Health Insurance Basics: What You Need To Know

Posted on April 15, 2025 by AgentInsure

Understanding Health Insurance: Common Terms Defined

Health insurance coverage is a broad term that refers to insurance that covers medical expenses. You might have health insurance through your employer, or you might purchase it directly from an insurance company. Alternatively, you might be on government-funded programs like Medicare or State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs. Regardless of how you obtain it, having health insurance coverage is crucial to prepare for unexpected health issues.

Health insurance comes in various policies, including comprehensive/major medical that covers hospital care, doctor visits, certain therapies and tests, and prescriptions written by your doctor. The experts at Don Allred Insurance, serving Burlington, NC, suggest familiarizing yourself with some common terms associated with your health insurance policy. Here are a few:

Deductible: This is the amount you pay before the insurance company starts to cover your care.
Co-Insurance: This is the amount you owe towards a claim after meeting your deductible. Some policies might also have an out-of-pocket limit, meaning the insurance company will cover 100 percent of your eligible claims after this amount is met.
Copay: This is the amount that you pay the provider or for prescriptions when you visit the pharmacy, doctor, or medical provider. This amount varies depending on the type of provider. For example, general practitioners usually cost less than specialists.
Open Enrollment is an annual period during which you can change your health insurance policy or company. Contact us to learn more about open enrollment.

Contact Don Allred Insurance Today

The team at Don Allred Insurance, serving Burlington, NC, is here to assist you with all your health insurance needs. Contact us today.

Auto Insurance May be the Most Reliable Aspect of Driving

Posted on March 28, 2025 by AgentInsure

Some people would rather drive to the mailbox than walk. Others, however, would never step inside a vehicle or drive if they didn’t have to. Accidents can happen anytime and to anyone, regardless of your feelings towards driving. That’s why drivers in the Burlington, NC area rely on the friendly and proven team at Don Allred Insurance for all their driving needs.

Auto Insurance: The Most Reliable Aspect of Driving

Whether you enjoy driving, must drive, or whether you’re an excellent driver or a subpar one, the right auto insurance solutions have you covered. Accidents are unpredictable by nature. From other drivers to unexpected road conditions or even critter crossings, auto insurance is the only reliable aspect of driving.

Reliability and the unpredictable nature of accidents make auto insurance practical. That’s a good reason why so many drivers from the Burlington area turn to the knowledgeable and friendly team at Don Allred Insurance when they have questions or need vehicle coverage. The roads are unpredictable, but auto insurance is not.

Auto Insurance Solutions for Drivers in the Burlington, NC Area

We can assist if you reside in or around the Burlington, NC area and have questions or need auto insurance for you and your vehicle. The road can be unpredictable, but you can always be protected with the right insurance solutions. Contact us to learn more at Don Allred Insurance today.

What is additional living expense (ALE) coverage on a home insurance policy?

Posted on March 14, 2025 by AgentInsure

At Don Allred Insurance in Burlington, NC, we understand that some home insurance terminology can be confusing. Let us help you understand your homeowner insurance coverage and gain some clarity and peace of mind.

Understanding ALE Coverage

Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage on a homeowner policy is a provision that compensates the insured for extra costs associated with being displaced from your house due to a loss covered by insurance. This could be due to a fire, windstorm, explosion, or natural disaster. You may see the term "loss of use" coverage used on your policy in place of additional living expenses, but they refer to the same coverage.

ALE covers meals, hotel stays, temporary housing while your home is being repaired, and travel expenses (if you have to travel longer distances to work than usual). This coverage helps you maintain your quality of life while living outside your home.

ALE will also reimburse you for the increased cost of food, laundry services, and pet boarding fees while you are displaced. Just make sure toep your receipts.

When a loss occurs, contact your insurance company to file a claim to get the ALE process working for you and your family.

Lastly, remember your policy limits. Most additional living expense coverages have limits on what they will pay out. Typically, it is a percentage of the overall dwelling coverage you have on your home.

Contact Us Today!

To learn more about additional living expense coverage and other benefits found on a home insurance policy, call us today at Don Allred Insurance in Burlington, NC. We have the knowledge and expertise of home insurance to give you and your family peace of mind when the unthinkable happens. You can reach us at (800) 280-2230.

Does Health Insurance Cover Vision and Dental?

Posted on February 28, 2025 by AgentInsure

The insurance industry treats medical, vision, and dental distinctly from each other and not without reason. The insurance needed for routine and emergency dental work isn’t anywhere near what’s needed in case of major cancer treatment, for example. Because these are distinct, they may or may not all be covered by your health insurance policy.

Review Your Health Insurance Policy

Whether your health insurance policy covers vision and dental depends on the protections defined in its documentation. Most policies provide either both additional protections or neither additional protection, although there might be exceptions.

The easiest way to check your policy’s terms is to consult with an insurance agent who knows health insurance. If you live in Burlington, NC, our agents at Don Allred Insurance can help you determine the terms of your particular policy.

Getting Separate Vision and Dental Coverage

If your health insurance doesn’t include vision and dental coverage, each can be purchased separately as a stand-alone policy. Many larger employers offer these as optional (or standard) benefits; you can also purchase them individually if necessary.

When purchasing vision insurance and dental insurance, the two are separate but often have similar structures. A few of the more important details are:

Network: You’ll usually pay substantially less if you use a provider near Burlington, NC, who’s in the network.
Out-of-Network Coverage: What can you expect the policy to pay if you use a provider who’s out of network?
Deductible: How much you pay before the policy begins paying. This can be per-service or annually.
Limits: The maximum amount the policy will pay. This can be for specific services (e.g. braces), or annually.

Of course, you’ll also want to know the premium and many other specifics.

Check Your Health Insurance Policy

Contact Don Allred Insurance for help determining whether to purchase vision and dental policies. We can review your health insurance policy and assist you with selecting vision and dental policies.

Locating a Missing Life Insurance Policy

Posted on February 14, 2025 by AgentInsure

If you’re contemplating your future, you might wonder if you should buy a life insurance policy. You may have questions about which type of policy to purchase. If you live near Burlington, NC, our team at Don Allred Insurance can discuss available policy options and provide recommendations. We’ve been working with clients in your area since 1977.

Help with Locating a Missing Life Insurance Policy

According to the North Carolina Department of Insurance, a department has been created to help family members who find themselves in this situation. This group has created the Lost Life Insurance and Annuity Inquiry Department to assist people in finding information about misplaced life insurance documents. If a deceased loved one purchased a policy in the state of North Carolina, this department may help you locate the record.

People who believe they are beneficiaries of lost life insurance policies can apply online to locate them. Executors of the estate of people with lost insurance policies or legal representatives of deceased people can also apply for this information. The North Carolina Department of Insurance website has a link to find lost insurance policies. If policy information is located, the insurance company will be notified and contact the applicant.

Call Us Today for Your Appointment

Whether a term insurance policy or a whole life policy is best for you, our team at Don Allred Insurance can show you a range of options to compare and help you decide on the right choices. We believe it’s important to provide our clients with sufficient information so they can make an informed purchase. Clients in the Burlington, NC, area can feel confident when working with our experienced agents. Call us for an appointment today, and let’s talk about insurance.

I’m Buying a New Car: Can I Get Liability Only Auto Insurance?

Posted on January 31, 2025 by AgentInsure

Having the right insurance coverage is crucial when purchasing a new car. Don Allred Insurance can assist. We collaborate with numerous insurance carriers to ensure our customers have access to the best policies and a variety of options.

If you’re considering liability-only auto insurance, the professionals at Don Allred Insurance, serving Burlington, NC, can help. We can answer your questions and provide information to help you make the best decisions for your new vehicle.

What Is Liability-Only Car Insurance?

Liability-only car insurance covers repairing or replacing the other driver’s vehicle if you cause an accident. However, it does not cover repairing or replacing your vehicle in the event of an accident, regardless of who is at fault. Additionally, this type of car insurance does not provide coverage if your car is stolen, damaged in a non-collision incident, or vandalized.

Can You Get Liability-Only Insurance for a New Car?

If you’re paying cash for your new car, you can opt for liability-only car insurance. However, it’s important to consider whether this type of insurance is right for you. Liability-only car insurance will not cover damage to your vehicle. If you’re buying a new car, you may want assurance that your vehicle will be repaired or replaced if something happens to it.

If you’re financing your vehicle, your auto lender may require you to get full coverage car insurance. Be sure to check with your lender about their requirements.

Need Insurance? Contact Us Today.

At Don Allred Insurance, serving Burlington, NC, we’re here to help you get the insurance you need for your new vehicle. Call today to schedule an appointment.

Navigating the Future of Home Insurance in North Carolina

Posted on January 15, 2025 by AgentInsure

Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and causing unprecedented amounts of property damage. For instance, Hurricane Helene’s impact in North Carolina is estimated to cost nearly $60 billion. Consequently, home insurance companies have sought rate increases, and some are even exiting North Carolina despite the granted rate increase. At Don Allred Insurance in Burlington, NC, we closely monitor the situation to help our customers maintain their home insurance.

Understanding Insurance Rates in North Carolina

The North Carolina Rate Bureau (NCRB), a non-profit organization formed by the General Assembly of North Carolina, represents private insurers before the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDI) for various reasons, including rate increases.

Following Hurricane Helene, the NCRB requested a 42.2% rate increase for homeowners’ insurance from the NCDI. However, Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey denied the increase. After negotiations, both parties agreed to an average rate increase of 7.9%. The rate will not be finalized until the public has had sufficient time to comment.

Will Insurers Exit the State?

Insurance companies are grappling with increased home replacement costs, a higher number of homes affected by natural disasters, and insufficient income from existing policies. Consequently, many have ceased issuing policies for North Carolina homeowners, leaving them uninsured. The remaining companies will likely raise rates as much as possible to provide adequate coverage.

Contact Us for Assistance with Homeowners’ Insurance

At Don Allred Insurance in Burlington, NC, we’re monitoring these developments closely and working to help our customers retain their coverage. We understand the importance of maintaining a homeowners’ policy, especially for those with a mortgage. Contact us today for the latest news on this evolving insurance landscape and to learn what to expect moving forward.

Health Insurance because Nothing is More Important

Posted on December 27, 2024 by AgentInsure

Many aspects of life are often taken for granted, and our health is frequently one of them. We tend not to think about it until we face a health issue. Fortunately, with the right health insurance plan, we don’t need to spend a great deal of time worrying about our health. This is why so many people from the greater Burlington, NC area rely on the professional and friendly team at Don Allred Insurance for their health insurance needs.

Your Health is Paramount

Anyone, regardless of age or lifestyle, can face health issues. Even those dedicated to living healthy and active lives are susceptible to injury, illness, and potential health problems. This is where the value and importance of health insurance come into play. It’s crucial to work with an agent who can help assess and address your needs, issues, and health concerns.

Health Insurance Solutions in Burlington, NC

If you live in or near the beautiful Burlington, NC area, and have questions or would like to learn more about health insurance options for you and your family, we can help. Our knowledgeable and professional team at Don Allred Insurance is here to assist with all your questions and provide the health insurance solutions you need. Contact us to find out more and schedule an appointment because nothing is more important than your health. Get the protection you need at Don Allred Insurance today.

Life Insurance: For the Expected Events in Life

Posted on December 16, 2024 by AgentInsure

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, making it challenging to prepare for unforeseen events. However, one certainty we all face is the end of our time on this planet. This is where the benefits of life insurance come into play, as it’s easier to prepare for what we know is coming, even if we don’t know when. This is one of the reasons why people from all around the greater Burlington, NC area rely on the friendly and professional team at Don Allred Insurance for their life insurance needs.

Prepare for the Inevitable with Life Insurance

While it’s true that none of us like to contemplate our own mortality, we also don’t know when our time will come. What we do know is that it will happen, and that means we can be prepared. This is the primary purpose of life insurance and why it’s important to work with an experienced team like the agents at Don Allred Insurance.

Life Insurance Solutions in Burlington, NC

If you live in or near the beautiful Burlington, NC area and would like to learn more about life insurance, or if you need life insurance for yourself or a family member, we can help. Contact us to learn more and get the help you need and the life insurance solutions you deserve at Don Allred Insurance today.

Can I Buy a Car Without Getting Auto Insurance?

Posted on November 29, 2024 by AgentInsure

Acquiring auto insurance is one of the first steps to take when you get a vehicle. Auto insurance is a type of insurance that shields you from certain financial risks associated with owning and driving a vehicle. If you cause a collision on the road, auto insurance will pay to repair or replace the other driver’s vehicle. Some types of auto insurance will also pay to repair or replace your vehicle after a collision or other covered events. In most cases, auto insurance is mandatory when you’re buying a car.

At Don Allred Insurance, servicing Burlington, NC, we can help you get auto insurance. Here’s what you need to know.

Car Dealerships Usually Require Insurance

Reputable auto dealers typically require auto insurance before allowing you to drive off the lot. The best way to ensure that you have auto insurance for your vehicle when buying a car is to contact your insurance agent before purchasing. Your agent can help you select a policy so it’s ready when the vehicle is purchased.

Car Insurance is a Legal Requirement in Most States

Even if you’re buying a car from a private seller, car insurance is required by law in most states. This means that you’ll need to have insurance to drive the car away from the private seller.

Auto Insurance Protects You From Financial Liability

Auto insurance helps protect you from financial liability when owning a vehicle. Finding the right policy is important. The agents at Don Allred Insurance, servicing Burlington, NC, can help. We work with many carriers to help our clients find the right auto policy for their budget and needs. Call today to get started.

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