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How often should I review my home insurance policy?

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Homeowners insurance from Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. protects you from the financial burden of damage caused by perils like fires, severe weather, burglary, and more. As a responsible homeowner in Richmond, VA, part of maintaining your home includes keeping your homeowners’ insurance policy up-to-date.

How often should you review your policy? 

Personal Life Changes

Review your homeowners’ insurance policy whenever there is a change in your personal life. For example, getting married or divorced or having a child can impact your home insurance coverage.

If anyone in your household has a medical condition that requires regular treatment or medication, you’ll want to make sure that your home and belongings are sufficiently covered. You may also need to add extra coverage for high-value items like jewelry, art, or collectibles.

Updates to Your Home

You should also review your homeowners’ insurance policy whenever you make updates or improvements to your home. For example, if you renovate your kitchen or add a new deck, you’ll want to ensure that these updates are properly reflected in your coverage. 

Additionally, if you’ve purchased any new expensive appliances or electronics recently, you’ll want to insure them for their full value in case they’re lost, stolen, or damaged. Many standard homeowners insurance policies have limits on how much they will pay out for certain items like jewelry, art, electronics, and more, so it’s important to check that you have the coverage you need.

Contact Us Today

As a homeowner in Richmond, VA, it’s important to keep your insurance policy up-to-date so that you’re fully protected in case of an unexpected event. Contact Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. at least once a year and anytime there is a change in your personal life or home. 

Why Renters Insurance Is So Important

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If you are a renter, there are certain aspects of your home that you don’t have to insure. The dwelling will be insured by the owner, so you don’t have to worry about that. However, you do need to have renters’ insurance. It doesn’t cover the dwelling itself and instead gives you types of coverage that you need to have in place. You run a lot of risks as a renter, and this insurance can protect you from many of them.

For expert insurance guidance, give us a call at Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. in Richmond, VA.

The Benefits of Renters Insurance

Your Belongings Need Protection

Though you don’t have to cover the home itself, you do need to cover what’s inside it. If a serious event happened to the home and your things were destroyed, you would have to pay for everything to be replaced if you didn’t have a renters insurance policy. These policies protect everything so that the policy can pay to have them replaced if something should happen to them. This coverage is very valuable, and yet renters insurance is quite inexpensive. 

Your Liability Needs Protection

Sure, you don’t own the property, but you are still responsible for anything that happens there. If a third party came into your home and somehow became injured there, such as in an accident, you are likely to be liable for the injuries. This means that you would have to pay for their expenses like their lost wages and any medical bills. No one should be open to that kind of risk and renters’ insurance makes sure that you aren’t, paying those bills. 

Get Renters Insurance Today

If you don’t have a renters insurance policy, you are likely required to have one by your landlord. To get started, call us at Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. in Richmond, VA.

Will motorcycle insurance cover a non-moving accident?

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Motorcycle insurance is similar to auto insurance in that you are required to carry liability insurance in most states. However, the similarities don’t stop there. You can also purchase full coverage insurance on your motorcycle as well.

We at Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. in Richmond, VA know that not all motorcycle owners understand the benefits of different insurance policies. However, we’re committed to making sure that we answer questions that help our customers get the coverage they need. 

Motorcycle Insurance for Non-moving Accidents?

Of course, liability coverage will not pay for the repair of your motorcycle. Liability insurance covers situations where you’re at fault. However, like auto insurance, you can purchase comprehensive insurance to pay for the repair of your motorcycle, if damaged in a non-moving accident.

Motorcycle owners who carry comprehensive insurance receive coverage for the repair/replacement of their bike if it’s damaged in a non-collision accident. Compensation for damage from fallen objects like trees and hail is also covered by comprehensive insurance. Theft, fire damage, and vandalism are also covered by comprehensive motorcycle insurance. Overall, comprehensive coverage covers damage from accidents and situations that don’t involve collisions. 

Other Considerations

Although comprehensive insurance isn’t required, motorcycle owners may be required to carry full coverage motorcycle insurance if they are financing their motorcycle. Motorcycle owners also have the option of purchasing add-on personal accident coverage. This insurance coverage would award motorcycle owners or their families a cash payment in case of a serious accident.

Give Us A Call

Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. in Richmond, VA is here to help motorcycle owners explore the best motorcycle insurance for their unique situations. If you have questions about motorcycle insurance, call us. We’re standing by.

What Happens If I Don’t Have Umbrella Insurance?

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What happens if I don’t have umbrella insurance? This is a question that many people ask, but few know the answer to. Umbrella insurance provides an extra layer of protection for your personal assets in the event that something goes wrong.

Without it, you could be at risk of losing everything if you’re sued. Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. in Richmond, VA is here to provide you this guide on why it is so important to have this type of coverage. 

Here is what happens if you don’t have umbrella insurance:

You Could Be Sued for Damages That Exceed Your Insurance Policy Limits

If you’re found liable for an accident or incident, the damages that you’re required to pay could easily exceed the limits of your regular insurance policy. Without umbrella insurance, you would be responsible for paying these damages out of pocket. This could lead to financial ruin if the amount owed is large enough. Umbrella insurance provides an extra layer of protection against this type of scenario.

Your Assets Could Be At Risk

If you’re sued and found liable for an accident or incident, your personal assets could be at risk of being seized to pay for the damages you owe. This includes your home, savings account, investments, and more. Without umbrella insurance from a reputable company such as Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc, you could lose everything you have built up over the years.

You Could Be Sued for Libel Or Slander

You could be sued for damages if you’re accused of libel or slander in Richmond VA. This type of lawsuit can be very expensive to defend, and the outcome is often uncertain. Without umbrella insurance, you could be on the hook for paying these costs out of pocket.

Give Us A Call

If you don’t have umbrella insurance and something happens that is not covered by your home or auto insurance, you could be responsible for paying out of pocket for any damages. This could end up costing you thousands of dollars, so it’s important to make sure you are properly protected.

Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. in Richmond, VA can help you find the right umbrella insurance policy to fit your needs. Give us a call today to learn more.

Things you should always carry in your vehicle

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Many people use their vehicles every day. It is more than just driving to work, it’s taking kids to school, running errands, shopping, and doctor’s visits. An amazing amount of time is spent in your vehicle. Sometimes that vehicle may be stuck in traffic or it can break down. Being prepared can stop these things from becoming a tragedy. At Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. in Richmond, VA, we make sure that your auto insurance gives you all the protection you need. 

Tips For Your Vehicle

Glove box

Your glove box should have all your necessary documents. Your insurance card and your vehicle registration. A tool for cutting your seatbelt and breaking windows can save your life if you end up in a vehicle submerged in water. Having an EZ pass can make traveling faster and easier. You may want to attach this to your windshield so you don’t have to take it in and out. Keep an owners’ manual in the event you need to look up some info about your vehicle. 

Trunk

You should have an emergency kit in your trunk. It should include things like flares, jumper cables, a can of Fix a Flat, and a flashlight. Having a charger like a Halo allows you to jump-start your own vehicle and also some newer models also have tire inflators. Make sure that you have a spare tire and a jack so you can replace your flat tire. It is also a good idea to have a jug of water in your trunk and a windshield washer fluid. In cold weather, having a blanket in the trunk can make you more comfortable. Snacks and bottled water are a welcome addition if you have to wait a while for roadside assistance. 

Give Us A Call

Contact Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. in Richmond, VA when you need to review your auto insurance or change your carrier. 

Protect Your Condo in Richmond, VA with Condo Insurance

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Condo insurance is essential for different reasons. Your Richmond, VA condo needs protection from situations that are out of your control. Here’s what you need to know about condo insurance and how Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. can help you cover your condo.

What Does Condo Insurance Cover?

Condo insurance covers a lot more than you may realize. Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. can help you determine which coverage options are best for you.

Personal Possessions

Personal possessions coverage takes care of things if your belongings are damaged or stolen. These belongings can include clothes, furniture, electronics, and more. Under the personal possessions coverage, your belongings are protected even if they are not stored in your home and stored in a shed, garage, or in your car. You can also get an insurance policy under your condo insurance policy that covers art, computers, jewelry, and other expensive items.

Loss of Use

In the event your condo is inhabitable, this coverage handles the cost of your temporary living expenses. If your condo is damaged, you’re covered for rent, a hotel stay, and food expenses.

Personal Liability

Personal liability coverage handles lawsuits against you or your relatives. If someone decides to sue you or a family member that lives in your home for injuries or property damage, personal liability covers the cost of your lawyer, court fees, and specific damages you must pay.

Medical Payments

Medical payment coverage protects you if injuries occur on your property. This coverage handles the medical bills if someone is injured at your condo or the property surrounding your condo. If someone is injured in a common area of the condo complex, your association’s insurance should cover the medical cost.

When it comes to condo insurance in Richmond, VA, Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. has you covered. We provide a variety of insurance services. Contact us today to learn more about our insurance services.

How Home Insurance Protects You

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If you own your own home, you need to be able to protect it. One way to do so is to have a home insurance policy that gives you several types of protection. It’s always a good idea to have a home policy for as long as you live in your house. If you need a policy, contact us at Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. in Richmond, VA.

Dwelling Protection

One of the most important types of coverage in a home policy is coverage for the house itself. It’s important to have this coverage in case your home is damaged by an event that is covered by your policy. Getting major damage to your house can cost many thousands of dollars to repair. With home insurance, you are protected in case a serious event does happen. 

Protection for Your Belongings

Another type of protection that you get from a home policy is coverage for everything inside the house. A major event that destroys your belongings is another time when you could be out multiple thousands of dollars without insurance. Imagine how much it would cost to replace everything inside your home. With home insurance, the policy would pay the tab for all of it. 

Liability Protection

With home insurance, you are also protected in the event that someone gets injured on your property. When this happens, the policy pays the medical expenses that are the result of the injuries. Without this insurance, every cent would have to come from your own pocket, and medical expenses can be extremely high. 

Stay Protected With Home Insurance

Not having a home insurance policy can destroy you financially if something were to happen to your home. Don’t go without this vital insurance. If you need home insurance, contact us at Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. in Richmond, VA.

Should all businesses in Virginia get commercial insurance?

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The Richmond, VA area has continued to be a great place for someone to start a business. When you are going to start a company in this area, you always need to make sure that you have the right insurance in place. There are various reasons why a business in this part of the state should obtain a proper insurance plan. 

Protect Your Company

A commercial insurance plan is a good investment as it will help to protect the organization. With a proper commercial insurance plan, you will have protection to mitigate various risks, one of which is the risk that your core assets will be damaged or destroyed. If this occurs, the insurance plan will give support to help you replace these assets to ensure it is not a major financial challenge. Further, you will receive liability support that will ensure you are protected if you are named liable for an accident.

Ensure Compliance

You also should get a commercial insurance plan to ensure you remain in compliance with requirements. Most businesses today are going to have various requirements when it comes to insurance. If you have a loan, lease, or investors, commercial insurance is often a top requirement in documents that you sign. If you get the right plan, it will ensure you comply with these expectations.

While Richmond, VA can be a great place to start a company, there are risks that exist for any type of business. Due to this, getting commercial insurance is a good idea. The team with Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. can help you find the right commercial insurance plan for your business. Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. is able to do this by carefully assessing the needs and requirements of your business and building a plan accordingly. 

What Level of Renters’ Insurance Is Necessary in Virginia?

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If you have an apartment in Virginia or about to move into one, it’s important to find out about renters’ insurance. You may not know whether you’d be required to have renters’ insurance. Learn more about this and more from the experts at Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. of the Richmond VA area. 

Is it Necessary to Have Renter’s Insurance in Virginia?  

Are you required by law to have a renters’ insurance policy in the state of Virginia? You should know that while it isn’t a strict requirement to have such a policy in place, some landlords do ask in their that their tenants obtain a policy. 

In July 2019, changes went into effect in the legislation that a landlord will have to make their tenants aware that the landlord is not responsible for covering the personal properly of the tenant. This means that you also will not have coverage from your landlord’s insurance policy. 

On that note, the tenant should set up renter’s insurance if they do want their personal property to be protected. If you’re a landlord, it’s in your best interest to include this requirement in your standard lease if you want to avoid putting in the written notice about what’s expected.

Get the Best Type of Protection to Suit Your Needs

Renter’s insurance allows you to have the peace of mind associated with knowing that you won’t have to pay out-of-pocket for damage or theft of your possessions. There are many things that you should know first. Contact us at Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. to find out about this process. Serving the Richmond VA area, we’re pleased to offer top-notch insurance policies that apply to different situations. 

 

Does Virginia Require Motorcycle Insurance?

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For many people, riding a motorcycle is a source of freedom. However, it also comes with responsibilities, like having the right insurance. Of course, each state has its own insurance requirements, and those requirements can get confusing. So, what do you need to know about motorcycle insurance in Richmond, VA? At Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc., we can help you figure it out. 

Does Virginia Require Motorcycle Insurance?

Yes and no. In Virginia, motorcycle owners have two options: buying liability insurance or paying an Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) fee. If you pay the fee, you don’t have to carry insurance. However, if you choose this route, you remain uninsured at your own risk. 

Reasons to Choose Motorcycle Insurance

If Virginia allows for a UMV fee, why do so many motorcycle owners still choose insurance? Because risk mitigation matters. Carrying insurance can help you as a motorcycle owner reduce your liability risk. 

The UMV fee may save you some money in the short term, but motorcycle insurance provides the more cost-effective choice in case of an accident. If you do cause an accident on your bike, you could pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars out of your own pocket. Having a good insurance policy can protect you from financial struggles. 

And of course, insurance can help you gain some peace of mind. Riding a motorcycle should be an enjoyable experience. But if you’re constantly worried about your lack of coverage, you won’t enjoy the experience as much as you should. Liability coverage can help you breathe a little easier on the road. 

Motorcycle Insurance Questions? 

Do you have questions about your coverage options? At Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc., we can answer your questions and help you make sure you have the right coverage. We serve motorcycle owners in Richmond, VA. Get in touch with us today to learn more.