What First-Time Homebuyers Need to Know About Home Insurance

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First-time homebuyers make up approximately 33% of all buyers, according to the National Association of Realtors. As a first-time homebuyer, you’re new at this. You’ve never done it before, and your lack of knowledge could cost you time and money with home insurance. Griffin Insurance Agency in Mooresville, NC specializes in working with first-time homebuyers. So, here are some tips you should know if you’re a first-time homebuyer in need of home insurance.

Start Looking for Coverage Options Early

We offer quotes for home insurance coverage no matter where you are in the home-buying process, but it’s better to start early so you have a better idea of the cost. We can make sure you get reliable coverage for your new home.

Determine the Best Insurance Value

As your local insurance provider, we help you understand what level of coverage you need and what that will look like for premiums. Your home insurance does not have to cover the full market value.

What to Consider in Home Insurance Coverage?

We work with you to deliver the level of coverage that you need, based on your unique circumstances. There are overarching home insurance considerations for all new homeowners.

Personal Property

Check the limits for personal property to see coverage and liability. We work with you to determine how to increase that coverage if needed to cover your most valuable belongings.

Guest Medical

This coverage pays the person’s medical expenses when he/she is injured on your property.

Dwelling Coverage

This coverage protects the structure of your home.

Liability Coverage

This type of coverage protects you if a person sues you because of an injury or fault with your property.

Additional Living Expenses

When a covered damage-and-repair situation makes it impossible to live on the property, this coverage pays for your living expenses, including a hotel room.

Exclusions

Check the exclusions for your policy. We can work with you to determine if you need additional coverage to mitigate exclusion situations.

Schedule an Appointment with Griffin Insurance Agency

Our goal is to make the process of getting your home insurance for your new home as quick-and-easy as possible. That’s why we quickly respond to your needs, and we offer our recommendations for the coverage to protect your new home. We’re here to answer all your questions and walk you through the entire process. It’s the right coverage at the right price for you. Learn more about auto insurance from Griffin Insurance Agency in Mooresville, NC.

Do I Need Commercial Insurance If I Run My Business From My Home?

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More and more people are choosing to run their business from home. There is no need to pay for an office when you can have one in your home. Even though you manage your business from your home, it’s crucial that it still be treated as a commercial entity. This means having the right commercial insurance policy to meet its needs and protect your personal assets. In Mooresville, NC, the agents at Griffin Insurance Agency can help with that.

A Business is a Business

Just because you run your business from home, it doesn’t change the fact that it must be treated like a business. You are still required to maintain accurate records, and the type of insurance you choose must still be rated as commercial, especially when it comes to liability. For your business to be able to survive in the event of an emergency, a commercial policy is required.

Protect Your Home and Personal Assets

With the right commercial insurance policy, you will be able to protect your home and other personal assets if an accident or other issue arises. Keeping your business interests separate from your home and personal assets is the best way to protect both and keep your business functioning efficiently.

The agents of Griffin Insurance Agency serve business owners in Mooresville, NC, and the surrounding communities. Because of their extensive experience, you can rely on them to provide you with the highest quality commercial insurance policies in the industry. Call and request a commercial policy review. By scheduling a consultation, you know you will be able to get all of your insurance questions answered. Find out what your options are!

 

 

When should I get a home insurance policy in North Carolina?

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Anyone that lives in the Mooresville, NC area should consider purchasing their home. When you are a property owner in this area, you can take advantage of the appreciating property values and also have a consistent place to live. While there are advantages to owning a property, you need to recognize certain risks. A great way to mitigate some risks is by getting a home insurance policy. There are many reasons to get this form of coverage in North Carolina. 

When Looking to Protect Asset

The first situation when you should get a home insurance policy is when you want to protect your asset. Even if you are very diligent as a property owner, there is always a risk that damage from a fire or adverse weather could occur. One way to mitigate this risk is by getting home insurance. When you have this insurance, it will provide you with the financial resources to either repair your home or purchase a new one. 

When Looking to Reduce Liability Risk

As a property owner, you are always going to take on some risk that a guest in your home gets hurt. If this occurs, you could be held liable for the damages. Fortunately, you can get a home insurance policy that will give you liability protection. This could prove to be very valuable in a situation where there is an unfortunate accident.

There are many situations when someone in the Mooresville, NC area should get home insurance. When you are looking for this type of coverage, you should call the professionals at the Griffin Insurance Agency. When you speak with the Griffin Insurance Agency, you are going to learn a lot more about your options for finding a policy and protecting you and your home. 

What does comprehensive auto insurance cover?

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The definition of comprehensive is "complete, including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something," which makes many people assume that comprehensive auto insurance is all-inclusive insurance. This is not the case. Auto insurance is issued in basically three different parts, liability, collision, and comprehensive. Liability is the insurance that is required; collision and comprehensive are optional. At Griffin Insurance Agency in Mooresville, NC, we have been in business for over 40 years and have a combined 200 years of experience. We understand auto insurance and can help you understand what comprehensive auto insurance covers. 

Comprehensive auto insurance is also known as non-collision coverage. What that means is that it covers your vehicle for damage that it may receive from things other than a collision with another vehicle. It does cover one collision event, if a large animal like a deer darts into the road in front of your car or runs into your vehicle, the resulting damage is covered under comprehensive auto insurance. It also provides coverage from weather events such as hail, wind, and even flooding. 

Glass coverage is an essential part of comprehensive insurance coverage. In most cases, there is no deductible, and you can even have a company come to you to replace or repair your windshield. Most people rely on their vehicles to get to work and just to live their life. If that vehicle is stolen and not recovered or stolen and damaged, comprehensive coverage is there to repair or replace that vehicle. It can also provide a rental car if needed. 

Comprehensive auto insurance may not be complete coverage, but it is critical coverage to have if you happen to need it. At Griffin Insurance Agency in Mooresville, NC, we understand the needs of our customers and are here to provide the coverage they want at a price they can afford. Why not stop by our office or give us a call for a no-obligation quote.

Tips to prepare your home for spring to avoid insurance claims

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Most homeowners in North Carolina know the importance of having comprehensive insurance policies in place to protect them in the event of a loss. There are also plenty of steps homeowners’ can take to help avoid claims in the first place. The agents at the Griffin Insurance Agency in Mooresville, NC have put together some helpful spring maintenance tips to help you avoid insurance claims. 

Clean the gutters 

As homeowners in the area know well, springtime can bring warmer temperatures but also a lot of rain. It is critical to have your gutters cleaned before spring to ensure water can properly flow away from the house. Clean gutters help protect your home from water damage and avoid an insurance claim. 

Dryer lint house

One of the most common ways house fires start is from a clothes dryer lint hose. Springtime is a great time to clean your lint hose to avoid a fire and insurance claim. It is also good to replace the hose every few years. 

Clear debris from walkways

When spring comes, you will likely have more guests over for BBQ and other gatherings as the weather improves. It is essential to remove any debris such as tree branches that may have fallen during the winter months. Clear walkways will help ensure your guests do not trip and fall, which could lead to liability claims. 

Water heater maintenance

It is a good time of year to check on the condition of your water heater. Over time, the bottom of your water heater can start to erode due to sediment build up as well as leaks at the connection pipes. By repairing or replacing a water heater that leaks, you will avoid unnecessary water damage claims. 

If you would like to learn more about spring home maintenance tips, reach out to the agents at Griffin Insurance Agency today. We proudly serve the Wilkesboro and Mooresville, NC area.

 

Why I Need A Home Inventory

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Mooresville, NC is located near beautiful Lake Norman in Northwestern North Carolina. It is an amazing place to live and own a home. But even in this idyllic location, bad things can happen, and when they do, they may cause damage to your home. Having something damage or destroy your home causes a lot of stress in your life, and part of that stress is trying to fill out the paperwork required by the insurance company to collect on your home insurance. Having a home inventory is one way to take away some of that stress. Griffin Insurance Agency in Mooresville, NC has experienced staff who can help you to understand why you need a home inventory. 

The Benefits of a Home Inventory

If you have ever seen the results of a home fire, hurricane, or tornado, you know that often the interior of the home is devastated. Everyone hopes that this will never happen to them, but it is always best to be prepared. Part of the coverage that is included in home insurance is personal property coverage. This includes all the things you own beyond the structure of your home, garage, or shed. You need to let the insurance company know what you had before the damage was done so that they can give you the money to replace it up to the limit included in your policy.

You probably think that you can remember all the things you have, you are wrong. Once you start to create a home inventory, you will realize exactly how wrong you are. A home inventory will help make sure that you get the benefits you are entitled to. At Griffin Insurance Agency in Mooresville, NC we understand how important a home inventory is and we will be happy to give you ideas about creating yours and also making sure that you have the right insurance coverage. Give the office a call or stop by, you will be glad you did. 

3 Tips to Keep Your Car From Being Broken Into

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You use your car to transport everything from pets to people. In many cases, some of the items you carry with you are extremely valuable. Thieves look for items of value when they target a car to burglarize. In Mooresville, NC, the agents at Griffin Insurance Agency offer tips on how to protect your vehicle from vandals and thieves. 

Keep Valuables Out of Sight

Before you get out of your vehicle, make sure all of your valuables are hidden and out of sight. If they won’t fit in the glove box or console, put them in the trunk or cover them with a blanket. If something of value is visible, it will make your car an easy target for criminals who are willing to do a smash and dash type of break-in.

Lock the Doors, Set the Alarm

Always lock your doors, even if you are sitting in your car with the engine running. Locking your doors keeps you safe and reduces your risk of a thief trying to steal your purse or other valuables. When you leave your vehicle, lock the doors and make sure to set the alarm. If your car doesn’t have an alarm, you can have one installed.

Visibility is Important

Always park under a bright street light or anywhere that is well-lit. Thieves work under the cover of darkness. If you park in a well-lit area or in the sight of a security camera, the risk of your car being broken into dramatically decreases. Always make sure your car can be seen!

At Griffin Insurance Agency, residents who live in the Statesville or Mooresville, NC area can find all of the answers you need concerning your car insurance. We also have tips on how to reduce your risk of a break-in. Call today and make an appointment.

Complete Commercial Insurance Helps You Recover from Destructive Storms

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When you own a business in the Mooresville, NC area, we recognize that though you enjoy mild winters, but Mother Nature is still capable of wreaking havoc on your buildings when a hurricane manages to come inland. Is your commercial insurance from Griffin Insurance Agency designed to help you stay in business when your world falls apart?

Property and Equipment Coverage

Even if you own just a small storefront for your business office and nothing more, you still need a good commercial property policy that can help you rebuild when the roof blows off. Should you operate a manufacturing business, take the time to review the value of the equipment used to create all your products. Upgrade your replacement values, so you can replace them after damage due to fire, vandalism, or theft.

Paying the Bills while You Rebuild

Even if you have the right property insurance, will you be able to maintain relationships with all your suppliers and vendors during the recovery period? Ask about commercial gap coverage that can help you pay the expenses that remain even while your property is a pile of rubble. This addition to your standard policy can help you cover the added costs of shipping in product from a distant location or temporarily moving your office to a new location. 

Review Your Entire Holdings for Complete Protections

Has your business recently expanded and now includes a small fleet of delivery vans, a maintenance garage, or even a storage facility on your property? While speaking with your agent at Griffin Insurance Agency about your Mooresville, NC business, and the right commercial insurance, take the time to review all the latest upgrades and ensure that your policy now extends over all the improvements.

Do I need home insurance if I don’t have a mortgage

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Mooresville is one of the most beautiful places in North Carolina. It is a popular place to live, being so close to gorgeous Lake Norman. It is a great place to retire, and if you decide you want to live there, you may be wondering if you need home insurance if you don’t have a mortgage. At the Griffin Insurance Agency, we are local to Mooresville, NC, and we would be happy to discuss your home insurance needs with you. 

Do I need home insurance if I don’t have a mortgage?

No, legally, you are not required to have home insurance. But that does not mean that you should not opt to have home insurance. Unless you are independently wealthy and could easily afford to make repairs or pay any lawsuit that might be lodged against you, then having a home insurance policy provides valuable protection. 

North Carolina is vulnerable to a variety of weather events that can cause major damage to your home. If a covered event occurs, your home insurance will provide the money that you need to not only repair or rebuild your home but to replace all of your personal belonging that may have been lost. If your home is so damaged that you can not reside there, it will help you with the money you need to live somewhere else until your home is ready to be occupied again. 

Liability coverage is one of the most important protections that home insurance provides. Suing has become a more common occurence, and if you happen to be the object of a lawsuit by someone who was injured while visiting your home, you will be relieved that you have it. 

The Griffin Insurance Agency is available to answer your questions about the value to you of having home insurance. Give our office a call or stop by in Mooresville, NC to discuss this critical coverage. 

 

Preparing Car Maintenance For The Winter

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As the holidays begin approaching North Carolina, so does the colder temperatures and winter weather. While winter here is milder than other states, there are still cautions to consider with your vehicle. Below are the most common maintenance practices that will keep your car faring well through the winter. 

Have you Checked your Antifreeze?

Antifreeze is an additive to your coolant that protects it from freezing through the winter. Should your coolant freeze, it will not circulate through your engine and cause your engine to fail.

Do a Tire Inspection

What is your tire’s current condition? Have your tires been inspected for damage and tire pressure. Make sure that they are appropriately rotated to ensure that they are wearing evenly and that you have enough pressure to sustain the temperature changes.

Oil Change

Is it time for an oil change? Go ahead and have your oil changed and the filter before the cooling temperatures. This will help your engine with proper operation and help keep the engine lubricated when the temperature drops. 

Belts and Hoses

It is crucial to have a certified technician inspect the different belts and hoses beneath the hood of your car. These parts tend to wear and tear more often during temperature changes, so checking them ahead of time is a good practice. This will catch any leaks that your car may be experiencing and prevent future damages down the road.

It is essential to prepare your car for the winter. Significant changes in temperature are often the culprit of costly damages. At Griffin Insurance Agency, we proudly serve residents in Mooresville, NC, and their auto insurance needs.