The Best Way to Thrive: Charlotte Insurance
You don’t have to poke around for long to find a number of publications ranking Charlotte among the country’s very best places to live, to walk, or just to get outdoors. It’s not hard to see why, with the Appalachian Mountains on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. And that’s why Charlotteans will want to keep their status quo. Charlotte insurance is your safety net-against a hurricane like Hugo, against reckless drivers, and against the many other dangers that threaten our lives. To protect yourself with affordable Charlotte insurance quotes, all you have to do is compare offers.
The Hornet’s Nest
If you think back to why your city became known as The Hornet’s Nest, you’ll recall that Charlotte residents vigorously protected their home turf. General Cornwallis tried to seize the city for the British, but soon referred to local opposition as “a hornet’s nest of rebellion.” When you begin the search for Charlotte insurance quotes, note that the average premium is about $523. But the average homeowner isn’t angry as a hornet. If you’re serious about lowering your North Carolina home insurance costs, bolster your defenses. Alarms, deadbolts, and other precautions against fire and theft can save you anywhere from $50 to $75 each year on even a low premium.
Costs and Upgrades
In Charlotte, you’ll generally need to calculate your dwelling coverage at $82 per square foot. So, a 2,500 square foot house would need about $205,000 of coverage. This number can go up pretty quickly. If you upgrade to granite counters, or you buy high-end appliances, figure on adding another $50,000 to your policy. On the other hand, upgrades can also save you on Charlotte insurance quotes. A newer, sturdier roof enhances your home’s safety. So does new wiring. And if the premiums are more than you want to spend, perhaps you’ll consider raising your deductible. If you increase that by $500, your annual cost may fall as much as 25%.
Danger from the Sky
The effects of Hurricane Hugo were catastrophic: 80,000 trees destroyed; power loss for thousands of residents-weeks-long for some; massive property damage; months of cleanup. At 200 miles inland, most were unprepared. Ditto for the ice storm in 2002, which resulted in power loss for about twice as many people. These things don’t happen every year, but that’s exactly the point of a great home insurance policy: prepare for the worst. A basic HO-1 will cover wind damage, but you need to upgrade to protect against damage from heavy ice and snow. When you compare rates, you’ll find the right balance of cost and coverage.
Old North State Law
To drive in Charlotte, as is the case in any North Carolina city, you must meet some basic requirements-which are more comprehensive than most states. You’ll need a North Carolina car insurance policy providing at least bodily injury liability $30,000 per injured person and $60,000 per accident; property damage liability of $25,000; and uninsured driver coverage of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident. Such a policy is known as 30/60/25 coverage with 30/60 UM limits. And pay attention: since the beginning of 2009, you’ve been required to buy $25,000 in property damage coverage for uninsured drivers as well. If you end up getting caught without at least the minimum coverage, the fines and license suspension can cost more than a car insurance policy.
Pay Less for Car Insurance
There are a high number of annual auto thefts in Charlotte, and commuters spend just over 25 minutes on average traveling to work. As a result, Charlotte insurance quotes are relatively high. What can you do? For starters, buy a car alarm. Simple steps are often easy money savers. And then you’ll want to show insurers that you’re a responsible driver. A 32-year-old local man who drives a 2005 Toyota Tacoma to work every day will pay an annual premium of about $528 for the state-required coverage. And that assumes he has paid off his car; if he is currently repaying a loan, his premium may be higher. Another aspect of responsibility is maintaining car insurance. If this same man got a ticket for driving on the wrong side of the road five months ago, his annual cost could be up to $200 higher.
Umbrellas Protect
By placing your auto and home insurance under a single umbrella policy, you can usually save hundreds of dollars. Similar benefits can be had from adding a health or life insurance policy. Use a service like NetQuote.com to compare North Carolina insurance quotes for free. It’s just one more way to be prepared.
