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Here’s How Motorcycles Have Evolved Over the Years

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Since their inception in the 19th century, motorcycles have undergone significant evolution. While safety has improved in some aspects, the increased speed of modern bikes can heighten risks. In this article, we’ll explore the evolution of the motorcycle. If you need assistance in selecting the right insurance plan in Asheville, NC, contact the Asheville Insurance Center. We’re always ready to help.

The Progression of Motorcycle Technology

Motorcycles represented a significant breakthrough in the 19th century, marking the end of the horse era and the beginning of modern transportation. The precursors to modern motorcycles, often powered by steam, started to appear in the 1860s. By the end of the 19th century, combustion-engine-powered bikes were becoming common and increasingly popular.

War played a significant role in popularizing the motorcycle. During World War I, bikes gradually replaced horses as the preferred vehicle for messengers. Motorcycle production increased substantially to meet demand, and designs and engines were further refined. Triumph, in the United Kingdom alone, sold more than 30,000 bikes to support the war effort.

Today, motorcycles are faster, feature better brakes and other safety systems, and increasingly use electric engines. Increased speeds mean that motorcycles today can lead to more serious accidents in the wrong hands. Fortunately, defensive driving and the right safety gear can greatly mitigate risks. Modern motorcycle helmets and riding suits offer much better protection than their earlier counterparts.

It’s also wise to secure the appropriate insurance policies for motorcycles. The right plans will cover the bike and riders in the event of accidents and other incidents. If you need help selecting motorcycle insurance in Asheville, NC, the team at the Asheville Insurance Center can provide insights.

How Much Property Fits Under Umbrella Insurance?

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Umbrella insurance is aptly named because it can cover various properties. Instead of having separate insurance policies for your home, automobile, watercraft, and so forth, you can have them covered by just one umbrella insurance policy. You can even include liability under umbrella insurance. It sounds simple, but there must be limits. So, just how much property can you fit under your umbrella insurance?

What It Won’t Cover

There are some things that umbrella insurance doesn’t cover. Damage to yourself or personal belongings will have to be covered under other policies. Third-party contracts are not included. And, of course, if you’re at fault for any damage, you’re responsible. If you commit any criminal acts, you’re on your own.

What It Will Cover

To determine how much property can be covered under umbrella insurance, you need to assess the value of your properties. Have your car, house, and other properties appraised. Add up the values. This will give you an estimate of how large a policy you will need to cover everything. Remember that if your income increases, your assets may also increase. Consult your insurance agent to see which policy best suits you and your assets.

Contact Asheville Insurance Center in Asheville, NC

If you’re looking for a helpful and knowledgeable agent to discuss umbrella insurance with, we at Asheville Insurance Center would be happy to help. If you live in the Asheville, NC area, contact us soon, and we will help you decide what kind of insurance would best suit your unique needs.

Have a Snowmobile or ATV? You Need Recreational Insurance

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Recreational Insurance: A Must for Your ATV, Snowmobile, and More

If you own an ATV, snowmobile, dirt bike, or any other type of recreational vehicle, you may require recreational insurance for its protection. This is where Asheville Insurance Center steps in. We aim to help everyone in Asheville, NC enjoy their recreational vehicles to the fullest, backed by the peace of mind that comes from knowing they’re adequately insured. Collaborating with one of our dedicated agents can help ensure that you secure the right policy for your needs.

While enjoying recreational and off-road vehicles can be a thrilling experience, insuring them properly is not the same as insuring a car or truck. These vehicles have unique uses, which means they require unique protection. With quotes from a variety of insurers, you can select the right policy for your vehicles. Our agents will assist you in understanding which policy offers the type and level of protection you seek.

Don’t compromise, especially when off-roading can offer so many unique experiences. Whether you frequently use your recreational vehicles or only occasionally, having the right insurance means you can use them whenever it’s convenient for you, confident in their protection. Whether you store them on your property or in a storage facility, they’ll have the high-quality protection from loss and damage that you expect and deserve.

Contact us today at Asheville Insurance Center if you’re in the Asheville, NC area and seeking recreational insurance. We’re here to help you protect your dirt bike, snowmobile, ATV, or any other off-road or recreational vehicle. This way, you can truly enjoy your vehicle, knowing that you have excellent coverage and the right level of protection from a company you can trust.

My Apartment Was Broken Into. I Have Renter’s Insurance. What Now?

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A Guide to Handling a Break-In Under Renter’s Insurance

Let’s say your rental home or apartment has been broken into, and you’re now missing some belongings. If you’ve taken the foresight to acquire renter’s insurance, fear not! You’re already well-positioned to protect yourself from liability under such circumstances. Our team at Asheville Insurance Center servicing Asheville, NC is ready to help. Here’s what you should know.

Does Renters Insurance Cover Burglary?

Most renter’s insurance policies cover theft of personal belongings. Post-burglary, it may be challenging to identify which items are missing. A well-maintained home inventory can come in handy to discern what was present in your home previously and what is now absent.

What are the Immediate Steps Post-Burglary?

If you discover that your home has been burglarized, your first step should be to move to a safe location and report the theft to the police. You can report using the non-emergency number of your local police department. Your insurance company often requires a police report documenting the lost items, so make sure to do this. Document the scene by taking clear pictures, as your insurance company might request visual evidence.

How to File A Claim?

Once the police have been informed, contact your insurance agent to initiate the claim process. Every insurance company has its procedure, which may necessitate forms to be filled out. They may request information such as the serial number and model number of the stolen items.

Insurance policies can operate differently – some may cover the replacement value of lost items, while others compensate for the items’ cash value. Your insurance agent at Asheville Insurance Center, servicing Asheville, NC, can provide guidance on the next steps. We’re here to help, so call us today.

How to File a Motorhome Insurance Claim While Living in Asheville, NC

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As a motorhome owner in Asheville, NC, understanding how to file a claim effectively is crucial to ensure you receive fair compensation. Our team at Asheville Insurance Center in Asheville, NC, can guide you through the process of filing a motorhome insurance claim to help make the process smoother.

Contact Your Insurance Provider

After assessing the area for safety hazards following a storm, fire, or other damaging event, it’s crucial to contact your insurance provider immediately. Report the incident as soon as possible via phone, a mobile app, or even online, ensuring you have your full insurance policy details ready.

Document Incident Details

You will need to furnish detailed information about the incident as part of your claim process, including the date, time, and location of the incident. A comprehensive summary of the event you’re reporting is also necessary.

Complete and Submit Claim Forms

Fill out the claim form your insurance company provides. Include details about the damage, injuries (if any), and the incident overall in the report. Attach supporting documents such as repair estimates, photos, and relevant police reports.

Work With the Insurance Adjuster

A dedicated insurance adjuster may need to work with you as your claim is being processed. You can gather repair estimates from local service centers or repair shops during this time. Submitting these estimates to your insurance company and/or adjuster can help speed up the claims process.

Review the Settlement Offer

Once your claim is processed, your insurance company will present a settlement offer to cover repair costs. Ensure all repair needs are covered, post which you can accept or negotiate your insurance settlement offer.

Asheville Insurance Center Is Here To Help

At Asheville Insurance Center, we provide expert guidance for all your insurance needs, be it filing a claim or understanding your policy better. If you’re a motorhome owner in Asheville, NC, we’re here to assist you. Contact Asheville Insurance Center today to learn more.

How to Know if You Have Enough RV Coverage

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You know you need coverage for your RV, but you may wonder if you have enough. At Asheville Insurance Center in Asheville, NC, we offer RV insurance.

Liability Coverage

You are legally required to have liability coverage before taking your RV on the road. If you are responsible for an accident, liability coverage will pay for the damages to the other driver’s vehicle and any injuries they sustain.

Collision and Comprehensive Coverage

Collision coverage will cover repairing or replacing your RV if it’s damaged in an accident. It would be best to ensure you have enough coverage to replace your RV. This means the coverage limit should be higher than the value of your RV.

Comprehensive coverage covers damage to your RV when you aren’t on the road, including theft and vandalism.

If you have a loan on your RV, your lender will probably require you to have both collision and comprehensive coverage. However, even if you don’t have a lien on the vehicle, you should still carry both coverages to protect your investment.

Recreational vs. Full Time Coverage

If you plan on living in your RV, you’ll need to have full-time coverage. To qualify for this coverage, you’ll need to live in your RV for at least part of the year. If you plan on using your RV recreationally, you can choose a recreational policy.

Personal Belongings Coverage

You’ll also need personal belongings coverage, which covers your property inside your RV. You should have enough coverage to replace all the items in your RV. To know if you have enough, make a list of your belongings and their value. Then, add them together.

RV Insurance at Asheville Insurance Center

If you are looking for RV insurance in Asheville, NC, contact us at Asheville Insurance Center. Our agents will discuss your coverage needs and help you choose the right policy.

Can I Customize My Motorcyle Policy to Protect Special Features?

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When you decide to customize your motorcycle, you probably don’t think much about how these actions will affect your insurance. Nevertheless, when you include customization on your bike, you can expect to pay additional premiums in Asheville, NC because of the overall risk that can occur due to your other insured items. Asheville Insurance Center can help you create a motorcycle policy to meet your needs.

Customizations Not Part of Basic Policies

If you don’t indicate the number and type of customization your bike has, you may only receive the stock value of your model if you are in a crash. If you don’t let your carrier know you have customizations, you risk canceling your policy.

For smaller motorcycles with minimal customization, all you need is a standard policy with add-on coverage listing the custom parts and equipment. The value of the modifications will determine the amount of add-on coverage needed over your bike’s base value. You can find that value in the Kelley Blue Book or by using the National Automobile Dealers Association appraisal guide.

Extensive Customizations and Specialty Bikes

High-end motorcycle owners generally need an agreed-upon value policy to get adequate protection for their ride. Classic motorcycles fall into this category along with other machines like composite or homemade motorcycles that don’t have an agreed-upon value. If you have a cycle with a performance upgrade involving the engine, you may need racing or motorsports insurance, as most other motorcycle carriers deem these vehicles too risky to insure.

Do you have adequate protection when riding your motorcycle in Asheville, NC, and its environs? We understand the unique needs of motorcycle owners with customizations. Contact the agents at Asheville Insurance Center to discuss your bike’s customization and get set up with a policy that will protect your investment.

What North Carolina Landlords Should Know About Umbrella Insurance for Rental Properties

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A rental property is a valuable asset. It can be a great source of passive income for many years if you choose tenants with care. Buying the right insurance policy ahead of time can also help you save money while avoiding potentially devastating losses.

What is Umbrella Insurance for a Rental Property?

Umbrella insurance isn’t meant to be a standalone policy. Instead, it kicks in once you reach the liability limit of another policy. This ensures you’re not out of luck if you need to settle a lawsuit or pay a judgment.

Umbrella insurance covers a range of incidents. It compensates third parties for injuries that occur on your property.  If someone comes to the home and their property is damaged on your premises, umbrella coverage will pay the person for the loss. Examples include damage to power tools you rented from Home Depot and stored on the property, a mailman slipping on the house’s front steps, or a tenant’s child accidentally throwing a ball at a delivery truck’s windshield. However, bear in mind that umbrella insurance doesn’t cover intentional damage by a tenant. It also doesn’t cover injuries you sustain while visiting your property or any form of damage to your property, even if it is accidental.

Get Expert Insurance Advice from Asheville Insurance Center

Umbrella insurance for a rental property offers ample protection in the event of a lawsuit. However, it’s not the only form of insurance you’ll need. Asheville Insurance Center offers Asheville, NC property owners expert advice to make it easy for any landlord to pick the best policies for a property. Get in touch with us to learn more or find out about specific policy options.

Why More People in Our Area Should Look Into Flood Insurance

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At Asheville Insurance Center, we are excited about the region’s growth and potential. People are drawn to our area for its natural beauty, moderate weather, and exciting opportunities.

Whether you are new to the area or a long-time resident, you should be aware of one aspect of protecting your home: the growing importance of flood insurance.

What Is Flood Insurance?

Flood insurance is protection from rising waters available through a FEMA-managed program. It is generally not part of basic home insurance policies and must be applied separately.

Why You Should Consider Flood Insurance for Your Asheville, NC Home

From changing weather to increasing development, there are several reasons why the need for flood insurance is increasing in our area.

Our location often puts us in the crosshairs of severe weather patterns. Heavy rains reach us from the southwest and midwest, and strong rains resulting from hurricanes can reach our area from the south and east.

In addition, we are experiencing unprecedented growth. This growth can occur in flood-prone areas, cause new areas to be subject to flooding, or change what is considered flood-prone areas.

The bottom line is that you should check the flooding possibilities for your property and whether flood insurance is a prudent option.

Learn More and Get a Flood Insurance Quote Today

If you would like to know more about flood insurance and how you may benefit, we invite you to reach out to our team at Asheville Insurance Center in Asheville, NC. We can discuss your property and your risks and provide a quote.

While our growth is exciting, it may also bring new risks. Make sure you are covered.

When is condo insurance in North Carolina necessary?

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Asheville, NC, continues to be one of the fastest-growing communities in the country. When you move to this part of the country, you will find that it can be a great place to own a home, and condos offer great on-site amenities that can make them ideal housing options. If you are looking to buy a condo, you do need to have insurance for it. There are different scenarios when a condo insurance plan will be necessary. 

When Financing a Mortgage

You will want to have a condo insurance plan to comply with any mortgage lender obligations. Financing a condo with a mortgage is very common today, and it can help make it more affordable for you. However, you will need to maintain insurance requirements set by the lender. In many cases, this will include requiring you to get condo insurance and providing evidence of coverage regularly. 

When Standards Set by Association

Most of the time, a condo owner will also be required to carry condo insurance, as it is a requirement set by the condo association. Any condo association wants to be assured that you can repair or replace your condo and that you have proper liability support. Because of this, they will likely require that you continue to carry a full condo insurance plan. 

It is always a good idea to ensure that you have proper condo insurance when you are in the Asheville, NC, area. When you are going to purchase a condo here, it would be a great idea to call our team at the Asheville Insurance Center. Our team will offer any guidance that you need to fully assess your options and build a proper condo insurance policy.