Does Atlanta home insurance cover meteors?

Does home insurance cover meteorites?

Does home insurance cover meteorites?

As Space X puts us closer and closer to colonizing other planets, it’s natural to wonder if we’re truly prepared for all the dangers of space. Well, the home insurance world may be a little more prepared than you think. Insurance policies are created to help you in worst-case scenarios. But can your Atlanta home insurance or even your car insurance help you if you’re hit by space stuff like meteors, asteroids, or falling satellites? Let’s find out.

Why should I be worried about asteroids, meteors, or meteorites right now?

First, it might help to break down what each of these terms mean. (And no – scientifically, they aren’t the exact same thing.) Let’s start big and go small.

Asteroids are huge chunks of rocks that orbit the sun, hence why we use the term “asteroid belt.”

A meteor is a piece of asteroid that breaks off and gets caught in Earth’s atmosphere.

A meteorite is a piece of a meteor that actually makes it through the atmosphere and crashes to Earth.

Does my home insurance cover an asteroid or meteor hitting my house?

As odd as it sounds: More than likely, yes.

Normal home insurance policies could help you cover damages to your house caused by asteroids, meteors, and all types of other space debris that physically hits your home. That’s because home insurance policies typically cover falling objects in general. However, you’ll want to check your specific policy for any specific scenarios in which they exclude falling object damage.

Usually, this type of coverage is used for falling trees. But you know, it’s nice to know that your home insurance can cover random space stuff too. It is your carrier’s job to expect the unexpected, after all.

Does my home insurance cover damage from the shockwave of an asteroid, meteor, or meteorite?

This is where things can get tricky. (As if a shockwave hitting your house isn’t a tricky enough situation.)

Damage to your home from the shockwave itself actually would NOT be covered by a typical HO-3 policy.

HO-3 policies are the most common type of homeowners’ insurance. But these plans mostly operate on a named perils basis for coverage, meaning that damages can only be covered if the policy specifically lists the event as a covered loss. These perils are typically:

  • Fire/Lightning
  • Smoke damage
  • Freezing
  • Damage due to the weight of ice/sleet/snow
  • Windstorm damage
  • Explosions
  • Theft
  • Vandalism
  • Vehicle & aircraft damage
  • Falling objects
  • Volcanic eruption (yep, your homeowners’ insurance can cover you for the next Pompeii too.)

So, a meteor directly striking your house could be covered under the “Falling object” peril. However, if all of your windows shattered because of the shockwave from an exploding meteor, you’ll probably have to pay that bill on your own. Unfortunately, shockwaves are usually classified as a form of Earth movement, not a form of explosion, and is excluded from most homeowners’ insurance policies. (Yes, we checked.)

If you have an HO-5 policy, however, you could be covered for a shockwave if your policy doesn’t specifically exclude that event. HO-5 policies usually operate on a more open-perils basis, meaning that if a peril isn’t specifically listed as not covered, you could be covered for it! Nonetheless, you would still have to check with your carrier about how your insurance classifies meteor shockwaves in particular since some HO-5 policies specifically exclude earth movement as well.

If we do end up colonizing other planets, the home insurance premiums to have meteor coverage will probably be a lot more expensive. There’s a much higher risk of getting hit with meteors when you’re actually in space; so, insurance rates will probably go up because of the heightened risk. So, if you’re planning on living in a meteor-prone area (or if you already live in one), you’ll want to talk to your agent about getting meteor coverage sooner rather than later.

So, that’s the rundown on how your homeowners’ insurance might cover meteors and other space debris. Like many other scenarios, your coverage will depend on your specific plan and your specific carrier. Therefore, it’s important to talk to your agent about any special concerns you have.

Whether you’re headed to space or keeping yourself Earth-bound, our agents can help you find great rates on Atlanta home insurance that fits your unique needs. So, make sure you’re not missing out on the best rates and coverage for you, and call us to start your free quotes, or just fill out our online form.

Source:

https://www.iii.org/article/asteroids-meteors-and-falling-satellites-are-they-covered-insurance

https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2013/07/01/russian-meteor-shockwave-circled-globe-twice/

Does my car insurance cover a hit and run?

UM/UIM coverage can help you if you're the victim of a hit and run.

UM/UIM coverage can help if you're the victim of a hit and run.Hit-and-run drivers aren’t the most responsible people in the world, and they can leave you with a massive medical bill. In a typical accident, those bills could be handled by the other driver’s insurance company. But if there’s no other insurance company to contact, who’s in charge of paying for your expenses? Here, we’ll take a look at how your car insurance might be able to cover a hit and run or if you’ll have to pay for everything yourself.

Will my car insurance cover a hit-and-run?

Usually, UM/UIM insurance is used for drivers that hit you and don’t have enough insurance to cover your medical expenses. However, hit-and-run drivers can also be covered under the “uninsured” portion of the coverage.

Think about it: If someone hits you and speeds off, you don’t have any way of contacting their insurance company. So, there’s no one to help you pay for your medical bills and other expenses resulting from the accident. That sounds a lot like an uninsured motorist, who also won’t have any insurance info to give you or your auto insurance company.

It’s important to note, though, that UM/UIM coverage isn’t the same as your collision and comprehensive car insurance. Those coverages work a little differently.

Will my collision or comprehensive insurance cover a hit-and-run?

Collision insurance is typically used to cover the damages to your car in the event of an accident, whether you’re found to be at-fault or not. So, if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run, you may be able to get the damages repaired under this coverage even if the other driver is long gone.

Comprehensive coverage is usually used for if something else damages your car besides another driver. Namely:

Technically, another driver that doesn’t have insurance won’t fall into the category of what comprehensive insurance covers. So, a hit-and-run driver probably isn’t covered by that either.

Pro Tip: Georgia doesn’t require collision and comprehensive coverage, which can help cover your car in an accident. However, you may have been required to get this coverage to get a car loan. So, check your policy.

So, what do I do if I was in a hit-and-run-accident?

Don’t leave the scene.

Even if the other driver sped off, don’t leave the scene. The position and location of your car could be important to the police report or your insurance claim later. If staying in the same spot as the accident is dangerous or will block traffic, try to pull into a safer place like a parking lot, a road shoulder, or a turn lane while you call the police.

Call the police.

Even if the damages or the injuries were minor, responders still recommend calling 911. The operator can tell you whether or not it’s an emergency situation or if they will just send an officer to the scene. Regardless of the response, it never hurts to have an officer respond and to have a police report to file with your insurance claim.

Pro Tip: If you see a hit-and-run, and you can’t stop to be a witness, call 311. The 311 operator can then either transfer you or give you the number for your local traffic non-emergency line.

Take pictures.

When it’s safe to do so, it’s vital to take pictures (or even video) of the damages and any injuries you may have. It’ll help you file a more accurate insurance claim and get the proper payout or reimbursement. Make sure the footage and photos are kept somewhere safe and secure, like an external hard drive or a cloud service like Google or iCloud for easy reference.

Gather information from witnesses.

If there are any witnesses that are willing to stick around until the police come, write down or record their account of the incident. Also, write down their names and best contact numbers in case your insurance carrier, the police, or your lawyers need a second-hand account.

Keep a record of your medical expenses and treatments.

If you notice any bumps, bruises, broken bones, aches, or pains within 2-3 weeks of the accident, be sure to document any medical treatments, medications, or physical therapy costs you have as a result of the injury. Keep track of how the injury affects your state of living as well. This can help your auto insurance more accurately pay for the results of the accident.

Get a property damage evaluation.

An insurance adjuster may come to evaluate the damage to your car. If you disagree with their repair cost estimate, feel free to get a second opinion from a repair shop or a mechanic that you trust.

Make sure that you have UM/UIM coverage BEFORE the accident.

Overall, you’ll want to consider UM/UIM coverage before you’re involved in a hit-and-run. That way, you can rest easy when you drive, even if someone were to hit you. Make sure the coverage limits fit the value of your car and any injuries you might have so that your car insurance can work for you, not against you.

We know how important it is to have the right car insurance coverage to fit your needs and your situation. We also know that it’s not fun to spend a fortune on your coverage. So, give our insurance professionals a call. We’ll help you find the best rates on the auto insurance you need. All you have to do is give us a call or fill out our online form to make sure you’re not missing out on the rates and coverage you deserve.

What is staged accident auto insurance fraud?

Be aware of staged accident auto insurance fraud.

Be aware of staged accident auto insurance fraud.

A car accident can be a scary ordeal for everyone involved…except if someone planned it. Staged accident fraud, unfortunately, happens more than you would think. In fact, it’s estimated that staged accident fraud costs the insurance industry over $20 billion a year. So, how can you tell if someone has staged an accident or if it was just a mistake? Let’s take a look.

How do I know if someone tried to cause an accident?

There are actually a few tell-tale signs that a driver was trying to cause an accident. If you remember any of these signs, you may have been a victim of one of three of the most common types of accident fraud:

1. The Drive Down

Let’s say that you’re trying to merge into the next lane, and the driver behind you motions over or slows down to let you into the lane. However, when you start merging, that car speeds up and hits you. When the police arrive, the other driver denies ever giving you a signal to move over.

2. The Swoop & Squat

This is a staged accident scenario that involves two drivers – one that rides beside you (let’s call them Driver B) and one that swoops in front of you (we’ll call them Driver A). Driver A will drive behind Driver B while Driver B pulls ahead. This allows Driver A to “swoop” in front of you. Driver B then slows down to drive beside you. Driver A will then slam on their brakes. Since Driver B is blocking your ability to swerve out of the way, you’ll more than likely rear-end Driver A.

Accidents like this can be especially bad for you because the drivers and passengers of both cars could testify that you were at fault. If no other witnesses stuck around, you’ll probably have trouble convincing the police and your car insurance carrier that you weren’t responsible for the event. Passengers in the other vehicles could then file bogus injury claims. These claims could drive up your insurance rates at best, and leave you to pay the fraudsters out-of-pocket at worst.

3. The T-Bone

This one is simple but sometimes effective. Another driver waits until you’re crossing an intersection and T-bones your car. When the police arrive, the other driver and several other planted “witnesses” say that you ran a red light or a stop sign.

How can I protect myself from staged car accidents?

The tactics that a fraudster may use may be smart, but here are some ways to be smarter if you’re in an accident:

1. Call the police immediately.

Don’t settle the matter on-site with cash, and don’t admit fault. It may be a reflex to try to apologize to the other driver, but try not to say anything that can be taken as you admitting fault. Wait for a lawyer, court, or your insurance company to determine who is responsible.

2. Photograph or video as soon as you can after the accident.

This can be especially helpful with the last fraud technique if you can take a photo that proves you had the right of way. However, this is a good idea to do when you’re involved in any accident, staged or not. Take pictures or videos of both cars, passengers involved, any damages, etc. Be as detailed as you can. You never know what important information could be revealed in a photo later.

3. Take detailed notes

If possible, take detailed notes of the incident. Take down first and last names, VINs, phone numbers, license plate numbers, the name and phone number of the driver’s insurance company, auto policy numbers, and the year, make, and model of both cars involved. Note: This is the ONLY information another driver should need from you as well. Giving any other information could be used to steal your identity. So, keep your information safe!

Also, write down your detailed account of what happened. Memory can sometimes play tricks on you. So, having a first-impressions account of what happened can help you stick to the story of what happened instead of saying something that could be misconstrued or misremembered later.

4. Drive defensively

Don’t tailgate and be mindful of the actions of other drivers on the road. Look for any odd or erratic driving behaviors. If you don’t feel comfortable driving behind or next to another driver, don’t be afraid to change lanes or take another route.

Hopefully, these tips can make you more aware of when you’ve been in a staged accident. These incidents don’t just affect the people involved. It also contributes to insurance rates rising by an average $100 to $300 per year. So, knowing the signs and taking the proper measures after an accident can help you in filing a car insurance claim, and it can help your rates in the future.

We can also help you find lower rates when you’re getting car insurance. Our insurance professionals know exactly how to get the coverage you need for an affordable rate to fit your situation. To make sure you’re not missing out on these great rates, just call us or fill out our online form to start getting free quotes on car insurance.

What is an HO-5 insurance policy?

An HO-5 policy is slightly different than an HO-3 policy.

An HO-5 policy is slightly different than an HO-3 policy.

When you’re talking about home insurance with your agent, they may mention a series of letters and numbers that can make your head spin. To start off, they may mention an HO-3 insurance policy, which is one of the most common in the U.S. However, what if you want more coverage than that policy has to offer? Introducing the HO-5 policy! Here we’ll tell you what it is and what exactly it can cover.

Read more

10 tips if you’re renting out your home in Atlanta

If you're renting out your home, keep these tips in mind.

If you're renting out your home, keep these tips in mind.

In the modern age of AirBnBs and temporary rentals, it’s easier than ever to earn money with your property when you’re not even using it! However, there are several things you’ll need to know before diving headfirst into renting out your home. Here are 10 tips to keep in mind if you’re renting out your home while you’re away.

10 tips if you’re renting out your home.

1. Get references.

Home sharing and temporary rental apps will have star ratings for each guest that plans to rent out your home. However, if someone will be living in your home for more than a few days, you’ll want to have a couple of references from your guest’s former lessors. Ask your renters for a few contacts who can vouch for their sense of responsibility and trustworthiness.

2. Have a rental agreement.

As with anything, it’s best to have important arrangements taken down in writing. That way, you and your renters are clear on what your expectations are for the length of the lease. Your rental agreement should at least include:

  • The terms of renting the space
  • Any restrictions
  • Who is liable for which incidents
  • How many people can visit or live in the house at once

Your rental agreement can be as long or as short as you need it to be, but remember, it’s your house! Set guidelines that you know will protect your property the way you want.

You may also want to recommend that your tenants get renter’s insurance (since any insurance that you have as the landlord will more than likely not cover their belongings, just the structure of the house itself. )

3. Have a safe, secure place in your living space for the items you’re leaving behind.

If the lease or agreement is super temporary, you’re probably not going to take everything with you when you leave. So, make sure that you have a safe place to lock up any valuables or precious belongings. Define which spaces are okay to use and which ones are off limits to your tenants.

4. Take pictures of everything.

Before the rental period begins, take pictures of everything as you left it. Turn into a smartphone photographer and snap pictures of everything from full rooms to small scratches and scuffs. You never know what small detail can matter later on! Save your photos with an external hard drive or through a cloud service like Google Drive. It could make a great companion to your home inventory too.

5. Provide your contact information.

Make sure your tenants have a way to contact you if anything does go wrong. Hopefully, they won’t have to use your contact info. Still, even if your renters are the type to call you for small issues, you’ll at least know what’s going on in your house. You may also want to leave your current contact info with your neighbors in case they notice anything suspicious.

6. Take care of your mail.

Stopping by every once in a while to pick up mail from your tenants may seem easier for you. However, for your renters, having a mailbox stuffed with their mail as well as yours and then sorting through it can get old quickly. Check with your post office to see if you can have your mail forwarded or held until you get back home.

7. Consider having a property manager

If you’re going to be away for a while or you plan to use the house solely as a rental property, consider hiring a property manager to keep an eye on things. Again, hopefully, they won’t have anything negative to report. Nonetheless, it can give you a greater peace of mind to know that someone is consistently keeping an eye on things.

8. Request a security deposit.

People who put money initially into property are more likely to take care of the space. Plus, if you do find any damages caused by tenants, you have a fund to draw from to get everything repaired. If there are no damages to report, then you can give their deposit back. It’s a win-win!

9. Talk to your insurance agent.

There are tons of different rental situations. You may be living in the home while tenants are renting a separate space, or you could be renting out the entire home. Either way, it’s important to talk to your insurance agent to make sure you have the right coverage.

A normal home insurance policy usually only covers you, as the homeowner, if you’re the one living in the house. If you ever need to file a claim with your insurance company, and they find out the damage was done by a tenant they didn’t know about, they could outright reject your claim and leave you with a hefty repair bill.

Different carriers cover different rental situations in different ways. So, make sure you give as much information on your specific situation as possible. Then, your agent can determine if you just need to add an endorsement to your policy, or if you need to get a whole new policy.

10. Get rental property insurance.

If you do need to find a separate policy as a landlord, our agents can walk you through the types of coverage you’ll need to include. Plus, we’ll even help you find great rates! Call us today to start getting free quotes for affordable rental property insurance or just fill out our online form.

Is my car totaled or can I repair it?

totaled or can i repair

totaled or can i repair

Whether you’re in a really bad car accident or a random act (like a tree falling) damages your car, it can be tough to know whether your vehicle is now a lost cause or if a body shop can bring your car back to life. Many people think that a “totaled” car simply means that the airbag deployed, but that’s not necessarily true. Here’s how to truly tell if your car is totaled or repairable, and how your car insurance handles either situation.

Is my car totaled or repairable?

The technical definition of a totaled car is a vehicle that has a repair cost that is close to or greater than the fair market value of that car. A car’s fair market value is the amount you would be able to sell the car for the day before the accident or damaging incident.

For example, let’s say you were able to sell your car at $8,000 the day before the accident, and the cost of repairs from the accident total $6,000. The fair market value of your car would be $8,000, but because the repair costs are so close to the market value, your vehicle could be considered “totaled.”

Will my auto insurance help cover repairing or replacing my car after it is totaled?

Your auto insurance can only help you repair or replace your vehicle if you have the right coverage. If you’ve opted for only the minimum car insurance requirement for Georgia, you may be out of luck. The state minimum coverage is only built to handle your legal obligation to the other driver if you’re found to be at fault in an accident. It won’t help you cover the damages or injuries that you have.

So, if your car is damaged by an accident, your only hope to have your costs covered would be if the other driver was at fault AND they have the proper insurance to fully cover the repair or fair market value costs of your car.

However, if you have collision and comprehensive coverage, you may not have to depend on the other driver’s insurance  – which can be especially good news if you’re dealing with an uninsured driver. The type of coverage that can handle the costs depends on the type of incident, though.

Collison vs. Comprehensive car insurance

If you’re in a car accident that damages or totals your vehicle, collision coverage is the part of your policy that can help you.

Comprehensive coverage is the part of your policy that can help you cover repairs or vehicle replacement if almost anything else happens. Comprehensive coverage can usually help you cover incidents like:

Whether you’ve been in a car accident or not, though, to have your car repaired, you’ll have to pay your deductible before your insurance pays for the rest. This means that if you have a $500 auto insurance deductible and the cost to repair your car is $6,000, you would have to pay $500 of the repair bill and your insurance would cover the remaining $5,500.

Keep in mind that your insurance company will do their own evaluation of the repair costs and fair market value of your car. So, it’s important to also get second opinions and do your own research on the repair costs and market value of your vehicle.

Can I debate the fair market value of my car?

There are times where an auto insurance company may price a repair at a higher rate or assign a lower market value to your car than it was actually worth. This is because car insurance companies use certain software programs to estimate repair costs and car values.

These programs may not search as widely as you can for the best prices. So, your carrier may price your repairs closer to your car’s fair market value. They may also assign a lower market value to your car so it’s closer to a reasonable repair cost. In either case, the insurance company could end up totaling out your car when it’s not necessary and more expensive for you to get a new car.

For example, let’s say that your insurance company says it will be $6,000 to repair your car after an accident. Then, they say that the fair market value for your car was $7,000. However, Kelley Blue Book or a used car lot actually values your vehicle at $10,000 because they took other factors into account that contribute to the true value of your vehicle.

If you completely relied on the insurance company’s software, they would probably total out your car and may only pay you $7,000. So, you would have to pay an additional $3,000 out of pocket to get a similar car to the one you had.

How to prove the fair market value of your car

Using our example, if you were able to bring your claims adjuster proof that the fair market value for your car was actually $10,000, you may then only have to pay $500 out of pocket for the repair. Then, the insurance company would pay the remaining $5,500. That way, you would only have to spend $500 instead of $3,000 in the long run.

So, if your insurance wants to total out your vehicle, make sure that you’ve done your research by:

  • Looking up prices for comparable vehicles in the area
  • Checking online resources for the value of your vehicle and for the pricing of your repairs
  • Going to a used car lot for a written appraisal of your vehicle
  • Getting prices from multiple body shops (They may be able to repair your car for less than the insurance company quoted you for.)

Get quotes for the car insurance you need.

It can be scary and overwhelming when you’re handling the aftermath of an accident. It can be even more challenging if you don’t have the right coverage. That’s why our insurance professionals are here to help. We use our professionalise to get you quotes on the best car insurance for your specific situation and the risks you may face – for great rates! Don’t miss out on getting cheaper rates for the car insurance you deserve. Fill out our online form, give our agents a call, or click the chat bubble in the bottom right-hand corner to connect with an agent today.

What is the Difference between an Insurance Agency and a Carrier?

You may think that shopping for car insurance is easy enough to do on your own. If you have the right information, why not just go straight to a car insurance company? Well, there are actually tons of benefits that you may be missing out on if you go straight to a car insurance carrier. Here are 5 of the biggest advantages of working with a car insurance agency vs. a car insurance carrier.

What is the difference between a car insurance carrier and a car insurance agency?

For a client, the main difference between a carrier and an agency is the ability to choose different options. A carrier is an insurance company that will directly write and pay out a car insurance claim for only their products. An agency or insurance broker is a company made of a group of agents, or people who represent a carrier.

This is where the term “agent” can get confusing. There are captive/direct agents who work with only one carrier and independent agents who work with multiple carriers. If you use a direct agent to get car insurance, you’ll only be able to compare that particular carrier’s insurance plans. However, if you work with an independent agency, their agents can connect you with and write policies for multiple carriers. That way, you can work with someone who can help you compare different features for different plans across multiple companies.

In this way, independent agents can focus more on the client’s needs and saving the client money than direct carrier agents who are more focused on selling their company’s product. There are also other specific benefits to using an independent insurance agency or broker.

They can explain the process easily.

If you go directly to a car insurance carrier, they may start throwing terms at you that sound unfamiliar because they’re specific to that company. This may only give you a vague idea of what their policy covers. So, you may end up getting a type of coverage, limit, or rate that doesn’t quite make sense for your situation.

However, an independent agent that works with multiple carriers knows the lingo of all the different insurance companies they work with. That way, when they shop for your rates, they know which coverages are a true toe to toe comparison, no matter what each carrier calls it.

For example, one carrier may recommend umbrella insurance to help you cover costs that your regular car insurance may not. Another carrier may call this same type of insurance “excess liability.”  Another insurance carrier may add this coverage on as a rider. An independent agent will be able to truly determine if these types of insurance policies are the same and get you the best rate on what you need.

They know the exact type of policy you need.

Anyone can spit out a quote for your insurance policy if you provide surface level information. However, independent agents can dive deeper into your needs, your history, and your present situation to give you quotes on the insurance that fits your unique needs. That way, you pay for only the coverages you need and not a generalized plan generated by a computer.

They’ll take a more personal approach to your policy.

Let’s say you go through a significant life change like getting married or getting a car for your teenager. If you’ve worked directly with a carrier to get your car insurance plan, you may not talk to that specific agent again to solve an issue. You may start dealing with an automated phone system and customer service representatives who can only refer to computer notes.

If you work with an insurance agency, the agent you work with can help you manage your policy from the first call onward. They’ll understand the ins and outs of your changed situation. That way, they can work directly with you to alter your plan and still potentially save you money.

Additionally, if you have any issues with your policy, you know that there’s someone you can speak with directly – someone who already personally knows you and the history of your insurance plan. So, the independent agent can pinpoint the issue more easily than an automated system or a customer service representative who hasn’t worked with you from the beginning.

They can work with special situations.

Sometimes, major insurance companies will determine that a client or multiple clients in an area are too risky to insure. For example, you may have trouble finding affordable insurance if you have a spotty driving record, even if the reports were from years ago but are not quite off of your driving record. You may also struggle to find good rates on car insurance if you live in a coastal area or in an area that has a high crime score. Major carriers may also deny you coverage if your car is extremely expensive or if you’ve ever been non-renewed. These types of situations are considered “high-risk” for insurance companies, and they may reject or drop you from your car insurance because of cases like these.

So, while you may want to find an auto insurance carrier you’ve heard about through a commercial or word-of-mouth, but they may refuse to write your car insurance policy, or they’ll offer it to you at a higher rate.

However, if you work with independent agents, they’ll be able to use their industry knowledge to work with special carriers that will work with your unique situation. They’ll know about insurance companies that are willing to write policies for “high-risk” drivers. Plus, connections may allow them to, again, get you a better rate.

They can advise you on the discounts that are best for you.

You may know about discounts like bundling, combining policies if you’re married, multi-car discounts, etc. However, because a direct agent only has their company’s product as a point of reference, they may only recommend these options because they’re the cheapest for that carrier.

An independent agent can compare coverages across multiple insurance companies and may determine that it’s best to keep you and your spouse’s policies separate, or that it’s best not to bundle, or that you might be better off insuring different things with different carriers entirely. An independent agent can work with a much wider range of carriers to get you the most affordable options, regardless of your situation.

These are only some of the main ways you can benefit from working with an independent insurance agency like ours. To find out about the many other perks of working with our agents, just give us a call! Our agency has decades of combined experience under our belts and numerous relationships with trusted carriers. That way, we can get to know your specific situation and shop tons of options to get you unique coverage for the rates you need. Make sure you’re not missing out on the best car insurance at the best rates by filling out our online form today!

Am I covered by insurance if my garage burns down with my car in it?

What happens if your garage burns down?

What happens if your garage burns down?

Sometimes understanding what your insurance covers is cut and dry. If your house is damaged by a hailstorm, your home insurance could help you cover the damage. If you hit a deer with your car, your car insurance could cover the damage. However, sometimes the line between what your home insurance covers and what your car insurance covers gets a little blurry. For instance, which insurance plan covers your car if your house catches fire and the fire spreads to your garage – a garage where you expected your car to sit, safe and sound? Here’s the deal.

Will my home insurance cover my car if my garage burns down?

Well, the fire did start in your home and then spread to another, attached part of your home, right? However, just because your car was sitting under that attached part of your home doesn’t mean your home insurance covers the damages to the vehicle.

Your home insurance is only built to handle the damages to the home itself. Actually most homeowners’ policies will say outright that they don’t cover vehicles. So, while your home insurance can help you cover the costs of rebuilding your home and the garage that housed your car, it most likely won’t help you cover replacing the vehicle itself. But it’s important to read your policy carefully to see what it says about this sort of situation.

Will my car insurance cover my vehicle if my garage burns down?

Well, it depends.

If you have the right auto insurance, it can help you cover the damages to your vehicle. However, the “right” coverage doesn’t necessarily mean the minimum amount of coverage you’re required to have.

The state of Georgia only requires you to have bodily injury liability and property damage liability for your car insurance. These coverages are only to cover your legal duty to another driver if you’re at fault in an accident. So, if you only have the minimum requirement for auto insurance, you’ll have to foot the bill when it comes to repairing your car, whether it’s damaged by an accident or in a fire.

So, what is the “right” insurance coverage to help cover your car in a fire? Comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive car insurance coverage can help you cover damages to your car due to:

If you’re worried that you only have the state minimum insurance requirement, you may still be in luck. Although the state of Georgia doesn’t require you to have comprehensive coverage, your car loan company may. After all, your car is also their investment.

However, you’ll still want to look at your car insurance declarations page to know for sure that you have the comprehensive coverage you need and that you have a high enough limit to cover your car.

There’s still one small issue, though. Comprehensive coverage still doesn’t cover the damage done to your car in an accident. So, what does?

Collision & comprehensive coverage go hand in hand.

Collision coverage is going to be the saving grace in your car insurance policy if you’re in an accident. It’s the part of your auto insurance that can help you cover the damages to your car if you collide with something, like a tree or another car.

Usually, collision coverage comes with comprehensive coverage, for good reason. Think of it like this: if collision coverage is what covers your car hitting something, comprehensive coverage can help you cover things that hit your car. So, having both types of coverages are key to making sure your car is completely protected.

So, to answer the overall question: If your garage burns down with your car in it, your auto insurance plan would be the one to help you cover the costs of replacing the vehicle, but only if you have comprehensive coverage. As far as the garage itself, that would be a job for your home insurance to help you with.

An easy way to save money on both home and auto insurance is to fill out our online form! You’ll get to talk to an insurance professional who knows exactly how to get the rates and coverage you need. To start getting free, customized quotes, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or click the chat bubble in the bottom right-hand corner.

Atlanta Home Insurance 101

Find out the basics of home insurance in Atlanta.

Find out the basics of home insurance in Atlanta.

So, you’re looking into buying a new home. You, as well as your bank, will want to protect your investment. If you’re a first-time home buyer, insurance companies can throw a lot of terms and paperwork your way that you may not understand the basics of. So, to help you make an informed choice about the home insurance you need, here’s a crash course in homeowners’ insurance 101.

What is home insurance?

When a disaster or unfortunate accident happens, home insurance is a great way to make sure you have the funds to rebuild. There are plenty of different types of home insurance, but at their core, most homeowners’ insurance policies will include ways to help you cover the costs of property damage, medical expenses if someone is hurt on your property, and legal fees if that person decides to sue. So, let’s dig a little deeper into home insurance in Atlanta:

What does home insurance cover?

There are multiple types of home insurance, but most plans will provide these basic types of coverage:

Liability

Homeowners’ liability coverage is built to help you cover the medical expenses and legal payments that might come up if someone was hurt at your home. If a court determines that the injury was caused by your negligence, your home insurance’s liability coverage could help you pay out the friend’s medical fees, the legal fees of defending your case in court, and your legal obligation to the other party that may arise out of the case.

Physical Structure

What would home insurance in Atlanta be without being able to actually cover damages to your home? The property damage portion of your homeowners’ policy can help you cover damages to the actual structure of your home caused by:

  • Fire
  • Lightning
  • Windstorms
  • Hail
  • Theft
  • Vandalism
  • Falling Objects
  • Explosions
  • Damages from vehicles/aircrafts

Depending on your particular home insurance policy, you may be covered for more perils than those that are listed here. Some policies, like HO-3s, have a strict list of named perils, which means that the plan won’t cover damages caused by anything outside of the listed situations on the policy. However, some policies – like HO-5s – can also include an open perils section, where your insurance could help you cover damages due to anything that isn’t explicitly listed on the policy as not covered.

Home insurance in Atlanta covers a variety of perils.

Personal Property

Homeowners insurance can also usually help you replace the personal belongings inside your home if they’re damaged by the above perils. There are two ways to insure your personal property – for its actual cash value (ACV) and for its replacement cost value (RCV).

If you insure your belongings for their actual cash value, your insurance can only reimburse you for the value of your belongings at the time of loss – meaning its depreciated value. However, if you insure your personal property for its replacement cost value, your insurance can help you cover the cost of replacing the item at today’s prices.

However, there’s only so much that your insurance company can help you replace if they don’t know what they have to replace. So, make sure you make a home inventory of your personal belongings so you’re not stuck replacing everything in your home in an unfortunate situation.

Other Structures

Your home insurance can also help you cover the other structures on your property if they’re damaged. The other structures portion of your policy can help you cover damages to things like:

  • Detached garages
  • Fences
  • Sheds
  • Gazebos
  • And even your driveway

Loss of Use

Your homeowners’ policy can also help you with expenses and a place to stay when you can’t physically live in your home. Additional Living Expense (ALE) or Loss of Use coverage can help you with the additional costs of living somewhere else if your house is uninhabitable due to a covered loss. This part of your home insurance can help you cover costs such as:

  • Extended hotel, motel, or AirBnB stays
  • Eating out at restaurants
  • Doing laundry
  • Storage costs for your personal belongings
  • Moving if you’re displaced by a natural disaster
  • Boarding your pet if they can’t live with you during your temporary living situation
  • Gas costs for relocation
  • Renting furniture that you’re used to having every day

Keep in mind, though, that your insurance company will want proof of the cost of your normal standard of living. They’ll also want proof of the additional costs gathered while you’re not living in your house. This is because ALE is only built for the cost of maintaining your lifestyle outside of your home. So, if you’re used to making and eating modest meals in your home, your ALE probably isn’t going to cover ordering lobster dinners every night while you’re away. So, keep plenty of receipts, especially for things like groceries, hotels, gas, etc.

It’s also important to note that your ALE coverage can only help cover the additional amount you’re paying while you’re away. For example, if your mortgage payment is $1,200/month and you have to live in an Extended Stay hotel that charges $1,800/month, your insurance can only help you cover the additional $600 you would be paying for shelter per month, not the full $1,800.

Home insurance in Atlanta can cover other structures.

What doesn’t home insurance cover?

So, with everything that home insurance in Atlanta can help you cover, you may be wondering what home insurance policies exclude. Usually, home insurance policies won’t include coverage for:

While most homeowners’ insurance policies may not include these types of coverages normally, you can usually add on an endorsement or purchase a separate plan for perils and objects you would like to cover.

How much home insurance do I need?

When considering how much home insurance you’ll need, you’ll want to make sure that your coverage limits can help you restore your home and your belongings back to normal. So, it’s important to know the ways that carriers can choose to cover your structures and belongings.

Market Value vs. Replacement Cost Value

The first thing to know is that your home’s market value is not the same as its replacement cost.

Your home’s market value is the amount that your home would sell for. Your home’s replacement cost is the amount it would take to rebuild your house from the ground up – including the building materials and the labor of the contractors. That’s why you might end up getting home insurance for an amount that’s different than what you bought your house for.

Generally, you’ll want to insure your house for its replacement cost value to make sure that you have the right amount of home insurance. You’ll also want to talk to your agent if you’re considering an addition to your house, a structural addition to your property, or if you’re thinking about upgrading your pipes or your electrical system (which may even qualify you for a discount).

How much does home insurance cost?

So, here’s the big question – how much does home insurance in Atlanta actually cost? The true answer is that there are tons of factors about your individual house and situation that will determine your home insurance rate. So, your individual rate depends on:

So, it’s important to shop around for your insurance. Different carriers assess risk differently, so one carrier may price you differently from others.

So, these are the basic facts you’ll need to know about home insurance! Hopefully, you feel armed with knowledge when you’re shopping around for coverage. However, there’s a lot more that goes into getting your perfect home insurance for a great rate. That’s where our insurance professionals can help!

We have tons of experience with home insurance in Atlanta. So, we can take the hassle out of finding customized home insurance quotes. We’ll help you get the exact types of affordable coverage and limits you need. All you have to do to get started is call us today or fill out our easy online form.

6 things insurance agents want you to know about home insurance

There are a lot of things insurance agents want people to know about home insurance.

There are a lot of things insurance agents want people to know about home insurance.

Shopping for Atlanta home insurance can seem like a monster of a task if you don’t know where to start. Plus, what many people think of as insurance basics may not be the ones that are the most important to your agent when they consider your particular situation. So, we’ve put together the top six general ideas that insurance agents want you to know when you’re shopping for your homeowners’ insurance.

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