What you need to know about Atlanta condo insurance

If you're going to get a condo, it's important to consider condo insurance.

The COA's master policy does not cover the inside of your condo, which is why condo insurance is necessary.

Atlanta has been growing in a lot of ways. The film industry is booming. Business is flourishing. Amazon might consider us as a contender for their second headquarters. And something else that’s increasing in the city? Condo sales. According to a Curbed: Atlanta article, Midtown’s condo sales are up, with 1,450 resales in 2017 and a ratio of list-to-sale prices of 99%. Most units spend less than a month on the market (28 days, actually.) Now, that’s all fine and good, but if you own a condo or you’re one of the many thinking about getting one, you have to consider something other than location and number of rooms.

Yup. We’re talking about condo insurance. Now, condo insurance can get a little tricky, but we’ll explain what condo insurance is, what it covers, how much you need, and how much it costs.

What is condo insurance?

Insuring a condo is different than insuring a house, which is why they invented condo insurance. Specifically, the form is called an HO-6 policy. The issue is that as the owner of a condo unit, you basically, you own the inside of your unit. Yeah…we understand that it’s confusing.

Bear with us:

The reason this matters is that the condo association (we’ll call them the COA for simplicity’s sake) has their own master policy that covers the building itself and any common areas, like hallways, pools, and the lobby. That policy, however, does not extend to the inside of your condo unit.

Hence the invention of the HO-6, or condo insurance.

At any rate, it’s vital that you understand your association’s master policy so you can see what is and is not covered.

What does condo insurance cover?

As far as the unit itself, the condo insurance policy may cover a few different things:

1. Damage to the unit’s interior.

As we mentioned before, you own the inside of the unit. Condo insurance can help cover losses to the inside of your home. However, this is where you really have to review the COA’s master policy.

  • If the master policy is all-in, it can cover all original items built into your place (for example, cabinets, lighting, fixtures, plumbing, and wiring.) So, you wouldn’t need coverage for those things. But take heed: it won’t cover things that aren’t original to the unit. Any additions or alterations (like new floors) will need to be covered by your personal condo policy.
  • If the master policy is bare-walls, that means you have to insure everything besides the floor, walls, and ceiling. Nothing’s covered besides the bones of the unit.

2. Your belongings.

Your personal possessions won’t be covered by the COA’s master policy. That means that if you have a fire, your clothes, furniture, electronics and other treasures would not be covered. But your personal condo policy provides coverage for your belongings so that you won’t end up facing a major loss. Just take care to read the policy so you know what losses are and are not covered.

Pro tip: Insure your personal belongings for their replacement cost, not their Actual Cash Value (ACV.) Replacement cost (RC) can allow you to replace your belongings at today’s prices, unlike ACV, which reimburses you for the value that your belongings were worth at the time of the loss.

Your possessions will be covered under your condo insurance policy.

3. Your liability.

If a guest gets hurt in your unit, your condo insurance can help cover their medical expenses and the legal expenses if they choose to sue.

4. Additional expenses.

When a disaster strikes, you may not be able to live in your condo while the repairs are being done. If it’s a covered loss, your policy may cover you for “additional expenses” that you accrue because you had to live elsewhere (for example, hotel bills and restaurant bills.)

5. Loss assessment coverage.

Loss assessment coverage can help you if there is damage to the building in which the condo you own is located. If there are unforeseen costs that come up, this could help you out.

What does the COA’s master policy cover?

We touched on this briefly before, but let’s just recap quickly. The COA’s policy will typically cover…

  • The building’s exterior
  • The common areas (ex. The lobby, pool, gym, elevators)
  • Liability for common areas (ex. Someone falls in the lobby and is injured)

Again, it’s essential that you understand what your particular COA’s policy covers. Every policy is a little bit different, so don’t assume something’s covered by the master only to find that it’s not.

One way you can start figuring out what the COA’s policy covers is by carefully reviewing the COA’s by-laws. The by-laws are basically the rules and regulations of the COA, and they often list very useful information, such as the COA’s insurance deductible. It’s a good idea to review the COA’s by-laws (which you might find on the association’s website or simply by asking to see them) before you close on the condo to make sure you’re comfortable with all of the rules and expectations. And this is also a good chance to check out the insurance situation.

Actually, let’s dive a little deeper into the topic of the COA’s deductibles – more specifically, their water damage deductible…

Water damage, the COA policy, and your condo policy.

Be sure to find out how the COA’s policy treats water damage. Find out what’s covered and what’s not – since you’ve got neighbors all around you and water damage in one unit can often affect several, it’s important to know. What’s covered? What’s not covered? What would you be responsible for if, say, your washing machine spontaneously decided to flood your unit…and the units below and next to yours? As you can imagine, water damage often becomes a big mess in more ways than one. (Another important consideration is whether the COA’s policy has a “per-unit” deductible for water damage.)

So. We know this is a lot of information, but water damage is extremely important to consider when you’re getting your own personal condo insurance and figuring out what coverage you need and what’s already covered by the COA’s policy.

How much condo insurance do I need?

To figure out how much condo insurance you need, you have to factor in all of your belongings and the expenses of repairing or replacing the inside of the condo. Taking a home inventory is a helpful way to get to this estimate.

Pro tip: It’s important to get advice from a trusted insurance advisor. An experienced insurance agent can help you evaluate how much condo insurance you need to protect your home.

If you're going to get a condo, it's important to consider condo insurance.

Okay. That was a lot of information about condos and condo insurance. If you have any questions about what condo insurance will and will not cover, please feel free to reach out to our team. We would be happy to help you with your insurance needs. And if you’re looking to get a quote for condo insurance, we’re here to help you get the best coverage at the best rate. All you have to do to get started is fill out our online form or give us a call today.

Source:

https://www.thebalance.com/condominium-and-coop-essential-insurance-guide-4068492

https://atlanta.curbed.com/2018/4/4/17197728/atlanta-midtown-condo-sales-2017

Georgia expected to pass distracted driving bill (updated)

Georgia is expected to pass HB673, which would make it illegal to hold a cell phone while driving.

Georgia is expected to pass a distracted driving bill, which would make it illegal to hold a cell phone while driving.

Update as of June 27, 2018: The Hands-Free Georgia Act (HB673), which is discussed in this article, will go into effect on July 1st, 2018. This means that drivers will no longer be permitted to hold a cell phone while they are driving in the state of Georgia. 

Georgia is expected to join fifteen other states that have passed laws that ban holding a cell phone while behind the wheel. Currently, Georgia law forbids texting and driving, but both talking on a handheld cell phone and dialing are still legal.

HB673 aims to change that as an effort to reduce distracted driving accidents.

What is HB673?

HB673 basically prohibits drivers from holding a cell phone or another electronic device while they’re driving a car. The goal of the distracted driving bill is to make it easier for law enforcement to uphold driving laws. Since holding a phone to talk or dial is still currently legal, it’s difficult for police officers to prove that the driver in question was actually texting (and thus breaking the law) instead of just dialing or holding the phone.

Of course, the bill is also intended to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities on Georgia’s roads. The bill will raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving and hopefully discourage people from taking their attention off the road by looking at a screen.

If the distracted driving bill passes, it will be illegal to talk on the phone and drive.

What’s not legal?

Under the new bill, the following would be ILLEGAL:

  • Holding a cell phone, wireless device, or another electronic (like an iPod)
  • Writing, reading, or sending text (ex. Text messages, email, IM, or internet data)
  • Reaching for a device so that you are no longer in a proper seated driving position with seatbelt restraint
  • Watching a video or movie (other than navigation)
  • Recording a video

The new distracted driving bill would make these actions while driving unlawful. Again, the goal is to reduce the number of car accidents caused by distracted driving. Under the new law, the first-time offense means a fine of $50, but it increases for each offense after that.

What’s still legal?

Certain things will still be legal and permissible. The following would be allowed while driving…

  • Using hands-free technology to talk or text
  • Using a GPS or navigation app
  • Smart watches
  • Earpieces
  • Reporting an accident, medical emergency, fire, crime, or hazardous road condition
  • Radios, CB radios, subscription-based emergency communication devices, prescribed medical devices, and in-vehicle security, navigation, or remote navigation
  • Using a handheld phone while parked off the road in an area where parking is permitted (NOTE: This does NOT mean being stopped at a traffic light.)

Distracted driving and insurance premiums

Distracted driving has contributed to an increase in traffic accidents and fatalities. And insurance companies look at statistics to determine car insurance rates. The higher the chance of an accident occurring, the higher the premiums drivers are likely to face. That’s why rates are often higher for people who have gotten speeding tickets or who have been involved in accidents. The decision to commit to being safe driver can help you save money on car insurance, so the distracted driving bill might help lower your premiums.

The goal the distracted driving bill is to reduce the number of traffic accidents in Georgia.

That’s the scoop on the distracted driving bill (HB673) that is expected to pass in Georgia. Hopefully, we will see a decrease in traffic-related injuries and fatalities and the roads will become safer for everyone. Take care and drive safe, Atlanta.

If you’re looking to save money on auto insurance, we would be happy to help you with that. Car insurance might seem pricey, but we can help you shop for the best coverage at the best rate. To get started with your auto insurance quotes, just fill out our online form or give us a call today.

Source:

https://www.myajc.com/news/state–regional-govt–politics/georgia-just-passed-distracted-driving-bill-what-legal-what-not/PZXchE0AqAi1H8r7X8XrZN/

http://www.wtvm.com/story/37882063/new-distracted-driving-law-proposed-citations-across-georgia-will-change

https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/highway-safety/hands-free-law/

How to protect your Atlanta vehicle and prevent a car break-in

It's important to protect your car and prevent a break-in.

It's important to protect your car and prevent a break-in.

As the owner of a car, you’re probably pretty protective of your vehicle. You don’t want anything to happen to it – no scrapes or dings on your watch! So chances are you would not be pleased if someone smashed your window and stole your belongings in a blatant break-in.

Since we can’t exactly put our cars in our pockets and take them with us wherever we go, it’s impossible to keep an eye on your vehicle all the time. Smash-and-grabs are, unfortunately, a very common occurrence. Aside from the feeling of utter rage, you’d probably feel pretty violated if someone broke the window of your car. That is your space.

Anyways, we’ve got a few tips to help you prevent a car break-in.

1. Hide your belongings before you get to your destination.

It’s best to stow anything you’re planning on leaving in the car before you arrive at your destination. If you wait until you get there and then transfer your bag or briefcase to the trunk to hide it, a thief could see you move it … and then watch as you walk away and leave the car (and goodies) unattended. But if your treasures are safely stashed before you arrive, no one will be the wiser and you could avoid a break-in. Yes, your home insurance might cover belongings stolen from your car, but you may as well try not to use it.

2. Take your valuables and electronics with you.

Electronics are the jackpot for smash-and-grab thieves. Don’t leave your phone or iPod in the car and especially not in plain sight. Unless it’s impossible, don’t leave any valuables in your vehicle. Take them with you so that they won’t be stolen.

3. Lock the doors and roll up the windows and sunroof.

There’s no reason to make the thief’s job easier. If you leave your doors unlocked or your windows down, you’re inviting a thief to snag your stuff as they casually stroll on by. If you increase the amount of effort it’s going to take to steal from your car, you may prevent a lazy thief from striking. Even if you’ll only be gone for a minute, take an extra second to click the Lock button.

Hiding your valuables can help you prevent a car break-in.

4. Don’t leave chargers and cords in sight.

A phone charger or GPS cord left plugged into the cigarette lighter (that thing that charges your phone) is a big breadcrumb for a thief. Where there is a charger, there could be a phone. And if there’s a chance there’s a phone, you could be painting a target on your car and inviting a break-in.

Pro tip: If you use a GPS that suctions to your windshield, remove the suction cup and wipe away the marks before leaving your car.

5. Keep your car shipshape.

If there are empty shopping bags, papers, or wrappers littering your car, a thief might think that the clutter conceals something they want. By keeping a tidy, neat car you send a message that there’s nothing to see – or steal.

6. Choose your parking spot carefully.

The ideal parking spot is well-lit and located in a well-traveled area. The more likely they are to be caught, the less likely a thief is to smash windows. Avoid parking spots where your vehicle would be concealed from view. This only invites trouble. It’s important to understand the reasons to drive safely, but it’s also important to stay safe when you park your car.

7. Consider a car alarm or other theft deterrents.

The thief who breaks into your car could be trying to steal it. Having a steering wheel lock or collar, or a lock for the brake pedal tells the thief right off that that car isn’t going anywhere. Car alarms are also helpful.

So, those are some things you can do to minimize the chance that your car will be broken into. Be mindful of your situation and take steps to keep your car safe. Your car is a faithful friend…and broken windows are no fun.

If your vehicle is victim of a break-in, call the police and don't touch anything.

Looking to save money on your car insurance? We would be happy to help you with that. We can help you shop for the best coverage at the best rate. All you have to do to get auto insurance quotes is fill out our quote form or give us a call today.

Source:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/04/15/aa.avoid.car.break.ins/

How to protect your Atlanta business from phishing scams

We've got tips to help you avoid online phishing scams.

We've got tips to help you avoid online phishing scams.We’ve all heard horror stories of businesses getting hacked and customers getting their personal information stolen. Chances are you’ve also heard the story of the Google Docs phishing scam that tricked people into allowing hackers access to their accounts and contacts. Online scams and hacks don’t just affect personal email accounts – businesses are susceptible, too. One online scam you need to be aware of is called phishing.

No, it has nothing to do with fish. But you’ll see the reason for the name in a moment.

Anyways, we’ll explain what phishing is and how to keep your business safe from it.

What is phishing?

Phishing is pretty diabolical. A hacker pretends that they’re a reputable entity, such as your bank, and tricks people into giving up their personal information (passwords, credit card numbers, Social Security Number, or business information.) They try to get you to give them access to things they shouldn’t have access to. There’s even a type of phishing called spear phishing in which the hacker specifically targets their victim by impersonating someone they know.

Anyways, if your business gets caught up in a phishing scam, the results could be disastrous. If one of your employees gets phished, the hacker could grab your business financial information, customer personal information, or sensitive business documents. A breach could mean lost business, a tarnished reputation, lost income, and legal nightmares. Even more unnerving is that the breach could go unnoticed, meaning that the damage carries on.

But enough doom and gloom. The good news is that there are ways to prevent phishing.

How to prevent being phished.

1. Talk to your employees about email security.

It’s important that everyone knows not to send personal or financial information using email. You don’t want someone to respond to a fake email with sensitive information. Besides, emails can be hacked.

2. Raise your eyebrows at “urgent” emails requesting personal information.

Remember what we said about spear phishing. Even if you “know” the person who sent you the email, don’t send your business or personal information to them. Their account may have been hacked or someone could be pretending to be them. Give the person a call if they absolutely need personal information…and if they act really confused, break the news gently that they may have been hacked.

Protect your business from phishing scams.

3. Monitor your business’s bank statements and finances.

Keep tabs on your financial information and bank statements and look out for anything unusual. It’s best to catch problems early and get in touch with the bank ASAP if something doesn’t seem right.

4. Don’t let your cybersecurity get lax.

Be sure to keep your firewalls and anti-virus software current. New threats appear all the time, and hackers are pros at using the weaknesses in security to muscle their way in. Keep your cybersecurity updated.

5. Caution your employees about social media.

Hackers know how to use social media, too. Unfortunately, they oftentimes use it to gather intel so that they can raise their chances of successfully tailoring their attack to their victim. Social media has its good points, but it’s crucial to be careful while using it.

6. If there’s a link, don’t click.

If you get an email that seems suspicious, don’t click on any links or attachments that might be included, especially if you don’t recognize the source. When in doubt, don’t click. Delete the email and clear you Junk folder – don’t let that thing sit around on your computer. The same goes for any spam message you receive.

7. Tell your employees how to recognize secure sites.

If you ever have to send sensitive information online, make sure that the website is secure. You’ll see https:// in the URL. You can also verify the security certificate by clicking on the lock icon.

8. Go with your gut.

When an email makes you feel skeptical, it’s probably not legitimate. Follow your instincts. Don’t mess with anything that gives you weird vibes.

So, that’s the basics of phishing and how to prevent your business from falling prey to it. Don’t let your business be a victim of a phishing attack that could hurt you.

If you want to save money on your business insurance, we would be happy to help with that. We can help you shop for the best insurance at the best rate, and we’ll take the time to understand your business and the risks you face so that we can help you create a customized insurance plan. All you have to do to get started with business insurance quotes is fill out our online form or give us a call today.

Sources:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/safety/online-privacy/phishing-symptoms.aspx

8 things you need to know about tornado safety in Atlanta

It's important to be familiar with tornado safety.

It's important to be familiar with tornado safety.As April approaches, it’s a good time to go over severe weather safety – in particular, tornado safety. Chances are we’ll experience a good amount of severe weather alerts in the upcoming weeks. Tornadoes are terrifying vortexes of doom, it’s true, but we’ve got some tips that will help you stay safe and get ready for tornado season.

1. Take all weather warnings seriously.

Living in Georgia, we get our fair share of tornado watches and warnings. We may have grown a little desensitized to them, but it’s important to respect all weather warnings. Be smart and take measures to ensure your safety and that of your family.

Which actually brings us to our next tip…

2. Know the lingo.

When you get the alert from the National Weather Service that your area is under a weather advisory, you need to know what the various terms mean.

A tornado watch means that weather conditions are ideal for the formation of a tornado and that one could occur. Be prepared to take shelter and stay tuned to local news stations, radio, or emergency radio.

A tornado warning means that a tornado will either imminently occur or that one has touched down or been sighted. It’s time to get to your safe place as soon as possible.

Speaking of safe places…

3. Know where to go.

When a tornado is impending, there’s no time to deliberate. You need to know where to go. Take some time to figure out what your safe spots are at home, work, or school so that you’re ready to shelter if need be.

  • If you’re at home…
    • Go to the lowest level of your house and shelter in an interior room, such as a bathroom
    • Choose a room with no windows
    • Crawl under a strong table or desk if you can
  • If you’re at work or school…
    • Follow the institution’s emergency plan as instructed
    • Avoid open rooms with high, large roofs, such as cafeterias, auditoriums, and the like
    • Preferably move to the interior room on the lowest floor
    • Do not take an elevator – if the power goes out it could get stuck
  • If you’re outside…
    • Seek shelter in a sturdy building immediately
    • If you can’t get to a shelter on foot, drive there
      • Pull over if debris and strong wind become dangerous. You have to evaluate what the safest course of action will be for your circumstances. Depending on your situation, you can…
        • Stay in the car with your seatbelt on, keep the engine running, duck under the windows, and cover your neck and head with your hands.
        • Go to a place that’s lower than the roadway, such as a ditch, and lie down flat on the ground. Go far enough away from the car that it won’t get swept onto you.
      • Avoid bridges and overpasses, which are highly dangerous during tornadoes.

April is peak tornado month in Georgia.

4. Coach your family on what to do if there’s a tornado situation.

Make sure that everyone in your family knows the plan ahead of time and knows where to go, especially the kids. Tornado warnings can be scary for them, but if you talk about it and tell them how to stay safe ahead of time it can help.

5. Know how your community spreads the word about severe weather.

You need to be familiar with the way that your community will alert you to a tornado. Some cities have tornado sirens that will sound, others have text message alerts, some might use the radio. Know what to expect and stay tuned for news of the weather if the skies are looking dark.

6. Be aware of the danger signs.

Maybe you think that it would be kind of hard to miss the swirling vortex forming near you. But the thing is that tornadoes, which form when a rotating column of air reaches from a thundercloud to the ground, can be virtually invisible until they start picking up debris and dirt or a cloud forms in the funnel cloud.

So, you need to know the danger signs that mean you need to be on high alert for a tornado. Some things to watch for…

  • Dark clouds that are tinged green
  • Wall clouds
  • Debris or a cloud of dust
  • Hail
  • Loud, freight-train-like sounds
  • Funnel clouds

If you notice any of these things, you might need to take shelter. Nature – and tornadoes especially – are not to be trifled with. When in doubt, seek shelter and try to find out what the weather situation is for your area.

7. Before severe weather hits, prepare your home.

Since we’re heading into peak tornado time, it’s probably a good idea to take some time to get your home ready. To minimize damage to your house in high winds, you can…

  • Move outdoor furniture inside (chairs and tables can become projectiles in high winds)
  • Remove dead or diseased trees from your yard
  • Clean debris away
  • Strengthen your garage door (garage doors often take a beating during storms, and if your garage door gets damaged it can allow the winds into your home, causing the roof to tear off)

8. Make sure you have the home insurance you need.

Home insurance will usually cover damage from tornadoes, but it’s important to make sure that you have enough insurance to completely cover the cost of rebuilding your home and replace all of your belongings. Protect your house and your investment with the right insurance.

Tornadoes can often be unpredictable, but by being prepared you’ll know how to act quickly to keep you and your family safe. Have a tornado plan and go over it with your family. When it comes to natural disasters, preparation is key.

Want to save money on your home insurance? Our agents are here to help you get the best coverage at the best possible rate. We want to take the time to get to know you and your specific situation. To get your home insurance quotes, all you have to do is fill out our online form or give us a call today.

Sources:

https://www.ready.gov/tornadoes

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/tornado/index.shtml

How much does Atlanta commercial property insurance cost?

There are several factors that affect the cost of your commercial property insurance.

 

Perhaps you would rather not think about what would happen to your business if a fire hit or you had to weather a winter storm. We get it – there are way more fun things to be thinking about than doom and gloom. But since you’re a business owner and understand that things rarely go as planned, you’re here, reading about property insurance. You know that you need to protect yourself from loss, but you’re probably wondering how much property insurance costs.

And that’s a great question, but the only problem is that it’s a little complicated.

There are a few things that influence the cost of commercial property insurance. We’ll explain some of the factors that go into determining your commercial property insurance rates.

Here we go:

1. The construction/material of your building.

When an insurance company is looking at the commercial property insurance for your business, they’re going to want to figure out how flammable your building is. Insurance companies don’t really like fire because it tends to be very destructive. Anyways, the material your premises is made of influences how flammable your business is, as certain materials are easier to catch on fire and burn.

The building material is so important that the Insurance Services Offices (ISO) has created a system of categories to describe the structure of a building for insurance purposes. The “Classes” as they’re called go from 1 – 6, with 1 being the most flammable and 6 being the least.

Here are the general categories:

  • Class 1: Frame
  • Class 2: Jointed Masonry
  • Class 3: Non-combustible
  • Class 4: Masonry, Non-combustible
  • Class 5: Modified Fire Resistive
  • Class 6: Fire Resistive

The reason we explain this is that the higher up on this list your building is, the less likely it is to catch fire – and if it does, you’ll probably be facing less damage because the material is more fire resistant. And all of that can translate to lower insurance rates.

2. What kind of work you do.

Your insurance rate depends on what kind of business you have and what kind of work you do.

To illustrate, let’s compare an auto repair shop with a retail store. The auto shop does welding and stores many chemicals and flammable liquids. The retail store, on the other hand, only has clothes. The auto repair shop is more likely to face a fire, so they’ll probably pay more for their insurance.

Bottom line, some things are more likely to burst into flames. And that affects your insurance rates.

Pro tip: Depending on your business, you may be able to get your property insurance in a business owner’s policy to save money.

3. Your building’s defenses against fire.

Bear with us as we talk about fire some more.

The more defenses your building has against fire, the better your insurance rates. Protecting your building can come from without (your local fire department) and within (fire controls installed in your building.)

As far as external protection from fire, the ISO has come up with a way to rank the quality of the fire department near you (as well as other fire control measures.) They score it on a scale from 1-10, with one being the best and 10 being the worst. To come up with this number, they evaluate the quality of your local fire department, the available water supply, the effectiveness of your alarm system, and the strength of the communication system.

Of course, the insurance company isn’t just looking at your fire department. They’ll also look at your building’s firefighting tools. Do you have fire doors? Sprinklers? Fire extinguishers? An alarm system? These things can help minimize damage from a fire, something that insurance companies like to see.

You’ve probably noticed a pattern here:

The more protected you are from fire, the lower your insurance rates are likely to be. So, you might want to brainstorm how you can protect your business from fire.

4. Your business’s risks.

Now, this may surprise you, considering what we’ve discussed thus far:

Insurance companies aren’t only concerned with fire when they’re considering the cost of business insurance.

They’re also looking at other exposures, or risks that your business faces. They’ll look at your location to see how susceptible you are to natural disasters and man-made hazards. (For example, they might look at your area’s crime rate.)

We can talk about factors that affect property insurance rates until we’re blue in the face, but the best way to get a truly accurate idea of how much your commercial property insurance will cost is to get a business insurance quote. Our business insurance professionals would be happy to help you save on your rates by shopping around for your insurance. All you have to do to get in touch is fill out our form or give us a call today.

Source:

https://www.thebalancesmb.com/commercial-property-insurance-rating-4083201

What you need to know about keeping your Atlanta teen driver safe

It's important to talk about good driving habits with your teen driver.

It's important to talk about good driving habits with your teen driver.

If you’re the parent of a teenager who’s about to get their driver’s license, you’re probably a little panicked at the thought of your kid getting behind the wheel of a car. That’s perfectly normal. Letting your child roll out the door with the car keys in hand might send a pang through the heart.

But we’ve got good news: there are things you can do as a parent to help keep your teen driver safe on the road. Check out the following list.

1. Talk about texting and driving.

You need to make it very clear to your teenager why it’s dangerous to text and drive or talk on the phone and drive. Every parent wants to think that their kid will resist the temptation to use their phone while driving, but it’s important to let your child know that your expectation, not to mention the law, is no phone while driving.

2. Send your teen to driver’s ed.

Taking a driver’s ed class helps gives your teen driver more practice behind the wheel. It will also help reinforce the skills they need to be a responsible, safe driver. Plus, you might get a discount that will help you save money on teen auto insurance if you send your kid to driver’s ed.

3. Have your teen get lots of practice.

Practice makes perfect. It’s a good idea to have your teen driver get plenty of road time before testing for their license. Have them get their permit as soon as possible. It’s also a good idea to have them practice in different driving conditions, such as traffic and rain (of course, it’s important that your child feels comfortable and confident enough behind the wheel before you introduce new variables like rain.) Driving is scary enough without having to worry about how to drive safely in the rain.

4. Set some rules.

Most states have laws for newly licensed drivers. Georgia law has a curfew for teen drivers. It also limits the number of passengers you can have in the car at once. There’s a graduated license system that you and your teen need to understand.

Those are only a few of the limitations placed on new drivers. Familiarize yourself with Georgia laws and make sure your teen understands and knows them, too. Be sure to enforce these laws – they were created for a reason. You may even want to create some rules of your own.

Pro tip: Come up with a parent-teen contract of safe driving rules that you want your teen to follow. Distracted driving, curfew, seatbelt use, passengers, and “radius” might be some things you lay out in your contract. Then have your teen driver sign it. Studies have shown that a formal agreement reduces risky behavior.

Writing a contract can help keep your teen driver safe.

5. Set a good example.

If you’re being a safe driver, your teen will see your good habits and hopefully emulate them. If they see you fiddling with your phone, not wearing a seatbelt, speeding, eating, or losing your temper, how can you expect them not to do the same? Kids (including teen drivers) absorb everything. So, teach your teen how to be a safe driver by showing them.

6. Present them with the keys to the “family car.”

Rather than getting your teen driver a new car or even a new-used car, let them drive the family car. This might encourage them to be more responsible and make good decisions.

7. Make sure the car they’re driving is safe.

Doing some research on safety features and ratings can help you make a good, informed choice about which vehicle your teen will drive. You want to have them in a car that will protect them if anything happens. Though the sports car that they really want is super cool, a small SUV or sturdy sedan is probably a safer option.

8. Don’t let your teen drive tired.

Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving in terms of worsened reaction time. High schoolers often have to stay up late to cram for tests or finish homework. If your teen stays up late and is running low on sleep, offer to drive them to school or encourage them to take the bus. Phrase it as being an extra chance to get some rest and relax.

9. Show them that the time for seatbelts is all the time.

Your teen driver needs to understand that seatbelts are not optional. Every passenger and the driver needs to be buckled up. It’s the driver’s job to do a seatbelt check and make sure that everyone is good to go before departing. This is for everyone’s safety: seatbelts prevent people from being thrown from vehicles if there is a crash.

10. Emphasize communication.

Have your teen driver get in the habit of telling you where they’re going, how long they’ll be, and when they’re on their way home. You’ll feel better about your kid charging off on their own if you have a system for checking that they arrived safely. (But of course emphasize no texting while driving, even if they’re texting you.)

Having a teen who’s ready to get their license and start driving is nerve-wracking for parents. But by encouraging good driving habits and giving your kid the opportunity to get lots of practice, you can help them stay safe behind the wheel.

Having a teen driver can be stressful, but you can help keep them safe.

We can also help you save money on teen auto insurance. All you have to do to get quotes for auto insurance is fill out our quote form or give us a call today. We would be happy to help you find quality insurance at a great rate.

Source:

https://www.safekids.org/blog/you-can-keep-your-teen-drivers-safer-here-are-7-ways-can-help

https://www.safekids.org/blog/teen-driver-safety

What do I need to know about Atlanta hired and non-owned auto insurance?

If your employees drive their own cars for business use, hired and non-owned insurance can protect your business.

If your employees drive their own cars for business use, hired and non-owned insurance can protect your business.

The phrase “better safe than sorry” could have been written with commercial insurance in mind, especially when it comes to vehicles being driven for business purposes. Sure, there’s commercial auto insurance to protect you against risks involving your business’s vehicles.

There’s just one problem:

Commercial auto insurance only covers vehicles owned by your business, not those owned by your employees or those you rent. For many businesses, this is a pretty significant risk.

But not to worry:

We’re going to tell you all about a possible solution – hired and non-owned liability insurance.

What is hired and non-owned liability insurance?

Hired and non-owned insurance will protect your business if your employees ever drive their own vehicle for business purposes (that’s the non-owned portion) and if you or your employees ever have to rent or borrow a vehicle to use for business purposes (that’s the hired portion.)

Your business could be found legally liable if one of your employees is driving a car that your business doesn’t own for business purposes and gets into an accident. But hired and non-owned insurance would save the day.

Does my business need hired and non-owned insurance?

You might be wondering if hired and non-owned is really necessary. What about the employee’s personal auto insurance? Why does your business need extra insurance – the employee was the one who caused the accident, after all, wouldn’t their insurance pay? Well, the employee’s auto insurance could provide primary coverage if they’re driving their car for business purposes (unless they’re delivering or carrying goods, like pizza. More on that later.)

You may want to consider hired and non-owned liability insurance for your business.

But there’s an important Catch-22:

Your employee may not have enough insurance to cover the entire cost of the claim (remember, lawsuits get expensive very quickly.) And if that happens and the accident exhausts the employee’s personal auto insurance, guess who’s on the hook for covering the rest of the claim?

Yep. You got it – your business.

So, if your employees ever have to drive their own cars or drive a rented vehicle for work purposes, you might want to consider getting this coverage. Sending your employees out on errands for your business or having to rent a vehicle on a business trip may seem harmless at the time, but these scenarios can quickly become disastrous. Your business could be found liable for any accidents that happen while the employee was “on the job” for you.

If you already have commercial auto insurance, you can just add hired and non-owned coverage to your policy. If you don’t, no problem – you may be able to get a stand-alone policy or add it to your general liability.

Pro tip: Keep in mind that the vehicles being covered by your hired and non-owned insurance cannot be owned, registered, or contracted in your business’s name or on your behalf.

Why it’s important to clarify what your employee’s personal auto insurance covers

Each auto insurance policy is different in the way they treat driving for business purposes. Most will exclude driving to deliver goods (or people) for a fee – so pizza delivery and flowers are out. Anyways, it’s important that your employees talk to their insurance provider and explain exactly what they will be using the car for.

How can I reduce my business’s risk?

Of course, it’s best to never have to use your insurance at all. There are a few things you can do to lower the chances of having a major problem on your hands.

1. Set up policies that explain your expectations for safe driving: You can create and implement policies about speeding, texting and driving, seatbelt use, and other safety measures. There are many benefits of being a safe driver, after all.

2. Have standards for the personal vehicles used for your business: Your employees’ vehicles should be safe and well-maintained.

3. Review your drivers’ records: It’s important to make sure that your employees are good drivers.

4. Check your employee’s personal auto insurance: It’s a good idea to make sure that everyone’s adequately insured.

5. Have guidelines for renting cars: Make sure your employees know what to do if they have to rent a car for business.

So, there’s some food for thought about hired and non-owned auto insurance. Remember, it’s important to cover the gaps in your business insurance. If your employees drive their own cars, this is definitely something to consider when you’re thinking about what kind of insurance you need for your business.

Commercial auto doesn't cover any vehicles that aren't owned by your business, but hired and non-owned auto insurance does.

If you want to get quotes for business insurance, we can help. We’ll help you shop for the best coverage at the best rate. All you have to do to get business insurance quotes is call us or fill out our online form. We would be happy to speak with you about your insurance.

How to get cheap teen car insurance in Atlanta

teen driver

Car insurance for teens can get expensive.

If you’re the parent of a teen who’s about to get their license, you’ve probably got some mixed emotions. One thing on your mind (other than worrying about your teen’s safety) is probably how much car insurance for your teenager will cost. Odds are you’ve heard the rumors that teen car insurance is expensive.

Read more

How a BOP can help you save money on Atlanta business insurance

Getting a BOP can help you save money on your business insurance.

If you own a small business, chances are you keep a close eye on the cost of your business insurance. Getting the best coverage at the best rate may have even become a bit of a crusade. There are several ways to save money on business insurance, but there’s one method you may not have yet considered (and if you have, well, then you’re just ahead of the game.)

Ready?

It’s called a BOP, or business owner’s policy. We’ll explain what a BOP is, go over how it can save you money on your insurance, and let you know about a few things you should consider when buying business insurance.

What is a business owner’s policy?

A BOP includes several different coverages all bundled into one policy. They’re intended for small to medium-sized businesses.

BOPs typically include property insurance, general liability, and usually business interruption insurance. So, rather than getting each of these coverages separately, you can get them all from one place at the same time.

Convenient, right? But that’s not even the best part.

How can a BOP help you save money on your business insurance?

Here’s the best part:

A BOP can help you save money on your business insurance. But the question is, how?

The thing is that it’s usually less expensive to buy your coverages together instead of getting them separately. It’s kind of like going to a restaurant and ordering a dinner entrée instead of getting a whole bunch of sides and appetizers. You get the food you need both ways, but getting the entrée is probably less expensive.

Okay, that analogy was a bit corny. But you get the point.

Anyways, insurance companies love it when businesses get more than one line of coverage from them, so that’s why a BOP may be a good option when it comes to saving money on business insurance.

Now, keep in mind that not all businesses are eligible for business owner’s policies. Every insurer has different eligibility requirements, but across the board business owner’s policies are intended for small to medium-sized businesses. You have to have a certain amount of employees and make a certain amount of revenue or sales. But even if you can’t get a BOP, you can still save money by investigating a commercial package policy.

Anyways, it may seem like a better plan to shop for each type of coverage individually and choose the lowest price for each. But it’s definitely worth getting quotes for a business owner’s policy to compare prices. You have to find out what makes the most sense for your business.

Does your business have enough coverage?

Another thing to consider about BOPs:

You may need to think about adding coverages to your business owner’s policy to make sure your business is fully protected from all of the risks you face.

For example, you may want to add crime coverage to your BOP.

Now. That’s not all.

Your business may need to get separate policies entirely to cover other risks. Workers’ compensation insurance has to be purchased as a separate policy, not added to a BOP. Same thing with flood insurance.

Here’s the reason that we say all of this:

When you’re considering getting a BOP, it’s important that you consider all of the risks your business faces and the protection that the BOP offers. You may need to cover some gaps and make sure that your business is ready to handle anything that could come your way.

And, of course, you have to consider the costs of those additional coverages when you’re shopping for your business insurance.

So. That’s how a BOP can help you save money on your business insurance and some food for thought about extra coverages. When you’re getting business insurance, it’s important that you consult an insurance professional that you can trust. And we would love the opportunity to become that trusted advisor for your business.

We can help you get quotes for business insurance and make sure that you have the insurance you need to fully protect your business. All you have to do to get quotes or get in touch is fill out our quote form or give us a call.