​Hurricane Defense:
How to Strengthen Damage-Prone Parts of Your Property ...​

Ready Your Home for High Winds

Protecting your home against the effects of a hurricane may seem too daunting a task to undertake—there's a reason the phrase "force of nature" has such resonance.

But, if you take a quick survey of your property, you'll find a number of steps you can take to potentially minimize a storm's impact, some simple, some more ambitious.

Here are a few ideas from the Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on how to help prepare your home for a hurricane:

• Garage doors: Light, thin garage doors are especially susceptible to high winds. Once the door is gone, wind pressure can cause extensive damage to the rest of the house. Reinforce your doors with plywood or steel, or better yet replace them with wind-pressure-rated doors.
  
  
• Windows: Permanent storm shutters offer your best protection. Another option is to board up windows with 5/8-inch exterior grade or marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install.
  
  
• Roof: Secure it to your walls with galvanized steel hurricane clips, or use a caulking gun to lay down a small bead of premium flooring adhesive at the points where the roof meets structural supports.
  
  
• Doors: Double-entry doors are more susceptible than single entry to wind damage. Secure them with heavy-duty deadbolt locks at the top and bottom, and replace existing hinge attachment screws with longer screws that go deeper into the doors and frame.
  
  
• Trees and shrubs: Check for signs of damage and disease in your trees, and make sure trees and shrubs are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant. Select trees that are not prone to uprooting.
  
  
• Heavy indoor items: Affix bookcases, television stands, water heaters and other heavy items with brackets or straps that are firmly attached to wall studs.
  
  
• Rain gutters: Here's an easy one. Maintain clear gutters and downspouts to help prevent flooding and unnecessary pressure on your awnings.
  
  
• Lawn furniture, toys and tools: Store these items – trash cans, too – away from stairs and exits to prevent them from becoming dangerous airborne projectiles.
  
  
• Safe room: For maximum protection, consider preparing a safe room in your home, centrally located without windows. You can build one yourself, or buy one prefabricated. FEMA offers a free guide to creating safe rooms.

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​Finally, a few questions to address regarding your home insurance before a hurricane hits:

• Do I have a higher deductible for wind and hail damage?
  
  
• Am I comfortable paying that deductible if a hurricane hits?
  
  
• Do I need a separate flood insurance policy?
  
  
• Is my home inventory up to date and do I have adequate personal property coverage?
  
  
• Does my homeowners insurance cover temporary living expenses if I’m displaced from my home?

Your home insurance policy may offer coverage for hurricanes, but it’s worth your while to double check. If you’re uncertain, ask your local independent agent to review your policy and explain the details to you.

And, remember, no matter how well prepared you think you are, it’s important to follow evacuation orders during hurricane season. Be sure to grab your emergency kit before you go!

GET A FREE ONLINE HOME INSURANCE QUOTE BY CLICKING LINK BELOW.

Major Reasons WHY You Need Renters Insurance:If you're a renter, most likely you own things – then you need renters insurance. You CAN purchase inexpensive renters insurance for your apartment or condo. The more important thing is to make sure that your assets are covered.

Renters insurance – also called home and contents insurance – covers your belongings from theft and damage. It provides liability coverage if someone is injured while in your apartment. Part of that liability coverage, which is typically about $2,000, is to pay the injured person's medical bills. It can also pay for any lawyer fees and settlements.

Renters insurance will pay for the loss of use of your apartment, meaning you can receive payment to stay in a hotel or other place if your apartment is damaged by a fire, storm or other covered event. It covers your belongings while you are away, which means your belongings are covered while you are traveling or if you leave them in your car. 

There are a few broad reasons for you to purchase renters or contents insurance. They include theft of your belongings and damage to your belongings caused by fire, lightning, windstorms, hail, explosions, smoke, vandalism and plumbing leaks. 

Renters insurance is affordable and worthwhile. You can get renters insurance quotes online, which makes shopping for this must-have insurance simple and easy. If your belongings are stolen, damaged or destroyed by fire, storms, smoke, vandalism or other covered causes, renters insurance provides you with peace of mind because you know they'll be replaced.

Motorcycle Insurance Minimum Requirements in North Carolina ...
Motorcycle riding can unfortunately lead to some costly, horrendous accidents. The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires cyclists to prove they're capable of handling the possible expenses associated with riding a motorcycle by having acceptable levels of motorcycle insurance.

Ways to Establish Financial Responsibility
You can purchase a liability policy that meets the state's minimum coverage levels to properly insure your motorcycle.

Two-Wheeled Vehicles Defined
Unsure about whether your cycle qualifies as a motorcycle and needs to be insured? Call the DMV at (919) 715-7000 to find out.

North Carolina Motorcycle Insurance Requirements
According to North Carolina's mandatory insurance laws, you must have liability motorcycle insurance for your registered bike.

By maintaining at least the following levels of coverage on your policy, you'll meet the mandatory insurance requirements:

• $30,000 for bodily injuries or death to one person in a single accident.
• $60,000 for bodily injuries or deaths to more than one person in a single accident.
• $25,000 for property damage occurring in a single accident.
  
  

As you get your motorcycle insurance quotes, keep in mind that the above numbers are only
the minimums. You have to option of purchasing higher limits if you feel you need more
financial protection.

Optional Coverages
In addition to the liability insurance, most motorcycle insurance companies offer optional types of coverage to help pay for costs associated with your own bike's damages and injuries you suffer. Some optional coverages include:

• Collision - For damages to your motorcycle after and accident.
• Comprehensive - For damages to your motorcycle for several incidents that are not
  accident-related.
• Medical payments - This will help pay for medical costs if you are hurt in a crash.
• Towing and labor - Helps provide and pay for emergency roadside assistance and towing.
  
  

Proof of Insurance and Financial Responsibility
While your motorcycle insurance company is required to notify the DMV when you start―and stop―your vehicle liability coverage, you still must be ready to show your proof of insurance when requested. You can do this by providing your insurance card.

Penalties for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility
What if you let you insurance lapse and have no proof of insurance? That depends on
your circumstance.

Your insurance company will alert the DMV about your situation.That automatically triggers a Form FS 5-7 notice being sent to you. If you did have a time gap in your insurance coverage, you must reaffirm your current coverage, pay the fine listed by the DMV, and mail the completed form to the DMV within 10 days from the date on the letter. 

Failing to do so likely means your plates will be suspended for 30 days. To reinstate your plates, you'll need to wait the required amount of time. Then, you'll have to pay at least a $50 fine, a $50 service fee, your license plate fee, and complete FS-1 indicating your current motorcycle
insurance coverage.
Story Resource: NCDMV