September 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:
- Electronics
- Appliances
- Furniture
- Jewelry
- Tools and outdoor equipment
- Collectibles and other valuables
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:
- Cleaning gutters and downspouts
- Trimming dead or overhanging tree limbs
- Securing patio furniture and other outdoor items
- Inspecting your roof for loose or damaged shingles
- Checking drainage around your property
- Knowing how to safely shut off utilities if necessary
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:
- Dwelling coverage
- Personal property limits
- Liability coverage
- Deductibles
- Additional living expense coverage
- Major exclusions
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.
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.
Summer Road Trip Ready: RV & Motorcycle Insurance Tips Before You Hit the Road
Motorcycle Insurance, RV InsuranceSummer is road trip season in the Upstate. Whether you’re heading to the mountains, the coast, or simply enjoying weekend rides around South Carolina, now is the perfect time to review your coverage before travel plans begin.
For RV owners and motorcycle riders especially, having the right insurance in place can make all the difference when unexpected situations happen on the road.
Here’s what to know before your summer adventures begin.
Why Summer Is the Perfect Time for an Insurance Review
Many recreational vehicles and motorcycles spend part of the year parked or used only occasionally. Before taking them back out for summer, it’s smart to make sure:
Summer travel often means:
A quick policy review can help you travel with greater confidence.
What RV Insurance Typically Covers
RV insurance is different from standard auto insurance because your RV often functions as both a vehicle and a temporary living space.
Depending on your policy, RV coverage may include:
If you’ve recently upgraded your RV, added equipment, or purchased new accessories, it’s important to make sure those additions are properly covered.
Motorcycle Insurance: More Than Just the Minimum
South Carolina requires liability coverage for motorcycles, but many riders choose to add additional protection for greater peace of mind.
Optional coverages may include:
With beautiful riding weather in the Upstate during the summer months, more motorcycles are on the road — which also means increased accident risk.
Don’t Forget About Severe Summer Weather
Summer in South Carolina also brings pop-up storms, heavy rain, hail, and high winds.
Before traveling, consider:
Weather-related claims can happen quickly, especially during busy travel weekends.
Bundle Policies & Ask About Discounts
Many insurance carriers offer discounts for:
If you already have auto or homeowners insurance, combining policies may help lower your overall costs while simplifying coverage.
Travel with Confidence This Summer
Whether you’re planning a family RV trip, weekend camping getaway, or scenic motorcycle ride through the Carolinas, having the right coverage helps protect both your investment and your peace of mind.
Contact Edwards Insurance today for a free RV or motorcycle insurance review before your summer travels begin.
Our team can help you compare options, identify potential savings, and make sure you’re properly protected for wherever the road takes you this season!