Protecting your Business form a Wildfire

Written By Charlotte Insurance on May 31, 2012. It has 0 comments.

According to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) there are three main threats to which a building can be exposed during a wildfire – wind-borne embers, radiant heat, and direct contact with flames. When choosing your business insurance NC, it’s a good idea to also evaluate your exposures to various perils such as wildfires.
Ember exposure is the most common form of direct wildfire damage to buildings. Burning embers can damage a building by igniting nearby vegetation, building components, and/or combustible siding, and by breaking glass thereby exposing the inside of the building to the fire.
As a business owner, perhaps your first priority in protecting your building in a wildfire-prone area is to assess and strengthen the roof. It’s important to be aware however that even when a building has a roof with a high fire protection rating, improper sheathing or siding can have the effect of negating it.
There are numerous issues to consider when inspecting your property for wildfire risk. These include:
•    Building roof – whether it is Class-A fire-rated.
•    Gutters – whether they full of debris or whether gutter covers are allowing debris to accumulate on the building roof.
•    Attic vents – attic or crawlspace vents should be protected with a fine screen or some other method, to reduce the chance that embers will enter into the attic space.

Addressing these issues and acting on the information should help decrease the risk of wildfire damage to your business property, and may help reduce the need to claim on your business insurance NC. You can find more information on wildfire protection at the IBHS. For more information on financially protecting your property through business insurance, contact our agents.

Tips for Reducing Major Damage from Tornado

Written By Charlotte Insurance on May 25, 2012. It has 0 comments.

Just as the term “prevention is better than cure” applies to your health and well-being it could also be applied to your business building structures. While as a business owner in the State you cannot prevent tornadoes from happening, you can at least take some measures to reduce or prevent major damage occurring to your buildings. Such steps may also help reduce the risk of injuries and the need to make claims on your business insurance NC policy.

The Insurance Institution for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) asserts that making strong construction choices provides the best defense against tornado damage. Strengthening the connections between the components of your building may go a long way towards preventing it from completely collapsing during a strong wind. For an older building, it might be a good idea to get the roof cover inspected and replaced if necessary with one that has a high wind-rating. Such roofs can come with high fire and hail resistance ratings also, meaning you could get some added protection from other disasters at the same time.

It’s also important to have a sound disaster plan in place for your workplace. This includes a place for your employees to shelter, an evacuation and survival plan and a post-disaster management plan. All of these measures can help to reduce the amount of loss your business suffers after a major weather event such as a tornado.

Of course there are no guarantees and it is still important to have adequate business insurance NC coverage in case of loss or damage from tornadoes and other disasters. More information on building construction improvements can be found at the IBHS. Contact our agents for more details regarding insurance for NC businesses.

What to do if your Home is Vandalized

Written By Charlotte Insurance on May 17, 2012. It has 0 comments.

Arriving home to discover that vandals have wrecked or damaged part of your property can be a distressing and frightening experience. Although you may be tempted to panic, there are certain steps you should take to help ensure your safety and the success of your home insurance NC claim.

  • Try to stay calm. In the event that you believe the vandals may still be in or around your property, do not enter it. Call the police and wait in a safe location.
  • Call the police as soon as you discover the damage and take photos. Avoid touching anything until given the all clear by policy as they may wish to take fingerprints.
  • Contact your insurance company. Remember to get a copy of the police report to forward on to them, as well as any photos of the damage.
  • Clear up any damage as soon as possible to discourage future occurrences or other criminals.
  • Make sure others in your neighborhood are aware of the incident and encourage extra vigilance in your community.

Increasing the lighting around your property, using graffiti resistant paint and trimming your hedges and outdoor areas can all help deter vandals.

Has it been a while since you have reviewed your insurance or obtained fresh quotes? Call our agents today for assistance with your home insurance NC or to arrange a quote

An Interview with Local Artist, Izzy Karriker

Written By Charlotte Insurance on May 15, 2012. It has 0 comments.

Izzy Karriker is a young, creative artist in the Charlotte area and is one of two twin daughters of Charlotte Insurance owner, Marty Karriker. When she isn’t painting a masterpiece, Izzy enjoys spending time with her friends and family and giving to local charities. As a huge supporter of Charlotte events, businesses, sports teams, and community events, it is only natural that Charlotte Insurance interviewed this rising star who lives just outside of the Queen City:

 

Charlotte Insurance: How many years have you been an artist?

Izzy Karriker: I started when I was eight years old. I am now eleven years old, so I have enjoyed painting for three years now.

CI: You are known for your terrific oil paintings. Which of your paintings is your personal favorite?

IK: Thank you so much! Valley of Angels. It has different lights and shadows and dimensions and I had a real good time getting creative with all the colors.

CI: What types of other media have you used to create art in the past?

IK: I have practice sketching, water coloring, ceramic painting and oil painting.

CI: What do you use for inspiration when painting? Family , friends, places, animals, faith/God/spiritual inspiration, other?

IK: Yes to all of those, and my parents found my instructor Mr. Manny Rashet. He surely inspires me in many ways, but mostly I give all the credit to God for allowing me to have all the other things and people around me that inspired me.

CI: Have you ever entered your work into public galleries or local contests?

IK: Yes, I have and they all have been a good experience for me. I especially enjoy painting for charity events.

CI: When & where is the next showing?

IK: I will donate a painting to the Dove House which is a non-profit organization that raises funds to help out abused children and their families. They help out those who have had bad experiences, physically or mentally, by providing shelter, food, therapy, clothes, medicine, or whatever it is that they may need. Here is more information about them:www.dovehouse.us.

CI: Terrific! Any words of encouragement for anyone just beginning to pick up a paint brush?

IK: Have fun with it, enjoy!! And if you mess it up you can always fix it!

For more information about Izzy Karriker’s beautiful oil paint creations, check out her website or follow her on Facebook!

The Difference Between Full Coverage and Liability Only Coverage

Written By Charlotte Insurance on May 10, 2012. It has 0 comments.

As an agent employed at a Charlotte insurance agency, customers have asked a plethora of questions regarding personal insurance policies. One of the most frequently asked questions is this: What is the difference between full coverage and liability only coverage with regard to my NC auto insurance plan?

Liability coverage, as it applies to auto insurance, protects the insured from bodily injury and property damage done to other drivers when he or she is considered at-fault. Full coverage includes deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverages, which protect your vehicle in the event that it were to be damaged in an at-fault accident. Liability limits are also included with full coverage.

Monthly premiums generally tend to be higher for full coverage policies when compared to liability only policies because of the increased amount of coverage.

Cost Saving Tips for Small Businesses

Written By Charlotte Insurance on May 9, 2012. It has 0 comments.

With these tough economic times, small businesses can find it challenging to keep costs down and profits up. From saving money on your business insurance NC, to buying second hand computer equipment, there are a number of ways that your business can reduce expenses and hopefully stay afloat in trying times.

Here are five ways you may be able to save money on your business costs:

  • Look for second hand computer equipment rather than buying brand new. Although a top of the range computer may look flashy sitting on your desk, if you are just using it for emailing and excel spreadsheets, you might be able to get by with an older model.
  • When you lease or own an office you might want to think about sub-leasing or renting out a room or even a corner with a desk to another business. Do you know any freelancers or contractors who work remotely with little need for space? Sharing office space can be a handy way to get all the conveniences you need at a fraction of the cost, plus you get the benefit of social interaction.
  • Use voice-over-internet for phone calls instead of a land line.
  • Install a coffee machine in your office instead of going out for takeaway coffee multiple times a day.
  • Check you are getting the best rate for your business insurance.

With a bit of creativity and organization you may find you can make substantial savings on your ongoing business costs. To find out more about saving money on your business insurance NC, speak to one of ouragents today.

Dealing with Business Setbacks

Written By Charlotte Insurance on May 4, 2012. It has 0 comments.

At one time or another, every business experiences setbacks. Whether they are a result of a mistake, an oversight or something completely out of our control, how we deal with setbacks can have a huge impact on whether or not we recover from them. Make sure you have contingencies in place to deal with the financial consequences of setbacks by having enough business insurance NC in place. Here are a few suggestions to help you deal with setbacks and hopefully overcome them.

  • Your attitude towards the setback can make a huge difference. Try to cultivate a positive mentality and focus on solutions rather than dwelling on the negative aspects of the setback.
  • Deal with the immediate financial problems first. In the event that you have cash flow problems, consider how and when you can pay essential bills and other expenses and let your suppliers know ahead of time.
  • Seek advice from other people in your industry. Someone you know may have experienced a similar situation and might have a solution you haven’t yet thought of.
  • Re-evaluate your business plan and long term goals. A setback doesn’t necessarily have to mean your business won’t meet its goals but you might need to revise your time frame and expectations, or take a different approach from the one you were planning.

Depending on the nature of the setback, having business insurance NC in place may mean that you can be relieved of the burden of worrying about financial problems in the event of an unforeseen disaster. This means you can focus on finding a solution and getting things back up and running as quickly as possible.