Who can benefit from umbrella insurance

Many types of insurance products include liability coverage. Liability coverage pays for medical and property damage caused by you or a member of your family. It also helps pay for legal fees and a judgment against you due to an accident or injury. At Asheville Insurance Center in Asheville, NC, we are locally owned and operated. As an independent agency, we offer our customers more choices. Our years of experience help us provide our customers with the information they need to make educated choices. 

If you have an insurance policy with liability coverage, you can probably benefit from umbrella insurance. Umbrella insurance adds more protection for your assets with an additional layer of liability protection. It is not a stand-alone policy to buy; you have to already have an insurance policy with liability coverage. It is an excess liability, above and beyond the liability that your policy already has. 

As many as 10% of people get sued every year. That is a lot of people and a lot of legal fees. If you have fundamental liability coverage, you may find that you have a lot of money you will have to pay out of your pocket. You can end up losing your assets and having your wages and future earnings garnished. You could suffer from decreased wages for years over one judgment. Having an umbrella policy could save you from this outcome. 

If you have any assets, you can benefit from umbrella insurance. It will work with your auto, home, boat, and condo insurance. It even works well with renters insurance. You don’t have to own a home to have assets; you may even have both a home you own and one you rent. 

If you have questions you need to be answered about umbrella insurance, call Asheville Insurance Center in Asheville, NC, or visit the office. We can provide a no-obligation quote.

Why Do I Need Flood Insurance?

If you have renters insurance or homeowners insurance, you probably wonder if getting another coverage is worth it. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, flooding is the number one natural hazard in the US. This means that your property faces an increased risk of flooding damage than it does from a fire hazard. To add to this, Asheville Insurance Center expounds on other reasons why you need flood insurance.

Your Homeowners Insurance Does Not Cover Flood Damage

The standard homeowner’s insurance may provide coverage for damage to your property from perils such as fire hazards but will often leave out the damage caused by floods. Due to the varying degrees of risk in the country, flood coverage is different in each state, so consider checking with your Asheville, NC agent on the contents covered by your policy. 

Flooding Can Occur Due to several Things

Apart from heavy rains, flooding can occur due to numerous reasons. Weather extremities such as mudslides, spring thaws, and hurricanes have been found to lead to flooding, meaning damage to your property can occur at any time. In addition to these, damaged drainage systems and inadequate levees and dams are other events that can cause harm to your assets. Rather than wait for any to occur, make it a point to get proper flood coverage.

A Few Inches of Water Can Cause Enormous Damage

Flooding disasters do not always require significant water accumulation. One inch of water is enough to cause damage to home valuables such as furniture and electronic equipment, with replacement costs likely to stack up into serious expenses. In unexpected weather catastrophes, vehicles and buildings will also face added damage, resulting in unimaginable destruction. So, why wait for these hazards to wreak havoc in your home?

Reach out to Asheville Insurance Center today for more details on flood coverage. Our Asheville, NC agents will guide you through your preferred options, keeping you protected from flood damage.

Basic Facts To Consider While Researching Condo Insurance

Asheville Insurance Center proudly serves the Asheville, NC community. We strive to make sure that residents find the coverage they need to protect their assets. We are an independent insurance agency. We can help you find policies to manage any risks that come your way.

Basic Condo Insurance Facts

Asheville, NC is home to several visually appealing condos. Staying in a condo includes multiple unique advantages. You may feel less stress compared to staying in a larger home. You won’t be required to perform regular maintenance on the outside of a home, as well as regular landscaping. However, there are still risks worth considering. That’s why you should consider the benefits of condo insurance.

Condo insurance helps you protect your personal items if they are damaged or stolen. Liability coverage is also an important part of your policy. Liability coverage protects you if someone is injured while visiting your property. This is especially important if you plan to host many friends and family over to your condo. Also, keep in mind that other people are living very close to you. If you accidentally start a fire or another type of disaster, liability coverage will protect you if you damage someone else’s property.

Condo insurance covers the interior of your unit as well. Any damage to the floors, walls, carpet, and lights is protected. If you have any luxury items inside your condo, you’ll have to amend your policy to cover those items if they are vandalized or stolen. Make sure that you read your manual and stay up to date on your homeowner’s association guidelines.

Asheville Insurance Center Will Help You Find The Coverage You Need

Contact our office to learn more information about condo insurance.

When Should You Shop For New Auto Insurance?

Auto insurance is probably one of your most important monthly expenses. This is true mainly because you have a legal obligation to your community to carry auto insurance. Because of the high priority status, auto insurance should have in your budget. It is important to make sure you are always getting the best deal.  At Asheville Insurance Center, serving Asheville, NC, we want to help you make the best insurance choices. Keep reading to find out when you should be shopping around for new auto insurance. 

Annually

To make sure you are always getting the best deal, it is a good idea to shop around and compare rates at least once a year. This gives you the chance to see if other companies have started any new promotions or initiated any new discounts. 

Getting Married

If you are getting married, then you will want to discuss with your spouse new auto insurance. Auto insurance companies often offer discounts for married couples. Combining two policies can also make you eligible for special discounts sometimes as well. 

Buying a Home 

Many insurance companies offer discounts for those who also own a home. If you are in the home buying process, you should take the time to compare companies to see who may have the best discounts available for you. 

Adding a Driver

If you have a now driving-age teenager, you will need to add them to your insurance. You want to make sure you can get the best deal possible during this important change. Compare rates and find out if companies offer good student discounts. 

If you would like to learn more about our insurance products, please contact us at Asheville Insurance Center, serving Asheville, NC. We will be happy to answer your questions and try to get you the best possible insurance rates. 

Types of Commercial Insurance

Historic Asheville, NC offers many exciting things to do and see. If you own one of its businesses or plan to start a new business, you have a few extra steps to go through, such as obtaining permissions from the historical society if you want to locate your business in a historic building or location. It would be best if you also had business insurance, also referred to as commercial insurance.

More than ten commercial insurance versions exist, including E&O for manufacturers and commercial auto for fleet vehicles. That makes it tough to decide which policy to buy. With business insurance, there is not a one-size-fits-all policy. You must obtain proper insurance to reduce the financial risk of your business. You should obtain a free consultation from Asheville Insurance Center to determine which type of commercial insurance your business requires.

Even those running a home business need special commercial insurance such as a commercial auto policy to protect their vehicle while doing business. Let’s take a commercial auto policy as an example. You would probably not guess that three types exist – a full coverage general policy, public hire livery insurance, private hire livery insurance. The general policy a business owner needs for the auto they drive to meets, worksites, etc. Livery insurance applies to drivers of passenger carrying vehicles. A taxi or cab driver needs public hire livery insurance, while a limousine driver requires private hire livery insurance. The wrong policy does not cover loss or reduce the risk associated with doing business. Only by meeting with your insurance agent and conferring with them can you determine which of the following policy types your business needs:

  • Tenant’s policy
  • Law or ordinance
  • Officers’ and directors’ liability policy
  • Professional liability, also called malpractice.
  • Inland marine
  • Glass
  • Errors and omissions (E & O)
  • Debris removal
  • Crime
  • Commercial auto
  • Construction, also called builder’s risk.
  • Business interruption
  • Business owner’s policy (BOP) combines the four most necessary policy types.
  • Boiler and machinery are also called equipment breakdown.

Call or stop by Asheville Insurance Center today. We serve the Asheville, NC metro with the insurance it needs to do business with reduced risk. Let us help you find what you need.

3 Benefits of Having Recreational Insurance

Recreational insurance is a great idea if you want to make sure that your vacation goes smoothly. Accidents do happen and can be quite costly if you don’t have the right type of insurance coverage. The benefits of having recreational insurance will help you maintain financial security if something goes wrong. Residents of Asheville, NC can rely on the agents of Asheville Insurance Center for answers.

Reduces Your Liability

Recreational insurance reduces your liability if someone is injured on one of your ATVs or at your camping area. The right policy will provide appropriate liability coverage to ensure that you have what is needed to protect you, your family, and your guests.

Covers Damages to Property

In addition to reducing your liability, recreational insurance will also cover damages to property. Covering property damage can take the burden off of you financially if an accident occurs while you are on a recreational vehicle out in the woods or the sand. Property damage can take many forms, so discussing your insurance needs with an agent is a must.

Peace of Mind

Having recreational insurance in place also gives you peace of mind. With the right recreational policy in place, you won’t have to worry about financial disaster if an accident occurs. Having peace of mind will actually allow you to enjoy the time you spend with your family and friends.

If you live in the Asheville, NC area and are looking for quality recreational insurance, the agents of Asheville Insurance Center can help. We have the experience and the knowledge to come up with the best recreational insurance policy for you. Having a personalized recreational policy is the best way to have peace of mind and a sense of security.

Why do I need renters insurance in North Carolina

North Carolina is a wonderful place to call home. It has great amenities, spectacular scenery and of course the Outerbanks. Rentals in Asheville are more affordable than most other cities across the county. It has been attracting people who want to relocate for years. Given all the good things about North Carolina, you may wonder why I need renters insurance? At Asheville Insurance Center, we are family owned and provide personalized service with honesty and integrity. We have years of experience, making sure we meet our customer’s insurance needs.

As a renter, you may have thought that your landlord has insurance that protects you. It doesn’t. It protects the building itself and anything that belongs to the landlord but does nothing for you. You must purchase your own insurance, or everything you own is at risk. 

Renter’s insurance offers a few different kinds of protection. Being able to replace all that you own is valuable coverage even if it was the only one offered, but it isn’t. Renter’s insurance also provides liability coverage and loss of use protection. 

If a covered peril damages or destroys your rental, you would be without possessions. You own a lot more than you probably realize, and having to replace everything can be quite expensive. Think about all the clothing you own, the furniture in your rental, and all the things in your kitchen. It would be a nightmare without renters insurance. 

Liability coverage protects you from an injury to someone visiting your rental or away from the rental by a member of your family, even a furry one. It can protect you from a judgment against you.  

Loss of use gives you the help you need to have a place to stay while your rental is uninhabitable. 

At Asheville Insurance Center Asheville, NC, we understand what valuable coverage renter’s insurance provides. We would love to sit down with you and discuss your particular insurance needs 

Three things you might not know about motorhome insurance

If you own a motorhome in Asheville, NC, it’s important that you find the right solution for insuring it. A motorhome is a valuable possession. Owning one subjects you to certain liabilities.

At Asheville Insurance Center, we offer insurance policies to protect you against liabilities and protect your assets related to motorhome ownership. The following are three things you might not know about motorhome insurance.

There are three different motorhome classes. 

Motorhomes are classified into three classes when it comes to motorhome insurance. The three classes are Class A, Class B, and Class C. Generally, they are classed according to their size and the number of people they accommodate.

The smaller classification is for Class B motorhomes, which are no longer than 21 feet and sleep four or less. Class A motorhomes are the largest and measure between 21 and 40 feet. Class C motorhomes are no longer than 33 feet and sleep up to six people.

The price of insuring a motorhome depends in part on what class it is. It’s good to be aware of what class motorhome you have when you’re shopping for insurance. 

Motorhome insurance policies specify recreational or full-time coverage.

You’ll need to specify whether you use your motorhome for vacationing or as a full-time residence when you purchase a policy. Full-time coverage policies are likely to be a little more expensive. However, they also offer more coverage than policies specified for recreational use. 

Motorhome coverage types include liability, collision, comprehensive, and more.

Motorhome coverage is much like auto insurance coverage. The main types of coverage are liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. You may want to consider some additional coverage types: uninsured motorist, personal property, and residential liability coverage. 

Let us assist you with selecting your motorhome insurance policy in Asheville, NC. Contact us by phone or on the Web at Asheville Insurance Center with your motorhome insurance inquiries and questions. 

Safety tips for RV travelers

Personal safety while camping in Asheville, NC is something that should always stick to your mind, as keeping you and your family safe is paramount. Remember, not everyone came to the campground with the same purpose as you, and sometimes, just buying RV insurance is not always enough. You need to take personal steps into ensuring that your family and RV are safe.

Here is what Asheville Insurance Center recommends doing when you are out to camp.

  • Always keep your doors and windows closed: You never know who is waiting for you to get into your RV and steal your possessions. Most RVs share the same locking systems, so never leave valuables anywhere on your RV. You can use a safe or take them with you when heading out.
  • Drive defensively: This means you can stay safe by avoiding road mishaps and keeping up with the allowed speed. You will be more careful when entering and exiting highways. Defensive driving means keeping in mind that the other guy in front or behind you is not as conscientious as you.
  • Always check your RV before leaving the parking lot: Check for faults or signs that could lead to driving problems before starting your trip. This will save you time, energy, and resources while also ensuring that you are safe. You can also take your time to learn some simple RV repairs.
  • Beware of your environment: This may sound obvious for most campers in North Carolina, but unfortunately, many people end up ignoring or forgetting about their surroundings. Before you decide to park your RV and stop anywhere, please take a good look at the neighborhood and its safety.
  • The weather is a must check: Never leave for a camp without checking the weather. Even after getting a clear sign, don’t ignore signs of weather change. Bad weather can be disastrous when driving a loaded RV.

Staying safe starts with you. At Asheville Insurance Center, we care about your safety. For more information on RV life, feel free to contact our office in Asheville, NC.

Why You Need the Right Motorcycle Insurance Policy

There’s a lot of freedom in riding a motorcycle, but there’s also responsibility and a need to be careful. Part of that comes with being safe on the road, and some of it’s based on having proper motorcycle insurance to protect you and your investment in your bike. At Asheville Insurance Center, we want to help all of the motorcycle riders in the Asheville, NC area have good quality insurance policies they can rely on for their safety, security, and peace of mind. There’s no reason to settle for a low level of coverage when you want more protection, and we can help you make sure you have the type and level of coverage that’s right for you.

Just like with a car, insurance for a motorcycle has different coverage options and choices. Some people want more coverage, and others want less, depending on several factors. Whether you use your bike for your daily commute or you only ride it on the weekends, there’s a policy that’s going to be right for your needs and lifestyle. The best way to find that policy is to work with a knowledgeable agent who can offer plenty of great information about the choices you have for coverage.

Reach out to us today at Asheville Insurance Center, and let us answer your motorcycle insurance questions. If you’re in the Asheville, NC area, we’re here to help you. Our agents are committed to quality and value, and we want to be sure you’re getting all that you need to be comfortable and feel secure on the road. Whether you’re a new rider or you’ve enjoyed the experience of riding a motorcycle for years, it’s vital to make sure your policy is the right one for your bike and the amount of riding you do. We’ll help you find what works.