Charlotte NC Insurance and Damage Coverage

Each year, thousands of people across Mecklenburg County are caught off guard when their car is damaged by an accident, when a severe storm strikes, by theft or other damaging events.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take now to ensure that you are prepared to handle any situation:

• Know the name of your Charlotte insurance agent. There are many Spanish-speaking agents who serve the growing Hispanic community. Keep copies of your insurance cards with your agent's name, phone # and policy # in your car or even a picture of the card on your cell phone.
• Know your coverage. Make it a point to review your auto insurance policy at least once a year so you fully understand your benefits and what your auto policy covers and what it doesn't.

If you are a good driver with a clean driving record for the past 3 years, there are additional ways you can save money on your car insurance:

• Car insurers use a number of factors to determine your auto insurance premiums. Personal information such as age, type and age of your car, how many miles you intend to drive each year, etc. They can also offer discounts based on credit score, driving record, safety features on your car, certain organizations you are a member of, etc.
• Get multiple, free insurance quotes. As with any purchase, it is recommended you compare prices, available discounts and insurance coverage to determine which one best suits your needs. You can also speak with insurance broker in Charlotte as they have the ability to give you quotes from many insurance companies.
• Security features. Newer cars, more often than not, have already had some type of safety mechanism installed. Be sure to let your insurance agent know if you have a more advanced anti-theft device installed such as immobilizers, glass etching (for recovery), and GPS locators.
• Multiple policies. Car insurance companies strive to earn and keep your business. They feel the more insurance policies you have with them; the less likely you will be to switch all your plans to another company. They will even offer a substantial discount, between 5 and 20% off, to those people who insure multiple vehicles, have their home insurance and perhaps life insurance or medical plan through the same company.
• Community organizations and memberships. Many auto insurance companies will give discounts to those who are affiliated with certain professional and community organizations; alumni groups and even fraternities and sororities. You can also check to see if the insurer has an agreement with your bank. Having certain credit cards may also qualify you for a discount.
• Eliminate unnecessary coverage. If you have a good health insurance plan, you may want to reduce how much your car insurance will cover regarding medical expenses. Or if you already have emergency roadside assistance through AAA, then you may want to eliminate paying extra for towing on your car insurance plan.

Can I get car insurance if I have a bad driving record?

A “bad driving record” or high-risk drivers are usually those that have had their driver’s license suspended, lots of points on driving record due to multiple tickets, reckless driving, DUI/DWI conviction or laps in insurance coverage.

Finding car coverage in Charlotte or getting auto insurance after your license has been suspended can be tricky, time consuming and as you might have suspected, not going to be cheap. You can start by speaking with an independent insurance agency in Charlotte. They have the ability to provide free insurance quotes from multiple companies willing to insure you.

Asset Protection - Business Insurance

When you own a business, there are a lot of details you don’t think about to ensure your business and your assets are protected. Speaking with a Latino or bilingual insurance agent (if needed) in Charlotte can save time and money, while giving you peace of mind.

Business Insurance can include small business insurance, employee health insurance, contractor bonds or construction bonds for a specific job, commercial auto insurance, commercial property insurance, business liability insurance, and workers compensation etc.

Commercial auto insurance in Charlotte provides coverage for company vehicles; certain motorized equipment and employed drivers. Should an employee cause an accident while driving a business car or truck, commercial insurance provides for bodily injury liability, property damage, and medical payments.

Workers compensation insurance coverage ensures your employee’s financial needs are met if they are injured at work and protects you, as the employer, from being sued to cover the costs of their injury. It provides funds for medical care and rehabilitation, as well as compensation for lost wages.

Business Liability Insurance will pay compensation for any third party injury or damage to another’s property that you are determined responsible for. It will also provide compensation if one of your products cause injury or damage.

Here are some examples of how Business Liability Insurance can protect you:

Lawn Care and Landscaping Insurance

Lawncare and landscape businesses can encounter a variety of challenges. These risks come with the territory, such as client property damage, accidents, employee injuries, or lawn equipment theft can put your business at risk. The right type of lawn / landscaping business insurance policy can help you manage the legal and financial troubles if the unfortunate would to occur.

Handyman / Home Repair Business

You own a home repair business and you or one of your employees accidentally breaks a water line and the water soaks into the hardwood floors or drywall causing extensive damage. Your liability insurance would cover the costs for repairs that you would be responsible for.

Street Grill Business

Owners of successful food truck or catering businesses need protection. The equipment on our truck can be covered for theft or fire damage. If the heating element on one of your catering dishes wasn’t placed correctly and tips over causing burns to a person, your insurance would cover the medical claim for the injured person.

Roofer Insurance

You or one of your employees kicks over a box of roof tacks and fails to pick them all up. If the homeowner drives their car over the tacks and damages their tires, your business liability insurance will pay for the damage.

Janitorial Service Insurance

Harsh chemicals on countertop or floor surfaces can cause damage. Your business liability insurance will pay for the repairs or replacement, as well as the work needed to replace the item.

Surety Bonds are required any time you bid for a private construction project or a public works project. Even homeowners will want to know that you are licensed and bonded before letting you perform any home addition, repair or remodeling work.

Types of Construction Bonds

Whether you are a private contractor, electrician, plumber, tile workers, carpenter, the major types of surety bonds are the same: contractor license bonds, bid bonds, contract bonds (or performance bonds), and payment bonds.

Home Insurance in Charlotte

Home Insurance on its own is self-explanatory: it provides financial protection in the event your home is damaged due to fire, water pipes bursting, tree falling, theft or many other named perils.

The cost for home insurance plans differs from home to home depending on the amount of coverage you require, the deductible you choose and other variables.

One variable that can drastically increase your home insurance rates is Hurricane coverage.

Hurricanes, especially in a coastal state like North Carolina, can bring damaging high winds and lots of rain, and the average home insurance policy will not cover damage due to a named storm.

What Does Hurricane Insurance Cover?

• Any damage to the structure of the home
• Home contents, such as furniture, art, electronics, clothing
• Detached structures, such as fencing, pools, sheds and garages
• Temporary living expenses should your home be damaged to the point where it is not safe to live in

What are Hurricane Deductibles?

A standard deductible for a home insurance policy is the amount you pay when you make a claim before the insurance company pays.

Because hurricanes can cause substantial loss for the insurance companies, many have created a special “hurricane deductible”. It is generally a higher amount (based on a percentage of your home value as opposed to a flat dollar amount) to reduce the amount the company must pay.