Is your South Carolina Insurance Ready for an NYE Bash?

Written By Charlotte Insurance on December 28, 2011. It has 0 comments.

Picked up the food and snacks? Check. Decorated your place? Check. Picked up the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages? Check. Updated your South Carolina insurance policies? …Oops!

If you will be partying away on New Year’s Eve, it is crucial to make sure you are 100% prepared. This includes going over a few safety precautions and updating both your home and auto insurance policies. As your reliable South Carolina insurance agency, we have a few reminders right here for you:

For those hosting a party this year:

  • Make room and space for friends to sleep over if need be.
  • Clean up your home for your guests and child-proof the rooms if there will be children attending.
  • Call your local cab agency to find out about rates.
  • Collect keys at the front door.
  • Be sure to serve plenty of food to your drinking guests.
  • Stop serving alcohol at least an hour before midnight.
  • Make sure your home insurance policy is ready to tackle the worst case scenario, whether that is an injury on your property or unexpected damage costs.

For those who will be attending parties this year:

  • If you will be drinking on Saturday, make sure you find a designated driver!
  • If you cannot find a designated driver, call for a cab or take the city bus.
  • Stay alert and aware of your surroundings while out and about. It’s a good idea to always have a buddy with you.
  • Stay alert while driving on the roads. Even those who have not been drinking may end up in an accident; there are plenty of drunk drivers on the road.
  • Make sure your auto insurance is up to par and ready for any unexpected issues. You should have coverage for: collision, medical, comprehensive and liability.

All the safety tips in the world may not stop the unexpected from happening, which is why we are here to help! Our South Carolina insurance agency hopes that you do not have to face an accident or issue on such a fun night. However, if you do, we will have your back.

Stay safe and enjoy the New Year!

Can I get Insurance if I rent my Home?

Written By Charlotte Insurance on December 23, 2011. It has 0 comments.

Renters insurance provides financial protection against the loss or destruction of your possessions when you rent a house or apartment. While your landlord may be sympathetic to a burglary you have experienced or a fire caused by your iron, destruction or loss of your possessions is not usually covered by your landlord’s insurance. Because in most cases, renters insurance covers only the value of your belongings, not the physical building, the premium is relatively inexpensive.

By purchasing renters insurance, your possessions are covered against losses from fire or smoke, lightning, vandalism, theft, explosion, windstorm and water damage (not including floods). Like homeowners insurance, renters insurance also covers your responsibility to other people injured at your home or elsewhere by you, a family member or your pet and pays legal defense costs if you are taken to court.

Renters insurance covers your additional living expenses if you are unable to live in your apartment because of a fire or other covered peril. Most policies will reimburse you the difference between your additional living expenses and your normal living expenses but still may set limits as to the amount they will pay.

There are two types of renters insurance policies you may purchase:

  1. Actual Cash Value – pays to replace your possessions minus a deduction for depreciation up to the limit of your policy
  2. Replacement Cost – pays the actual cost of replacing your possessions (no deduction for depreciation) up to the limit of your policy

With either policy, you may want to consider purchasing a floater. A standard renters policy offers only limited coverage for items such as jewelry, silver, furs, etc. If you own property that exceeds these limits, it is recommended that you supplement your policy with a floater. A floater is a separate policy that provides additional insurance for your valuables and covers them for perils not included in your policy such as accidental loss.

New Year’s Eve Safety Tips from our North Carolina Insurance Agency!

Written By Charlotte Insurance on December 20, 2011. It has 0 comments.

Are you ready to celebrate your way into the New Year? Many Americans make it a point to go out and get their party on with friends and family. While this is fun, it can also be dangerous and risky without the proper precautions and protection. As your trusty North Carolina insurance agency, we have a few tips to share before the big night.

  • Plan ahead by finding a designated driver. If you absolutely cannot drive home, you are going to need a friend, or cab!
  • If you are hosting a party, make sure you limit the alcohol and watch your guests. If someone is getting too crazy, cut them off.
  • Those who are going out should pack an overnight bag just in case. Those who are having people over should prepare for guests to be spending the night.
  • Stay in groups if you are going to a club or bar. Straying away from your friends could lead you to trouble.
  • Make sure you speak with your North Carolina insurance agency about extra coverage for this night of risks.
  • If your children are going out, make sure you are aware of their whereabouts and ensure them that you will be able to pick them up no matter where they are.
  • If you notice a friend is too drunk to drive, do not be afraid to take their keys away.

Being careful on New Year’s Eve does not mean avoiding a drink at all costs; it means knowing your limit and being smart. If you have a feeling you will be drinking a lot, plan properly. If not, it is still important to be careful, especially if you will be on the roads. Once the bars let out, the roads will be filled with irresponsible drivers.

If you are concerned about your coverage, do not hesitate to contact ourNorth Carolina insurance agency. We will be able to set you up with a reliable auto insurance policy to cover any accidents out on the roads. We offer coverage for: collision, comprehensive, property damage liability, medical or personal injury protection and much more.

Allow us to help you ring in the New Year the right way!

Our South Carolina Insurance Agency Supports a Healthy Holiday!

Written By Charlotte Insurance on December 14, 2011. It has 0 comments.

Holiday parties have you hitting the gym like crazy? It is no secret that many Americans fear for their waists around this time of year. However, it is not impossible to eat healthy around the holidays. Take a lesson or two from our South Carolina insurance agency; we have researched this!

Here are a few tips to keep your eating habits in line this season:

#1: Never skip breakfast. Remember to eat a balanced breakfast to jump-start your metabolism and curb your appetite. If not, you WILL eat everything in sight later.

#2: Taste a little of everything. Instead of piling every item on your plate, take a tiny portion of each just to taste.

#3: Fill up on greens. Pass over the green beans! Fill up on a healthy choice to avoid overeating fattening dishes without fiber.

#4: Pass on seconds. Chances are, you are already full. Do not just go for seconds because it is a holiday.

#5: Choose dessert wisely. Everyone loves pecan pie, but is that really the best choice? Instead of a slice, have a small bite of pecan pie, but go with the low-calorie holiday pudding.

#6: Make mindful choices. Take a look at the dips: creamy ranch vs. salsa. Go with the salsa. As for appetizers, there are chicken wings vs. shrimp cocktail. Go with the shrimp. All these little mindful choices add up and will save you a lot of calories.

#7: Do not drink your calories. If you must have an espresso martini, pass on the dessert. If you decide to drink your dessert AND eat it, you are overdoing it. People tend to forget how sugary and calorie-filled drinks are!

It is okay to indulge around the holidays, but be careful to not overdo it. Overeating will not only lead to weight gain, but can cause disease and illnesses such as diabetes, depression, heart disease and much more.Eating healthy and in moderation is the key to good health.

If you are concerned about your diet, be sure to speak with your doctor. With the proper South Carolina insurance, you will not have to worry about doctor visit costs. Our health insurance will cover visits, as well as prescriptions, medical testing, surgical procedures and specialized care.

Now, go enjoy a healthy feast with your family!

Breaking News from your NC Insurance Agency: Arsenic in Apple Juice?

Written By Charlotte Insurance on December 7, 2011. It has 0 comments.

It was only a few months ago that Dr. Mehmet Oz announced that apple juice contained arsenic. Such a controversial statement was not taken lightly by the general public or the FDA. However, after researching this claim it has been announced that yes, there is a low level of arsenic found in both apple juice and grape juice. As your North Carolina insurance agency, we believe that you should know the details of this health concern.

-While the FDA believe that the low-level of arsenic is safe, others are concerned that the FDA are allowing too much of the chemical.

-The majority of apple juice drinkers are children. The big question is: how harmful is this chemical to children and their health? This is unclear.

-“The Consumer Reports study showed that nine of 88 samples of apple juice taken from grocery stores had more arsenic than the EPA’s standard for drinking water. But none of the samples exceeded the FDA’s standards for inorganic, or man-made, arsenic.”

-Children under six should not be drinking too much juice in the first place, due to the high calorie count.

-Dr. Oz continues to push for the elimination of arsenic in these products- he believes that it is possible.

To read more about this debate, you can check out USA Today’s article. Hopefully, these recent findings will jump-start the research of arsenic in these beverages. Both you and your child’s health are too important to ignore these findings.

It is cases like this that prove the importance of health insurance. You never know what toxic chemicals you may be ingesting that could harm your body and health. Be sure to speak with our North Carolina insurance agency about a reliable plan. A typical policy will cover doctor visits, prescriptions, specialized care, surgical procedures and medical testing.

Your health should be a top priority- thank you for your findings, Dr. Oz!