Is Your NC Business Disaster Ready?

Advanced planning is key to protecting your small business in Matthews, NC from disasters. You can’t keep disasters from happening, but you can take measures to minimize injuries and property damage at your business site. Here are a few suggestions from JC Demo Insurance Group on how you can ready your NC business for disasters.

Make a Disaster Preparedness Plan

A disaster preparedness plan can give you an edge in recovering from a disaster.  Designate a disaster coordinator to help create your plan and a disaster committee to help implement it. Your plan should cover such factors as employee safety, communications during and after a disaster, evacuation procedures during business hours, and business operations post-disaster. Rehearse your plan on a regular basis and update it when necessary to keep it relevant.    

Update Your Commercial Insurance

Assess the risks your small business faces in Matthews, NC and update your commercial coverage accordingly. Your property coverage should be sufficient to compensate you for damage to your building, equipment, and inventory. If your business has to close down temporarily for disaster repairs, business interruption can expedite your recovery by covering lost revenue, payroll, business loans, and other expenses to avoid financial loss. Talk to your JC Demo Insurance agent about other essential coverage you may need to recover from disasters.

Protect Essential Data

Protect your essential business data by backing it up on different devices and storing it safely in separate locations. This includes business files, financial records, customer and employee information, and other data essential to your business operations. Make sure this data is encrypted to prevent security breaches and that your encryption keys are only accessible to authorized personnel.

To purchase commercial coverage to protect your NC business against disasters, contact JC Demo Insurance Group today.

Why Matthews, NC Residents Should Consider Variable Life Insurance

For over 20 years, JC Demo Insurance Group has assisted residents throughout North and South Carolina through providing access to different types of personal insurance coverage. We use our standing as an independent agency to our advantage by establishing relationships in multiple markets around Matthews, NC. This allows us to meet the insurance needs of our clients regardless of their situation.

Consider Variable Life Insurance

JC Demo Insurance Group is aware that many people believe that purchasing life insurance is unnecessary. However, purchasing a life insurance policy is very beneficial to your future. There are some alternatives that you may consider, such as variable life insurance. Here is an in-depth look at variable life insurance and why that may be the best option for you.

A variable life insurance policy is an agreement involving you and the insurance company. Under the terms of the agreement, your beneficiaries will receive an outlined amount after your death. Variable life insurance policies also include a cash value that is based on your premiums and investment choices.

As the policyholder, you will have a large influence on how your premiums are invested. Primarily, you can choose to invest your premiums into bonds, stocks, or mutual funds. You can also choose to place some of your premiums into a fixed account. Putting some of your assets into a fixed account guarantees that they will accumulate a fixed rate of interest. The more money that you put into your premiums, the lower your expenses will be.

JC Demo Insurance Group Can Assist You

We are committed to providing excellent customer service to all of our clients in Matthews, NC and the surrounding areas. If you are interested in a variable life insurance policy, our agents will discuss all of the details with you, so that you can make an informed decision. Contact us at your earliest convenience or visit our website.

A Guide to the Types of Commercial Insurance

When you go into business for yourself, you have numerous things to accomplish including insuring the business against loss. This basic of business continuity requires knowledge of the many policy types though because commercial insurance offers a wide variety of kinds of coverage.

Typically, you obtain a business owner’s policy (BOP) to cover your liability and general damages to your storefront or office environment. You can purchase the components of a BOP separately as property and liability insurance. If you hire employees, you will also need workers’ compensation insurance. Otherwise, you will need specialized policies to cover various aspects of your business.

Here is what each policy type does. 

  • Automobile Insurance: provides liability and property damage coverages to the vehicles in your fleet and damages caused by your employees when driving a fleet vehicle.
  • Boiler and machinery insurance: also called equipment breakdown insurance, this covers repair or replacement of boilers, business machines, equipment plus pays for the business interruption losses.
  • Builder’s risk insurance: also called construction insurance, this covers your structure as it gets built.
  • Business interruption insurance: pays for the real property expenses resulting from a named peril as well as lost income.
  • Crime insurance: reimburses your business from loss from property crimes including burglary, robbery, and theft.
  • Debris removal insurance: this policy pays for removing debris following a named peril such as a fire.
  • Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance: Corporations and non-profits obtain this insurance to cover the costs of lawsuits involving their officers and directors.
  • Errors and omissions ("E & O") insurance: most common among manufacturing firms, attorneys, and medical practitioners as well as publications, it pays for failures or mistakes causing third party injury. The mistake must be inadvertent, not intentional.
  • Glass insurance reimburses you for the replacement of broken windows and plate glass on your commercial buildings.
  • Inland marine insurance: a typical insurance type for dry cleaners and shipping services, it pays for damage to property in transit and third party property at your business.
  • Liability insurance: pays for injury or damages to third parties. 
  • Malpractice insurance: also called professional liability insurance, covers losses stemming from third party injury due to a professional not meeting the appropriate standard of care. Also, it covers attorney fees.
  • Ordinance or law insurance pays to have a building demolished and rebuilt to code when the structure has been partially destroyed. 
  • Property insurance: reimburses you for damage to real or personal property.
  • Tenant’s insurance: a requirement of many landlords as a stipulation of a commercial lease, this policy covers repairing damages to the lessee’s improvements and building damages caused by the lessee’s employee negligence. This differs from renter’s insurance which covers your property and belongings.
  • Workers’ compensation insurance: this policy pays for medical care and time off from work due to injury or illness from the workplace.

Avoid the confusion by speaking with an insurance agent from JC Demo Insurance Group today. We serve the Matthews, NC area. 

Life Insurance Offers a Safety Net for Your Loved Ones

If you don’t have life insurance, it’s time you came to talk to us at JC Demo Insurance Group. We want to make sure all our Matthews, NC area clients and their families are protected in the best way possible. When you choose a life insurance policy, you’re giving your family a safety net in case you pass away. That’s especially important if you’re the one who takes care of your family’s home and other needs. The goal of an insurance policy on your life would be to give your family options if they didn’t have you to rely on any longer. The right policy can give you and your family protection for the future, along with a lot of peace of mind.

There are a lot of things to consider about life insurance, but some of the most important things are how large of a policy you’re looking for, who the beneficiary will be, and whether you will get a whole life or term life policy. We can discuss all of those options, so you can find the one that works for you. What policy you need and how large it should be will change based on your situation and goals. You also want to remember to update your policy if your life changes, such as you have another baby, change careers, get a bigger house, or make other adjustments.

We can help you find or update your life insurance, so your family stays protected and cared for. Contact us at JC Demo Insurance Group today if you’re in the Matthews, NC area, and we’ll be happy to address your questions and insurance needs. Then you can get out there and enjoy living your life, knowing that you and your family are protected for the future.

Have You Reviewed Your Commercial Insurance Policy Lately?

If you have a business, you probably have commercial insurance. But have you reviewed that policy lately? There are a lot of changes a business can have to happen to it, along with changes it chooses to make. All of those changes can affect the way things are done and the liabilities the business has, as well. With that in mind, it’s very important to make sure your insurance policy for that business is up to date. That’s the only way to ensure proper protection. If your Matthews, NC business hasn’t reviewed its insurance policy in a while, reach out to us at JC Demo Insurance Group and let us help you with that today.

Your business insurance policy provides protection for your company, and also for the people who come through your doors and purchase from you. Accidents and incidents can happen to employees, customers, or the structure of the business’ location itself, as well as your inventory and other areas of your company. But a good insurance policy will help you weather any storms that might come your way. It provides peace of mind and lets you take care of things in a way that keeps your business viable and strong while making things right for others, too.

If it’s been a while since you reviewed your commercial insurance policy, contact us at JC Demo Insurance Group today. If your business is in the Matthews, NC area, we’re here to help you have the coverage you need. Whether you have a policy with us now or you’re looking to change carriers, a review of your current insurance needs and what your policy offers can be an excellent way to make sure you’re properly protected and give you peace of mind for the future, too.

How to Pick the Right Life Insurance Policy

Being properly covered by insurance is very important for all people in the Matthews, NC area. For many people, a big part of this is getting the right life insurance in place. For those that are in need of life insurance, choosing the right policy can be complicated. Fortunately, there are several tips that can be followed that can make this clearer and easier decision. 

Consider Coverage Needs

It is important to consider all of the future financial needs that your dependents will have. This can include paying the mortgage, for food, and for higher education costs. You should then compare this conservative estimate to what you currently have in savings. The difference should be a starting point when you are thinking about how much coverage you need to have in your policy.

Consider Insurance Types

Life insurance buyers will be able to choose from term and whole life insurance options. Each of these insurance options has different pros and cons. For those that would like the most coverage for the least amount of money, term life is normally ideal. Whole life can be a great option for those that are also looking for a conservative way to invest and whole life premium payments do build up and can be liquidated as well. 

It can be hard to determine what type and amount of life insurance someone needs. For those that are in the Matthews, NC area, contacting the team at JC Demo Insurance Group would be a great option. The insurance professionals at the JC Demo Insurance Group will ensure that you can get into a policy that provides you with the right protection. This will be done after an extensive review and assessment of your situation to ensure that all risks are covered. 

Is a North Carolina Business Required to Get Commercial Insurance?

When you are looking for a fun and exciting career track, one great option to consider is to start your own business. This is especially a good option for people that are in the Matthews, NC area as this part of the country offers a variety of favorable variables. If you are going to start a business here, you should spend time carefully assessing your insurance needs. There are several situations in which a business in North Carolina will be required to have commercial insurance. 

Business Has a Loan or Lease

One situation in which you are going to need to have commercial insurance is if you have a loan or a lease. All lenders and landlords want to make sure that you are able to stay financially viable. This includes making sure you can withstand a fire that damages business assets or if you are sued for liability. A quality commercial insurance policy will protect you for both of these situations. 

Business Has a Staff

If you have a certain number of employees in the state of North Carolina, you will need to have worker’s compensation insurance. Those that do not have a commercial insurance policy with this coverage will find themselves in violation of state law. This could result in serious fines and other issues. 

Having commercial insurance in place for your Matthews, NC business is always a good idea. Since there is a lot of complexity that comes with commercial insurance, you should speak with the team at the JC Demo Insurance Group when choosing a new policy. The insurance team at the JC Demo Insurance Group can help to get you into a great policy that will give all of the liability and asset protection that you need. 

Which Is Better Term Life or Whole Life?

JC Demo Insurance Group offers both term life policies and whole life insurance policies. They offer advice to the residents of Matthews, NC when it comes to choosing the policy that is most beneficial for them. Many people don’t buy life insurance because they don’t understand the differences and what each policy is good for. This is where scheduling an appointment with your agent can help.

Benefits of Term Life

Term life gets its name because it is written for a specific "term" or amount of time. Normally, a term life policy is set to mature after 5, 10, 15, or 20 years. As you pay into the policy and equity is established, you may have the option to borrow against the policy in an emergency. Once the policy reaches its face value, it will remain in place until you cash it in. Term life is normally a good choice if you are only interested in covering your burial expenses.

Benefits of Whole Life

A whole life policy is the better choice if you are trying to provide for your family if the unthinkable happens. A whole life policy will remain in place for as long as you live and continue to make payments. The benefit of a whole life policy is that it will provide your family with the financial stability they need to get through a difficult time.

AT JC Demo Insurance Group, the agents serve the residents of Matthews, NC. Schedule an appointment with one of the agents today so that you can find the right type of life insurance policy that will help you achieve your goals. 

 

Checklist for Finding the Perfect Property for Your New Commercial Venture

Your new commercial venture in the Matthews, NC area needs the perfect home to ensure your best chances of success. Use this checklist from JC Demo Insurance Group to help you find the perfect property for your new manufacturing, retail, or professional services space.

  • Locate the right areas of town on a map. Like other municipalities, the area around Matthews NC is divided into industrial, commercial, and residential spaces. Find out which areas of town are home to businesses like yours. This is the starting point for your search.
  • Shop for properties based on the location of your target demographic. For example, an ice cream parlor would do much better in an area that is frequented by families, whereas a craft brewery that focuses on distribution would realize less liability in an industrial area.
  • Buy, rent, or lease? Look at your long-term plans, resources, and projected growth rate to decide if you should buy, rent, or lease your commercial property. These choices have an effect on your insurance as well. Talk to your commercial insurance provider to understand the impact of these decisions on your coverages.
  • For those who choose to rent or lease, talk to the landlord before touring the property. While the property itself is important, your relationship with the owner will determine your long-term satisfaction to a large degree. Make sure you can form a mutually beneficial working relationship with them before you sign.
  • Buyers should use a professional contractor to evaluate potential sites before placing a bid. This ensures you don’t end up buying a piece of property that is contaminated or otherwise compromised.

Your commercial insurance package is directly affected by the location of your business. Contact JC Demo Insurance Group to help understanding how your commercial real estate affects your premiums and payouts.

How Is My Commercial Business Insurance Premium Determined?

Your commercial business insurance premium is determined by a wide range of factors, including where you’re located and what you do. Those in Matthews, NC should have all the facts, so there are fewer surprises by the time they start searching for quotes. Whether you’re looking for brand new coverage or you want to improve upon what you currently have, JC Demo Insurance Group may be able to help. 

Your Location and Specialty 

Different businesses are riskier than others. If you have a body shop in a dangerous section of town, your location may be more likely to sustain criminal activity, such as theft or vandalism. You’re also more likely to have a liability or workers compensation claim filed against you. Let’s say a customer comes to pick up their car when they’re injured by a misplaced tool. Your premium will be higher based on the risks, meaning it will be very different from an air-conditioned office stocked with ergonomic chairs and other safety features. 

Claim History 

This factor is something of an extension of your location and specialty risks. If you’ve filed multiple claims before, you’re more likely to have a higher premium because insurance companies assume your rate of filing will likely remain stable. For many businesses, there is only so much they can do to eliminate all risk. However, it can help for business owners to take as many safety precautions as possible in an effort to prove to the insurance company that everything is being done to prevent accident, injury, or property damage. 

To find out more about how you can do more for your business, call JC Demo Insurance Group today. We serve the owners of Matthews, NC who want to keep their livelihood going no matter what happens.