HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE

The cost of your grandmother’s pearl necklace passed down to you is $10,000.  Your baseball card collection is worth $5,000.  Protection for these items…PRICELESS!  During your lifetime, you will obtain some pretty valuable possessions that mean the world to you and would be devastated if they were lost, stolen, or damaged. Will your standard homeowner’s policy reimburse you for the FULL value of your valuables?  PROBABLY NOT!  Find out how to insure your valuables under your NC homeowner's policy so that all of your personal possessions are adequately protected. Don’t Limit Your Valuables Your standard North Carolina homeowner’s policy has specific limits on your jewelry and valuables, for covered losses, typically in the amount of [...]

Lots of risks, such as water, wind, hail and fire can do a significant amount of damage in a very short time, so being prepared to handle the aftermath may lead to a quicker recovery.  There are some basic tips that you need to know when filing a homeowners insurance claim after a loss. Better safe than sorry! After experiencing a loss to your home, it is very important that you follow the below listed tips so you can remain safe and protected: Make sure your family and pets are safe. Protect your property from further damage. Contact insurance agency to initiate claim. Inspect home to determine its safety and extent of damage. Take inventory [...]

Regardless of the season, there are always possibilities for tree damage whether from ice, snow, winds, or other covered perils.  When this happens, it makes us wonder, “Does homeowners insurance cover damage from a fallen tree and who will pay for tree debris removal?” If you have a basic North Carolina Homeowners Policy, coverage is only provided if a fallen tree damages a covered structure such as: Home Garage, or Shed Coverage would also be provided if the fallen tree/debris blocks the driveway to the residence or blocks handicap access to residence. Another question people have is “What if my neighbor’s tree falls on my property?  Is that covered?” The same coverage applies as if [...]

As your local independent agent, I want to keep you informed about changes in the insurance industry to help you avoid getting blindsided when changes effect you... especially your check book. Well, there are changes coming soon. Homeowners insurance rates are going up in North Carolina within the next year. This has been a long time coming but it looks like it's going to happen. Back in January of this year, Wayne Goodwin, the North Carolina Insurance Commissioner was absolutely livid about insurers in the state proposing a homeowners insurance rate hike that would boost averages statewide by 25% filed by the North Carolina Rate Bureau (NCRB). The cause of Goodwin’s anger was twofold. For [...]