Although modern technology has aided in the decline of automobiles over the past decade, there is still a high rate of stolen vehicles in the United States, including the area of Matthews, NC. In order to protect your automobile from being a crime of opportunity, there are a few steps you can take to deter potential thieves. JC Demo Insurance Group has put together a few tips to protect your auto from theft.

Park in Plain View

When parking your vehicle, especially in areas such as work or school where you will not have a visual view of your automobile, it’s important to park in an area where others will notice any potential thieves. You should never park behind a privacy fence or in the extreme back area of a parking lot. When parking at night, be sure to park in areas that have access to lighting, such as from a street light or porch light. When at home, park in the garage whenever possible.

Don’t Leave it Running

To avoid the risk of your vehicle being stolen, you should never leave your vehicle running, especially in an area where you cannot see the car. It’s also recommended that you not leave the vehicle running in the driveway while you are in the house. If you must warm your vehicle before driving, it’s best to start the car and let it warm up while you clean the windows.

Remove all Valuables

Before exiting your vehicle remove all valuables, including the cords for phones and electrical devices. If a thief spots a cord, they will assume the device that belongs to the cord is also in the vehicle, so do not leave them in view. Put briefcases, purses and other valuables that you aren’t taking with you in the trunk.

Always lock your vehicle before leaving it. If keys are lost or stolen, be sure to have the locks changed on your vehicle. One of the best ways to protect your vehicle from theft is to install a quality alarm as well as a tracking device, which will allow officials to locate the vehicle quickly in the case of it being stolen.

To learn more information about automobile insurance or to upgrade your policy, residents of Matthews, NC should contact JC Demo Insurance Group.

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.

Like most states, North Carolina requires basic liability coverage on your automobiles, as well as some coverage for non-insured or under-insured motorists. Visit the JC Demo insurance Group in Matthews, NC to get the coverage you need for your automobile. 

Liability, of course, covers damages you cause to another car, or injuries in an accident where you are at fault.  There are some basic limits as to how much to have, but many car owners have more than the minimum. There are people who do not obey the law, and if they cause an accident, you may not be able to collect from them. That is where non-insured or under-insured coverage can protect you.

 Collision coverage covers damage to your car when you drive it into something. That something can be another car, or a tree, or a building. It covers your car when it is damaged. This is optional coverage, but you may be required to have it by the lender if you owe money on the car. If the car has high value it is a good idea to have this kind of coverage.

Comprehensive is the other main kind of insurance, and this covers everything else. This covers damage to your car from things like storms, floods, trees falling and so forth. It also covers windshield damage, fire, theft and other things out of your control.  This is also optional coverage that most people have if they have a newer car.

Call or visit the JC Demo Insurance Group on Matthews, NC to make sure you have the right coverage for your car. You may visit in person or online to get the coverage you need. If you are going to change cars, it is also a good idea to let your insurance company know before the purchase is made.

If you are a car owner in the Matthews NC area, it is extremely important that you take this responsibility seriously. One responsibility that you will have when it comes to owning the car is to make sure that it is properly covered by insurance. There are several different groups that will require you to carry auto insurance at all times. 

State Laws

Similar to other states, drivers in North Carolina are required to carry minimum levels of liability insurance at all times. This coverage will provide protection in the event you are at fault in an accident. It will provide coverage to the other drivers in the accident, but will not provide you with coverage for damage to your vehicle. The state requires that you have $25,000 in property damage coverage as well as $30,000/$60,000 in bodily injury coverage.

Lender Requirements

Since the base state requirements will only give coverage to the other party in an accident, it is important that you have additional coverage as well if you have a loan outstanding. In most situations, a lender or lessor of your car will require that you carry a full collision and comprehensive insurance policy at all times. This will help to protect you from a wide variety of losses including theft, fire damage, or if you are in an accident with a driver that is not insured.

When you are in the Matthews, NC area and are looking for an auto insurance policy, contacting the team at JC Demo Insurance Group is a good first step. The professionals at JC Demo Insurance Group are fully aware of the auto insurance laws in North Carolina and will also be able to review your lender agreements to make sure that you are in compliance with all related requirements.

Just like the flavors of ice cream, auto insurance is available in a variety of policies and packages to meet the needs of a variety of car owners. It might be a little bewildering if you discover your friend has insurance that appears to be very different from yours. Visit us at JC Demo Insurance Group and we’ll help you understand your auto insurance coverage. We’ll also help you find better coverage if that’s what you need, and we’ll sign you up right there so you don’t have to make phone calls or visit more offices. We’re happy to be of service to the neighborhoods around Matthews, NC and look forward to meeting you.

A variety of auto insurance policies provides coverage for all kinds of auto owners. This includes a minimum liability that is required by North Carolina law for all auto owners. It comprises a certain amount of coverage for bodily injury and property damage liability. It also requires coverage for uninsured motorist liability. What that means is that if you have an unfortunate encounter with someone who carries no insurance, your needs will be met. 

Beyond the basic coverage are several options for further protection. Collision insurance, comprehensive insurance, car rental insurance, and towing & repair coverage are all available. These are optional according to state law. However, if you are making payments on your auto then your lending agent has the right to require these kinds of coverage. We can help auto owners around the Matthews, NC area sort this out. At JC Demo Insurance Group we’d be glad to sit down with you and explain the differences. We’ll help you choose the best policy for your needs, and enroll you right there. Call or visit today.

A lot of people get confused when it comes to knowing whether or not they need to invest in car insurance. What many people fail to realize, though, is that instead of an expense, auto insurance will oftentimes serve as a valuable asset. If you have an older car, truck, or SUV, and you are wondering whether or not you need to have insurance on it, the answer is yes. Here at the JC Demo Insurance Group serving Matthews, NC, we’ve put together a helpful go-to guide to help you understand why your old car needs insurance on it. 

You Never Know When an Accident can Happen

Some people believe that just because they have a car that isn’t worth very much, this means they don’t need to spend money on protecting it with auto insurance. But the truth of the matter is, you never know when an accident could happen. And just because you aren’t worried about having the financial means to replace your old car, this doesn’t mean you can afford the medical and property damage expenses that often accompany an accident. This is a good reason why you need to have insurance on your old car. 

It’s Required by Law

According to the law, you must have car insurance in the state of North Carolina. With this in mind, it becomes common sense that you need to invest in auto insurance. Even if you don’t own a car, you have to purchase a non-owners liability insurance policy. 

To learn more about needing auto insurance on an old car, contact JC Demo Insurance Group serving Matthews, NC. 

Typically, when we buy a car it is through a financing plan and that firm holds the title to the car. Once the car is owned outright the lienholder’s rights are no longer relevant to your insurance coverage and decisions. In fact, it is possible to drop both collision and comprehensive coverage and carry liability insurance only. While this is something that is possible and completely legal, it is by no means the best route to take in every situation. JC Demo Insurance Group is here to guide their clients in the greater Matthews, NC area through the insurance-buying process; whether they own their vehicle outright or not. Insurance needs will vary between the two situations.

Drivers often drop their collision and comprehensive policies immediately once they own their vehicle outright. In many instances, it may make sense to lower the coverage amounts, but there are many reasons to keep collision and comprehensive coverage in place. We recommend that remain aware of the depreciated value of your auto as that is what is typically used as the replacement value of the car in the event that it is totaled. Lowering the limits of your coverage will keep you protected, with insurance in place, but you will not be over-insured. Ultimately, the key decision is finding the coverage levels that make the most sense for your vehicle and your personal situation.

If you are unsure what the appropriate coverage levels are now that you own your vehicle outright, it’s time to sit down with one of the knowledgeable insurance agents at JC Demo Insurance Group. We are proud to serve the auto insurance needs of our friends and neighbors in the greater Matthews, NC area and look forward to working with you soon!