Many renters are under the false assumption that if there is a fire or other disaster at their residence, the landlord’s homeowners’ insurance policy will cover their personal belongings, furniture, and appliances but that is simply not the case. All renters should obtain a renters insurance policy to cover those items and more.

Renters insurance, sometimes known as tenant insurance, covers those unexpected events that none of us can plan ahead for, such as theft, fire, or tornado. A renters insurance policy will give you the peace of mind of knowing that if a disaster occurs, your personal belongings are covered but what exactly does renters insurance policies cover?

Personal Property

A renters insurance policy will cover the cost of repairing or replacing your belongings, including your clothes, furniture, and electronic devices. The amount of coverage will depend upon the limits that are set forth in your policy and you may have a deductible to pay upfront. You and your insurance agent can decide upon those details when you create your policy.

Liability Repairs

Liability coverage will cover you if you accidentally damage someone else’s property or if a guest to your home incurs medical bills due to an accident you caused. The amount of this coverage is also up to you and your agent.

Additional Living Expenses          

If there is a fire or other disaster that prohibits you from living in your house or apartment for a period of time while repairs are completed, the additional living expenses portion of your policy will cover things like a stay at a hotel. Your landlord’s property insurance will cover the damages to the actual structure but at least you will have a place to stay while your residence is uninhabitable.

The trusted and knowledgeable agents at the Jim Boyce Insurance agency in Matthews, NC can assist you in obtaining a renters insurance policy to give you the peace of mind you deserve.

Classic cars are their own special breed, and that means classic car insurance is too. Insurance carriers work with each classic car owner on a case-by-case basis since many variables go into a classic car’s coverage, such as how it is stored. Whether you’re looking for a new policy or want to upgrade an existing one, the team at Jim Boyce Insurance has put together a quick list of the best ways to get started.

1. Start with a Reputable Agent

Your first task should be connecting with a reputable insurance agent. These knowledgeable professionals know the ins and outs of the classic car insurance world and can pass along this information to you. They are available to answer your questions, compare quotes, and help point you in the right direction to secure the best policy for the right price.

2. Bundle Your Classic Car Insurance Policy

An easy way to save money right from the start on your classic car insurance premiums is to bundle your new policies with existing insurance policies under one carrier. There are many insurance companies who love to reward their customers with discounts. Your reputable insurance agent will help you narrow these down.

3. Compare Several Quotes

Classic car insurance policies contain a lot of detail. While this may seem cumbersome, it’s important to examine each document to determine the different coverage and costs of each policy. Again, a reputable insurance agent will be by your side helping you every step of the way.

Ready to protect your classic car with the perfect policy? Then contact the team at Jim Boyce Insurance to get started today. 

Life insurance can be an important investment for most people, and the earlier that someone begins to pay into a policy, the better their rates will be. There are agents available from Jim Boyce Insurance who serve customers in Matthews, NC with life insurance coverage. 

Starting to pay for coverage early

Life insurance is essentially a kind of substitute for a will or other document that describes how to handle a person’s finances and assets after death. The main difference is that life insurance policies payout with the company’s money rather than the deceased individual’s assets, which can be a huge expense. Obviously, as people begin to age and possibly develop health problems, the risk of them dying increases. This is why life insurance companies offer better rates to younger customers. Life insurance companies also consider that they may never have to pay out a claim to a younger customer, especially on policies with term limits that may expire before the customer reaches an advanced age. 

Keep in mind that insurance is generally a risk mitigation tool and younger people are at lower risk for health issues and death. This decreased risk also becomes a benefit to the consumer who invests in the policy early. 

Learn more about life insurance with the help of an experienced agent 

If you want to know how to start investing in a life insurance policy now, contact Jim Boyce Insurance. Their agents serve Matthews, NC and surrounding areas with excellent policies that provide adequate coverage. They can give you a comprehensive life insurance policy that meets all of your needs, regardless of your age when taking out coverage. 

Running your own business in and around Matthews, NC often means you must hire employees. Jim Boyce Insurance supports our local entrepreneurs. Which is why we want to educate new business owners about the state’s law about worker’s compensation, so you can feel confident that you meet the law’s requirements and understand if your business is exempt from carrying this type of insurance.

Who Is Required To Carry Worker’s Compensation Insurance In North Carolina?

Any business that employs three or more individuals is required to carry this type of insurance. This includes businesses run as sole proprietorship, limited liability companies, and corporations. Even if you call your employees "independent contractors" you may still be found responsible for such individuals as an employer. Such distinctions are ruled by the Industrial Commission. Subcontractors that do not have their own worker’s compensation insurance could also become your liability. 

Who Is Exempt From Carrying Worker’s Compensation Insurance?

Some exceptions to this law include casual employees, certain farm workers, or household servants. Some railroad employees and those who work for the federal government in the state of North Carolina can be excused from having to carry worker’s compensation. Additionally, the trucking industry has its own special insurance requirements different from what’s expected by other industries.

What Happens If I Fail To Carry Worker’s Compensation Insurance?

Depending on the severity of your failure to comply with this law, you may incur large fines, criminal misdemeanor or felony charges, and possibly face prison time. 

Understanding your insurance responsibilities as an employer can be a confusing process. If you’re a small business owner near Matthews, NC, let Jim Boyce Insurance answer your questions and make sure you have the right business insurance for worker’s comp and beyond!

Whether it is home insurance, auto insurance, or renters insurance, knowing what your insurance policy covers is important. Be aware of the limits of your coverage so that you will not be caught off guard in Matthews, NC. 

What Is Typically Covered by Homeowners Insurance

While policies may differ, most homeowners policies cover damage to your home due to storms or fire. Most of the time, the personal property that is inside your home is covered too, so if your furnishings are ruined due to storm damage, your policy may pay toward their replacement. The same thing applies to burglary.  If your home is damaged by burglars, your policy will pay for the repairs, as well as replacing items that were stolen. Not only is your house and personal property covered by your homeowner’s policy, but structures on your property are also likely covered. So if a storm knocks trees onto your backyard fence, your policy may pay out toward repairing the fencing. Additionally, you are also covered for liability if someone is injured on your property. Therefore, if someone is hurt at your home, you are protected by your homeowner’s policy from a lawsuit. For specific coverage limits, you can read your insurance paperwork or contact your insurance agent.

What Is Not Typically Covered by Homeowners Insurance

Knowing what your policy does not cover is crucial as well. In some cases, you can buy additional insurance riders from Jim Boyce Insurance to help cover these problems that you may face in owning a home. Most of the time, things like sewage backups and the damage from them will not be covered by your homeowner’s policy. Most people do not realize it, but a basic homeowner’s policy does not pay out for damages due to floods, earthquakes, mudslides, or sinkholes. If you live in an area where these things may occur, you might want to look into buying additional insurance.

To discuss your insurance coverage and options for buying insurance riders in Matthews, NC, you can contact Jim Boyce Insurance today. 

Do You Need Umbrella Insurance in Matthews, NC? Visit  Jim Boyce Insurance 

The truth is umbrella insurance is for everyone. There are many circumstances where umbrella insurance will be suitable protection. It really doesn’t matter if you are wealthy or not. The determining criteria for whether umbrella insurance fits your situation is very variable. Umbrella insurance may be a good idea depending on a laundry list of factors. Speaking with a professional insurance agent is the best idea to determine if your particular situation could benefit from this added protection.

Umbrella insurance is an extended arm on a standard insurance policy. Some situations leave a larger area of liability. Standard insurance policies only cover a certain amount. Individuals choose to have an umbrella insurance attachment when they want to add it a layer of protection. Once the standard level of insurance liability is reached, umbrella insurance will pay out for any amounts that exceed this level. 

Umbrella insurance can be an extension of a home insurance policy, commercial insurance policy or a personal insurance policy. Your agent will inform you if it’s permissible to add an umbrella policy as an attachment to any other insurance product.

Come in and speak with one of the dedicated agents at Jim Boyce Insurance today to decide if umbrella insurance should or could be a part of your financial future. 

The agency is located in Matthews, NC 28105.  Our agency takes the time to learn the ins and outs of all insurance products so that we can explain it to you in layman’s terms.  In addition to umbrella insurance, we have extensive product knowledge of the following insurance products: auto, home, business. life, classic car, renters, motorcycle, RV and flood insurance.  

There are many benefits associated with renters insurance that you may not be aware of. At Jim Boyce Insurance, serving Matthews, NC, we believe it is important that you understand the benefits of the insurance products you purchase. With that being said, one of the benefits of renters insurance that you may not be aware of is displacement benefits. Here is some key information you should know about renters insurance and displacement benefits. 

What Are Displacement Benefits? 

Displacement benefits help to pay your living costs above and beyond what you normally pay in rent in the event that the home you are renting becomes inhabitable during the course of your lease due to a covered event. Having to pay for a few nights at a hotel or renting out a short term rental can be pricey. Your renter’s insurance policy helps to cover these extra costs, so an unexpected event does not financially impact you. 

When Might Displacement Benefits Be Needed? 

There are many reasons why displacement benefits may be needed. If the home you are renting catches fire and has severe damage, you may need somewhere to live while repairs are being made or you search for a new rental. The same is true if a pipe bursts in the home and causes a large amount of damage. Some policies may also provide displacement services if mold is found in the home, allowing you to stay out until it is safely removed. 

No one plans on something catastrophic happening to the place that they are renting. Having renters insurance can help you in case the unexpected becomes a reality. If you are a renter who does not have renters insurance in the greater Matthews, NC area, now may be the time to start thinking about purchasing a policy. Contact Jim Boyce Insurance today for a free estimate.