Outer Banks Insurance Agency, Inc.

05/24/2026

05/13/2026

We’re coming up to the start of the 2026 North Atlantic Hurricane Season and, with it, the stress that comes with the idea of a tropical storm or hurricane taking aim at the OBX — although tropical activity can still happen outside of the official season!

For many policyholders with wind and hail coverage, it may also mean having to worry about a Named Storm Deductible in the event of a covered claim.

But what exactly is a Named Storm?

According to the North Carolina Department of Insurance, a Named Storm is “a weather-related event involving wind that has been assigned a formal name by the National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service, World Meteorological Association, or another generally recognized scientific or meteorological association.”

In short, it’s a tropical storm or hurricane that has been officially named by a recognized weather organization.

Does that mean only claims caused by these types of storms are subject to a Named Storm Deductible? Not necessarily. Coverage and deductibles can vary depending on your policy and carrier.

As always, review your policy contract or speak with your insurance provider for specific details about your coverage.

Questions? Our team is always happy to help!

04/27/2026

You’ve just discovered a major water leak from a burst pipe under your home. It’s been soaking the utility room for weeks without anyone noticing, and now the damage has spread into your living room and a bedroom. Walls are damaged, rot and mold have started, and the contractor says the repairs are extensive enough that you can’t safely stay in the house for a while.

So now what? Hotel costs, meals, and extra expenses start adding up quickly.

That’s where Additional Living Expense coverage, sometimes called Loss of Use, can help.

Found on many homeowners and dwelling policies, this coverage can help reimburse certain extra costs you incur while you’re unable to live in your home due to a covered loss. This may include lodging, meals, and other necessary expenses while repairs are being completed.

Coverage limits vary by carrier, but many policies base this amount on a percentage of your dwelling coverage (Coverage A). Keep in mind that documentation is important, so be sure to save receipts and records of what you spend. Your insurance company will also determine which expenses are considered necessary and eligible for reimbursement.

It’s also important to remember that this coverage only applies if the damage causing you to leave the home is covered under your policy.

As always, review your policy contract or speak with your insurance carrier for specific details about your coverage.

Have questions? Our team is always happy to help!

04/06/2026

If you’re expanding or adding to your home, doing renovations, or the market has made your home’s value higher, it may be time to review your insurance coverage.

When we upgrade our homes, it’s easy to forget that those improvements can affect the amount of insurance needed to rebuild the property. With hurricane season approaching, now is a good time to make sure your dwelling coverage (or “Coverage A”) reflects the current value of your home.

Keep in mind that increasing dwelling coverage can also raise the limits on other coverages in your policy, since many are calculated as a percentage of the dwelling amount. That can mean a small premium increase. But would you rather pay an extra $50–$100 per year…or several thousand dollars out of pocket to rebuild that new screened-in porch you added but never updated on your policy?

If you do increase coverage, your insurance carrier may ask for documentation such as an appraisal, receipts, or invoices for completed work.

Coverage details vary by carrier, so review your policy or speak with your insurance company for specifics. And yes, the dollar amounts above are just examples — premiums are set by the insurance company, not by your friendly neighborhood social media manager.

Have questions about your coverage? Our team is happy to help!

03/30/2026

Spring Break and warmer weather is here, which means one thing for many folks: road trips. And for some, that means it’s time to get the camper ready for the season.

For our RV owners, do you understand the coverage on your insurance for your Thor, American Tradition, Keystone, or Airstream?

Did you know there are coverages designed specifically for RVs? Whether you have a Class A, B, or C motorhome, a conventional or fifth-wheel travel trailer, a pop-up camper, or a truck camper, it’s important to make sure it’s properly insured. Specialty RV coverage is available with most carriers, and it’s a good idea to review your policy to see what’s included.

One example is Emergency Expense coverage. This typically comes in increments of about $1,000 and helps if you experience a covered claim while traveling. It may assist with towing to an RV-specific repair facility, spoiled food caused by the claim, even lodging while your RV is being repaired or transportation back home, among other things.

As always, review your policy contract or speak with your carrier for the specific details of your coverage. If you’d like help reviewing your policy or have questions, our office is always happy to assist!

03/24/2026

Most property insurance policies include coverage for your personal property. This typically covers items such as clothing, furniture, and other belongings, usually up to their Actual Cash Value – meaning what the items are worth at the time of loss, with depreciation taken into account.

But what about special items such as antiques, collectibles, or family heirlooms?

That’s where an Inland Marine policy can come into play. This type of policy can provide coverage for valuable personal property, often up to the replacement cost of the item, based on a value agreed upon between the policyholder and the insurance company. Documentation is important, though. Insurance carriers will typically require proof of value, such as a receipt, appraisal, or similar records.

It’s also worth checking your existing homeowners policy. Some carriers offer similar coverage for valuable items as an endorsement to your property policy for an additional premium.

If you’re unsure what coverage you currently have, reviewing your policy or speaking with your insurance provider is always a good place to start. And if you’d like help reviewing your options, our team is always happy to assist!

03/23/2026

So, we talked about “Liability Only” recently, so why not take a look at the other option that everyone has heard of — “Full Coverage”. What is it, and what does it actually mean?

In reality, it’s a bit of a misconception. Many insurance agents dislike the phrase because it often gives policyholders the wrong impression. What people usually mean by “Full Coverage” is having the coverages on your auto policy that protect your vehicle, specifically Comprehensive and Collision coverage.

These coverages help pay for damage to your vehicle after an accident, whether you’re at fault or not, as well as certain non-accident incidents such as weather events, falling objects, theft, or other covered losses.

So where does the confusion come in? Sometimes the phrase makes it sound like your vehicle is completely protected in every situation. Some people assume it means they’ll receive a brand new car, the exact same vehicle, or a payout equal to what the car cost when it was new.

Most policies don’t work that way. In most cases, vehicles are covered up to their Actual Cash Value, which is what the vehicle is worth at the time of the loss after depreciation is taken into account.

Some insurance carriers have begun offering replacement coverage options that can pay up to the vehicle’s purchase price or replace it with a similar make and model if it’s declared a total loss. However, not all companies offer this coverage, and when they do, it’s usually limited to vehicles that are about five years old or newer.

Understanding how your insurance works and what it actually covers is important. Take time to review your policy or speak with your insurance carrier if you have questions.

If you’d like help reviewing your coverage or exploring your options, our team is always happy to help!

03/20/2026

Thank you Outer Banks Insurance 🥎

03/17/2026

When it comes to auto insurance, two phrases you’ll hear often are “Liability Only” and “Full Coverage.” Many drivers choose liability-only coverage for vehicles that are older and fully paid off. But what does “Liability Only” actually mean when it comes to what’s covered?

“Liability Only” is simply a shorthand way of saying a vehicle carries ONLY liability coverage on its insurance policy, and nothing else. This typically includes Bodily Injury and Property Damage, and sometimes Uninsured Motorist coverage (though this coverage is optional in some states).

So what does this mean in practice?

For example, let’s say Driver A carries liability-only coverage and hits Driver B. If Driver A is at fault in the accident, their liability coverage would handle the damage to Driver B’s vehicle (Property Damage) as well as any injuries Driver B may have sustained (Bodily Injury).

And that’s where the coverage stops.

If Driver A’s vehicle is damaged in the accident, their policy would not cover the repairs. Since they only carry liability coverage, they would be responsible for paying for the damage to their own vehicle out of pocket (they aren’t carrying Comprehensive or Collision, which protects their vehicle).

There are many different situations where coverage can work differently, but this example illustrates the basic idea.

For more information about the coverage you carry and how it applies to your vehicle, consult your insurance carrier or review your policy contract. If you have questions, want advice on coverage options, or would like a quote for additional coverage, feel free to give our team a call!