Author: admin

When it comes to liability protection, having an umbrella policy is the way to go

Posted on by admin

The team at the Asheville Insurance Center is proud to help the greater Asheville, NC business community protect their companies. We understand just how much hard work and dedication run a successful business, and we are here for you. Schedule an appointment today to minimize your firm’s liability risk.

Reduce your liability risk with an umbrella policy

Because we live in a litigious world, liability risk continues to be an area of concern, especially for small business owners. Unfortunately, a firm’s primary property policy or commercial insurance may prove inadequate regarding liability protection. 

Primary policies typically have limits, and once those limits are reached and exceeded, the financial responsibility can revert to the company. And depending on how the firm is structured, principals in the organization can be held personally responsible for damages. 

If you are unsure if your firm has the liability protection it needs, it’s time to sit down with your local agent to review your policy. With umbrella insurance in place, you will have additional coverage if and when your primary policy is exceeded. This type of protection is especially important for firms operating in industries with a high risk of legal action. It’s also helpful for business owners who have a high likelihood of slip and fall type of suits being brought against them. Find out more today!

Contact our office today

Businesses in Asheville, NC and nearby communities turn to Asheville Insurance Center to protect their assets. Liability risk continues to be an area of concern for business owners, and we can help you find the proper protection. Set up a consultation today, and let us help protect your company.

Does your home need flood insurance?

Posted on by admin

The team at Asheville Insurance Center is here to answer all of the insurance-related questions that residents in the greater Asheville, NC area may have. If you wonder if flood insurance is right for you, we can help. Give us a call today and schedule a meeting with one of our friendly and knowledgeable team members. 

Is flood insurance necessary for your home?

Even when your lender does not require it, flood insurance can still be a brilliant idea. There are many times that floods will occur in unexpected areas, and the damage caused in such scenarios is usually not covered by a homeowner’s policy.

Sitting down with a local and qualified agent can help you gain the information to make an informed decision. Not all areas of our community need flood insurance, but it is essential to look into the possibility of a flood affecting your property.

We can help you obtain the information and data you need to help you decide if this type of insurance is necessary for your situation. And while you are making your decision, be sure to review your current policy to understand further what protection it offers against flood damage.

Most homeowners’ policies provide some level of protection when it comes to water damage but do not provide any coverage for damage resulting from a flood. Be sure to understand exactly what coverage you already have, and then decide if a flood insurance policy can help fill any gaps in your coverage.

Learn more about flood insurance today

Asheville Insurance Center is here to meet the insurance needs of the greater Asheville, NC community. If you would like to find out more about flood insurance, give us a call today.

Condo Insurance FAQ

Posted on by admin

Condo life provides many benefits. You will not need to worry about property taxes, maintenance, or even yard work in most cases. Condos also offer great security and a fun community atmosphere. However, it is essential for those who live in a condo to consider condo insurance. At Asheville Insurance Center, serving Asheville, NC, we can help you better understand this critical type of insurance coverage. Keep reading to learn more. 

What Is Condo Insurance?

Condo insurance is a special type of renter’s insurance designed for condo life. Condo insurance will provide coverage for things that your landlord’s insurance does not cover for you. For instance, if your condo is damaged somehow, your personal belongings will be lost. The landlord’s insurance is not responsible for paying to have those items repaired or replaced. That expense will come out of your pocket. This could be financially challenging. 

Isn’t Insurance Included In My Rental Agreement?

Each condo will provide different benefits for tenants. It is crucial that you review your rental agreement to understand what is fully and is not covered. In most cases, the condo owner will have insurance to protect only certain parts of the condo complex. Things within your condo are often not protected. 

What Does Condo Insurance Cover?

Condo insurance provides coverage for your personal belongings and any parts of the condo that are generally not covered under the owner’s policy. You will need to review your rental agreement to pinpoint exactly what is and is not protected in your condo. This can vary greatly from condo to condo. 

If you would like to learn more about condo insurance or any other services, don’t hesitate to contact us at Asheville Insurance Center, serving Asheville, NC, and the surrounding areas. 

 

Which optional auto insurance coverages should you buy?

Posted on by admin

Auto insurance comes with many coverages designed to cover different aspects of your policy.  The minimum liability coverage required by law is not enough to cover theft, collisions, vandalism, and injuries. That’s why Asheville Insurance Center recommends checking optional coverages to help protect yourself and your loved ones. This article will help you understand some of the optional coverages and what they cover.

Roadside assistance

This coverage is designed for emergencies. It helps you find assistance when you run out of gas, need a spare tire, or if you’re locked out of your car. It also covers towing expenses to the nearby garage if your vehicle breaks down. Roadside assistance is essential for drivers who spend long hours on the roads.

Collision and comprehensive coverages

Collision and comprehensive coverages protect your car from theft, fire, vandalism, and other damages. They pay for your injuries and repair your vehicle in case of a collision with another vehicle, tree, rock, wall, or animal.

Towing and labor coverage

Most insurance companies in Asheville, NC offer towing and labor insurance as a separate policy. However, you can still find options that include towing in your road assistance coverage. Towing can be pretty expensive, which explains why most companies include it separately. The cost typically varies based on the towing distance.

Glass coverage

If you have bought a windshield before, you know how expensive it can get. Windshield damage is quite common, which prompted insurance companies to include coverage that pays for a damaged windshield. Most coverages also include the rear windows, side windows, and sunroofs.

Looking to add some optional auto insurance coverages? Feel free to contact Asheville Insurance Center in Asheville, NC to find the right coverages for your auto insurance needs. Call us today!

4 Benefits of Commercial Insurance in North Carolina

Posted on by admin

Owning a business is a dream come true for many. While it’s a good way to earn a living, it comes with many risks. Fortunately, you can mitigate these risks by having commercial insurance in place. That said, there are several benefits of purchasing quality commercial insurance. Here are the benefits you will enjoy when you buy commercial insurance from Asheville Insurance Center in North Carolina.

Liability protection

Liability claims can be costly to the point of leaving you with debts. Any business selling a service or a product attracts a certain amount of liability. For example, you will be held accountable when a customer gets hurt by using your products or service. Thankfully, commercial insurance protects you against these risks.

Asset protection

Every business has some valuable assets that are costly to replace. And it would help if you had a good plan to protect these assets. Fortunately, commercial insurance is a great option. In an unthinkable event like fire or theft, the policy steps in and pays you to replace the lost assets.

Employee protection

Employees are your greatest asset. Not even your products or service can replace your employee’s worth. The law requires that you get workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees. This coverage protects your employees against injuries and illnesses. Plus, it covers partial loss of income and final expenses.

It gives your business an added advantage

Many investors want to associate with a business proactive in risk management. The same principle applies to customers and contractors alike. Commercial insurance boosts your business reputation, setting it apart from other businesses.  

Commercial insurance in Asheville, NC

We can conclude that the future is unpredictable and that every business needs commercial insurance to back it up. If you are in Asheville, NC, and its environs shopping for commercial insurance, look no further than Asheville Insurance Center. Contact us today for an affordable quote.

Protect your motorcycle from damage and theft with a comprehensive policy

Posted on by admin

When people think about motorcycle insurance, they may generally consider it as protection in the event of injury due to an accident or other mishap. At Asheville Insurance Center, we understand that comprehensive motorcycle policies can provide additional coverage for bike owners in the greater Asheville, NC area. 

Why comprehensive motorcycle insurance policies are a great idea

In addition to protecting yourself and any passengers in the event of injury, a comprehensive motorcycle insurance policy provides other benefits. Most notably, a robust policy can give you protection in case your motorcycle is damaged or stolen. This protection allows you to enjoy your bike with the added peace of mind that it is protected.

Comprehensive coverage is available from a variety of policy types and at different protection levels. The available options allow you to determine which policy is appropriate for your needs. If you are looking to give your basic motorcycle policy a boost, it might be time to look into more comprehensive policies.

Sitting down with a local agent is the first step in exploring your options. Now is a perfect time to upgrade from a policy that simply meets state regulations and find something that gives you comprehensive coverage.

Contact Asheville Insurance Center today and find out more!

There are a number of different benefits to comprehensive policies, with protection from theft or damage just being two of the reasons to select such a policy. If you want to learn more about the comprehensive motorcycle policy options that are available to residents in the greater Asheville, NC area, call or stop by today!

How much umbrella insurance should you buy?

Posted on by admin

While everyone is at risk of getting sued at some point in life, some people are at a higher risk than others. That means we all need some level of liability insurance such as umbrella insurance to protect us from big-ticket lawsuit judgments and other liability claims. At Asheville Insurance Center, we recommend having more liability than having too little. So, how much umbrella insurance should you buy? Here are a few tips to help you out.

Understand how umbrella insurance works

Umbrella insurance acts as an extension on the liability coverages you already have in your home, auto, boat, and other standard policies. That means umbrella insurance will only come in when the primary liability in your standard policies is depleted.  Insurance companies in Asheville, NC, typically check the number of homes, cars, businesses, and the number of people in your policy to determine the cost. The more the assets, the higher the cost.

Use online calculator

If you are unable to calculate the value of your assets, there are many insurance calculators that can help you with this type of calculation. Umbrella insurance calculators can help you assess how much umbrella you need based on what you’re insuring.

Know your risk level

If you’re wealthy, you’re likely to lose more money if you’re slapped with a lawsuit. If you have businesses all over Asheville, NC, you are dealing with a vast number of people who can sue you for various reasons related to your businesses. Parents of teenagers are also at higher risk of getting into trouble with the law if their teenagers cause fights or accidents that lead to injuries and property damage.

If you’re unsure how much umbrella insurance to buy, an insurance professional at Asheville Insurance Center can help you with the calculation. Feel free to call for more information on umbrella insurance, quotes, or other policy discussions.

Recreational Insurance & RV Vandalism

Posted on by admin

When you drive a recreational vehicle, you might plan on getting scuffs and scrapes over time. What you do not plan for is your vehicle getting vandalized.

Asheville Insurance Center serving Asheville, NC understands that vandalism is a serious issue, and we know that many people have questions about whether their insurance plans cover vandalism. Here’s what you need to know.

Get Comprehensive Coverage

Liability coverage does not cover vandalism to your RV, and neither does collision coverage. If you want to make sure that your vehicle is covered, you should consider comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage is intended for things that happen to your RV when it is parked and not in motion.

Each policy is different and has different requirements, so it is important to consult with an insurance agent before you decide which coverage is right for your RV.

Make Sure You Have RV-Specific Coverage

When you get a special RV policy, you can ensure you are covered even when you are at a campground. When you are camping or participating in other activities, you need to ensure that you have all your bases covered. Recreational vehicles are used differently than other cars, and you do not want to get stuck with a policy that does not protect you.

Talk About Your Recreational Insurance Options

Do you want to make sure that vandalism is covered? Asheville Insurance Center can help you insure your Asheville, NC recreational vehicle so that you have the most protection possible. An insurance professional can help you choose not only the right plan but also the right amount of coverage based on your RV use.

Is renters insurance required in Asheville, NC?

Posted on by admin

Asheville, NC is one of the prettiest places to live in the United States. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it is home to vineyards, Biltmore, and countless local markets. Being a renter in Asheville offers endless possibilities and unfortunately, like everywhere else, there are risks that could damage or destroy your rental. At Asheville Insurance Center we are a family-owned independent insurance company with many years of experience.

Having renters insurance is not mandated by the state of North Carolina or the city of Asheville. It is optional coverage. It is possible that a landlord or management company may require that you carry renters insurance, but in general, you don’t need to carry it. 

Is it a good idea not to have renters insurance? No, it isn’t. In spite of that, more than 60% of renters don’t have it. Given how affordable it is, that doesn’t make good sense. Some renters are under the impression that they don’t need renters insurance, that their landlord has insurance that covers them. This is misinformation. Your landlord does have insurance without doubt, but their insurance is to protect their building and that does not include your contents. 

Renters insurance in most cases includes three types of coverage. 

  • Contents
  • Liability
  • Loss of use

Content coverage like all similar insurance comes in two types; replacement cost and actual value. You decide what kind of coverage you want. Liability protects you in the event someone is injured while visiting your rental or by a member of your family. It pays for medical expenses, a judgment against you, and legal fees. Loss of use will help you to pay for a place to stay when your rental is not habitable. It also pays for food as needed. 

Contact Asheville Insurance Center in Asheville, NC for all your renters’ insurance needs. 

What to Do if After a Motohome Accident

Posted on by admin

An accident involving a motorhome can be a scary event. Common causes of these accidents with accidents include inexperienced drivers, high winds, runaway trailers and overtired drivers.

If you have been in a motorhome accident in Asheville, NC, there are some steps you should take to protect yourself. 

Contact the police. If anyone was injured in the accident, you must call 9-1-1 for help so that everyone involved can receive the necessary medical help they need. Even if you are not injured, however, you must contact the police. This will also ensure you have a police report, which will be required if you file an insurance claim. This report will include all the accident details. Be sure to get the badge number and name of the responding police officer.  

Collect names and contact information. Make sure you get the names and contact info for the other driver and any passengers that may have been in the car. You should also get a description of the vehicle, including the make, model, and year, as well as their insurance company and policy number.  

File a claim. The next step will be contacting your insurance agent. The agent will be an essential step in paying medical bills or setting up repairs for your vehicle.

A motorhome accident can be scary, but when you know what to do when an accident occurs, you’ll be better prepared to react effectively.

Let Asheville Insurance Center Cover Your Motorhome
If you need insurance for your motorhome, the team at Asheville Insurance Center in Asheville, NC can build a comprehensive plan that will meet your needs. Call or visit our office to learn more.