With Hurricane Preparedness Week long passed us (May 27th through June 2nd) and Hurricane Sandy on the horizon, it’s never a bad idea to revisit great ideas. One great idea to remember while NC hurricane season rages on: ALWAYS BE PREPARED!

Four items to remember when trying to stay ahead of the curve:

North Carolina homeowners could see their first rate increase in four years as the state’s rating bureau demanded an average 17.7 percent increase in loss cost rates across the state. The North Carolina Rate Bureau filed for the rate increase on behalf of all property insurers. It would increase loss cost rates by 17.7 percent if approved. That figure includes a homeowners’ rate hike of 17.4 percent, a rental rate increase of 30 percent and a 29.5 percent increase in condominium coverage.

As a business owner in NC it makes more sense to develop a preventative maintenance schedule for your business than to constantly have to deal with random problems as they arise. A maintenance schedule need not be overly-complex and it should form part of your business’s risk management program.

You could start by developing a written plan for matters to be attended to daily, weekly, monthly half-yearly or annually. Some suggestions include:

As a resident of NC you may or may not have heard about the Institute for Business and Home Safety’s FORTIFIED for existing homes program. In a nutshell, this is a hazard mitigation program aimed at improving the resistance of single-family detached dwellings to local disasters and perils.

As a NC homeowner, it could be assumed that you would prefer not to suffer a house fire! Losing your property or possessions from fire is a very traumatic event – not to mention dangerous, inconvenient, and expensive.

Of course if you have home insurance in place it certainly helps you to get back on your feet again, by enabling you to rebuild / repair your home and replace your possessions. However it would be better to take steps to help prevent the losses occurring in the first place.

All businesses operate in an uncertain environment. Your supplier could cease operating, your staff might suffer a work injury despite your best efforts at ensuring safety, or a client might experience a fall on your premises. As a NC business owner, you’ll probably be interested in knowing more about how you could recover more quickly from interruptions to your business.

Are you looking to set up internet access at you NC home? Arranging your internet does not have to be a difficult process. These are some of the key issues to look at. Remember, if you make any major changes to your home or buy expensive new equipment, speak to an agent about updating your home insurance policy.

Spiraling costs can send a healthy North Carolina business into a state of poor performance. In contrast to vital but moderate budget items such as business insurance, larger company costs such as leases and wages can feel overwhelming. However, controls can be implemented to keep your expenses under control.

With many of us going on holiday this summer, home security should be on the top of all our to-do lists. Your home insurance NC could provide you with a level of financial compensation should you experience a burglary, but it’s always best to take measures to reduce the risk of that happening in the first place. Here are some of the strategies to keep in mind this summer.

Business owners are never alone when it comes to finding sources for good advice. From consulting accountants and financial advisors to insurance agents who can provide quotes for your business insurance NC, seeking advice from various qualified professionals could help grow your business more effectively.