Fall Weekend Getaway
If you’re looking to get in a quick leaf-peeping trip in Virginia before the leaves lose their gorgeous colors, you’re in luck. The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains run the length of the western part of the Old Dominion, so they’re easily accessible and a fairly short drive from just about anywhere in the state.
Skyline Drive is one of the most well-known destinations (or journeys!) for a reason: it offers amazing views of the Blue Ridge Mountains in any season, but particularly in autumn when the mountains are on fire with reds, yellows, and oranges. Skyline Drive covers a 105 mile stretch along the crest of the Blue Ridge, right through Shenandoah National Park, from Front Royal all the way to Rockfish Gap. The speed limit is just 35 miles per hour for the length of the Drive, in part because of the wildlife that inhabit the area. Of course, you probably won’t want to drive any faster – this is a trip to be savored. While you’re looking at the leaves, just remember to keep your eyes opened for deer and other animals.
If you can’t make it as far as Skyline Drive, a trip to Charlottesville and the surrounding area might be just the thing. Barely over an hour west of downtown Richmond, VA on I-64, the Charlottesville area has enough elevation changes to make for beautiful views. And of course there are plenty of things to see. The area is home to many wineries that offer tours and tastings, such as Barboursville Winery, Horton Vineyards, and Jefferson Vineyards. And speaking of Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia – founded by Mr. Jefferson himself, and featuring his architectural masterpiece, The Rotunda – is here as well. And Jefferson’s historic home, Monticello, is a 10 minute drive away.
So get out there while you still can and enjoy this gorgeous Virginia fall weather!
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Why Travel Abroad When You Live Here?
Fall is here and this is when a lot of families plan their off-peak beach vacations or trips to the mountains for foliage excursions.
To the beach! It might be too cold in your hometown for a jaunt to the beach but driving a few hours south and east can really make all the difference. And even a day-long journey a lot cheaper and easier than packing up the family for a flight to the Caribbean.
Those of us in Virginia and the Carolinas have it made with relatively short drives. If it’s too cold for Virginia Beach or Nag’s Head keep heading south – to South Carolina that is and Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head. If it’s still a bit brisk for your taste, Georgia has hundreds of amazing beaches including those on the mainland in areas like Savannah and nice island getaways such as Tybee and St. Simon’s Islands. Or, of course, you can spend a day on the road and take your pick of some of the best winter beaches in the US – in sunny Florida.
Check out those colors! If getting in the last-minute beach trip is not your thing, consider a trip to the mountains just two hours west and take in some of the most beautiful foliage the United States has to offer. Seeing the leaves turn is one of the least expensive and most amazing experiences those who appreciate nature can ever experience – and those of us in Virginia and the Carolinas can experience it on less than a tank of gas!
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The Permit, Part Two – North Carolina
In our last blog, we talked about the specific requirements for getting a learner’s permit in Virginia. North Carolina has very different regulations, so if you live in the Tar Heel state and you have a son or daughter fast approaching driving age, then this primer should give you some much needed information. Of course, you’ll want to check with the NC Department of Transportation for all the specifics.
North Carolina
There’s no stopping the clock or turning back time: your baby is ready to learn to drive. North Carolina has what it calls a “graduated licensing” program, wherein new drivers go through several licensing levels that become less restrictive over time. The first level is the Limited Learner Permit, given to first-time drivers from 15 to 18 years of age. The driver will be required to pass written, sign, and vision tests, and also have completed driver education and obtained the driving eligibility certificate. Only supervised driving is allowed with a Level One license, from 5 am to 9 pm, and the supervisor must be a licensed driver for 5 years. No mobile telephones may be used while driving.
Level Two, the Limited Provisional License, is available to drivers 16 to 18 years old after 12 months with a Level One permit. A new law going into effect as of January 1, 2012 requires 60 logged hours of supervised driving with a Limited Learner Permit before moving to Level Two. Unsupervised driving is allowed from 5 am to 9 pm, and the driver must have no traffic violations for the prior 6 months. The same mobile telephone restrictions apply.
Level Three is the Full Provisional license. It is available to drivers who have had a Level Two license for 6 months, with no traffic violations during the previous 6 months. The Full Provisional License allows for unsupervised driving at any time, although mobile phone use while driving is not allowed.
The DMV has powerful incentives to tie education to the privilege of driving: it will revoke the license of any driver under 18 who drops out of school or receives a school suspension for more than 10 consecutive days.
So now you’re ready for your little girl get behind the wheel and hit the road. Welllll… at least you’re knowledgeable. Oh, and don’t forget to give us a call to arrange insurance for your new driver.
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The Permit, Part One
The day you dreaded is fast approaching. Not only is your baby growing up but he’s spreading his wings. He’s nearly ready for the first rite of passage into independence: the learner’s permit. So what do you do now? North Carolina and Virginia each have different laws, so you’ll want to check your state’s specifics with the Division of Motor Vehicles. In this two-part blog, we’ll look at some of the requirements for a learner’s permit for each state.
Virginia
In the Old Dominion, learner’s permit regulations are fairly straightforward. Your teenager must be at least 15 and 6 months of age to be eligible, and you must consent in writing. There is a vision test and your child must pass the two-part knowledge exam. There are some driving restrictions as well. Your child must be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older, or an immediate family member 18 or older. A curfew makes it illegal for anyone under 18 to drive between the hours of 12 am and 4 am, with certain exceptions. Also, use of an electronic communications device while driving (even hands-free devices) is prohibited.
To qualify for a full driver’s license, your teen must log 45 hours behind the wheel and be at least 16 years and 3 months old. There is a court ceremony that you must attend with your child after which your child will receive the actual driver’s license. The courts have broad powers to revoke the license, however, for driving infractions, other legal troubles, or a child quitting school.
In our next blog, we’ll have a primer for learner’s permits in North Carolina. In the meantime, give us a call to talk about insurance for your new driver.
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Enjoy Hassle Free Driving Vacations With GPS
With a long journey ahead and a car full of eager (and often bored) children, the last thing that any family needs is for arguments to erupt about which direction to take or, worse still, which direction they should have taken as they find themselves hopelessly lost. With GPS and satellite navigation (sat nav) on board, however, you can say goodbye to family feuds and really enjoy a hassle-free family driving vacation.
Of course, nowadays, many new cars come with GPS and sat nav devices already installed in the vehicle, but if yours happens to be an older model, you may not have this luxury. For a relatively low cost, however, you can buy your own system to install in your car or, if you own a smartphone such as Apple’s iPhone or a Droid, you can use this to guide you.
Of course, the main purpose of GPS and sat nav systems is to get you quickly and easily to your destination, but most of the systems on sale today also provide you with the functionality to find out where the nearest facilities are, and again, this can save all those unnecessary squabbles about why you didn’t bother to fill up at the last gas station as you grind to a halt in the middle of nowhere, or the endless whining from the children about how much longer they are going to have to wait before you stop for something to eat.
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Discount Insurance is Not Necessarily a Bargain
Everybody loves a bargain, but buyer beware – all discount insurance is not created equal!
It’s human nature, and just plain smart, to shop around for the best prices. Just don’t confuse the lowest prices with the best values. They are, more often than not, two very different animals. And it all makes sense when you take some time to really understand what you are getting for your so-called “bargain”. For instance, buying something you don’t need at 50% off is not a bargain. On the other hand, buying something you desperately need at any discount can be a real bargain – as long as the quality is there.
What’s that? “Quality”? In insurance? Isn’t all insurance pretty much the same? Not at all, but that’s exactly what some of the “discount” providers hope you will believe.
So let’s break this down into two simple rules for smart comparison shopping:
First – Are they trying to sell you something you really don’t need? I don’t mean an upgrade from minimum coverage, because (in my own opinion) that is more of a need than most people realize. No, I am talking about additional coverage for things that do not relate to your situation. If you ever find yourself looking at pages of stuff in your policy that make you question its value, ask the question. Both you and your insurance provider will be glad you did.
Second – Be sure to compare “apples to apples”. Get a written line-by-line summary of exactly what your prospective insurance policies cover and go through the two policies side-by-side very carefully. More often than not you will find seemingly small discrepancies that put a whole new twist on the definition of “bargain”.
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New Employment Opportunity
Employment opportunity: We are looking for an agent trainee or a licensed P&C agent in our Cary, North Carolina office. Excellent sales, multi-tasking, and customer service skills could land you this exciting opportunity to join our team. Must have at least 1 year customer service experience; bilingual a plus! If interested, please fax your resume to 866-901-0471or email us at careers@myinsurancedoctor.com.
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Should Newly Married Couples Combine Their Car Insurance?
Have you recently gotten married? Are you wondering whether you should combine your car insurance to both be covered under the same policy? There is no right or wrong answer; but it is definitely something you should look into.
Most insurance companies consider married couples a lower risk than single drivers; they are perceived as safer drivers. Because of this, most married couples will qualify for lower insurance premiums. Another benefit to combing your car insurance coverage is that you can qualify for the multi-car discount. These savings can be significant.
One reason to keep your policies separate is if one spouse has a bad driving record. Your cost may actually be more than what the two of you pay separately or the insurance company may be unwilling to add the spouse with the bad record. If you have joint insurance and one spouse is at fault in an accident, then the premiums are certain to increase affecting both drivers.
If you have questions about your automobile policy, call Insurance Doctor. We can evaluate your current policy and find the best deal for you and your new spouse.
- Published in Auto Insurance Premiums, Automobile Insurance, Uncategorized
Renter’s Insurance – Exposing The Myths
Many people consider renter’s insurance optional. Actually it is just as important as car insurance and homeowner’s insurance. Its purpose is to protect you in case of an emergency, whether fire or theft, and also to protect you if someone is injured at your place of residence.
Here is a list of the four most common myths about renter’s insurance:
Myth # 1: I can’t afford it
Chances are you can get renter’s insurance for as little as $10 – $20 per month. As you raise the deductible on your insurance, the rates will generally decrease.
Myth # 2: My landlord has coverage
Typically, a landlord’s insurance covers only covers structural damage to the building itself , and will never cover your belongings. In some cases, if the tenant causes the damage, then the tenant could be liable for the damage and will have to pay for the repairs. If the buildings is burnt to the ground, the landlord’s coverage will not replace your belongings.
Myth # 3: I’m in a safe location with great security
Renters insurance covers much more than loss from theft. Chances are if your suitcase is stolen while you are tracveling, you will likely have replacement coverage. Renter’s insurance also has liability coverage in case someone gets injured at your place.
Myth # 4: I don’t really own anything worth much
It is surprising how the value of your belongings adds up quickly. Books, CD’s, electronics and clothing are expensive to replace.
If you’re renting for the first time, or have been renting for years without insurance, you should seriously consider purchasing a renter’s insurance policy. Call Insurance Doctor and we can find a policy that will cover your needs.
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Providing Insurance You Need When You Need It
Insurance Doctor is one of the nation’s largest insurance agencies. Our goal is to find you the best policy for your specific needs, whatever that may be.
At Insurance Doctor we offer:
Automobile Insurance
Motorcycle Insurance
Homeowner’s Insurance
Renter’s Insurance
In order to make the process easy for you, we have 16 offices conveniently located in both Virginia and North Carolina. To get Virginia car insurance quotes and and information about our other insurance options, you can fill out our online form or call us directly at (804) 767-3792. To find a North Carolina location near you, call us directly at 919-827-1628 or fill out our online form.
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