissors or box cutter
• Alcohol wipes
• Microfiber cloth
• Paracord or a tow rope
• Blanket
• Rain poncho
• Extra cell phone battery

Useful Tips in an Emergency

Keep an empty gas canister in your trunk. If you ever run out of gas, you won’t have to wait for a tow. You can walk to the nearest filling station and back.

Having an automatic battery charger could come in handy if your battery doesn’t start. It is a small device that you can use as a temporary measure instead of calling a tow truck.

Keeping up your vehicle’s maintenance is the best way to preserve your vehicle and keep you safe. The JC Demo Insurance Group in Matthews, NC has auto insurance options that will also help keep you safe on the road.

If you’re a teen driver or a parent of a teen driver you may already be aware that the insurance rates for these youngest of drivers are quite high. If you live in the Matthews, NC area, you may be wondering why adding your teen to your insurance costs so much.

Why the rates are higher

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the accident rate for drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 is higher than in any other age group. Driving is a complicated skill that takes time to develop. The problem is that the only way to get experience driving is to do it, and driving itself can sometimes be dangerous. Insurance companies know that teen drivers are at a higher risk for a claim, not because they’re necessarily more reckless, but because they don’t have the experience and mature judgment that older drivers have developed over time. Insurance companies aren’t "out to get" teen drivers. However, all drivers in higher risk categories, such as those with several tickets or accidents and, yes, teen drivers too, will pay higher insurance premiums.

What teens can do to keep rates as low as possible

While teens can’t do anything about their ages, they can keep their insurance rates as low as possible by doing a few things. First, teens should drive safely to keep a clean driving record. Things like traffic tickets and accidents can make insurance rates go even higher. Second, teens can ask the insurance agents at JC Demo Insurance Group about discounts for things like good grades or taking drivers’ education classes at school. Third, teens should consider carefully which cars are driven. Different cars have different insurance costs, so it may pay to shop around.

If you have questions about teen automobile insurance or any other insurance questions, contact the folks at JC Demo Insurance Group, serving the Matthews, NC area.

This is a major question on practically everyone’s mind, and it’s definitely a good one. Your money is important, and whether you want to spend it on your kids or a new surfboard, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be trying to save it at every turn. Find out more about how much you should be spending in Matthews, NC. 

A Policy for Everyone 

The good news is that you really just have to meet the state limits in your state, and then after that, it’s up to you. The only problem with this is that it’s incredibly tempting for people to forego what they need for what they want. Let’s say you’re tempted by getting liability only on your car. Should you cause an accident you may not be able to make it to work, thus jeopardizing your income. JC Demo Insurance Group wants everyone to be able to keep their money, which is why we would advise you to think ahead to the potential consequences of what might happen should you skimp on your insurance now. 

Keeping Things In Perspective 

Living in Matthews, NC, you should understand that your car is extremely important, as are the lives of the people who are on the road. Even extremely small accidents can cost people a lot of money, and it makes it difficult to handle when you’re not prepared. If you truly feel that you have the savings and alternative plans to handle anything that might happen to you, then you will at least feel as though you have all of the facts in front of you. To find out more about those facts or to request a quote for price comparison, call JC Demo Insurance Group for more information today!