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.

Which Is Better Term Life or Whole Life?

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JC Demo Insurance Group offers both term life policies and whole life insurance policies. They offer advice to the residents of Matthews, NC when it comes to choosing the policy that is most beneficial for them. Many people don’t buy life insurance because they don’t understand the differences and what each policy is good for. This is where scheduling an appointment with your agent can help.

Benefits of Term Life

Term life gets its name because it is written for a specific "term" or amount of time. Normally, a term life policy is set to mature after 5, 10, 15, or 20 years. As you pay into the policy and equity is established, you may have the option to borrow against the policy in an emergency. Once the policy reaches its face value, it will remain in place until you cash it in. Term life is normally a good choice if you are only interested in covering your burial expenses.

Benefits of Whole Life

A whole life policy is the better choice if you are trying to provide for your family if the unthinkable happens. A whole life policy will remain in place for as long as you live and continue to make payments. The benefit of a whole life policy is that it will provide your family with the financial stability they need to get through a difficult time.

AT JC Demo Insurance Group, the agents serve the residents of Matthews, NC. Schedule an appointment with one of the agents today so that you can find the right type of life insurance policy that will help you achieve your goals. 

 

Checklist for Finding the Perfect Property for Your New Commercial Venture

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Your new commercial venture in the Matthews, NC area needs the perfect home to ensure your best chances of success. Use this checklist from JC Demo Insurance Group to help you find the perfect property for your new manufacturing, retail, or professional services space.

  • Locate the right areas of town on a map. Like other municipalities, the area around Matthews NC is divided into industrial, commercial, and residential spaces. Find out which areas of town are home to businesses like yours. This is the starting point for your search.
  • Shop for properties based on the location of your target demographic. For example, an ice cream parlor would do much better in an area that is frequented by families, whereas a craft brewery that focuses on distribution would realize less liability in an industrial area.
  • Buy, rent, or lease? Look at your long-term plans, resources, and projected growth rate to decide if you should buy, rent, or lease your commercial property. These choices have an effect on your insurance as well. Talk to your commercial insurance provider to understand the impact of these decisions on your coverages.
  • For those who choose to rent or lease, talk to the landlord before touring the property. While the property itself is important, your relationship with the owner will determine your long-term satisfaction to a large degree. Make sure you can form a mutually beneficial working relationship with them before you sign.
  • Buyers should use a professional contractor to evaluate potential sites before placing a bid. This ensures you don’t end up buying a piece of property that is contaminated or otherwise compromised.

Your commercial insurance package is directly affected by the location of your business. Contact JC Demo Insurance Group to help understanding how your commercial real estate affects your premiums and payouts.

The importance of a home inventory

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Your home is your castle and if your castle is like most castles, it is full of things. More than just furniture, appliances and decor. Years of accumulated memories fill closets and attics and trying to remember everything that you possess may really be mission impossible. That is where a home inventory comes in, it can be the difference between getting the most from your home insurance and having many of your possessions lost forever. The residents of Matthews, NC have the JC Demo Insurance Group to turn to when they have questions about the importance of a home inventory. 

A home inventory takes time to create. It is a record of every room in your home. In reality, it is not just the rooms but the closets, cupboards, drawers, attic and basement. It must be detailed and if you can include sales receipts especially for the big-ticket items that is the best option. For jewelry, getting an appraisal is the best way to get the true value of your items and of course, if they are especially expensive you will need to cover them with a rider. In addition to writing down all the items in each room, taking pictures is a good way to document everything. 

After you have gone to all the trouble of creating a home inventory, you need to keep it in a safe place. Away from the home is ideal but if you don’t have a safety deposit box, you should at the very least make sure that it is stored in a fire and waterproof box to protect it from whatever happens. 

To find out the importance of a home inventory, stop by the office of JC Demo Insurance Group in Matthews, NC and talk to one of their experienced agents. If your home is damaged, an inventory can make replacement of your possession much easier. 

 

 

What to Do If You Have a Car Accident

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Accidents happen, even to those who are excellent drivers. When you know what to do if you have a car accident, you can avoid expensive errors. Here are five things to remember if you have an accident in Matthews, NC from JC Demo Insurance Group. 

1. Move Your Car

If your car is drivable, do your best to get it off to the side of the road so you can avoid blocking traffic as much as possible. If you can get out of your car and you see that other people in the accident need help, do what you can to help them. If you can’t move your vehicle and no one is in need of assistance, stay in the car with your seat belt on to keep yourself safe from other motorists

2.  Call the Police

Your insurance company will probably want a police report to make a claim. Even if no one is hurt, call the non-emergency police number to have a police report filed. 

3. Exchange Information

You and the other driver should exchange information. You can let the other driver know your name and phone number, the name of your insurance company and your policy number. You should also jot down a brief description of the other car involved in the accident, its license plate number, the exact street address where the accident occurred, and any names and phone numbers of potential witnesses in the vicinity.  

4. Cooperate with the Police

Answer the questions that the police have and let them have your personal information as well. Do not necessarily accept blame for the accident.  Just tell the officer what occurred, and let him draw his own conclusions. 

5. Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company

After you have finished the paperwork and the officer releases you to leave the scene, you will want to call your insurance company to let them know about the wreck. They will tell you what your next steps should be. Often, they will have the numbers of preferred repair shops and tow truck companies to help you out. Your insurance agent can help you through this process, so be sure to write down what you need to do while you are on the phone. 

Car accidents are inconvenient, but having a good insurance agent can help expedite the process and get you back on the road in your vehicle. If you need insurance in the Matthews, NC area, contact JC Demo Insurance Group today.

Why you need to update your policy after a major home improvement project

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Major home improvement projects can be a massive stressor for a number of different reasons. If you are looking to undergo an extensive project in the near future, don’t forget to take a closer look at your homeowner’s policy before any work gets started. JC Demo Insurance Group is here to provide all the information that homeowners in the Matthews, NC community and surrounding area may need regarding home insurance.

Make sure you’re covered before work starts!

  • Damage to your home – any substantial home improvement project has the capacity to go wrong. Even when your contractor carries insurance, it may not be enough. Take the time to sit down with your agent and make sure that you have the protection you need.
  • Injury to a contractor or worker – if someone is injured while doing work on your home, you can sometimes be held liable. If you are going to have workers in your home make sure that you have sufficient liability protection. 
  • Future damage caused by shoddy work – what happens if six months down the road your new kitchen stops working properly? There are so many things that can go wrong with a bit project, especially a few months down the road. Don’t get stuck with an incomplete or subpar project, make sure you’re protected.

The time to check for adequate insurance coverage is before work starts. There’s nothing worse than sustaining damage to your home only to find out that your policy does not provide coverage. If you are in the greater Matthews, NC area, call or stop by JC Demo Insurance Group today to review your policy for completeness. We are proud to serve our community and look forward to working with you!