Toms Blog

Teens are notorious for carrying around their cellphones and constantly looking at them, whether they are responding to a text, uploading a picture or status, or scrolling the newsfeed on social media. Look around at any given location, and people, mostly teens, are glued to their phones, oblivious to the world around them. But what if that same person takes their cellphone and proceeds to do equivalent antics while driving? While it sounds scary, it happens all the time, which is why teens and cellphone laws in North Carolina have been established. Are the Cellphone Laws Being Enforced? Originally, the N.C. law banned the use of cellphones for drivers under the age of 18 while [...]

While more smartphone companies continue to roll out new, on the cutting edge technology, with unlimited data rates, the death rate from auto accidents continues to increase at an alarming rate due to drivers being distracted while using their cellphones. As a result, many auto insurance companies have taken a huge hit due to underwriting losses in the last few years and now N.C. car insurance rates are going up due to distracted driving. Everywhere You Look While driving/riding in your car, just look around and undoubtedly you will see other drivers doing everything from reading a book, applying makeup, shaving, fiddling with the radio, or most often, texting or talking on their cellphones. Cellphones [...]

You saved your money for years to purchase a new vehicle and finally decided to bite the bullet and purchase that brand new vehicle. You drive off the lot, probably not caring that depreciation begins that very minute you leave the lot. Things are running smoothly when a year later, you have an auto accident rendering your car a total loss! Now, suddenly you may care about depreciation when you hear from the auto insurance company that your car is only worth $20,000 and you owe significantly more than that. How can that be? When your adjuster asks if you have GAP insurance, you ask, “What is GAP insurance coverage?” If you knew about GAP [...]

Early one morning you are stopped at a red light when suddenly somebody hits you from behind. You immediately open your door to get out of the vehicle to inspect your car and speak with the negligent driver, when suddenly you see the other person place their car in reverse and quickly speed away. You are undeniably shocked to realize someone could just hit your car and leave, but don’t be astounded…it happens all the time! Knowing what to do after a hit and run accident won’t make it any easier, but you may be able to locate that person down the road. And Suddenly They Were Gone… Hit and run accidents are reported on [...]

You never like to think of being involved in an auto accident but to be realistic, you, at some point, WILL be involved in an auto accident and your car will most likely withstand damages. When an auto accident occurs, you may jump out of your car to inspect the damages and immediately wonder just how much these damages will cost. Being aware of how your auto accident damages are estimated will prove to be helpful when and if an auto accident does happen. Below Are Some Tips to Follow After You Are Involved in an Auto Accident: Notify your N.C. independent insurance agent to determine if a claim should be filed.  Once/if a claim [...]