Why auto insurance is a must in Matthews, NC

Located on the outskirts of Charlotte, Matthews, North Carolina is a suburb that allows residents to be close to all the good things a big city has to offer, but also distance themselves from all the bad things the city has as well. Because of this distance, however, most residents will need vehicles to get around, which means they will probably also need auto insurance of some kind. Below are some of the reasons why auto insurance is a must in Matthews, NC.

FIRST, IT’S THE LAW

Everyone who drives in North Carolina needs auto insurance of some kind so that they can cover an accident that they cause, at the very least. If you don’t have auto insurance or proof of it while you are driving, you will get a ticket if you are pulled over and then still have to get auto insurance before you can legally drive again.

TO PROTECT YOURSELF FINANCIALLY WHILE ON THE ROAD

Auto insurance protects you financially while you are driving. If you don’t have it and are in an accident, you will have to pay for your vehicle’s damage, the other vehicle’s damage or property damage caused by the accident and any medical bills that are incurred from the accident as well out of your own pocket. This could easily be tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars, which is enough to cripple you financially for a long time. So with auto insurance, this is no longer a concern.

PROTECTION AGAINST LAWSUITS

Sometimes those involved in an accident want to sue for more money or damages. The auto insurance company will protect you from this lawsuit in most cases, rather than you having to deal with it yourself and being on the hook for payment if you lose. 

3 Things to Do After an Auto Accident

Car accidents are unexpected and frightening. Regardless of how careful and cautious a driver you are, you can still be involved in an auto accident. JC Demo Insurance Group is here for you, and will help you through this tough time by providing peace of mind. Read on for three things you must do after you have been involved in an auto accident.

1. Be Prepared

Accidents can’t be predicted, so one of the best things that you can do is to be as prepared as possible. You need at least one set of cones and emergency warning triangles to help to notify traffic and to alert authorities to where the accident occurred.

2. Assess the Situation

Try to remain calm after an accident. If you are alert and able to move, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If you are unsure if someone is hurt, then you should call an ambulance. Minor accidents can be moved to one side of the road where they are not blocking traffic. Your vehicle’s hazard lights should remain on at all times.

3. For the Record

You need to notify your insurance agent immediately. Whether you feel the accident was your fault or not, do not mention or accept fault at the scene of the accident. Police officers will ask you to account for the damages and ask for specifics regarding the wreck. Do not sign any documents from the other party involved in the wreck. Take as many notes as possible, including damages to all vehicles involved in the wreck, information for all drivers involved, and witness information.

The state of North Carolina requires all drivers to have insurance coverage that is equal to the state’s minimum coverage law. JC Insurance Demo group is ready to help you get the coverage you need. Shop online today to get started.
 

Who Has Professional Auto Insurance In Matthews NC

In virtually every state, auto insurance is necessary to fend off criminal fines. Repeated offenses may lead to the loss of ones driver’s license and eventually a jail sentence.  For most, a vehicle is the second-most-expensive purchase they will make in their lifetime, next to purchasing a house. Cars are not just essential because they’re expensive, but also because of the service that they provide.

Auto insurance is the easiest way to protect this important investment. An important role that auto insurance plays, is providing money for medical costs to people who are injured in accidents that are the your fault. This includes any injuries you may have suffered as well. There’s nothing to in place to stop someone from suing you after an accident even if the opposing driver is in the wrong. However, car insurance gives you a slight pause between legal claims and your wallet. 

Auto insurance can also play a vital role if your vehicle has been stolen or damaged. That’s one of the reasons insurance companies offer a break on insurance if a policyholder consistently parks their car off the street and in a  garage, where the instances of theft and vandalism are much less likely. Because auto insurance helps in so useful, not having insurance can lead to some detrimental times just hoping against any bad news. 

These needs for auto insurance apply to all states in the U.S. And in some areas like Matthews NC, finding the right auto insurance can be difficult.  However, the solution is in JC Demo Insurance Group. A company that handles every customer professionally and according to need. If you live in Matthews NC, Don’t lose the peace of mind you deserve, call JC Demo Insurance Group today.

Do I really need commercial vehicle insurance?

For many small business owners, it can seem as if commercial vehicle insurance is an expense they can skip.  Many people simply assume that their personal auto insurance policy will cover them if they’re ever in an accident.  Unfortunately, too many business owners find out too late that this is rarely the case.  

Call an agent today if any of the following situations apply to you or your business.

  1. Your business owns a vehicle.  If the title for a vehicle is held by your business (as opposed to being held by you personally), then you need to have commercial auto insurance.  Many personal auto insurance policies have restrictions that state the policy holder will not be covered in a company-owned vehicle.  Keep this in mind if you transfer the title of your personal car to your business.
  2. You use your vehicle for business more than 20% of the time.  Using your personal vehicle for business on a regular basis could void parts of your auto insurance coverage.  To make up for it, a commercial insurance policy needs to be purchased.  It will provide coverage only when the vehicle is being used for business.
  3. You store business items in your personal vehicle.  If you don’t have a rider on your personal auto insurance policy that covers business property, then you need to buy a commercial insurance policy to protect things such as inventory, equipment, and computers.  If these items are stolen or damaged in your vehicle, a commercial auto insurance policy could pay to repair or replace them.

If these situations apply to you or your business, call the insurance agents at JC Demo Insurance Group.

Recognizing Fender Bender Fraud

Fraudulent car insurance claims start with an individual trying to obtain money by staging an accident. These incidences can increase your insurance rates, add blemishes to your driving record, and cause you to lose lots of money. Before shelling out thousands of dollars to a criminal, you should know how to recognize fender bender fraud and be prepared if it happens to you.

The Swoop and Squat

In busy traffic, at a traffic signal, or at an onramp, a driver will swoop in front of you and then stop. Rear-ending someone is usually that person’s fault even if the other driver did the wrong thing. You should look out for people who want to squeeze between you and the car in front of you. It is safer to just let them in and slow down.

The Phantom Victim

You are in a car accident and someone that was not in the accident files a claim with your insurance company. That person claims that they were a passenger in one of the vehicles that was hit. They also say they have injuries that need financial retribution. To avoid this, you should gather the names of all of the passengers in each vehicle, if possible.

The Sideswipe

You are in the inner lane of a two-lane left turn. You slightly drift into the far lane as you turn and the outside lane driver hits you on purpose. They can claim that you were at fault because you were not in your lane. Be vigilant and avoid drivers who are speeding in the turning lanes.

JC Demo Insurance Group understands the damage a fraudulent insurance claim can have on innocent victims. If you suspect you are the target of a staged accident, the agents at JC Demo Insurance Group can offer advice and answer questions. They can also search for policy quotes for new insurance coverage and existing policyholders.

Premium Gas Vs Regular, What’s the Difference

Many people claim that it is necessary to run premium gas through your car at all times to protect the engine and to make sure it is performing at peak efficiency. That being said, premium gas normally runs at least ten cents higher in price than regular unleaded gasoline and many simply cannot afford that price raise. So what is the actual difference in these grades of gasoline, the answer is simpler than you might imagine.

The main difference between each grade of gasoline is the temperature at which the gas combusts to make your car run. Lower grade gas burns at a lower temperature meaning that it is likely to leave more residue in your engine which may end up making your car run worse over time. The higher the grade gasoline the higher temperature that it runs which means that it is going to burn cleaner and leave less residue behind.

Now this difference may or may not affect the performance of your car. Overall, using lower grade gas is not going to make a brand new car run like it is twenty years old. Over time lower grade gas may cause build up in your engine but with a great gas cleaner that is run through the gas lines every so often you can clean up this residue and get your car back to tip top shape.

Some engines do run better with a higher grade gasoline in them which means that it may be beneficial to use a higher grade gasoline. If you feel that your car needs premium gas by all means use premium but do not think that regular gas is going to ruin your car. Another important factor when driving is your insurance coverage. JC Demo Insurance Group can help you get the right coverage for you every time.  

Top 3 Tips to Avoid Fender Bender Fraud

The trouble with accidents is that you can never truly know when one is going to happen. No matter if you’re involved a major crash or a minor fender bender, there could be physical and even psychological damages. Moreover, there is always the potential of coming into contact with someone who is dishonest. Making a bad situation worse, many have become victims of fender bender fraud for simply being kind. With that said, the following is an overview of three ways to avoid fender bender fraud.

3. Never Leave the Scene– One of the biggest mistake anyone can make is leaving the scene without contacting the authorities. Unless you have had your accident properly documented, if you discover damages at a later time, it will then be your word against the other driver’s… which, usually doesn’t end well. 

2.  Never Embellish Your Story- Although it may be tempting to try and get the other driver to cover expenses that are not related to the accident in question, doing so could compromise the integrity of your case a whole. One of the top ways judges tend to gauge who is telling the truth is by paying attention to who is the most consistent. Lying leaves room for you to forget your story and change it over time. Just don’t do it!

1. Call On Your Witnesses– Lastly, if you have any witnesses, that can help seal your case. There are few things as powerful in court as an eyewitness account. 

Serving the North Carolina area, the JC Demo Insurance Group can provide you with all the tools you need to protect your vehicle on the road. No matter what kind of coverage you need, JC Demo can provide a package that encompasses what you’re looking for. 

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.

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.

Safely Teaching Your Teen How to Drive

Parents of teens can all agree that one of the most fear-inducing moments of parenthood is watching a child drive away alone for the first time. Teenage driving is a time of anxiety for parents, and with good reason— the CDC reports that teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly car crash than drivers older than twenty. One step parents can take to reduce car crashes is to make a mutual driving agreement, which clearly outlines safe driving habits.

How to Make a Family Driving Contract

Parents can make a formal, written pact with their teens designating the best driving practices, “house” rules, and family expectations. Just as when they were small children, teens also learn by watching parents’ actions, so the contract should apply to all drivers in the household including mom and dad. JC Demo Insurance Group offers 9 helpful tips on writing a safe driving contract:

  1. Make sure the contract is written from a “we” point of view (i.e., We agree to wear our seat belts at all times in a moving vehicle)
  2. Write all rules as concisely as possible (We will never text while driving)
  3. Indicate how many passengers are allowed in a vehicle 
  4. Specify how to react if alcohol becomes involved
  5. Reiterate some of the more common driving laws
  6. Suggest an expected response to an aggressive driver
  7. List common distractions and how to avoid them
  8. Leave room for adjustment—contract terms can change according to the family’s driving habits and that is okay
  9. Agree to review the contract periodically

At JC Demo Insurance we care about the safety of all drivers, whether they are just starting out or have a few years under their seatbelt. Give us a call today for more information on making sure teens stay safe while driving.