Tips for Buying a Car as a Present in Matthews, NC

Chances are you’ve been doing quite a bit of shopping for the holidays. If you really want to go big this holiday, you should consider buying a car as a present for a loved one. Unfortunately, buying a car as a present isn’t as easy as it is often portrayed. Here are a few tips that will help you buy a car as a present in Matthews, NC.

Paperwork

When it comes to buying a car as a present, there is quite a bit of paperwork involved. You need to put the title for the car in the recipient’s name. Chances are you already purchased the vehicle in your own name. Therefore, you need to fill out paperwork to transfer the title. You can refer to North Carolina’s Department of Transportation for more information about this process. However, if you plan on giving the car to your loved one at the dealership, you may be able to put the car in the recipient’s name to begin with. This will allow you to skip the process of transferring the title to the recipient.

You also need to have the vehicle registered with the Department of Transportation. There must also be an auto insurance policy for the car that meets North Carolina’s minimum requirements. JC Demo Insurance Group is one example of an auto insurance company that services North Carolina and may be able to meet your needs. 

Finances

You also want to keep finances in mind when it comes to buying a car as a present is finances. For example, you might have to pay a federal gift tax for the car. The cost of auto insurance should also be kept in mind. Therefore, it is a good idea to get an auto insurance quote from the JC Demo Insurance Group before you purchase the vehicle as a present to ensure that you make an affordable choice.

Keep Your Home Safe and Secure This Halloween

Halloween is a festive holiday full of treats. Unfortunately, however, a few people plan tricks for October 31. This Halloween, keep your home safe and secure with these three tips.

Keep Your Home Safe and Secure

You don’t need to place someone on watch to keep your home safe. You should, however, be a little more vigilant than normal. There’s no reason to lose sleep over what might happen, but it’s smart to prepare for potential risks. Specifically, you may want to:

  • leave your home’s outdoor lights on all night
  • activate your home’s security system when you go to bed
  • report any suspicious activity you see to the authorities

Keep Your Home Insured

Additionally, you may want to check your home insurance policy’s personal property coverage before Halloween. Personal property coverage is the portion of your home insurance policy that covers your belongings. In addition to your clothes and books, it may also cover outdoor furniture, a grill, or a basketball hoop if you have any of these things outside. As with all insurance coverage, whether these are included in your home insurance’s personal property coverage will depend on its terms and conditions.

If you’d like help reviewing your home insurance’s personal property coverage, send us a message. You can reach us through our website and our independent insurance agents can quickly help you review your coverage. If you don’t have enough protection, we at JC Demo Insurance Group can help you find better protection. We’re an independent insurance agency, so our agents can look at your policy and compare it to any other policy available to homeowners in Matthews, NC. Contact us today, and we’ll make sure you’re protected.

 

 

Matthews, NC: Life Insurance Myths You Need to be Aware Of

For those who are thinking about investing in life insurance, it is imperative to review all of the available policies. And while millions of policies are available, it becomes much simpler to narrow down the most appropriate ones by speaking with a qualified agent. Depending on your current and predicted future circumstances, you will be able to find a policy that both meets your needs and is affordable. While in the process of buying a life insurance plan, make sure you don’t fall for these myths. 

Myth #1: Term life insurance is better than whole life insurance

In all actuality, more whole life insurance policies pay out than term plans; however, for many people, a term life insurance plan is the best one to invest in because of their specific life insurance needs. If you are in need of life insurance only for a predetermined number of years, then a term life insurance policy will be best for you. If you know that you need a life insurance policy to pay out no matter when you become deceased, then perhaps a whole life insurance plan will work better. 

Myth #2: Life insurance costs too much money

The premiums that you pay for life insurance will be influenced by many factors, including your health; however, keep in mind that no matter your pre-existing conditions, life insurance is still available, and most people find that the younger they are when they purchase a policy, the more affordable their rates are. 

To learn more about life insurance in Matthews, contact JC Demo Insurance Group today.

Let Your Insurance Agent Know You’re Married — You May Qualify for Discounts

Getting married is big news, and there are lots of people to tell. One of the people you should be sure to share the good news with is your insurance agent. You’ll have to update your information with them, and they may be able to find you discounts after your wedding.

Insurance Companies Need Your Updated Information

It’s important to update your information with insurance companies soon after you’re married. Insurers need to know if your name, address, or other personal information change for two reasons. First, they need to know how to contact you. Second, your policies are legal documents and need to be filled out accurately.

You can easily notify your insurer of any changed information by contacting your insurance agent. They’ll know what changes in your personal information are important, and they can update documents as needed.

Insurance Agents Might Find You Discounts

When speaking with an insurance, you might learn that you qualify for new discounts now that you’re married. Insurers offer many different types of discounts. When your situation in life changes, which ones you qualify for may change. For instance, after you’re married, your agent might be able to get you and your spouse a multi-policy discount. Sometimes, it’s difficult to know which discounts you qualify for, which is another reason why you should talk to an agent after getting married.

If you live in Matthews, NC and are recently married, feel free to contact our independent insurance agents. At JC Demo Insurance Group, we have multiple agents who are licensed in North Carolina, and can help you update your documents and search for new insurance discounts. To talk with one of them, contact us through our agency’s website.

 

Summer Months Are Tough For Your Pet: Follow These Tips

Matthews, NC is a great place to live. However, during the summer it’s going to be hot and you want to make sure that your pet is well cared for. There are a few tips to make the summer more enjoyable for your pet, regardless of whether you have a dog, cat, or a few of each.

Your dog or cat is not too different from you. You want to be well hydrated during the summer months, and you don’t want to walk around on hot concrete because it hurts your feet. Remember this for your pets, too.

  • Give them access to plenty of water
  • Look for signs of overheating
  • Don’t bring them out during the hottest parts of the day
  • Cover their paws when walking them on the pavement

There are other things that you want to look out for with your pet in the summer and it has nothing to do with the heat. There are a lot of bugs out and some of these are known for carrying various parasites. Mosquitoes transmit heartworm while fleas and ticks can transmit Lyme disease and various other diseases. Talk to your vet about preventative medication so that you don’t have to worry about any of these issues.

If you plan on doing lots of things with your pet, be sure that they are protected. This includes going out on a boat. Your pet may know how to swim, but it is better to err on the side of caution and invest in a life vest that fits properly.

At JC Demo Insurance Group, we look forward to helping you find quality homeowners insurance. Call us today and let us begin searching for quotes to help you find an affordable policy in Matthews, North Carolina.

 

 

Safely Teaching Your Teen How to Drive

Parents of teens can all agree that one of the most fear-inducing moments of parenthood is watching a child drive away alone for the first time. Teenage driving is a time of anxiety for parents, and with good reason— the CDC reports that teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly car crash than drivers older than twenty. One step parents can take to reduce car crashes is to make a mutual driving agreement, which clearly outlines safe driving habits.

How to Make a Family Driving Contract

Parents can make a formal, written pact with their teens designating the best driving practices, “house” rules, and family expectations. Just as when they were small children, teens also learn by watching parents’ actions, so the contract should apply to all drivers in the household including mom and dad. JC Demo Insurance Group offers 9 helpful tips on writing a safe driving contract:

  1. Make sure the contract is written from a “we” point of view (i.e., We agree to wear our seat belts at all times in a moving vehicle)
  2. Write all rules as concisely as possible (We will never text while driving)
  3. Indicate how many passengers are allowed in a vehicle 
  4. Specify how to react if alcohol becomes involved
  5. Reiterate some of the more common driving laws
  6. Suggest an expected response to an aggressive driver
  7. List common distractions and how to avoid them
  8. Leave room for adjustment—contract terms can change according to the family’s driving habits and that is okay
  9. Agree to review the contract periodically

At JC Demo Insurance we care about the safety of all drivers, whether they are just starting out or have a few years under their seatbelt. Give us a call today for more information on making sure teens stay safe while driving.

Unbelievable Tips For Keeping A Clean Home

Keeping your home clean in Matthews, NC may be harder than you ever imagined. You want your home to look its best, but you don’t actually want to do any of the work. We understand and that is why we want to share some of these unbelievable tips with you.

  • Instead of dusting with a feather duster, use a lint roller. This will keep all of the dirt trapped, and make it easy to dust things like shelves, lampshades, and more.
  • When you are cleaning the stove, it can be the bane of your existence. Once you have cleaned the flat surface stove, you can use car wax as a way of feeling the surface. The next time there is grease or some kind of spill over, it will be much easier to clean up. If you have greasy gas burners, you can place them in a sealed plastic bag with some ammonia and leave them to sit for a few hours or overnight.
  • If you are trying to remove baked on food, put a non-toxic dryer sheet in a pan for an hour and watch how much easier it is to get the food off.
  • When you want to clean up stainless steel, whether it is the drain of your shower, your kitchen sink, or anywhere else, the trick is to use powdered laundry detergent and hot water. Let it sit for an hour or two and then rinse it away.

There are plenty of tips and hacks to keep a clean home, and when you discover them, keeping your home clean will be a lot easier.

Call one of our independent agents at JC Demo Insurance today to learn about ways to maintain your home with the best homeowner’s insurance policy.

 

 

 

Prep For Your BBQ To Keep It Safe

When you live in Matthews, NC, you may want to BBQ from time to time outdoors. This means setting up the grill and prepping some food to cook. You want to make sure that everything is prepped properly for your BBQ so that you can keep the entire situation (and your home) safe.

Before you even think about cooking on the grill, check the gas tank if you are cooking with gas. Be sure that there is no rust around the edges, and make sure there is no leak. You can do this by running cold soapy water around the outside of the tank. If there is bubbling, it means that there is a leak and you need to discard the tank.

You also want to be sure you clean the BBQ thoroughly. This will be the same whether you are using a charcoal or gas grill. If there is grease, fat, or other kind of food buildup, it can lead to sparks and flare-ups that can result in a fire if you are not careful.

Always set the grill up approximately 20 feet from the home and never within an enclosed patio. You also want to make sure that you are watching the grill at all times. If you need to run into the house for something, you need to either ask someone else to watch the grill or turn the heat down. This will ensure that there are no problems while you are gone.

Cooking out on the grill can be a lot of fun, and when you take the time to prep, you can focus on safety throughout the experience.

Call JC Demo Insurance today so we can talk to you about homeowners insurance and begin getting quotes to help with the comparison process.

 

Three Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Commercial Auto Insurance Policy

Commercial auto insurance policies sometimes cost more than personal ones.  For many companies in Matthews, NC, a personal policy doesn’t provide enough coverage. Businesses typically need to carry a commercial one. Here’s why, along with how to find a commercial policy that isn’t too much more than a personal auto policy.

Why Businesses Need Commercial Auto Insurance

Companies should a carry commercial auto insurance policy, because they need the enhanced coverage that such a policy offers. Commercial auto insurance is required for:

  • vehicles that are owned by a company and not an individual
  • trucks that carry a commercial license
  • vehicles that need higher liability limits than personal policies usually offer

If any of these describe your company, then your business needs a commercial policy. This is the only way to insure a vehicle in your company name. It lets you insure any type of vehicle, including trucks that are larger than a pickup truck, at extremely high limits, should you need to carry such coverage.

How You Can Find Affordable Commercial Auto Insurance

Because commercial auto insurance often provides better coverage than the average personal policy, commercial coverage often costs a little more. At JC Demo Insurance Group, Inc., we can help you keep your premiums low, even when you purchase a commercial policy.  

Our independent agents will pull quotes from every company offering commercial coverage in Matthews, NC, and we’ll show you them side-by-side. With the help of an experienced, independent agent who works for you, not one of the insurers, you’ll be able to understand and compare each policy’s coverage and premiums. Then, you can select the best choice for your company. To get started, give us a call today.

 

Life Insurance Discounts You May Not Be Aware Of

The slogan of Mint Hill, NC promotes it is as “A great place to live, work and play.” Who can argue? It was named 13th on the list of 50 safest cities in North Carolina. Wilgrove Park is a terrific place to enjoy the outdoors, and events like “Mint Hill Madness” bring us together. There are also facilities like the Mint Hill Fine Arts Center that many have yet to discover.

We are an independent insurance agency serving Mint Hill. We can help you discover discounts on your insurance you may not be aware of, like life insurance. While age plays a large part in the price of life insurance, there are factors you can control that may earn you a discount. If you stop using tobacco products, for example, your life insurance could be cheaper. Keeping your weight down may save you money. Some companies offer discounts to those with safe driving records. You can also save by paying your premiums annually or by signing up for electronic payments.

The best way to save may be by comparing. As independent agents we can compare life insurance premiums from multiple companies. This gives you the opportunity to not only choose the company and coverage that is best for you, but also the premium that is most favorable.

If you live in the Mint Hill area, we invite you to get an auto or homeowners insurance quote online at our website. It is easy and convenient. For life and other insurance products, contact us at our office. We work hard to get you the coverage you need at the best possible prices, including any discounts you qualify for. Let’s find out all the ways you can save on your life insurance coverage. Call us today!