Stress Free Moving Comes from Great Packing

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How items are packed determines if they will make it safely through a move and arrive undamaged at the new location. Many like to save money by packing their own things, instead of paying others to do the packing. Be aware that when the items are self-packed, a professional moving company will not take responsibility for any damage to goods, which occurs during the moving process, caused by bad packing of the items.

For those doing self-packing, here are a few packing tips that reduce the stress of a move and the chances of damage when moving:

  • Before the move, do a clutter purge. Get rid of any unneeded items. Throw out expired medicines. Give away or have a yard sale for items that did not see any use for the past year. Reduce refrigerated food to a minimum.
  • Before starting the packing process, have plenty of packing supplies, which includes free boxes collected in advance from stores in the neighborhood, wide markers, colored duct tape, scissors, old newspapers, and a notebook for recording the inventory.
  • It is important to pack a “first night” box to open first in the new location. Put all the items that are critical for a normal daily routine in this box. This helps tremendously while unpacking the other boxes and when putting stuff away.
  • Use softer items, such as towels, sheets, clothes, socks, etc. as packing materials to protect fragile items like glassware.
  • Pack books, which are very heavy, in small boxes.
  • Color code boxes with the colored duct tape, using one-color for each room. Number the boxes and label them with the pen, using a general description of the contents. Write the numbers and detailed descriptions in the inventory notebook. This helps to find things later.

One other important thing is to get homeowner’s or renter’s insurance for the new location and cancel the coverage of the old location after the move is complete. Check with the agents at Jim Boyce Insurance by using the website to get a quote for home insurance or a renter’s insurance policy.

ATV tips for first-time riders in Charlotte, North Carolina

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Charlotte, North Carolina is the biggest city in the state, but that doesn’t mean it is easy to get out into the forests and countryside to ride your new ATV. However, if you are going to make this a regular hobby, make sure you have taken the proper precautions to protect your expensive new toy and yourself as you ride your four wheeler around the wilds of North Carolina.

TAKE IT SLOW AND PRACTICE FIRST

Don’t just throw yourself into the fire so to speak when you start riding your ATV. Find a flat field or large patch of dirt and learn how your ATV rides. Practice turning, accelerating, braking—all of the techniques you will be using regularly when you are riding down trails in the middle of the forest. The more familiar you are with these basic riding techniques, the less of a chance you will have an accident, hurting yourself or your ATV.

ALWAYS RIDE WITH SOMEONE ELSE

Make sure you’re not setting out all by yourself on your ATV, especially when you are first learning how to really ride. Another ATV rider with their own vehicle should be with you, so that if there is an accident and someone is hurt, or one of the ATVs has a mechanical failure, you won’t be stranded in the middle of nowhere. Cell phones aren’t enough here, because reception is often spotty in these back country ATV riding areas. So convince a buddy to come along every time you go riding.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE PROPERLY INSURED

The chances of you having an accident of some kind on your ATV when you first start riding is usually pretty high. So you will want to make sure you and your all terrain vehicle are properly insured so that the damage caused by whatever accident happens isn’t also damaging your pocketbook. Check with a company like Jim Boyce Insurance, who serves the greater Charlotte area, for an ATV rider’s policy that works for your needs.

Getting Involved in Your New Community: 6 Ways to Give Back

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Moving is generally very exciting, but sometimes it can be difficult or stressful, as well. That’s especially true if you move to a new place and you aren’t sure where things are or you don’t know anyone in the area. Fortunately, there are great ways to get involved in your new community, and one of those ways is through giving back to others. Here are six ways to do that.

1). Donate your time – There are all kinds of organizations that can use your time and help. Picking the one that you feel best about and getting started can give you purpose and help you meet people.

2). Offer up your talents – Really good at doing something? Let people know, and work with organizations that can use that talent to help others.

3). Adopt a shelter pet – Pets can make you happy and give you a lot of joy, and you’ll be saving a life at the same time.

4). Work with the homeless – There are many reasons someone can end up without a home, but you can help make their lives a little brighter.

5). Give blood – It saves lives, and it’s a great way to give back to your local community.

6). Spend money at local businesses – They could use your help, and that money can help them continue to give back, as well.

When you’re insured by someone in your community like Jim Boyce Insurance, you can stay more involved in the local area and also feel like you’re working with a business that has your best interests at heart. Charlotte, NC is a great place to be, and when you’re new getting involved can take a little time. It’s worth the effort, though, to become a part of your community and enjoy all that working with others to make your little corner of the world a better place has to offer.

3 Ways to Prevent Road Rage

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Whether you are in the car with your family or driving alone, it’s important that you block the urge for road rage. Driving recklessly increases your chances of getting into an automobile accident, which can threaten your lives. Our team at Jim Boyce Insurance recommends that you following these easy driving techniques to prevent road rage.

Always Make Excuses for the Other Driver

With a focus on getting your family to your destination safely, you shouldn’t engage other drivers who may be driving recklessly. To avoid engagement, you can mentally make excuses for these drivers. For instance, you can consider their honking as a way of telling you hello. You can also consider a driver who cuts you off in a hurry. The goal of making excuses instead of engaging allows prevents you from becoming excited, which protects your family in the end.

Pull Over if You Are Being TailGated

Tailgating is the act of driving too close to a car you are following. If someone is tailgating you, there is pressure for you to drive faster. You can avoid the urge to speed by simply pulling over. Pulling over allows the driver who is in a hurry to pass you safely and without incidence.

Plan Your Trip

Another way you can avoid road rage is by building enough travel time into your schedule. Since many people who have road rage are typically running late, with more time, you won’t have the urge. Additionally, planning your trip to work or an outing with your family will allow you to save gas because you won’t have to speed.

In addition to offering road rage prevention tips, our team at Jim Boyce Insurance offers a suite of auto insurance products. If you are in the market for insurance, or you simply want to compare rates, please give a member of our team a call.

 

Insurance & Other Topics For Driving Abroad

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When you decide to drive overseas, there are quite a few things you need to know. This includes knowing about driving requirements, road signs, and various roles within the country. The more you can do to prepare, the safe or you can be while you drive in the country of your choosing.

Insurance

You need to have some kind of coverage when you are driving abroad. This can protect you against crashes as well as damage even when your car is in a parking lot. Coverage may be provided by the rental car company and possibly even with your credit card, so it’s a good idea to look at your options.

Driving Privileges

In most countries, all you need to do is show your U.S. driver’s license. However, you may need an International Driving Permit. An IDP can be obtained for a small fee from AAA and various other auto clubs.

Preparing for the Drive Itself

Driving in another country can be scary and stressful because of the different road signs, languages, and even laws. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the rules wherever you’re going. You should also have a GPS so you always have access to directions.

You may be on the “wrong” side of the road and the rental car company may only have a manual for you to drive. Prepare for both of these so you can handle it when you get on the road. If you’re not comfortable behind the wheel at any time, it’s best to rely solely on public transportation. Even if you are comfortable, public transport is a good idea in the big cities.

Help is available to keep you safe on the roads. Call and talk to one of our agents at Jim Boyce Insurance today so that you can learn more about auto insurance, rate comparisons, and more.

 

 

 

Make Sure You Have an Emergency Kit in Your Car

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North Carolina isn’t known for its blizzards, but road conditions can quickly become hazardous once temperatures drop to or below freezing. Because cities like Charlotte, NC don’t have the equipment that snowier places in the Northern United States have, even just a little snow, freezing rain or sleet can make streets slick. Therefore, if you live in Charlotte and own a car, it’s important to prepare a winter emergency kit. At Jim Boyce Insurance, we also recommend reviewing your insurance coverages before the cold weather and precipitation come.

Making a Winter Emergency Kit

A winter emergency kit should have everything you need to stay safe on the side of the road, and enough supplies to keep you fed, hydrated and warm until help comes. We recommend including a set of flares and a flashlight in your emergency kit, as these will help make you visible if you break down on the side of the road. Your kit should also have plenty of snacks and water, along with a blanket for when temperatures are low.

Checking Your Auto Insurance

While everyone should have the same basic supplies in their winter emergency kit, there isn’t a set of coverages that everyone should have in their auto insurance policy. Drivers in Charlotte at least need to maintain the state’s minimum required levels of auto insurance, but it’s often wise to purchase more coverage than is required by state law. Which additional coverages you should invest in will depend on your individual situation.

At Jim Boyce Insurance, we can help you determine what auto insurance coverages you ought to have. Our agents will discuss the different options with you and help you find an affordable policy that meets your needs. If you aren’t comfortable selecting coverages on your own, contact our agents through our website — before the temperatures drop anymore.

 

Make Sure Your Home Will Be Warm and Safe Come Winter

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With the onset of fall, winter’s cold temperatures are just around the corner. Even in southern towns like Georgetown, TX, heating a home during the upcoming months can be expensive. If you live in Georgetown or a nearby town, here’s how to make sure your home will be warm when winter arrives.

Keeping Your Home Warm

Taking a few steps to prepare your home for the coming cold will reduce your energy costs all winter long. Although these suggestions cost money, they aren’t expensive, and they’ll make sure your home is comfortably warm and safely heated. To get your home ready for the heating season:

  • seal up any drafts in your home
  • have your home’s furnace serviced
  • have your home’s chimney cleaned (if it has one)

Keeping Your Family Safe

In addition to readying your home for winter, the fall is also a good time to review your homeowners insurance policy. You should at least make sure your policy covers your home’s furnace and fireplace before you start using them again. You also, however, might want to shop around and see how your current premiums compare with the going market rates for homeowners insurance in Georgetown, TX.

If you’d like help reviewing your homeowners insurance, contact us at Jim Boyce Insurance. We’ve served many families in Georgetown, and we’d be honored to help yours, too. No matter how you found your current policy, our independent insurance agents can review it and show you how it stacks up to policies from other companies. If there’s a better deal available, they can help you switch.

To get in touch with us, contact our office on the phone or through our website. We have agents ready to help you as soon as you reach them.