Insuring a Second Home in North Carolina

Posted on July 15, 2019 by AgentInsure

It is very nice to have a vacation home to use during the summer months. Many North Carolinians own a beachfront property just for this purpose. They may have a cabin in the woods, a house on a lake, or a fishing cabin near a river. Insurance for a second home is different from the typical insurance for a home that serves as a permanent residence.

To Rent or Not to Rent

Some considerations of owning a second home are if the property will be vacant for part of the year, whether there is a caretaker on the property, a security service that checks the property, and whether it is rented out to others part of the time.

Renting a property to others, even if only part of the year, is considered commercial use of the property and therefore the insurance requirements are different than those for a home that is not rented out.

If a caretaker lives on the property this may trigger the need or desire to have worker’s compensation insurance to protect against the liability of any accidental injury or death while the caretaker is working.

The type of home insurance and other insurance that may be needed for a second home depends on these and other factors. Work with an agent at Don Allred Insurance serving Burlington NC and the nearby communities to make sure there is adequate protection in place to cover these issues.

Flood Insurance

Home insurance usually does not include flood insurance. North Carolina experiences plenty of flooding caused by hurricanes, storm surge, heavy rains, and rivers overflowing. It is a good idea to also have flood coverage for any second home in the state of North Carolina because climate change is increasing flood risk across the state.

Home Insurance Review

Call 800-280-2230 to speak with your agent at Don Allred Insurance in Burlington, NC to get a quote for a new home insurance policy and coverage for a second home or a review of an existing policy to make sure you have adequate protection.

How much life insurance do you need?

Posted on June 3, 2019 by AgentInsure

How do you figure out how much life insurance you need? A number of factors come into play, including your age, marital status, and a number of children. Don Allred Insurance serving Burlington, NC, would like to offer some guidelines.

You should carry enough life insurance to pay for your final funeral expenses, any outstanding debts, and living expenses for any spouse and children that you leave behind.

Outstanding debts can include credit card balances, home mortgages, and car payments. You should carry enough insurance that these debts can be covered by your beneficiaries, such as a spouse or significant other.

If you have a family, your life insurance policy should contain enough money to help cover living expenses for the loved ones who survive you. Remember, not only will you be gone, but the income you have been contributing will be gone, as well. The payout will help ensure that your family continues to enjoy the standard of living they have grown accustomed to.

If you still have minor children, your policy should contain some money that can be put aside for their college education. If you are the caregiver of an ailing parent or a child with special needs, a life insurance policy can help ensure that the care can continue.

If the spirit moves you, you can stipulate that some of your life insurance policy payout will go to a charity in your memory.

Tabulate these expenses and then come up with the level of life insurance that you would like to take out. If you have any other questions about life insurance, feel free to contact Don Allred Insurance serving Burlington, NC.

Does Health Insurance Cover Adopted Children?

Posted on June 3, 2019 by AgentInsure

Health insurance is an incredible thing that can help to cut the costs of medical care but understanding who is covered may be difficult. For those that live in the Burlington, NC area, the agents with Don Allred Insurance can help you to find the coverage that works for you and all the members of your family.

When it comes to family coverage, any family member that is the dependent of the policyholder is going to be covered. This means that if you have adopted children that are your legal dependents, you can add them to your family health insurance coverage. This is something that is well worth noting as many people assume that only your biological children can be covered on health insurance. Another good example of this is that if your spouse has children and you all live together, you can cover these children on health insurance policy as they are legal dependents of the policyholder.

It is important for insurance companies to take the time to outline who can be covered and who cannot in order to make sure that only those that have a vested interest are insured on a policy. This is to protect the insurance company in terms of not insuring anyone that just comes along. For the most part, you are going to be required to provide a social security number, name, and date of birth in order to add someone to your health insurance coverage.

You can cover any legal dependent, this means if you have a parent even that is the legal dependent you can cover them on your health coverage. For those that live in the Burlington, NC area, the agents with Don Allred Insurance can help you to find the perfect policy for your needs and for your specific family situation.

What Do I need to Consider Before Selecting an Auto Insurance Policy?

Posted on May 22, 2019 by AgentInsure

Automobile insurance is a necessity. State laws require that you at least have liability. However, what and how much coverage you have, should be dependent on your vehicle and your personal needs. In addition to state requirements, you must also consider how often you drive, what you use your car for, and the others that will be riding in the vehicle with you. You should also consider other people who will be driving your vehicle as well.

State Requirements

Don Allred Insurance serves Burlington, NC and is committed to helping potential insurance shoppers invest in a policy that meets the state requirements as well as their needs. Most states require all drivers to purchase liability insurance. This insurance protects other drivers in the event that you cause an accident where you are at fault. This insurance covers damage to the other person or peoples car as well as anyone who is hurt as a result of the accident.

Your Vehicle

If you are financing your vehicle, you may be required to carry full coverage insurance. This insurance covers the vehicle in the event of total loss or damage. However, if your vehicle is paid for, you may want to purchase additional coverage in the event that you are in an accident or non-moving violation and your vehicle is damaged. This insurance will cover damage to your vehicle in the event that the other motorist is uninsured or underinsured. However, how much coverage you purchase should be dependant on the age of your car as well. If your vehicle is fairly old, purchasing a lot of coverage may not be in your best interest. This is primarily because the cost of the damage your car sustains in an accident may exceed its value. If this happens, your car will be considered a total loss by your insurance company. This is why you should choose coverage levels realistically and with your vehicle in mind. You should also consider how you use your car, how many miles you drive annually, as well as who will be riding in your car.

Other Factors

Your credit and driving record may also determine who will insure you. If you have poor credit or a poor driving record it may be difficult to find an insurance company willing to offer you coverage. In situations like these, you may have to pay a little more or go with an insurance company that’s willing to deal with driving issues and challenged credit. As a result, consider your credit and driving record in addition to state requirements and your vehicle.

Choosing the best auto insurance coverage isn’t rocket science. However, it does require taking an honest look at your personal situation as well as state requirements and your vehicle. Consider all the factors that will affect you and your ability to drive your vehicle safely. Choose the coverage that will meet your needs as well as adequately cover your vehicle and its passengers.

How to Prevent Home Burglaries

Posted on May 14, 2019 by AgentInsure

Whether you live in an apartment or a single-family home, you should be advised on how to protect yourself and your family from intruders. At Don Allred Insurance, you can talk with an independent insurance representative to discuss what options you have with your home insurance. In Burlington, NC, there are a few things that you can do to prevent your home from being burglarized.

Make your Home Look Occupied

Make it difficult for an intruder to know whether you are home by making your home look like someone is there. When you’re away, on vacation or at work, you should keep a light on. Especially if you will be gone after the sun goes down. Use an automatic timer for your television and lights, so that it looks like someone is watching TV or hanging out. Burglaries rarely try to break into a home that is occupied.

Keep the Outside Neat

If you have bushes that are underneath a window, you should consider moving or trimming them. A thief can hide and spy on your home from an overgrown lawn. If you have a shed or freestanding garage, keep it locked. You should also keep your outside lights on an automatic timer or invest in solar yard lights.

Home Security Systems

You can get a relatively inexpensive home security system for your home. A wireless security system usually comes with a base station, a control pad, and sensors for your doors and windows. You can also add motion detection, cameras, and smoke detectors to the smart system. Twenty-four-hour monitoring, which many of these companies offer, would come at an additional cost.

Stop into the local insurance office in Burlington, NC at Don Allred Insurance to start with your home insurance policy.

Provide your family with financial security, even after you’re gone

Posted on April 22, 2019 by AgentInsure

Young families in the greater Burlington, NC area are encouraged to obtain private life insurance outside of any employer-provided policies that they may have. The team at Don Allred Insurance has worked with too many clients who change jobs and never confirm that their new employer provides life insurance. Insurance premiums can increase as you age, and it is always best to secure coverage at the youngest age possible. Relying on employer-provided policies can leave you finding insurance at an advanced and more expensive age.

Why you need your own life insurance policy

When you work with a dedicated insurance agent your family always has someone to turn to in the event of distress due to loss. Life insurance, whether it be term, whole, or universal, allows your family to maintain some sense of normalcy in the event that you die early. With a guaranteed death benefit, your family will have the resources that it needs in what is typically a devastating experience. Life insurance can often let them remain in the family home and continue on with longstanding educational plans. And in the event that you live a long and healthy life, your policy can sometimes provide a cash benefit when you are still alive. There are many reasons to have your own private life insurance policy in addition to anything that you are provided at work or through your employer.

Life insurance needs to be a part of every family’s insurance portfolio, no matter the type of policy you choose. If you are ready to protect your family, even after you are gone, contact the team at Don Allred Insurance today and schedule a consultation. We are proud to serve the insurance needs of our greater Burlington, NC community.

Does Health Insurance Cover Treatment Cost for Major Disease?

Posted on April 15, 2019 by AgentInsure

Health insurance is something that is not only necessary to be healthy and to help cover medical costs, it is also required by law. Keeping this in mind, some insurance policies pick and choose what they are going to cover such as treatment for major illness and disease. Knowing what your policy covers is a must for anyone that has any sort of health insurance. For those in the Burlington, NC area, the agents with Don Allred Insurance can help you to better understand your particular policy.

For the most part, may health insurance companies are going to cover some of the cost of major illness treatment. After you meet your deductible, as with any other illness, your insurance will likely pay the bulk, if not all of your treatment costs. In some cases, your insurance policy may explicitly deny coverage for very expensive treatments like some cancer treatments and some experimental treatments that have not been approved by the FDA. Insurance is going to cover the bulk of most treatments if they are deemed necessary by your doctor and if you have had the policy for some time and are in good standing.

In most cases, you are not going to be able to get a major medical policy if you have a preexisting condition like cancer. You should take the time to check out a few different policy types to find out if you are going to be able to get a policy that will fit your needs. If you live in the Burlington, NC area, the agents with Don Allred Insurance can help you to find the right policy for you that is going to cover your medical expenses and help to keep you healthy, happy, and safe.

What to Include in a Home Inventory Chart

Posted on March 18, 2019 by AgentInsure

Keeping a home inventory chart of your property can save time in filing an insurance claim. Fire or theft may cause you to rely on your memory in listing missing items. There may also be questions as to the validity of a claim without proof of existence. Take these steps to assure that your property can be easily accounted for in the insurance claim process.

Save Receipts

Begin saving receipts for items purchased. Other forms of purchase can also help in proving ownership. These include:

Product Warranties
Manuals of Instruction
Credit Card Statements
Bank Statements

Take Photos

A picture is worth a thousand words when trying to explain what type of property is gone. Make sure that all photos are clear and taken in color. Other factors to keep in mind include:

Write a serial number on the back of photo
Date all photos
Designate room where the item was located
Photograph open drawers and closets to show the quantity

Other Tips

If you are using an iPhone, download the information to a disc that can be removed and stored off-site. You never know if your phone will be destroyed, as well. An agent, such as Don Allred Insurance that serves the Burlington, NC region, may be able to offer more suggestions specific to your homeowner’s policy.

Once you have collected all of the home inventory information, compile into a chart with costs. Make an appointment to discuss your list with your insurance agent. You may find that your homeowner insurance replacement limits need to be adjusted. If you live in Burlington, NC, call Don Allred Insurance to discover more facts about how keeping a home inventory chart can be a huge benefit should disaster strike.

Do I still need auto insurance now that my vehicle is paid off?

Posted on March 11, 2019 by AgentInsure

Many auto owners fall into the trap of believing that they no longer need auto insurance once their vehicle has been paid off. While it is true that you will no longer need to meet any requirements put in place by your car loan holder, you will still be required to carry auto insurance after your vehicle has been paid off. The team at Don Allred insurance is here to provide the guidance you may need to determine which auto insurance policy is right for you now that you own your vehicle outright. If you are in the Burlington, NC area, it is important to know the facts about auto insurance requirements.

Yes, you will still need to have auto insurance even after your vehicle has been paid off!

Collision insurance is a must for anyone on the road, and even if your car is paid for, you will still want coverage in the event that it is damaged or stolen. Many car loan providers require certain coverage levels when they are financing your vehicle, so while you will no longer need to adhere to those standards, you will still need an auto insurance policy. Car insurance provides coverage in the event that you damage someone else’s car or property and can also protect you if you are in an accident that causes physical harm to yourself, your passengers, or persons in another vehicle.

While your insurance needs may change now that your vehicle is paid off, you will still be required to carry auto insurance. The team at Don Allred Insurance is here to guide your policy selection needs. If you are in the greater Burlington, NC area, call or stop by our office today to learn more.

Why Do I Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Posted on February 18, 2019 by AgentInsure

Getting into an accident anywhere is a scary ordeal, but fortunately if you’re not at fault, you don’t have to pay, right? Wrong. While in many other states this may be true, North Carolina actually requires all drivers to have uninsured motorist coverage. Though controversial, this legal requirement ensures that drivers still have coverage that will pay to cover their damages if the other driver who is at fault does not have insurance. If you live in the Burlington, NC area, the Don Allred Insurance agency has the answers. Keep reading to learn more.

Why Should I Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Like it or not, it’s the law. However, as we already know from the mere existence of uninsured motorist coverage alone, not everyone necessarily follows the law. In fact, between 9 and 10 percent of North Carolina drivers do not have insurance, and this means that you can be out of luck if one of them causes an accident on the road that involves you. Fortunately, having uninsured motorist coverage within your regular auto policy will help keep you protected.

State Insurance Requirements

The good news is that only minimal uninsured motorist coverage is required. The minimum auto insurance requirements overall are $30,000 in Bodily Injury (for each person), $60,000 in total Bodily Injury for all persons and $25,000 for Property Damage. While the state does not dictate specifically just how much is required in uninsured motorist coverage, it is wise to consider potential scenarios to determine how much such an accident could end up costing you. Serving the Burlington, NC area and beyond, the Don Allred Insurance agency is here to evaluate your specifc needs and help you get the coverage you need. Give us a call or drop by our offices today to learn more.

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