Your home is your castle and if your castle is like most castles, it is full of things. More than just furniture, appliances and decor. Years of accumulated memories fill closets and attics and trying to remember everything that you possess may really be mission impossible. That is where a home inventory comes in, it can be the difference between getting the most from your home insurance and having many of your possessions lost forever. The residents of Matthews, NC have the JC Demo Insurance Group to turn to when they have questions about the importance of a home inventory. 

A home inventory takes time to create. It is a record of every room in your home. In reality, it is not just the rooms but the closets, cupboards, drawers, attic and basement. It must be detailed and if you can include sales receipts especially for the big-ticket items that is the best option. For jewelry, getting an appraisal is the best way to get the true value of your items and of course, if they are especially expensive you will need to cover them with a rider. In addition to writing down all the items in each room, taking pictures is a good way to document everything. 

After you have gone to all the trouble of creating a home inventory, you need to keep it in a safe place. Away from the home is ideal but if you don’t have a safety deposit box, you should at the very least make sure that it is stored in a fire and waterproof box to protect it from whatever happens. 

To find out the importance of a home inventory, stop by the office of JC Demo Insurance Group in Matthews, NC and talk to one of their experienced agents. If your home is damaged, an inventory can make replacement of your possession much easier. 

 

 

Major home improvement projects can be a massive stressor for a number of different reasons. If you are looking to undergo an extensive project in the near future, don’t forget to take a closer look at your homeowner’s policy before any work gets started. JC Demo Insurance Group is here to provide all the information that homeowners in the Matthews, NC community and surrounding area may need regarding home insurance.

Make sure you’re covered before work starts!

• Damage to your home – any substantial home improvement project has the capacity to go wrong. Even when your contractor carries insurance, it may not be enough. Take the time to sit down with your agent and make sure that you have the protection you need.
• Injury to a contractor or worker – if someone is injured while doing work on your home, you can sometimes be held liable. If you are going to have workers in your home make sure that you have sufficient liability protection. 
• Future damage caused by shoddy work – what happens if six months down the road your new kitchen stops working properly? There are so many things that can go wrong with a bit project, especially a few months down the road. Don’t get stuck with an incomplete or subpar project, make sure you’re protected.

The time to check for adequate insurance coverage is before work starts. There’s nothing worse than sustaining damage to your home only to find out that your policy does not provide coverage. If you are in the greater Matthews, NC area, call or stop by JC Demo Insurance Group today to review your policy for completeness. We are proud to serve our community and look forward to working with you!

Our homes are often our largest investment, and it is important to keep them protected. When you first bought your home you probably sat down and reviewed all of your home insurance options to make your decision. Since that time, it’s likely that you’ve just renewed the same policy each year and not thought too much about it. The team at JC Demo Insurance Group recommends that you have your policy reviewed on an annual basis to make sure that your coverage is keeping pace with the value of your Matthews, NC area home. 

Your home policy should change along with the value of your home

Home values are constantly shifting, and your home policy should change along with it. It’s easy to forget that insurance policies have upward limits, especially when you have been fortunate enough to not have to file a claim. But as your home value increases over the years, it may surpass the level of current insurance. It is highly recommended that homeowners review their policies on an annual basis in order to make sure that their policy is adequate to meet their needs. If you haven’t taken a look at your home insurance coverage since you bought your home, now is the perfect time to review it! No one wants to find out the hard way that does to the increase in their home’s value that their policy is no longer provides sufficient protection for their family home.

Is it time for you to review your home insurance policy? If you are in the greater Matthews, NC area, call or stop by the JC Demo Insurance Group today, and we will help you make sure that your current policy meets your home protection needs.

Home insurance may be new for those who are buying their first home. There are a few things that you should know when you are looking for a policy. Talk to a professional, like the ones at JC Demo Insurance Group in Matthews, NC so that you can ask questions that they will be able to answer.

Basic Insurance Coverage

• Internal and external damage may be covered if it states in your policy that you will be covered for costs associated with damages to your home due to storms, vandalism, lightning, and fire. If your home had flood or earthquake damage, you would need to get a special policy, known as a rider, to cover the cost of the repairs.

• Your clothing, furniture, and appliances can be replaced, repaired, or reimbursed for the cost depending on your plan’s details.

• Liability would be a big issue if someone trips and falls on your property, and they were injured due to your negligence. You would have to spend thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for the individual’s medical costs. If you have to go to court, you could also pay court and lawyer fees. This could be avoided with liability insurance attached to your homeowner’s policy.

Replacement Coverage

• Actual cash value is when your damaged items are refunded minus depreciation costs. If your furniture is destroyed in a fire, then the actual cash value would be the value of the furniture at today’s prices, not at the price you paid for it.

• Replacement cost is the value of your damaged property at its cost but without the depreciation.

When you’re ready, you can stop by the offices of JC Demo Insurance Group in Matthews, NC to start your insurance policy today. You can also get great information about life insurance, auto insurance, and commercial insurance.

When shopping for home insurance in Matthews, NC, you should get multiple quotes first. There are certain things to consider so you can find the best policy.

What the Policy Covers and Doesn’t: Home insurance offers a broad type of coverage, but there are some things that won’t be covered. Anticipating possible incidents can help eliminate surprises and give you an idea of where to set your coverage limits. It can also give you an idea of what other insurance plans you need, like flood insurance.

Coverage for Your Personal Items: Home insurance will provide coverage for your belongings, but there will be a limit on certain items. If you know the value of your stuff, you can make sure your policy provides enough coverage and see if you need to get any additional coverage.

Rebuilding: You want to be able to rebuild your house after a disaster, so your policy will need to provide protection that is equal to or greater than the rebuilding cost of your home and not just the purchase price. The rebuilding cost needs to take into account the cost of materials, as well as any construction costs. Replacement cost coverage will cover items without subtracting for depreciation.

Discounts: There may be discounts if you are doing things like adding extra security to your home, or if you are paying your policy online. An agent at JC Demo Insurance Group can explain any discounts that would be available to you.

Your Deductible: Coverage will require you to pay for a deductible before your policy will kick in. A deductible will affect your premium, so you should weigh the pros and costs of a lower or higher deducible when looking at your policy.

Contact JC Demo Insurance Group, serving Matthews, NC, to get a quote on home insurance. 

It is forecasted to be an extra chilly winter for North Carolina, and the spring cannot come soon enough for some. Before the buds start blooming and the world turns bright green again be sure to check out your home owner’s insurance policy to make sure you are covered from whatever the wind blows your way. At JC Demo Insurance Group we want to know that all of our clients are protected to matter the weather or the situation so here are a few spring home tips. We serve people in and around Matthews, NC.  

Things to Consider Around the House This Spring

• When the weather warms and you start your spring cleaning, go beyond de-cluttering. Check for mold damage after winter storms, get rid of standing debris around the frame of the house to prevent water damage, do a full check up. It is best to find any damage early, and it is much more cost effective to prevent an issue than to pay for remediation. If you set aside spring as home check-up time at the same time as your spring cleaning then you will stay on top of any issues. 
• What are the predictions for the weather for the rest of the year? We recommend you always keep full coverage home insurance as well as a flood policy. But if you don’t happen to have all the protection possible, check the weather forecast for the remainder of the year. It may be prudential to upgrade your policy if the scientist predicts a rough season. 
• This tip should be done each time the seasons change, four times a year. The first day of spring, summer, fall, and winter is the time to change and check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. A few moments each season can save your life and home. 

Contact us at JC Demo Insurance Group to discuss your home insurance options, and whether you are fully covered. We serve Matthews, NC and the surrounding areas. 

If you are like many other people, purchasing a home will be one of the largest investments you make during your life.  As a result, you need to make sure you protect it. One of the best ways to protect your Matthews, NC home is by purchasing home insurance from JC Demo Insurance Group. To make this process easy, follow the three tips outlined here:

1. Bundle Your Policies

One of the first things you should do when purchasing home insurance is to consider bundling your policies. Do you already have life insurance or car insurance? If so, talk to your existing insurer about a home insurance policy, too. In many cases, by bundling your policies you can save a significant amount of money on your premiums. In the long run, this may help you save quite a bit of money.

2. Compare Quotes

The next step in getting the right home insurance policy is to compare various quotes. Take some time to seek free quotes from several insurance companies and then compare them to find the one that offers the most value. In the long run, this will help you get the right policy for an affordable price.

3. Work with a Reputable Agent

Another important step in purchasing home insurance is to find a reputable insurance agent. He or she will be able to help you find the right policy at the right price. 

When it comes to buying a home insurance policy in Matthews, NC there are more than a few things to consider. Using the help JC Demo Insurance Group will ensure that you get the right policy for your specific needs and budget.

As your family grows and your home increases in value your insurance needs will also change. Many clients neglect to keep their home insurance policy updated with their changing needs. At the JC Demo Insurance Group, we are here to provide that service to our clients in the greater Matthews, NC area. We recommend that our clients review their entire insurance portfolio on a regular basis to makes sure that the coverage levels are up to date and offer the appropriate level of protection for you and your family.

Insurance Coverage Levels Should Change Along With Your Life Changes

As your home value increases or you add more valuable personal articles to your home, such as expensive artwork and electronics, your original insurance policy will likely not provide adequate coverage to protect these items in the event of theft, damage, or destruction. A comprehensive home insurance policy with the necessary riders can protect the home and possessions that you have worked so hard to achieve. Do not let an outdated home insurance policy cause you the stress that can come with a catastrophic event that is not covered by your insurance. Working with a professional agency can provide the necessary insight to keep your policies up to date and current with your coverage needs. You work hard to provide a safe home for your family and give them the things that they desire, it only makes sense to have the necessary coverage to keep those items protected.

At JC Demo Insurance Group we are here to offer our clients in the greater Matthews, NC area the full-service care that they deserve. Our team of dedicated agents is here to work with you as your insurance needs change throughout the years. 

Most homeowners benefit from having home insurance that covers the replacement cost of rebuilding a home and restoring its contents if it is completely destroyed by a major catastrophe. Talk with your agent at JC Demo Insurance Group, serving Matthews, NC, and the surrounding areas, to make sure your home insurance provides sufficient coverage. Here are some helpful things to understand about how to calculate the replacement cost of your home.

What is included in the replacement cost of a home?

The replacement cost should include the amount needed to rebuild the home back to the same quality and similar style of the home before the calamity. Replacement value is not the same as the market value of the home because the market value also includes the land. Replacement value is also not the same as the mortgage on the home either. The mortgage may be more or less than the replacement value.

An estimate of the replacement value of a home can be made by using public data about average construction costs along with special considerations for the neighborhood and the quality of the home. Insurers usually use these calculations, unless special circumstances apply.

Special Features and Personal Items

If the home has special features, these need to be considered as additional replacement costs. Personal items in the home can be valued by taking an inventory and checking the current prices for similar things. The replacement value is not what the things are worth as used items. Instead, it is what it costs to buy a similar new one. For example, a ten-year-old television may not be worth much, yet to buy a new one, of the same size, would cost a considerable amount more. The insured replacement value of personal items is the cost of new items.

Conclusion

Call your agent at JC Demo Insurance Group in Matthews, NC for a review of home insurance coverage to get help with the calculations of the replacement value and discuss any special considerations about your home that differ from the average homes in the same area.

Although a home insurance policy is necessary to help protect your home from an array of damages, there is no such thing as ‘full coverage’ with regards to home insurance. This is largely due to the fact that there are too many unforeseen issues that can arise as the result of things such as natural disasters and failing to keep up with regular maintenance, among other things. That said, the following is an overview of 5 things your home insurance policy probably won’t cover. 

Fine Art/ Jewelry

If you have excessively expensive items in your home, you may need to purchase a separate policy to protect those items specifically. The average home insurance policy will likely not pay for excessively priced items unless explicitly stated in the policy. 

Termite Infestation

One of the most unpredictable issues with regards to owning a home, people hardly ever purchase a home with the expectation of it becoming infested by termites. Nevertheless, termite infestations can be very costly and in extreme circumstances, can even leave a home inhabitable. 

Stolen Cash

If you have a large amount of cash lying around your home, you likely have your reasons. Nevertheless, physical cash can be very hard to keep track of so, your insurance company likely won’t just take your word for it that someone broke in and stole your millions. 

Mold

According to experts, mold coverage is typically limited to basic home insurance policies if not outright excluded. This is because mold can be both deadly and costly and there is no real way to anticipate the extent of the damages. 

Floods

Similar to mold, flood coverage is often limited or excluded for the same reasons. While you certainly have the option to purchase separate flood coverage, your basic home insurance policy will likely do little to protect your home from flood damage.

Overall, for those living in Matthews, NC the JC Demo Insurance Group is a great option for purchasing a home insurance policy. A premier insurance company in Matthews, NC, simply call, email, or stop by the JC Demo Insurance Group office to get a quote and start your policy at once.