dee barnett, Author at Atlanta Insurance

How to insure a haunted house

October 24, 2019October 24, 2019 by dee barnett

We all know that home insurance can cover some pretty scary stuff, but what if your house is scary all by itself? If you’ve got creaky doors, bubbling brews, and spooky, scary, skeletons, you might need more than your average coverage. So, here are some of the things you may consider when insuring a haunted house.

How to insure a haunted house.

Liability

Let’s start with the basics: A heck of a lot of liability coverage. Liability coverage for your home is the part of your insurance that can help you pay for medical bills, legal fees, and settlements if someone is hurt in your home. Considering there would probably be a lot of ghosts scratching people, making people fall people down stairs, throwing objects at people, and generally exacting their vengeance on all who dare to enter, the house would probably have to have a high limit of coverage, to say the least.

Personal property

On the same token, whoever owns that house (the living ones) should have plenty of personal property coverage, which can help you cover damage to your belongings due to:

Fire and smoke damage
Lighting
Windstorms
Falling objects
Burglary/Theft
Hail damage
The weight of sleet, snow, or ice
Certain types of water damage
Explosions
Vehicle or aircraft damage
And the big one in this case: Vandalism.

A haunted house would be particularly prone to these types of risks, especially if the “throwing plates” thing is considered vandalism. So, the homeowners will need a lot of overall personal property coverage. They may possibly need high-risk home insurance carrier because of the heightened risk, since it may be tough for them to get normal home insurance.

Jewelry & valuable items coverage

The homeowners may or may not need this type of coverage, depending on if they have expensive items lying around or if the poltergeist was brought into the home through a valuable item. If they did need this coverage, though, they would need to add it to their policy. Homeowners’ insurance policies typically only cover valuable items up to a certain amount – and that amount is usually low. So, if a haunted ring was somehow destroyed by a covered loss because of the dark energy inside it, it might be a good idea for the homeowner to have valuable items coverage so that they could replace the ring with a similar, less haunted one.

Loss of use/Additional living expenses

If the situation got so out of hand that the homeowners were forced out of the home by the activity, they’ll want to check their policy for Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage. ALE coverage can help give you additional funds to keep up your quality of living while you’re forced outside of your home due to a covered loss. For example, after a house fire, your property coverages could help you replace your items and rebuild your home. Your loss of use coverage, however, could help you bridge the gap between the cost of paying your mortgage for the month and renting an extended stay hotel room while your home is repaired.

Vacant home coverage

It would also be a good idea for the homeowners to read their insurance policy through to see how long their home insurance covers a vacant house. Even if the house is full of spirits, a carrier would probably still consider the home empty, which poses a huge risk for them. If a person isn’t living in the house, it becomes more prone to squatters and vandalism. If there were a fire, there would be no one to “alert the media” and protect the homeowner’s and the carrier’s investment.

Even if the homeowner was trying to sell the house, they may still need vacant house coverage if the home is on the market for longer than their home insurance policy will cover. Depending on the level of the haunting, it may take a long while before anyone takes the house off the owner’s hands.

Are perils that exist only inside of the home covered under a home insurance policy?

One of the more interesting questions our horror movie buffs had are from movies like 1408. When perils like fires or earthquakes happen inside of the home, but there are no visible signs of the event outside, are they covered by home insurance?

First and foremost, flooding and earthquakes are typically excluded from home insurance coverage. So, unless the homeowner specifically had policies for those perils, they wouldn’t even be able to start this conversation. That being said, what if the homeowner did have an earthquake or flooding policy?

One could argue that the damaged items inside the home could be covered. You could also argue that there’s no proof of widespread damage in the neighborhood. So, a carrier couldn’t be sure that the damage was due to a covered loss or just the actions of the homeowner. Either way, we suppose they would have to check with their carrier about if and how they would file a claim.

And so marks the end of our basic theories. These coverages may be the absolute minimum a homeowner should worry about if their house was haunted. Still, there could be a lot more coverage needed or a few more caveats that your homeowners’ insurance carrier might have about insuring the haunted house.

For now, you don’t have to be haunted by the thought that you don’t have enough home insurance. Just call our agents today! We’ll get you quotes from different carriers on the affordable home insurance coverage that fits you. To start getting your free quotes, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a professional today!

Trick-or-treat tips for this Halloween

October 21, 2019October 21, 2019 by dee barnett

Trick-or-treating is one of the first things that come to mind when people think of Halloween. But whether you spend all year or all of the previous week picking out costumes, there are a few other things you’ll need to prepare. Here are some trick-or-treat tips to keep your Halloween, safe, fun, and more treat than trick.

Tips for safe Halloween trick-or-treating

Choosing a safe Halloween costume for trick-or-treat

When deciding between a fantastic fantasy character or creepy critter costume, you’ll want to consider how safe they can be while roaming the night. The easiest factors to consider are:

1. Avoiding bulky or loose-fitting costumes

A Transformers costume made out of boxes or a long and flowing fairy dress may be cute for pictures, but when your little one is walking, running, and jumping around in excitement, it can be easy for them to slip or trip over their own two feet. Plus, tons of bulk or extra fabric can make it easier for other kids to trip someone up. Therefore, make sure your tiny ghoul’s garb fits properly and any loose ends can be tied or held close.

2. Using face makeup instead of masks or hoods

It’s already dark outside. You don’t want to make it harder for your child to see by covering their face with a mask. Instead, try using non-toxic, FDA-approved face paint or makeup. Before the big night, test the paint on a small portion of your child’s skin that’s not on the face. That way, an itchy or irritated face won’t put a stop to their night.

3. Looking for fire-resistant costumes

An iconic part of Halloween is the Jack-o-lantern. However, there’s no guarantee that everyone will use LEDs to light up the night. In this case, it never hurts to look for flame-resistant Halloween costumes. That may seem a little tough if you already have a costume in mind, but it’s important!

Additionally, consider the ways to reduce fire hazards during the holiday by using LED candles and never leaving lit candles unattended. While fire may be covered by your home insurance, your carrier and rates may thank you later for not filing a claim.

4. Brightening up your costume

If your child’s costume is more cute than creepy, you may just want to opt for a lighter-colored costume. Bright colors can help your child better stand out to drivers and surrounding groups.

If your child is dead set on a darker costume, add a bit of reflective tape. There are tons of colors available at hardware stores and around the internet, so you don’t even have to ruin the aesthetic!

While Trick-or-Treating

This spooky night doesn’t have to be scary for other reasons if you know what to watch on your night out. While you’re out with your trick-or-treaters, keep these tips in mind:

1. Teach kids not to play in Halloween traffic

Just because the streets are full of trick-or-treaters doesn’t mean it’ll be empty of cars. Reinforce the importance of looking both ways before crossing the street and not darting out into traffic. Teach children to walk facing the direction of cars so that drivers can clearly see them and vice versa. They should also watch for cars backing out of driveways and not to look at electronics while crossing the street.

2. Use flashlights or glow sticks to light up the night

Light sources can not only help children see better while walking around, but glow sticks and accessories can be a fun add-on to a costume that will increase their visibility.

3. Bust out the buddy system for trick-or-treat

Children under the age of 12 should NOT trick-or-treat without an adult. Even if you reinforce safety rules, young minds tend to forget in all the excitement. You’ll need to go with young groups to act as an extra set of eyes and ears. If you feel comfortable letting children over 12 go door to door without you, at least make sure they’re trick-or-treating in a group. There’s power in numbers!

4. Only allow kids to trick-or-treat at well-lit houses

It’s a long-spoken rule for a reason. Houses with porch lights on are ready for trick-or-treating fun because the lights offer a highly visible, safer environment.

5. Reinforce Stranger Danger

Even if they’re trick-or-treating around your neighborhood, chances are you don’t personally know everyone who lives around you. So, reinforce the concept of stranger danger. Remind your child never to go inside of someone’s house or to accept candy from strangers in cars.

6. Inspect the spoils of trick-or-treat

Once the kiddos bring in their Halloween haul, inspect their treats before they dig in. Candy should be factory-wrapped, and don’t let anyone eat anything that has been unwrapped or looks homemade. For younger children, you should also sort out smaller candies that could be choking hazards.

Halloween may be prime time for some good-natured frights, there’s no need to fret over your child’s trick-or-treat fun with these tips. There’s also no need to worry about getting the best home insurance when you work with our agents. Our team is made up of professionals in the industry who know how to save you money while getting the policy you need. To start getting free, customized homeowners’ insurance quotes, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a professional today!

Source:

https://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/index.htm

https://www.safekids.org/tip/halloween-safety-tips

8 website tips for your business

October 17, 2019October 17, 2019 by dee barnett

Check out these tips for your business's website.

Building a website for your business now can be a lot like putting your name out there on a billboard or print advertisement a few decades ago. However, it’s not enough to place information on the internet. Just as there were certain practices and key points to include in traditional advertising, there are just as many factors to consider when curating your company website. So, here are some tips on just how to make the best digital footprint for your company.

8 tips for your business’s website

1. Pay attention to SEO

If you’re not paying attention to search engine optimization (SEO), your website is as good as nonexistent. Optimizing your business’s website for search engines is the main way to have your brand seen over everyone else’s. However, SEO is much more than loading up your webpage with keywords. In fact, doing so could hurt your website more than help it.

Instead, optimize your content by:

Using variations of words and phrases to describe your product or service, and
Using more specific keywords to draw in the exact clients you want.

For example, a “website developer in Chicago” is a lot vaguer and will have a lot more competition for the top search result than “a full-stack PHP developer in Naperville.”

2. Make your website easy to navigate

If people don’t like using your website, they’re not going to stick around to learn more about your company. Heavily loaded navigation bars and demanding plugins can make a website look complicated and run at a snail’s pace. People don’t hang around waiting for things to load – every second of speed counts.

So, check your website speed with an online tool every so often. Make sure the information you want your clients to find is easily visible and/or readily available. If you add a navigation bar at the top of your page, everything should be clearly labeled without too many drop-down menus stemming from one section. Use plugins as sparingly as you can, and use picture resizing tools to make larger images load quickly.

3. Make your website easy to read

Most people only skim websites for the information that they’re looking for. If there’s a huge block of text, most people probably won’t read it at all.

To create content that’s easy to digest, use header tags to break up bits of information and draw attention to important points. Doing so gives potential clients a way to more readily find the information they need. Plus, header tags are a vital part of how Google determines the main ideas of your site to rank your webpage higher in its search results.

Additionally, if you must put a large amount of text under one header, break your thoughts into smaller paragraphs, lists, or graphics. The less intimidating your text looks, the better.

4. Don’t get too design-happy

With the ease and accessibility of website builders, it can be tempting to go a little crazy with templates, designs, fonts, etc. However, this can be a kiss of death for a website. Not every element available for a webpage compliments the other. If you include too many different pieces, your webpage could give your potential clients too much visual “noise.” Too much visual “noise”, and your clients can’t determine which information is relevant to what they’re looking for and what isn’t.

Instead, choose two or three colors that compliment your web design. Color schemes shouldn’t be too bright, but not every color has to be neutral. Go easy on using different font types, too.

5. Make it mobile-friendly

We have the power of supercomputers in the palms of our hands. It’s no wonder that most people today use their phones to access the internet. Therefore, not having a mobile version of your site severely cuts down the number of clients you could reach.

Meet your potential customers where they are by making your website mobile-friendly. It may sound super complicated, but these days, most website builders can do it automatically. It can be as easy as adding a mobile-friendly website to your regular webpage domain, or it may be included in a design template you’re already using.

6. Make sure your visitors know how to contact you

Your business website doesn’t do any good if people don’t know how to contact you to actually buy your product or service. So, make sure that your contact information is readily available throughout your website. The easiest way to do that is to include the name of your company, your business address, your company phone number and your email in the header and footer of the site. If your business has social media channels (and it should), include icons for people to engage with you on those platforms as well.

7. Add valuable content

Having valuable content on your website can be a great way to build your brand and keep your website active. The more active your website is, the more likely Google is to recommend and rank your page highly. Google wants to show people current information because it’s usually more relevant. Think about it – would you be more likely to visit a website that hasn’t been updated in 15 years or 1 year? Of course, there are some bits of information that will remain true throughout the years, but for the most part, Google recognizes the types of content that stay updated regularly.

Updating your website with articles about your industry, office activities, and insight is not only an easy way to keep your webpage updated, but an amazing way to market your business as a whole. No one else has your perspectives on your industry or your specific experiences. Creating articles and content around these aspects allows potential customers to see your passion and professionalise, distinguishing your company above the rest and adding a personal touch.

8. Take notes from other businesses

Even if you have a unique business, there may still be several others in your industry who you could learn from. Look at other successful businesses in your industry to see how they’ve laid out their websites, how they’ve optimized their online presence, and what kind of content has proven valuable to their customers. Seeing examples could give you a better idea of what your target audience will search to find you. That way, you can put your own spin on what works.

Overall, your online presence could take some time to curate, but building a webpage that works for you can be well worth the time and effort. A professional looking site builds a trustworthy image for your business before you even communicate with a customer. So does having the right business insurance. Our agents have decades of experience under their belts to help you grow your company and protect you and your customers for whatever comes your way. To start getting free, customized quotes on affordable business insurance, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a professional today!

What’s the difference between an insurance score and a credit score?

October 14, 2019 by dee barnett

If your credit score has taken a few hits over the years, you may think all is lost when it comes to getting affordable insurance. However, there’s actually a little-known difference in the insurance world when it comes to getting rates or quotes. Finding better insurance premiums truly depends on your insurance score, which is different from your credit score. However, the two are very closely related. Here’s how.

Which Atlanta neighborhood is right for your business?

November 30, 2022October 10, 2019 by dee barnett

Atlanta has no shortage of things to do, places to be, and community personalities to uncover. But what if you want your business to be the place to be? Where in Atlanta is the best place for your business? Let’s find out.

What is your business’s brand?

First off, you’ll need to know your business’s brand inside and out. What are your business goals? What message do you want your company to add to the city? Who are the groups of people you want to cater to? These are all important factors in not only starting your business, but developing a company voice and marketing it. Once you’ve got an idea of your brand, you can start thinking about choosing an Atlanta neighborhood.

What Atlanta neighborhood is right for my business?

Now that you’ve determined your business’s brand, which Atlanta neighborhood shares the personality of that brand? These are some of the most popular locales for new businesses and their distinct vibes.

Doraville

Doraville is located just on the northeast outskirts of I-285. When you cross the city limits, you can immediately tell that it’s a cultural hub to the melting pot that is Atlanta. There are a good handful of chain restaurants and establishments, but there are plenty of local businesses with Hispanic, Eastern Asian, and even Greek roots. The most well-known place to find these businesses is Buford Highway, which also offers a host of international food and farmers markets. If you have a company with international flair or a restaurant with regional or fusion tastes, you’ll definitely want to consider Doraville as your location.

Decatur/Little 5 Points

This area is where little-known, cozy, offbeat businesses thrive. The Decatur/Little 5 Points area is still within Atlanta’s perimeter, so there’s no shortage of traffic. The difference is, you’ll find more foot traffic than cars. The area is entirely walkable and home to one of Atlanta’s most famous eateries, The Vortex Bar & Grill. However, as well known as it is, The Vortex only has two locations, which reflects the personalities of the small businesses surrounding the burger bar – even if the location itself is huge. Even larger chains like Starbucks have modeled their Decatur/Little 5 locations after the feeling of the locale. If you’re a specialty shop in things like records or jewelry or a business with a local coffeehouse feel, you’d probably do well in Decatur or Little 5 Points.

West Midtown

West Midtown is an up-and-coming industrial part of the Atlanta area. Shops and businesses have either a minimalistic feel or an old-style brick exterior. In parts of West Midtown, you may actually miss a restaurant, shop, or café entirely by mistaking it for a warehouse. The area also hosts the Georgia Tech and GCSU campuses closer to the center of Midtown. So, when moving toward and past the universities, the area is, again, very walkable. In fact, with all the foot traffic of college students and the winding, confusing roads of Atlanta, it’s probably best if you walk or bike around. If your business has an industrial feel with elegant undertones, West Midtown is probably the Atlanta neighborhood for you.

Downtown Marietta

Downtown Marietta is very much the small-town version of Little 5. Since the area is in the suburbs of Atlanta, shops are a bit more spread out and a little quieter, with just enough hustle and bustle to keep things interesting. You’ll find a ton of cool specialty shops and restaurants around the historic squares while still being able to find a place to park. There are also regular events that draw people to picnic, bike, play, and generally enjoy the green space among tons of things to do. If your business would be a cute place to happen upon on a beautiful day, you might enjoy the customers that downtown Marietta will bring.

Alpharetta/Roswell

Alpharetta and Roswell may be one of the best examples of high-class suburbia (along with Vinings, but more on that in a minute). The area is full of large department stores, as well as two huge malls/shopping centers, North Point Mall and Avalon. Nonetheless, this neighborhood hosts tons of suburban gems for shops. As much as people are drawn to large shops for their knee-jerk shopping needs, they’re also willing to check out any new specialty shops that come around. If you’re willing to cater to the occasional shop adventurer looking for items and foods a little off the beaten path, Alpharetta and Roswell might be for your company.

Vinings/Cumberland

Vinings and the Cumberland area may seem like an upscale option for chain stores, but rest assured, there are tons of hidden treasures to be found. A lot of businesses in the area gather their customer base through word-of-mouth. Don’t worry if you don’t have a loyal fan base built up. People in this area love to explore new companies that seem to pop up overnight. There are also numerous national and regional chains around to draw customers closer to your location. If you don’t mind doing a bit more advertising and want a quiet, but busy place to draw customers in, the Vinings/Cumberland area could be the best to start or grow your business.

Buckhead

Buckhead is known as one of the ritziest neighborhoods in the area. You’ll notice tons of skyscrapers full of big-name financial companies and headquarters of well-known brands. Even big-name stores like Target and CVS have supersized locations to match the feel. But there are also a handful of elegant spaces to get away from the suit-and-tie atmosphere. The bars, lounges, and small shop spaces are undeniably high-class and high-fashion. Nonetheless, Buckhead is a skip, hop, and a jump away from Brookhaven and Atlantic Station, where just as many big and small shops light up the Atlanta skyline. If your shop or restaurant is going for a low-key, after-work refuge kind of vibe, this area might be for you.

We could go on and on about the different neighborhoods of Atlanta, from the elegant, indie feel of Ponce City Market to the hustle and bustle of a city outside the city, John’s Creek. The only way to truly get an idea of the best vibe for your business may just be to visit. In any case, it’s always a good idea to explore! But hopefully, this list will give you a good idea of what the city has to offer and which Atlanta neighborhood could be a good fit for your business.

Wherever you choose to start or spread your business, make sure you have the right business insurance by contacting our agents. We’ll get to know your company to determine what you need and give you free, customized quotes on the right coverage. To start getting affordable rates on business insurance, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with an agent today.

Am I covered if someone drives into my house?

October 18, 2020October 7, 2019 by dee barnett

What happens if someone accidentally drives into your house?

It’s a far-fetched scenario that even the most prepared homeowner may not think of – what if someone drives into my house? If you’re in a townhome or along a long street, you may not be too worried about it. But if you’re at the end of a cul-de-sac or at the corner of an intersection, it may have crossed your mind once or twice. This incident is a very real threat to your home. So, would you be covered for this mishap? Let’s see.

What happens if I drive into someone’s house?

If you, as a driver, end up crashing into someone’s house, your car insurance should be able to help you cover the damages to the house. At minimum, Georgia requires $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 of bodiliy injury liability per occurrence, and $25,000 of property damage coverage. The property damage portion could help you repair the structure of the house and any belongings you may have crumpled in the process.

The catch is, you have to have the right amount of coverage. Although Georgia requires $25,000 of property damage coverage, that may not be enough to fix the damage you’ve caused. If your limits aren’t above the state minimum, you may be on the hook for what your car insurance doesn’t cover.

What about my car?

If you’d like to get your car repaired or replaced, you’ll have to go through your auto insurance’s collision coverage. Collision coverage is the part of your car insurance that can cover damages to your car if you, well, collide with something. The “something” in this case, would be the house. However, collision coverage is typically not required by law. It can be required by a bank or loan company to get the loan for the car. So, it’s important to look over your policy and be sure that you actually have the coverage. Otherwise, you may be out of luck.

Whose insurance should I file the claim with?

If you’re the homeowner, though, you may want to go directly through the driver’s car insurance to get the repairs done. After all, your house couldn’t have really run into their car. So, filing through the driver’s property damage coverage is probably the easiest route to go. Plus, it could save you from having to make a home insurance claim – which is always nice.

Will my home insurance cover if someone drives into my house?

Let’s say that you can’t or don’t want to go through the driver’s insurance. Your home insurance could help you cover the damage to your house. In fact, your homeowners’ policy can cover all sorts of kooky things. But you’ll have to read up on your policy to tell exactly what’s covered by your insurance.

The most common home insurance policies cover perils like:

Fire
Lightning
Explosions
Freezing
Falling objects
Windstorm/Hail damage
Riots
Theft
Vandalism, and (wait for it)
Aircraft & VEHICLE DAMAGE!

So, you’re probably covered if someone drives into your house. Now, the question is, how much are you covered for?

What will my home insurance cover if someone drives into my house?

As with car insurance, you have to have the right amount of coverage to repair or replace your house’s structure and your belongings. There are two ways that home insurance can cover perils for both your structure and your personal property.

Market Value vs. Replacement Value

Your home’s market value is not the same as its replacement cost. If you want to repair or rebuild your house after an incident, the market value may not be enough. The market value of your house may be enough to buy a similar house on the market, but it might not cover things like contractors, materials, and other costs associated with building. That’s what insuring your home for its replacement cost could help with.

Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost Value

Your belongings, on the other hand, can be covered for its actual cash value (ACV) or their replacement cost value (RCV). If your things are insured for their actual cash value, your home insurance can reimburse you for the value of your belongings, plus depreciation. So, if someone drives into your kitchen and takes out the $600 oven you bought a year ago, ACV coverage may only reimburse you for $450 because the oven has depreciated since you bought it.

However, if you’ve insured your belongings for their RCV, your home insurance could help you replace the items at today’s prices.

That’s why it’s vital that you read your homeowners’ policy all the way through. Your policy details the coverages you have and knowing what they are can save you a lot of money and headache later.

Speaking of which, we want to save you a lot of time, money, and headaches early on. That’s why our agents can take on the heavy task of finding the right home insurance (or car insurance) for you! We’ll work with you to find out the best home insurance policy for you, and then give you free, customized quotes on affordable coverage. We can even bundle your insurance for more savings! To get started, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a professional today.

6 tips for getting great online reviews

October 3, 2019October 3, 2019 by dee barnett

Traditional marketing can sometimes seem impersonal or kitschy. It seems much more genuine if a potential customer hears a glowing review about your business from someone with first-hand experience. These referrals used to only happen by a customer telling someone that they knew personally. However, now that we have the internet, there are tons of ways that a customer can get the word out about your company – good or bad. The most popular way is through online reviews. So, how can you make sure your customers give you great online reviews to boost your business? Find out here.

6 tips for getting great online reviews

1. Focus on providing great customer service

If you provide the best customer service you can, people can’t help but want to spread the news! So, if you sell a product, create a rigorous quality control process so that the product can last as long as the customer needs it. Back up your product with a warranty or with a great customer service team that can address any concerns that come up.

If you provide a service, make sure your team is polite, resourceful, and helpful. Actively listen when determining the needs of your customers. Be transparent and helpful when things are going well. Be responsive and show your client that you’ll go above and beyond to help if they have an issue. You’d be surprised at how much someone can change their impression of you if their problem is handled with great care.

2. Just ask!

In general, the best way to get anything is to ask for it. So, ask for the reviews you deserve! There will be a few people who just can’t keep word about you to themselves, but a majority of customers will leave with a smile and continue about their day. Remind them to tell a friend (or the internet) by asking for an online review.

3. Make sure your review process is straightforward

Just as you’re busy running a bustling business, your customers are busy leading their own lives and running through their days. So, they may forget to specifically search for your company to leave a review. Instead, make it as easy as possible for them to leave a review. Email them asking to rate you five stars on Google, but actually include a link that puts them on Google’s review form with five stars. Try including a QR code on your business card or somewhere visible within your building. Then, people can simply snap a photo with a QR reader to leave a review.

If you’re using a phone survey or a proprietary questionnaire, make sure it’s short, sweet, and to the point. People don’t usually have the time or want the hassle of dealing with a drawn-out survey. So, make it easy for them to get in, give their feedback, and get out.

4. Be consistent

Decide on the review platform or platforms that work for people to find your business, and stick with it. Make a habit of asking for reviews somewhere in your sales process. If your customers allow you to contact them after you’ve provided their service, include an automated system that asks them for a review. (Just don’t be pushy.)

5. Consider different platforms

Different types of clients find the services they need in different ways. So, if you get a new client, ask how they found you. If you hear a lot of the same answer, consider asking for feedback on that particular platform going forward. An easy review platform to start with is Google, but your particular industry might have more success with Yelp or Facebook or Angie’s List or the Better Business Bureau. Just find out what works for you and focus on the platform that can benefit you the most.

6. Engage with your reviews

One way to get more online reviews is to show customers that their feedback really matters. So, if you spy new reviews, thank your customer for taking the time to provide feedback. If you see low ratings or issues that people are reporting, respond asking to contact them and resolve the issue. Take reasonable feedback into account to better your business for a grumpy client or any new customers. That way, you have a clearer idea of how to grow and improve your customer service.

Having the right business insurance can also help boost your business. It shows customers that your company can cover the worst-case scenario, whether for your business or for them. our agents can make shopping for the right business insurance easy. We’ll get to know your company and find customized quotes on affordable, quality coverage. To get started, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a professional today.

Source:

https://ducttapemarketing.com/local-business-reviews/

https://www.business2community.com/online-marketing/how-to-get-online-reviews-for-your-business-02086035

What is service line coverage?

September 30, 2019 by dee barnett

Every bill and service that you have as a homeowner has to be connected to your home somehow. The water you use, the electricity that turns your lights on, even the sewer system that carries water to and from your toilet have to have ways to get into and out of your home. But what if one of these pipelines breaks? We’ll explain what could happen and give you some details about service line coverage.

Does home insurance cover if a pipe, cable line, or electric wiring breaks underground?

Normally, people think that it’s the job of the service provider to fix the thing that’s, well, providing the service. The scary reality is that if the line is on your property, it’s your job as the homeowner to get it fixed. So, especially if the break isn’t just affecting your house, you could end up paying the repair costs out of pocket if you don’t have the right insurance. However, there is an endorsement that can save you from this headache: Service Line Coverage.

What is service line coverage?

Service line coverage is a home insurance endorsement that can help you repair:

Power Lines
Electrical wiring
Phone & Cable lines
Drainage
Fuel lines
Water pipes
Waste disposal
Sewer piping and backup
Private wells and septic systems

that are on your property.

Even if the damage is caused by something outside of your control, service line coverage can help you repair leaks, breaks, tears, ruptures, collapses, or arcing of service lines due to:

Corrosion
Frozen surrounding ground or service lines
Root systems blocking or growing into the service line
Lightning
Landscaping accidents
Rodents and pests

Why doesn’t my property insurance cover service lines?

You may be wondering, “If service lines are a part of my property, why doesn’t the property damage section of my home insurance cover damage to service lines?” The answer mainly lies in the wording of your policy. If you’ll remember, property damage coverage usually covers:

Fire
Smoke damage
Lightning
Windstorms
Falling objects
Theft
Vandalism
Hail
Damage caused by the weight of snow, sleet, or ice
Explosions
Damage caused by vehicles or aircrafts

Basically, (and specifically noted in your homeowners’ policy), your home insurance is built to deal with damages that are freak accidents, not damages due to a lack of maintenance. Most damage to service lines is due to a lack of upkeep. So, even though you can’t exactly dig up your yard every so often to check on your service lines, your homeowners’ insurance won’t cover those types of damages.

Additionally, most homeowners’ insurance policies don’t cover damage done to the actual land that your house is on. (Weird, right?) Instead, it’s built to cover the structures that sit on the land, such as the structure of your actual home and most other structures that may be in your yard, such as fences, sheds, gazebos, pools, etc.

How much does service line coverage cost?

Like home insurance itself, there are tons of factors that go into determining your rates for service line coverage. So, there’s no real way to tell what you would pay to add the coverage, although it’s usually not that much.

If you want to add this endorsement to your home insurance or you just want better rates on your homeowners’ policy, contact our agents today. our agents will get to know your particular needs and use our connections with various carriers to get you the best rates on quality coverage. To get started, give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a professional today!

10 must-see things to do in Atlanta

September 24, 2019September 23, 2019 by dee barnett

Whether you’re moving to Atlanta or you’ve been here a while, you probably know that there are tons of places to see and things to do. Atlanta, and even its surrounding areas, are always busy and bustling. While there are tons of places to spend your weekends in the city, we only have time to focus on a few. So, here are the top 10 things to see and do in Atlanta.

10 must-see things to do in Atlanta

1. Skyview Atlanta

If you want to start with a bird’s-eye view of all that you can see and do in the city, head over to Skyview Atlanta. If you’re near Centennial Park, the Georgia Aquarium, of the World of Coke, it’s hard to miss this giant ferris wheel in the middle of town. Skyview offers regular, VIP, and Elevated Date Night packages from varying hours depending on the season. But honestly, any time of day is a great time to take a ride on their “gondolas.” We would recommend a sunset or nighttime ride, though, if you want to take in all of the city lights.

2. The Vortex

We couldn’t talk about things to do in Atlanta without mentioning one of the most famous eateries in the area. The Vortex Bar & Grill is the perfect place to pig out if you’re craving great burgers, a bustling atmosphere, and a sassy menu. Their portion sizes are definitely something to write home about, even if you’re just getting an appetizer for a meal (and trust us, you can). They even offer veggie options! There’s a polarizing argument between Atlanta natives as to whether the Little 5 or Midtown location is better. So, we’ll let you go and decide for yourself.

3. The Coca-Cola Factory

This touristy attraction is a favorite for locals and visitors alike. There are a number of exhibits to feed the soda fanatic in you. Go on a 4D adventure through a Coca-Cola story, meet the Coca-Cola bear, or follow your souvenir bottle of Coke down the building-wide conveyor belt. It all ends with a trip to the tasting room, where you can sip a series of Coke flavors from all over the world!

4. The Georgia Aquarium

Here’s another place where you can awaken a sense of childlike wonder. The Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the Western hemisphere, but that doesn’t mean you’ll just watch fish swim. Of course, you’ll get to see your favorites like dolphins and whales, but you’ll also have a chance to learn about the playful otters and the aquarium’s dedication to wildlife preservation and rehabilitation. Plus, you can take an in-depth look at the aquatic life there through everyone’s favorite exhibit, the tunnel, where you can watch the creature of the water come to life and swim right over your head!

5. The High Museum of Art

“The High,” as it’s called around Atlanta, is an awe-inspiring experience for art lovers and perusers alike. This colossal museum houses tons of artwork from all over the world, with visiting exhibits year-round – including Yayoi Kusama’s famous exhibit, “Infinity Mirrors.” For those who want to expand their art knowledge or skill, there are numerous talks, tours, and workshops for visitors to take advantage of.

6. Downtown Decatur

It can be tough to choose just one location to feature in Downtown Decatur. So, we’ve decided to include it all! There’s no shortage of interesting shops, centers, restaurants, bars, and general places to have fun in downtown Decatur. If you’re a fan of the eclectic and off-the-beaten-path adventures, this locale is definitely for you. Check out the city’s small coffee houses, like Java Monkey, discover new dishes at restaurants like Leon’s, or just walk around the Square to poke around in the local shops and support small business owners. One thing is for sure, you’ll never be bored.

7. Ponce City Market

If you’re looking for something similar to Downtown Decatur but a bit more central to the city, check out Ponce City Market. The area is full of popular shops as well as local businesses. Plus, there are tons of great local bars with comedy and music events at any given time of the week. This is definitely an area where style meets eclectic and eco-friendly, the southern way.

8. Stone Mountain Park

For fans of the great outdoors, drive a little bit east of the perimeter to Stone Mountain Park. The park hosts tons of paths with varying difficulty. No matter where you choose to stake your walking stick, though, you’ll have a beautiful view to take in at the top of each trail. The park’s campgrounds and seasonal events may even make you forget that you’re minutes away from the busy city.

9. The Fernbank Science Center

If you want to get science-y, the Fernbank Science Center is the place to go. The center not only hosts exhibits about the final frontier, but it also features sales, live animal exhibits, workshops, and an observatory. Plus, if you really want to dive deep into space, check out Fernbank’s planetarium events to learn more about the universe we live in.

10. The Chattahoochee River

Last, but not least, one of the favorite past times of area locals is “shooting the Hooch.” The Chattahoochee River has multiple touch points with parks all over North Atlanta. However, be sure to find a tubing rental company to float along the river with great friends and a cooler or two. Spend the afternoon floating your worries away, or just hike along the water to take in the scenery. Either way is a wonderful way to spend a long, lazy afternoon.

Again, this is only a taste of what Atlanta has to offer. There are a lot more people to see and places to go all around the city and its suburbs. So, the best way to get to know the “Hollywood of the South” is to explore!

If you need some home insurance quotes, give us a call! You can also fill out our online quote form or message us on LiveChat.

10 budgeting tips for businesses

August 12, 2020September 19, 2019 by dee barnett

One of the biggest things that can put someone out of business is failing to properly budget. In a city like Atlanta, setting up a business can seem entirely too expensive. However, business in the big city doesn’t have to have a big budget if you know how to plan. So, we’ve put together 10 tips for proper budgeting.

10 budgeting tips for businesses

1. Do some research

Just as there are with business plans, there are tons of resources on the internet to show you sample business budgets. Search for these types of budgets or the actual budgets of other companies in your industry to get an idea of how you’ll need to spend your money. Of course, you’ll need to customize your budget based on location, specific inventory or practices, etc. But those resources are a great place to start.

2. Learn what the average spending is for your industry

You’ll need to know exactly what you need for your business and your industry. So, when you look at the sample budgets you’ve found, list the things that you know for a fact you’ll need to account for. Make note of the things you need to buy right away and what you can save for later.

3. Make sure everyone is on the same page

Your team, especially your management team, should be on the same page when understanding where your money is going and why. Be as specific as possible when explaining the budget and answer any questions that arise. It can help bring up specifics that you forgot to address and help everyone abide by the master plan long-term.

4. Create a budgeting team

Similarly, it may help to have a team specifically for budgeting and accounting. Hire and partner with the people in your company who are good at numbers and money and all that fun stuff. Knowing that you don’t have to do it alone can help you think more clearly and get great advice from people with more experience. Make sure your budgeting team knows the specifics of your business too so that you plan a budget that fits your business, not just a generic outline.

5. Be practical

It’s easy to get lost in big dreams about starting and growing your business. It’s also easy to buy or hire more than you need. So, make sure that you’re growing steadily and budgeting within your means. Use past data and make data-driven projections to make your budget, not just estimates.

Additionally, being realistic means being prepared for disaster. So, when things are good, make sure you’re saving some of those profits for when the going gets rough.

6. Know that it’s okay to adjust

You probably don’t have the financial needs that you needed 2 or 5 years ago, so you shouldn’t expect your business to either. If you’ve been in business for a while and you haven’t revised your budget based on your current needs, it may be time to review and adjust the way you need to.

7. Shift accordingly

If you do need to shift your budget to different places, understand that you only have a certain amount of money. So, if you have to move money to one department or one resource, then you have to take it from something else. Everything about your business has to be about balance and flexibility. So, don’t be afraid of the changes you may have to make!

8. Be organized

Not being specific with your goals and where you put your funds can be a recipe for disaster. It’s okay to assign your budget generally, but then break it down to bite-sized pieces. If you have a budget for your Marketing department: How much will you dedicate to salaries? How much will you devote to materials? What amount will it take to build your brand? How much will you spend each month on supplies? Will you dedicate money to travel? Think about all of the little details that go into one large section before you plan for another.

Additionally, make a system to keep track of where your funds go. Whether it’s software, file cabinets, or something else, make a system to keep up with receipts, expense reports, etc. Designate a specific time to review your expenses. Don’t let things pile up during the year to cause a headache later. Create a quarterly or even a monthly schedule to go over your reports and adjust if needed.

9. Use the software that’s best for you

There are tons of budgeting software options. Many people use Quickbooks to balance their business budget, but that may not be the best system for you. Electronic systems are the best way to keep everything organized, searchable, and in one place. However, the most popular type of software used may not be the one that works for you. Do your research, schedule demos of different products, and learn which software would work best for how you operate on a daily basis.

10. Don’t forget insurance

One of the most important expenses you may have as a company can be business insurance. You’ll need to consider what types of coverage you need generally and for your specific business. Take note of your local laws for coverage, and how high of a coverage limit you’ll need for something catastrophic. Consider what would happen if your business shut down and you couldn’t pay rent. How much money would it take to replace your inventory after a storm? What would happen if a customer sued you because you unintentionally gave the wrong advice? These are some of the questions you would need to ask yourself or that your agent would ask you to get the right business insurance.

We understand that, as a business owner, you have a lot on your plate. That’s why our insurance professionals take a bit of your time to get to know your business and its specific risks to get the best quotes at the best rates for you. To start getting customized business quotes, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a professional today!

Source:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lawrencelight/2018/02/18/10-budgeting-tips-for-your-business/#4f160df6b331