Although the winters in Burlington, NC aren’t as harsh as they are in some areas of the United States, the change in seasons can still be harsh on your vehicle. Spring is just around the corner, so it’s time to make sure your vehicle is spring ready. To make sure your vehicle is ready for spring weather, Don Allred Insurance has put together a few tips to ensure you have a spring-ready vehicle.

Wiper Blades and Lights

The snow and sludge of winter can take a toll on the winter blades, so it’s important to make sure the wiper blades are ready to handle the spring rains. Inspect all blades for cracks and tears and if they appear worn out or are making a squeaking noise while on, they should be replaced with new ones. While you’re at it, be sure to check the interior and exterior lights on your vehicle. Blown or broken headlights and taillights can lead to accidents, so replace all damaged or blown lights as soon as possible.

Change the Oil

Your vehicle’s oil plays an essential role in ensuring the engine stays well lubricated, so it’s important to always have an appropriate amount of clean oil. Spring is the perfect time to schedule an oil change and to make sure all fluids, such as the transmission fluid, is clean and topped off. Keep in mind that changing and/or filling all the fluids your vehicle uses, including brake fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield washer solvent is an inexpensive and easy way to ensure your vehicle is operating at its best to keep you safe while on the road.

Wash and Wax

Giving your vehicle a good thorough cleaning is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your vehicle is spring ready. The winter weather can cause a lot of debris and road grime; all of which can be on your vehicle. Giving your vehicle a thorough cleaning will not only help to remove the grime that can damage the paint and undercarriage, but it will give you the opportunity to identify any damages that may have been hiding under the dirt, sludge, and debris.

After you’ve taken the steps to get your vehicle ready for spring, it’s also the perfect time to review your auto insurance policy to make sure everything is up-to-date. One of the best reasons to review your auto policy is that it’s the perfect time to check for any new discounts you may now qualify for.

Residents of Burlington, NC who are interested in reviewing their current policy or updating their automobile insurance policy should contact Don Allred Insurance.

Most people are terrified of the prospect of losing their job. There is a loss of income that is frightening, especially when so many live paycheck-to-paycheck. More importantly, there is the nightmare of losing health insurance coverage. If you, or a member of your family who is on your insurance plan, are ill, this is even more of serious consideration.

What To Do When Changing Jobs

If you know ahead of time that you will be changing jobs or stopping work, be sure to consult with your agent at Don Allred Insurance serving Burlington, NC and the surrounding area. Your agent will help you understand what steps you can take to make a transition to a new insurance program.

What To Do if You Lose your Job

If you unexpectedly lose your job, contact your agent right away. Under most circumstances, there is a short grace period that allows your existing health insurance to continue, which gives time to adjust the coverage and get new insurance if needed. Some insurance carriers allow people to stay covered under a different program. Others do not offer health insurance for individuals and their families if they are not part of a larger group.

Special Enrollment Period

Normally, enrollment in a healthcare program is restricted to just before and after the early part of any calendar year. Under the current heathcare.gov rules (as of December 2019), if you leave a job for any reason or lose your job this qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period. Usually, you are allowed 60 days from the date of loss of coverage to enroll in a new plan. You must apply for the Special Enrollment Period. Each circumstance is different, so get your agent to help.

Summary

There is no need to panic if you lose your job, just contact your agent at Don Allred Insurance in Burlington, NC to understand your options. If you are unemployed, self-employed, or a small business owner with just a few employees, call your agent at 800-280-2230 for help with all health insurance needs.

When you think about life insurance, most of us think about purchasing this towards the end of our career, something to think about just before retirement. For new parents in their 20’s and early 30’s, now is really the time to start looking at life insurance with Don Allred Insurance. If you live in or around Burlington, NC, here are some things you need to know about life insurance. 

Accidental Death coverage

Ideally, we desire to live a long life that concludes when our health starts to diminish at an old age. However, accidental deaths happen to new parents all the time. When this happens, these new parents who have been planning for the future have failed to plan for their death, leaving their family members to pick up pieces while trying to mourn. 

Life Insurance Options

Because these new parents are still young, they have the option of different life insurance types to purchase. Whether they want a permanent or 30-year policy, there are more options than if they waited and took out the policy at a later time when they are older. Taking the time to determine the best policy for your life is a benefit that many do not get to choose from. 

Leave Financial Assistance

Because these parents have small children, a life insurance policy can leave behind the child(ren) enough money to cover their needs even after the parent has passed away. While death may not be ideal, they can leave their loved ones something to help ease the morning and prevent any financial strains, especially if they depend on that person for their financial support. 

Get your policy today!

If you are a new parent in or around the Burlington, NC area, contact our agents at Don Allred Insurance today for more information. 

Severe weather due to climate change is becoming outrageous. Record winter weather with ice and snow is showing up in early November, six weeks before winter is supposed to officially start. It is a good time to get a home insurance review with your agent at Don Allred Insurance serving Burlington, NC and the surrounding towns, to make sure there is proper home insurance.

Take these severe weather changes seriously because they are likely to get worse. You want to make sure you have adequate insurance. Discuss replacement cost coverage with your agent if you do not already have this protection because the majority of homes are not properly insured for replacement value.

Thunderstorms and Storm Surge

Heavy rainfall that comes down so quickly can easily overload the terrain. There is just nowhere the water can go and the land cannot absorb it quickly enough. When riverbanks overflow, the water can fill the streets and cause mudslides.

Just a few inches of water that enters a house can cause severe damage. Be sure to discuss with your agent the need for an additional policy to protect your home from flood damage because that is usually not included in basic home insurance.

High Winds and Tornadoes

Storms bring wind. Wind causes more damage. Much of the wind damage is to roofs and things that can be blown away or blown down. Trees can fall over and crush anything below. Electrical wires on power poles can snap and live electricity can still run through them, potentially being a source of electrocution. 

Other dangerous things that happen are items that are picked up by a tornado become projectiles. They are thrown at such high speeds that it is like they are shot from a cannon. Tree branches and fence posts can fly through house walls.

Summary

These are just a few of the considerations for insuring a home in North Carolina. When thinking about getting a new home insurance policy, or to check your existing coverage, contact your agent at Don Allred Insurance in Burlington, NC to get an insurance review and a quote.

Purchasing health insurance can be very confusing. So many terms that you may not be familiar with. Some terms that you need to understand before purchasing health insurance are copays, deductibles, drug list/formulary, provider list and maximum out of pocket expense. Don Allred Insurance in Burlington, NC is there to help you to get through this confusing maze of terms and plans. 

Deductible

Before your insurance coverage kicks in, your deductible must be met. More than one deductible may need to be met. Drug coverage is usually a separate deductible from other services. 

Copay

When you receive a service covered by your insurance the copay is the amount that you are required to pay out of pocket after you have met your deductible.  It is usually defined in the paperwork you receive from your insurance company or your employer. 

Drug list/formulary

This is the list of covered drugs under your policy. It can include both branded and generic drugs. The amount that you will pay for each covered drug is defined by the tier it is in with Tier 1 being the lowest. Drugs can have both deductibles and copays. 

Provider list

This is the list of providers who take your particular insurance. Make sure that the doctors and hospitals that you prefer are on the list. 

Maximum out of pocket expense

This term defines the most amount of money that you will need to spend in a year to get to 100% insurance coverage. The lower the amount is, the better for you. The HHS (Department of Health and Human Services) has proposed a maximum of $8200 per person for 2020 and $16,400 per family. 

Health insurance coverage is important and making the correct decision is even more so. In Burlington, NC, Don Allred Insurance will be happy to assist you in this decision. Check out their website or call their office to set up an appointment. 

Life insurance is often thought of as a vehicle to protect families with young children in the event that a parent dies unexpectedly. While this is a key benefit for life insurance, there are still benefits for people without children. If you are in the greater Burlington, NC and would like to gain a greater understanding of the many benefits of life insurance, the team at Don Allred Insurance is here to help. We find that there are a variety of ways that childless people can benefit from having a life insurance policy.

3 Ways Childless People Can Benefit from Life Insurance

1. Whether you have children or not, you will still have burial and end-of-life expenses. With an appropriate policy, you can make sure that your expenses are covered. If you have property or a pet that will need to be cared for after your death, a life insurance policy can make sure that your estate doesn’t become a burden during the probate period.
2. There are several types of life insurance that provide a living benefit, whether it be as an investment or as a way to minimize taxes. Your local agent can review the financial benefits of policies such as whole life, universal, and variable to discover which option is right for your goals.
3. Many childless people become close to nieces and nephews and would like to leave money to them. Life insurance is an effective way to bequeath money to a person or a charitable institution without them incurring a tax liability.

Interested in finding out more? If you are Burlington, NC or the surrounding area, contact Don Allred Insurance today and learn about the benefits of life insurance, whether you have children or not. We look forward to working with you!