Ice Ice Baby: Car Safety in Winter Weather

Posted on by Brown-Phillips Insurance
  • Check your tire pressure, oil levels, and wiper fluids regularly–especially right before a snowstorm.
  • Make sure you have plenty of fuel at all times.
  • Consider adding towing coverage to your policy. (Especially if you don’t already have a roadside assistance service, like AAA.)
  • Winter apparel (extra gloves, hats, or scarves may come in handy)
  • Blanket
  • Flashlight (with batteries)
  • Jumper cables
  • Ice scraper or small shovel
  • Salt or de-ice
  • Extra oil and windshield wiper fluid
  • Wireless phone charger

 

Practice safe driving.

  • Check road conditions before driving. Allow yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.
  • If you must drive in hazardous conditions, make sure to let someone know where you’re going and shoot them a text once you’ve arrived.
  • Always, always, ALWAYS wear a seat belt, whether you’re a driver or a passenger.
  • Accelerate and break slowly.
  • If you find yourself in a skid, ease your foot off the gas slowly and turn toward the direction you want to front of the vehicle to be facing. Don’t touch either pedal until you’ve gained control of your car again.
  • Remain calm. If you’re nervous about driving in winter weather, take a day to practice in an empty parking lot.

 

If you have questions about extra coverages that could protect you and your vehicle in inclement weather, feel free to contact an independent agent. To view your current policy, visit the Brown-Phillips Customer Service page found here and on our website.

Auto Insurance Made Easy

Posted on by Brown-Phillips Insurance

If you’re reading this post, then cue the fireworks! You must have recently purchased your first auto insurance policy!

Even if this isn’t your first rodeo with an auto policy, you’re probably still fairly new to all things auto insurance. If you’re new, you may have either just gotten your license or fallen off your parents’ policy. On the other hand, if you’ve had auto insurance for a while, then you’ve probably had the same coverage for years and just never bothered to see what it all meant. I’m here to give you some good news: it’s not as complicated as it looks.

Auto insurance is required all over the United States, so we’ve been able to break it down to where it’s pretty easy to understand. Simply, it is divided into six categories. Not all are required coverages; however, to figure out the best coverages for you, it will be helpful to learn a little about each of them.

Liability Coverage is required in 49 out of 50 states in the U.S. and protects you from paying third-party expenses in the case of an at-fault accident. The money WILL go to the people you hit and their damaged vehicle; the money WILL NOT go toward you, your vehicle, or the other people in your vehicle.

You may find this coverage on your auto policy in the form of three numbers. For our purposes, we will use 30/60/25 (North Carolina’s minimum required coverage). This means that, in a single accident, you have $30,000 for any one person involved, a maximum of $60,000 for all persons involved, and $25,000 for damages to the vehicle. Let’s take a closer look:

  • Bodily Injury: this coverage will take care of a third party’s medical expenses or loss of income.
  • Property Damage: this coverage will take care of damaged property involved in an at-fault accident, usually meaning any third-party vehicle(s) involved. Additionally, it can cover damages made to other objects.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage will come in handy if you are hit by someone without insurance or enough coverage to pay for your expenses.

Comprehensive will cover damages to your car that were not caused by an at-fault accident. This may include theft, fire, vandalism, or hitting an animal.

Collision will cover damage to your vehicle caused by an at-fault accident.

(Note: if you have comprehensive and/or collision coverage, you will likely have a deductible, as well. This means you will have to pay a certain amount out-of-pocket in order to have the remainder of the damages paid for. For example, let’s say Bob has a $500 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage. If Bob hits a deer and acquires $1,500 in damages, he would have to pay $500 before the insurance company will pay for the damage.)

Medical Payments will cover the medical expenses of you or others in your vehicle in the case of an accident, as well any lost income due to being out of work for injury. This is an optional coverage and, depending on the situation, could be covered under your health insurance policy. Check with your health insurance agent to find out what would be covered in the case of an auto accident.

Now that you have a basic understanding of what all is covered, visit the Brown-Phillips Customer Service Center to review the coverages listed on your policy. If you have further questions, please call to consult with an independent agent.

Our Story Brown-Phillips Insurance

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Thank you for your interest in Brown Phillips Insurance agency!

History:

The original insurance agency has been in business in Raleigh, North Carolina for over 20 years. We are an independent insurance agency representing many different insurance carriers.

We take pride in the value we offer our clients through unparalleled service and attention. We carefully select our partners, and we are proud to be affiliated with our superior insurance companies!The agency is owned by Ashlee and Brian Phillips. Ashlee is a Raleigh native, and has been working in the agency since she was 18 back when her mom, Nancy Dixon, was the owner. She was just working in the agency until she “figured out what she wanted to do.”

After her mom passed away due to brain cancer in 2000, she became the owner. However after a couple of years, she decided it wasn’t the same without being with family. She employed a business broker, and sold the business to Brian Phillips in 2002.

Brian is a native of Gaffney, SC and served his country during the first Gulf War while in the Navy. After his service, he attended the University of South Carolina.

He is a Pi Kappa Phi alumni & supporter of Push America which brings awareness to people with special needs. He completed the Journey of Hope in 1998, Push America’s bicycling trip across the US to raise money and awareness.

A working relationship turned into a loving one, and Ashlee and Brian married 07/07/2007.

Now Ashlee and Brian work as a team dedicated to helping people with all of their insurance needs. Life circumstances change, and as an independent agent, Brown-Phillips Insurance can offer insurance products to change with you.

Our Goal:

Our Goals at Brown-Phillips Insurance are:

1. Find you the best insurance products,

2. For the best value for your money,

3. While exceeding your expectations of service and professionalism.

4. While making the process as easy as possible.

5. While giving back to our community.

Office Hours:

Monday-Thursday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Claims Service:

All of our companies have 24/7 claims service.

States Licensed to do Business:

North & South Carolina, Florida, Georgia & Virginia.

Location:

Brown-Phillips Insurance Agency is located in Raleigh, North Carolina at 4940 Windy Hill Dr. The agency is located just off of Millbrook Rd. behind the Brown-Wynne funeral home in the Lafayette Square office condos.

Get the right insurance for your trucks—and save money, too

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Five things you should consider before your next renewal Your vehicle insurance could be as much as 40 percent of your total operating budget.  A Regular policy review is essential in making sure you have the right insurance for your truck—and your business. Plus, you could save big buck if you qualify for additional discounts. To get started, ask yourself these five questions—then give your local agent a call.

Are all of my employees covered when they drive my trucks, even if they’re not listed on my policy?

You should always list employees who regularly drive your vehicles. Ask your insurance company if it covers temporary drivers as long as they have your permission to operate the vehicle. Some insurance companies will only cover drivers who are named on the policy. So, if you regularly employ temporary workers, you need to call your insurer and add them to the policy every time they drive to ensure they’ll be covered in an accident. Permissive use policies don’t require you to add temporary workers.

Will my policy pay to repair my employees’ personal vehicles if they get into an accident while running a business errand?

If you often send employees on business errands in their personal cars or trucks, or, if you use rental vehicles, consider adding optional coverages to your policy to protect those vehicles. In many cases, a standard commercial auto insurance policy won’t cover damages in case of an accident. Your agent or insurance company can walk you through all of your options.

Should I maintain my policy during the off-season if I’m not using my truck?

When the season’s over, consider switching to Comprehensive-only coverage instead of canceling your policy altogether. This coverage protects your vehicles against incidents like vandalism or hail that can happen when they’re sitting for long periods during the off-season. If you do decide to cancel your Liability insurance, check with the Department of Motor Vehicles first. There may be some additional steps you need to take to comply with the insurance laws in your state.

How quickly does my insurance company resolve claims?

Find out how long, on average, it takes your insurer to resolve claims. The faster they take care of your claim, the faster you can get back to work. Also, ask if your insurance will cover a rental vehicle or provide downtime payments. That way, if your truck’s out of commission, your business will stay profitable.

What can I do to control my insurance expenses?

Discounts can make a big difference, especially with commercial insurance. Progressive offers several, like an experienced business owner discount and a discount if you have a General Liability or Business Owner’s Policy. Other ways that you can save include increasing your deductibles and paying your premium in full. By Andy Fulford, product manager, Progressive. Andy Fulford is a product manager for Progressive. Progressive, in business since 1937, offers products and services that simplify buying and using auto insurance and is the #1 truck insurer in the U.S.

Welcome to the Brown-Phillips Insurance online experience! It’s New! It’s Improved!

Posted on by Brown-Phillips Insurance

We are so excited to announce the launch of our new Agency Management System…and think you will be, too! Since skimming > reading, here are a few of the features:

  • texting information with your agent
  • real time quotes
  • your policy information/documents available online
  • proof that the Loch-Ness monster is real
  • ability to request changes online
  • and more!

Log in, sign up, and see what YOU think at www.brownphillips.com!

xo,

Ashlee @ Brown-Phillips Insurance

P.S. Be sure to follow us on facebook & twitter (for serious “insurance” posts) and instagram (for more casual information). Look forward to seeing you!