Author: AgentInsure

3 Important Ways to Manage Business Risks

Posted on by AgentInsure

To be successful, every business owner must learn to cope with risk. While it is probably not possible to totally eliminate risk, there are some basic ways to cope with it.

 

Stick to Your original Plan

When starting your business, you should draft an outline of every aspect of it from sales and marketing to projected revenues. You should consider several different perspectives as you go about running your business. Once your original plan is drafted and survives the first quarter, stick to it. You may be tempted by the opinions of others and trends to change horses mid-stream. Resist this temptation.

 

Purchase Insurance

Interacting with the public or even dealing with business to business commerce always comes with an element of risk. It’s possible that your product could be involved in an accident that causes injury or damage. No matter how well designed, or labeled your products are- you should protect yourself by purchasing liability insurance. If you are the target of a frivolous lawsuit- even if you win- you could lose an unacceptable amount of money in lost profits and court costs. Discuss a liability insurance policy with your insurance agent before you begin offering any products or services to customers.

 

Carefully Monitor Your Business

In order to manage risk, it is necessary to take steps to determine when risks may occur. These risks include the activities of your competition, marketplace fluctuation, trends in fraud, and weaknesses in your organization’s safety procedures and operations. It may be that your quality-control isn’t thorough enough and that defects are reaching the marketplace. These potential risks must be identified and remedied in order to help mitigate the total risk to your livelihood.

 

Cross Creek Insurance
The professionals at Cross Creek Insurance, are dedicated to giving clients the best insurance plans available. Our goal is to make your insurance purchase fast, simple, and productive.

Call or click today and the insurance experts help to protect your business when disaster strikes.

 

How You Can Help Following a Car Accident

Posted on by AgentInsure

Many people are traumatized following a car accident. The jarring movements from the accident can cause injuries and leave victims discombobulated. If you witness an accident, you play a critical role in ensuring that everyone is safe and emergency personnel are on their way. The following are a few steps you can take to make sure traffic accident victims are safe.

Remain at the Scene

After you’ve witnessed an accident, it’s important that you remain at the scene until the authorities arrive. Your perspective is important to everyone involved in the relationship. Without giving your statement to the police, the victims may have to pay for damages they incurred.

Make Sure You Are Safe

When you stop to check on those involved in an accident, you have to do so safely. Your safety should be your primary concern. To ensure that you are not in an accident from distracted onlookers, make sure you park a safe distance from the accident and always observe your surroundings to ensure you are not in danger.

Call 911

After ensuring you are safe, you have to contact 911. When you call emergency services, they will contact all necessary personnel. By making one phone call, you could potentially save the lives of individuals involved in an accident.

Ensure Victims Are Safe

There are a lot of things going on following an accident. As a result of this, you must make sure that everyone is safe. You can help people out of their cars and to the curb to ensure they are no longer in danger.

Give Victims Your Contact Information

After giving the authorities your statement, you should give the victims your contact information. Additionally, taking down their information will help you keep your statements straight. With their information, you can properly identify each driver involved in an accident. 

Witnessing an accident is a great time to ensure your car insurance policy is comprehensive. If you live in Fayetteville, NC or the surrounding area, Cross Creek Insurance is happy to assist you with finding the perfect insurance policy for your vehicles.

Things To Consider When Buying a Vehicle as a Gift

Posted on by AgentInsure

Vehicles are a crucial and almost necessary part of modern life, and for this reason many people consider a vehicle as a very thoughtful gift that could impact someone’s entire life. However, there is more involved than simply the exchange of keys and a title when you give someone a vehicle as a gift. Here are a few things to consider before giving a vehicle as a gift.

Residual Costs

You should remember that there is more cost to the vehicle than just the vehicles price. There will be annual tags, taxes and insurance. You should consider whether or not the individual to whom you are giving the gift will be able to maintain these other yearly costs. Repairs and maintenance  can also vary from model to model. Some cars are much less expensive to maintain and repair than others. Factors these costs in when choosing a gift vehicle.

Taxes

Because the bulk of tax paperwork must be filed in the name of the recipient, not the purchaser, it is necessary for the purchaser and recipient to work together to get all of the correct information filed with the state and country in which the car will be registered. There are strict rules which vary from state to state concerning whom may hold the registration and under whose name the insurance must be filed. Be sure to do your homework so that you are in compliance with all applicable laws.

Insurance

Regardless of who buys the vehicle gift and who receives it, insurance is paramount to legal driving and operation of the vehicle. Be sure that insurance arrangements are made quickly, so that there is no lapse in coverage or temptation to operate the vehicle uninsured. Make the title, registration and insurance are all under the correct name to avoid any confusion in the event of an accident.  

If you have further insurance questions please contact Cross Creek Insurance now serving Hope Hill, NC.

How Independent Insurance Agents Can Help Finding The Right Insurance Coverage For You

Posted on by AgentInsure

Independent insurance agents can make your life a lot easier, if you allow them to. They know about the industry and have spent a lot of time researching the different insurance companies and what they all offer. They have that ability to explain coverage, obtain the best discounts for you, and much more.

Instead of having to navigate through the complexity of insurance on your own over the Internet, you can work with an insurance agent who is going to help you every step of the way. Agents are often the pillars of the community and have your best interest in mind. They want to help you save money, and know how to accomplish this.

Whether you need insurance for your home, your car, or anything else, they can make sure that you have coverage that you can depend on. They will tell you what’s out there, what’s required in North Carolina, and show you what is going to fit your needs the most.

Insurance is a must to provide protection. It isn’t something you want to guess at. It could be very easy to spend a lot of money on insurance and there are affordable premiums out there – you just have to know how to get them.

Independent insurance agents are your gateway to getting the right insurance coverage. Let them help you with the options, the quotes, and everything else. This way, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that you have sufficient and affordable coverage in place for all aspects of your life.

At Cross Creek Insurance we have friendly and experienced independent insurance agents to help you find a policy you can rely on in Hope Hills. Call now and let us help you every step of the way so that you’re not left alone.

 

 

Don’t Get Tricked by a Thief This Halloween

Posted on by AgentInsure

On October 31 most people enjoy a few treats. Kids go around trick-or-treating and adults gather together for parties. Even those of us who primarily hand out candy are known to sneak a piece or two for ourselves. A few people, however, plan tricks for Halloween. Make sure you don’t get tricked by a thief this Halloween. Here are a few tips to keep your home safe.

Deter Thieves with Locks and Lights

Most thieves who are prowling around on Halloween night aren’t planning a detailed and involved robbery. Instead, they’re looking for easy targets that they might steal from without exposing themselves to much risk.

Therefore, you don’t need to protect your home against a movie-worthy heist plan. You simply need to exercise some basic precautions that will deter thieves. Specifically, you might want to:

  • secure any valuable items you leave outside with padlocks
  • place decorations around your yard that will light it up
  • leave your home’s exterior lights on all night long

Insure Your Belongings Against Theft

In addition to securing your outside possessions and lighting up your yard, you should also make sure your belongings are insured against theft. Home insurance policies afford protection against loss due to theft, although their specific protections vary. If you own a home, this is a final line of defense against burglars that you must have.

For help finding home insurance, contact us at Cross Creek Insurance. Our independent insurance agents are able to compare home insurance policies from every insurer in North Carolina. No matter what company offers the best protection against thieves, our agents will make sure you get the best protection at the most affordable rates. To get in touch with them and discuss insuring your home in Hope Hills, NC, send us a message on our website.

 

Using Life Insurance to Borrow Money

Posted on by AgentInsure

As “The Brick Capital of the USA”, Sanford, NC once produced about 10% of the bricks produced in the entire country. While bricks are still an important part of our economy, we now have a much more diverse base of employment. We have large employers like Pfizer, small home based businesses and everything in between. They all have something in common. It takes money to get them going and it takes money to keep them going. It is part of the reason supporting our local businesses is so important.

If you’ve ever considered starting your own small or home-based business, there may be a source for funding you may not have considered. You may be able to borrow money from your life insurance policy.

You see, whole life insurance can build value as the years go by. That means not only is it providing important protection for your family, but it can be a financial resource in emergencies or opportunities. Loans against your life insurance are generally at very attractive interest rates. If something were to happen to you before the loan is repaid, the balance would be deducted from your life insurance proceeds. Your life insurance agent can help determine this “loan value” for you.

Loans are just one of the many ways that life insurance is a valuable financial asset. If you would like to know more, we invite you to contact us. We are independent insurance agents who can work with a variety of providers to find the best insurance coverage for you. If you live in the Sanford area, we invite you visit our website for a comparative online quote on your homeowners and auto insurance. It is a convenient and simple way to compare rates. Give it a try. We look forward to serving you.

Does Your Health Impact Your Auto Insurance Rates?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Fuquay-Varina, NC has a quite a charming history. Established around mineral springs because they were believed to have healing powers, this quaint town continues to thrive. Unfortunately, the mineral springs in Fuquay-Varina do not have healing powers, and medical conditions you may suffer from can affect the rate you have to pay for your car insurance each month.

Medical Conditions and Car Insurance Rates

Your car insurance is rated based on risks. If you are a considered a risk after a risk assessment has been completed for you then you will likely pay more for your car insurance. Unfortunately, individuals with certain medical conditions are considered a risk. For instance, individuals with diabetes may have blurred vision, which compromises their ability to see while driving. Additionally, patients taking certain medications are considered a risk behind the wheel because their prescriptions may affect their ability to drive.

What Should Businesses Do About Drivers with Risky Medical Conditions

Since business insurance is expensive and many managers may not know what conditions are affecting employees driving their company vehicle, businesses must take a proactive position to protect their assets. Most businesses ask their drivers about medical conditions affecting their ability to drive and provide annual screenings or require DOT physicals that will help keep drivers honest. We encourage businesses to know their driver’s status because the company is liable for losses and accidents caused by the driver, ultimately.

Discuss Your Limitations with Your Agent

To ensure that you do not threaten your life or the lives of others, it is in your best interest to discuss your medical conditions with your doctor and your insurance agent. Both professionals will provide you with detailed information about what you should do to protect yourself and your family while driving. As your insurance agent, we can recommend measures you can take to reduce the chances of you getting in a wreck, which will help you save money on your insurance. 

Water Can Cause Damage in So Many Ways in Sanford, NC

Posted on by AgentInsure

We love our outdoor activities in Sanford, NC. The famous Tobacco Road Golf Club seems to always be rated high on lists of America’s favorite courses. San-Lee Park and Mountain Bike Trail provides a multitude of outdoor recreational activities. The spacious Kiwanis Family Park and Greenway is a terrific site for outdoor family fun and exercise. Deep River paddling provides for aquatic activities.

Of course at almost any time rain can cause problems with our plans. We appreciate the rain for keeping our lawns green and our crops growing. It’s just when it happens at the wrong time and place it can be frustrating. The same can be said for water in your home.

When water is controlled through your plumbing or kept out by your roof, it’s usually not a problem. Under the wrong circumstances however, it can be devastating. When it comes to water damage in particular, it is critical you know what is, and isn’t covered under your homeowners insurance.

You see, when it comes to insurance, all water is not treated equally. There is water damage you can suffer from heavy rains. You can sustain water damage from a sewer back-up. Broken plumbing can cause serious damage, especially if you are not home when it occurs. Flooding? That is a whole separate issue. If you want to be assured you are covered under these various water-related issues contact us for a home insurance review. As an independent, local agency, we understand what coverage you should have, and can find the providers who offer it most affordably. If you wish to compare rates you can do so online right from our website. We also offer comparative rates for auto insurance.

There may not be much you can do when rain interrupts your outdoor activities. You can however, take steps to protect your home from water. Contact us today and put us to work for you.

Fayetteville Hommeowners Insurance Personal Injury Claim

Posted on by AgentInsure

A claim against your Fayetteville homeowners insurance can arise in any number of ways. The cable guy can fall off a ladder, the pizza delivery kid can trip on an uneven sidewalk, or Aunt Esther can trip over her own shadow. If you don’t have sufficient coverage, a $300,000 jury verdict can come back against you while you’re only insured for $100,000. That leaves you personally on the hook for the $200,000 balance.

As independent insurance agents, we want you, your home, family and personal property to be protected with plenty of coverage. If you’re concerned about a particularly large personal injury claim arising sometime in the future, we can arrange for umbrella liability coverage. Should you have particularly valuable personal property inside your house, like artwork, jewelry or musical instruments, we can set you up with specific special endorsements for coverage over and above ordinary policy limits for those items too.

We’re trusted and respected members of the Fayetteville area community, and because we’re independent agents, we’re able to provide you with a variety of choices as to insurers, coverage and premiums. Agents for the mega insurers just can’t do that. They’re not permitted to. The information we give you on your insurance issues is balanced, objective and unbiased. We’re not giving you one choice from one giant insurer. You can choose who insures you, what coverage you’ll have and your premium amount from any number of reputable and long established homeowners insurers that we work with.

Whether you’re in the process of buying your first home in or around NC Zip Code 28301, or trying to save some money window shopping, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re pleased to answer any questions that you have.

Ask an Insurance Agent: Does my Auto Insurance Cover All Damage After an Accident?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Living in the great Dunn, NC area gives residents here plenty to be grateful for. But accidents can happen in the blink of an eye on the road. Whether you love near Heritage Bible College or out near Plainview, disaster can pay a visit to even the safest driver. As your local independent agent, we want to help make the roads a safer place for all.

Are You Protected in the Event of an Accident?

When looking for auto insurance coverage many people tend to shop with a budget in mind. Often times this can leave them without a level of coverage that they feel comfortable with.

Because insurance laws vary from state to state, many residents also choose to follow the state minimums requirements without bothering to look at additional coverage options. If you are unable to name the coverage options for your current policy and what type of damage it covers, it may be time to look at an upgrade.

At Cross Creek Insurance, we can connect you with top national carriers to help you find a policy that gives you comprehensive coverage at an affordable price. And because we service the greater Dunn area, you can get a policy breakdown from your insurance agent at any time.

Go With a Local NC Insurance Agent and Save

No one wants to pay for vehicle damage out of pocket after an accident. With the right auto insurance policy you can ensure that you don’t have to worry about issues like that in the event of an accident.

Visit Cross Creek Insurance online to shop and compare quotes online in just minutes. Affordable and complete insurance coverage is just a few mouse clicks away.