We LOVE Pembroke, North Carolina!

In a month that celebrates love, we don’t want to forget the citizens of our beautiful community! Where we come from is important to us and every smiling face, every small business, and every town landmark holds a special place in our hearts. Here are just a few of the things that make Pembroke so very special:

• Pembroke was previously known as Raleigh.
• Pembroke is the tribal seat of the Lumbee Indian Tribe of North Carolina, the largest state-recognized Native American tribe east of the Mississippi River. It is the largest state-recognized tribe that does not have a reservation.
• Archaeological excavations in the area recently uncovered artifacts that suggest that Native American settlements along the river were part of an extensive trade network with other regions of what is now the Southeast of the United States.

Throughout our community, we strive to be partners, helpers, and friends. Our neighbors and citizens mean the world to us and we are honored to be a part of Pembroke. We would LOVE to start building a bond with you and become your hometown’s trusted insurance provider.

Call Dial Insurance at 910-521-9090 or visit https://dialinsurancenc.com/ for your free insurance quote, and you’ll be feeling the love as well.

Auto Insurance Costs

Auto Insurance Costs

If you own a vehicle, you should own an auto insurance policy. Have you ever wondered how the cost of your policy is determined? There are a number of different factors that impact the cost of your auto insurance. While not all companies use the same parameters, we will help you understand what commonly determines the bottom line of your auto policy.

First, your driving record – The better your record, the lower your premiums. If you have been in accidents or had serious traffic violations, it is likely you will pay higher premiums. How much you use your car is also considered while determining the cost of your premium. The more miles you drive, the more chance for an accident. Even where you park is taken into consideration. Do you park in a secure garage? Or do you park on a street?

Other factors taken into consideration while determining your auto insurance costs are: your age, your gender, the car you drive, and the amount of auto insurance you wish to carry. Mature drivers generally have fewer accidents than beginners. Statistics show that women are involved in fewer accidents, and when women are involved in an accident they tend to be less severe than men. The cost of your car and the amount of insurance coverage you want to carry are major factors in the cost of your policy as well.

There are many different factors that go into determining the cost of your auto insurance policy. Some factors can vary from one area or state to another. To get the best idea of the cost you will pay for auto insurance, contact us to request your free auto insurance quote!

Source: https://www.iii.org/article/what-determines-price-my-auto-insurance-policy

A Guide to Watering Your Christmas Tree for a Safe Holiday Season

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The holiday season is a time of joy, festivities, and, of course, the cherished tradition of decorating the Christmas tree. As families gather around to trim the tree with ornaments and twinkling lights, it’s crucial to ensure that this centerpiece of holiday cheer stays fresh and vibrant throughout the season. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of watering your Christmas tree and how this simple task can contribute to a safe and secure holiday, with a special focus on the importance of home insurance during this festive time.

Just like any living plant, a Christmas tree requires proper hydration to maintain its beauty and resilience. The moment you bring your tree home, it begins to lose moisture, and without a sufficient water supply, it can quickly dry out, becoming a fire hazard. Dry needles are more susceptible to ignition, and a neglected tree can turn a festive celebration into a disaster.

  1. Select a tree with vibrant green needles that are hard to pull from the branches.
  2. Keep your tree away from heat sources such as radiators, fireplaces and heating vents.
  3. Give your tree a fresh cut at the base to open up the pores, allowing it to absorb water more effectively.

Now, let’s discuss the insurance aspect of this holiday tradition. While you’re busy creating a festive and safe environment, it’s essential to consider the potential risks and the role insurance plays in mitigating them.

  1. A well-hydrated tree is less likely to catch fire. While home insurance policies typically cover damage caused by fires, prevention is key to avoiding the stress and financial burden.
  2. Take preventative measures, such as using LED lights that emit less heat and turning off decorations when not in use.
  3. Familiarize yourself with your home insurance policy to understand what is covered in the event of a holiday-related incident.

By incorporating these simple watering tips into your holiday preparations, you not only safeguard your home and loved ones but also ensure that your insurance coverage is there to support you when you need it most. Here’s to a festive, secure, and well-watered holiday season!

Construction Insurance 101

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What is construction insurance?

There are many types of construction insurances (also known as contractors insurance) intended to protect a property developer and other stakeholders throughout the stages of a construction project.

Contractors insurance, which is basically insurance for a construction project, is a wide classification of coverage that relates to the erection of buildings, roads, bridges or any other types of structures.

The following is a list of the most common types of contractors insurance and how they protect those involved in the stages of construction.

Builder’s Risk Insurance

Builder’s risk insurance (all risk insurance) is coverage for buildings and other structures during construction.

This policy should be prioritized even where policies such as commercial property insurance and homeowner’s insurance have been purchased, since the policies do not cover structures under construction.

Builder’s risk insurance covers residential new construction and remodeling projects, commercial property construction, building materials, foundations, scaffolding, fencing, paving, outdoor fixtures, and lawns fitted by the contractor.

In most cases, all risk insurance covers damages caused by fire, vandalism, and weather, although some construction insurance companies can offer special coverage for unique projects.

Construction bonds

Construction (contract) bonds are intended to guarantee that a project will be completed if accepted, and if failed an entity will be made to pay for the damage.

There are several types of construction bonds, including:

  • Bid bonds – which guarantee that bid proposals are serious and that the bidder is capable of undertaking the project.
  • Payment bonds – which assure that the builder can provide payments to suppliers, subcontractors, and site workers.
  • Supply bonds – which guarantee that suppliers will deliver building materials and other supplies as per the contract.
  • Performance bonds – which compel the contractor to follow the quality guidelines set out in the project’s contract.
  • Maintenance (warranty) bonds – which protect the project owner from poor workmanship for a period of time after the work is done.

Contractor license bonds

This is an agreement – similar to construction insurance policies – which assures that a contractor will obey the rules that pertain to their contractor license.

It is designed to protect members of the public and the people who will work or do business with the contractor.

Contractor license bonds are offered by insurance companies and the cost usually varies depending on the contractor’s historical track-record of income and credit score. The better the track-record the cheaper the bond.

Workman’s Compensation

This type of construction insurance is designed to protect businesses and contractors from any liability in the event their worker is injured while on duty.

It covers medical expenses as a result of a covered incident, ongoing recovery expenses related to an injury, missed wages, legal fees if the policy holder is taken to court, as well as funeral costs and death benefits.

General liability insurance

Also known as commercial general liability insurance, this type of insurance for construction offers a liability protection to businesses in the event of property damage or bodily harm in the course of business.

General liability insurance policies for construction companies usually cover damages relating to defective workmanship, work-related injuries, and defamation.

Like in other types of construction insurances, general liability insurance outlines certain exclusions to protect insurers from having to cover certain risks.

Construction equipment insurance

Also known as tool and equipment insurance, this type of insurance is designed to cover the tools and equipment used by construction professionals, including:

  • Computers and data – desktops, laptops, tablets, and project data.
  • Owner’s equipment – forklifts, cranes, loaders, excavators, etc.
  • Contractor’s tools and equipment – generators, drills, hammers, saws, etc.
  • Leased equipment – leased equipment and tools.

This policy typically covers items at either replacement cost or at the fair market value of the stolen or damaged items.

Coverage of this nature includes equipment stolen from a construction site as well as those damaged in a fire or natural disaster at a jobsite.

Professional liability insurance

Also known as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, this type of coverage offers protection for a business against claims resulting from errors and mistakes that occur during normal business operations.

A good example of E&O coverage is the case of an engineer who miscalculates the structural requirements of a house – causing the owner to make expensive repairs.

The homeowner may sue the engineer for damages caused by his mistakes. In this case, the E&O policy in the engineer’s insurance policy might cover the claim.

However, unlike other policies that cover property damage or bodily injuries suffered in the line of duty, E&O policies only cover financial losses.

Source: https://www.constructionkenya.com/10113/construction-insurance/