Do I Need Additional Policies Beyond Umbrella Insurance?

Posted on January 22, 2024October 31, 2024 by Craig-Peterson Agency

For some people, purchasing the least number of insurance policies for their personal or business needs may seem like the best course of action so they can simplify their lives in Raleigh, NC. It’s tempting to think an umbrella insurance policy will cover all perils, but that’s not necessarily true. The team at Craig Insurance Group can explain why you need more than umbrella insurance to protect yourself.

What is Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance is an add-on policy that will give you additional liability and legal protection beyond the limits of standard insurance policies. If you have one for your business, you’ll also need a separate one for your home and vice versa. The policies work best for high-worth individuals who need protection from excessive lawsuits. Umbrella insurance won’t cover injuries or damage to your property. It also won’t cover reckless or unruly acts.

Other Types of Insurance to Consider

If you are a business owner, you should have a basic business operations policy (BOP) in place. Within this policy, you can request various provisions that fit your company and your specific industry. Among the types of coverage you may consider are professional liability, general liability, professional liability, business interruption insurance, and more.

Homeowners should protect themselves through a basic homeowner’s policy, along with a schedule of coverage for valuable personal property worth more than a deductible. Add-ons to a homeowner’s policy to consider include tropical storm and flood insurance, provisions for sewer backups, and various individual policies, including auto, health, and life insurance.

The world of insurance policies can be confusing, but our agents are ready to help you navigate your needs in Raleigh, NC. Contact the Craig Insurance Group office to schedule your consultation on finding insurance protection for your business or personal life.

What kinds of events does flood insurance cover?

Posted on December 21, 2023October 31, 2024 by Craig-Peterson Agency

In its most basic terms, a flood is simply when there is an excess of water on land that is normally dry. Flooding can cause serious damage and even destroy your Raleigh, NC home. Unfortunately, flooding is not covered under a regular homeowners policy. Craig Insurance Group can help you assess your risk, so you can decide if flood insurance is right for you and your family.

What Kinds Of Incidents Are Covered By Flood Insurance?

There are some kinds of water damage and mold that may be covered by your homeowner’s insurance, such as when a storm causes direct damage to your roof and allows water in. Here are the kinds of events that are covered by flood insurance:

When a river, lake, or other body of water overflows its banks.
When a hurricane causes a storm surge.
If there is heavy rain that causes water to build up faster than it can drain.
A mudflow or mudslide.
When a large amount of snow melts and manages to get into your home.

What Is Protected By Flood Insurance?

If you have flood insurance, you have protection for:

your home itself and any unattached buildings on your property,
plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and gas systems,
small and large appliances,
furniture,
curtains and carpeting,
clothing,
and other personal items such as books and cell phones.

Call Today To Discuss Your Options

If your home or business is in Raleigh, NC, you may experience flooding at some time in the future. Flood insurance is often the only way to get protection from those kinds of damages. If you have any questions about flood insurance or if you would like to discuss your policy options, please feel free to call Craig Insurance Group today.

Full-Time RV Living: Special Considerations for Insurance Coverage

Posted on November 17, 2023October 31, 2024 by Craig-Peterson Agency

Embarking on the exciting journey of full-time RV living? Here at Craig Insurance Group, providing RV insurance to residents in the greater Raleigh, NC area, we want to help ensure that your home on wheels is protected every mile of the way.

Home Sweet Home: RV Insurance Essentials

Your RV is more than a vehicle; it’s your home. Look beyond standard auto coverage. Seek policies that cover personal belongings, offer liability protection, and include comprehensive coverage for unexpected incidents during your travels.

Nomadic Life, Specialized Coverage

Traditional homeowners’ insurance won’t cut it for your nomadic lifestyle. Find insurers versed in the unique needs of full-time RVers. Opt for flexible policies that cover you as you travel from state to state, providing peace of mind wherever you roam.

Wheels, Walls, and Beyond: Additional Protections

Consider add-ons to address RV-specific challenges. Coverage for attached accessories and personal belongings ensures you’re prepared for the unexpected, enhancing your peace of mind on the road.

Roadside Assistance: A Traveler’s Lifeline

Breakdowns happen. Ensure your insurance includes reliable roadside assistance. From flat tires to dead batteries, having a helping hand a phone call away turns potential disasters into minor inconveniences.

We Are Here To Help

Hit the road confidently, knowing your home on wheels is safeguarded. With a comprehensive insurance plan tailored to your unique lifestyle, you can focus on the journey, not the worries. Whether you’re looking for your first RV insurance policy or you are just looking to switch to a company that provides better coverage for your needs, the team at Craig Insurance Group, providing insurance products to residents in the greater Raleigh, NC region, is here to help you. Call today to get started.

Whatever Floats Your Boat

Posted on October 20, 2023October 31, 2024 by Craig-Peterson Agency

So now you’re the proud owner of a boat. Before you literally break open the champagne, you need to get your boat insured. While it may not be a legal requirement in North Carolina, it’s still a very good idea to have some. While the state might not require it, many docks and private marinas do. And let’s face it, these things are expensive! If your boat is damaged, you might want some recompense.

What Boat Insurance Covers

Property damage liability coverage can pay for any damages your boat might have caused to another boat, dock, marina, or other property. Bodily injury liability coverage can aid in paying off medical and legal expenses should you be responsible for injuries someone took due to your boat. If you do tubing or water skiing, you may want to look into water sports coverage. While you aren’t required to have boat insurance in North Carolina, you are required to clean up after yourself. Boat insurance can help you pay for wreckage removal and cleaning up fuel spills.

What Else Can Boat Insurance Cover?

There are some options you can add to your boat insurance if you think it prudent. While North Carolina winters are fairly mild, it can get cold enough to freeze in some places. If you dock in a mountain lake during the winter, you may want to look into ice/freeze coverage. If you go fishing on your boat, you can get your tackle insured. You can also select an insurance option that covers towing if you think you’ll need it.

Craig Insurance Group Serving Raleigh, NC

If you are in need of boating insurance and live in the Raleigh, NC area, please contact Craig Insurance Group. Our knowledgeable agents will be dedicated to helping you.

Umbrella Insurance Offers the Overall Coverage You Need

Posted on September 22, 2023October 31, 2024 by Craig-Peterson Agency

There are plenty of different ways to protect yourself, and one of those ways is through the right type and level of insurance coverage. Even if you have other policies for individual areas of your life, that’s sometimes not enough. For additional protection in the Raleigh, NC area, you can work with Craig Insurance Group to get the umbrella insurance policy that meets your needs.

Here’s what to consider when choosing this kind of policy:

First, you want to work with a trusted agent to make sure you’re getting the level of coverage needed. A policy that doesn’t have enough protection isn’t going to give you the value you hope for. However, an insurance professional can talk you through what’s available and help you gain a better understanding of how specific policies could fit with your situation.

Additionally, you want to make sure you get all your questions answered, so you can select the right policy from the options available to you and update that policy as needed in the future. Umbrella policies are designed to offer you coverage beyond what your individual policies provide, in case you exceed the limits of the original policy with a claim. Like an umbrella protecting you on a rainy day, these policies are focused on overarching coverage in more than just one area.

Schedule A Consultation Today

If you’re in the Raleigh, NC area and considering umbrella insurance coverage, reach out to us at Craig Insurance Group today, and let’s talk about the protection options you have. There’s no reason to worry about the level of coverage you have with your current insurance policies when you could have additional coverage that goes above and beyond to increase your level and security and peace of mind for the long term.

Who needs to have a flood insurance plan in North Carolina?

Posted on August 24, 2023October 31, 2024 by Craig-Peterson Agency

Owning real estate in the Raleigh, NC area has been a good idea for residents for a long time. While there are advantages that come with owning real estate, there are also risks, such as the risk of flood damage. A way you can mitigate this concern is by getting a proper flood insurance plan.

There are various situations when you will need to have a flood insurance plan.

When Trying to Mitigate Risk

A situation when you will need to have a flood plan is when you are trying to mitigate this risk. Flood damage to any type of property can be very significant. If you are not insured, you may not have any financial support. If you are concerned about this risk, it would be a good idea to have a flood insurance plan as it will offer the support necessary to make flood damage repairs.

When Financing and in a Flood Zone

Taking out a mortgage when buying a home is very common today. When you are looking to finance a home, you also need to consider your insurance requirements. If you are in a flood zone, as determined by FEMA, you will be required to carry insurance on it at all times. The lender will likely escrow for flood insurance payments as well.

Reach Out To Us

There are many situations when someone in the Raleigh, NC area will need to have a proper flood plan. If you are looking to get this coverage when you are here, it would be a great idea to call our team with the Craig Insurance Group. If you do call our team with the Craig Insurance Group, you can get the help necessary to build a plan that will adequately cover your home with flood protection.

Are Life Insurance and Estate Planning the Same Thing?

Posted on July 21, 2023October 31, 2024 by Craig-Peterson Agency

Estate planning is an important task that anyone can take on at any point in their lives. In fact, our team at Craig Insurance Group recommends getting started with your Raleigh, NC estate planning as soon as you’re able to. That’s because while life insurance and estate planning aren’t quite the same thing, they go hand-in-hand, and the younger you are, the more cost-effective you’ll find life insurance policies.

How Life Insurance Assists With Estate Planning

Estate planning is generally known as the process of organizing and arranging a person’s affairs so that they are properly distributed and managed upon one’s death. You can work with an estate planning attorney, financial advisor, or similar professional without the need for a life insurance policy to create your estate plan and final will and testament. However, life insurance often plays a valuable role for the following reasons:

Ensuring financial protection for loved ones without taxes. Life insurance policies are primarily bought for their listed death benefit. This death benefit can be paid out to your listed beneficiaries with the huge advantage of not being taxable.
Making charitable contributions easier. If you have certain charities that are near and dear to your heart, then a life insurance policy can offer an easy way to ensure that you invest in them and leave that legacy as part of your estate planning.
Streamlining end-of-life payments. In some cases, a policyholder might have certain expenses and outstanding debts that will need to be paid, such as end-of-life care and funeral costs. Life insurance policies pay out quickly, ensuring that those debts can quickly be cleared.

Contact Our Team to Learn More

While we can’t set up your Raleigh, NC estate, our team at Craig Insurance Group can help you find that perfect life insurance to partially or even wholly fund it.

Key Facts You Should Know about Renter’s Insurance

Posted on June 16, 2023October 31, 2024 by Craig-Peterson Agency

If you think renter’s insurance isn’t worth the cost, you may have misconceptions about the protection a renter’s policy has to offer. Renter’s insurance from Craig Insurance Group can protect your Raleigh, NC personal property against fire, storm damage, theft, and other mishaps that can lead to financial loss. Before discarding this valuable protection, you should learn the facts about renter’s insurance and how it can benefit you.

Key Facts about Renter’s Insurance

When you rent a home or condo, your landlord is responsible for protecting the property against damage from inclement weather, fire, or other disaster. Your landlord’s insurance, however, won’t cover your personal possessions in the home. This is where renter’s insurance comes into play.

Renter’s insurance is designed to cover your belongings – clothes, furniture, laptop, cell phone, TV, sports gear, etc. – against theft or damage in a disaster to make it easier for you to recuperate your losses.

Here are a few more facts you should know about renter’s insurance coverage:

Renter’s insurance can cover the loss or damage of personal items when you’re outside your home. If your laptop is stolen from a hotel during vacation, for example, renter’s insurance can help cover its replacement cost.
Renter’s coverage can be customized to suit your personal needs. By taking inventory of your possessions and their value, you can obtain just the coverage you need to avoid overspending on your policy.
Renter’s liability coverage can help pay for accidental injuries a guest may sustain while visiting your rental home, so you don’t have to cover these expenses out of pocket.
Renter’s insurance can be bundled with your auto coverage to save on both!

We Are Here To Help!

For quality renter’s insurance coverage to best meet your needs, contact Craig Insurance Group in Raleigh, NC today!

Car Repairs That Affect Safety

Posted on May 19, 2023October 31, 2024 by Craig-Peterson Agency

Buckling up your seatbelt is not the only way to stay safe in your car. Keeping up on needed car repairs can also help to ensure you are safe when driving. Here at Craig Insurance Group, serving the greater Raleigh, NC community, we want to help drivers do all they can to stay safe out on the road.

These are the car repairs that affect safety:

Replacing Tires

Riding around on worn-out tires is a huge safety risk that you should not be taking. Often people put this off because replacing tires can be expensive. However, having a tire blow out on you unexpectedly is often much more expensive. This increases the risk of you having an accident and might also result in needing a tow. In the long run, you save money by replacing tires at the appropriate times.

Windshield Wipers

Windshield wipers are not often the first thing we think of when we consider necessary car repairs, but worn-out windshield wipers can create an unsafe driving situation in rainy conditions. Poor quality or worn down wipers will not clear the windshield properly, and so your visibility will be greatly impacted. This can increase the chances of you having an accident. If you start to notice wipers working less efficiently, change them out as soon as possible.

Brakes

Brakes are probably the most important aspect of your vehicle’s safety features. Brakes are a consumable part of your vehicle, though, which means that over time they need to be replaced. During an oil change, it is a good idea to have your brakes evaluated so that you know if they are in good working order. Your mechanic can advise you on when you should replace the brakes for optimum safety.

We Can Help!

If you would like to learn about vehicle insurance, please contact us at Craig Insurance Group, serving Raleigh, NC and the surrounding areas.

How Can I Benefit From Boat Insurance?

Posted on April 11, 2023October 31, 2024 by Craig-Peterson Agency

If you own a boat in the greater Raleigh, NC region, you’re gonna need to get boat insurance. Here at Craig Insurance Group know that we can help. Besides the fact that boat insurance is required, there are a few less-than-obvious benefits to creating a policy.

Boat Insurance Benefits

1. Investment Protection

A boat is a huge investment, and that investment deserves to be protected. Without insurance, you risk losing your investment in the event of an accident or other unforeseen incident. Be aware that a single storm can sink boats, while a fire in a nearby boat can burn your boat, or you could become a victim of vandalism. With boat insurance, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that if something terrible happened to your boat, you aren’t losing the investment you made.

2. Personal Protection

If you injure a passenger or a swimmer or damage another boat while operating yours, you will be held accountable for their bodily harm and medical expenses. You may potentially face legal action.

Even if you are not held guilty, be aware that legal fees can quickly pile up and cost you a lot of money. However, yacht insurance will cover those expenses, and you will not be personally liable for them.

3. Passenger Protection

Anyone you grant permission to use your vessel is protected, as are passengers partaking in water activities. If you or any of your passengers are injured while boating, the medical bills, and lost pay will up quickly.

Even more so if an injury occurs as a result of someone else’s uninsured watercraft. Nonetheless, you may safeguard your passengers and yourself from such expenses.

4. Total Loss Replacement

If your boat sinks or is destroyed due to fire or irreparable damage, you would face a significant financial loss. Policies may cover entire loss replacement, allowing you to get back on the water quickly. If boating is a significant family activity or a hobby, this benefit of boat insurance is well worth the expense.

Call Us Today

Here at Craig Insurance Group, we are proud to offer boat insurance to citizens in and around Raleigh, NC. Give us a call today so we can create a policy that best fits your needs. We are dedicated and ready to help answer any questions you may have.