Do I Need to Insure My RV When I’m Not Using It?

RVs are a home away from home for many Matthews, NC residents. Some may spend a long weekend in a campground, while others might spend weeks on the road. Regardless of how you use your RV, there are likely times when it stays parked for extended periods throughout the year. It’s not uncommon for RV owners to spend this time wondering if they even need to continue paying for their insurance when it’s not being used. 

Before you choose to let your policy lapse, it’s crucial that you consider the implications of doing so. The team at Jim Boyce Insurance is here to tell you about a few reasons you need to insure your RV year-round.

It May Be a Requirement

Like when buying a home or car, you may have taken out a loan to purchase your RV. If so, your lender will likely require you to keep a minimum amount of insurance on the RV until the loan is repaid to protect their investment. Likewise, if you keep your RV at a storage facility, the facility’s owner may require you to provide storage insurance.

Disasters Can Strike at Anytime

Even if your RV is paid for in full, it’s still a significant asset. Depending on where and how you store your RV, it may be at risk of damage from fires, floods, severe storms, theft, and more. Without an insurance policy, you’ll be left paying to repair or replace your RV out of your own pocket.

Speak With An Experienced Agent About Insuring Your RV Today!

Here at Jim Boyce Insurance in Matthews, NC, we understand how important your RV is to you. Our team will work with you to find the right coverage for your needs. Protect yourself today!

Will Motorcycle Insurance Fully Cover the Cost of Repairs?

When you have something nice, something that costs you a lot of money, something you take great pride in, you want to keep it protected. You want to keep the things you love safe. In the real world, that can’t always happen. That’s why it’s so important to have something like motorcycle insurance. No one can protect your bike from all the bad things out there in the world. But you can get coverage to help you repair or replace your motorcycle if bad things happen.

There are different levels of motorcycle insurance and different coverage types to choose from. Full-coverage policies, for example, will replace your entire motorcycle if it is heavily damaged or stolen. Full-coverage insurance is the most expensive option, but it’s not as expensive as paying for a new motorcycle.

Other types of insurance can partially cover some repairs or won’t cover any motorcycle repairs at all, so the type of insurance you get and the policy you use make a huge difference. If you want to make sure your motorcycle repairs or replacement will be fully covered, you need to make sure you have full coverage insurance with a policy that is big enough to cover the cost of the bike in its entirety. 

Use Jim Boyce Insurance to explore your options when seeking coverage to protect your bike in the Matthews, NC area. Please find out how much coverage is available, how much coverage you need, and how to get it at reasonable prices. Because when you have something beautiful, it needs to be protected. Find the right way to protect your motorcycle and get the necessary insurance. 

Does Umbrella Insurance Protection Against Theft?

Umbrella insurance is essential for individuals with liability risks exceeding their current policy’s limitations. Anyone interested in purchasing an umbrella insurance policy in the Matthews, NC area can count on Jim Boyce Insurance to provide quality insurance products that provide security and peace of mind. 

Umbrella Insurance Coverage 

Umbrella insurance is designed to provide extra liability protection that exceeds the limits of the current insurance policy that’s in place. This insurance coverage is ideal for many instances and can help prevent substantial risks and losses associated with a liability-related event. Before selecting an umbrella insurance policy, it’s essential to understand your level of risk and potential claims that may affect you in the future. However, if you’re currently shopping for umbrella policies and are unsure of the level of coverage you need, our experts can help.

Our team of professional insurance agents will carefully assess your current situation and offer suggestions and options that meet or exceed your current needs. We are committed to providing superior customer service before, during, and after the policy purchase. Agents can assist with document submission and any changes to the policy throughout its lifetime. We can even assist with submitting claims information.

Find Out More Today 

Suppose you’re currently interested in learning more about insurance options for an umbrella policy. In that case, you can contact an agent at Jim Boyce Insurance, serving the residents in and around the Matthews, NC area. Call or stop by our office today to schedule a consultation with an insurance agent or get answers to any questions about our insurance products and services. We strive to provide the best customer support and services to individuals living in the area so they can protect the things they care about most.

Should I Get Renter’s Insurance Even If My Landlord Doesn’t Require It?

When your landlord does not state in the lease that you need renter’s insurance, it might seem like an optional insurance policy. Unfortunately, at Jim Boyce Insurance in Matthews, NC, we’ve seen firsthand how putting off getting renter’s insurance can have negative consequences for renters, even if their landlord does not penalize them for not having coverage. 

What is renter’s insurance?

Renter’s insurance, also known as "tenant’s insurance," covers damages, repairs, and replacement of certain belongings, such as furniture, in the event of a qualifying disaster. Tenants who rent houses, apartments, or condos use renter’s insurance to cover repairs, medical expenses if found at fault in an accident in the unit, and more.

Is renter’s insurance required by law in North Carolina?

While North Carolina laws do not require tenants to purchase renter’s insurance, many landlords do include a requirement in their lease for the tenant to buy renter’s insurance. The reason for this is simple: renter’s insurance is an effective way for the tenant to cover damages and the cost of replacing belongings in a fire, theft, or other qualifying events. Even if a landlord doesn’t require it, you should get renter’s insurance as a tenant so that you don’t have to worry as much about potential disasters.

Should I get renter’s insurance even if my lease does not require it?

While you don’t have to get renter’s insurance in that case, the benefits of having renter’s insurance outweigh the disadvantages. Since renter’s insurance doesn’t cover retroactive claims, having it today means you’re prepared for whatever happens once coverage kicks in.

Call Jim Boyce Insurance in Matthews, NC today to explore our renter’s insurance policies!

Must Know Stats About Classic Cars (and Why Folks Need Classic Car Insurance)

Are you interested in classic cars? Perhaps you own one or are looking to pick one up? If so, it’s wise to take out classic car insurance, which will provide protection should a vehicle be damaged during various events. That said, discussing specifics with a car insurance expert is important. Live around Matthews, NC? Contact Jim Boyce Insurance to explore classic car insurance.

Car Production Was Much Smaller in the Past

In 1950, just 10 million cars were produced globally. Meanwhile, a few years ago, before supply chain shortages, annual car production reached nearly 100 million. As a result, cars, in general, were much rarer 70 years ago.

Generally speaking, the rarer a desired good is, the more expensive. Classic cars can easily cost more than their current year counterparts.

Few Cars Reach Their Golden Years

Cars are (largely) meant to be driven. As vehicles get used, they may also get used up. Salt on the road, hail, and even simple sunlight can cause damage (e.g., rust). Millions of car accidents unfold each year, and many vehicles will end up totaled. 

Roughly 15 percent of cars for a given make, model, and year will leave the market yearly. Thus, if 10 million 2023 Mustangs are sold in 2023, only 8.5 million might be left a year later.

There Are Around 10 Million Pre-1990 Cars Left

From 1900 to 1990, many tens of millions of cars were manufactured. Yet only about 10 million pre-1990 cars are left, and that number will drop with time. As a result, classic cars will only become rarer, thus making them more valuable. It’s generally a wise idea to ensure valuable property is protected by insurance, such as classic car insurance.

Want to discuss classic car insurance and live near Matthews, NC? Contact Jim Boyce Insurance to discuss coverage options.

Why You Need Life Insurance

When one of your household providers suffers a sudden and untimely death or disability, you might ask what’s next. If your answer is you don’t know, now is the best time to know. Jim Boyce Insurance in Matthews, NC can help.

Why Life Insurance?

Life insurance isn’t just for when someone dies. Life insurance can help with medical expenses, burial costs, and estate taxes. In some cases, you can cash out your life insurance if you’ve received a diagnosis of a terminal illness that might kill you soon. Insurance can support your survivors when they need to replace your income. It can replace funds you need to cover monthly bills and expenses, daycare, tuition, and planning for retirement. Life insurance is responsible for any family’s planning in case a wage earner dies unexpectedly.

How Can Jim Boyce Insurance Help?

Jim Boyce Insurance can help you find the right amount of life and accident coverage to cover your family’s needs and expenses. We can work with you to help fund your family’s charitable trust, if any, or to set aside money for children to finish their education from K-12 to Ph.D.

We can help protect yourself or a loved one against the financial devastation of death. Our trained and licensed agents, serving Matthews, NC, can help you find policies from nationally recognized insurance companies. We can help you understand different insurance policies’ specifics, strengths, and weaknesses. And we can do all of this either over the phone or from our office. If you have questions about how your insurance will cover you in North Carolina, we can help.

Call or visit Jim Boyce Insurance in Matthews, NC today for a free, no-obligation life insurance quote. Tomorrow might be too late.

Umbrella Insurance Takes Over Where Other Coverage Stops

What happens if an event occurs that requires more coverage than you currently have with your property or vehicle policies? Contact the insurance professionals at Jim Boyce Insurance of Matthews, NC. We can answer this and all your other questions regarding umbrella insurance.

Umbrella insurance provides extra protection on top of your current coverage. It can give you $1 million worth of coverage in addition to your homeowners or automobile policy limits.

Without umbrella insurance coverage, you could wind up paying out of pocket for damage to someone’s property or if you injure someone. Your existing policies may not provide enough coverage for:

  • Damage or injuries caused by your renters
  • The damage you cause to the property of others
  • Injuries you cause to others
  • Lawsuits such as defamation or slander

Without an umbrella policy, your savings or property could be at risk if you are involved in a lawsuit or major accident. Lawsuits can happen to anyone – not just the wealthy. You can be sued even if you feel you are not at fault.

Liability claims are usually expensive. Paying for them out-of-pocket could take several years. Umbrella insurance will cover the cost of your legal defense.

It goes without saying that the more you have, the more you stand to lose. Don’t let an accident or event jeopardize everything you have worked hard for. Lawsuits are becoming increasingly common. Be prepared. An umbrella insurance policy will protect you beyond your standard auto or homeowner’s policies.

The insurance professionals at Jim Boyce Insurance can help answer all your questions about why umbrella insurance would be right for you. Contact us today. You will be glad you did.

3 reasons why you shouldn’t put off getting renter’s insurance

Matthews, NC area residents can turn to the Jim Boyce Insurance team for all their insurance needs. We are here to answer any questions that you may have and help you find a policy that will best meet your needs. Call our office today to learn more about your renter insurance options.

Finding the Right Renter’s Insurance

Regarding renter’s insurance, there’s no time like the present. When you move into a new place, you will ideally already have this protection in place. Here are three great reasons to make renter’s insurance a priority:

  1. Your landlord’s insurance won’t cover your belongings – you are responsible for protecting your rental unit and personal belongings.
  2. You could also have protection from losses away from home – some policies will compensate for losses like theft outside of the home.
  3. Starting from scratch and having to replace all of your belongings can cause financial distress – if you suffer a major catastrophe, like a fire, it can cause more stress than anyone would want. Having the proper protection in place can help make it easier to recover from such an unwanted event.

These are just a few reasons why renter’s insurance should be on your "must-have" list!

Let us help you find the policy that’s right for you

Jim Boyce Insurance is proud to serve the insurance needs of the greater Matthews, NC community. You can rely on us if you have questions about renter’s insurance or any other type of insurance. Call us today to set up an appointment or visit our office to learn more about renter’s insurance.

Do You Have a Flood Emergency Preparedness Kit?

When a flood hits, it can cause damage and disruption. But you can take steps to make sure you and your family are safe in Matthews, NC. In this blog, Jim Boyce Insurance will discuss some of the smart preparations you should take when making a flood preparedness kit.

The Basics

After a flood, you may be alone without power or water for several days. It is critical to ensure you have a properly stocked and maintained flood preparedness kit. A flood preparedness kit should include the following:

  1.  Enough drinkable water to last you for at least three days. Each member of your family should have a gallon of water per day.
  2. At least three days’ worth of non-perishable food. Non-perishable means it will not spoil quickly, such as canned or dried foods. If you stock canned food, keep a hand-operated can opener. Please do not rely on frozen foods, as they will not keep for long once the power is out.
  3. A stand-alone battery-powered radio, at minimum. A better set-up is to have one radio to monitor local stations and an NOAA weather radio. An NOAA weather radio has a battery that will last for several years. If you worry about the batteries going dead in your other radios, invest in a hand-crank or solar radio.
  4. A flashlight and extra batteries.
  5. A first aid kit and a dust mask.
  6. Garbage bags, twist ties, and moist towelettes for sanitation and personal hygiene.
  7. You’ll need wrenches, pliers, and other tools to turn off the utilities.

Find Flood Insurance

Just a single inch of floodwater can cause more than $25,000 in damage to your home. Flood insurance does not come standard with your homeowner’s policy. Contact Jim Boyce Insurance today to protect your Matthews, NC home.

Is RV Insurance Mandatory?

When the weather is warm and cozy, it’s the best time to hit the road with your RV. But hear this: never leave home without RV insurance. This coverage protects you, your loved ones, and the vehicle during your travels. But is RV insurance mandatory in North Carolina? Jim Boyce Insurance of Matthews, NC has the answer.

Is RV insurance required in North Carolina?

Since an RV acts as a vehicle and home, most people are confused about whether insurance is mandatory. Just like your vehicle, RVs must have insurance to be driven legally on the road. At the minimum, you must purchase $30,000/$60,000 bodily injury liability and property damage liability of $25,000. These liability policies are meant to protect other people on the road.

It’s important to note that basic insurance won’t protect you when faced with a significant liability claim. Increase your liability limit or consider umbrella insurance if you need higher and broader liability coverage.

RV Insurance options

RV insurance isn’t only limited to the state requirements — there are other options to consider for optimum protection. These include:

  • Comprehensive coverage: It covers loss or damage to your RV when faced with non-collision perils like fire, theft, and vandalism.
  • Collision coverage: It covers physical damage to your RV after a collision with another motorist or stationary object.
  • Personal property coverage: You unquestionably have items like clothing, electronics, and other belongings in your RV. Invest in this coverage to cover losses or damage to your personal assets.
  • Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage: This policy covers medical costs for you and your passengers after a road accident.
  • Road assistance: It covers towing and issues like puncture repair, battery jump-starting, gas delivery, and locked-out keys.

Are you looking for an affordable RV insurance policy in Matthews, NC? Please get in touch with Jim Boyce Insurance.