Why Reviewing Your Home Policy After Renovations Is Important

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So, you finally finished that kitchen remodel or added the sunroom you’ve been dreaming about for years. It looks amazing, and it probably added value to your home, too. But here’s something many homeowners forget to do once the dust settles: review their home insurance policy. At Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. in Richmond, VA, we remind our clients that updating your policy after renovations isn’t just a good idea, it’s essential.

How Renovations Impact Your Coverage Needs

When you make improvements to your home, you’re often increasing its overall replacement cost. That means if something were to happen, like a fire or major storm damage, your current home insurance policy might not fully cover the cost to rebuild or repair those upgraded features. Whether it’s high-end countertops, new flooring, or even a finished basement, these changes can significantly impact your home’s insured value.

Avoid Gaps in Coverage

If your policy isn’t updated after a renovation, there could be a gap between what your home is worth now and what your insurance would actually pay out. That could leave you footing a bigger portion of the repair or rebuild bill than you expected. Taking a little time to review your policy could save you a lot of stress and money later on.

Keep Your Policy Aligned with Your Home

Every renovation is an investment. Protect that investment by making sure your insurance policy reflects the true value of your updated home.

If you’ve recently renovated or are planning a project soon, now is the perfect time to review your home insurance. Contact Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. in Richmond, VA, to ensure your coverage keeps pace with your home’s improvements.

Do Churches in Richmond Need Commercial Insurance?

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Commercial insurance isn’t just for businesses. Churches of all sizes and denominations in Richmond, VA can benefit from commercial coverage. The specific types of insurance your church needs will depend on factors such as its size, location, and the nature of its activities. However, there are some forms of insurance that nearly every church should consider.

Property Insurance

Your church property is more than just an asset—it’s a gathering place for your community. Property insurance provides compensation for damage to the church’s structure, allowing you to make repairs without unnecessary delays.

Liability Insurance

In a crowded venue, accidents can happen. Liability insurance covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs if a visitor is injured on your property.

Vehicle Insurance

If your church owns vehicles or if the pastor allows church employees to use their personal vehicles for church-related purposes, commercial auto insurance is essential. Additionally, you may want to consider comprehensive coverage, which provides protection against theft or damage caused by natural disasters.

Religious Counseling Services Liability Insurance

Professionals who offer advice can be held liable if the recipient decides to file a lawsuit against them. Religious counseling services liability insurance helps cover legal expenses, settlements, and judgments related to counseling services provided by your church.

Call Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. for More Information

Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. offers a range of commercial insurance options specifically tailored to the needs of churches in Richmond, VA. Contact us today to learn more about available coverage, explore policy options, or request policy quotes. We look forward to helping you find the best policy or policy bundle for your church.

How Renter’s Insurance Protects Your Belongings

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When you rent a home, there are specific responsibilities you must fulfill, and one of these is obtaining renters’ insurance. Many landlords today require tenants to have renters’ insurance to ensure protection against various risks, including those that could damage or destroy your belongings. While you don’t need home insurance—since the homeowner will have that coverage—you do need a solid renter’s policy to safeguard your possessions. To ensure you have the protection you need, contact us at Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. in Richmond, VA.

Protection for Your Belongings

Renter’s insurance includes different types of coverage, such as liability protection and coverage for your belongings. The items inside your rented home are valuable and represent a significant financial investment. When you consider the cost of the items in just one room, it becomes clear how expensive your belongings are. Having this protection in place is crucial in the event of accidents or natural disasters.

Coverage for Replacement Costs

If your belongings are damaged or destroyed, your renters’ insurance policy can cover the cost of replacing them. Without this coverage, replacing even a few expensive items could be financially overwhelming for most people. Replacing everything would be an even greater challenge. To ensure your items can be replaced, it’s essential to maintain renters’ insurance.

Get Renter’s Insurance Today

When you rent a home, make renters’ insurance a priority. To learn more about this type of insurance, contact us at Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. in Richmond, VA.

Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Theft?

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Motorcycles are always a joy to ride, but their compact nature makes them more susceptible to theft than other vehicles. Many people purchase insurance because they’re legally required to, but does motorcycle insurance cover theft?

Legal Requirements

The minimum requirements in Richmond, VA, state that all registered vehicles, including motorcycles, must carry minimum liability insurance. This must include:

  • $20,000 property damage liability insurance
  • $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $50,000 total bodily injury liability per accident

Motorcycle owners who obtain minimum liability insurance to meet legal requirements will not have insurance that covers theft. However, other insurance options are available to provide additional coverage.

Additional Coverage

Insurance companies like Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. offer several levels of coverage to protect motorcycles. Motorcycle owners may have the same options as car owners do:

  • Comprehensive Coverage: Comprehensive coverage provides coverage for events other than an accident with another vehicle, such as hitting a telephone pole or animal, vandalism, theft, and weather damage.
  • Collision Coverage: This provides coverage for your motorcycle if you’re in an accident with another vehicle or object. However, some companies offer collision coverage for accidents with another vehicle and only provide coverage for accidents with an object or animal under comprehensive coverage.
  • Uninsured Motorist Coverage: This type of coverage can help you if you’re in an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance or whose insurance isn’t enough to cover the cost of damages.

Motorcycle owners can also enjoy roadside assistance, coverage for add-ons, and more. However, this varies depending on the company you work with.

We understand motorcycle owners are more likely to deal with theft. That’s why experienced agents at Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. will help you find the right coverage to ensure you’re protected. Contact us today to find the right policy for your motorcycle. We’re currently serving the Richmond, VA area.

Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Theft?

Posted on by admin

Motorcycles are always a joy to ride, but their compact nature makes them more susceptible to theft than other vehicles. Many people purchase insurance because they’re legally required to, but does motorcycle insurance cover theft?

Legal Requirements

The minimum requirements in Richmond, VA, state that all registered vehicles, including motorcycles, must carry minimum liability insurance. This must include:

  • $20,000 property damage liability insurance
  • $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $50,000 total bodily injury liability per accident

Motorcycle owners who obtain minimum liability insurance to meet legal requirements will not have insurance that covers theft. However, other insurance options are available to provide additional coverage.

Additional Coverage

Insurance companies like Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. offer several levels of coverage to protect motorcycles. Motorcycle owners may have the same options as car owners do:

  • Comprehensive Coverage: Comprehensive coverage provides coverage for events other than an accident with another vehicle, such as hitting a telephone pole or animal, vandalism, theft, and weather damage.
  • Collision Coverage: This provides coverage for your motorcycle if you’re in an accident with another vehicle or object. However, some companies offer collision coverage for accidents with another vehicle and only provide coverage for accidents with an object or animal under comprehensive coverage.
  • Uninsured Motorist Coverage: This type of coverage can help you if you’re in an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance or whose insurance isn’t enough to cover the cost of damages.

Motorcycle owners can also enjoy roadside assistance, coverage for add-ons, and more. However, this varies depending on the company you work with.

We understand motorcycle owners are more likely to deal with theft. That’s why experienced agents at Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. will help you find the right coverage to ensure you’re protected. Contact us today to find the right policy for your motorcycle. We’re currently serving the Richmond, VA area.

Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Theft?

Posted on by admin

Motorcycles are always a joy to ride, but their compact nature makes them more susceptible to theft than other vehicles. Many people purchase insurance because they’re legally required to, but does motorcycle insurance cover theft?

Legal Requirements

The minimum requirements in Richmond, VA, state that all registered vehicles, including motorcycles, must carry minimum liability insurance. This must include:

  • $20,000 property damage liability insurance
  • $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $50,000 total bodily injury liability per accident

Motorcycle owners who obtain minimum liability insurance to meet legal requirements will not have insurance that covers theft. However, other insurance options are available to provide additional coverage.

Additional Coverage

Insurance companies like Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. offer several levels of coverage to protect motorcycles. Motorcycle owners may have the same options as car owners do:

  • Comprehensive Coverage: Comprehensive coverage provides coverage for events other than an accident with another vehicle, such as hitting a telephone pole or animal, vandalism, theft, and weather damage.
  • Collision Coverage: This provides coverage for your motorcycle if you’re in an accident with another vehicle or object. However, some companies offer collision coverage for accidents with another vehicle and only provide coverage for accidents with an object or animal under comprehensive coverage.
  • Uninsured Motorist Coverage: This type of coverage can help you if you’re in an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance or whose insurance isn’t enough to cover the cost of damages.

Motorcycle owners can also enjoy roadside assistance, coverage for add-ons, and more. However, this varies depending on the company you work with.

We understand motorcycle owners are more likely to deal with theft. That’s why experienced agents at Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. will help you find the right coverage to ensure you’re protected. Contact us today to find the right policy for your motorcycle. We’re currently serving the Richmond, VA area.

Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Theft?

Posted on by admin

Motorcycles are always a joy to ride, but their compact nature makes them more susceptible to theft than other vehicles. Many people purchase insurance because they’re legally required to, but does motorcycle insurance cover theft?

Legal Requirements

The minimum requirements in Richmond, VA, state that all registered vehicles, including motorcycles, must carry minimum liability insurance. This must include:

  • $20,000 property damage liability insurance
  • $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $50,000 total bodily injury liability per accident

Motorcycle owners who obtain minimum liability insurance to meet legal requirements will not have insurance that covers theft. However, other insurance options are available to provide additional coverage.

Additional Coverage

Insurance companies like Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. offer several levels of coverage to protect motorcycles. Motorcycle owners may have the same options as car owners do:

  • Comprehensive Coverage: Comprehensive coverage provides coverage for events other than an accident with another vehicle, such as hitting a telephone pole or animal, vandalism, theft, and weather damage.
  • Collision Coverage: This provides coverage for your motorcycle if you’re in an accident with another vehicle or object. However, some companies offer collision coverage for accidents with another vehicle and only provide coverage for accidents with an object or animal under comprehensive coverage.
  • Uninsured Motorist Coverage: This type of coverage can help you if you’re in an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance or whose insurance isn’t enough to cover the cost of damages.

Motorcycle owners can also enjoy roadside assistance, coverage for add-ons, and more. However, this varies depending on the company you work with.

We understand motorcycle owners are more likely to deal with theft. That’s why experienced agents at Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. will help you find the right coverage to ensure you’re protected. Contact us today to find the right policy for your motorcycle. We’re currently serving the Richmond, VA area.

Does My Auto Insurance Cover Rental Cars?

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While you likely have coverage for your vehicles in Richmond, VA, there are times when you drive another car. For instance, when you travel, you might rent a vehicle. Is that still covered?

We get that question a lot at Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc., so here’s a basic breakdown of rental coverage.

Comprehensive Coverage

Let’s emphasize that every policy is different. You should always check to see exactly what coverage you have and never assume anything.

With that said, comprehensive auto insurance plans can include coverage for when you rent a car. When that is the case, a specific clause in the policy plan will explain rental car coverage.

Please note that even if your policy covers rental cars, exceptions may still apply. One of the most common exceptions is commercial use. In other words, if you rent a car for work, your insurance might not cover it, even if you have rental car coverage. In those cases, you likely need a commercial policy, which your employer should purchase.

What Is Covered?

If you do have rental car coverage, what is included? Once again, every policy is different.

That said, the most common inclusions include liability in cases where you cause an accident. You might also have collision/loss damage coverage for property damaged in the event. Personal effects coverage applies to your personal items that might be damaged or stolen. Finally, personal accident coverage applies to medical bills.

Additional Coverage Options

If rental coverage is not already included in your policy, you can often add it as an upgrade. You can also get a specific rental car insurance policy and bundle it with your other insurance policies.

Alternatively, most rental services offer their insurance option that you can purchase for each rental. Finally, some credit card programs provide rental insurance protection, although coverage limits will vary.

With all that said, if you want to be sure you’re protected when renting a car, your easiest path forward is a simple conversation. Contact Cary-Wheeler & Associates, Inc., and speak with an agent serving Richmond, VA. You can make sure you have the coverage you want.

Why Umbrella Insurance is a Good Back-Up Plan

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Accidents are unpredictable. That is the nature of an accident. That’s why, if you are like so many people, you rely on insurance solutions as your plan A against accidents. That’s also why so many people in the Richmond, VA area prepare for the unplanned, unexpected, and unforeseeable with insurance solutions from the reliable and professional team at Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. for their plan A – and umbrella insurance as their plan B.

The Importance of Umbrella Insurance as a Backup Plan

It is the unpredictability of accidents that makes it a good idea to have a backup plan. Yes, standard insurance policies often cover the needs of policyholders when they need them, and sometimes, they do not. So, what happens when the unpredictability of an accident results in damages, bills, or claims that exceed your standard policy limits? Exactly. And that is precisely why a backup plan or plan B is a good idea and where the right umbrella insurance can make a difference. These are also reasons why it is worth taking the time to talk to your agent about the benefits and protection of umbrella insurance when you need a plan B.

Securing Umbrella Insurance Solutions in Richmond, VA

Do you live in the Richmond, VA area? Would you like to learn more about umbrella insurance or how it could benefit you? We can help. Contact us to find out more and schedule an appointment with our professional and experienced team today at Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. for all your umbrella insurance solutions. When accidents become unpredictable, like they often do, umbrella insurance could be the backup plan you need.

Understanding Loss Assessment Coverage in Your Condo Insurance Policy

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Condominium homeowners associations are required to carry a master insurance policy that covers several distinctive features of condo living, such as common areas that all residents share. When damage occurs, a loss can lead to additional costs to condo owners. At Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. in Richmond, VA, we help our clients acquire loss assessment coverage to reduce expensive condo assessment costs.

Understanding What a Loss Assessment Is

Sometimes, damage occurs to common areas of a condo property that the master insurance policy may not cover. This may occur when a high deductible amount exceeds what is available in the reserves of money that consists of your monthly condo fees or a shortfall in the coverage amount. When this situation occurs, the condominium association may call for a loss assessment from all the association members to make up the difference.

When Does Loss Assessment Coverage Apply?

A severe storm or hurricane may cause damage to a building, swimming pool, or gazebo on the property. The condo association’s insurance coverage may only cover a portion of the damage or may have a high deductible. If you are required to pay a portion of the difference, your loss assessment coverage may apply. This coverage does not cover normal upkeep or replacement; it only covers assessments associated with a loss covered by insurance. Loss assessment coverage may vary, and you may be able to get additional loss assessment coverage.

Make Cary-Wheeler & Associates Your Agent for Condo Insurance

If you have questions about the unique insurance needs of condominium ownership, our experienced agents can provide expert advice and factual information. We offer policies for a wide range of needs, including life, home, watercraft, auto, motorcycles, renters, and business. Contact Cary-Wheeler & Associates Inc. in Richmond, VA, today for a no-obligation quote on condo insurance to prevent unexpected financial loss from loss assessments.