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.

Will my additional living expense coverage pay my rental expenses if I’m injured outside Burlington, North Carolina?

Posted on October 14, 2013 by AgentInsure

Life happens. Whether you live in Burlington, North Carolina or anywhere else outside the United States, accidents can happen and making sure you have adequate insurance coverage can give you peace of mind. Often people wonder if their additional living expense coverage will take care of rental expenses if they are injured while traveling away from home. Depending on the type of coverage you have, additional living expenses coverage probably will not cover rental expenses. Usually this type of protection helps people who have been displaced from their home because of a fire, flood or other hazard. The best way to make sure you understand your policy it to speak with an independent agent about the type of coverage you need.

Most additional living expense plans will take care of rental expense, eating out at restaurants, and other additional expenses directly related to damage to your home. Most companies offer a percentage of the policy with a maximum amount that can be paid out for these types of expenses. If you are injured while you are away from your Burlington home, you will need to consider other options to help with the expenses while you are recovering. When you speak with an independent agent about the type of insurance coverage you need, ask questions about this type of protection especially if you travel often.

One of the best ways to make sure you have the insurance coverage you need is to compare plans and identify what they will and will not pay. There are many options available and finding the right coverage for you and your family for an affordable price is important. Consider speaking with an independent agent about all of your options before purchasing any type of insurance plan.

Can NCB be transferred if I change my insurance company in Burlington, North Carolina?

Posted on October 7, 2013 by AgentInsure

If you have been with the same insurance company, then there is a good chance you have saved up a no claim bonus worth hundreds of dollars. A no claim bonus is a benefit that is given to policyholders that have not made any claims in a certain amount of time. If you are thinking of changing auto insurance companies, then you may wonder if your NCB is something that can be transferred to another company in Burlington, North Carolina.

Can a NCB Ever Be Transferred to Insurance Company?

· This is a reward based incentive given to people that do not make any claims on their insurance policy. NCB’s are usually provided by companies to reward their own policyholders.

· People who earn no claim bonuses are less of a risk to the insurance company. If you end up getting a new car and put it in the policy, then your NCB may transfer over to the new car.

· No claim bonuses are people specific meaning that it is yours and can not be transferred to another person. It belongs to the person that owns the auto policy.

· If you are looking to switch auto insurance companies, then you will find that the NCB is usually not transferred to the other company. You will have to build your reputation with the new company in order to take advantage of any NCB’s they may offer.

If you are looking to change auto insurance companies or have any questions about your current policy, then feel free to give a call and speak with one of our independent agents today. As your agent we can answer all of your questions. We can help get you the information you need to make the best decision regarding your insurance needs.

What about the damages to personal belongings at the time of accident? Are they covered in Burlington, North Carolina?

Posted on September 24, 2013 by AgentInsure

What happens if your personal belongings are damaged as a result of being involved in a car accident? By personal belongings, we are talking about items that are not attached to the car. Things like music CDs, a cell phone or even an antique lamp that you are transporting in the back seat of your car. Damages to your personal belongings that occur as the result of a car accident are not covered by your auto insurance in all, but the rarest, of cases.

If you are driving home from the grocery store on a rain-slicked road in Burlington, North Carolina, and take a turn too sharply, and slam into a tree, your broken eggs and cracked cell phone are not going to be covered under your auto insurance policy.

Auto insurance covers your car, other cars and the people inside of other cars. Any time there are damages to your personal belongings, it is almost always your financial responsibility to bear. While North Carolina auto insurance policies do not normally provide reimbursement for such losses, you may be able to file a claim and recover a percentage of your personal belongings loss with your home owner’s insurance policy.

Home insurance policies do cover some losses that occur when you are transporting personal belongings in your vehicle, but these claims are not always easy to get approved. A home policy is more likely to compensate you if your brand new big screen TV is stolen from your parked vehicle than if you get in an at-fault accident and the screen is cracked.

Auto accidents are treated differently than theft when it comes to claims filed with your home policy. With car insurance, unless you have a specific endorsement written into your policy, you are pretty much out of luck if your personal belongings get damaged.

As your independent agent, here in Burlington, North Carolina, we can review your auto and home policies and let you know, in more specific terms, whether you have some protection against damages to your personal belongings in the event of a car accident.

Is there a need for liability coverage in Burlington, North Carolina, If I stay alone and have zero visitors to my home?

Posted on September 17, 2013 by AgentInsure

You can live all alone in your home out in the woods in Burlington, North Carolina and have zero visitors, except for the occasional squirrel, and still need to have a home insurance policy that includes liability coverage. Liability insurance covers you if someone gets hurt while on your property and can also cover you in certain instances when an incident takes place away from your home.

In today’s world, it is almost impossible to completely isolate yourself from all human contact. If you choose to stay alone and never invite anyone over for lunch that is your right. However, even if you have no friends, there will still be some people who may occasionally have to come on your property. For instance, if you get mail delivered to your home, the mailman will have to come on your property.

Once a month, a meter reader from your local Burlington electricity provider will usually come on your property to read your meter. If you rely on other online companies to buy your food and other supplies, then, the UPS man or other delivery company will be a frequent visitor. The police, firefighters or other Burlington public service workers or officials also have the official right to come on to your property.

Buying liability insurance may not seem like a priority, but, if you have a mortgage on your home, you may have no choice but to also have home insurance, including liability, to protect the interests of the lender. If one of those people who are legally entitled to be on your property gets injured by a falling tree, your liability insurance will protect you from the financial risk of not having insurance.

As your independent agent, we can help you get the coverage you need. Remember, you can still live as private a life as you wish with insurance as you can without insurance. From a legal perspective, even uninvited visitors may become a liability when they enter your property.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

Don Allred Insurance