 Getting ready to head out to Jordan Lake? Lake Johnson? Lake Wheeler? Outer Banks? Spring is here, and you’re ready to get out on the water. But, is your boat ready?
Even if you’ve kept it properly stored for the winter and protected from the elements, there are still a number of things you need to do before hitting your local lakes and rivers. While much of your focus will be on the boat itself, don’t forget other important things, such as your trailer, your vessel registration and, of course, your watercraft insurance coverage. (Of COURSE we do that!) As for the boat and trailer, check out these tips from Discover Boating, which provides boating information and public outreach on behalf of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Engine and Electric Your boat’s been sitting for a few months, so it’s not ready to zip across the water just yet. Here are a few things to check before firing up the ignition:
Damage to your propeller or hull can make for an unpleasant day on the water. Here are some things to look for:
You should treat your trailer with as much care as your boat. After all, you can’t go boating if you can’t get your boat to the water.
No matter how well your boat runs, you should never run it without the proper safety equipment. So take inventory of what’s onboard to be sure you have:
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 There are well over 150 million dogs and cats living in American households today, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. And, their vet visits cost more than $14 billion – yes, billion – a year, says the American Veterinary Medical Association.
It goes to show just how much we love our fur kids and want the best for them and their health. But, in addition to visiting the vet, pets in the United States are going swimming, getting massages and visiting acupuncturists to help support their well-being. Surprised? Don’t be. Just like with humans, traditional medicine for pets sometimes has its limits. Many pet owners find alternative therapies to be very beneficial. Here, we break down three of the more popular alternative therapies pet owners are turning to when their furry friends need some TLC. 1. Hydrotherapy can be excellent for dogs that have difficulty moving their joints. The buoyancy of the water lessens stress to the joints that weight-bearing exercises can cause. For some dogs, hydrotherapy is a good option if they have any mobility issues caused by things like arthritis or hip dysplasia. It’s also often used for pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation. Additionally, pet hydrotherapy can help to improve mobility, balance and coordination. That’s just a short list of the benefits of hydrotherapy for man’s best friend. Check out theCanine Hydrotherapy Association for a complete list. What to Expect Canine hydrotherapy pools are heated and often include ramps to assist dogs with mobility problems into the water. Water treadmills, life vests, floating devices and toys can further enhance the experience. 2. Massage is quickly gaining in popularity as a beneficial alternative therapy for pets. Many owners see increased improvement in their pets’ overall disposition following massage therapy. In fact, many hydrotherapy centers include massage in their rehabilitation plans. Animal massage benefits pets in much the same way it benefits people. It increases circulation to the immune system, reduces pain and anxiety, increases joint flexibility and loosens tight muscles. Caregivers of senior pets are turning to massage therapy to aid in the relief of pain caused by age-related maladies, such as arthritis and muscle atrophy. Plus, it’s good for the coat and skin because the massage strokes help distribute natural oils. Want to Try It? Requirements for animal massage practitioners vary by state, so look for one who meets the requirements where you live and who has good referrals. 3. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that humans have been using for centuries, and it’s becoming increasingly popular for animals. Acupuncture is done by inserting needles into points along the surface of the body to produce a healing response. It assists in relieving pain, boosting the immune system and removing metabolic wastes and toxins. Animal acupuncture can treat many conditions, including chronic pain, allergies and asthma. Sometimes, applications of heat and laser light are used during a session. The acupuncturist may also recommend herbs or a special diet for your pet for a well-rounded, holistic approach. Find an Animal Acupuncturist All animal acupuncture practitioners must also be licensed veterinarians, according to the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS). You can search for an animal acupuncturist on the IVAS website. All of these modalities can be used separately or in conjunction with one another. However, it’s a good idea to check with your regular veterinarian before trying one of these or any other alternate pet therapy. Your vet should be familiar with your pet’s overall health condition and should be able to foresee any complications. If you have pet insurance, don’t forget to check if you have any coverage for alternative therapies. No matter what type of therapy you choose for your pets, we wish them long and healthy lives!  Most households keep a first-aid kit for their families. But often overlooked is the first-aid kit for the furry family member.
A cut paw, a bite during rough play, an upset tummy, a toxic exposure, a bee sting or an accident at the dog park. That’s just a short list of mishaps your dog may encounter. Chances are you already have most of the items you’d need if your beloved canine got injured or sick. But, it’s a good idea to create a dedicated kit just for your pet so you can grab it quickly when an accident strikes. Even better, make it a portable kit so you can take it in the car when you’re out and about with your dog. Here’s what the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Humane Society of the United States and other experts suggest you have in your pet first-aid kit:
Finally, if you’ve administered any home first-aid to your pet, it’s always a good idea to contact your vet and see if a visit is in order. Infections can be ugly and a trip to the vet is pretty cheap compared to the discomfort of your furry kid.  The beauty of spring is often tempered by powerful storms, with heavy rains, strong winds and destructive hail. Through it all, your home protects you from the elements, so be sure to check it for damage afterward.
Even if you have no reason to suspect that damage occurred, check your home and its surroundings (once it’s safe to do so, of course). It’s important to identify problems, make emergency repairs and determine if an insurance claim is necessary. Here’s a handy list of things to check after a storm from the National Storm Damage Center: Roof Your roof might be the area of your home most vulnerable to damage in a storm, because so many things can impact it. Whether you’ve had high winds and downed tree branches or just a simple hailstorm, look for these indicators of damage:
While siding, stucco and brick all are durable, they also are susceptible to storm damage. In some instances, homeowners don’t notice until it’s too late to file a claim, so check carefully for:
Concrete can chip, crack and split, not only reducing the lifespan of your driveway or walkway, but potentially creating a safety issue. Trees Fallen trees and limbs cause more than $1 billion in damage each year, according to the National Storm Damage Center. Keep in mind that property owners generally are responsible for removing trees and limbs that have fallen on their property, even if it is a tree from a neighbor’s yard. Your insurance policy may help to cover the cost of removal and repairs, depending on the coverage you have and the circumstances of the incident. (There are exceptions to this, depending on the maintenance of the tree, so check with your insurance agent.) General Tips
 It’s the time of year when the temperatures warm and the flowers bloom, putting us all in a chipper mood. But, it’s also time for thunderstorms, which most often occur in the spring and summer months, according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory.
With spring officially arriving this Friday, March 20, it’s the ideal time to review what your homeowners insurance, and even your car insurance, may or may not cover when it comes to damage from fallen trees. Here are five important things to keep in mind: 1. Your homeowners insurance likely covers tree removal and damage repairs for your home and other insured structures, such as fences. A tree falls on your property and damages one or more insured structures. What now? Your homeowners insurance will likely help with the cost of removing the tree and repairing the damage. That’s once you pay your deductible, of course. Examples of covered incidents can include strong winds knocking a tree over onto your roof or lightning striking a tree, causing it to fall on your fence. However, if a tree falls due to neglect, you may not receive any coverage. So keep your trees in good shape, and ask your neighbors to do the same. 2. If there’s no damage, there’s likely no insurance coverage. You may assume your homeowners insurance will cover the removal costs of any fallen tree, but that isn’t always the case. If a tree falls on your property without damaging any insured structures, you will likely need to cover the costs of tree removal yourself. 3. Your city or municipality may clean up trees that fall into the street, but you may still have reason to file an insurance claim. Check with your city or municipality to determine who’s responsible for removing a tree that falls into the street. If your city takes responsibility, it may only be for the portion that’s in the street. Any of the felled tree that’s left on your property will be your responsibility. Your insurance may help if an insured structure was damaged in the incident. 4. You may have coverage even if a tree falls from your neighbor’s property. When a fallen tree damages your property, your homeowners insurance may pitch in no matter who owned the tree. Depending on the circumstances, your insurance carrier may attempt to recoup some of the costs, including your deductible, from your neighbor’s insurance. This may occur, for example, if the neighbor was negligent in caring for the tree before it fell. 5. Your car insurance may cover damage to your vehicle from a fallen tree. If a tree falls from your property onto your car, it’s your car insurance and not your homeowners insurance that will likely help cover the cost of repairs. But, the tree doesn’t have to be from your property. You likely have coverage if a tree falls on your car, no matter from where. What may not be covered? The cost to remove the tree from atop your car. Of course, every insurance carrier handles fallen trees differently. It all depends on the specifics of your policy and your coverage limits, as well as the specifics of your situation. If you need to file an insurance claim for a fallen tree, use the tips below. Tips for Filing an Insurance Claim for a Fallen Tree
Is it time for your annual insurance review?An annual insurance review helps ensure your policies are up to date with the coverage you need today. Contact your Carolina Insurance Alliance agent to discuss your recent life changes and update your policies as needed.  You probably know someone who has come home from vacation to find water all over the laundry room — and the rest of the house.
The cause? Most likely, the hose connecting the washing machine to the water supply. That’s the reason for more than half of all washing-machine failures, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). The average cost of these failures? More than $5,000. But that’s just one of several appliance hoses in your home that that you need to monitor regularly. Here are some quick tips to help keep your appliance hoses – and your overall home – in good shape: Whenever Possible, Use Steel Most washing machines, refrigerators and dishwashers come with rubber hoses that connect to your water supply, and they don’t always hold up over time. You should check them for blisters, cracks and loose connections, the IBHS says, and replace them every five years, even if they show no signs of damage. When you do replace them, use steel-braided hoses. They’re less likely to fail. Of course, you don’t have to wait until an appliance hose shows wear and tear to replace it. You may want to replace the rubber hose that comes with a new washing machine with a steel-braided hose right away, for example. Don’t Run Appliances When You’re Not Home If a hose bursts, you want to be around to take immediate action. So don’t run the washer or dishwasher if you’re leaving the house soon. And, when you go on vacation, consider turning off your water, or at least the connection in the laundry room. Also lock the water and ice dispenser on the front of your fridge. It’s Not All About Water You should think about replacing the flexible ducting that most likely came with your dryer. Lint can easily build up in the creases and increase your risk of fire, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. A rigid or semi-rigid metal duct is better. Either way, though, clean out the ducting every year. Don’t Forget the Grill If you use a gas grill, it’s also important to check the hose and fittings between your fuel source and the burners. Brush everything with some soapy water and turn on the gas (without lighting the grill). Do you see any bubbles? It’s time to replace your hose and fittings. Consider a Monitoring System Although you’d still need to check and maintain your hoses, there are systems available that can automatically shut off your water when a leak is detected. Just remember, there’s no substitute for good maintenance. Proper appliance maintenance can help you avoid home damage and maybe even home insurance claims. If a hose failure does occur, your homeowners insurance may help take care of the damage, depending on the circumstances, the specifics of your policy and other factors. If you need help understanding what your homeowners insurance covers, your local insurance agent is an excellent resource for help.  Spring is a time for rejuvenation, and, as the weather gets warmer and the days grow longer, there’s a positive energy in the air. For many people, it’s the perfect time to reorganize and refresh their home, while others eagerly get to work in the yard and garden.
While it’s easy to get caught up in spring cleaning and planting, this is also one of the most important times of the year for home maintenance. Of course, you already know to set your clocks forward for daylight-saving time, which begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8 this year, and to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It’s a good idea to do a basic checkup in some other key areas, too. After all, winter can be rough on your home. These tips, from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and others, can help. Call it “spring training” for homeowners. Yard and Exterior
Need to shop for home insurance this spring? Start a Quote online now!  Taking a road trip is a grand American tradition, particularly once we escape the winter doldrums and the days start getting a little sunnier.
Too many drivers, however, also take part in some other “traditions” that are far more dangerous — and very often deadly. They drive while they’re distracted. They drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. And they drive too fast for conditions. Those are three of the most common causes of car crashes in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). And they have another thing in common: Each of these factors is completely controlled by the driver. While you can’t eliminate every risk when you’re on the road, staying aware of these common causes of car accidents may just help you avoid them: 1. Distracted Driving According to the NHTSA, at any given daylight moment in America, about 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or other handheld electronic devices while driving. That alone increases the risk of a crash. The picture gets even worse when you add in drivers who are playing around with the stereo, eating breakfast on the way to work, trying to pick something up off the floor, having an animated conversation with a passenger, putting on makeup and on and on and on.
We hear all the time about how dangerous it is to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and the numbers really drive it home. In 2012, according to the National Safety Council (NSC), nearly 15,000 people were killed in accidents involving impaired drivers.
Accidents caused by excessive speed kill more than 10,000 people a year on average, the NSC reports. And though you might think that the majority of these crashes happen at very high speeds on the interstate, the NHTSA has some surprising data — the highest number of fatal speed-related crashes occurred on roads with a speed limit lower than 55 mph.
Also, many insurance companies now offer auto insurance discounts for safe drivers and roadside assistance. Check your auto policy for or ask your agent about roadside coverage so, if something does happen, you know help is on the way. Above all, remember these three things: Pay attention. Stay sober. Don’t speed. Together, we can make the roads safer for everyone.  As a homeowner, one of the most important aspects of your home isn’t something you use daily. And it isn’t something flashy you show off to friends. It’s your homeowners insurance policy, and it protects you in more ways than you may think, helping you rebuild your home or repair damage that results from a covered loss.
But, that’s not all. It can also help cover the costs of a lawsuit, help you pay for somewhere else to live when your home is uninhabitable and much more. Home insurance is typically very comprehensive, but all policies have exclusions and coverage limits. It’s vital to know what those are so you know what’s covered and what’s not. Fire damage? Typically covered. Flood damage? Typically not. With this guide, you can begin to understand what a typical home insurance policy covers. Just keep in mind that coverages vary from carrier to carrier, region to region and even policy to policy. Only your individual home policy can tell you the coverages you have and those you don’t. For an even better understanding of your home policy coverages, review them with your local insurance agent. What Home Insurance Covers The typical homeowners insurance policy has six type of coverages. They are commonly known as:
What Home Insurance Doesn’t Cover It’s just as important to know what your homeowners insurance doesn’t cover as it is to know what your home policy does cover. For starters, your policy does not cover any damage or repairs costing less than your deductible. It also does not cover any costs that exceed the coverage limits outlined in your policy. You are solely responsible for excess costs, unless you have an umbrella policy to provide additional liability coverage for a covered loss. More than likely, your policy also does not cover routine maintenance and repairs, as well as damage due to animals, termites, floods, earthquakes, sinkholes, sewer backups and other incidents. These are often considered non-covered losses. If you experience a non-covered loss, as outlined by your policy, you will be responsible for the costs. What Home Insurance May Cover Outside of the typical home insurance coverages, optional or separate coverage may be available from your carrier or from a different carrier. For example, you may be able to purchase earthquake or flood coverage separate from your homeowners policy. Other coverages are optional add-ons to your existing homeowners insurance. These can include identity protection and equipment breakdown coverage, which covers the cost to repair or replace a range of appliances and other equipment, such as pool equipment, in your home. If this sounds similar to an extended appliance warranty, it is. The difference is that you can insure an array of appliances at once through this optional coverage rather than purchasing a separate warranty for each one. This guide is a starting point for understanding your home insurance policy. Your own policy may vary greatly from the descriptions above depending on the state where you live, your carrier and the coverages you have selected. So take a close look at your policy by reviewing your documents or viewing your coverages online. Or, even better, sit down with a local insurance agent who can explain your coverages in detail, as well as discuss whether your policy provides adequate protection for your home, property and belongings. |
Jason Thompson-Agent/Founder 
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