Kate Betts, Author at Atlanta Insurance

Celebrating Thanksgiving 2020 during COVID-19

November 5, 2020 by Kate Betts

This year has been a ride – online school for the kids, remote work for the grown-ups, quarantine. All of us have been struggling to find a bit of normalcy in all of the chaos that has been swirling around us. One way you might want to keep things normal is celebrating Thanksgiving 2020 with your family as you normally would. But how can you celebrate in a COVID-safe way? We’ll go over some of the CDC’s low and moderate risk activities … as well as some activities that you probably should avoid, as they’re high-risk.

4 reasons to get an Atlanta home insurance quote

October 22, 2020 by Kate Betts

Yes, we know. Getting home insurance quotes might not sound like the most thrilling thing in the world. You might be dreading the prospect of reaching out to an insurance agency for a home insurance quote because it seems overwhelming and time-consuming. But that’s just the reason why our team is committed to making insurance easy. There are plenty of reasons why you should get an Atlanta home insurance quote – we’ll go over a few of them.

4 reasons to get an Atlanta home insurance quote.

1. Your insurance situation could have changed.

It’s a good idea to get insurance quotes because your home insurance situation could have changed since the last time you got quotes. And that means you might have different options than you did in the past. You never know – it doesn’t hurt to explore the different choices that are out there. Just like with any big purchase, you want to do your research and see what’s available to you. And it’s also really important to make sure that your insurance still suits your needs.

2. You could save money on your home insurance.

If you get a home insurance quote, you might be able to get a better rate. If you never take the time to explore the options that are out there, you might never know if you could save money. Who doesn’t like paying less for their insurance? (Yes that’s a rhetorical question, because the answer is no one.) Insurance is something that’s important and necessary, but that doesn’t mean you have to shell out a small fortune to pay for it.

3. You can consider bundling.

You can also consider bundling your home and auto insurance. (That’s pretty much when you get multiple lines of coverage from the same insurance company.) Not only is it convenient to have just one insurance company to deal with, but a lot of insurance companies offer a discount to people who bundle their home insurance and auto insurance. If you’re already getting quotes for your home insurance, why not find out about bundling your home and auto? You could get some great savings.

4. Getting quotes is easy when you work with our team.

Like we mentioned earlier, our team makes getting home insurance quotes as easy as possible. That way you don’t have to stress about it. Here’s how our process works:

You let us know that you’re looking for home insurance quotes. First you have to let us know that you need home insurance. We have an online quote form, but you can call us or message us, too.

We’ll chat with you about your insurance. We’ll have a quick talk with you about your insurance situation.

We’ll get your quotes. The next thing that happens is we’ll go get some home insurance quotes for you. We want to help you find the best fit for your insurance.

We’ll answer any questions that you have. We get that insurance is complicated, so we’ll answer any questions you might have about your coverage. We’ll go over your quotes with you.

We’ll be here to help. Our team will be here to take care of any questions or concerns you might have about your coverage. You can reach out any time and we’d be happy to address any issues that you might encounter.

Get Atlanta home insurance quotes.

So, those are four reasons to get an Atlanta home insurance quote. It’s important to look into different options if you have gotten quotes for a while. You could stand to save some money, and you might decide to bundle your home and auto insurance if that’s the right choice for you. And our team is really good at making insurance easy. Get started with your quotes by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us.

Keeping your spirits up during COVID-19 times

October 15, 2020 by Kate Betts

We’ve, of course, been dealing with COVID-19 for a long time, and it has been difficult. It is a very easy thing to get frustrated and downcast during this time when everything feels upside-down and we don’t know when it’s going to end. Everyone is feeling overwhelmed. We could all use a boost and a reminder to stay positive. Here are a few things that could help raise your spirits.

Keeping your spirits up during COVID-19

1. Having family time.

Maybe at the beginning of quarantine you spent a lot of time with family. But now, perhaps, everyone’s gone their separate ways. The kids have online school, the grown-ups have work (maybe work from home, but still – work). Yeah, life is busy and there’s a lot of juggling, but try to schedule in family time. Play games, have movie night, take the time to have meals together. Yes, everyone needs alone time, but it’s also important to have some companionship and to relax and have fun together. Pick a fun family activity.

2. Communicate with people.

Humans are social beings. We need to have social interactions and spend time with each other. It can help you feel like things are slightly more normal. So, wear a mask so you can chat with your neighbors or plan safe, socially distanced get-togethers with friends. Or use technology like video chats and Zoom to stay in touch with people. Just try to set up some sort of social time in a way that’s COVID-safe. You can really give yourself a boost just by having a nice chat. It can help you feel less isolated.

3. Take care of yourself.

It’s also really important to take care of yourself. You might feel like you’ve got a ton on your plate, and maybe you’ve been putting yourself at the bottom of your priority list. The kids have online school, you’ve got work, then there’s just the every day tasks to keep the house running. (Cooking, laundry, cleaning, going to the store in COVID-19 times.) But you’ve got to take some time for you. If you take some time to do the things you enjoy and/or self-care, you’ll be better able to care for your family and handle the day-to-day demands of life. You need to be sure that you’re being good to yourself and taking care of you, too.

4. Remember that people are still doing good things for each other.

In times of great struggle, there are people who will step up to the plate. There are still good people who want to help each other and want to alleviate the struggles happening to others. Just knowing that there are still good things happening can be a real morale boost.

5. Figure out what activities are calming to you.

You can also do some experimenting to find out what helps you feel relaxed and calm. Maybe you enjoy going for walks. Or maybe you like to paint or doodle or bake. The point is try to find something that takes your mind off things and gives you some peace. That way you can have some time to relax and have time away from the things that are stressful or overwhelming.

6. Save money on your insurance.

Here’s something that can help you lift your spirits – saving money. The present times have put a lot of financial strain on people, and you’re probably keeping a very close eye on your bank account. Insurance is one of those things that you might not want to think about – we get it. But we want to help you save money on the coverages you need, whether that’s home insurance, auto insurance, or renters insurance. Our goal is to make insurance easy and stress-free so that you can look at different options and see what savings could be out there for you.

It’s really important to find ways to keep your spirits up during this COVID-19 time. You can incorporate family time into your schedule, and you can try to have some more communication with people (in a safe, socially-distanced way). Don’t forget to take care of yourself during this time. Find out what sort of things help you relax. This has been a tough year, so take some time to figure out what can help you through it.

Get home insurance quotes.

As we mentioned above, we would be happy to help you save money on your home insurance or on your auto insurance. You can get in touch with our team by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat. Then we can help you with your Atlanta home insurance quotes and help you on that mission to save money.

Source:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbevis/2020/09/30/4-ways-to-stay-positive-in-trying-times/#30c2ded46b12

Tips to stay safe for Halloween 2020 during COVID-19

October 8, 2020 by Kate Betts

It’s definitely been a difficult, stressful year, and COVID-19 has led to many things being cancelled. And with Halloween coming up, you might be worried about how to celebrate the holiday and have fun safely during the pandemic. You might be wondering whether you even want to do anything celebrate. There are a few things to keep in mind about Halloween during coronavirus. Here are some tips for Halloween 2020.

Alternatives for a safe Halloween during COVID-19

October 1, 2020 by Kate Betts

This year has been different than, well, pretty much any year in memory – and that’s an understatement. And with Halloween only weeks away, there are a lot of questions and concerns about how to celebrate the holiday safely. Usually Halloween is a joyous time filled with laughter and, true, shrieking. While there is indeed a pandemic happening, that doesn’t mean that you have to completely ignore Halloween. The CDC has a lot of suggestions about how to celebrate and have fun, and they even have it broken down by the level of risk each activity presents. Here are a few options for making this Halloween during COVID-19 fun and safe.

Tips for safety for Halloween during COVID-19.

Here are a few activities that the CDC classifies as low-risk:

1. Pumpkin carving.

Carving pumpkins is a classic fall or Halloween activity. And pumpkins can still be a part of Halloween during COVID-19. You can carve up some pumpkins with your family at home, or you can set up an outdoor carving session with some neighbors or friends (keeping every one at a safe distance from each other, of course). Then you can display the jack-o-lanterns for people to see!

2. Scavenger hunt.

You can have a nice, fun Halloween that involves some exercise and fresh air by creating a list of Halloween or fall-related things for the kids to check off as you go for a walk. (And, you know, you can get the kids to burn off some energy as they go around and search for the items on the list.)

3. Candy hunt.

You can also stash candy around the house and have a “candy hunt” at home. Hey, you’ve got to make the kids work for it, right? So, let the kids have some fun, tear the house apart a bit, and search for some Halloween treats. They might be bummed because they can’t go trick-or-treating, but at least you can console them with their candy-hunt! (And that still gives you the opportunity to take some fun pictures.)

4. Having a video-call costume show.

You don’t have to completely eschew costumes this year. You can use video calls to do a costume fashion show. There’s a lot of ways you can let the kids show off the great costumes they picked out.

5. Having Halloween movie night.

You can also arrange to have a Halloween movie night. That can help everyone get in the spirit of the holiday. So, fix up some fun snacks, choose some Halloween movies, and settle in. (And don’t forget the candy, of course!) That’s a safe way to do Halloween during COVID-19.

Moderate risk.

There are other activities to celebrate Halloween during COVID-19 that the CDC says are “moderate risk”. You have to take stock of the risk that your plans have – be aware of the community spread in your area. If the numbers aren’t great, you might want to reconsider going out and stay in instead. And if you’ll be doing activities with any other families, ask what precautions have been taken leading up to the event and what precautions will be taken at the event.

6. “One-way” trick-or-treat.

Now, you might be wondering how you can still give out candy to adorable trick-or-treaters. You can set up what the CDC calls “one way” trick-or-treating by creating a station for goodie bags at the end of the driveway. You can set the goodie bags apart from each other so people can stay distanced. Just be sure to wash your hands properly before you make the goodie bags. There are a few other creative suggestions for handing our candy, like creating a “candy slide” out of cardboard or making a spiderweb you can attach the goodie bags to.

One more thing – it’s really, really important not to give out candy if you’re sick. You might just sit this Halloween out. (And even if you’re healthy, don’t forget to wear a protective mask.)

7. Having a small outdoor costume party.

You can arrange a small, reasonable outdoor costume party. Just be sure to adhere to relevant guidelines for safety. That means masks and social distancing. It’s really important to keep everything safe and to take appropriate precautions. Remember, the Halloween costume mask you want to wear doesn’t take the place of a protective cloth mask, according to the CDC. A costume mask isn’t going to cut it unless it has two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers your nose and your mouth and doesn’t have any gaps. Oh, and the CDC also cautions against placing a costume mask over a protective mask because that makes it hard to breathe. You can just use a protective cloth mask that is Halloween-themed.

(And here’s an arts and craft activity – why not decorate Halloween protective masks with the kids? You can really make them fun!)

8. Going to an outdoor haunted forest.

If you’re into the whole “haunted house” thing, there’s an alternative that’s more COVID-19 safe. You can consider an outdoor haunted forest where people can only travel in one direction. There should also be mandatory mask-wearing and social distancing so people will be six feet apart. But keep in mind that if you think things are going to get scary and there will be screaming, the distance has to be increased. That can help reduce the risk of viruses spreading.

9. Visiting a pumpkin patch.

You can visit a pumpkin patch where people have to use hand sanitizer, wearing a mask is mandatory, and people need to social distance. That way you can enjoy some fall fun while also staying safe. Just remember that you need to take appropriate precautions.

10. Doing an outdoor movie night.

You can also try an outdoor Halloween movie night with local family friends. Keep people six feet apart, have masks, and have the hand sanitizers. Again, increase the distance between people if there’s going to be screaming involved.

High-risk.

Now, the CDC classifies the following activities as high-risk. That means you should probably avoid them.

Traditional trick-or-treat
Trunk-or-treat where people congregate in a parking lot and hand out candy from their cars
Indoor haunted houses where people will be crowded together and where they’ll likely be screaming
Hayrides or tractor rides where you’ll be with people who aren’t in your household
Drinking, which can impair judgement

(And you probably shouldn’t go to a rural fall festival not in the community if you’re in an area with a lot of community spread.)

The coronavirus doesn’t have to make Halloween a no-go. There are alternative activities you can do that will allow you to both have Halloween fun and stay safe. The CDC has suggestions for what activities are low, moderate, and high risk. Depending on your family and your comfort level, you can choose how you want to celebrate Halloween.

Get home insurance quotes.

You also need to have the proper home insurance to protect yourself from the risks you face. Our team can help you with that. You can get in touch with our team by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us. We love helping people save money on their coverage and we love making insurance easy.

Source 1 | Source 2

Avoid these 10 distractions behind the wheel

September 24, 2020 by Kate Betts

If you’re hitting the Atlanta roads any time soon, it’s important to keep your full attention on the road. There are a lot of things that can distract as we drive. We tend to think we’re better at multi-tasking than we really are. Even things that seem harmless or that will only take “a second” can be very dangerous. We all have bad driving habits that we can break. Here are a few distractions to avoid while behind the wheel.

What kind of distractions are there?

There are different types of distractions that could grab your attention when you’re behind the wheel. It’s important to be aware of these.

Visual. This means that your eyes aren’t on the road.

Cognitive. This means your mind is elsewhere, not focused on driving.

Manual. This means your hands are not on the wheel, holding the car steady.

10 different distractions to avoid.

1. Makeup/hair.

We’ve all been in this boat – running late for work, no time for makeup or hair-styling … which means you might be tempted to do your makeup in the car. Even though you might really want to do your makeup while you drive, poking at your eyes with a mascara wand or applying lipstick behind the wheel might not be the best idea. Not only could you end up with lipstick on your teeth, but your attention also isn’t on the road. You could miss something really important, like someone flying through an intersection trying to make a yield on green.

2. Talking to passengers.

Yes, we all have casual conversations in the car. But your priority needs to be keeping your eyes on the road. If the conversation gets too intense, you might need to dial it back a bit. Your passenger(s) will understand – you’re driving them, after all. Their safety is in your hands.

3. Eating/Drinking.

Snack time, though delicious, should be reserved for when the car is not being driven. Juggling a burger and fries and trying to steer is a lot. Besides, you can actually enjoy your food when you’re not trying to drive at the same time as you’re eating it. If you absolutely need some fuel, that’s understandable – just pull over first and have a safe pit-stop snack.

4. Having the dog on your lap.

Yes, it might seem adorable to have your fluffy friend as your copilot, but doggies don’t really get why they shouldn’t be squirming or trying to lick your face while you’re driving. So, unfortunately, it might be for the best to relegate the puppy to the backseat. Besides, what if the airbag goes off? That wouldn’t be good.

5. Setting up music.

Fiddling with music or switching the radio station can be very distracting. Yes, we all like to jam out while we drive. But arrange for that before you depart by queueing up your music when the car is still safely parked so no distractions happen.

6. GPS.

If you’re not quite sure where you’re going, you might want your GPS. But don’t program it while you’re driving. If something happens and you need to plug in an address or you spontaneously get lost, pull over, sort yourself out, and then carry on.

7. Smoking.

If you’re smoking while driving, you might be more preoccupied with not singing your fingers rather than steering. So, don’t light up when you’re driving. You don’t want to either injure yourself with the cigarette or steer into something.

8. Using the phone.

Another major distraction is, of course, phones. Texting is a huge problem because you’re not looking at the road, your hands aren’t on the wheel, and your mind isn’t focused on driving. Even holding the phone to your ear can be very distracting, which is why Georgia passed a Hands-free driving law not too long ago. Using a hands-free feature at least means your hands are both on the wheel where they’re supposed to be. Texting and driving is a big deal. Resist the urge to check your phone, send a message, or even tap the screen.

9. Sleeping.

Well…yes, driving would not be the ideal time to take a nap. Make sure you’re well-rested and alert when you’re driving. If you simply can’t keep your eyes open, pull over and have a little nap, walk around a bit, and try to wake up a little before getting back on the road. We’ve all had those sleepy mornings, or even afternoons.

10. Don’t drink and drive.

It’s also really important not to drink and drive. That one is also a big deal. Be responsible and drive safe. Get a ride, call a cab, or use a ride-share service. But for your safety and that of others, don’t take to the road.

Now, if you’re wondering why this is all so important, it’s because you can get better insurance rates if you have a better driving record. Your record does have an impact on your insurance rates, so think of safe driving as protecting your driving record. And in turn, hopefully getting rewarded with lower insurance rates.

If you want to see if you can save money on your Atlanta car insurance, we can help. Our team strives to make insurance easy and help people save money on their rates. Get started by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat. That way you can see what savings can be found car-insurance-wise.

Tips for deciding about your kids going back to school

September 21, 2020September 17, 2020 by Kate Betts

There is a lot of fear and wariness going on today with the pandemic. One major concern or decision that many metro-Atlanta families are facing is whether to send the kids back to school or keep them in virtual school. School districts have created plans for re-opening, some of which involve “phases” or “stages”. But there is a lot that goes into making this decision, and it might feel like it’s a huge weight on your shoulders. Fortunately, the CDC has plenty of tools, considerations, and resources to help you make the decision about sending your kids back to school. We’ll go over some things you need to consider and some resources the CDC has available.

Considerations for sending your kids back to school.

When it comes to sending your kids back to school, you need to consider what’s best for your family and your situation. Different factors can come into play, such as health concerns, work considerations, and the schooling itself. This situation is stressful and there are a ton of different things you’re juggling. You might also be thinking about things like services your school offers, childcare, and even your kids’ extracurriculars.

What it comes down to is weighing the pros and cons of sending your kids back to school. Think about the benefits of in-school learning and the services the school offers versus the risk of COVID. (A major factor to consider is whether your child or anything in your family is at increased risk of COVID-19.) What does the spread look like in your community, what do the numbers look like? It might feel impossible to weigh these things against each other, but you can look at the CDC’s resources. They have tools that can help gauge your family’s risk and choose between remote learning, in-person learning, or hybrid-style learning (if you have the option to choose). It can help you prepare for your school year. So that might be a tool to help you navigate this difficult decision.

Tips for reviewing your school’s plan.

If your child’s school has communicated their plan for re-opening with you, there are a few questions you can ask to evaluate the plan and the measures the school will take.

What measures or procedures will be in place to reduce the spread of COVID? Will there be measures like social distancing, frequent hand washing, and masks?
Will the school environment be kept healthy and clean with appropriate ventilation, cleaning, and disinfecting?
What operational procedures will be in place? Will schedules be staggered? Are groups going to be kept small?
What is the plan or procedure for when someone is sick?

Now, we’ve mentioned that the CDC has a tool to help you evaluate your situation and the pros and cons of your child going back to school. Their tool can help you take stock of your family’s needs and evaluate your comfort level with your child or children going to in-person school. It’s set up with boxes that you can check off to say whether you answer Agree, Disagree, or Unsure about different questions. When you pick the box that most closely suits how you feel. If you realize that there are a lot of Unsure or Disagree boxes checked, you might want to open up a conversation with your school, your family doctor, or your employer. (And it can even help you pinpoint the specific concerns you want to talk about.)

The pandemic led to a lot of changes, and it’s not easy to juggle working from home, childcare, and online learning. Schools starting to reopen presents yet another dilemma. If your school is opening back up for in-person learning, it might be tough to decide what to do. Of course, you have to evaluate your own situation and your family’s needs – the CDC tool we mentioned is just one way to do that.

Get home insurance quotes.

If you are looking for Atlanta home insurance, we can help. We like to make insurance easy, and we also like to help homeowners save money on the insurance they need. You can get started with your quotes by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat. We’d be happy to help with your insurance needs.

8 questions to check your home insurance

September 26, 2022September 10, 2020 by Kate Betts

Getting Atlanta home insurance might seem daunting, and even when you’ve got your insurance settled, you might be wondering if your insurance is “the right” coverage. Does your home insurance fit your situation? Having the right coverage for your house is essential – your house isn’t just the bricks and walls and roof, or even the walls, roof, and the stuff in it. There are a few questions that you can ask yourself to check your home insurance. We’ve put together a list of a few things you can include in a home insurance checklist.

8 home insurance items to include on your checklist.

1. Make sure your home is insured for its replacement cost.

The thing about home insurance is that you want to make sure that your house is insured for its replacement cost. That’s different than your home’s market value. Replacement cost is the amount it could cost to rebuild your house from the ground up if it were destroyed by something like a fire. If your house isn’t insured for its replacement cost, you might not have the appropriate amount of coverage for your house. Your insurance is the thing that can help you financially if something happened to your house, after all.

2. Check that your deductible is where you want it to be.

Your deductible is another consideration about your home insurance that deserves some thought. The deductible is the amount you agree to pay in the event of a claim. (Basically you pay the deductible and the insurance company pays the rest up to the policy’s limit.) The thing to take into account is that your deductible can have an effect on your premium. If you set a high deductible, you could see lower rates. So, if you are able to raise your deductible because you’re financially comfortable doing so, you could lower your rates. You don’t, however, want to set your deductible so high that it would be a catastrophe to pay if you have a claim. Anyways, check that your deductible is where you want it to be.

3. Don’t overlook your personal belongings.

It’s also a good idea to make sure that you’ve taken a home inventory. You need the proper coverage for your personal belongings. So, check that you’ve got the proper coverage for your possessions. That also means that you’ve got coverage for any valuables in your possessions – for example, jewelry. Your home insurance could have a very low limit for jewelry, so you may been to adjust and account for that. Make sure you’ve got the proper coverage when you check your home insurance.

4. Look at your liability coverage.

Your home insurance likely includes coverage for your liability. When you’re going over your home insurance, check that your coverage is sufficient for your needs. Liability can come from a lot of places. If you need more liability coverage, you can consider getting a personal umbrella policy.

5. Discounts!

When you check your home insurance, it’s not a bad idea to look over your homeowners insurance discounts. Those are an easy way to save money on your insurance. So – are you taking advantage of all the discounts you could be eligible for? Check and see if you’ve got your discounts straight. The savings can be great!

6. Bundle?

It’s also worth considering bundling your home and auto insurance. (That just means that you’re getting both types of coverage from the same carrier.) The thing is that you can also score savings by bundling. Don’t overlook the possibility of bundling – besides, it could be very convenient. So, check and see if bundling would be ideal for your situation. Anyway, bundling is definitely something to add to home insurance checklist.

7. Check the policy regularly.

It’s also important to make sure that you’re checking your policy regularly. Your coverage needs could change as time goes by and things change. Your coverage needs to fit your situation. If there are any big changes to your home or your life, you should let your agent know.

8. Have you gotten quotes lately?

You might want to get insurance quotes for your Atlanta house if it’s been a while since you’ve seen what’s out there. By getting quotes, you can look at different options to make sure that you’ve got the right coverage for your needs – and the best price. It’s a good idea to get quotes to make sure that you’ve got Atlanta home insurance to protect your house at the best possible rate.

And if you need some help with that, our team would be happy to go on that quest with you. We like making home insurance easy and we like helping Atlanta homeowners save money on the coverage they need. You can get in touch with our team by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat.

Can my home insurance deductible affect my rates?

September 3, 2020 by Kate Betts

When you’re setting up your Atlanta home insurance, there are a lot of decisions to make. There are a lot of questions to answer, a lot of details to go over, a lot of big, fancy insurance words you’re dealing with. It’s a bit overwhelming and a bit draining, perhaps. One of the many words that might have come up is deductible. What is that, and what does it do? How does you deductible affect your home insurance premium? We’ll explain what that all means.

What is your home insurance deductible?

Okay, so there are a lot of insurance words that come up when you’re handling Atlanta home insurance. And yes, those terms can be a lot. One word that may have arisen during your insurance quest is deductible. So – what exactly does that mean and why does it matter? Here we go.

The deductible is the amount you agree to pay if you have a claim. Basically you cough up that money towards the claim and then the insurance company coughs up their part of the claim. (Of course, your policy comes with a limit, so you have to be aware of that.) Your deductible is definitely something you need to consider when you set your home insurance. It can make a difference – and we’ll explain why in just a moment.

But first – an example.

Let’s say that there’s a covered loss to your home – so your insurance is going to help you out. Your deductible is $1,000. The claim ends up coming to a total of $12,230. (Just go with us, we know that it’s a random number.) Anyways, you would end up paying that $1,000. The insurance company would end up paying $11,230. So – if it’s any consolation, the insurance company has a lot more money to pay. Yes, having to pay your deductible is unfortunate, but take comfort in that, maybe?

(Side note: since you may end up having to pay your deductible if you have a claim, consider saving some money and keeping it safe as a sort of “in case of emergency” fund. Whether it’s a home insurance claim or a car insurance claim, having a bit of money earmarked as a deductible for a rainy day can come in handy. Just a tip so that you’re prepared for claims if one ever does befall you.)

So, that’s the deal with what a deductible is and how it works. It’s an insurance reality that you’ve got to be prepared for.

How does your deductible affect your Atlanta home insurance rates?

There’s more that you need to know about your home insurance deductible.

Your Atlanta home insurance deductible can have an effect on your premium, or the amount you pay for your home insurance. How does that work, you may ask? Well. The thing is that if you choose a higher deductible, you could see a lower home insurance rate. (If you have a higher deductible, you could be less likely to file a small claim.) So, by setting a deductible that’s higher, you could lower your home insurance rates. However, you probably should give it some serious thought. You don’t want to raise your deductible so much that it would be a big burden to pay if you have a claim.

It’s all about balance. You have to decide how much you could comfortably afford to pay if you have a claim. Would you rather have a higher premium, but a lower deductible to pay in the event of a claim? Or would you rather have a higher deductible to pay if you have a claim but a lower premium? That is a question you have ot ask yourself. And then answer according to your situation.

So, that’s the scoop on your deductible and how it could affect your home insurance rates. The deductible is the amount you agree to pay if you have a claim – the insurance company has the rest up to the policy’s limit. If you have a higher deductible, you could see a lower premium. That’s usually how it works.

Get quotes for Atlanta home insurance.

Now – another way you can get lower Atlanta home insurance rates is by getting multiple quotes to look at options. That’s where our team can help. We would be happy to help you get some Atlanta home insurance quotes. Get in touch with our team by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat. We love helping people save money on their insurance.

Supporting employees who are working from home

August 27, 2020 by Kate Betts

There is a lot of uncertainty and stress going on right now due to the pandemic. If you are managing employees who are currently working remotely, it’s important to be aware of the fact that your workers might have kids doing online school. They might be lonely, they might be having issues separating from work at the end of the day, they might be having trouble staying focused. How can you as an employer support and help your employees, or reduce their stress level? There is a lot going on in your employees’ heads and lives right now. Here are some tips for supporting your workers while they’re working from home.

How you can support employees who are working from home?

1. Listen to suggestions from employees.

Your employees are the ones who are doing their jobs at home. They might have some suggestions for how to improve work-from-home and what could make the situation better. Your work-from-home system has to match your company and your employees’ needs. The team might have some feedback, so encourage them to go to you with their thoughts or concerns. You can let them know that they can tell you if they have any issues.

2. Check-in with your employees often.

It’s also important to check in with your employees often to see how they’re doing. That can help them feel more connected. Think about doing some video calls or setting up a messaging system so people can have some social interaction. You need to gauge how often these check-ins should be done – you don’t want to overdo it, either. You can arrange virtual team meetings and your management can do one-on-one check-ins. Of course, you can adjust the meeting schedule as you go until you find the balance and what works best for everyone.

3. Do virtual get-togethers.

It’s also really helpful to arrange virtual get-togethers to give your employees the opportunity to have some social time with each other. These can be very casual meetings. It’s just a way for your team to catch up with each other outside of work. During these times, having a nice, informal virtual get-together to have a chat can feel really refreshing. So, see if you can make that happen.

4. Encourage routine.

Your employees are going to need some routine in their lives. And with the current situation, it’s important to understand that your employees might need some flexibility within the routine that they establish to get through work-from-home during quarantine. Encourage your employees to be open about the things that might need to shape their schedules or routines – for example, child care and/or online school – with you and the relevant team members so you can make it work and help make everyone’s lives easier. It’s important to reduce everyone’s stress by working with people’s schedules.

5. Consider offering trainings.

Even though employees are working from home, you can still help them grow their skillset. Can you do online training? What about webinars or online classes? Your workers might not be able to come to the office, but you can still provide opportunities for your employees to learn and develop new skills. So, think about different ways you can help your employees continue their professional development.

6. Encourage wellness.

As an employer, it’s important to recognize that this is a really stressful time for your employees. It can have some very real effects on peoples’ mental health, so consider how you can encourage your employees to look after themselves. How can you support the mental health of your workers? Can you start doing meditation breaks? Is there a way you can be promoting fitness? Can you encourage people to take time off if needed so they can refuel and recharge?

7. Remember that loyalty begets loyalty.

This is a difficult time, and you might be asking a lot of your employees. But remember that you need to prioritize the mental and physical well-being of your employees. Remember, people are loyal to those who are good to them and treat them well. Loyalty from you towards your team can inspire loyalty from your team in return. Besides, what if remote work doesn’t just go away? By figuring out a system for work from home and supporting your employees through that, you’ll be all set even if work-from-home persists past the pandemic. Your team is extremely important and you care about your people, so remember that a bit of kindness and compassion goes a long way.

Remote work is a new thing for a lot of employees and a lot of employers. If you’ve got your team working from home, you need to support them and take care of them as an employer. Be sure to get feedback from your employees and listen to their suggestions. Check in with them and understand that with online schooling and kids at home, your employees might need to adjust their routine or schedule. The important thing is that your team knows you’re there for them and on their side.

Get home insurance quotes.

There’s a lot going on right now, but maybe you need to get some quotes for Atlanta home insurance. Our team would be happy to help you get some quotes and save money on your insurance. We strive to make insurance easy. You can get started with your quotes for your Atlanta home by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat. Our team of agents is ready to help you with your insurance needs.

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2020/07/06/how-to-support-employees-while-they-work-from-home/#3d98cfa17d94

https://www.forbes.com/sites/hvmacarthur/2020/04/01/company-survival-guide-to-care-for-staff-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/#2a4b63d9327a