Buying boat insurance is not always a straightforward process, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. However, you need to get the right amount of insurance to stay safe in the water, whether you do it for pleasure, sports, or other reasons. Some marinas at Charlotte, NC may require you to have boat insurance to allow you to dock with them.

Your lender may also require you to get boat insurance to safeguard their investment when buying a boat. That’s why Kempton Insurance Group recommends learning about your policy by asking the following questions.

Do I need boat insurance for my boat?

Nobody will arrest you for not having boat insurance in Charlotte NC. However, it’s always a prudent idea to be financially responsible in case you cause an accident. You may be eligible for a boat endorsement on your home insurance policy if you own a small boat. Large motorized boats require specialized insurance based on your lifestyle and type of boat.

Can boating experience affect my policy?

Yes. Like car insurance, boating insurance companies check your boating experience to rate your risk level and determine your insurance rates. The lesser your experience, the more expensive your policy gets. You should prove to your insurer that you can safely handle and navigate a vessel without much hassle.

Is my personal property covered?

Yes. You can have special personal property coverage if you keep lots of valuables in your boat to protect them. Most water sport enthusiasts who have to take their sporting equipment with them purchase this policy to help replace their personal property when damaged by water or stolen.

The more questions you ask, the better you understand your policy. At Kempton Insurance Group, we encourage our customers to ask any questions they might have to address and clear all doubts about any policy. Feel free to contact us for more questions or information.

Umbrella insurance was designed to provide an extra layer of liability protection on top of primary policies like home and auto insurance. Lawsuits in Charlotte, NC can be pretty expensive. They can easily lead to significant financial losses if you are not adequately prepared. Here are three things you probably don’t know about umbrella insurance. 

1. Not ALL lawsuits are covered

While umbrella insurance mainly works on liability, not all lawsuits are covered. Once your home or auto insurance limits have been reached, Umbrella insurance can come in and take care of the rest. However,  the policy may not cover you if the act was found to be intentional or criminal. That means acts such as sexual harassment, intentional bodily harm, property damage or damage and injuries that result from too much intoxication are not covered. Umbrella insurance is designed to protect you from lawsuits that result from accidents, not malicious acts.

2. Some dog breeds are NOT covered

Dog bites are quite common in Charlotte NC but pretty expensive to treat. It’s even worse if you’re sued.  Fortunately, umbrella insurance can cover dog bites, BUT not all breeds are covered. Be sure to ask any Kempton Insurance Group about the breeds covered to know if your pet is covered or not.

3. Certain risk factors can impact your coverage

The most attractive part of umbrella insurance is a liability. Some people are at a higher risk of getting slapped with a lawsuit than others. Remember, you can be sued for many reasons, including injuries, property damage, threats or giving wrong information, false advertisements, and many other reasons. Depending on your risk level and type, you may want to buy umbrella insurance if you are a landlord, own dogs, travel regularly, own a swimming pool, gym, or trampoline,  or entertain visitors more often.

At Kempton Insurance Group, we care about you and what matters to you most. That’s why we go out of our way to ensure you get an insurance policy that will protect your assets and loved ones. Feel free to call or visit us today!

Some people get confused about their flood insurance policy and think that they need to utilize it when their plumbing suddenly fails in their homes. However, when our customers call us at Kempton Insurance Group about this issue, they often find that they can’t get covered. If you live in or near Charlotte, NC and are confused about this situation, please learn more about your protection.

What Flood Insurance Does and Does Not Cover 

Flood insurance is designed specifically for natural disasters, such as excessive rainfall caused by sudden storms or winter melts. However, these floods can cause problems as diverse as mold throughout your carpets and various other factors that can be damaging and hard to overcome. 

Unfortunately, it will NOT cover plumbing failures, such as if your pipes suddenly fail on you for any reason. That said, your homeowner’s insurance policy WILL cover this type of damage. The failure must not have been caused by poor maintenance, neglect, or natural wear and tear issues. 

So if you own a home and experience a sudden failure of your plumbing system due to manufacturing failure or other issues that you don’t cause, talk to your home insurance company. As for your flood insurance, you’ll only need it in rainy seasons or when your home is affected by water from outside the house. 

Don’t Neglect Your Flood Protection 

If you are worried about plumbing-related issues causing floods in your home, make sure to check your home insurance policy. And if you live in an area with high flood risk and you’re worried about an unnaturally high level of water, it is a good idea to consider calling us at Kempton Insurance Group. We serve Charlotte, NC and can provide high-quality policies that will work for your needs.

Owning a condo is a great way to own your own home without all of the maintenance of a yard. If you have a condo, it’s vital that you keep condo insurance from the time you buy your unit and keep it for as long as you live there. If you want to find out more about condo coverage, contact us at Kempton Insurance Group in Charlotte, NC.

Protect Your Condo

When you have a condo insurance policy, part of this protection is coverage for the building itself. However, it doesn’t cover the entire building. The portion of the building that you own is spelled out very specifically in your contract. Those are the portions of the building that you need to insure. This generally means that you insure the inside and the condo board insures the outside. Your condo policy will include only the exact areas that you own and are responsible for. 

Cover Your Belongings

All of your belongings that are inside your condo are also covered by your condo policy. If your possessions were to be ruined by a disaster, calamity or accident, it can all be covered by your condo insurance policy. When you move into your condo, it’s a good idea to go around your home and film or take pictures of the items you own. This will help you to prove what was inside it if the worst happened. 

Liability Coverage

Another portion of your condo policy is the section that is devoted to protecting your liability. If a third party were to visit your condo and then become injured inside it, you can be judged liable for the accident and the medical costs. This insurance pays that amount for you.

Cover Your Condo

If you don’t have condo insurance yet, contact us at Kempton Insurance Group in Charlotte, NC.

Is Commercial Auto Insurance Required in North Carolina?

It is required under North Carolina law that minimum liability insurance be maintained for commercial vehicles. Bodily injury and property damage are types of coverage needed for commercial vehicles. Getting the right types of coverage is crucial to operating safely and legally on North Carolina roadways. It is a good idea to trust professional insurance agents who know commercial auto insurance inside and out.

At Kempton Insurance Group in Charlotte, NC, we can help you understand what kind of insurance you need for commercial vehicles. We have years of experience working with all kinds of insurance for commercial and other types of vehicles.

Benefits of Commercial Auto Insurance

Staying properly covered with adequate insurance is not only necessary by law, but recommended for personal protection. Minimum liability is effective for some instances, but higher limits will ensure that your business is protected especially if you own many vehicles. Vehicle types may require more coverage as well. A specialized agent can help walk you through requirements and amounts on insurance coverage. Collision and comprehensive insurance can offer more protection for additional costs. If you own a lot of vehicles, it may be good to consider more options.

Quality Automotive Insurance in Charlotte

Contact us at Kempton Insurance Group in Charlotte, NC to speak with an agent about commercial auto insurance in North Carolina. We have years of collective experience and have helped many individuals and businesses with quality commercial auto insurance. We will work hard to get you the best rates and most effective personalized coverage possible. Our agents are here to help you with any questions you may have.

If you own a bike, you know that it comes with its share of responsibilities. You may have greater freedom on the road, but you also have an obligation to protect yourself and others against accidents. Motorcycle insurance from Kempton Insurance Group offers all the protection you need. Here’s what you should look for when purchasing a motorcycle policy in Charlotte, NC.

Liability Coverage

Liability insurance is the coverage that protects others in accidents you cause. If you’re at fault for a road accident that sends someone to the hospital or leaves their vehicle a wreck, liability insurance helps cover their medical or property damage costs. North Carolina requires that you carry minimum motorcycle liability insurance. However, if you’re an avid rider, you may want to purchase more to safeguard your travels in Charlotte, NC, and beyond.  

Collision Coverage

Collision insurance protects you against crashes into other vehicles or objects. If, for example, you lose control of your bike on a slippery road and crash into a tree, collision insurance will help cover repairs to your bike. If your bike is totaled in a crash, collision insurance helps cover the cost of replacing it.

Comprehensive Coverage

This insurance covers damage to your bike from non-collision causes like hail, windstorms, falling objects, vandalism, fire, etc. It also protects you against theft.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage

UM coverage will cover these costs if you’re hit by someone with no insurance or insufficient insurance to pay for your bike’s repairs.

Roadside Assistance

You never know when your bike will falter and leave you stranded by the side of the road. This coverage helps pay for jump-starting your bike or towing it to a nearby shop so you can get repairs done.

For quality motorcycle coverage at affordable costs, call or visit your Kempton Insurance Group agent today.