How Umbrella Insurance Works

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Making sure that you have all the insurance you need may require having more than just home and auto insurance policies. It may also require having an umbrella policy. If you have questions about this type of policy or want to get started with it, call us at Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc. in Nashville, NC.

Insurance for Accidents

If there is an accident with your vehicle, you have auto insurance. If there is an accident in your home, you have home insurance that includes liability coverage. The problem is that many people don’t have enough liability coverage in their home or auto policies. Without enough coverage, you could be on the hook for a lot of money after your insurance maxes out and won’t pay all of the bills for medical expenses or property damage. When you get an umbrella policy, it will add to the liability coverage you have in both your home and auto policies. 

Using Your Umbrella Policy

When an accident happens, the liability coverage you have through your home and auto policies is there to protect you. However, it will only do that up to the policy’s maximum payout. And with liability insurance, this can be quite low when considering how much medical bills and other related expenses can cost. When you have umbrella insurance, it comes in after that policy has maxed out to pay for what is leftover. Umbrella policies come with extremely high maximums to have better peace of mind. With this policy in place, you are far better protected if someone has an accident in your home or an accident is caused by your vehicle. 

Get Insured With Umbrella Insurance

When you want to know that you have better protection, think about the coverage you would get from an umbrella policy. Contact us at Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc. in Nashville, NC, when you want to know more.

Do I Live in a Flood Zone?

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Determining if you live in a flood zone has never been easier than with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Flood Map Service Center. This free-to-access and use website shows information like food zones and floodways and lets you search by address to determine if your home or one you are considering purchasing is in a high-risk flood area. Your home is designated by a zone, with the most common ones being:

  • Zone A: High risk or most commonly occurring flood zone. If you live in this zone, flood insurance is likely required.
  • Zone B: Homes in this area have a moderate flood hazard risk.
  • Zone C: Minimal flood hazard risk
  • Zone D: Possible risk of flooding, but the hazard level is undetermined.
  • Zone V: Special flood hazard area for coastal areas with a high risk of floods.

In addition to purchasing flood insurance to protect your home, you can take a few other steps to prevent or mitigate flooding. Start by purchasing a flood sensor that notifies you of water leaks before they become major problems. You can purchase standalone flood sensor devices or bundle the technology with your home security system. Lastly, investing in a sump pump for your home is a relatively cost-effective and proven way to quickly remove unwanted water from your home before severe damage occurs.

At Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc. in Nashville, NC, our talented and committed team of insurance professionals are ready to help you with all your flood insurance questions. Whether you are looking to learn what flood zone you are in or have questions about what a flood insurance policy covers, we are here to help. Give us a call today to schedule a no-obligation consultation with our team. 

How much life insurance is enough?

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Deciding how much life insurance is enough is a critical decision. You want to make sure you have enough to care for your dependents if anything should happen to you, but you also don’t want to pay for more than you can easily afford. At Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc. in Nashville, NC, as independent insurance agents, our first responsibility is to make sure our customers have the right coverage and that we are there for them if they ever need to file a claim. 

The first question you need to ask when trying to determine the amount of life insurance that is enough for you is who depends on your income? If your answer is nobody, then the amount of life insurance you need is different from someone who has a spouse and three children. 

The next question you need to answer is how long will they need me to support them? If your children are young, it could be 15 years or more. Social Security will provide dependent care for children up to the age of 18, so that is something you can consider when figuring out how much life insurance you need to have. 

You may also have life insurance as a work benefit, but that is just a bonus. It should not be considered in your figures because you can’t guarantee it will even be available if you have a long illness and cannot work. 

The last thing to consider is your income and how much of a mortgage you have. Ideally, you can have enough to pay off the mortgage and leave enough for several years of salary. But the reality is, you need to consider what you can comfortably afford to pay for life insurance today. By working with your insurance agent, you can develop the right figure. 

Contact Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc. Nashville, NC when you need to review or discuss your life insurance. 

 

4 Reasons to Invest in North Carolina Auto Insurance

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Like most states, you must invest in car insurance in North Carolina if you want to operate your car legally. Failure to purchase car insurance puts you at risk of fines and penalties, including license suspension. Besides, you are responsible for all the liability claims if liable for the accident.

While motor vehicle insurance is mandatory, there are plenty of other reasons you need to invest in car insurance from Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc. Let’s look at some reasons:

  • To protect your assets: If you don’t have car insurance, you may be putting your assets in jeopardy. Failure to invest in car insurance means you will have to cover repairs and even replacement of your vehicle from your pocket. If you don’t have adequate savings, your dream car could rot in the garage. However, if you invest in car insurance, the coverage takes care of your car when accidents and other perils occur.
  • Liability protection: You may be careful on the road, but it only takes a single lapse in concentration to cause an accident. If you are at fault for an accident, you are held responsible for property damage and bodily injury to third parties. Worse yet, your finances could take a turn for the worst if you are sued.
  • To supplement your health insurance: Following a car accident, it’s not uncommon to suffer auto injuries. While your health insurance covers a generous amount of the medical bills, you need auto insurance to offset aspects of your medical bills not covered by your health insurance.
  • Peace of mind: Car insurance gives you an easy time on the road because you don’t have to worry about risks when driving. Plus, you can sleep soundly at night without the worry of someone stealing your car.

Do the above benefits appeal to you? If you are in Nashville, NC and its environs, please contact Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc. for a competitive quote.

Is Commercial Insurance Required in North Carolina?

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Owning a business in North Carolina is a huge accomplishment! Many businesses thrive here and we know yours will too. If your company is on the hunt for a commercial insurance plan, keep reading as the experts at Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc. talk about various coverage options and what you should know as a business owner in North Carolina. 

Nashville, NC is a wonderful place to grow a business. But growth takes time, planning, and execution. And you can’t do that without adequately protecting yourself financially, the assets within your company, your inventory, vehicles, employees, property, and more. 

How Will Insurance Support My Business?

Insurance protects your assets, your inventory, and your property in the event of damage or theft, you’re financially secure. 

Risks incurred by businesses are common – it’s simply part of running a company. The customers and clientele you do business with may sue you for liability if they are displeased with your services or if some kind of mistake was made by an employee or your products. These things are more common than you think, and liability insurance can cover some of those losses in the event that you face a lawsuit. 

Additionally, commercial insurance can provide you with peace of mind whether you’re in the office or away for a while. No matter where you are in the world, your insurance policy provides financial protection from most scenarios your company can encounter. There’s no better feeling than that! 

Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc. is here to help business owners in the Nashville, NC area with selecting a commercial insurance plan that meets the needs of your business and makes you feel comfortable and protected as your business grows. Let’s talk today! 

Tip and Tricks for Your Commercial Insurance

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Commercial insurance provides Nashville, NC, businesses with a higher level of protection that keeps them safe from long-term issues. At Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc., we not only understand these types of policies but a few simple tips and tricks that you can use to improve your experience. By working with us, you make it easier to enhance your company’s protection with these three steps.

Decrease Customer Risk to Improve Rates 

Avoid dangerous working environments for your customers and employees to minimize your potential insurance costs. Decrease insurance costs by making sure that you clean your facility, avoid serious spill problems, take proper steps towards cleaning your area of snow, and much more.

Improve Building Safety 

This step may seem similar to the previous tip but is a little different. You need to repair your facility, not simply clean it up, or perform various forms of upgrades. For example, putting in rails for your steps helps to improve your building safety and elegance.

Bundle Coverage Options 

Lastly, did you know that you can bundle a variety of commercial insurance options into your overall coverage? Not a lot of people do, and they often end up in a tough situation. Contact your provider to learn more about your abilities in this area.

Give Us a Chance to Help You 

At Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc., we have years of experience in providing high-quality commercial insurance and will do what we can to help you. Our team understands the laws dictating your policies in Nashville, NC. We will do what we can to ensure that you get proper coverage and will focus on your needs as a consumer to give you the best chance of satisfaction in this situation.

Is Home Insurance Required in North Carolina?

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Homeownership in Nashville, NC is a great personal accomplishment; North Carolina is one of the best places you can buy a home, settle down, start a career, raise a family, and enjoy all the things the state has to offer. The team at Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc. understands the process of purchasing home insurance and we’re here to help you through every step. 

While home insurance in North Carolina is not required by law, it’s the best way to maintain peace of mind about the biggest financial investment in your life. You pinched pennies, you made sacrifices, you traveled less and cooked at home more, all so you could afford the home of your dreams. Don’t risk financial hardship by not investing in proper quality insurance to protect your home and the personal property inside! 

If you worked with a lender to secure your home loan, they most likely require you to hold a home insurance policy in the event of any damage to the home that requires repairs or replacing. Insurance covers the majority of these costs, so you don’t have to dip into savings to fix the damage. 

At Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc., we have some of the best insurance agents in the business, and they’re happy to help you select the best insurance policy for your home, personal belongings inside the home, and structures on your property. It’s difficult to predict what could happen, but with the unpredictable weather patterns in North Carolina, we can safely say that you’re better off with a home insurance policy you can count on. 

Nashville, NC is a wonderful place to live. Invest in a home insurance policy that suits your lifestyle, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with it! 

Classic Car Insurance FAQs

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If you own a classic car in Nashville, NC, it holds a sentimental value, and that’s why it shouldn’t leave the garage without proper protection. Classic car insurance is the protection you need to protect your pride and joy from theft, fire, and other risks. 

But since classic car insurance confuses many people, Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc. has put a FAQs section to help you understand everything about this coverage. 

What counts as a classic car?

There is no unified agreement as to the proper definition of a classic car. Depending on whom you ask — insurance companies, enthusiasts, and motor vehicle departments — you are likely to get a contradictory definition. However, while the rules of defining a classic car vary, here is where they converge. 

  • Classic cars are old — over 25 years and above
  • Classic cars aren’t daily drives
  • These cars hold on to their value
  • Classic cars may not be necessary cars — they could be trucks or motorcycles

How different is classic car insurance from standard auto insurance?

Your classic car insurance includes some coverages found in standard auto insurance. However, since the value of classic cars appreciates — unlike conventional vehicles that depreciate from the moment you start driving — you need special insurance that protects the true value of your vehicle.

What’s the difference between agreed value and stated value?

If your classic car is totaled or stolen, your insurer will compensate you using the agreed value or stated value. But what’s the difference? Agreed value is a pre-determined amount that the insurance company agrees to pay the policyholder if their car is stolen or scraped off. On the other hand, stated value is the amount you tell your insurer that your car is worth (of course, with appropriate documentation).

Where can I buy classic car insurance?

If you are shopping for classic car insurance in Nashville, NC, and its environs, don’t look beyond Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc. We will provide coverage that protects your heritage.

Nashville, NC Renters Insurance: How much do I need?

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Renters insurance may seem unnecessary. But it’s much more important than you realize.

Although your landlord should be insured, this policy won’t protect your personal items if they are stolen or damaged. In the event of property damage or injury where you are found liable, your landlord’s insurance won’t cover this either.

Renters insurance provides valuable protection. However, to get the proper coverage, you need the right policy. The first step is to create a home inventory. This process will keep track of your belongings and determine your insurance needs based on how much these possessions are worth.

Located in Nashville, NC, Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc. lists six tips for conducting a home inventory. 

Organize each area

Break your home into sections. Start with one room and move to the next to avoid getting overwhelmed.

Record basic info

List descriptions and what you paid for each item. Include sales receipts if you have them. Scanning or taking pictures of these receipts is a good idea.

Check serial numbers

Record serial numbers for electronics or appliances. If you need to make a claim, these will come in handy.

Group similar items

No need to list every item by itself. Lump low-cost items, like clothes or dishware, together. Assign a price for the entire group.

List valuables separately

Any expensive items must be included individually. This applies to any appraisal or documentation too. Some high-end belongings may not be covered, so check with an agent.

Update regularly

As you buy more stuff, make adding to your home inventory part of your routine.

Consult with an agent in Nashville, NC

Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc. understands that finding the proper coverage is important. Their experienced agents can help you find a renters insurance policy that best fits your needs.

Is RV Insurance A Neccesity?

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RVs are outstanding vehicles in Nashville, NC for embarking on long road trips because they are a vehicle and a home enshrined in one package. Rather than giving this stunningly beautiful experience of exploration, they also require formidable protection. In a nutshell, RV life can be both fun and liberating. At Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc., serving Nashville and its surroundings, we believe the best way to acquire magnificent RV insurance coverage is to garner the best insurance information. Keep reading to furnish yourself with reasons why RV insurance is a necessity.

Protect your asset

Anytime your RV cruises the roads in Nashville NC you must prepare financially for any abrupt occurrences that might strike it even off the road. Unluckily, calamities such as impending accidents and theft can put your assets in jeopardy. To halt these instances of paying cash, you need RV insurance to cater to repairs and of your RV.

Liability protection

RV insurance in Nashville, NC might shield you from claims, accident liabilities and expensive lawsuits. However, liability insurance in your RV caters to costs arising from injuries and property damage you propagate to other people, and you are found to be legally culpable.

Protect you and your passengers

RV insurance instills peace of mind, knowing that you and your passengers boarding your RV are guarded during a road trip or enjoying a vacation. In addition, if you purchase medical payment coverage on your RV insurance, your medical costs accrued are settled.

It’s a legal requirement.

Just like your car or home, many states, including North Carolina, require your RV to maintain liability insurance. Driving on the roads of North Carolina without this type of RV insurance may expose you to dire penalties and fines.

Do you need prolific RV insurance in Nashville, NC to protect you and your camp trailer? Please call or visit us at Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services Inc. for more information about RV insurance.