Adding Non-Family Members to Greensboro Car Insurance

There may be times when someone other than a member of your family or your household needs to drive your car, but if that person does so routinely, it may be a good idea to add them to your car insurance policy. While it may be commonly believed that car insurance follows the driver named on the policy, it actually follows the vehicle for which it's written. Because of this, you could conceivably be held financially and legally liable for your car and whomever is driving it, even if you're not present.

Adding Someone Else to Your Car Insurance Policy

Adding someone to your car insurance policy is actually a simple process. You merely need to notify your insurance agent of your decision to do so and answer some simple questions such as the person's:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Address and contact information
• Driver's license number

Once added to the policy, the additional driver will be covered should they be involved in an accident. They will also be authorized to make a claim on your policy and to seek damage estimates from a car repair shop in the event of an accident. Make sure they're in possession of an insurance card, which they're required by law to have while driving the car.

Who Should You Add to Your Policy?

Lending your vehicle to anyone not covered by your insurance can be risky as the owner of a vehicle is responsible for that vehicle and for damage it happens to cause. While your insurance will likely pay for a claim against your car or truck while being driven by an occasional driver, insurance companies can sometimes deny a claim if the loss is caused by an unlisted driver.

If an unlisted driver has regular access to your car, such as in the case of a roommate or domestic partner, they should be accounted for on your insurance policy. If they drive your car regularly and happen to have a wreck, your insurance company may deny the claim because the driver wasn't listed on your policy. Their position may be that allowing an individual regular access to your car and not listing them on your insurance coverage represents non-disclosure and deny the claim on that basis.

Before lending your car to anyone, double check with your insurance agent as to exactly what your policy covers. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Greensboro Motorcycle Insurance: What to Do After an Accident

When you ride a motorcycle it's important to be especially alert to road risks particular to motorcyclists. Because of the relatively small size of your vehicle, it's sometimes easy for others on the road to disregard or be totally unaware of your presence, leaving you vulnerable to becoming subject to an accident.

If you do become victim to an accidental mishap, even one that might seem relatively minor to someone driving an automobile, it can cause serious injury when your only protection is a helmet and a bit of protective clothing. You should make sure before setting out on any motorcycle ride that you're wearing the recommended protective gear, that your motorcycle insurance is currently in force, that you're in possession of your proof of insurance card and that your bike is in good running condition. If you do become involved in an accident, there are also certain after-accident procedures of which you should be aware and that you should follow. These include the following.

After-Accident Do's and Don't's

What you do and say after being involved in a vehicle accident can seriously impact how the event will affect you. What you do and say should be guided by what will be in your best interests in the determination of liability and future claims. Here are some guidelines to follow:

1.     The first consideration immediately after an accident is the safety of yourself and the others involved. If you're able to move without causing harm, remove yourself from the roadway and away from any risks such as oncoming traffic, vehicles leaking fuel or burning vehicles/structures. Don't leave the scene.

2.     Remain calm. If you suspect any injuries have someone call 9-1-1. Few motorcycle accidents don't involve some type of injury so you should definitely get checked out by qualified medical personnel.

3.     If 9-1-1 is notified, police will also respond. Otherwise, local police should be called.

4.     Don't make any statements, assign any blame or apologize for your involvement. Don't argue with other parties about cause or fault of the accident. Call your motorcycle insurance company as soon as possible.

5.     Exchange information with others involved, including names, addresses, phone numbers, license and plate info and insurance information. Also obtain names and phone numbers of any available witnesses. Take pictures if possible.

Does Home Insurance Cover Roof Damage

Like many questions asked about what your Greensboro home insurance policy covers, the answer is often, “It depends.” Since insurance policies are unique to the particular company underwriting the policy, each contract may have unique specifics. The best advice is to thoroughly read your homeowner's policy and consult your insurance agent for further clarification.

What About Roof Damage?

Concerning roof damage of your home, there are a number of considerations to understand. The dwelling coverage portion of your Greensboro home insurance policy protects your home and any attached structures, such as your garage, from losses sustained from a number of different perils that are spelled out in the policy. This includes the roof.

The “other structures” coverage, which is included in most homeowner's policies, covers structures on your property that are not attached to the home, such as an unattached garage or a shed. The roofs on these structures are also covered for the same perils for which your house is covered, although there is often a coverage limit for these unattached structures. It's usually figured on a percentage of the coverage limit for the home. If, for example, your home has a dwelling coverage limit of $400,000 and your other structures limit is 10%, your claim for these buildings would max out at $40,000.

What if My Roof is Leaking?

Keep in mind that damage to your roof, in order to be covered, must be the result of one of the stated perils, such as damage caused by wind, fire, hail, vandalism or any of the others spelled out in your policy. Some policies may, however, have certain exclusions, such as an exclusion for wind or hail damage, but these are usually only found in policies written in areas where strong winds or hail are common (which doesn't include Greensboro or surrounding areas).

If your roof is damaged by one of the perils covered in your policy, and that damage produces a water leak that further damages parts of your home or personal belongings, these should all be covered by your Greensboro home insurance coverage. If your roof is leaking as a result of age or wear-and-tear, however, damage to the roof will be excluded from coverage, it being classified as an ongoing maintenance problem. Damage the water leak causes to your walls, floors, carpets or personal possessions, however, likely will be covered. Talk to your agent for clarification! 

Basic Home Insurance: Is it Enough?

According to United Policyholders, a respected non-profit organization that provides consumer advice and information to homeowners nationwide, approximately two-thirds of homes in the US are under-insured. The main reason for this is that many homeowners only carry enough homeowners insurance to cover the payment of their outstanding mortgage in the event that their home is destroyed. This basic insurance is all that's required by their mortgage holder because it protects the lender's financial interests, but the fact is, the outstanding mortgage amount may be significantly lower than the actual value of your home or the amount that would be needed in order to rebuild should, for example, your home be burned to the ground in a house fire.

What is Basic Home Insurance?

There are several different protection levels of homeowners insurance available in North Carolina.  The most basic coverage is designed to protect you from losses from a specific list of named perils, usually about 16 in all, including:

• Fire, smoke and lightning
• Windstorms
• Hail
• Explosions
• Falling objects
• Riot or civil disturbance
• Damage from vehicles
• Theft or vandalism
• Volcanic eruption
• Freezing
• Sudden and accidental damage from artificially-generated electrical current
• Accidental discharge of water

Perils Not Covered

Since it's a “named perils” policy, this coverage offers no loss protection against any perils not listed. Take note that no ordinary homeowners insurance policy covers damage from flooding or earthquakes. To obtain protection from losses for these two perils, you must buy specialized coverage at an additional cost.

Replacement Cost vs Actual Cash Value

Though typically written as a replacement cost policy, basic coverage can be either replacement cost or actual cash value replacement. Replacement cost covers the price of repairing or rebuilding with materials of a similar kind and quality or replacing possessions with like or similar items. Actual cash value replacement coverage generally pays less in benefits. It's designed to repair, rebuild or replace according to current cash value, taking into consideration age, wear and tear (depreciation). This basic form of coverage will typically only pay a portion of your losses, requiring that you pay the difference out of pocket. Because of this difference, replacement cost is much preferred by most homeowners, as they're assured of getting full replacement of their property and personal belongings without depreciation. Make sure when buying an homeowners policy to know which you're getting.