6 Parts of Home Insurance You Need to Know About

Did you know that home insurance in North Carolina is a multi-peril policy? This special type of policy can cover you for different events at the same time, such as property damage, medical payments, and more. Our team at JC Demo Insurance Group in Matthews, NC will show you the six types of coverage your home insurance includes below.

A. Dwelling – This covers you for major damage to the house and any structural parts attached to it. The amount is often determined by the home’s market value.

B. Other Structures – Similar to dwelling, this part protects any structures on the property that are separate from the house, such as tool sheds and barns.

C. Personal Property – While A and B protect your home’s exterior, C protects the contents inside that you or your family who reside with you own. It may not cover everything inside though, so you’ll want to purchase additional riders for complete protection.

D. Loss of Use – If the home becomes uninhabitable after a natural disaster, this part of coverage will help you pay for additional meals and lodging expenses.

E. Personal Liability – This section will help pay for any accidental injuries at your home that you or a member of your household may be responsible for.

F. Medical Payments to Others – If any visitors get hurt at your home, this part takes care of paying for some of the medical expenses. 

While this summary gives you the big picture,  there are also many other details in a Matthews, NC home insurance policy. Wondering if your insurance covers a specific scenario? Give us a call! Our team at JC Demo Insurance Group is happy to answer any questions you may have.

The Importance of Maintaining Homeowners Insurance

Your home is most likely the biggest thing you own and the most expensive. You’ve put a lot of money into it. You made repairs to the roof, updated the fixtures, and installed new flooring. This has become a huge investment. Why not protect it? Homeowners insurance is the only way to make sure that your home is safeguarded from disasters.

Why You Need Homeowners Insurance

The #1 reason to have homeowners insurance is protection. Coverage usually applies to the buildings’ structure and its contents. Depending on your policy, you can get protection for everything inside of your home. Talk with your independent insurance agents in Matthews, NC at JC Demo Insurance Group, so they can help you tailor your coverage to include:

  • The House – repairing or rebuilding the homes’ structure.
  • Personal Belongings – could include furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing, and other valuables.
  • You, Your Family, and Guests – accidental injuries can be added to your policy to cover medical bills, hospital stays, and therapeutic costs.
  • Additional Costs – if you have to stay at a hotel for a few days while your home is being repaired because of fire or water damage.

What Happens If Your Homeowners Insurance Lapses

Homeowners policies were meant to pay for damages to your home if there is a disaster such as a fire, vandalism, lightning, earthquake, hurricane, or other catastrophes. If you allow your policy to lapse, you would not only have to pay for damages that arise, but your mortgage could go into default. At the time of closing, most lending companies agree to the loan if you acquire and maintain insurance coverage. When there is a lapse, the lending company may put your home in default.

Get in touch with JC Demo Insurance Group in Matthews, NC. Their independent agents can discuss with you the details of maintaining your homeowners insurance policy.

Why Teens Have Higher Insurance Rates

If you’re a teen driver or a parent of a teen driver you may already be aware that the insurance rates for these youngest of drivers are quite high. If you live in the Matthews, NC area, you may be wondering why adding your teen to your insurance costs so much.

Why the rates are higher

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the accident rate for drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 is higher than in any other age group. Driving is a complicated skill that takes time to develop. The problem is that the only way to get experience driving is to do it, and driving itself can sometimes be dangerous. Insurance companies know that teen drivers are at a higher risk for a claim, not because they’re necessarily more reckless, but because they don’t have the experience and mature judgment that older drivers have developed over time. Insurance companies aren’t "out to get" teen drivers. However, all drivers in higher risk categories, such as those with several tickets or accidents and, yes, teen drivers too, will pay higher insurance premiums.

What teens can do to keep rates as low as possible

While teens can’t do anything about their ages, they can keep their insurance rates as low as possible by doing a few things. First, teens should drive safely to keep a clean driving record. Things like traffic tickets and accidents can make insurance rates go even higher. Second, teens can ask the insurance agents at JC Demo Insurance Group about discounts for things like good grades or taking drivers’ education classes at school. Third, teens should consider carefully which cars are driven. Different cars have different insurance costs, so it may pay to shop around.

If you have questions about teen automobile insurance or any other insurance questions, contact the folks at JC Demo Insurance Group, serving the Matthews, NC area.

Will Adding an Extra Living Room Add Value to Your Home?

When it comes to adding value to your home, you may have heard before that adding on an extra living room is a great way to accomplish this goal. And the truth is, it really is a great way. Adding any type of living space to your home is an excellent way to add to its value, including bedrooms, bathrooms, and living room especially. It is of the utmost importance that you make sure the extra living room is added onto your home in the right spot, connecting it to a hallway or walkway area that easily accesses other parts of the home. 

Why is adding on a living room of so much value to a home?

People can use a living room for many purposes. From using it as an office or workspace to letting it be an area where the kids can keep their toys, there are multiple purposes that can be customized to meet a family’s specific needs and preferences. If you are looking to use a living room to provide storage space, you can always decorate with storage that is versatile. Take for example a living room ottoman that has the ability to store DVDs or kid’s toys. Or a couch that opens up and allows you to store items. Almost any type of furniture piece can be used for multiple purposes, you just have to research your options. 

As you can see, adding on an extra living room to your home is an excellent way to add value to your home, so contact JC Demo Insurance Group today to learn more about home value and home insurance in the Matthews, NC area. 

How Much Should I Spend for Auto Insurance?

This is a major question on practically everyone’s mind, and it’s definitely a good one. Your money is important, and whether you want to spend it on your kids or a new surfboard, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be trying to save it at every turn. Find out more about how much you should be spending in Matthews, NC. 

A Policy for Everyone 

The good news is that you really just have to meet the state limits in your state, and then after that, it’s up to you. The only problem with this is that it’s incredibly tempting for people to forego what they need for what they want. Let’s say you’re tempted by getting liability only on your car. Should you cause an accident you may not be able to make it to work, thus jeopardizing your income. JC Demo Insurance Group wants everyone to be able to keep their money, which is why we would advise you to think ahead to the potential consequences of what might happen should you skimp on your insurance now. 

Keeping Things In Perspective 

Living in Matthews, NC, you should understand that your car is extremely important, as are the lives of the people who are on the road. Even extremely small accidents can cost people a lot of money, and it makes it difficult to handle when you’re not prepared. If you truly feel that you have the savings and alternative plans to handle anything that might happen to you, then you will at least feel as though you have all of the facts in front of you. To find out more about those facts or to request a quote for price comparison, call JC Demo Insurance Group for more information today!