Auto Insurance

Buying a car is a big purchase. There’s a lot you have to consider when you decide to get a new vehicle, and it can be a time-consuming process. As evidenced by Atlanta traffic, many people in the city and metro areas need cars to get around. Public transit in Atlanta…well, they tried. Anyways, you want to make sure you’re completely happy with your new ride, after all, because if you’re not…well, that’s unfortunate. You might just be stuck with that car for a while. Anyways, we’ve got a few tips for buying a car in Atlanta.

8 tips for buying a car in Atlanta

1. Know your budget.

Well, first things first, right? You need to know how much you’re willing to spend on your car. It’s a good idea to know what your price range is when you’re going in. That way you might be able to avoid falling in love with a car, only to find that it’s not exactly realistic. That only leads to heartbreak. So, protect your heart – and your bank account – by knowing what’s going to work out for you money-wise.

2. Do your research.

When you’re buying a car, you need to make sure the car is going to suit your needs. Consider what you’re going to be using the car for. Are you going to be commuting a ways for work? Or are you looking for a vehicle to drive the kids around? Think about what kind of car will make the most sense for you.

This can give you a place to start when you’re thinking about what kind of car you want to get. Do you want a sedan? An SUV? A van? A crossover? (Or maybe start simpler – do you want a small car or a big car?) Once you’ve got an idea of the kind of car you want, you can start considering make and model.

Next is thinking about other details. What are the safety and crash ratings of the car you’re thinking about? Is the car a reliable one? (Since you probably want your car to last you a while, safety and reliability are kind of important.) Do some reading up on the types of cars you’re thinking about. You can also ask friends and family about the cars they drive – maybe they happen to drive a car that you like, or maybe they once had the same make and model of car that you’re thinking about.

Okay. If you have a general idea of the make and model of car you want, you also have to decide whether you want to buy a new car or a used car. Would you rather have a brand spanking new vehicle, or are you okay with one that’s gently used with a few miles on it? (This may make a difference in the price you’ll pay for the car – keep that in mind.) There are pros and cons to both a new car and a used car.

Phew. That’s a lot of things to consider…and it doesn’t end there.

Now comes the super fun part – price. Since buying a car is a big thing, you want to make sure you’re getting a fair price. And that means you need to do yet more research to find out what’s a good price for the year, make, and model of the car you’re considering. You’ll have an idea of how much you need to be prepared to pay when you go to actually purchase the vehicle. That way you know if the car salesperson is giving you a price that’s decent or a price that’s ridiculous. Even if you really want the car, you might need to be patient if it means saving some money. (You also might want to compare the price of getting a used car versus getting a new car – will you save a significant amount by getting a car that’s a year or two old?)

Pro tip: If you’re getting a used car, you might want to take it to a trusted mechanic to have a once-over to make sure everything’s okay.

3. Consider how you want to finance the car.

Okay, unless you’re absolutely rolling in money or you’ve been saving up for quite a while, you’re probably thinking that you’re going to need to get a loan for the car.

Check out some different options to get the money to buy the car. Do you want to finance the car through the dealership, or do you want to take out a loan from your bank? What’s going to be the best game plan in the long run? There’s more than one way to finance a car.

4. Do some test drives.

It’s also important to test drive different vehicles. That way you can decide on the make and model that works best for you. Reading about a car online might give you an idea of what it’s like, but that’s not the same as actually being able to see the car itself – or taking the wheel and going for a test drive. You need to see how the car handles.

And when you’re ready to buy a car, you might want to test drive the specific vehicle that you’re going to purchase. (That way you can see if it has any issues and if it handles the way you thought it would.)

5. Consider going to different dealerships.

If you’re not finding what you’re looking for at the dealership you visit, go to a different one. Find out what dealerships are in your area and maybe plan to go to a few of them before you get your car. You never know – you might be able to get a vehicle with different features.

6. Be prepared to negotiate.

You’ve got to be prepared to negotiate when you walk into a dealership. It can be a little scary, so don’t let yourself get pushed around and don’t get pressured into buying a car that you’re not 100% sold on. It can be intimidating, so go into it knowing that you can walk away. (Also – don’t be afraid to walk away if it doesn’t seem like you’re going to get a good price.) The negotiation process can be a bit of a rigmarole and a little back and forth. Try not to get too flustered. And remember – they can’t force you to buy a car. It’s your money.

7. Don’t forget car insurance.

There’s another expense you have to remember when you’re buying a car: auto insurance. You can’t avoid it. The state of Georgia requires drivers to carry $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per occurrence, and $25,000 of property damage liability. At any rate, it’s important to have a game plan for insuring your new car and to familiarize yourself with the coverages you might need. We’ll give a brief overview of some different coverages.

• Bodily injury liability: Helps cover the other driver’s medical expenses and pain and suffering if you’re at fault in an accident. (Can also help with your legal expenses if you get sued.)
• Property damage liability: Helps cover the repairs or replacement of the other driver’s car if you’re at fault in an accident – and may help replace other property you might damage, i.e. a fence.
• Collision coverage: Helps repair or replace YOUR car if you’re in an accident or if you hit something.
• Comprehensive coverage: Helps repair or replace YOUR car if it’s damaged by something other than an accident. Losses covered typically include fire, theft, vandalism, animal strike, and falling objects, i.e. a tree branch.
• Uninsured/Underinsured motorist: Helps you out if you’re hit by a driver without insurance (uninsured) or without enough insurance to cover the damages of the accident (underinsured).
• Rental reimbursement: Helps cover the cost of a rental car if your car is damaged in an accident and needs to be in the shop.
• Medical payments: Helps cover your medical bills and those of your passengers if you’re in a car wreck.

Note: You may be required to carry collision and comprehensive coverage if you’ve got a car payment and a lender.

8. Think about gap insurance.

Now. If you’re buying a new car, you might also want to think about gap insurance.

Here’s the thing:

The value of a car depreciates rapidly. It’s just a fact. So, if you’ve taken out a loan to pay for your car, you might end up owing more on the loan than your car is worth. If your car is totaled, you’ll probably only get the Actual Cash Value of the vehicle at the time of the loss – meaning its depreciated value. And, as we said, that amount might be smaller than the amount you owe on your loan – in which case, you’d have a bit of a sticky situation on your hands.

But that’s where gap insurance comes in. It can help you out if you find yourself in the pickle of having a loan balance that’s greater than the value of your car.

For example, let’s say you take out a $28,000 loan to pay for your car. You’re paying it off. You owe $26,000 on the loan and the vehicle is worth $24,000 when you’re in a bad wreck and the car is totaled. That $2,000 is the “gap” we’re talking about here. (Well, it actually stands for guaranteed asset protection, but gap just makes sense.)

Okay. At this point, you might be asking yourself if you’re still set on buying a car. It seems exhausting. But it’s worth it. If you take your time and remember to be patient, you’ll be cruising along in your cool new ride in no time.

And if you need insurance for that new car, we can help. Give us a call, message us on LiveChat, or fill out our online quote form and we’ll be happy to help you get the coverage you need to protect yourself and your new baby.

So, car insurance is a thing. It’s just something you can’t avoid if you want to drive on Atlanta’s streets. And the problem is that it’s a hit to your wallet when you have to cough over the money for your car insurance premium. So, why is that necessary? Why do you need to get car insurance? Well, there are plenty of good reasons, and we’re going to go over four of them.

Why do I need to get car insurance?

1. It’s the law.

States require drivers to carry certain amounts of car insurance. It’s just the law. Georgia, for example, mandates drivers to carry $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per occurrence, and $25,000 property damage liability. These requirements for limits of insurance are meant to protect other drivers on the road from, well, you.

Bodily injury liability can help cover the other driver’s medical bills and pain and suffering if you’re at-fault in an accident, while property damage liability can help with the repairs or replacement of the car. (Basically, it helps you cover your legal obligation to the other driver if you injure them or damage their car in an accident.)

If you don’t have proper car insurance and you get pulled over or cause an accident, you could have some major trouble on your hands.

(Note that we didn’t mention anything about liability insurance protecting your car…because it doesn’t. We’ll get to that in a minute.)

So that’s one (but really two) good reasons why you need car insurance: because it’s the law and because it can help you help those that you could injure in an accident.

2. Car insurance can help you repair your vehicle if it’s damaged by a covered loss.

If you have collision and comprehensive coverage, your car insurance can help you repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged by a covered loss. (Remember, your liability insurance only helps you cover your obligation to the other driver if you’re at fault in an accident – it won’t cover damages to your car. It also won’t help you if your car is damaged by something other than a collision, like fire.)

So, that’s why you ought to consider having collision and comprehensive coverage.

Collision coverage – Helps you repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged in a wreck or by a, well, collision with something.

Comprehensive coverage – Helps repair or replace your car if something other than a collision damages it. Some losses that can be covered are: fire, theft, animal strike, vandalism, and falling objects (i.e. a tree branch.)

While Georgia technically doesn’t require you to have collision and comprehensive coverage, it’s definitely something to think about. It can be a real financial safety net if some sort of calamity befalls your car. Don’t overlook it – your car is a huge financial investment, after all. So, there’s another reason why you need car insurance.

3. Your lender/lienholder may require you to carry collision and comprehensive coverage.

If you have a lender or lienholder for your car (the people who ask politely for money for your car payment) they may require you to have collision and comprehensive coverage for your car. That makes sense – they want to make sure the car they helped you pay for is protected. It’s important that you know what their requirements are and that you get the insurance they want you to have.

4. With UM/UIM coverage, you can be protected if you’re hit by a driver without insurance or without enough insurance.

Let’s say that you’re involved in a car accident and the other driver is at fault. The only problem is that they don’t have enough insurance to cover all of your medical bills resulting from an accident – they’re underinsured. Or what if they don’t have insurance – they’re uninsured. With uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM coverage), your car insurance can help you if the driver who hit you doesn’t have enough insurance (or any insurance) to cover all of your medical bills or the total cost of the accident. (Even if the driver has the legal, required limits of car insurance, those minimum limits might not be enough to cover all the costs of an accident.) As we all know, hospital and medical expenses can be quite astronomical. With UM/UIM coverage, you could get some help covering those bills.

So, those are four compelling reasons to get car insurance. Not only is it the law, but it’s also a financial safety net. Get started with car insurance quotes by filling out our online quote form, messaging us on LiveChat, or calling us.

The summer means it’s the official start to RV season. The South is full of wide-open spaces and scenic routes that are perfect for stopping to smell the flowers. With so much beautiful scenery, it can be daunting to narrow down your next road trip destination. So, here are the top 10 places to RV around Georgia if you love the great outdoors!

10 places to RV around Georgia

1. Cloudland Canyon in Rising Fawn, GA

Cloudland Canyon has been one of the more popular picks for Georgia travel guides lately, and for good reason. Along with its stunning waterfalls and picturesque view of the North Georgia mountains, its hiking trails offer a challenging trek while providing breathtaking views. However, the canyon offers trails for every level of outdoor enthusiast, including the Overlook Trail, Waterfalls Trail, and the West Rim Loop.

In addition to its 72 tent, trailer, and RV campsites, visitors also have the option to book a stay in the park yurts. With activities like canyon climbing, caving, and horseback riding, a trip to Cloudland Canyon is sure to awaken and excite your inner adventurer.

2. Tallulah Gorge in Tallulah Falls, GA

Tallulah Falls has also been a popular pick as a place to RV around Georgia. The state park lies only a few miles west of where the Savannah and Chattooga Rivers meet to define the Georgia/South Carolina border.

Hikers can obtain a permit to trek the gorge floor, or they may test their skills on the sliding rock trail or the Hurricane Falls staircase. If a leisurely nature walk is more of your thing, the gorge has tons of other hiking trails along its rim, including the suspension bridge.

There are also tons of activities to partake in for a weekend getaway. You can try your hand at archery or take your family on a scavenger hunt with the gorge’s geocaching locations. There are also plenty of water features where you’re free to fish, swim, picnic, paddleboat, and white-water kayak to your heart’s content.

After you’ve had your fill of the great outdoors, it’s only a short trip to nearby towns Blairsville, Dahlonega, and Helen, which have tons of interesting exhibits showing off some Georgia history. Dahlonega even has a Gold Museum!

3. Cumberland Island in St. Mary’s, GA

Cumberland Island also makes our list of places to RV around Georgia. If you’re more of a coastal voyager, Cumberland Island offers tons of RV options to quench your thirst for adventure. While the island itself is undeveloped, there are tons of RV campsites near the ferry. The island also has a Leave No Trace policy, which makes for a gorgeous way to experience the seashore and Cumberland Island’s rich, and untouchable history as Georgia’s biggest barrier island.

Take a boat tour with Crooked River State Park or find tons of other places to park that offer activities like biking, boating, fishing, geocaching, and even mini golf! Learn a ton about nature around the Georgia coast at a wildlife reserve or just walk along Cumberland’s beach to catch a glimpse of the wild crabs, tortoises, herons, deer, or horses. You can even dive deep into the history of the island, from the Native American tribes that lived nearby to the Carnegie family and the island’s role in Southern history as a whole.

4. Jekyll Island in Glynn County, GA

Jekyll Island is a favorite for nature enthusiasts, whether they’re venturing out on their own or with a local school group. The island has tons of activities and trails to keep your weekend occupied.

Learn about the historic district through a golf cart tour, the island archives, or Mosaic, Jekyll’s official museum. Or take a peek at the numerous forms of wildlife found in the forests, beaches, and wildlife reserves. Even if you want to sidestep the beautiful beaches, take a stroll over to Horton Pond or glimpse a sea creature at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

5. H. Stephens State Park in Crawfordville, GA

If you want to sneak away to a hidden gem this summer, take an RV ride over to Crawfordville, GA for a camping trip in A.H. Stephens State Park. There’s tons of history to take in and unique activities for the whole family.

This park is more for the easy-going camper who just wants to get away from it all, especially when you consider that Crawfordville is a “dark zone.” This means that the stars shine brightly almost every night without light pollution. So, you can count the constellations without interruption after a day of hiking, biking, and horseback riding in a quiet town.

6. DeSoto Falls near Helen, GA

Rumor has it that a piece of the armor of the explorer, Hernando de Soto, was found near the falls, giving the location its historic name. But whether you visit for the history or the views, you can bet you’ll have a breathtaking experience at DeSoto Falls.

The trail through the Chattahoochee National Forest to the legendary falls is lined with stunning rhododendrons. It’s fit for hiking for the whole family. The entire hike is relatively easy, so even your furry friend may be able to enjoy the walk to the park’s two waterfalls and nearby creeks, shaded by the beautiful canopy of trees along the way. And therefore DeSoto Falls makes our list of places to RV around Georgia.

7. Racoon Mountain in Chattanooga, TN

Racoon Mountain in Chattanooga also makes our list of places to RV around Georgia. If you’re up for going a bit off of the beaten path and outside of the state borders to frolic through some foliage, Raccoon Mountain Caverns & Campground might be the RV destination for you. Not only can you take in spectacular views of the Tennessee mountains, but the campgrounds offer opportunities to pan for gems! Not to mention that the area around the mountain is a state-designated wildlife observation area.

The Raccoon Mountains offer playgrounds and seasonal pools for your family outing, but there are also cavern tours and swinging/hiking bridge trails to tap into your inner mountaineer. This particular campsite is also close to other popular hiking sights such as Ruby Falls and Lookout Mountain. Plus, if you want to extend your adventure to the city of Chattanooga, there are tons of attractions that the nearby city has to offer.

8. Noccalula Falls in Gadsden, AL

Whether you know it as Black Creek Falls or Noccalula Falls, the legend of love stays the same and stays prevalent in this scenic Alabama location. The entire park emits energy of love and awe, whether that’s for your loved one, yourself, or just the beauty of nature.

You can take a walk on the wild side with 5 miles of crushed stone hiking and biking trails or take part in a bit of living history with the Falls’ theatrical production of The Noccalula Experience. The park also offers mini golf and various couples’ packages if you have a few passengers tagging along for your out-of-town RV ride.

9. Black Mountain in Pisgah Forest, NC

North Carolina is no stranger to beautiful natural scenery, but Black Mountain takes the cake! Black Mountain is considered the Cradle of Forestry. So, take advantage of the access to the Heritage site or hike up tons of hiking trail options near this part of the Appalachian Trail. The park’s campgrounds are also near the South Toe River. So, if you want a cool way to cool off, check out their options for swimming, fly fishing, and tubing as well! And that’s why Black Mountain makes our list of places to RV around Georgia.

10. Table Rock State Park in Pickens, SC

Last, but not least, Table Rock State Park can be one for the RV books – especially in fall. The view of color-changing trees far and wide can make the trek to the top of the mountain all the more worth it.

Of course, there are tons of sights to see year-round, including the park’s waterfalls and the 80-mile Foothills Trail that leads to various other state parks in South Carolina. The park also hosts a “Music on the Mountain” bluegrass concert every second Saturday of the month. Plus, Table Rock hosts various events and activities like birding, fishing, and kayak rentals throughout the entire year.

So, that concludes our list of 10 places to RV around Georgia. How’s that for a start to your summer RVing road map? Remember, before you hit the road, make sure you have the right insurance coverage for your RV. That way, you’ll be protected from whatever adventure comes your way. Call our auto insurance professionals today to get the RV insurance you need while saving money for your summer road trips!

There’s a lot to know about getting insurance for your car. It feels a bit like rocket science sometimes, right? There are all the fancy terms, for one thing. Then there are all the coverages you need to know about, then figuring out what is and isn’t covered. There’s a lot of head-scratching and squinting. To help you absorb some of the need-to-know intel about Atlanta car insurance, we’ve put together a handy-dandy guide to auto insurance.

The complete guide to auto insurance.

• Part 1: The car insurance glossary.
• Part 2: Car insurance coverages you need to know about.
• Part 3: Pro tips for getting car insurance.
• Part 4: Exploring the factors that affect your insurance rates.
• Part 5: How to save money on car insurance.
• Part 6: Car insurance discounts that could help you save.

1. The car insurance glossary.

So, there are some need-to-know words that get thrown around when it comes to car insurance. Before we talk about anything else, we’ll go over some of the lingo. (Insurance-speak is kind of like another language.)

Covered loss: A loss that your insurance will help you pay for. Not all damage/expenses/losses are covered. See your policy for details.

Declarations page: A “cheat-sheet” to your insurance policy. It outlines what coverages you have, how much coverage you have, the cars that are on the policy, and how much you’re paying.

Deductible: The amount you agree to pay if you have a covered loss. You pay your deductible, insurance pays the rest up to your policy’s limit.

Limit: The maximum that insurance will pay out on the various coverages you choose.

MVR (Motor Vehicle Report): Shows your driving history (i.e. license status, traffic violations, license suspensions, accidents.) Your MVR can impact your car insurance rates.

Premium: How much you’re paying for insurance.

Primary use: What you typically use your car for (commuting, business, pleasure, farm, etc.)

2. Car insurance coverages you need to know about.

There are a lot of auto insurance coverages out there, and they can all protect you in different ways. We’ll explain a few common (and helpful) coverages.

• Liability insurance: Can help cover your legal obligation to the other driver if you’re at fault in an accident. It can also help you cover your legal expenses if they sue.
  • Bodily injury liability: This can help cover the other driver’s medical bills and pain and suffering if you’re in an accident where you’re at fault.
  • Property damage liability: Can help with the expenses of repairing/replacing the other driver’s car if you’re at fault in a wreck. It can also help cover the costs of other property you may damage.
• Collision coverage can help you repair or replace your car if it’s damaged in a wreck or if you, well, collide with something. (Remember, liability insurance won’t help repair/replace your car if you’re in an accident.)
• Comprehensive coverage can help you repair/replace your car if it’s damaged by something other than a collision. Typical losses that are covered are fire, vandalism, theft, falling objects, and animal strikes. (Again, liability insurance doesn’t protect your car.)
• Rental reimbursement can help you cover the costs of renting a car if you’re in an accident and your car has to be in the shop.
• UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist): UM/UIM insurance can help you cover your medical bills if you’re hit by someone who’s uninsured or who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover all of your expenses.

3. Pro tips for getting car insurance.

The quest for car insurance can be a daunting one. How do you know you’re doing it right? What do you need to know if you’re getting car insurance? We’ve got some tips to help you out.

Consider the coverages you want to get.

The first thing is that you need to know what kind of coverages you want for your car. What losses do you want to protect yourself and your car from? It’s really important to put some thought into how you want your car to be insured. Go over your coverage options, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Get lots of coverage.

The next thing to think about is how much coverage you want. It’s really important that you have high enough limits of coverage to truly protect yourself if you’re at fault in an accident and have legal obligations to the other driver.

Georgia’s minimum limits of car insurance are $25,000 of bodily injury per person, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 of property damage liability. That might seem like a lot of money, but when you start adding up the medical bills (not to mention a lawsuit) and the costs of car repairs or replacement, that’s not as much as it seems.

Anyways, the point is that you might want to get more coverage than just the state limit. You may want higher limits of liability insurance, and you might want to consider getting coverages such as collision coverage and comprehensive coverage that aren’t required by the state.

Choose your deductible.

If you set a higher deductible, you could see lower premiums. That’s because you’re less likely to file a claim. However, you have to consider your finances and choose a deductible that’s manageable for your situation. You don’t want to set your deductible too high to the point that you’d have a tough time paying it comfortably.

Do your homework.

Spend some time researching the carrier you’re considering. Find out if they have a good financial standing, a good record for claims handling, and good customer service.

Don’t forget discounts.

Many carriers offer car insurance discounts – yes, the kind of discount that means you save money! It’s not a trick. Find out what discounts you could qualify for and watch your bill get magically smaller. (Don’t worry – we’ll explain a few of the common ones in a second.)

Think about bundling.

Bundling is when you get your home insurance and auto insurance from the same carrier. There are a few reasons to give some thought to bundling. First of all, it’s convenient. Second, you might qualify for a pretty nice discount if you do. Carriers often have a bundling discount that can help you save money on your insurance.

Get quotes.

It’s a good idea to get car insurance quotes so you can go over coverage options and pricing. (You can get started with quotes by filling out our online form, calling us, or sending us a message on LiveChat.)

4. What factors affect my car insurance premium?

It can also be helpful to know what things about you or your car play a part in your auto insurance rates. Insurance companies look at a lot of things when they set car insurance rates, and these factors determine how much of a risk you are to insure and how much your insurance should cost. Some of these factors may be…

• Your age: Younger drivers might get higher rates because they don’t have much driving experience (and, well, they’re possible daredevils.)
• Where you live: Your location also plays a part in your rates. If you live in a big city, you might get higher rates than if you lived in a rural area. (There’s generally more traffic and higher crime rates in cities.)
• Your driving history: Drivers with a record of accidents and tickets can see higher rates because they’re “riskier” to insure. Safe driving can literally pay off.
• Your car: The year, make, model, and safety features of your car play a part in your rates.
• How much you drive: The more you drive, the higher your chances of having an accident. The number of miles you cover and what you’re using your car for can impact your rates.
• Your coverages and deductible: The coverages and deductible you choose can affect your premium.
• Your credit score: Drivers with better credit scores may see better car insurance rates.
• Your marital status: If you’re married, you may get lower car insurance rates.

5. Tips to save money on car insurance.

So, here’s an important query as far as car insurance is concerned: how can you save money on your premium? Are there any tips to help your car insurance bill get smaller? Indeed – there are.

Drive safe.

As we explained, your driving record can have a big impact on your rates. Drive safe and keep a clean driving record – your bank account will thank you. Safe drivers often get lower insurance rates.

Have the right deductible.

You might be able to lower your premium by raising your deductible. But don’t outsmart yourself and set your deductible so high that you’d be in a real pickle if you had to pay it.

Think about what car you drive.

If you drive a safe car, you may get better rates.

Use car insurance discounts.

The definition of discount is to get a lower rate, right? So lower your premium by asking about discounts. It’s amazing how savings can add up.

Get quotes.

You don’t have to settle for the first car insurance company you find.

6. Car insurance discounts.

Different insurance companies have car insurance discounts that can really help drivers get lower rates. Here are some of the common discounts that are out there:

• Multi-car discount: If you insure more than one car with the same carrier, you could get a discount.
• Bundling: Save money by getting your home insurance (or renters insurance) and car insurance from the same carrier.
• Safe driver: Your carrier may offer a discount if you go a certain amount of time without a claim.
• Automatic payments: You might get a discount for setting up automatic payments for your premium. Insurance companies like knowing they’re going to be paid on time. You could also get lower rates by going paperless and handling your payments online.
• Paying in full: You might get a lower rate by paying your premium all at once instead of in monthly installments.
• Low mileage: If you don’t drive a lot, you could get a discount.
• Good Student Discount: Teenagers and young adults can get a Good Student Discount for making good grades in high school or college. (Students with higher grades are less likely to get into accidents.)

So, that’s our guide to auto insurance in a nutshell. Your auto insurance is there to help provide a financial safety net. Driving is risky – it’s important to protect yourself. Make sure you have the right car insurance so you can hit the road with peace of mind.

Get started with Atlanta car insurance quotes by filling out our online form, calling us, or messaging us on LiveChat.

Maybe you’re a big fan of motorcycles and your preferred method of travel is cruising along on two wheels in the fresh air rather than being trapped in a four-wheeled vehicle. But the question is how to do you insure a motorcycle? Well, with motorcycle insurance, of course! How does that work? It’s similar to car insurance, but there are a few extra things to know. We’ll explain what the deal is with motorcycle insurance in Atlanta.

What coverages do I need for my motorcycle?

It’s important to cover all the bases when you insure your bike. Here are a few coverages to consider:

Liability:

Many states require drivers to carry liability insurance to cover bodily injury liability and property damage liability. It helps to cover your legal responsibility to the other driver if you’re at-fault in an accident. It can also help cover your legal expenses if you get sued.

Bodily injury liability – This generally covers the other driver’s medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

Property damage liability – This generally covers the repairs to the property of others – for example, the other driver’s car, a fence, or a house.

Collision coverage.

Collision coverage helps to cover damage to your motorcycle if you’re in an accident. You’ll probably pay your deductible and the insurance generally covers the book value of the bike before the loss.

Comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage helps to cover damage to the motorcycle that wasn’t caused by a collision. For example, fire, theft, and vandalism are typically covered losses. Again, you’ll have to pay your deductible and your insurance will generally cover the book value of the bike before the loss.

Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage.

This can help cover damage to you and your bike if a driver who doesn’t have insurance (uninsured) or who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover all of the damages of the accident (underinsured) hits you. It can cover things like medical payments, lost wages, or other damages. Many drivers hit the road without insurance or with very little insurance.

Optional equipment coverage.

So, here’s the thing: your collision or comprehensive coverage will generally cover only factory-standard parts. So, that means if you’ve customized your bike, you may want to ask about optional equipment coverage. It’s fun to customize a bike and all that, but make sure you’re insuring the bike so that you’re protecting the investment you’ve made in it.

What is a lay-up insurance policy?

The thing about motorcycles is that they’re fair-weather vehicles. Which means that you might not be cruising around on your bike if it’s the middle of winter, drizzling cold rain, or even flurrying. (Even in Atlanta, it gets cold enough to make motorcycling not enjoyable.)

So, you might be wondering why you need to pay for insurance when your bike is in storage.

With a lay-up insurance policy, all coverage but comprehensive is suspended for a certain period of time. That way your bike is still protected against losses like fire, vandalism, and theft. The coverage is, therefore, a bit more tailored to your motorcycling habits and takes into account the fact that you might have your bike in storage for part of the year.

Tips to save money on your motorcycle insurance.

So, you love your motorcycle. But the thing is that you don’t want to break the bank paying for motorcycle insurance. How can you save money on motorcycle insurance? Here are a few helpful tips:

Raise your deductible.

You can save money on your insurance by raising your deductible (which is the amount of money you agree to pay if you have the claim.) If you raise your deductible, you’re less likely to file a claim, so you could get lower premiums. However, it’s important not to set your deductible so high that it would be a big problem to pay if you have a claim. Find your deductible/premium balance.

Keep a good driving record.

If you keep a good driving record, you could get lower rates. That’s because, to an insurance company, drivers with clean records are less likely to get into accidents.

Take a motorcycle safety course.

Driving a motorcycle is not the same as driving a car. If you’ve taken a safety course, you’re showing the insurance company that you’re responsible – and that you know what you’re doing.

Get an anti-theft device.

An anti-theft device could help you get lower insurance rates because the whole idea is to reduce the chance of the bike getting stolen.

Ask about multi-policy discounts.

You could also save money by getting multiple lines of coverage from the same insurance company. Lots of insurance companies have multi-policy discounts.

Get started with motorcycle insurance quotes by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Fire
• Theft
• Vandalism
• Most natural disasters
• Animal
• Falling trees

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

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

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

Don’t leave the scene.

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

Call the police.

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

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

Take pictures.

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

Gather information from witnesses.

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

Keep a record of your medical expenses and treatments.

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

Get a property damage evaluation.

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

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

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

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