General Insurance
Why choose an Independent Agent over a captive insurance company agent?

An Independent Agent is not locked into one company. An Independent Agent represents as many companies as necessary to bring the best in coverage and pricing to the client. Agents who work for State Farm, Allstate, or Nationwide work for and represent that company — not you.

Why are insurance premiums more expensive here than where I moved from?

Rates differ not only from state to state, but also from county to county. If you are buying coastal property, you are dealing with increased wind exposure and the cost of reinsurance, which drives premiums higher.

What information will the agent need to give me a quote?

You need to provide as much data as possible. A completed application including previous insurance history and verifiable loss information is required. For homeowners, we'll need property details, construction type, and year built. For auto, we'll need vehicle details and driver information.

Business Insurance
What if someone sues my business?

No business can afford to be unprepared for a lawsuit. Liability insurance protects your business assets when sued for something that contributed to injury or property damage. Coverage extends to attorneys' fees and defense costs — whether the lawsuit is valid or not. The standard business owner's policy provides liability coverage, as does a separate commercial general liability (CGL) policy.

I don't have any major business assets. Why do I need insurance?

Every business has property, and your business is your source of income. You need protection from potential loss of that income. Property insurance covers damage or loss of assets; liability insurance covers claims of damages caused by you or your operations.

Will I need to cover my employees if they are injured on the job?

Yes. In South Carolina, if you have 4 or more employees you must carry workers' compensation. However, you are responsible for damages even if you have only 1 employee. Workers' comp protects both the employee and offers the business owner immunity from lawsuit by an injured employee.

Homeowners Insurance
What kind of perils am I protected against?

Homeowners insurance typically covers: fire or lightning, windstorm or hail, explosions, riot or civil commotion, aircraft, vehicles, smoke, theft or vandalism, falling objects, weight of ice/snow/sleet, and freezing of plumbing or HVAC systems. Many "open perils" policies cover damage by almost everything unless specifically excluded.

What about floods, earthquakes, and other catastrophes?

Wind damage from hurricanes and tornados is generally included. However, flood and earthquake damage are NOT covered by a standard policy. If your home is in a flood-prone area, you are 26 times more likely to suffer a flood loss than a loss from fire.

Are there any other exclusions I should know about?

Common exclusions include neglect, intentional loss, earth movement, power failure, and war. An important exclusion is the Ordinance or Law exclusion — if current building codes require more expensive materials when rebuilding after a loss, that difference may not be covered without a specific endorsement.

Does my homeowners insurance policy cover flood damage?

Probably not. Most homeowners policies do not cover flood losses. Check your policy under the Exclusions section — it would be listed under "water damage." Flood insurance is available through the NFIP or private carriers and can be purchased through PC&L.

Auto Insurance
My financed car has bank-secured coverage I didn't know about. Is that allowed?

Yes. A lender has the right to require a borrower to protect the lender's interest in the collateral. A collateralized loan agreement typically includes a provision requiring the borrower to maintain comprehensive and collision coverage.

The other driver's insurance company won't honor my claim because their insured hasn't reported the accident. Can they do that?

The company is obligated to pay claims for which their insured is legally liable. The fact that the insured did not report the accident appears to be irrelevant, as long as sufficient documentation substantiating the claim can be provided to the company.