Kate Betts

8 times you need to talk to your insurance agent

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It's important to keep your insurance agent informed about changes to your life or home.

It's important to keep your insurance agent informed about changes to your life or home.

Your insurance agent is there to help with many things. As life goes on, changes happen and your insurance might need to be adjusted. Your coverage needs to be customized to you, and if you have a change in your life or to your home, you need to have your coverage tailored so it fits like a glove again. It’s important to keep your agent in the know so that you don’t have any coverage gaps. Here are 8 times you might want to pick up the phone or write an email to talk to your agent.

8 times that you should talk to your insurance agent.

1. When you buy a house.

Buying a new home insurance means getting home insurance, and that means calling an insurance agent. You need to make sure your home is protected from fires, burglary, falling trees, and so on by getting the right home insurance. This is why an agent can be a big help. They can help you make sure you have enough home insurance.

Keep in mind that you probably want to insure your home for its replacement cost, which is the amount it would cost to rebuild your home from the ground up if it were destroyed by a fire or another loss. The replacement cost value includes the expenses associated with building materials and the labor of the contractors. And of course, it’s also important to have enough coverage for the contents of your home.

2. When you’re renovating your home or when you’re making home improvements.

Home renovations can affect your home insurance. You could end up increasing the value of your home if you make significant changes to the house, which means you may need to increase your limits of home insurance. It’s a good idea to let your agent know about any major changes or renovations to the home and have a conversation about your insurance. It’s essential that you have enough insurance to cover the costs of rebuilding your home so you can put it back to the way it was before the loss.

Apart from renovating, home improvements that make your home stronger or safer – such as getting a security system, getting a new roof, or getting a new electrical system – can qualify you for home insurance discounts. So, if you’ve made an improvement to your home that makes it safer or stronger, you could be eligible for a home insurance discount.

3. If your teenager gets their driver’s license.

If your teen is getting their license, you need to set them up with the right car insurance. Teen car insurance can be very expensive, so you may want to add them to your policy rather than getting them their own policy. However, that’s a conversation that you can have with your agent. Talk to your agent about the fact that your teenager is about to start driving. Hopefully, they can help ease your anxiety about handing over the keys by setting you up with great teen auto insurance.

Your insurance agent can help you make sure you have enough home insurance.

4. Getting married.

As far as car insurance goes, you could get a car insurance discount if you insure more than one car with your carrier. It might be worth checking to see what it would take to get you and your spouse onto the same car insurance policy.

5. Buying a car.

Well, if you’re buying a new car, you’re going to need the right insurance for it! It’s important to make sure you have the coverages you need to protect your new set of wheels. You don’t want to find out too late that you don’t have the coverage you thought you did for the new vehicle.

6. When you get valuable jewelry or art.

Maybe you’ve recently gotten some valuable jewelry or artwork. When expensive jewelry or art comes into your possession, you’ll need to let your agent know so you can chat about the best way to go about insuring your valuables. Oftentimes home insurance policies only give you a small amount of coverage for your values, so you may need to add coverage or even take out a separate policy for your valuables.

7. When you retire.

If you retire, you might qualify for a home insurance discount, so that could be worth a phone call to your agent.

8. If you want to bundle your home and auto insurance.

You might want to consider bundling your home and auto insurance (meaning getting them from the same carrier). That might help you save some money on your insurance because a lot of insurance companies offer discounts for bundling.

The above are a few occasions where it could be worth calling your insurance agent to tell them about your new situation. Remember, it’s so important to have the right insurance for your house, your family, and your finances. Don’t be shy – your agent’s job is to ensure that you’ve got the insurance you need.

Do you want to save money on your home insurance or auto insurance? We can help you get quotes for your coverage. We strive to be your insurance partner and advisor, so we’ll help you get the coverage you need at a great rate. Get started with home insurance quotes or auto insurance quotes with our online quote form or by calling us today.

14 common Atlanta car insurance discounts you should ask about

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Car insurance discounts are a great way to save money.

Car insurance discounts are a great way to save money.

Let’s start out by stating a simple fact: Atlanta car insurance can be expensive. The arrival of your car insurance bill each month might fill you with dread. So, like many people, you’re trying to figure out how to save money on car insurance. One way to get lower premiums is to investigate car insurance discounts. Now, each carrier offers different discounts and different amounts of savings, but below are 14 common car insurance discounts you might want to look into.

14 common Atlanta car insurance discounts.

1. Accident-free/Safe driver discount.

If you’ve gone a certain number of years without an accident, you could qualify for an accident-free discount. The fact that you’re a safe driver means that you’re a lower risk for the insurance company, and they could reward you with a discount that will lower your car insurance premiums. So, being a safe driver can literally pay off!

2. Multi-car discount.

Does your family insure more than one car with your insurance carrier? If so, you could get a multi-car discount. So, if you and your spouse have car insurance from the same carrier, you might want to ask if there’s any kind of discount for that.

3. Good Student discount.

Teen car insurance can be very expensive, but that’s why there are discounts for young drivers. Teens and young adults who have good grades could qualify for a Good Student Discount. If your teenager gets good marks in school, you might want to contact your insurance company to see if they qualify.

4. Bundling.

Bundling is when you get your home insurance and your auto insurance from the same insurance company. Many carriers offer a pretty significant discount on car insurance if you bundle, so it’s definitely worth checking to find out if bundling makes sense for you.

5. Setting up automatic payments.

You could get some sort of discount just for setting up automatic payments, meaning that your car insurance bill will automatically deduct from your bank account each month. (And this is also handy because you don’t have to worry about forgetting to pay your car insurance bill!)

6. Paying in full.

If you pay in full for a year’s worth of auto insurance, you could get a discount. Yes, it’s a big sticker shock up front, but if you’re financially comfortable paying for the entire year when you renew your policy you could get some savings in the long run.

7. Paperless payment.

There could be a small discount if you opt to get your bills and pay them online instead of having them mailed or printed. Who knew insurance companies were so eco-friendly?

8. New car.

You might get a discount if you recently bought your car or if it’s under a certain “age.” So, if you’re getting a brand new vehicle and adding it to your policy or trading in your current car for it, check and see if there are any savings to be had for your new ride.

9. Students away at school.

If your college student is attending a university that’s far away from home (usually 100 miles or more) and they’re not bringing a car, they could get an “away at school” discount. Of course, they’ll need insurance for when they’re home on break borrowing the car, but if they’re not going to be driving while at college this discount could be something worth looking into.

10. Usage/Low-mileage discount.

If you don’t drive that much and you have a relatively low annual mileage, you could get a discount. Less driving means less risk of an accident, which is why insurers sometimes offer a discount.

11. Seniors.

Sometimes seniors can qualify for car insurance discounts. Contact your carrier and ask if they offer this discount, and, if so, whether or not you’re eligible for it.

12. Anti-theft device.

Your car might be super nifty and come with an anti-theft device to prevent vehicle theft. Another cool thing? That anti-theft system could qualify you for a car insurance discount. (But keep in mind that some carriers only offer this discount if the device is factory-installed and not if you choose to add an anti-theft device later.)

13. Military.

If you’re in the military or were in the military, you could save money on your car insurance. The discount could even apply to your family, too. Definitely check into that when you’re getting car insurance.

14. Loyalty.

Insurance companies value loyalty. If you stick with your car insurance company for years, they might thank you by giving you a discount on your rates. Look into it and see how that works with your carrier.

There are a lot of car insurance discounts out there that could help you save money on your rates … just by being you. Do some research about your carrier. Check out their website and see what discounts they talk about. Call your insurance agent and ask them to explain what discounts they offer. You might have to be proactive about it. Your insurance company can’t give you discounts for things they don’t know about.

Looking to save money on your car insurance? We would be happy to help by getting you an Atlanta auto insurance quote. Our agents are pros at helping people get great coverage at a great rate, and we’ll be happy to talk about car insurance discounts with you. Get started with your quotes by filling out our online form or giving us a call today.

How to create a fire escape plan for your Atlanta home

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You can create a home fire escape plan.No one wants to think of what would happen if they had a house fire. It’s a very scary thought. But it’s so important that your entire family knows exactly what to do and where to go if the smoke alarm goes off or the air smells like smoke. Having a home fire escape plan can help everyone get out of the home as quickly and safely as possible. We’ve put together a list of tips for creating a home fire escape plan.

How to create a home fire escape plan.

1. Find two escape routes from each room in the house.

If there’s a fire, the most obvious way out of a room could be unsafe because of smoke, flames, or heat. That’s why you need a Plan B to get out of any room and out of the house. You can get your family to help you out and come up with your escape routes together.

2. Go over fire safety with your family.

Set aside some time to go over some basic fire safety with your family. Make sure to go over the following:

  • Stop, drop, and roll if clothing is on fire.
  • How to call 911.
  • How to use the back of the hand to feel a doorknob, the top of the door, and the space at the frame of the door – and then use the second exit if the door is hot.
  • If the door is cool, open it slowly as you brace yourself against it.
  • How to crawl on the ground while covering your mouth if you have to pass under smoke.
  • How to properly store flammable objects or chemicals.
  • Space heater safety.
  • Why it’s important not to waste time gathering belongings.
  • Teach children never to touch matches or lighters. (And don’t forget to childproof your home.)
  • How to prevent electrical fires by taking care with electrical cords, outlets, and circuits.

3. Have a meeting spot for your family.

As you’re creating a home fire escape plan, plan a good spot for your family to meet after getting out of the house. Everyone needs to know where to go, and it needs to be a safe spot that’s far enough away from the house. Also, decide which neighbor’s house you’re going to go to so you can call 911.

4. Teach children what to do if the smoke alarm goes off.

Kids might get really scared if they hear the smoke detector or smell smoke, and their instinct could be to hide. Be sure to explain to your children that they need to get out of the house if there is a fire instead of hiding. Of course, you don’t want to scare them, but they need to understand how important it is to follow the fire escape plan.

5. Do a “fire drill.”

Put your fire escape plan to the test after you’ve created your plan and gone over it with your entire family. Do a “fire drill” and give your family two minutes to “escape” from the home and get to the meeting place.

You also might want to consider having everyone practice getting out of the house with their eyes closed (but please – be very careful!) It’s probable that getting out of a burning house will involve darkness and smoke. Also, take some time to practice crawling on the ground to avoid heavy smoke overhead.

6. Keep the escape routes clear.

It’s important that the way out of the house doesn’t involve doing an obstacle course. By tidying the house and keeping the floor clear, you make it easier to make a quick escape. You should also check your windows to make sure they open quickly. If there are any stubborn windows, have them fixed.

Another thought – if you have child safety gates, latches, or window bars, be sure that there are quick release features.

7. Check the smoke detectors.

Check and see how many smoke detectors you have and where they are. It’s crucial that there are enough smoke detectors and that there’s one located outside each bedroom. Test the smoke detectors once a month and change the batteries at least once a year. (Daylight Saving Time is a great time to do this because it’ll be easy to remember the last time you changed the batteries.)

If you have a house fire, there is not a lot of time to act and escape from the home. And that’s why creating a fire escape plan is so essential – having a plan makes it much easier to act quickly and without hesitation. Practice your plan and be sure to coach your kids on what to do. Make fire safety a thing in your household.

Are you looking for Atlanta home insurance quotes? We can help. Our team of insruance professionals can get you multiple quotes for your insurance and help you save money on your home insurance. We also like to make home insurance easy. Get started with your Atlanta home insruance quotes by filling out our online form or giving us a call today.

Source:

https://www.nsc.org/Portals/0/Documents/NSCDocuments_Advocacy/Fact%20Sheets/family-escape-plan.pdf?ver=2019-04-17-200531-300

http://www.redcross.org/news/article/A-Home-Fire-Escape-Plan-Can-Save-Your-Life 

http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/home-fire-preparedness 

What’s the average cost of home insurance?

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The average cost of home insurance

The average cost of home insurance

Home insurance can get tricky. There are a lot of factors that go into determining the cost of home insurance. Nonetheless, there are some areas of the country that have higher rates and some areas of the country that have lower rates. It can even go so far as certain ZIP Codes paying more or less for their insurance. So, the question of what is the average cost of home insurance is a little complicated. Still, we’re going to explain what states have the highest rates and which have the lowest – and we’ll tell you where Georgia falls in the ranking. We’ll also explain the reasons for the difference in rates from state to state.

What’s the average cost of home insurance?

Okay. First, let’s start with some nationwide numbers for the average cost of home insurance. Here’s where the national averages stand:

  • $200,000 of dwelling coverage, $1,000 deductible, and $300,000 liability coverage: $1,244/year
  • $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $1,000 deductible, and $300,000 liability coverage: $1,737/year
  • $400,000 of dwelling coverage, $1,000 deductible, and $300,000 liability coverage: $2,252/year

What states have the lowest average cost of home insurance?

There are a few states that are very far below the national average as far as their average insurance rates. Check out the average rates below*:

  • Hawaii – $357/year
  • Vermont – $606/year
  • Idaho – $ 642/year

*Rates based off of a home with $200,000 of dwelling coverage, a $1,000 deductible, and $300,000 liability insurance.

What states have the highest average home insurance rates?

There are also some states with an average cost of home insurance that is higher than the national average…by quite a bit. Check out these average home insurance premiums*:

  • Oklahoma – $2,666/year
  • Louisiana – $3,011/year
  • Florida – $3,591/year

*Rates based off of a home with $200,000 of dwelling coverage, a $1,000 deductible, and $300,000 liability insurance.

What’s the average cost of home insurance in Georgia?

Since we’re in the Atlanta area, we have to see where Georgia stacks up with its home insurance rates.

Georgia actually doesn’t do too badly with its insurance rates. The average cost of home insurance in Georgia is $1,114, which is 10% below the national ranking of $1,244. Not too bad! Of course, the cost of home insurance in Georgia depends on a lot of factors, but this gives a general idea.

Why do some states have higher home insurance average rates than others?

So, why the difference in rates around the country? Why do some states get to enjoy low rates while others pay a lot of money for home insurance every year? It’s definitely not random or arbitrary. The reason that states like Florida, Louisiana, and Oklahoma see high rates is that there are many, many natural disasters that tend to befall them. Louisiana and Florida often get hit with hurricanes, and Oklahoma has a ton of tornadoes every year.

When they evaluate rates, insurance companies look at the ZIP Code and data from the area where the home is located. If there’s a high instance of weather-related events and claims, burglaries, or vandalism, for example, rates will probably be higher in those areas. The reason carriers look at the surrounding area and examine a lot of data about them is that they want to know how likely a home in that area is to experience a claim. If the data shows there’s a high risk of a claim, rates are going to be higher. If the data shows there’s a low instance of claims, rates will probably be lower.

What factors affect the cost of home insurance?

But of course, your rates aren’t determined just because of the state you live in. Insurance premiums are a little more specific than that. Like we said, insurance companies look at a lot of factors when they’re setting home insurance prices, and most of them are pretty specific to your house and your immediate area.

Here are some of the factors that can affect home insurance rates.

  • The material your home is constructed of
  • Reconstruction value of the home
  • Age of the home
  • Roof
  • Weather-related disasters in the area
  • The crime rate for your area
  • Your credit score
  • How close you are to a reliable fire station
  • Your limits of coverage
  • Your deductible
  • Home insurance discounts
  • Your claims history
  • Where the fire department is located

So, that’s what you need to know about the average cost of home insurance. Rates vary from ZIP Code to ZIP Code and from state to state. The best way to find out how much your home insurance will cost is to get a home insurance quote. And our agents would be happy to help with that. We can shop your rates so you can get multiple home insurance quotes, compare coverages and pricing, and save money. All you have to do to get started with your home insurance quotes is fill out our online form or give us a call today.

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What does Atlanta home insurance cover?

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Atlanta home insurance covers more than just the structure of your home.

Atlanta home insurance covers more than just the structure of your home.

There are a lot of perks to owning a home, but there’s also a lot of responsibility that comes along with it. (And we’re talking about more responsibility than figuring out how to decorate.) For example, you have to deal with home insurance. Your main question might be this – what does home insurance cover? We’re going to tackle that question and explain what a typical home insurance policy covers. (But of course, you really need to read your particular policy to understand how it protects your home.)

What does Atlanta home insurance cover?

1. The home.

Okay, we know you’re rolling your eyes – it’s a no-brainer that Atlanta home insurance covers the home. We mean that home insurance covers the structure of the house itself – the dwelling. Home insurance protects you financially if you’re ever struck by a covered loss, such as burglary, fire, vandalism, lightning, or hail. (Or falling trees.) It can pay for the necessary repairs resulting from covered losses. Now, it’s important to note that not all losses are covered. Flooding is usually excluded from home insurance policies, as are earthquakes. You really have to read your policy thoroughly to see what is and is not covered.

Another question you might have is how much dwelling coverage do you need for your house. A good rule of thumb is to insure your home for its replacement cost. The replacement cost of your home is the cost of rebuilding your home from the ground up as if it was completely destroyed (for example, after a fire.) That means that you’re including the costs of building materials and the labor of the contractors. It’s different than insuring your home for its market value or the value you bought it for.

2. Other structures on your property.

If you have structures like a detached garage, shed, or fence on your property, those will also most likely be covered by your home insurance. Keep in mind that you need to check on the limit of coverage these “other structures” have.

3. Personal belongings.

The contents of your home are also covered by your insurance. That means your furniture, your electronics, your clothes, and your other treasures are all protected under your insurance. The section of your insurance that covers your personal property will replace your belongings if they’re destroyed by a covered loss (i.e., fire or theft.) Your insurance should follow your belongings, so even if your possessions aren’t in your home when they’re stolen or destroyed they’ll be covered. So, if you had a whole bunch of stuff in your car and these belongings get stolen, they could be covered.

To find out how much coverage you need for your personal belongings, you can take a home inventory, which is basically just a list of all of your possessions and their value. Another perk of having a current home inventory is that it can help you when it comes to filing a home insurance claim (though we hope you won’t ever face a loss requiring a claim.) With a handy-dandy home inventory, you’ll know exactly what you need to claim. It’ll make the entire process easier.

Pro tip: Consider insuring your personal property for its replacement cost value. Replacement cost value will replace your possessions at today’s prices – it doesn’t take depreciation into account. Actual cash value coverage will only cover the value of your belongings at the time of the loss, which means the depreciated value. And that might not be enough to replace your belongings at today’s prices.

4. Loss of use coverage/Additional living expense coverage.

Let’s say that you experience a covered loss to your home and you have to move out. You have expenses that you wouldn’t normally have to maintain your family’s standard of living. Your home insurance can help you cover the cost of those extra expenses, such as hotel bills and restaurant bills. Your home insurance may have a certain limit for these extra expenses, so be sure to check on that.

5. Liability insurance.

Your liability insurance can help you if you or your family ever cause someone either bodily injury or property damage and you have a legal responsibility to cover their expenses. It can also help you if they decide to sue. To illustrate, liability insurance could help you if a guest trips over an uneven section of your driveway, gets hurt, and decides to sue you.

You can also read your home insurance policy to find out about medical payments coverage. The person who was injured can submit their medical bills straight to your insurance company.

Pro tip: You can add liability coverage to protect your assets by purchasing a personal umbrella insurance policy.

Atlanta home insurance covers a lot more than just your house. Other structures, your belongings, your liability, and additional living expenses are also covered. We can’t say enough how important it is to read your policy carefully so you understand exactly what cool stuff it does and what is and isn’t covered. Arm yourself with knowledge.

Are you wanting to save money on your Atlanta home insurance? We would be happy to help you shop your rates so you can compare coverage options and pricing so you can get great coverage at a great rate. We can help you get the Atlanta home insurance you need to protect your home. Ready to get started with your home insurance quotes? You can fill out our quote form or give us a call today and we’ll be at your service.

What’s the Good Student Discount and how can it help me save on Atlanta teen auto insurance?

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The Good Student Discount can help lower teen car insurance rates.

The Good Student Discount can help lower teen car insurance rates.

Discounts are great. Who doesn’t like to pay less money for something just because the powers that be decided it should be so? Whether it’s getting 25% off a new pair of jeans or 15% off a jar of peanut butter, saving money gives you that satisfied, fuzzy feeling. And you know what? That’s especially true for insurance. There’s a super cool discount for young drivers that can help them (or you as their parent/payer of bills) save money on Atlanta teen auto insurance. It’s called the Good Student Discount, and it’s offered by many different insurance carriers. It might sound too good to be true, but it’s a real thing! We’ll explain what you need to know about the Good Student Discount.

What’s the Good Student Discount?

So, here’s the thing about teen auto insurance rates:

It’s often really expensive to insure a teen driver or a young adult (early 20s.) There are a few reasons for this. Teenagers don’t exactly have a ton of experience driving. And teenagers tend to be just a little reckless (not all teenagers, of course, but enough of them.) They might not make the best decisions when it comes to driving and they’re not terribly experienced drivers, and as a result, their age group is involved in a lot of accidents. Age is one of those factors that influence car insurance rates.

But the thing about the Good Student Discount is that it rewards teens and young drivers who have gotten good grades by lowering their Georgia car insurance rates. “Good students” are seen as being less of a risk to insure because they’ve shown that they’re responsible and capable of making good choices. To an insurance company, an A or B student is more likely to be a safe, responsible driver who won’t engage in risky behavior than a student with lower grades. And a safe teen driver is less likely to have an accident and file a claim.

Basically, the Good Student Discount can help offset those high teen car insurance rates if you’re the proud parent of a smart cookie.

Does my teen or college student qualify for the discount?

The requirements to be eligible for the Good Student Discount depend on the carrier, but the following gives you a general idea of the possible requirements.

The student must:

  • Be under the age of 25.
  • Be enrolled as a full-time high school, college, or university student. (However, some carriers extend the discount even after college graduation.)
  • Have a 3.0 GPA or higher.
  • Have a score in the top 20% on the SAT, ACT, or PSAT.
  • Be an honor roll or Dean’s List student.

How do I get the Good Student Discount?

You’ll have to talk to your agent. They’re probably going to ask to see some proof of how amazing your kid is, so get ready to brag on your student! You may have to present one of the following as evidence of your teenager’s Good-Student-status:

  • A transcript or report card.
  • Test scores from a standardized exam.
  • A letter from the school administration.
  • A certificate for honor roll or Dean’s List.

You may also have to provide proof that your student is enrolled in the high school or university that they attend. If your student is home-schooled, you can provide a certification from a homeschool certifying agency, such as the state’s Department of Education.

One more thing:

You may have to continue to show that your student is still succeeding in school. Your agent might be in touch from time to time to ask for the latest report card or transcript so that they know your teen is still in good standing.

What are the savings from the Good Student Discount?

The specific discount amount or savings depends on your carrier – for example, it could be 15%. If your student makes good grades and they’re doing well in school, it’s definitely not a bad idea to investigate further and see if your carrier can help you save some money with this discount. Every little bit counts.

Are you looking for Atlanta car insurance quotes or trying to find out the best way to insure your student? We can help. We can help you get great coverage at a great rate. We enjoy making insurance as stress-free as possible and helping drivers save money on car insurance. All you have to do to get started with your car insurance quotes is fill out our online quote form or give us a call today.

Source:

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/good-student-discount.asp

What happens if my Atlanta car insurance lapsed?

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If your car insurance lapsed, you need to talk to your agent.

If your car insurance lapsed, you need to talk to your agent.

Okay, so you have a situation: the car insurance didn’t get paid. Maybe you forgot. Maybe money was a bit tight this month and you couldn’t pay it. And now your Atlanta car insurance has lapsed…and you’re a little anxious. Your main question is what do I do if my car insurance lapsed? And what could happen now that your auto insurance has lapsed? We’re going to answer those questions by explaining what to do if your car insurance lapsed…and why it’s important to get coverage in place.

What do I do if my car insurance lapsed?

Well, the first thing is to stop driving the car if you don’t have insurance. Mooch rides from friends, take public transportation, use a ride-share service…just don’t drive. There are a lot of potential consequences to driving without insurance (and we’ll go over that in more detail in just a second.)

Okay. Moving on.

You need to call your agent or your car insurance company. You might be able to reinstate your policy without too much trouble if you’re not too late with the payment – particularly if you’ve got a good driving record and if you don’t make a habit of paying your car insurance bill late. Your insurance company might forgive a “whoops” moment, and you may just end up paying a surcharge. But if it’s more than just a “whoops” situation, that could be a problem. You’ll have to talk to your agent and see what options they have.

It can be difficult to get reasonably priced insurance if you’ve been cancelled for nonpayment. An insurance company is probably going to be pretty leery of insuring you because they see you as being a risk. To be blunt – they want to get paid.

So, long story short: if your car insurance lapsed, call your insurance agent to find out what your options are.

Pro tip: Set up automatic payments for car insurance. Then the bill will always get paid because it’ll be automatically be deducted from your bank account.

If your car insurance lapsed, you would be responsible for any expenses arising from a car accident.

What happens if I drive without car insurance?

Well, that could get problematic.

In Georgia, you’re legally required to carry liability insurance to drive on the roads. You need $25,000 bodily injury liability insurance per person and $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident. You also need $25,000 of property damage liability. Those are the Georgia state minimums for car insurance. If you’re not covered by those levels of insurance and you get into an accident or get pulled over, that’s big trouble. Like we said, it’s illegal to drive without the right insurance. (Also, the Georgia DMV can find out that you don’t have the required coverage.)

Pro tip: Carry your insurance card with you when you drive. You could get in trouble if you don’t have it with you and you get pulled over.

But wait – there’s more.

If you drive without car insurance, you may be on your own if you’re at fault in an accident.

That means you could have to shoulder the cost of things like…

  • The medical bills/expenses of the driver and their passengers.
  • Repairing/replacing the other driver’s car.
  • Repairing/replacing your car.
  • Legal fees and expenses if the other driver sues you.
  • Etc.

These expenses could be coming out of your pocket. Sure, your insurance premium might seem expensive…but not as expensive as the fallout from an at-fault accident. You don’t want to have to cover those expenses on your own..

So. This is why it’s important to keep valid Atlanta car insurance. Though you may feel auto insurance is very expensive, consider it an investment in your financial security. No one wants to think about worst-case scenarios, but driving comes with a lot of risks. It’s essential to protect yourself financially. If you’re concerned that car insurance is going to be too expensive, reach out to your agent and ask about payment plans, discounts, and coverage options.

And your Atlanta Insurance agent can help you shop for your rates so that you can compare coverage options and pricing – and save money on your car insurance. Get started with your Atlanta car insurance quotes by filling out our online quote form or giving us a call.

Source:

https://www.thebalance.com/avoid-a-car-insurance-lapse-527455

https://www.thebalance.com/policy-canceled-for-non-payment-2645553

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-force-placed-insurance-en-827/

https://www.thebalance.com/penalties-for-driving-without-insurance-in-georgia-527222

10 tips for organizing your Atlanta home office to boost productivity

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Check out these tips for setting up your home office.

Check out these tips for setting up your home office.

If you work from home or have a home-based business, you’re going to need a sweet space to work from. You’ve got a lot to do, but working from home is great – you’ve got your pets, comfort, and the best commute ever. However, it can also be very distracting, which is why it’s important that your space allows you to be productive and allow you to be the best “you” you can be. Check out the following tips for organizing your home office to boost your productivity.

10 tips to organize your home office to boost productivity.

1. Stake your claim and have your own space.

In order to get everything done that needs to get done, you’re going to need your own space. Your home office should be somewhere that you can settle down and work. Find a place where you can work well that will be free from distractions. You may need to find your own room and stake a claim, declaring it to be your space where you can focus.

2. Don’t let technology get out of hand.

Keep all of the electrical cords from your computer, phone, and other gadgets out of the way and store them safely. (And think about the things you might need to plug in and unplug regularly so you can be sure to keep those things in easy reach.) Having everything neat and tidy beats having a huge clump of electrical cords taking up room on the floor, and it can also help you prevent an electrical fire.

3. Have a to-do list for each day.

Being at home might make it tricky to get into the “work” mindset. Make sure to equip your home office with an agenda, planner, or notepad to keep track of what needs to get done and when. You can create a to-do list for each day so that you keep track of your goals.

And crossing things off on a list is extremely satisfying and fun.

4. Dress in real-people clothes and have a routine.

While it’s extremely tempting just to schlep down to the home office in your pajamas, getting dressed in “real people” clothes can help you get in the right frame of mind to work. Yes, pajamas are amazingly comfortable, but they also make you feel sleepy.

Try too start your mornings consistently and develop a routine. Take a shower to freshen up, get dressed, eat breakfast, dance around the kitchen to your favorite music, then settle down to work – or whatever works for you. This helps your mind get ready to kick into work-mode.

5. Make sure your office is comfortable.

It makes sense to make your home office a comfortable space – you’ll be spending a lot of time there, after all! Okay, moving a bed and pillows into the office might be going too far, but make sure you’ve got a nice, comfortable chair and place to work. Your computer station should be set up so that you can sit comfortably and work without straining your body.

Your home office should be a comfortable place to work.

6. Put your desk by a window.

You might worry that having the desk by the window would be distracting, but give it a try. The natural sunlight streaming into the room will help your body keep track of what time it is. Your internal clock is a real thing, and if you’re easily able to see and feel the sun as it moves through the sky you’ll be able to feel the day progressing. You can even decorate the area outside the window with plants and such to give a peaceful, distraction-free view that will give you something pretty to look at.

7. Make sure your space is functional and designed with purpose.

Before you start decorating and rearranging your home office, you also need to consider exactly what kind of work you’ll be doing and what’s needed to get the job done. From there, you can make decisions about what sort of storage you’ll need, what equipment you need, and how best to organize everything.

Many home offices aren’t the biggest, and you can work with that with some creative planning. Utilize the vertical space in the room with tall bookcases or cubbies for storage. Once you’ve established exactly what needs to go into the office, you can plan accordingly. Try to keep things off your desk by using shelves, or invest in vertical file folders to sit on your desk. This will help you keep your workspace clear and clean.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that you need to sacrifice the aesthetic appeal of the room. Your space should be your space. It should be comfortable and welcoming – a place that you’re content to settle down and get to work.

8. Consider what color to paint the walls.

Why not go the whole hog and paint the room? Choose a color that works for you. Some people like yellows, lime greens, or oranges because they’re energizing and cheery. Others like calming shades like pale blue or aqua. Bottom line: choose a color that’s going to help you work. As crazy as it sounds, colors can have a profound effect on your mood.

9. Have a designated routine for breaks.

You’re also going to need some time to take breaks and clear your mind. It’s healthy to have a change of scene during the workday – your brain uses a lot of energy, so it needs a rest from time to time. Getting up to stretch and take a mental break is good for you. When you settle back down to work, you’ll be recharged and reenergized.

10. Take care of your eyes.

Staring at a computer screen is not your eyes’ favorite thing to do. The light emitted from a screen is hard on them, and as a consequence, it’s easy for your eyes to get strained if you’re spending a lot of time on the computer. So, be mindful of your eyes and take care of them! Also, try to avoid having a glare on the computer screen. That isn’t helpful and it won’t make your eyeballs happy.

11. PRO TIP: Make sure you’re insured.

You’ve probably got a lot of business-related equipment in your office. It’s really important to make sure that you’re properly insured. Business equipment and such is very expensive, so you need to check out your home insurance policy to see if it covers any business-related items. If you have a full-blown home business, you need to make sure that you’ve got the right home-based business insurance.

Speaking of insurance, we can help you get the insurance you need, whether that’s home-based business insurance, home insurance, or auto insurance. Our team of insurance professionals are pros at helping Atlantans save on their insurance by shopping their rates. You can compare pricing and coverage options by filling out our online quote form or giving us a call today.

Source 1 | Source 2

Don’t make these 8 Atlanta home insurance mistakes

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You never know when a home insurance tip is going to come in handy.

You never know when a home insurance tip is going to come in handy.

Getting home insurance can seem extremely difficult. It can be hard to know how much insurance to get, what coverages you need, and what’s a good rate. To help you on your home insurance mission, we’ve got 8 common home insurance mistakes for you to avoid as you set your coverage. We’ve also included a home insurance tip for each one.

Avoid these home insurance mistakes.

1. Not getting enough home insurance.

Home Insurance Tip #1: Ideally, you should have enough home insurance to do the following three things:

  1. Rebuild your house from the ground up if it’s damaged.
  2. Replace all of your belongings.
  3. Cover your liability.

You need to make sure that you have enough home insurance to rebuild your home completely if it’s destroyed by a fire or another loss, including the costs of building materials and the labor of the contractors. This is your home’s replacement cost.

It’s also important to take a home inventory so that you know how much coverage you need for your personal belongings – and that way you’ll know exactly what to claim if you have a loss to your home.

Basically, the point is to make sure you’re not underinsured. You need enough coverage to protect you from financial loss if your home is damaged or destroyed.

2. Setting a deductible that’s too low or too high.

Home Insurance Tip #2: Set a deductible that fits your finances.

Your deductible is the amount you agree to pay if you have a claim. You’ve got your portion of a claim and the insurance company takes care of the rest. So, if you have a claim that’s $5,000 and your deductible is $1,000, you’ll pay $1,000 and the insurance company will pay $4,000.

Your deductible is important because it relates to your home insurance rates. If you set a deductible that’s higher, you could see lower premium because you’re less likely to file a claim. But you don’t want to set your deductible so high that it would be burdensome to pay if you ever have a claim. It’s a bit of a balancing act. You have to evaluate your finances and decide how much you can comfortably afford to pay in the event of a claim. If you find you could raise your deductible, you might see lower rates.

3. Not asking about home insurance discounts.

Home Insurance Tip #3: Be sure to ask about discounts.

Many home insurance companies offer discounts for home insurance. Be sure to ask your agent what discounts they offer and see if you qualify for them. Some common home insurance discounts are…

  • Having a monitored burglar alarm or security system.
  • New roof.
  • Bundling your home and auto insurance.
  • Being claims-free for a certain number of years.
  • Home improvements (new wiring, plumbing, AC system, roof.)

4. Not adding coverage to account for exclusions.

Home Insurance Tip #4: Make sure to cover any gaps in your home insurance policy.

Unfortunately, home insurance doesn’t cover everything. Certain losses aren’t covered (and these losses are called exclusions.) Some common – but surprising – home insurance exclusions are…

  • Flooding
  • Sewer backup
  • Sinkholes
  • Jewelry (Most policies only offer limited coverage for valuables.)

You have to make sure to cover any gaps in your home insurance. If you want flooding to be covered, you can get flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through an agent. If you want sewer backup to be covered, you have to add that coverage to your policy. If you want all of your valuables to be covered, you have to add extra coverage for your jewelry and other treasures.

Be sure to discuss these things with your agent and ask questions about what is or isn’t covered.

5. Choosing coverage based on price alone.

Home Insurance Tip #5: Keep in mind that the lowest price might not be the best home insurance policy.

Yes, it might be tempting to choose the cheapest coverage available, but cheapest doesn’t mean best. It’s a good idea to really explore your options and compare coverages. You also have to make sure you’re looking at an apples-to-apples comparison of home insurance coverage when you consider pricing. Then consider the insurance company itself. Do they have a good reputation? Will they truly be there for you if you have a loss? You might find that the best option costs a little more than the cheapest option, but the extra expense could be well worth it.

6. Not telling your agent about home renovations.

Home Insurance Tip #6: Keep in touch with your agent and let them know about planned home insurance renovations.

If you do renovations to your home, you could be adding significantly to its value. That means that you might need to add home insurance to make sure that you still have enough coverage for your home.

7. Not reading through the home insurance policy thoroughly.

Home Insurance Tip #7: Take the time to read through your policy.

The only way to really understand what your home insurance policy does and does not cover is to read through it carefully. It’s important to read through the policy, tedious as it might seem, so that you’re aware of how your home insurance will handle various situations. If you have any questions about all the “insurance-speak” in your policy, don’t hesitate to give your agent a call to clarify. It’s better to be equipped with knowledge when it comes to handling your home insurance.

8. Not shopping for home insurance.

Home Insurance Tip #8: Get multiple quotes for Atlanta home insurance.

When you get home insurance in Atlanta, its’ a good idea to shop around for multiple quotes. That way you’ll be able to compare coverage options and pricing. By shopping, you give yourself the change to save money on home insurance. You might find comparable coverage from a comparable company – but at a lower rate than the other guy’s offering. Though it might be tempting just to go with the first quote you get, a little patience can go a long way.

Speaking of shopping for home insurance, our agents can help you get multiple quotes for Atlanta homeowner’s insurance. We’ll shop your rates and go over your options for coverage, and we’ll make sure that we understand your unique situation so you get the coverage that’s right for you. Get started with your Atlanta home insurance by filling out our quote form or giving us a call today!

Will filing a home insurance claim make my rates go up?

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Filing a home insurance claim may raise your home insurance rates.

Filing a home insurance claim may raise your home insurance rates.

You might have heard that filing a home insurance claim will make your insurance rates go up. And maybe it doesn’t seem quite fair – the whole reason that you have insurance is to use it when you need it. And the thing is that while your Atlanta home insurance will protect you from financial loss, it’s important to understand the effect that certain claims could have on your Georgia home insurance rates. We’ll explain about how claims can affect your home insurance rates.

Will filing a claim make my home insurance rates go up?

The short answer is … it could, yes. A home insurance claim could raise premiums.

What kind of home insurance claims will make your rates go up?

Liability.

Usually, claims that are related to liability could cause your rates to rise. For example, if your dog bites someone, that would be a liability-related claim. (Dog bite claims can be very expensive, which is why some insurers have a “dangerous dog list” of breeds that they won’t insure.) This kind of claim can cause your premiums to increase.

Burglary and vandalism.

Burglary and vandalism claims could also cause your premiums to go up because these things can happen again in the same area.

What’s a CLUE report and why does it matter to my rates?

But wait – how do insurance companies know what claims you’ve made and when?

Your CLUE report comes from the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, which is a database of home insurance-related information that insurance companies can access. A CLUE report is essentially a record of all the claims you’ve made – it gives your name, the address where the loss occurred, what the loss is, and the amount the insurance company paid out. Your CLUE report goes back about seven years, and if your insurance company looks at your report and decides you’ve had too many claims, that could be trouble.

There’s no hiding the fact that you’ve made claims. It’s right there in the CLUE.

How can you keep your home insurance rates from going up?

Here are some tips to protect your home insurance rates.

1. Try not to file minor claims.

Try to reserve your home insurance for major catastrophes that you can’t cover on your own. If there’s minor damage to your home from a storm or another loss, you might want to consider taking care of it on your own and paying out of pocket rather than filing a claim. Yes, your insurance is there to help you when you need it. But you might not want to use it for every minor thing – if you do, you risk making your rates go up.

2. Consider your deductible.

Your deductible is the amount of money that you agree to pay if you have a claim. You pay your deductible and your insurance covers the rest of the claim. You probably don’t want to file a claim that’s close in value to your deductible because you’ll still have to pay your deductible – insurance would only cover a small portion of the claim anyway, and then you’ve got that home insurance claim on your record.

For example:

Let’s say your deductible is $750. You have a home insurance claim for $1,100. Yes, you could file the claim and insurance would pay the $350 that’s left after you pay the deductible. But is it really worth filing that claim when you already have to pay $750 anyway? At that point, it might just be more prudent to take care of the entire claim on your own.

3. Check your CLUE report.

Your CLUE report, as we mentioned earlier, gives a history of your claims – and possibly even claims inquiries. If you’re concerned that your claims history isn’t looking too great, get a copy of your CLUE report and check for any mistakes that could be hurting your rates. If you find any, politely ask for them to be corrected.

4. Really think about filing that second claim.

You might want to give some real thought to filing that second claim if you’re worried that your coverage could be nonrenewed or your rates could go up. Remember, filing too many claims could lead to that outcome. So, take out your calculator and think about your finances and if it’s worth filing a claim based on your deductible.

If you face a loss and there’s damage to your home, you’ll have to decide whether or not to file a home insurance claim. So, it’s important to really consider when filing a home insurance claim. However, that’s not to say that you shouldn’t use your insurance when you need it – that’s what it’s there for, after all.

Do you want to save money on home insurance in Atlanta? We can help. Our agents are professionals at helping homeowners shop for their rates and get the coverage that they need at a great price. All you have to do to get Atlanta insurance quotes is fill out our online form or give us a call today.

Source:

https://www.houselogic.com/finances-taxes/home-insurance/can-one-home-insurance-claim-bump-your-annual-premium/

http://money.cnn.com/2014/10/19/real_estate/homeowners-insurance-claims/index.html

https://www.houselogic.com/finances-taxes/home-insurance/your-clue-insurance-report-matters/