Bug Proof your Home

Written By Charlotte Insurance on March 29, 2012. It has 0 comments.

With spring officially here, bug season is not far away. Get prepared early by taking a few simple steps to bug proof your home. As well as helping to save you and your family from insect invaders, some bug proofing measures such as quality security screen doors might reduce your risk of a burglary and the need to make a claim on your home insurance NC.

Here are a few things you can do to help keep insects at bay:

  • Check screens on doors or windows for wear and tear and holes. Fix or replace as necessary. It may be worth considering investing in good quality security screens for an added level of home protection against robberies.
  • Seal areas around doors and windows to make sure there are no holes where bugs could enter your home.
  • Reduce breeding areas for insects like mosquitoes by eliminating any areas of pooled water outside your home. These could be puddles, stagnant ponds or any other type of still water which could attract them.
  • Keep your home clean and make sure all trash is disposed of regularly in a can with a well fitted lid.

Insects are not only irritating; they can be a big hygiene problem so it’s important to do what you can to eliminate their presence in your home. Your family might benefit in many ways from a more sanitary environment and reduced number of insect bites.

When you do add security features to your home – whether it’s security doors and screens or an alarm system – check in with your agent. When it’s time to renew your home insurance NC you may quality for a reduced rate.

Tornado Damage – Are you Covered By your North Carolina Insurance Agency?

Written By Charlotte Insurance on March 22, 2012. It has 0 comments.

Early spring is a common time for tornadoes in North Carolina. Although not as severely affected as other parts of the US, North Carolina still sees its fair share of this destructive weather phenomenon. A direct hit from a tornado could potentially wipe out your home and endanger your family. Most home insurance policies do provide coverage for tornadoes as they are classified as ‘wind damage’ but it is always worth checking with your North Carolina insurance agency to make sure this is the case.

As tornadoes move rapidly and often arrive with little or no warning, it is a good idea to make sure you are prepared in the event of an emergency. Your family’s safety should be the first priority and having an emergency evacuation plan and supplies in stock could mean the difference between getting out quickly and panicking in the event that a tornado is heading your way.

Your home insurance may protect you financially against the consequences of a close encounter with a tornado but making sure your family is safe is your priority. Make sure you have emergency preparations in place and check with your North Carolina insurance agency to make sure your home insurance is adequate to cover rebuilding costs in the event of complete destruction to your house and property.

Prevent a Fire at your Business with these Tips

Written By Charlotte Insurance on March 13, 2012. It has 0 comments.

A fire can ravage a business and they happen more often than one might think. Getting the right business insurance in NC can prevent the losses your business could experience if a fire were to occur.

Here are a few tips to prevent a fire from happening at your business:

  • Keep Space Heaters and Candles at Home– If you make a policy to keep space heaters at home, you will prevent a potential fire hazard, especially when left unattended.
  • Watch your Paper Products – Make sure you keep your paper products and shredded paper stored away from heat sources.
  • Avoid Having Cables Under Carpets – The cables could fray and spark a fire, so make sure you don’t run cables under carpets.
  • Have a Strict No Smoking Policy – Have a strict policy that penalizes people who get caught smoking so they don’t attempt to sneak a cigarette.
  • Have Fire Extinguishers – Make sure your fire extinguishers are all properly working.  You may even want to have a few extra just in case.
  • Smoke Detectors – Every single office should have several smoke detectors in it and making sure to replace the batteries once every sixth months.

According to the National Fire Prevention Association, there were more than 98,000 fires in non-residential buildings last year.  Many of these were offices and small businesses. Having the right insurance policy, which covers fires, is necessary. Plan ahead and get your business insurance in NC today.

Spring Clean your Garage

Written By Charlotte Insurance on March 6, 2012. It has 0 comments.

March is the time of year when many of us start to think about spring cleaning. You may already have started de-cluttering and scrubbing out your home, but have you considered giving your garage a bit of a clear out? Garages are often repositories for clutter and potentially dangerous machinery and chemicals, so it is a good idea to go through them regularly and make sure everything is stored safely. Keeping your home safer can help to keep your family safe and could even help you avoid a claim on your South Carolina insurance policy.

When sorting through your garage keep an eye out for the following:

  • Sharp tools or machinery left within reach of children. It is a good idea to keep tools and machinery stored out of reach of children and preferably in a locked cupboard or cabinet.
  • Potentially combustible chemicals, such as cleaning substances and paint. Make sure these are stored adequately away from any potential sources of ignition.
  • Boxes stacked precariously on shelves which could topple and crush someone underneath.
  • Anything left lying around which could constitute a tripping hazard.

Keeping your garage well organized and tidy not only helps things look better. Making sure any hazardous items are properly stored could help you avoid a nasty accident and possibly even a liability or fire related claim on your South Carolina insurance.