Will my auto insurance premium lower in Burlington, North Carolina, If I install loss prevention devices, such as a car immobilizer?

Posted on January 1, 2014 by AgentInsure

Installing anti-theft devices on your car lowers your auto insurance premiums in Burlington, North Carolina. For example, if you install a immobilizer in your car, only the correct key or start code will work.

Thieves can no longer "hot wire" your auto to steal it. This lowers your risk of theft immensely, As your independent agent, we’ll find the best discount available for the anti-theft systems in your vehicle.

In some other countries, including the UK, Australia and Canada, new autos must now have these devices installed to prevent theft. As technology improves, a car immobilizer becomes more effective. The latest types of these devices have a microcircuit inside your key, which "broadcasts" a unique code to your auto’s computer. This deters thieves from even trying to hot wire your auto. If they try, they will be unable to start your car.

Even more traditional auto alarms can generate premium discounts. Since we are your independent agent, we will give you multiple quotes that account for all of the anti-theft measures and devices you install in your auto.

Typical auto insurance discounts for cars equipped with anti-theft protection can go from around 10 percent to 20 percent. While North Carolina is not one of the nine states that mandates car insurance companies to offer discounts for anti-theft installations, we’ll help you find similar discounts with one or more of the companies we represent as your independent agent.

Understand that, even if you don’t drive a Ferrari or Corvette, your car is at risk of theft. Even more sedate vehicles, such as Hondas, are common targets, since they allow thieves to dismantle and sell their high demand parts.

We love being your trusted independent agent–and working to find you the most budget-friendly auto insurance coverage. Visit our secure website or contact us to get multiple quotes to find a policy you like at an affordable price–including your anti-theft discount.

What Is the Purpose of Rental Insurance for Apartment Dwellers in Burlington,North Carolina?

Posted on December 24, 2013 by AgentInsure

When you are renting an apartment in Burlington, North Carolina, you may not have the same needs as a homeowner. Apartment dwellers do not need home insurance because the property is owned by another individual. Instead, you need rental insurance to protect your personal belongings and give you some liability protection.

Rental Insurance Coverage

A renter’s policy is not the same as a homeowner’s policy. It is designed for individuals who are renting an apartment, condo or other property instead of owning the property. Your financial risk is limited to liability, your personal belongings and the possibility of staying in a hotel if something happens to the property.

Renter’s insurance plans are designed to address the situations that you may face. For example, if a fire occurs and you lose all of your personal belongings, then the insurance will help pay to replace your furniture, clothing and other personal belongings that were in the apartment. In most cases, the apartment owner is responsible to pay for the damage to the building.

Obtaining Appropriate Coverage

The purpose of rental insurance is to keep your financial risk to a minimum. Although some coverage is appropriate for most renters, the exact amount that you need may vary. The best way to determine if your coverage is appropriate is to focus on the cost of replacing your furniture, jewelry and any other belongings that stay in your apartment. Obtain enough coverage to cover the cost of replacing the items.

Finding the right insurance plan can seem complicated, but it is an important part of protecting your belongings and replacing items that are damaged or stolen. If you want to learn more about finding the right policy for your apartment, contact us to speak to an independent agent.

Do Home Renovations Affect my Home Insurance Policy in Burlington, North Carolina?

Posted on December 16, 2013 by AgentInsure

The decision to renovate your home can be exciting, but the cost of making changes to your home may not be your only expense. In many cases, your home insurance in Burlington, North Carolina will also be affected by the renovation project.

Inform the Insurer

Before making any changes to your home, talk to your insurer and find out how it will impact your policy. It may be necessary to obtain additional liability protection until the project is completed and some insurers may decide that your policy is not appropriate for the additional value to your home.

Evaluate the Impact on Your Home’s Value

Even if your insurer does not require any changes to your policy during the project, you may discover that the renovations add to the value of your home. If that happens, then it may be necessary to increase the value of your home on your policy and add to the current coverage to ensure that your house is properly protected.

Depending on the renovation, the impact on your home’s value may vary. For example, renovating your bathroom to update the fixtures may not have a major impact on your policy. However, adding an additional room to your house may add a large amount to the overall value of your house.

Differences Between Companies

Although a renovation can have an impact on your current homeowner’s policy, the exact changes may vary. Insurers have different policies and requirements based on the situation and the changes that you are making to your home.

The decision to renovate a house can seem simple, but you must consider the impact on your insurance policy before you get started. To learn more about insurance during renovations, contact us to talk to an independent agent today.

Can I Insure all my Vehicles, Including Trailers and Recreational Vehicles on a Single Policy in Burlington, North Carolina?

Posted on December 10, 2013 by AgentInsure

When you own several vehicles, such as a trailer, recreational vehicle and car, you may wonder if your current auto insurance policy can protect all of your vehicles under the same plan. Although every company and insurer is different, it may be possible to add recreation vehicles to your auto policy in certain situations.

Insurer Policies and Coverage

Every insurance company is different, so the coverage options that are available for your assets may vary. Some insurers may provide coverage for cars, recreation vehicles and other vehicles under the same policy. Other companies may not provide any coverage for certain vehicles like trailers or RVs.

The only way to determine if a Burlington, North Carolina insurance company is willing to protect all of your vehicles under the same policy is by asking if the company offers coverage for all of the vehicles.

Bundling Policies

If an insurer does provide coverage for cars, RVs and other vehicles, then you may be able to bundle your policies into a single bill and coverage solution. Every company offers different bundling policies and options, so it is usually best to compare your options to find the best rates and coverage for your needs.

With the help of an independent agent, you can quickly compare prices, coverage and options from a variety of insurance companies. An agent helps you narrow down the choices so that you can find the best policy for your financial goals and your specific concerns.

Depending on the vehicles that you own and the company that is currently insuring your car, it may be possible to bundle your policies. If you want to learn more about your specific plan, contact us to talk to an agent today.

I drive my car lesser than average number of miles each year. Can I avail “low-mileage discounts”, in Burlington, North Carolina?

Posted on December 2, 2013 by AgentInsure

You probably understand that auto insurance rates are based on risk statistics. For example, young and new drivers pay higher premiums. Why? Statistics show that teen and young drivers have more accidents that mature drivers. This is true in Burlington, North Carolina and throughout the US.

Similarly, the more miles you drive each year, increase the risk that you’ll be involved in an accident, too. This is perfectly logical because, regardless of how safe a driver you are, the more you’re on the road, the greater the chance of having an accident.

As your trusted independent agent, we can help you find a meaningful discount if you drive fewer miles than your neighbors. We work for you, not a single insurance company. We’ll help you find the best, most affordable auto insurance coverage that fits your specific situation.

For example, if you’re recently retired (after driving many miles each day to and from work for years), you’ll no longer have a long commute during North Carolina rush hours. Let us know so that we can identify a low-mileage discount, reducing your car insurance premiums.

Your independent agent has the experience to understand your lowered risk for more than just moving accidents. For instance, the more miles you drive, particularly on highways and heavily traveled roads, the more likely that you’ll suffer windshield damage at some point. Rocks (even pebbles) that strike your windshield often require replacing this important component.

Even an apparently minor rock impact can result in a growing "spider" web of minute cracks that impair your driving vision. The fewer miles you drive regularly, the less risk of incurring windshield damage.

These–and other risks–decrease as your annual mileage lessens. As your independent agent, we’ll help you find the best discount for you, while giving you the best protection around Burlington, North Carolina.

Can a term life insurance policy be converted to whole life insurance later in Burlington, North Carolina?

Posted on November 25, 2013 by AgentInsure

Purchasing a life insurance policy in Burlington, North Carolina represents an important milestone in keeping your family and loved ones protected against the financial slings and arrows that life often brings. Chances are you purchased term life coverage as your first policy. While this type of insurance offers a significant amount of protection, term life policies are usually limited to a certain number of years.

If your term life insurance is set to expire, it’s a good idea to make the switch to a whole life plan. In the vast majority of cases, you can convert your current term life policy to whole life plan, regardless of your current health or occupation. This can be done at any given point in time before you turn 75, while some policies cover you up to age 100. Many people choose to purchase term life insurance first and later convert that policy to a whole life plan.

Converting to a whole life insurance policy definitely has its benefits, including the ability to build cash value that can be withdrawn or borrowed during your lifetime. With most whole life policies, your premiums remain the same, as does the amount of protection you get throughout your lifetime. The earlier your term life insurance policy is converted into a whole life plan, the easier it becomes to switch plans.

Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you want to learn more about these and other plans from your independent agent. We’ll help you come up with a plan that works just for you and your loved ones.

Is life insurance available for disabled people in Burlington, North Carolina, If they have a stable income?

Posted on November 18, 2013 by AgentInsure

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to be in perfect health to get life insurance in Burlington or any other city in North Carolina. Life insurance is available for people who may be disabled or suffer from certain other medical conditions. While you may not be able to qualify for the most preferred rates, there are many insurance companies who are willing to write life insurance policies for those people who are not in perfect health.

There are many different types and variations of life insurance available in the marketplace. By far, the most affordable is term-life, which, if you are 25 and in perfect health, can cost you less than $50 for $500,000 of coverage. Whole-life is another option that provides protection and also builds up cash value over time. For individuals who are disabled or have other issues that make it difficult to purchase these types of life insurance products, there is guaranteed life insurance.

Guaranteed-life is available to anyone who has sufficient income to pay the monthly premium. Your premium remains stable throughout the duration of the policy and, as long as you continue to pay your premium, you can never be canceled, regardless of your health. You never have to take a physical exam or answer any health questions.

This type of life insurance is more expensive than others that require a physical exam or answers to some basic health questions. Generally, these policies provide coverage for burial expenses and some living expenses during a transitional period for the beneficiary or beneficiaries.

People are all different and being disabled does not have to mean that you will not live a long and fulfilling life. Insurance companies do insure people with medical issues. You may be considered to be disabled because an old football knee injury left you with a bad knee, but that has very little to do with the rest of your health.

As your independent agent, we would be very happy to sit down with you and go over your personal situation. We have been able to help many people, who never thought they would be able to qualify for life insurance, get a policy that offers them the protection they need.

In Burlington, North Carolina, What is Coinsurance all about?

Posted on November 4, 2013 by AgentInsure

The meaning of the word “coinsurance” actually varies in different areas of insurance. Internationally speaking, coinsurance is regarded as a common contract where two or more insurance companies jointly assume risk based on a percentage. One company is tasked with various aspects of policy administration, from claims and documents to premiums and coverage.

When it comes to health insurance, coinsurance is often used synonymously with copayment. But whereas copayment is often a fixed cost you’re expected to pay at each doctor’s visit, coinsurance is expressed as a percentage of your medical expenses taken care of by your insurer, with the remainder handled as an out-of-pocket expense. If you exceed your out-of-pocket expense cap, the insurer steps in to handle 100 percent of your health care costs until you reach your lifetime cap.

In property insurance, coinsurance is a penalty imposed by the insurance carrier in the event that the insured under-reports or under-insures the value of commercial income or tangible property. Carriers determine this penalty by calculating the actual value, declared value and the amount of the resulting loss against a set coinsurance percentage. This percentage usually varies between 80 percent to as high as 100 percent.

We regularly help Burlington, North Carolina residents find valuable solutions for their insurance needs. As your independent agent, we can help you make sense of the seemingly complicated aspects of insurance, from coinsurance clauses to stop-loss policies. It’s important that you get in contact with us so that we can offer you helpful advice for your specific circumstances.

What happens if I set a higher deductible amount on my home insurance policy in Burlington, North Carolina?

Posted on October 28, 2013 by AgentInsure

When you need home insurance in Burlington, North Carolina, you have several different things to consider before you decide what type of policy will suit you the best. You can choose to purchase a named hazards policy or an all perils policy. You can choose to buy replacement value coverage as opposed to actual cash value coverage.

One of the more important aspects of a home insurance policy that you should think about carefully before buying a policy is the size of the deductible that you wish to carry. A deductible does not apply to the liability portion of your home insurance policy. It does apply for the dwelling as well as your personal belongings within the dwelling.

A deductible is the amount of money you must pay before your insurance will pay anything on a claim. As you probably already know, the higher deductible that you set for your home insurance, the lower your premium will be. You should also know that you may have two or more different deductibles that cover separate hazards. For example, coastal North Carolina is often in the path of big storms, heavy rains and hurricanes. Your insurance carrier may have a deductible for windstorm or hurricane damage and another to cover other perils like fire or smoke damage.

While you usually have the option to set any sized deductible of your choosing, sometimes, if your mortgage holder is so inclined, they may insist that you carry a fairly low deductible such as $500 instead of say $2,000. If it happens that you set a high deductible and then suffer a loss that is below that deductible, your insurer will not pay anything for the repairs.

You should always try to pick a deductible that is not higher than the amount you feel comfortable paying if you should suffer a loss. As your independent agent, we can help you determine the proper deductible for your situation. Sometimes, it is worth paying a little higher deductible up front so, if something happens, you won’t have to reach too deeply into your own pocket to fix your home.

What does insurance bundling mean in Burlington, North Carolina?

Posted on October 21, 2013 by AgentInsure

As your independent agent here in Burlington, North Carolina, we always look out for you and all of our other clients. Our job is to get you the insurance you need at the most affordable rates. One way that we can help you save money is by insurance bundling.

What we mean by insurance bundling is that you buy two or more separate insurance policies from the same insurance company. For instance, you could have a home policy and an auto insurance policy with the same insurance company. By bundling two or more policies together, you usually will receive a discount on the premium of the combined policies.

Insurance companies offer this discount because it means that they can sell two policies or maybe three and increase their business. Not only that, but when an individual chooses to buy their home and auto insurance from one insurance provider, experience shows that they will be more loyal to that insurance company. Securing a customer for years, and keeping them happy, is good business for insurance companies or any other kind of business.

You benefit by getting lower rates and also building up a relationship over the years. One accident will not be viewed as seriously when you have been a loyal customer for 10 years as if you change carriers every year. You can also add other coverage such as life or long-term healthcare.

Insurance bundling, used in conjunction with all of the other discounts that may be available, can save you some serious money. If you insure multiple vehicles with the same carrier and are also a safe-driver, you will get an even better deal on your premium.

As your Burlington, North Carolina independent agent, we can compare rates with insurance bundling and without insurance bundling. Sometimes, it is still better to use two separate companies. It all depends on your circumstances. We don’t take shortcuts and check everything to make sure you are getting the most affordable policy or policies that also provide the proper coverage for your needs.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

Don Allred Insurance

Author Archives: AgentInsure