Author: AgentInsure

What Happens if a Friend Wrecks Your Car?

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You’ve allowed your friend to borrow your vehicle. Now, you’ve learned an accident occurred. Who will pay for the damage and what are your next steps? If you have the right type of auto insurance, you generally do not need to worry about the losses. There are limitations here, though. When you work with our agents at Cross Creek Insurance, we’ll help you ensure your vehicle has ample coverage to protect from any risks like these.

What To Expect

If you have collision insurance, that policy is likely to help cover the losses to your vehicle if another person is driving it. However, there are limits. If the individual routinely drives your vehicle, he or she should be listed on your policy to gain this protection. If they just borrowed it for the day, most policies will cover the vehicle.

If your friend was not responsible for the accident, but another driver was, that driver’s auto insurance liability coverage will likely cover the damage to your vehicle. It is best for you to request a copy of the police report right away to determine who is responsible for the accident. Then, work closely with your auto insurance agent to ensure the claims are filed properly.

Having the Right Auto Insurance Matters

Without the right type of auto insurance, your vehicle may be at risk. If you do not have collision insurance or enough liability coverage to protect your vehicle’s value, let the team at Cross Creek Insurance help you. We’re here to answer all of your questions. We serve residents in Hope Hills, NC and the surrounding area. Give our team a call today to discuss your current policy or to update to a policy that is better reflective of your specific needs.

 

 

Does Home Insurance Cover the Cost of a Hot Water Heater Replacement?

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Your homeowners insurance is there to protect you when the unexpected happens. At Cross Creek Insurance, our goal is to provide you with a policy that meets your needs and helps you to remain financially protected as a property owner. Yet, there are often questions about what a home insurance policy covers. The best answer comes directly from one of our experienced agents about the specific terms listed in your policy.

What About Hot Water Heaters?

Perhaps your hot water heater leaked and caused damage to the home. Home insurance does not cover all instances of water damage to a home. However, it may cover some of the damage caused by a hot water heater that was properly maintained and an unavoidable instance occurred. For example, your policy may cover damage to the home if the water heater was properly maintained, but the pipes froze anyway, leading to a rupture. Most home insurance policies will not cover the replacement of the water heater itself – though it may cover the damage repair. Generally, this is considered a normal step in maintaining your home.

What Should You Do Now?

If you have damage to your home from a damaged water heater that leaked throughout the area, call your agent at Cross Creek Insurance. We’ll help you determine if your existing home insurance policy covers the damage or not. More so, we can help you make any claims that you may qualify for. Every situation is different. There’s no reason not to give us a call.

We can also help you update your home insurance to provide comprehensive support. We serve clients in Hope Hills, NC and the surrounding area. Ask us for a quote on a more thorough home insurance policy to fit your home’s specific risks.   

 

Tips for Prepping Your Home for Spring

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Winter is coming to a close in Hope Hills, NC. If you are like most people, then you can’t wait for things to warm up outside so you can enjoy the spring awakening. Before you do that, though, you need to do a few things around your home to get it ready for the season. Use this list of things from Cross Creek Insurance to get you started.

  • Clean around your home. You don’t have to go crazy with spring cleaning, but you should take some time to clean around your home. Even dusting can make a huge difference.
  • Get your A/C checked. You may not need it quite yet but you will before you know it so go ahead and have some maintenance on it. The last thing you want is to try to use it and find out it needs a repair. Get ahead of that now.
  • Plant some spring flowers. There are so many flowers that bloom in the spring, and if you have the room outside for some, you may want to consider planting some. You can even opt for flowers that will bloom year after year. If you do not have space outside, you can get some flowers for the inside of your home. You will be happy you did this in a few weeks when they start blooming because it will make a huge difference for the spring.

Other than these things, the other thing you need to look at is your home insurance policy. If you do not already have a policy, you should contact Cross Creek Insurance, serving Hope Hills, NC, for a  free quote. If you do have a policy, they can check it to make sure you do not have any gaps in coverage.

Should I Bundle Home and Auto Insurance Policies?

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There are many different types of insurance policies that the average person buys and owns. Two of the most common are home insurance and auto insurance policies. If you are in the market for one or both of these types of insurance, you may find yourself wondering if you should bundle them. Bundling the policies is typically beneficial. Here are a few of the benefits you may experience by bundling home and auto insurance policies.

Bundling Discount

One of the biggest benefits associated with bundling your home and auto insurance policy is a bundling discount. Typically, insurance companies will give you a discount when you bundle two or more of their insurance policies. This shows brand loyalty and insurers will reward you for this in the form of discounts. The amount of the discount varies from company to company, but generally the discount is significant enough to make bundling well worth it.

Working With One Insurance Company

The other benefit to bundling your home and auto insurance policy is that you only have to work with one insurance company. You don’t have to worry about paying multiple premiums to multiple companies or trying to remember which insurer to call when you need service. You can build a repertoire with one company and work with one agent or broker for all of your insurance needs. This is beneficial to both you and the insurance company, as you can both learn more about each other with this type of close business bond.

If you are looking to start a new home insurance policy, auto insurance policy or bundle both in the greater Hope Hills, NC area, give Cross Creek Insurance a call. Let us help you find the right insurance policies for you at a price you can afford.

6 Parts of Home Insurance You Need to Know About

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Home insurance in North Carolina is a special type of insurance called a multi-peril policy. What does a multi-peril policy do? It covers you for several types of scenarios at once, such as medical payments from accidents and property damage. Here at Cross Creek Insurance in Hope Hills, NC, we’ll show you the six parts that make up home insurance in North Carolina.

A. Dwelling – Often determined by the home’s market value, this part of your home insurance covers major damage to the house and the structural buildings that are attached to it. 

B. Other Structures – This part of the policy takes care of the structures on your property that aren’t attached to the house, such as sheds and separated garages. 

C. Personal Property – This section helps pay for the contents lost that you or family members who reside with you own. Take caution that it may not cover everything, so purchasing additional riders would be wise. 

D. Loss of Use – Loss of use helps pay for the meals and lodging expenses you could have if the home cannot be inhabited after a natural disaster.

E. Personal Liability – If an accident happens at your home, you will probably be responsible. This section helps pay for the costs from such accidents and protects your liability.

F. Medical Payments to Others – Similar to section E, this part helps pay for the medical expenses of the person who was hurt.

Many more details are included in a North Carolina insurance policy. To find out if a specific scenario will be covered or not by your home insurance, contact us today at Cross Creek Insurance in Hope Hills, NC. You can also email us anytime at your convenience.

How Can Auto Insurance Be Your Best Resource?

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Auto insurance is by definition a long-term need. You may wonder how you might get through your day-to-day schedule if you didn’t have your phone, nanny or industrial-size cup of coffee, but your car can be just as important when it comes to keeping the lifestyle you want. Cross Creek Insurance wants the people of Hope Hills, NC to understand why they may be overlooking one of the best resources available. 

Advice, Spending, and Decisions 

Your auto insurance should be the source of turning abstract concepts into real information that you understand. It’s not your job to learn the jargon of insurance, but it is your job to know how each situation affects you. You may have to spend more on your premium to ward off extra expenses that may mount up after an accident occurs. And it’s important to remember that these costs aren’t just going to be a problem if you cause the accident. If you’re involved in a hit-and-run or an uninsured motorist hits you, then you will still need a way to fix your car so you can get to work. Auto insurance should be a place for you to turn, so you can keep your money, your car and your health.

How We Help

Cross Creek Insurance operates on the basis of personal attention. When you feel comfortable calling us, you also feel comfortable getting the information you need to feel secure on the road. It means that if you do choose liability, you understand the terms of it, and have a means to deal with the hardships should they arise. If you live in Hope Hills, NC and are looking for a company you can trust, then give us a call today to see how we’re different. 

Auto Insurance Hope Hills, NC

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The terms and conditions to auto accidents determine compensatory remedies of damages in court. In North Carolina, fault is initially established by driver admission, or law enforcement record prior to litigation. Drivers seeking damages for medical or property from the responsible party, must be able to substantiate a claim. The type of auto insurance policy determines the provision of damage compensation after an accident.

Auto Insurance in North Carolina

North Carolina mandates that auto liability coverage is the minimum indemnity that can be held on a vehicle. If a driver is still paying on an auto finance loan installment agreement, comprehensive collision coverage is required at market value of the vehicle asset.  When purchasing auto insurance coverage in North Carolina, find a policy that covers a range of damages and medical expenses associated with property repair, hospitalization, and vehicle replacement as part of an accident claim.

Auto liability coverage minimums in North Carolina begin at $30,000 for bodily Injury for a single injured person, $60,000 for bodily Injury of multiple injured persons, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Some liability policies cover lost wages and other medical expenses outside of hospitalization. Natural disaster coverage is a standard provision within North Carolina auto insurance law, and may be important in a circumstance where a hurricane has caused a collision with another driver.

Protect Yourself from Accident Litigation

Automobile accident litigation can be a costly expense for an insured with limited liability coverage. With comprehensive auto coverage, court ordered compensation of damages may be mitigated by a policy. Supplement an auto insurance policy with comprehensive collision coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance protection and avoid the risks of litigation in North Carolina.  

For auto insurance coverage in North Carolina, contact an insurance broker with Cross Creek Insurance in Hope Hills, NC.

5 Tips to Reduce the Risk of Car Theft

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Car theft can happen to anyone at any given time, especially if you live in a high crime area. For this reason, it’s important to take precautions that would discourage thieves from targeting your vehicle. A standard auto insurance policy from Cross Creek Insurance in Hope Hills, NC, will ensure your vehicle is covered in the event of theft. By doing your part, however, you may never have to put in a theft claim for your car.   

Always Lock Your Car: Many car owners encourage theft by leaving keys in the ignition or their vehicle running while they hop in and out of their home, a convenience store or gas station. It’s better to develop the habit of always rolling up windows and locking your car, regardless of how short a time you’ll be gone. Lock your vehicle even when parking in your driveway for any length of time.

Put Valuables Out of Sight: Don’t leave valuables in plain sight in your vehicle as this can attract the attention of would-be thieves and encourage them to target your car. Store valuables in your trunk or hide them beneath the seats where they’re out of sight/out of mind.

Park Smart: Park in well-lit, busy parking areas to make car theft more difficult without being seen or caught.   

Buy a Club: Buy a club (locking device) and use it on your steering wheel every time you leave the car.

Invest in a Car Alarm: If you live or work in a high crime area, invest in an auto alarm or security system to protect your vehicle, particularly if it’s a model that’s targeted often.

By taking preventative measures to safeguard your vehicle, you reduce the risk of theft. For more tips on theft prevention and information on affordable auto insurance in Hope Hills, NC, contact Cross Creek Insurance today.

Homeowners Insurance For First Time Buyers

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If you’re buying a home for the first time, and you’re planning on getting a mortgage, your lender will require you to bring proof of homeowners insurance to your closing.  For purposes of protecting your lender’s interests in the property, you’ll need to include your lender’s name in the mortgagee’s clause.  It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to close on the home without your lender being protected.  You might even need to include six months of coverage for the next year as part of your closing costs.  At Cross Creek Insurance in Hope Hills NC, we’ll help you meet your homeowners insurance requirements.  At a minimum, you’ll want to insure:

  • Your dwelling and any other structures on the property
  • Your personal property inside of the home
  • Your liability for any injuries or property damage on the land
  • Medical payments coverage is somebody is injured on your property

On top standard coverage for your home, you might want additional coverage.  Think about flood coverage if you live in an area where flooding occurs.  You might even want special endorsements for certain personal property like artwork, jewelry, furs or electronics.  A standard policy will only pay for loss or damage to those items on a limited basis. 

You’ll also need to make a decision on whether you want your home and personal property insured for actual cash value or replacement cost.  Replacement cost is a bit more expensive, but as opposed to actual cash value, it doesn’t contemplate depreciation.  Replacement cost is the better choice for homeowners.

You’ll want to speak with one of our agents at Cross Creek Insurance in Hope Hills, NC in order to customize the best options for you.  Just give us a call or stop in for a cup of coffee.

Types of Home Insuranced You Might Need

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There are a few different types of home insurance that you may need that are often attached to where you live. For those that live in Hope Hills, NC for instance, earthquake insurance is not something that you are likely ever to use, but for those in San Diego, CA, it may be a necessity.

Taking the time to learn about a few different types of home insurance can help you start to think about what coverage you need. General home policies cover things like fire, theft, break-ins, damage from storms, and injury of those that are on your property.

Most basic policies do not cover hurricane, earthquake, flood, or the cost of replacing very valuable collections that you may have. If you live in an area where floods are common, you may need a flood policy that can be tacked onto the cost of your basic policy. The same goes for hurricane and earthquake policies, they are not included in basic policies, but they can be added.

Similarly, if you have a large collection of jewelry, it may be safer to take out a policy that is just for those pieces than it would be to take out more home owners insurance that may or may not cover the replacement or retrieval of these pieces. On top of all that, you can take out more insurance on your home if you have made improvements to it.

The process of getting insurance for the value of your home is simple, the inspector will be sent from the agency, and they will valuate your home. This will allow them to set the coverage limits and determine pay outs if the home is a total loss or how to base their pay outs in the event of damage. Each location has different considerations and speaking with your agent if you live in the Hope Hills, NC area you can get the coverage you need.  Contact Cross Creek Insurance to learn more.