Does Home Insurance Cover Wind Damage?

Posted on November 19, 2018 by AgentInsure

Strong wind gusts can be damaging to your home. Wind can blow shingles and tiles off of a roof, pull siding from your home or blow fences and trees over. Following storms that bring along heavy wind gusts, we at Don Allred Insurance, serving the greater Burlington, NC area are often asked if home insurance covers wind damage. Read on to find out the answer to this question.

Home insurance may cover wind damage. Unfortunately, the answer varies based on your exact policy and why the wind is gusting.

When you are purchasing a home insurance policy, always take the time to read through the exclusion list. Some policies do exclude wind gusts and some policies exclude hurricane coverage. If the wind damage was caused by a hurricane and your policy excludes hurricanes, the damage would not be covered.

Taking the time to sit down with an insurance agent and to carefully go over any exclusions before buying a policy is the best way to understand the policy you are purchasing before you purchase it. This helps to ensure you understand what is and is not covered by a policy and that there are no surprises later on down the road.

It is important to have the right home insurance policy in place to cover your home from a variety of weather elements, including wind and hurricane damage. Here at Don Allred Insurance, serving the greater Burlington, NC area, we are committed to helping you find the right policy for your needs. Contact us today and let us help you find the right home insurance policy for your needs.

Will My Auto Insurance Change Now That I have Teens?

Posted on November 12, 2018 by AgentInsure

The teen years are an exciting and stressful time in a parent’s life. In addition to all of the new emotional issues you are getting to face with your teen, there are also several practical issues you will need to address. One of these issues is car insurance. Your car insurance will change now that you have a teen driver in your home. Find out which changes you can expect.

Expect a Rate Increase

Adding a teen driver will increase your rates to some degree. The reason for this is because a teen driver is just a bigger risk, period. There is no way to get around this. You are going to be required to invest more in insurance while your teen is living at home and driving. Rather than get angry or frustrated about this, try to remember that this is a learning experience for your child just like everything else. This is also temporary.

Set Harsh Consequences for Driving Violations

Your teen should understand that their driving behavior will affect your insurance rates. Speeding tickets, accident and other issues will have a direct result on your rate. Set harsh consequences in place when your teen has a violation. This will help your teen take this seriously.

Prepare for Good Driving

Make sure that your teen is well prepared for driving. A thorough driver’s education course is the best way to ensure that your teen knows the best practices when it comes to driving. If your teen’s school does not offer driver’s education at school, then you will want to invest the money in the course. It will be well worth it in the long run.

Look for Discounts

Some insurance companies do offer discounts for good grades. Learn about these programs so that you can take advantage of those.

If you would like to learn more about insuring teen drivers, contact Don Allred Insurance serving Burlington, NC.

A Surprisingly Important Reason to Have Health Insurance – Hurricanes

Posted on October 30, 2018 by AgentInsure

Dangerous hurricanes have been in the news quite a bit recently. The kind people at Don Allred Insurance serving Burlington, NC and the surrounding area know about this hurricane danger firsthand. In many weather reports, there is a realization that a particular hurricane is some kind of historic event. News reports might say this is the strongest hurricane ever to hit an area. It has the highest winds on record. This was the first time the storm surge was so high and so on.

People living in areas subject to hurricane risk should have property insurance for protection. Flood insurance is a good idea as well, even for outlying areas and those that never experienced a flood or did not have a flood in a very long time.

One surprising thing that is always true is that in order to protect yourself and your family from hurricanes, you also need health insurance. Health insurance is good for regular health care needs. Health insurance is even more important for emergency needs.

The Serious Dangers of Floodwaters

When an area experiences torrential rain from a hurricane, the land cannot absorb the water. When too much rain comes down in a short time, the rivers fill up, they overflow banks and dams, and the streets fill up with water as well.

After the hurricane passes, the water may stay in an area for a very long time. This standing water has all of the filth that was previously contained on dry land. It is a mixture of all the nasty stuff that ran off the dry land and now makes a toxic soup.

Health risk of contagious disease is very high and includes:

Parasites: Giardia and cryptospores are a few of the parasites that cause illness.
Bacteria: E. coli, when ingested, is a common cause of bacterial infections that may cause severe intestinal problems such as gas, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Wound Infections: Open wounds can be infected with tetanus or bacteria.
Trench Foot: Feet can swell and then rot from this infection that comes from standing in water for a long period of time.

Hopefully, this serious danger convinces anyone living in an area prone to hurricanes and/or floods that they need health insurance. Contact your agent at Don Allred Insurance in at Burlington, NC if you do not have any health insurance or to have a health insurance review to make sure you have adequate coverage.

How to Use Life Insurance To Pay Your Student Loans

Posted on October 26, 2018 by AgentInsure

If you are a student in Burlington, NC, it may be wise for you to start paying attention to life insurance. It may come in handy when you need to pay your student loans. Get the help of an insurance agency such as Don Allred Insurance in North Carolina to find the most appropriate life insurance quote. The cost of the average degree is high and most students need a loan to pay for it. New graduates feel overwhelmed by the debt. About 40% of students owe more than $20, 000 after graduating. It may seem like a strange idea to purchase life insurance when you do not have a family or financial obligations. It is, however, one of the best ideas when you want to protect your parents or spouse from financial obligations if you pass on.

Student loans are not always discharged when the student dies. Federal student loans are discharged in the event of the death of the student. That not the case with private loans. If you have a large amount of student, you need life insurance. Permanent life insurance policies may be your best choice if your debt is really high. If you do not have too much debt, you can use term life insurance. It is more affordable than permanent life insurance and it may help to cover small debts. The amount of term life insurance you choose depends on how much debt you have. Term life insurance may replace your earned income in the period when you can’t cover your monthly repayment.

Contact Don Allred Insurance in North Carolina for your life insurance needs in Burlington, NC. They have a team of agents who will work with you to find the most appropriate quote for your needs.

Is Your Home Insurance Policy Ready for Storm Season?

Posted on September 28, 2018 by AgentInsure

Storm season is here and now is the time to ensure that your home insurance policy is up to date and contains all of the coverage that you and your family require. Don Allred Insurance is here to serve the needs of our clients in the greater Burlington, NC area and help you prepare for the upcoming storm season. You don’t want to find out after the fact that your policy has significant gaps in coverage and the repair of some of your storm-related damage is now your responsibility. Working with a professional agency can give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your home and your family are protected.

Not All Storm-Related Damage is Covered by Basic Home Insurance Policies

Many homeowners mistakenly believe that their basic policies will provide the coverage that they need in the event of damage or destruction to their homes. While all policies do provide some level of coverage there is a wide range of protection levels. When you think about the disruption that a storm-related event could cause your family, especially if the repair is not covered, it makes sense to have a home insurance policy in place that offers comprehensive coverage.

An annual review of your insurance portfolio is always a great idea and making sure that your home policy has the coverage you need can help you to sleep better! If you are concerned about damage caused by wind, debris, rain, hail, and ice, your agent can review your policy to ensure those coverages are in place.

Call Don Allred Insurance today to get a review of your Burlington, NC area home insurance policy. We can help you review your current policy to make sure that it provides the protection that you need!

3 Benefits of Auto Insurance

Posted on September 25, 2018 by AgentInsure

Purchasing auto insurance coverage can be a complex task. However, by understanding its benefits, this could help you figure out what type of coverage you want and where to get it from. That said, the following is a closer look at the three benefits of purchasing an auto insurance policy.

Extended Medical Coverage

Although accidents are not ideal, they do happen. In the event that someone is seriously injured, your auto policy can help provide the much-needed funds for surgeries and other procedures. Purchasing an auto policy ensures that you and/or your passengers are able to get the necessary medical attention for recovery, in the unfortunate event that one of you is injured while on the road.

Fire Damage

So, the last place you plan to deal with fire damage is in your car. Nevertheless, this does happen. Rather than suffering a partial or even total loss, you can purchase a premium auto insurance policy complete with fire damage coverage and never worry about totally losing your vehicle to a fire.

Vehicle Recovery

Lastly, although most people only consider coverage for matters that occur while they are behind the wheel, seldom seem to ponder on what would happen if the vehicle is stolen. Luckily, if you purchase a premium policy, you will never have to worry about matters such a vehicle theft ever again.

Overall, for residents of Burlington, NC, Don Allred Insurance is an excellent option for auto insurance coverage. A premier insurance agency in Burlington, NC, if you simply visit their office, call, or email today, you can find out your auto insurance coverage options and hopefully find a few ways to save. Contact Don Allred Insurance today!>

How an Electric Car Affects Your Auto Insurance

Posted on August 20, 2018 by AgentInsure

For some, buying an electric car is a decision made based on their desire to have a positive impact on the economy. Others, while often supporting eco-friendly measures, are considering buying an electric car for reduced costs over the long run. They figure that with the tax credits and lack of buying gasoline, they’ll recoup their costs over the years. However, the question is more complicated than that, as most people don’t factor in auto insurance. Depending on your driving record, insurance company, your current car, and selected coverage, your premium may vary greatly.

Find out exactly how much you would be paying, or could save on your current policy, by contacting Don Allred Insurance, a high-quality company serving the Burlington, NC area.

Are Gas or Electric Cars More Expensive to Insure?

Usually, an electric car is more expensive to ensure that its gasoline counterpart. One of the main reasons is that an electric car model is more expensive than the gasoline model, so in the event of an accident, the insurance company has to pay out more money. Not only are the MSRPs of electric vehicles higher, parts are usually more expensive, too.

Is There Any Way for Electric Car Drivers to Save?

Yes, it’s possible for electric car drivers to lower their insurance premiums. Some companies offer an eco-friendly discount, rewarding you for making a decision that benefits the planet. Electric cars are often more heavy than gas vehicles, which makes the electric cars safer, generally. According to the IIHS, the chances of being injured in an accident are 25 percent lower for those in hybrid vehicles versus non-hybrid cars. Some insurance companies factor this into their quotes and offer reduced rates.

There’s no need to guess whether it would be cheaper to insure your hybrid vehicle. Get in touch with Don Allred Insurance, which serves the Burlington, NC area, to find out more about electric car insurance.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Moving Damage?

Posted on August 13, 2018 by AgentInsure

Moving can be a challenging and stressful task to accomplish. You need to pack your belongings and take care of them to ensure that there is no damage or loss. In fact, one of the most stressful parts of moving is worrying about damage or loss to your personal property. One of the big questions that will most likely come up when switching homes is; “does my home insurance policy from Don Allred Insurance cover my belongings while moving?” This is a genuine concern among homeowners in Burlington, NC who are thinking about switching homes. Here is what you need to know about your home insurance policy and moving.

Does Your Home Insurance Policy Cover Moving Damage /Loss?

The answer to this question is, not necessarily. Although your standard home insurance policy generally covers your personal belongings in your home, the loss must be related to an event that is listed in your policy and moving isn’t one of those events. Covered events usually include risks such as theft and fire. Therefore, if there is theft out of the moving truck, then you can file a claim for reimbursement.

However, your policy might provide coverage in certain situations. For example, if the moving truck is involved in an accident and your personal properties are destroyed, then your standard home insurance policy should help cover the loss. In most cases, though, your coverage limits may be much lower while your belongings are being transported from one home to the other.

Always Call Your Insurance provider to Check Your Coverage

Even if you are 100% sure that your homeowners’ insurance policy includes moving coverage, make sure that you call your insurance agent to double check what is covered and what isn’t covered. Sometimes, the insurance company may not work in the way that you expect, and you may only realize this fact when damage has already occurred.

Are you a homeowner in Burlington, NC? Contact Don Allred Insurance today for your homeowners’ insurance policy.

Finding the right commercial coverage for your business

Posted on July 27, 2018 by AgentInsure

Commercial insurance coverage in Burlington, NC is not a one-size-fits-all solution and can be dependent on a number of different factors for the business. An agent at Don Allred Insurance can help find the right insurance coverage.

First, understand your business needs and value your belongings and merchandise. Remember that if you need to make a claim, the insurance company is going to use the value of your belongings and not what you paid for them. Used equipment is not going to be valued as high as new equipment. There are different industries that have more risk factors, and you should take those risk factors into account when determining the amount of coverage you need. The different risk may also require different policies, such as commercial auto insurance or more workers compensation insurance protection. If you have expensive machinery, don’t forget to add more coverage. You know your business the best, so while your insurance agent can help, you need to think about the day-to-day operations of your business. Don’t let premiums be the only thing that determines your decision. It’s important to have sufficient coverage to handle any claims you may have.

When comparing policies, it’s important to read the fine print and understand what each policy is covering to determine which one is the best. While it’s necessary to find a policy that suits your business needs today, make sure to think long term. Will your policy be able to cover your future needs? Can it grow with your businesses? Think about what you will be offering your customers in 5, 10 and 15 years, and consider how your policy needs will change. It’s still important to go over your policy on a yearly basis in order to keep up to date on coverage.

Contact Don Allred Insurance serving Burlington, NC to get a quote on commercial insurance.

Protecting Your New Baby with Life Insurance

Posted on July 20, 2018 by AgentInsure

When a family has a new baby, the parents want to do everything they can to protect the baby from harm. It is a good idea to have an insurance review with an agent from Don Allred Insurance, serving Burlington, NC, and the surrounding area, to adjust the life insurance coverage of the parents to protect the baby if something happens to one or both of the parents.

Some parents also like to get life insurance for their baby, not because there is such a great risk for the baby but because whole life insurance when purchased at a young age is very inexpensive and is an investment that gains cash value over the years.

How much life insurance is adequate?

The amount of life insurance that parents should consider is what would cover the loss of parental income for the years that the baby needs to grow up. Most calculations of this amount are for 18 years or for 21 years.

Some parents like to add the estimated cost for the baby to attend a college or university as part of the life insurance coverage. It is nice to add a bit more to give the young person a secure start in life without having so much financial stress.

What type of life insurance is a good choice?

Life insurance is offered in two basic categories with a number of variations. The life insurance that serves as an investment is in the category of whole life. This category includes universal life insurance also. This type of insurance builds up cash value over time as the premiums are paid.

Term life insurance pays beneficiaries upon the death of the insured person; however, it does not build cash value. There are also many other types of life insurance that are suitable for different needs and goals.

Contact an agent at Don Allred Insurance in Burlington, NC to get professional advice about the different types of insurance that are available and get a quote for life insurance to provide protection for your lovely new baby.

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