No one wants to think about having a car accident, discovering storm damage to their home, or experiencing a loss at their business. But when something unexpected does happen, knowing what to do next can make an already stressful situation much easier to navigate.
Insurance is there to help you recover from covered losses, but the claims process can feel overwhelming if you’ve never been through it before.
Whether you’re dealing with an auto accident, property damage, or another insured loss, here are a few important steps to keep in mind.
First, Make Sure Everyone Is Safe
Before worrying about insurance, prioritize safety.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, move to a safe location if possible and call 911 when necessary. If your home or business has been damaged by a fire, severe storm, fallen tree, or another event, don’t enter an area that could be unsafe.
Once any immediate danger has passed, you can begin documenting what happened and determining your next steps.
Document the Damage
Photos and videos can be extremely helpful during the claims process.
For an auto accident, consider documenting:
- Damage to all vehicles involved
- The accident scene
- License plates
- Road or weather conditions
- Any other relevant details
For damage to your home or business, take photos or videos of the affected areas and damaged belongings before beginning cleanup when it is safe to do so.
If you need to make temporary repairs to prevent additional damage, such as covering a broken window or placing a tarp over a damaged area, keep receipts for materials or services and document the damage beforehand when possible.
Gather Important Information
Having the right information readily available can help make the claims process smoother.
Depending on the type of claim, this might include:
- Your insurance policy information
- The date and approximate time of the incident
- Photos and videos
- Contact information for others involved
- Police or incident reports
- Receipts or records for damaged property
For auto accidents, exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver, but avoid making statements about fault at the scene. Stick to the facts when speaking with law enforcement and your insurance company.
Report the Claim Promptly
Once you’re safe and have gathered the necessary information, contact your insurance company or agent to report the loss.
You’ll typically be asked to provide details about what happened and the damage you’ve experienced. Depending on the situation, an insurance adjuster may then inspect the damage, request additional documentation, and explain the next steps.
Keep in mind that every claim is different. Your coverage, deductible, policy limits, and the circumstances surrounding the loss will all affect how your claim is handled.
Understand Your Deductible
Your deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying toward a covered loss before insurance pays according to the terms of your policy.
Ideally, you should know your deductibles before you ever need to file a claim.
Take a few minutes to review your auto, homeowners, and other policies so you know what you would be responsible for if something happened tomorrow.
Keep Records Throughout the Process
Claims can involve multiple conversations, documents, estimates, and receipts. Keeping everything organized can save you time and frustration.
Consider keeping a folder—digital or physical—with:
- Your claim number
- Adjuster contact information
- Photos and videos
- Repair estimates
- Receipts
- Copies of emails or other correspondence
If you have questions along the way, don’t hesitate to ask. Insurance can be complicated, and you shouldn’t feel like you have to navigate the process alone.
Be Prepared for Severe Weather in the Upstate
October may bring cooler temperatures to Greenville and the surrounding Upstate, but severe weather can happen throughout the year.
Storms, high winds, heavy rain, hail, and fallen trees can all result in unexpected property damage. Having an up-to-date home inventory and knowing where to find your insurance information can make a big difference if you need to file a claim.
It’s also important to understand what your policy doesn’t cover. For example, standard homeowners insurance generally doesn’t cover damage caused by flooding from rising water, which typically requires separate flood insurance.
Don’t Wait Until a Claim to Understand Your Coverage
One of the best times to learn about your insurance is before you need to use it.
Understanding your deductibles, coverage limits, and exclusions ahead of time can help eliminate surprises when something goes wrong.
If it’s been a while since you reviewed your policies, Edwards Insurance can help.
Contact Edwards Insurance today to schedule a complimentary insurance review. Our team can walk you through your current coverage, answer your questions, and help make sure you’re prepared if you ever need to file a claim.
When the unexpected happens, knowing you’re properly protected can make the road forward a little easier.
Claims 101: What to Do After an Accident or Loss
Auto Insurance, Homeowners InsuranceNo one wants to think about having a car accident, discovering storm damage to their home, or experiencing a loss at their business. But when something unexpected does happen, knowing what to do next can make an already stressful situation much easier to navigate.
Insurance is there to help you recover from covered losses, but the claims process can feel overwhelming if you’ve never been through it before.
Whether you’re dealing with an auto accident, property damage, or another insured loss, here are a few important steps to keep in mind.
First, Make Sure Everyone Is Safe
Before worrying about insurance, prioritize safety.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, move to a safe location if possible and call 911 when necessary. If your home or business has been damaged by a fire, severe storm, fallen tree, or another event, don’t enter an area that could be unsafe.
Once any immediate danger has passed, you can begin documenting what happened and determining your next steps.
Document the Damage
Photos and videos can be extremely helpful during the claims process.
For an auto accident, consider documenting:
For damage to your home or business, take photos or videos of the affected areas and damaged belongings before beginning cleanup when it is safe to do so.
If you need to make temporary repairs to prevent additional damage, such as covering a broken window or placing a tarp over a damaged area, keep receipts for materials or services and document the damage beforehand when possible.
Gather Important Information
Having the right information readily available can help make the claims process smoother.
Depending on the type of claim, this might include:
For auto accidents, exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver, but avoid making statements about fault at the scene. Stick to the facts when speaking with law enforcement and your insurance company.
Report the Claim Promptly
Once you’re safe and have gathered the necessary information, contact your insurance company or agent to report the loss.
You’ll typically be asked to provide details about what happened and the damage you’ve experienced. Depending on the situation, an insurance adjuster may then inspect the damage, request additional documentation, and explain the next steps.
Keep in mind that every claim is different. Your coverage, deductible, policy limits, and the circumstances surrounding the loss will all affect how your claim is handled.
Understand Your Deductible
Your deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying toward a covered loss before insurance pays according to the terms of your policy.
Ideally, you should know your deductibles before you ever need to file a claim.
Take a few minutes to review your auto, homeowners, and other policies so you know what you would be responsible for if something happened tomorrow.
Keep Records Throughout the Process
Claims can involve multiple conversations, documents, estimates, and receipts. Keeping everything organized can save you time and frustration.
Consider keeping a folder—digital or physical—with:
If you have questions along the way, don’t hesitate to ask. Insurance can be complicated, and you shouldn’t feel like you have to navigate the process alone.
Be Prepared for Severe Weather in the Upstate
October may bring cooler temperatures to Greenville and the surrounding Upstate, but severe weather can happen throughout the year.
Storms, high winds, heavy rain, hail, and fallen trees can all result in unexpected property damage. Having an up-to-date home inventory and knowing where to find your insurance information can make a big difference if you need to file a claim.
It’s also important to understand what your policy doesn’t cover. For example, standard homeowners insurance generally doesn’t cover damage caused by flooding from rising water, which typically requires separate flood insurance.
Don’t Wait Until a Claim to Understand Your Coverage
One of the best times to learn about your insurance is before you need to use it.
Understanding your deductibles, coverage limits, and exclusions ahead of time can help eliminate surprises when something goes wrong.
If it’s been a while since you reviewed your policies, Edwards Insurance can help.
Contact Edwards Insurance today to schedule a complimentary insurance review. Our team can walk you through your current coverage, answer your questions, and help make sure you’re prepared if you ever need to file a claim.
When the unexpected happens, knowing you’re properly protected can make the road forward a little easier.
National Preparedness Month: Is Your Home & Insurance Ready for Severe Weather?
Flood Insurance, Homeowners InsuranceSeptember is National Preparedness Month, making it a great time to ask an important question: If severe weather affected your home tomorrow, would you be prepared?
Here in South Carolina, September also falls during the heart of Atlantic hurricane season. While those of us in the Upstate may be hours from the coast, hurricanes and tropical storms can still bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, flash flooding, fallen trees, and power outages to our area.
Preparing your home is important—but so is understanding how your insurance would respond if something happened.
Here are a few steps Upstate homeowners can take this month to prepare.
Know What Your Homeowners Insurance Covers
Homeowners insurance generally provides protection for your home and belongings against a variety of covered events. Depending on the specifics of your policy, that may include damage caused by wind, hail, lightning, fire, or falling trees.
However, every policy is different. Coverage limits, deductibles, exclusions, and endorsements can all affect how much protection you actually have.
That’s why it’s important to review your policy before severe weather is in the forecast—not after damage occurs.
Remember: Flooding Is Usually Different
One of the most important things homeowners should understand is that a standard homeowners insurance policy typically does not cover flooding caused by rising water.
And as we have seen in years past, you don’t have to live along the South Carolina coast to experience a flood.
Heavy rainfall from tropical systems and severe thunderstorms can cause flash flooding, overwhelmed drainage systems, and rising creeks and rivers throughout the Upstate. Even properties outside high-risk flood zones can experience flooding.
If you’re unsure whether flood insurance makes sense for your property, talk with your insurance agent about your individual risk and coverage options.
Create a Home Inventory
If you had to file a claim tomorrow, could you remember everything you own?
Creating a home inventory now can make the claims process much easier later. Walk through your home and take photos or videos of your belongings, paying special attention to higher-value items such as:
Keep copies of receipts or documentation for major purchases when possible, and store your inventory somewhere you can access it even if your home is damaged.
Prepare Your Property Before a Storm
A little preventative maintenance can go a long way when severe weather arrives.
Before the next storm, consider:
It’s also a good idea to keep basic emergency supplies on hand in case you lose power or need to remain at home for an extended period.
Know Your Deductible and Coverage Limits
Don’t wait until you’re filing a claim to learn how much your deductible is.
Take a few minutes to review your homeowners policy and make sure you understand your:
If you’ve renovated your home, added a deck or detached structure, made significant purchases, or experienced other changes since your last policy review, your current limits may need to be updated.
Make Insurance Part of Your Emergency Plan
Emergency preparedness isn’t only about flashlights, batteries, and bottled water. Having the right insurance coverage in place is an important part of protecting your family financially when the unexpected happens.
National Preparedness Month is the perfect reminder to review your policies and make sure you understand your protection before you need to use it.
Be Prepared Before the Next Storm
Severe weather doesn’t always give us much notice. Your insurance coverage, however, is something you can prepare ahead of time.
Contact Edwards Insurance today to schedule a complimentary insurance review. Our team can help you understand your current homeowners coverage, discuss flood insurance options, and identify potential gaps so you can feel better prepared for whatever the season brings.
When it comes to protecting your home and family, a little preparation today can make a big difference tomorrow.
Adding a Teen Driver to Your Auto Insurance? Here’s What South Carolina Parents Should Know
UncategorizedFor many families, back-to-school season brings exciting milestones—and for some, that includes a teenager getting behind the wheel for the first time.
While earning a driver’s license is a big step toward independence, it also comes with new responsibilities, including making sure your family’s auto insurance provides the right protection.
If you’re adding a teen driver to your policy this year, here’s what every South Carolina parent should know.
Why Does Auto Insurance Increase with a Teen Driver?
One of the first questions parents ask is, “Why did my premium go up so much?”
Simply put, new drivers have less experience behind the wheel, making them statistically more likely to be involved in accidents. Insurance companies factor that increased risk into their pricing.
While premiums often increase when adding a teen driver, there are several ways to help manage those costs.
Ask About Available Discounts
Many insurance companies offer discounts that can help offset the cost of insuring a young driver.
You may qualify for savings if your teen:
Every insurance carrier is different, so it’s worth asking what discounts may be available.
Choose the Right Vehicle
The vehicle your teen drives plays a significant role in insurance costs.
Generally, vehicles that are less expensive to repair and equipped with modern safety features tend to have lower insurance premiums than sports cars or high-performance vehicles.
Before purchasing your teen’s first vehicle, it’s a good idea to request an insurance quote so you know what to expect.
Review Your Liability Limits
When you add another driver to your policy, it’s a smart time to review your liability coverage.
If your teen is involved in a serious accident, adequate liability limits can help protect your family’s finances from unexpected expenses.
Many families also choose to discuss umbrella insurance for an added layer of protection once a teen driver is on the road.
Encourage Safe Driving Habits Early
Insurance is only one part of keeping your teen safe.
Parents can also help by encouraging good driving habits, including:
Building these habits early can make a lasting difference.
South Carolina’s Graduated Driver Licensing Program
South Carolina uses a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program to help new drivers gain experience safely.
As teens progress from a beginner’s permit to a conditional license and eventually a regular driver’s license, there are restrictions designed to reduce risk, such as limits on nighttime driving and the number of passengers allowed.
Understanding these requirements helps both parents and teens stay compliant and safe on the road.
Make Sure Your Coverage Grows with Your Family
Every family is different, and every insurance policy should reflect those unique needs.
Whether you’re adding your first teen driver or reviewing your family’s existing coverage, taking a few minutes to evaluate your policy can provide valuable peace of mind.
Contact Edwards Insurance today for a complimentary auto insurance review. Our team can help you understand your coverage, identify available discounts, and make sure your family is protected every mile of the way.
Helping your teen become a confident driver starts with making sure they’re backed by the right insurance.
Mid-Year Business Insurance Checkup: Is Your Business Still Properly Protected?
UncategorizedAs a business owner, you probably review your finances, goals, and operations throughout the year—but when was the last time you reviewed your insurance coverage?
July marks the halfway point of the year, making it an ideal time to evaluate whether your commercial insurance still reflects your business as it exists today—not as it looked when your policy renewed.
Whether you’ve hired new employees, expanded your services, purchased equipment, or simply experienced growth, your insurance should grow with you.
Here’s a mid-year checklist to help ensure your business is properly protected.
Has Your Business Changed This Year?
Many businesses experience significant changes between policy renewals.
Ask yourself:
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it may be time to update your insurance coverage.
Review Your Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)
A Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) combines several important coverages into one convenient package, often including:
As your business grows, the amount of property you own and the risks you face can change. Reviewing your policy ensures your coverage keeps pace with your business.
Don’t Overlook General Liability Insurance
Accidents can happen in any industry.
General liability insurance helps protect your business if someone alleges:
Even businesses that primarily operate from an office or home can face liability claims. Having adequate coverage can help protect your finances if the unexpected occurs.
Workers’ Compensation: Are You Staying Compliant?
If you’ve hired employees this year, it’s important to understand your workers’ compensation responsibilities.
Workers’ compensation helps cover:
Reviewing your policy annually helps ensure your payroll estimates remain accurate and that your business complies with South Carolina requirements.
Think Beyond Today
As your business becomes more successful, your exposure often increases as well.
Depending on your industry, you may also benefit from additional coverage such as:
An insurance review can help identify potential gaps before they become costly problems.
Local Businesses Face Unique Risks
Businesses throughout Greenville, Taylors, Greer, and the surrounding Upstate continue to experience rapid growth. While that’s exciting, growth often brings new challenges—from hiring employees to purchasing additional equipment or expanding into larger facilities.
Insurance isn’t something to set and forget. As your business evolves, your protection should evolve with it.
Schedule Your Mid-Year Insurance Review
A business insurance review doesn’t have to be complicated, and it could uncover opportunities to strengthen your coverage or even save money.
At Edwards Insurance, we work with businesses across the Upstate to create insurance solutions tailored to their unique needs—not a one-size-fits-all policy.
Contact Edwards Insurance today to schedule a complimentary commercial insurance review. We’ll help you evaluate your current coverage, identify any gaps, and ensure your business is well protected for the rest of the year and beyond.
Because you’ve worked hard to build your business. Let’s make sure it’s protected.