by Penny Insurance Agency | Oct 27, 2022 | Insurance
The Carolinas are one of the most diverse and beautiful regions in the United States, offering opportunities for people of all ages to experience their fair share of fun and adventure throughout the year. It’s one of the main reasons that Penny Insurance calls this area home—with office locations in both Hendersonville and Tryon, North Carolina.
With this area offering a wide variety of places to visit, you have the opportunity to explore many areas and find your perfect fall experience. With this guide to fall in our own backyard, you will be sure to make the most of your time enjoying all that our area has to offer in this beautiful season of autumn.
Drive the Blue Ridge parkway
If seeing the fall colors and changing leaves is top of your “to do” list, one of the best (and easiest) things to do is to drive The Blue Ridge Parkway. This scenic, four-lane highway runs for 469 miles through the Appalachian Mountains, connecting Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive to the Cherokee National Forest near Gaffney, South Carolina. With incredible views all the way, this winding, remote path is great for adventuresome souls looking to explore.
Fortunately, the drive can be completed in less than a day if you’re looking for a quick getaway, although you can see plenty with picnic spots and a few hours in North Carolina’s section of the drive. If you decide to drive it, make sure you check out Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park—the highest point on the parkway at 6,643 feet.
Pick some apples
Fall means apples, and apple picking is an excellent way to spend a fall day in Hendersonville, North Carolina. There are plenty of places for apple picking, but some of the most popular—Mountain Fresh Orchard, Justus Orchard and Sky Top—provide incredible experiences surrounding your pick of your favorite fruit.
If you can’t decide where to go, just decide when. Plan to visit the area over Labor Day weekend, when you can attend the Apple festival, and sample apples, ciders, donuts, and other treats from around the state—all within a mile’s stretch of downtown Hendersonville.
Fly through the air
For those looking for adventure and a bit of adrenaline, look no further than The Gorge in Saluda, N.C. This zipline is one of the steepest and fastest ziplines in the nation, and is an adventure like no other. You’ll soar over a picturesque gorge on a suspended cable, and enjoy breathtaking views of the surroundings below.
Once you’re done with your flight, there’s still plenty more to explore. Seek out Green River Adventures for everything from whitewater trips to rappelling down one of the local waterfalls. Whatever you do, you’re sure to have a rush after doing it.
Take a hike
Looking for beautiful sights and a little fresh air? You’re in luck—both North Carolina and South Carolina have some of the prettiest spots to take a hike anywhere in the southeast. Check out the trails at Lake Jocassee, head toward Sassafrass Mountain (right on the NC and SC border), or head out toward Caesar’s Head, Flat Rock, or any number of gorgeous locations. If waterfalls are your thing, check out the Carolina Mountain Club’s WC100—a list of 100 waterfalls in the region that are “must sees”.
In short, Western North Carolina is the best place to hang out in the fall. The mountains and the lakes are breathtaking, and it’s a great place for outdoor recreation and exploration. Fall means that all the leaves are changing colors and falling from the trees, so there are photo opportunities a plenty for nature lovers. Even better: there are lots of events happening during this time, too—like festivals, arts fairs and live music.
We fell in love with Western North Carolina, and we know you will, too. And whether you’re new to the area, looking to buy a second home in the mountains, or just stopping in, we’d love to help you with any of your insurance needs – home, auto, life, business, equine, premium and more. If you’d like to schedule a consultation or get a quote for any of your needs, please contact us and let us know.
by Penny Insurance Agency | Sep 8, 2022 | Insurance, Valuable Items Insurance
Insuring Your Art Collection: Everything You Need to Know
How to insure your collectibles and collections
Your art collection is probably one of your most prized possessions, but it can also be one of the most difficult to insure. That’s because art insurance often comes with high premiums and plenty of exclusions, and you’ll need to take the proper steps to protect it from damage or theft.
The good news? If you have enough appraised value in your collection, you may qualify for extra protection from your home insurance provider—or even full coverage under certain circumstances. So whether you’re looking to start or expand your collection, here are some of the basics you should know about insuring art collections and collectibles.
What’s a collectible insurance policy?
A collectible insurance policy is a premium policy that covers art and collectibles. This type of policy is designed to protect your investment—whether that be antique art, legacy jewelry or a priceless vase—in case of damage or theft. However, while collectible insurance policies are usually more expensive than standard homeowners or renters insurance policies, they also offer more comprehensive coverage specific to the needs of the owner, as well.
Considerations for Policies
If you’re considering getting an insurance policy to cover your collectibles, it’s important to know that it’s not as simple as a one-size-fits-all policy. In fact, there are a lot of coverage areas you should consider, so if you’re in the consideration phase, make sure you sit down with a trusted agent to go over your options. Here are a few things you should review when shopping for a collectibles policy:
- Coverage Settlements
When you itemize your pieces of artwork, many insurance companies will cover them for the agreed value. That way, in the event of a total covered damage or loss, you receive the full amount of the agreed value, with no depreciation. However, other policies allow for market appreciation and may pay over the agreed value if the value has increased considerably. Another option is to receive a cash payout in the event of damage or loss if an item is irreplaceably damaged. - Newly Acquired Items
Still building your collection? You’ll want to ensure you have immediate coverage for new acquisitions. Then, within 90 days, you’ll be covered for at least some of the total itemized coverage. - Pairs, Sets and Parts Coverage
When dealing with sets (like antique chess or even jewelry) you always have to consider the value of the item alongside its other pieces. With Pairs, Sets and Parts coverage, you can hand over the remaining pieces, and coverage will be paid out for the entire set. - Loss of Market Value
Sometimes, if a work of art is damaged, it can lose a lot of market value—quickly. With Loss of Market Value coverage, your insurer may not only pay to repair the item, but also compensate for any loss to value.
How much does collectible insurance cost?
On average, collectible insurance policies cost between 1% and 3% of the total value of the collection. That means, if your art collection is valued at $100,000, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $3,000 per year in premiums. However, it’s important to note that these are just averages, so it’s worth getting a quote from your trusted insurance broker, first, before committing to a particular policy.
While there are many things to consider when insuring your art collection, one thing that shouldn’t deter you from doing so is cost. When deciding how much collectible insurance costs, it helps to remember that owning valuable artwork provides financial security as well as emotional benefits. After all, we all want our collections to grow in value over time!
Hiring a professional appraiser
One of the first steps in insuring your collection is knowing its market value, and the best way to do that is through a professional appraisal. Hiring a professional appraiser is the best way to do this, as they will have the expertise and experience needed to accurately assess your collection. Fortunately, the cost of having an appraisal done is small (especially when compared to the value of your collection) and ranges from $200 to $500, depending on the size and type of items in your collection.
Whether you’re an accomplished collector or just starting out with your first purchase, we at Penny Insurance are here to help you keep your most valued possessions safe. If you’d like to schedule a consultation or get a quote for any of your needs, please contact us and let us know.
by Penny Insurance Agency | Jun 14, 2022 | Insurance
A vacation home can be the perfect place to get away from the constant grind of the week. But while your primary home has certain protections and insurances in place, a vacation home may not be quite as protected. With more and more people deciding to own vacation or secondary homes, it’s important to protect those investment properties as much as possible. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Homeowner’s Insurance?
Homeowners insurance is a type of property insurance that covers damage or destruction to your home. If your home (whether primary or secondary) is damaged by fire, flood, theft, or other disaster covered by a standard homeowners policy, you’ll be able to recoup some of your money spent on repairs.
As an owner of multiple properties, it’s important for homeowners to know what their home insurance covers them for—and what it doesn’t. While every policy varies slightly from company to company (and person to person), there are a few key details all homeowners policies must cover:
- major catastrophes;
- accidental damage;
- vandalism and theft;
- natural disasters such as storms and floods;
- repairing damage caused by excluded perils (think earthquakes);
- water leaks; and
- mold remediation after natural disasters.
How is Insurance Different for a Second Home?
Insurance on your vacation home is important for a variety of reasons. A large investment like a vacation home, along with its contents, can mean having some peace of mind for yourself and your family.
Primarily, you don’t want your hard-earned money spent on an unexpected repair or other similar expenses if something unexpected were to happen while you’re away. In addition, vacation homes tend to be located in more remote areas like lakes, forests, beaches or mountains, so there may not be nearby resources if you need help immediately in an emergency situation, meaning more time for damage to occur. And finally, because they are more remote and often uninhabited, vacations homes can be a beacon for burglaries or vandalism, so you’ll want to make sure you’ve covered yourself—and your home—well.
Unfortunately, many second homes are not covered by the primary homeowner’s insurance policy, so you need to take steps to insure and protect your vacation home in order to get the coverage you need at the best possible price. When you’re considering insuring a vacation home, there are three main areas to focus on: the dwelling itself, the contents of the home, and any additional liability.
Dwelling
This type of coverage ensures that the building itself is covered from damage and loss, in cases of fire, burglary or other damages. (However, it’s important to note that if your second home is in a high-risk area—like for hurricanes or floods—that you carry additional umbrella coverage as well.)
Belongings
This covers the items within the home—furniture, electronics, clothes—ensuring that they can be replaced if lost, damaged or stolen.
Liability
Because many vacation homes are hubs of activity, having an additional liability policy to cover any accidents is a good idea. That way, if anyone is injured or an item is damaged—you have the coverage to make it right. In some cases, you may be able to extend your liability coverage from your first home over to your second—so you’ll want to talk to your agent about what is preferable, as well as what is the most cost-effective option for you.
How to Determine your Insurance Needs for a Vacation Home
Having proper insurance guarantees that you won’t have any issues when it comes time to make repairs or replace items that are damaged or destroyed due to unforeseen circumstances, but it can be complex to determine how much coverage you need, what types of coverage and what policies you should consider.
For this reason, having an insurance agent with specialized concierge service can help. At Penny Insurance, our agents are positioned to be your trusted advocate in the journey, and can walk you through every option available to you to help you find the right insurance. Not only that, but because Penny Insurance is an independent agency, you can be sure you’ll always have someone on your side—even when something goes awry.
Whatever your needs, what types of coverage you need or questions you may have, we are always here to help you along the way. If you would like to schedule a consultation or get a quote, please contact us and let us know.
by Amanda Dempsey | Jan 24, 2022 | Insurance
People have been riding horses for centuries, and they remain a popular choice for recreation and transportation even today. There may be many reasons why people invest in horses, but regardless of the reason, it’s important to protect your investment—for work, fun or just companionship—with equine insurance. Not only can this help cover any injuries or illnesses that might happen to the animal, it can also provide coverage should the animal be stolen or lost. In this article, we’ll discuss the main types of equine insurance, and other considerations for horse owners.
What is Equine Insurance?
Equine insurance is insurance for horse owners that generally covers the loss or injury of the horse. In this instance, we will define equine insurance as insurance on the horse itself, although there are often many different types of insurance that can sometimes fall into this category—including farm property coverage for paddocks and land and liability insurance if your horse is used for business purposes.
The 2 Types of Equine Insurance
Although there are different types of policies and coverage options to choose from, most equine insurance boils down to two types: Mortality and theft insurance, and Medical/Surgical coverage.
All-Risk Mortality and Theft
Typically only issued for horses under 20 years of age, a mortality policy covers the loss of a horse due to death, or even theft. This type of coverage is typically available for both personal use animals and trail horses, and in the instance that your horse needs to be put down, is stolen or dies, a mortality policy will reimburse you for the loss, based on age and health of the horse at the time the policy is taken out.
Medical/Surgical
Available as an add-on to mortality plans, these plans can cost anywhere between 2.5 and four percent of the animal’s value. Medical/Surgical policies can be considered like health insurance for your horse—covering medical costs in case of illness or injuries—and similarly, cover everything from prescriptions to surgery. However, most policies will not cover basic or preventative care like vaccinations or dental care.
Other Insurance Considerations for Horse Owners
If you are considering equine insurance for your horse—whether it be a work asset or more of a family friend, there are other things to consider when considering an equine policy.
The right policy matters
While there are two common policy types that we’ve covered above, the reality is that there are many options for different types and forms of coverage for horse owners. Liability insurance covers injury and property damage to others, horse transit policies cover the transportation risks of horses that are constantly on the move. One should also consider the surrounding policies that will help protect the investment and the horse itself—like property or dwelling damage for structures like barns, and farm coverage for a larger land property.
Because the uses of horses differ, as does each household or business, it’s important to understand that policies can vary widely. Some mortality policies may pay out a mere thousands, while others pay multiples of that in case of loss, but the premium will match the back-end payouts, as well. As with any other insurance consideration, navigating the many options and finding the best selection for you (and your horse!) is key. Make sure you engage an agent you trust along the way to make the process easier, and to nail down the right policies for you and your large animals.
Policies are non-transferrable
A policy on a horse is similar to a policy on a human—they are for that specific individual, and cannot be transferred to another. While it may be an option to add more animals (read: horses) to your policy, they would need to be listed as separate individuals. What’s more: if you sell or give the horse to a new owner, the policy cannot go with the horse. Instead, that owner would need to take out a new policy for the animal, and you’d need to cancel yours.
Timing is key
If you already carry a policy on your horse—or once you have one in place—understand that most policies require immediate notification if the horse becomes ill or injured. Know what your policy covers—and what it requires of you for claims—before they become an issue later on.
However your horse fits into your family, and whatever the type of coverage you may need, Penny Insurance is here to answer any questions and help you select the best plan possible to cover your equine investment. Should you have any questions about coverage or insurance types, or if you would like to schedule a consultation or get a quote, please contact us and let us know.
by Penny Insurance Agency | Jan 3, 2022 | General Tips, Insurance
A lot of people take their insurance for granted. When they’re driving to work, they don’t question the safety of the road or the safety precautions taken by other drivers; when they get home, they don’t think about whether or not their house will be there if a natural disaster strikes. But this is all because we trust in our insurance policy and feel safe knowing that we are covered.
But, when it comes down to it, do you have comprehensive coverage? Are all your most important things covered? Knowing whether or not you are fully insured against whatever may come your way is important, but it starts with understanding the types of coverage available, and matching them to your own needs. In this article, we’ll discuss the most common types of insurance coverage and how each one can benefit your family’s needs.
Homeowners’ Insurance
A standard Home Insurance policy usually includes coverage for your home, belongings, and liability. This means that if something happens to your house (including fire, theft, etc.), your insurance company will cover the cost to help you rebuild or repair it. It also means that if someone is injured on your property, your insurance company will help cover the costs of injury or property damage.
However, it’s important to realize that there can be significant gaps in homeowners’ coverage—just because something happens to your home doesn’t mean that it’s automatically covered. One example of this might be flooding—which oftentimes is not covered by a standard homeowners’ policy. To find out what your coverage includes—and does not—schedule time with your agent to go over your policy.
Renters’ Insurance
Similar to the coverage in homeowners’ policies, renters insurance covers a renter’s belongings in case of fire or theft or other circumstances, whereas property owners’ coverage does not extend to their tenants. There are two types of renters’ insurance that are common: replacement cost insurance, which covers the cost to replace anything that is lost; and actual cash value coverage, which pays out the assessed value of the lost items.
However, it is important to note that there are also gaps in renters’ insurance—they typically will not cover high-value valuables under the same policy (you’d want to get an additional policy for them), and motor vehicles may also not be covered by the singular policy.
Health Insurance
While health insurance is often covered by a corporate entity or by the government (in cases of an ACA plan), health insurance is still one of those major coverage options that you should maintain—all the time. Providing coverage for doctor’s visits, prescriptions, catastrophic illness or injury and even dental and vision care in some plans, health insurance is definitely a line item you don’t want to be without. However, because it can also be complex in what you’re eligible for and what it might cost you (especially considering subsidies and coverage options) it’s always best to walk through your options alongside an agent who knows the ropes.
Life and Disability Insurance
When it comes to insurance plans, one of the most important (and often overlooked) is life insurance. Often paired (or available to be paired) with disability insurance, life insurance offers a payout in case of your—or a loved one’s—demise, providing a certain level of stability in an otherwise uncertain time. Similarly, disability insurance can provide income and coverage options in the case that you are either permanently disabled, or in case of short-term (up to six months) or long-term (over six months) illness or injury. Because these plans are relatively inexpensive but cover you in case of one of the worst possible outcomes, life and disability insurance should definitely be on your checklist for 2022.
Business Owners’ Insurance
If you own a business and do not carry insurance on it, you may want to reconsider in 2022. A Business Owners Policy (BOP) is straightforward insurance for business owners—combining property coverage for your business assets with general liability insurance. While many business owners may need added coverage based on their industry or specialty, business owners’ insurance policies are a great place to start.
Umbrella Insurance
Although you may not hear about this type of coverage that often, umbrella insurance can be a great type of insurance to keep in case of a major problem. Covering liability, damage and injury, umbrella policies fill in the gaps that the common types of insurance may leave behind, offering an added layer of protection should something go wrong.
As an added protection, umbrella insurance can not only help with excessive bodily injury or property damage, but also offers coverage in case of libel, slander or false arrest.
Specialized Insurance Policies
What do horses, antiques, boats and a private art collection all have in common? They may all be insured under specialty premier policies that cover them separate from your other homeowners or vehicle policies. While all of these are very different, with different policy terms and valuations, keep in mind that if something has value to you, it’s worth insuring it from harm. To find out if your prized possessions need additional coverage, talk to your agent about this premier coverage.
Whatever the types of coverage you need or the questions you may have, Penny Insurance is here to help you along the way and to make sure you’re completely covered for anything that could happen—this year or in the future. Should you have any questions about coverage or insurance types, or if you would like to schedule a consultation or get a quote, please contact us and let us know.
by Penny Insurance Agency | Dec 7, 2021 | General Tips, Insurance
While most of us look to the holiday season with excitement and anticipation, the reality is that with an increase in online and on-the-road activity, as well as home projects, visitors and more, there are a number of pitfalls that homeowners and travelers should be aware of.
To help, we’ve compiled a list of some of the biggest holiday hazards, as well as a few prevention tips to help keep them from happening to you.
Fire
When it comes to the holidays, one of the most significant threats to the American home is fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated 790 fires a year begin with Christmas decorations—excluding Christmas trees—while the trees themselves account for another 160 a year.
Prevention Tip: When stringing lights or any other electric decorations, make sure you are double-checking that the wires are intact, with no fraying or loose connections. And if you have a live tree, you’ll want to make sure it stays well hydrated; a dry tree can go up in flames in a matter of seconds.
Theft
From porch pirates nabbing daily deliveries to home invasions and break-ins, theft is a big concern during this time of year. And while your local thief may be seeing an uptick in activity, there’s no reason you have to be part of his list.
Prevention tip: At home, keep track of what you’ve ordered to be shipped to your home, and when it is expected to come in, so you can get your packages inside before they are a temptation for drivers-by. When out shopping, take care to keep your eyes open and be aware of your surroundings to avoid becoming a victim of robbery. Finally, at home, keep doors and windows secured—whether you’re traveling or just watching Christmas movies—and double-check any vehicles outside, as well.
Lighting Mishaps
Hanging lights and wreaths may seem pretty straightforward, but according to the U.S. Consumer Safety Commission, there are on average more than 14,000 holiday-related accidents each year during the December holidays—most of those being attributed to slips and falls.
Prevention tip: As with any home improvement task that includes ladders or elevation, take time to ensure you’re practicing standard safety measures for your project. Ladders should be firmly on the ground, with no wobbling, and you should have a spotter to keep you steady, if possible. Keep tools handy close by, and maintain three points of contact between you and the ladder at all times for added security. Finally, make sure you keep paths clear of clutter and mess, so that you avoid tripping over it when moving boxes or decorations around.
Travel
The Christmas holiday marks the busiest travel season by far, which also makes it the most dangerous, as well. Between an increase in drivers, holiday travel or even Christmas party goers on the road a little too late, December road travel can be pretty risky.
Prevention tip: You can’t always prevent accidents, but you can take a few safety measures. Outside of carrying drivers’ insurance (a must!), take a few hours to take your car into the mechanic—pre-travel—to have the oil changed, tires checked and make sure your vehicle is in good shape for the trip. In addition, if you’re headed to a holiday party where alcohol will make a showing, make sure you select a designated driver for the night to keep everyone safe.
Fraud
There’s no worse time of year than to find out you’ve become a victim of identity theft or credit card fraud, but the increase in online shopping, gift orders and credit card scanners makes it a prime time for someone looking to hack into your accounts.
Prevention tip: When using your credit card around town, take a closer look and make sure there isn’t a skimmer over the scanner waiting to grab your information. When using your phone, stay off of public wi-fi, and if possible, use a VPN to protect your online searches, instead. Finally, when shopping online, make sure you’re only shopping secure sites (you’ll see a locked padlock next to the web address), and avoid phishing scams by not clicking on any random links that may be emailed or texted your way.
Injuries
They may go overlooked, but injuries can put a quick damper on the holiday spirit. From cooking burns or cuts, to injuries sustained from opening packages (yes, it happens a lot!), there’s no shortage of ways to win a trip to the emergency room, if you’re not careful.
Prevention Tip: As with any other situation in the kitchen, practice general safety precautions by paying attention to open flames and blades, and keeping knives sharp and pan lids close by. Cut away from yourself—when wrapping or unwrapping—and use a tool to get into those plastic-encased presents.
Whatever you have going on this holiday season, don’t end up on the bad size of the hazards list. From homeowners’ policies to car insurance, Penny Insurance has the experience and expertise to walk you through all types of coverage, every step of the way. If you would like to schedule a consultation or get a quote, please contact us and let us know.
