Kate Betts

What to know about your insurance if you’re going through a divorce

by
Divorce and insurance

Divorce and insurance

If you’re going through a divorce, the last thing you want to deal with is more stress. And for a lot of people, insurance is synonymous with stress. You’re already going through enough, and maybe you just want to know what to expect through. What should you know about your home insurance and car insurance if you’re getting divorced? We’ll explain.

What to know divorce and insurance.

Where to start?

It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to your insurance situation when you’re going through a divorce. What should you do insurance-wise? You might not know where to start when it comes to your insurance situation when you’re going through a divorce. What should you do insurance-wise? You might not know where to begin. Here are a few tips for handling your insurance:

  • Take a look at all of the insurance policies that you and your spouse had.
  • Figure out the policies that you’ll need and make notes of the changes you need to make.
  • Take some time to handle health insurance for your whole family.
  • Determine if you’ll need any additional coverage.

So, take it step by step. Review your policies and remind yourself of what coverages you have and take some notes.

Home insurance.

When it comes to home insurance, this is (of course) the policy that protects the structure of your house. But what happens if one of you is moving out, leaving the other with the house? The spouse who remains will likely want to change the policy so that it only lists their name. So, that’s something that needs to happen. Another thing that needs to happen is a review of the insurance policy. Some things to look at…

  • Is the structure of the home insured for its replacement cost value?
  • Likewise, are your belongings insured for their replacement cost value and not their actual cash value.
  • Is your deductible set where you want it?
  • Have you bundled your home and auto insurance?
  • Does your coverage still fit your needs? (Have you gained any valuables, etc.?)

Anyways, it’s important to make sure that the coverage for your house still fits.

Auto insurance.

You’ll also have to handle your car insurance. It’s essential to keep the proper coverage for your vehicle, of course, as it’s what protects your car from damage and protects you from the fallout of damage that you could cause to someone else’s car…or someone. Anyways, you’ll need to make the appropriate adjustments to the policy. If you are not going to be living in the same household, you may need to get separate car insurance policies. As a part of the divorce, you’ll need to take your spouse off of your car insurance policy. You also may want to consider other coverages, such as rental reimbursement, towing, or roadside assistance, as you review your car insurance policy.

Health and life insurance.

Health insurance should be addressed in the final divorce decree. It should be made perfectly clear who’s paying for what, particularly if there are children involved – it needs to be perfectly clear as to who will provide coverage. (Typically whoever had the coverage for the kids before the divorce will carry on with providing it.) You also may want to establish who will be paying for medical expenses that aren’t reimbursed.

As far as life insurance goes, it’s important to review these policies to be sure that they’re still doing what you need them to do. It may be necessary to change beneficiaries. If you depend on your ex-spouse’s income for living expenses, you’ll need to make sure you’re still named as a beneficiary. (But check with an attorney before making changes to your beneficiaries.) The divorce decree should also explain who’s going to carry life insurance, how much, the beneficiaries, and the accrued cash values.

Pro tip: Don’t forget to close all joint accounts – this can help you avoid credit snafus later on.

Divorce is, of course, something that is emotional and stressful, and insurance is probably the last thing you want to deal with. Take things one day at a time, one policy at a time. And let us know if you need help getting your insurance quotes. If you give us a call, message us, or fill out our online form, we’d be happy to help.

8 tips for choosing a moving company in Atlanta

by
Choosing a moving company

Choosing a moving company

If you’re planning on moving, you’ve got a lot on your plate. From house-hunting to actually buying a house to selling your current place, you might be at your wit’s end. But there’s one important piece of the puzzle that deserves special attention – and that’s choosing a moving company. You have to do your research and choose the right company, and here’s how you can do that. 

Tips for choosing a moving company. 

1. Get estimates from multiple movers. 

You ought to get an estimate from several moving companies to see what kind of pricing you’re looking at. (Yes, it might be a bit of a sticker shock, but better to know early on in the game than at the last minute, right?) Keep in mind that these estimates ought to be based off an actual in-person inspection of your belongings. An online estimate or a number given over the phone is probably not going to cut it. 

2. Make sure that the mover is properly registered when choosing a moving company.

If you are moving between states, know that the moving company needs to have a USDOT Number. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has a Mover Search Tool that you can use to look into different moving companies. Make sure that the company is properly insured and that they are registered to transport household goods from state to state. (Keep in mind that if the moving company doesn’t have a USDOT Number and MC Number listed in their advertisements, that’s not a great sign.

(Now, if you aren’t moving to a different state, you can check with your state Attorney General’s office to see what you should be looking for.) 

3. Look into the moving company’s history of complaints. 

The FMCSA also allows you to look into the complaint history of the moving company. You can get an idea of what kind of experience other consumers have had when they worked with the company you’re considering. You can also look at the Better Business Bureau for more information. Don’t underestimate the importance of doing a little bit of online research from reputable sources (like the FMCSA and the BBB) before hiring a moving company. 

4. Read through the resources you need to review. 

Your mover should supply you with a pamphlet entitled “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” if you are moving to a different state. Make sure you take the time to look over this pamphlet, as it details helpful information about what to do if your belongings are lost or damaged. It also gives you an overview of the important documents you’ll have to sign.

5. Look over the documents provided by the moving company. 

It’s also important that you read over the documents provided by your moving company. The following are some of the documents you will probably see from the moving company: 

Estimate – Provides a description (in writing) of all charges and services that the mover has billed. 

Order for Service – Gives a list of all the services the mover is going to provide and gives the dates of pickup and delivery. 

Bill of Lading – The contract between you and the mover and the receipt of your belongings. (You should be given a partially completed copy before the mover leaves.) 

Inventory List – The receipt that shows every item you shipped along with its completed along with its condition. (You should get a written copy of the inventory after your belongings are loaded.) 

PRO TIP: Don’t sign documents that are blank or incomplete. 

6. Look into how your belongings will be protected. 

You also have to consider what kind of insurance will be covering your belongings. Do you want Full Value Protection for your belongings? Does your home insurance say anything about this situation? It’s important to figure out how you’re going to make sure your prized possessions are protected as they’re transported to your new home.

7. Make sure that you supervise loading and unloading. 

You’ll probably want to take care to supervise the loading and unloading process. Not that you want to be hovering or anything, but it doesn’t hurt to politely oversee what’s going on. These are your belongings, after all, and you want to make sure they are all properly packed and arrive safely at their destination. 

8. Know the “red flags” you should look out for when choosing a moving company.

It’s also a good idea to be aware of the “red flags” that should make you think twice about working with a moving company. There are a few tip-offs that should make you a little leery and make you consider taking your business elsewhere. Here are a few…

  • They don’t do an onsite inspection of your belongings.
  • They want cash or want a big deposit. 
  • They want you to sign documents that are blank or not complete. 
  • There is no written estimate (whether that estimate is binding or non-binding). 
  • They don’t give you a copy of the Your Rights and Responsibilities brochure or FMCSA’s Ready to Move brochure. (Movers are required to provide these if it is a move from one state to another.)
  • They do not have an address or registration/insurance information on their website. 
  • They claim that their insurance covers “all goods”. 
  • They don’t have a phone greeting giving the specific name of the company. 
  • The mover claims that they’ll determine the charges after they load the goods.
  • They show up with a rental truck, not a marked fleet truck or a company-owned truck.

PRO TIP: If the mover claims you have more belongings than expected, have the mover give you a revised estimate. This should list the extra items or services the mover will be providing along with a price that you both agree to and sign off on. Be sure this happens before the movers start packing or loading. (And get a copy of the revised estimate.) 

So, that’s what you need to know if you are moving! It’s important to choose your moving company carefully so that you end up working with a reputable, trustworthy mover. Of course, there are plenty of wonderful moving companies that operate with integrity, but it doesn’t hurt to do your research and protect yourself against potential scams.

Need Atlanta home insurance quotes? We would be happy to help. Get in touch with our team by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat.

Source 1 | Source 2 | Source 3

Does it cost more to insure a new car?

by
insure a new car

Buying a new car

If you are thinking about buying a new car, you might wonder if you have to worry about your car insurance rates. That new car might be very tempting and very shiny, but how much is it going to cost to insure? You’re already going to be paying a lot of money for the vehicle, after all, and you’re a bit apprehensive about what those insurance rates are going to look like. Does a new car cost more to insure? Well, insurance rates are complicated, but here are a few things that you can keep in mind.

Read more

7 tips for apartment finances

by
Apartment finances

Apartment finances

If you’re moving into your first apartment, congratulations! Getting your own place is a big deal, a true life milestone. Whether you’re moving out of your childhood home and away from your parents or you’re moving out of the college residence halls, the heady rush of freedom might seem intoxicating. But moving out is a lot, and it’s important to keep a few things in mind. Here are a few tips to set you up for success with your apartment finances.

7 tips for apartment finances.

1. Be prepared for apartment expenses you’ll face as you move in.

There are a lot of apartment-related expenses you’ll have to cover as you move into your own place. First of all, you’ll probably have to pay an application fee. Then you’ll have to contend with what sort of deposit you’ll have to face. You’ll likely have to pay a safety deposit (which could be one month’s rent) and you will likely have to pay the first month’s rent. You may even have to pay last month’s rent (which would be unfortunate). We say this not to burst your bubble, but to prepare you for that reality. You might not expect the price tag of getting into your dream apartment.

2. Understand that you’ll need to budget for a shopping spree.

Another expense you’ll have to plan for is getting any “extras” you want to turn your apartment into a home. For example, you might need some furniture. Towels. Linens. Cooking supplies. Clearing stuff. A lamp or two. Garbage cans. Decorative throw pillows. These things are apartment essentials, and they’ll also require, well, money. You’ll have to give yourself a budget for furnishing your apartment and turning it into your living space. Make a plan for buying the things you’ll need – being organized can help you avoid overspending. You don’t want to be caught off-guard when all of a sudden you have to spend a bunch of money on necessities.

3. Have a budget for your apartment finances.

So, the first tips (and some of the following) relate to budgeting and knowing where your money is going to go. Your budget should incorporate the monthly expenses you’ll have. You have to consider your income; a Forbes article explains that in general, about 1/3 of your income will go to rent, 1/3 to food and other living expenses (including having fun!), and 1/3 will go to savings. Anyways, you have to crunch some numbers, including rent, utilities, and even parking and gas…oh, and car insurance, speaking of cars. (And don’t forget things like your streaming services and Internet service, plus your phone bill.)  Sorry – we’re probably not helping.

4. Research pet-friendly apartments.

Whether you already have a fluffy buddy you’ll be taking with you (cat, dog, rabbit, what have you) or you’re looking forward to adopting one as soon as you’ve settled into your new place, you’ll need to make sure your apartment building is pet-friendly. A lot of places will have an additional fee for pets, so that’s another cost you’ll have to add to your rent.

Pro tip: Don’t overlook the other expenses associated with pets. Food, treats, kitty litter or doggie mess bags, toys, leashes, a carrier, a pet bed, and those adorable little pet clothes that you won’t be able to resist all cost money. As do vet bills…

5. Know how much movers are going to cost.

You’re probably going to need some movers to help you get your stuff to your new place. The thing is that movers also charge money – you do have to pay them. However you’re going to be transporting your furniture and belongings, you need to factor those expenses into the whole moving endeavor and your apartment finances.

6. Save up ahead of time for your apartment finances.

Before you move out, you need to set yourself up for success by saving up some money. It’s not a bad idea to have a comfortable little cushion before you strike out on your own and move into your own place. (That’s essentially what all of these tips have been building up to.) Think about all of the initial fees you’ll have to cover, and consider how much your rent is. Make sure that you’ll comfortably be able to afford a few months’ rent so you don’t end up getting stressed if funds are tight. Being able to build up savings is a great life skill to have, anyways.

(Also, you have to be conscious of your move-out date if you’re leaving one apartment complex for another. If your move-in date for the new place is before the move-out date of the old place, you may end up juggling two rents for a little bit before everything sorts itself out.)

7. Consider renters’ insurance.

If you’ve got your own place and you’re responsible for your own belongings, you probably want to protect them. That’s where renters’ insurance comes in – it can help protect your belongings against things like fire and theft. Your landlord’s insurance doesn’t really protect your belongings, so that’s why you may want to consider renters’ insurance. Don’t fret – you may be able to bundle it with your car insurance.

And it’s a lot to handle insurance on your own, which is why our team of agents makes insurance easy, We can assist you with your insurance needs – all you have to do is fill out our online form, give us a call, or message us on LiveChat.

Source 1 | Source 2

6 tips for Atlanta college student car insurance

by
Atlanta college student car insurance

Atlanta college student car insurance

If you’re a college student, you’re probably discovering a lot of freedom – and a lot of responsibilities. Along with being able to eat pizza at 3 a.m., you have to take care of grown-up things – one of which is car insurance. Sure, being in college and being independent is great and all, but maybe you wish you weren’t quite so independent when it comes to getting your auto insurance. Where do you even start? It might seem overwhelming, but here are a few tips for getting Atlanta college student car insurance.

6 tips for Atlanta college student car insurance.

1. Drive safe.

We know, we know – you’ve heard it a million times. Don’t speed, don’t text and drive, try not to hit things, and all that good stuff. But these things have consequences that go beyond just getting a ticket and/or having to pay a hefty fine. You may end up paying quite a bit more for your car insurance. If you drive safe and keep a clean driving record, it can put you in a better insurance situation. That’s how being a safe driver can pay off – you can get lower insurance premiums.

2. Ask about college student car insurance discounts.

Okay, if you’re a student, funds might be a little tight. School is expensive, room and board is expensive, food is expensive. And insurance for young drivers is typically pretty expensive. However, you may be eligible for college student car insurance discounts. Here are a few discounts you may want to look into.

Good Student: A student who makes good grades may qualify for a Good Student Discount. You’ll probably have to provide some proof of said good grades – i.e. a transcript.

Away at School: If you’re attending school a certain distance away from home – for example, 100 miles – and you don’t bring a car, you might get an away-at-school discount. That could come in handy, so check with your parents if you’re still on their policy and see if that’s something that could help you out.

Bundling: If you have a car and an apartment, you may want to think about bundling your car insurance and your renters insurance. (All this means is you’re getting both coverages from the same insurance company.)

Pay-in-full: In the long run, you may be able to save money by paying for your policy upfront. Yes, it’s a big payment, but it could be less expensive than paying in installments if you get a pay-in-full discount. Just something to consider – of course, you have to do what’s best for your budget.

These are just a few car insurance discounts you can qualify for as a college student. Don’t forget to ask about your discounts and what savings you could be eligible for.

3. Understand what coverages you need.

First thing to know about car insurance – there are a lot of different coverages out there and they all do different things. Of course, they all protect you, just in different ways. It can help to have a working knowledge of these coverages so you’re prepared when you get the car insurance you need. Here are the basic coverages you should know about.

Bodily injury liability – It’s really important to have bodily injury liability coverage because it can cover the other driver’s medical expenses and lost wages if they’re injured in an accident in which you’re at fault.

Property damage – Can cover repairs to the other driver’s car (or other property you happen to damage) if you’re at fault in an accident.

Collision coverage – Can cover repairs to your car if you are in an accident or you hit something, like a fence.

Comprehensive coverage – Can cover repairs to your car if it’s damaged by something other than an accident, like fire, falling objects, animal strike, and vandalism. (It can also cover theft.)

Rental reimbursement – Can help cover the cost of renting a car if your car is in the shop due to an accident.

Medical payments – Can help cover your medical bills and those of your passengers if you’re injured in an accident.

These are some of the coverages you can consider as part of your car insurance plan. Well, to be honest, you’re required to have some of them. The State of Georgia requires you to have $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per occurrence, and $25,000 of property damage liability. And if you have a car payment, your lender may require you to carry collision and comprehensive coverage. Anyways, make sure that you have the coverage you need and that you have high enough coverage limits to truly protect you.

4. Think about bundling your car insurance and renters insurance.

Something you might want to think about is bundling your renters insurance and your car insurance, which we mentioned earlier. Yes, this could indeed help you save money, but it also gives you the convenience of being able to deal with only one insurance carrier. Look into bundling and see if this seems like a good strategy for your situation. That way you could set yourself up to save money and un-complicate your insurance.

5. Resist the impulse to procrastinate.

True, insurance isn’t something that most people enjoy having to deal with. And that means that you might have the urge to procrastinate when it comes to getting your car insurance taken care of. But – not to nag or anything – you might want to be proactive and not wait until the last minute to get college student car insurance. If you give yourself time, you spare yourself a headache, for starters. But you also give yourself more time to look into various insurance options so you can choose the one that suits your needs and situation (and perhaps budget).

6. Get multiple quotes for Atlanta college student car insurance.

Getting multiple quotes for your college student car insurance might seem like a lot of work, but it can pay off to keep your options open and compare different quotes. You don’t have to do that all on your own, though – our team can help you with that. We can help you get multiple quotes. In fact, our team of agents are pretty good at that, if we say so ourselves.

Here’s how it works.

1. You reach out to us over the phone, with our online form, or through LiveChat. If you need to email or text, we can do that, too.

2. We have a quick talk about your insurance situation.

3. We’ll get you some car insurance quotes.

4. We go over your quotes with you.

5. We’ll be here to handle any issues or questions that come up.

So, that’s what you need to know about college student car insurance! Insurance might seem intimidating and scary, but we like to make insurance as easy as possible. Our team can help you through the process of getting car insurance – get started with your quotes by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat.

What’s happening with Georgia HB 113 about distracted driving?

by
HB 113

HB 113

Georgia passed a broad distracted driving law a few years ago in an effort to reduce distracted driving. The law prohibits drivers from handling their phones (i.e. texting or holding the phone) behind the wheel. The 2018 distracted driving law meant that Georgia joined several other states in their missions to target this issue. But there is a new bill on the horizon that has revealed that this issue is not cut and dry – HB 113. There are different opinions on the matter.

What is HB 113?

A State House of Representative Committee recently backpedaled a proposal that would have affected the fines for distracted driving. The original HB 113 (sponsored by Rep. John Carson) would have made the fines increase. The maximum fine for a first offense would have risen to $100 from $50, and the fine for a second offense would have gone to $200. A third offense would have meant a fine of $300.

However, what actually happened was a little different. The committee okayed a substitute bill, sponsored by Rep. Alan Powell. The fine for distracted driving would be between $25 and $100 according to the judge’s decision, no matter how many previous distracted driving citations the driver had. The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee also added a stipulation that forbids drivers under the age of 18 from using electronics while driving.

What happened with HB 113.

Georgia lawmakers appear to disagree on how to prevent and reduce instances of distracted driving, though safety professionals have said that distracted driving has fueled a rise in traffic deaths.

Rep. John Carson, who sponsored the original version of HB 113, believes that higher fines are needed to dissuade drivers from using electronics behind the wheel. Carson’s proposal of steeper fines for distracted driving was met with approval from police, hospitals, insurance, and traffic safety groups, as well as those who have lost loved ones in distracted driving accidents.

But Powell believes that the fines are too much, which is why he supported the substitute bill. He expressed concern that the proposed fines in HB 113 would be too difficult for some people to pay. He believes that because people follow Georgia’s seatbelt law though the fine is only $15, the distracted driving fines do not need to be so high. (Powell’s version of the bill also gets rid of additional fines that could be added on for the Georgia Trauma Trust Fund.)

HB 113 and teen drivers.

The substitute bill also added a measure that would prevent teen drivers (those under age 18) from using electronics while driving. This was part of Georgia’s anti-texting law until the distracted driving law passed in 2018. (Essentially, this measure would add that restriction back for teen drivers.) Carson is in favor of this measure, but he pointed out in an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article that this could also prove to be a point of division among lawmakers and could even threaten the bill’s chances.

The revised bill from Powell was approved by a vote of 7-4.

Get car insurance quotes.

If you need quotes for Atlanta car insurance, we can help with that. Get started with your quotes by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat.

Source:

https://www.ajc.com/news/state–regional-govt–politics/panel-revises-georgia-distracted-driving-bill-reduce-proposed-fines/fmopuyyOh7H3XT6TjMjDgN/

What is property damage liability insurance?

by
Property damage liability

Property damage liability

If you’re a driver, you need to have the proper insurance. It’s really important that you have the right insurance to legally hit the roads in Georgia, and one of the coverages that you’ll need is property damage liability coverage. What’s that, you ask? Property damage liability is the coverage that can help you if you’re responsible for, well, damaging someone’s property. We’ll explain more about this coverage, including what it does, what it doesn’t do, and how much of it you need to have.

What is property damage liability?

Property damage liability is the coverage that can help repair the other driver’s car if you’re at fault in an accident. (For example, if you rear-end someone and cause $1,500 of damage to their car.) In that way, it helps you cover your legal obligation to the other driver. It can also help you out if you accidentally take out a fence or mailbox or something. Oh, and it can help you cover legal expenses if you get sued. Pretty cool, huh?

Am I required to have property damage liability?

Yes. Most states require drivers to carry property damage liability insurance, and Georgia is no exception. In Georgia, drivers have to carry $25,000 of property damage liability at least. It’s really important that you carry the limits of insurance required by the state. Not doing so can be a big problem.

(Now, while we’re on the topic of Georgia car insurance requirements, we’ll touch briefly on another coverage that the state mandates that drivers carry: bodily injury liability. This is the coverage that can help cover the costs of the other driver’s medical bills and lost wages. Georgia says that drivers have to carry $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 of bodily injury liability per occurrence.)

Anyway, that means that the minimum limits of insurance in Georgia are $25,000/$50,000/$25,000. (The first number is the per person bodily injury liability limit, the second number is the per occurrence bodily injury liability limit, and the last number is the property damage liability limit.) Keep in mind that you might want to have higher limits of coverage – the state limits might not be high enough to cover the fallout from a serious accident.

What about my car?

When it comes to insurance coverages, things can get complicated.

You might wonder how your own car would get repaired in the event of an accident in which you’re at fault. Property damage liability can help repair the other driver’s car, but what about your own vehicle? You need your car to get yourself where you need to go.

The thing is that your property damage liability doesn’t cover your car – it’ll only take care of the other driver’s car. But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. There’s a different coverage that can help – collision coverage.

Collision coverage can help you repair your car following an accident – or if you run into something like a fence. That’s how you can get your car back on the road after an accident, even if you’re technically at fault. So, if you’ve got collision coverage, you can hopefully get your car insurance take care of the repair bill (minus your deductible).

Okay, so you might now wonder this – are you required to have collision coverage? It’s a good question. If you have a lender and a car payment, they may require you to carry collision coverage and its buddy, comprehensive coverage. Anyways, it’s really important that you carry the necessary coverage, both as mandated by the state and by your lender. And, as we always say, it’s important to read your car insurance policy.

So, that’s the scoop on how property damage liability works. Like we said, it’s important to have the right car insurance. If you’re looking for Atlanta car insurance quotes, we can help. Get started with your quotes by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat. Our team would be happy to get your some quotes for the auto insurance you need.

10 tips for apartment hunting in Atlanta

by
Apartment hunting in Atlanta

Apartment hunting in Atlanta

If you’re apartment hunting in Atlanta, you might feel a little overwhelmed. There are a lot of possibilities, and it can be hard to know where to start. Atlanta has a lot to offer. Deciding where to live is a big thing. We’ve got a few tips for searching for an apartment in the city, whether you’re moving to Atlanta or you’re just relocating within the city.

10 tips for apartment hunting in Atlanta.

1. Know your move-in date.

It’s important that you know when your move-in date will be. It seems like a small thing, but the first step is knowing when you need to be moved and how flexible you are with your move-in date. Do you need to be moved in by a specific date, or do you have a window of a couple weeks? (This could become important if you’re moving out of another place if they have a specific date they want you out of your old place.) Anyways – the details are important.

2. Know the city.

There are a lot of different neighborhoods in Atlanta, a lot of different places where you can get your apartment. Do you want to be in Buckhead? What about Druid Hills? How about Brookhaven? Or would you like to live in Decatur? Or would you like the hustle and bustle of Midtown? (Of course, the location that you’re looking at might depend on things like where you’ll be working.) Anyways, it might be helpful to do a little bit of research into the different neighborhoods so you know where to start your apartment hunting in Atlanta.

3. Know what kind of apartment is going to suit your needs.

The next thing is that you need to have an idea of what kind of apartment you’re looking for. Would you like a studio apartment? A one-bedroom? Two-bedroom? (This might depend on your budget, whether you’ll have roommates, etc.) But still – if you’re trying to narrow your search, you need to know what you’re looking for. It’s important to know what sort of place will suit your needs.

4. Know what your price range is.

Then you have to know what sort of price range you’re looking at. You have to think not only about the rent and such, but what the utilities are going to cost and what other monthly expenses you have to consider. Don’t forget to factor all of these things into your budgeting concerns.

5. Know what kind of amenities you need.

It’s also a good idea to have an idea of what sort of amenities you’re looking for. For example, is there a fitness center? What is the laundry situation – are there washers and dryers in the apartment? What sort of appliances are going to be available to you? Do you want there to be a pool at your apartment complex? This can also help you narrow down your list and the search.

6. Decide if you’re going to have a roommate.

You also have to think about whether you want a roommate or not – this can affect the kind of apartment you’re looking for. If you are going to have a roommate or roommates, you should look at the places together when you’ve narrowed down the list of apartments that you want to see. That way you all see the same apartments and you’re all on the same page.

And that leads us quite neatly into our next point…

7. Prioritize the places you want to see in person.

You have to prioritize the apartments you want to see in person. You can’t see all of the places in the city. So, once you start narrowing down your list of apartments from your online research, create a plan for which places you want to see in-person. Decide which places are the top priority.

8. Write stuff down.

It’s also a good idea to take notes so that you can distinguish the different places you visit in your mind. Whether you want to use a physical notebook and pen or type things into your phone, have a system for taking notes. Take note of relevant details about each place so that you can jog your memory later on, when you’re really narrowing down the places that could be contenders for where you want to live.

9. Think about transportation.

It’s also important to consider transportation. Are you going to be taking MARTA? Think about the proximity of your apartment complex to a station. Do you have a car? Think about the parking situation at the complexes you’re considering. How are you going to get around the city?

10. Think about renter’s insurance.

Another thing to consider when you’re apartment hunting is renters insurance. Why should you think about renters insurance, you ask? Well, because it can protect your personal belongings from losses like fire and theft, and it can provide you with liability coverage. (Your landlord’s insurance doesn’t protect your belongings, by the way. It just…doesn’t.)

Not quite sure how to get renters insurance? We can help! Our team would be happy to help you get renters insurance quotes. Get started with your Atlanta renters insurance quotes by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat.

Source:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/rent/2014/11/15/9-tips-for-an-efficient-apartment-search/#714cb6e610d5

3 places of liability for homeowners (and how to manage them)

by

Homeowners need to be aware of some areas that create liability risk for them. We live in a world that loves lawsuits, after all, and it’s important that you’re aware of those things so you can take steps to reduce the risk of someone getting hurt on your property. Of course, helping others avoid pain and injury is the top priority, but you can also save yourself a lot of grief (and money) by reducing liability at your house.

Look out for these potential sources of risk.

1. Trampolines and pools.

The things that can provide endless summer entertainment for the kids can also present a pretty big risk – specifically, we’re talking about trampolines and swimming pools. These are known as “attractive nuisances” because they draw people to them. Small kids can be especially susceptible, as they aren’t super aware of the potential dangers posed by these seemingly fun things. And the thing is, if a child were to sneak their way to your pool or trampoline and get hurt, you could be responsible. (And yes, you could be liable even if you weren’t aware that the child was on your property.)

This is why insurance companies aren’t too enthusiastic about insuring homes with “attractive nuisances”. However, some insurance companies will extend liability coverage for your pool. If you have a trampoline, you will likely need to have a sturdy safety net around the trampoline so no one accidentally falls off. Just be aware of that.

2. Your driveway, steps, and walkway.

Okay, so your driveway might not seem as treacherous or dangerous as a trampoline or pool. But trips and falls do happen (we’ve all faceplanted at one point or another). If there are cracks in the pavement on your driveway or if you have an uneven step, someone could take a fall. And humans aren’t indestructible, so something as simple as a fall could cause major damage.

3. Dogs.

Dogs are great, let’s make no mistake about that. But they can increase your liability risk. Insurance companies tend to get concerned about the potential for a dog bite claim. They worry about certain breeds more than others. Truly it’s nothing personal about your dog. It’s about risk.

Lower your risk.

Let’s take a look at each of these sources of liability and go over ways you can manage your risk.

The pool.

  • Have a safety fence.
  • Make sure to supervise people.
  • Keep life-saving equipment on-hand.
  • No running/roughhousing.
  • Take CPR and lifeguarding classes.
  • Have rules posted clearly at your pool.
  • Get your kids in swimming lessons taught by a certified teacher.
  • When the pool isn’t in use, cover it.
  • Be careful if you’re hosting a party. If there’s alcohol, make sure you have designated “supervisors”

The trampoline.

  • Supervise all trampoline-goers.
  • Only let one person jump at a time.
  • Remove the ladder when the trampoline isn’t being used.
  • Don’t allow flips.
  • Make sure springs, hooks, etc. are covered with safety padding.
  • Don’t forget the safety netting.
  • Place the trampoline on stable ground.

The driveway.

Maintaining your driveway and sidewalk is a necessary task. You need to make sure there are no holes or cracks that present a tripping hazard. Your front steps should be even so they don’t present a trip trap. If someone falls on brick, stone, or concrete, they’ll probably not be unscathed.

The dog.

You need to pay attention to your dog. Make sure your dog is exposed to various environments with people and dogs when they’re young so they get properly socialized. Also, be sure to train your dog to have positive, non-aggressive behavior. Make sure they walk well on the leash and make sure they know to listen to you. Spaying and neutering can help make a dog less prone to wandering, and it can help curb aggression towards both humans and other dogs.

Do you want higher limits of liability insurance?

Homeowners with a pool, trampoline, or dog may want to think about getting higher limits of liability coverage. It can’t hurt to find out how your rate would change if you added liability coverage. It might not drive up your premium by that much. You can also think about getting an umbrella policy, which sits on top of your underlying liability policy and gives coverage that extends above and beyond the coverage on your underlying policy.

Homeowners have to be aware of their risk of liability and they need to know how to reduce that risk, but it’s also important to have the right home insurance policy to both protect your home and cover your liability. Get in touch with our team to get started with home insurance quotes. You can get started with home insurance quotes by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat.