Accidents happen, even to those who are excellent drivers. When you know what to do if you have a car accident, you can avoid expensive errors. Here are five things to remember if you have an accident in Matthews, NC from JC Demo Insurance Group. 

1. Move Your Car

If your car is drivable, do your best to get it off to the side of the road so you can avoid blocking traffic as much as possible. If you can get out of your car and you see that other people in the accident need help, do what you can to help them. If you can’t move your vehicle and no one is in need of assistance, stay in the car with your seat belt on to keep yourself safe from other motorists

2.  Call the Police

Your insurance company will probably want a police report to make a claim. Even if no one is hurt, call the non-emergency police number to have a police report filed. 

3. Exchange Information

You and the other driver should exchange information. You can let the other driver know your name and phone number, the name of your insurance company and your policy number. You should also jot down a brief description of the other car involved in the accident, its license plate number, the exact street address where the accident occurred, and any names and phone numbers of potential witnesses in the vicinity.  

4. Cooperate with the Police

Answer the questions that the police have and let them have your personal information as well. Do not necessarily accept blame for the accident.  Just tell the officer what occurred, and let him draw his own conclusions. 

5. Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company

After you have finished the paperwork and the officer releases you to leave the scene, you will want to call your insurance company to let them know about the wreck. They will tell you what your next steps should be. Often, they will have the numbers of preferred repair shops and tow truck companies to help you out. Your insurance agent can help you through this process, so be sure to write down what you need to do while you are on the phone. 

Car accidents are inconvenient, but having a good insurance agent can help expedite the process and get you back on the road in your vehicle. If you need insurance in the Matthews, NC area, contact JC Demo Insurance Group today.

The color red has a bad reputation for being thought of as the color of vehicles that are involved in more accidents and whose drivers get more speeding tickets. That urban myth is not accurate. However, there are statistical differences in accident rates and traffic citations that are available regarding the color of vehicles.

Vehicle Color and Accidents

The most likely vehicle color to be involved in more accidents than other colors is black. Black-colored vehicles are difficult to see, especially at night, so they are involved in a higher proportion of accidents.

The next most likely colors for a vehicle that has more accidents are blue, gray, and silver. Darker blues, which are similar to black, are more difficult to see at night.

A red vehicle is only 7% more likely to have more accidents than the safest color for a vehicle, which is either yellow or white. The explanation of why yellow is safer is because bright yellow is a color that attracts more attention. It stands out from the surrounding environment.

A study in Australia found that white was the safest color. However, statistics from the USA show the color of white to be less safe than yellow. This determination considered the number of vehicles of a particular color that are on the road. White-colored vehicles make up 18% of the vehicles on American roads. They are involved in 25% of the accidents.

It turns out that the color of a vehicle is less of a factor in accidents than visibility and weather conditions. When thinking about getting a new car work, with your agent at JC Demo Insurance Group, serving Matthews, NC and the surrounding communities, to get insurance quotes for the various models under consideration.

Vehicle Color and Traffic Tickets

It turns out that red is not the most likely vehicle color to attract more traffic tickets. The top color for getting traffic tickets is white! Red is second. Gray is third and silver is fourth.

The model of a vehicle is a stronger influential factor than the color in getting traffic tickets. One study found that the top ticket-attracting models are Mercedes-Benz SL, Toyota Camry Solara, and Scion TC. These models are three or four times more likely to get a traffic ticket than other vehicles.

To get a quote for any color vehicle or model, contact your agent at JC Demo Insurance Group in Matthews, NC by calling or use the convenient online form.

Owning a car outright can be an exciting feeling! When you purchased your car using financing, there were probably stipulations put in place by your lender. Now that it’s yours and you hold the title, your insurance needs change a bit. The team at JC Demo Insurance Group is here to help you make sure that your Matthews, NC area vehicle has the coverage necessary to protect this asset. Your car is likely the most expensive item you own, outside of your home and it’s important to make sure you have adequate coverage in place.

Why your insurance needs a change after you pay off your car

The most important consideration when you are choosing the auto policy for a vehicle that you own outright is the replacement value coverage. Your car is now paid off, and if you have had it for a number of years, it is likely depreciated in value. If there is a situation that renders your car totaled, you want to make certain that your policy will cover a replacement car that will suit your needs.  Oftentimes people forget to update their policies only to find out that their payout after a total demolition is inadequate. Don’t let all of your hard work and fiscal responsibility go to waste! Review your auto policy now and add this important feature. The coverage levels that your lender required are no longer relevant; take the time to sit down with an agent and make sure you have the coverage you need!

If you are in the greater Matthews, NC area and your car is now paid off, contact the team at JC Demo Insurance Group today and learn more about the auto insurance policy options that are now available to you.

Have you ever wondered if your car insurance coverage was enough to take care of you in the event of a serious accident? Our JC Demo Insurance Group team has put together this short guide to help you determine whether the coverage you carry on your auto insurance policy is just right or too low.

Understanding State Minimum Limits for North Carolina Drivers

Before we can discuss whether a basic policy is sufficient, it is important to know what’s required by law. In North Carolina, the minimum liability limits are $30,000 per person for bodily injury with a $65,000 maximum aggregate per accident. Drivers are also required to carry $25,000 or more in property damage coverage. Comprehensive and collision coverage is considered a first-party coverage and is not required unless you have a loan on your vehicle.

Is State Minimum Coverage High Enough?

In most cases, state minimum coverage is high enough. However, if you’re involved in a major accident that is determined to be your fault, there’s a chance that this amount is not high enough. Medical bills for a serious incident easily range in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and repairs to fix brand-new vehicles can easily exceed a $25,000 threshold.

Why You Should Consider a Higher Limit

One of the most common questions North Carolina drivers ask is whether they should carry higher limits on their auto insurance policy. If you have substantial assets—like a home or a business—or a moderate income, state minimum limits might not be enough if you’re involved in a serious accident. In turn, this could potentially leave you open to a possible lawsuit in the future.

JC Demo Insurance Group is proud to assist Matthews, NC residents with all of their auto insurance needs. Please contact us today to schedule an appointment.