10 tips to prepare your car for another Atlanta winter

It's important to get your car ready for the winter weather.

It's important to get your car ready for the winter weather.

Okay, it’s true that Atlanta isn’t the coldest or most severe climate in the country as far as winters go. However, our winters can still get pretty cold. We even occasionally see snow! (Or, well, flurries.) Anyways, the point is that when a “winter weather event” swoops in, it can happen with little warning. That’s why it’s important to take steps now to get your vehicle ready for the winter. Check out these ten steps to get your car all set for the cold.

Preparing your car for the winter

1. Take your car to the mechanic.

Yes, going to the mechanic might not be your favorite thing to do. But they’re the pros, and they can check the following things:

  • The battery
  • The antifreeze
  • The thermostat
  • The brakes (Kind of important, right?)
  • The heating system (So you don’t turn into a popsicle while you’re on the road)
  • The defroster (Since having a clear windshield is helpful for driving)

So, get a trustworthy, reputable mechanic to give your car a quick check-up. The cold weather can do weird things to a vehicle, and you can hit the road with more confidence knowing your car is (hopefully) ready to take it.

2. Make sure your tires have the proper tread depth.

If your tires look like they’ve seen better days, it might be time for new ones. Your tire tread depth needs to be at a safe level so that the tire can grip the road properly (which is especially important in winter, when it rains a lot.) Bald tires plus winter does not equal a safe ride.

3. Check your tire pressure.

Winter weather can wreak havoc on your tire pressure. It can actually cause the pressure to drop, meaning that you might need to add a little bit of air. Make sure to keep an eye on your tire pressure and pay attention to your tire pressure light.

4. Check the car’s lights.

Do a check of your vehicle’s lights. That means headlights, taillights, brake lights, hazard lights…Basically, just check all the lights and make sure they work and no bulbs are out. All of your lights need to be fully functional so that other drivers can see you. You’ve probably noticed that Daylight Saving Time and winter means it’s getting darker a lot earlier these days. You’ll probably need your headlights more in the winter, and you’ll need other drivers to be able to see you.

5. Think about your windshield wiper fluid and wiper blades.

You can also consider swapping your windshield wiper fluid for on that’s specially designed for winter and its freezing temperatures. (Normal wiper fluid can actually freeze when the temperature takes a nosedive.)

6. Consider your wiper blades.

Yes, it might not snow too often in Atlanta, but we do get frost and ice. You might want to think about switching your wiper blades for winter ones that are made to combat snow and ice. Being stuck with snow, frost, or ice on your windshield can make for a frazzled morning if you’re trying to defrost your car and you’re running late for work.

7. Check your windshield washing system.

It’s really not fun to drive with a dirty, grimy windshield that you can’t see through very well, especially when the sun hits it just right and plays tricks on your visibility and eyes. Make sure your windshield washing system is ready to go so that you can clear off your windshield if needed.

8. Pack an emergency kit for your car.

Just in case you get stuck somewhere or your car breaks down, it’s a good idea to have an “emergency kit” packed and loaded in the truck. Include items like:

  • Blankets
  • Extra clothes and sweaters
  • Nonperishable snacks
  • Water
  • Flashlights and batteries
  • A first aid kit
  • A snow/ice scraper (Yes, this is a useful item to have even in Atlanta.)

9. And don’t forget to clean the car off before you drive.

If there ever is snow or ice and it coats your car in white powder, make sure to take the time to brush it off and clean off the car. Clear the windshield, the hood, the roof, your headlights, and your taillights. It might be cold and it might take a little while, but it’s safer to plan to spend those few extra minutes than to have your visibility obstructed.

10. Check your auto insurance.

Okay, okay, we don’t want to sound pessimistic…but if you do have a little snafu with the car, it’s important to know what your Atlanta car insurance will cover. Check your limits of car insurance and your coverages so you know how your insurance will protect you. What are your limits of liability insurance? Do you have collision and comprehensive coverage? What’s your deductible? Are you prepared for what the winter could bring?

Another winter is upon us, which means that it’s time to make sure that your car is ready for the cold weather and the possibility of snow. Yes, even in the South it’s important to make sure your car is winter-ready and safe for the entire season.

Looking for car insurance quotes? We can help. Our agents are here to help you get multiple quotes for Atlanta car insurance so you can look at different coverage options and prices. Get started with your quotes by filling out our online form or giving us a call today.

Source:

Source 1 | Source 2

Tips for car insurance when you get married

You can combine car insurance when you get married.

You can combine car insurance when you get married.

So, you’re getting married! That’s great – congratulations! There’s so much to look forward to and so much happiness in your future. In getting swept away in all of the wedding plans, you’ve been off in your own little world. As you should be! But then something brought you back down to earth with a thud – Atlanta car insurance. You both have vehicles and you both have insurance. But when you get married, what’s the best battle plan? What should you do? We’ll explain what the scoop is with car insurance for newlyweds.

Read more

Atlanta insurance tips for Halloween ghosts and ghouls

Home insurance protects your house - even on Halloween!

Home insurance protects your house - even on Halloween!It’s that time of year again where ghosts and ghouls roam the night. That’s right – Halloween can bring along some unsavory characters and some weird happenstances. But did you know about the kinds of Atlanta insurance coverage that can help you deal with even the most supernatural of situations – and more everyday concerns? Here are some tips on how to handle a few other-worldly worries.

Poltergeists (Or Vandals)

Perhaps the most well-known creature to cause spooky disturbances, a poltergeist can cause some major mayhem and destruction. Some tell-tale signs of an angry spirit in your home can be doors mysteriously opening and slamming shut, hot wind in a normally cool room, and oddly aggressive bumps in the night. Their activities can get especially out of hand on All Hallows Eve, though. During this time of year, you may also find new wall marks and a few fragile items thrown across the room and shattered.

Luckily, the personal property portion of your Atlanta home insurance, renters insurance, or condo insurance can help you replace any broken or damaged items due to vandalism. If you’re covered for the Replacement Cost Value (RCV) of your items, your policy will give you the full amount it will take to replace any valuables your angry spirit is not too happy with.

On the other hand, if your policy only specifies coverage for the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of your items, your insurance will only cover the depreciated cost of your belongings. So, make sure you review your declarations page for the type of personal property coverage you have. You should also make a home inventory of the items you want to cover. Otherwise, you could end up paying out of pocket for a new set of fine china.

Werewolves

Even though there will only be a half moon this Halloween, there are tons of different types of werewolves that could show up at the end of the month. (And tons of havoc your pet pooch could cause throughout the year.) Here’s how to handle their specific brand of destruction.

They could jump on your car roof (Or a rogue tree branch could fall).

Even though there’s no full moon, when has a canine ever needed an excuse to howl? Werewolves are fast, furious, and most of all, heavy, whenever they transform. If one decides to leap onto your car’s roof, it’s going to leave a dent (and maybe some broken windows). So, you’ll need to look at your Atlanta car insurance policy to see if you have comprehensive coverage should a Lycan (or a falling tree) crumple your vehicle like a tin can.

The werewolf (or your dog) could bite someone on your property

When the creature comes to, they probably won’t remember nibbling on someone’s foot or gnawing on someone’s arm. Plus, they’ll probably be a little too strapped for cash from buying new clothes after they’ve ripped out of theirs so much. So, for them, covering an injured person’s medical bills is completely out.

Even if it’s not your werewolf, you could be found liable for their actions if they cause harm on your property. Luckily, your homeowners insurance will usually include personal liability, which can help you cover the victim’s medical costs and your legal fees should they decide to sue you. (This type of coverage can also help cover dog bites if your Halloween hound gets a little too excited around kids.)

Our agents know exactly how hectic the holiday season can be, especially one that starts off with a few Halloween spooks. We also know that finding the right insurance for your home or vehicle can be more than a little terrifying. That’s why we’re here to help. Call us at 770.497.1200 to talk to an insurance professional who can help protect your household – haunted or not.

Zombies

And of course, we have the potential Halloween zombie infestation. Logistically, if the undead were running around (or limping, depending on what type of zombies we’re talking about), your local police department, SWAT team, or militia would neutralize the situation before it turned into a national epidemic. However, there would be a few casualties to the zombie virus before any of the authorities are called into action.

Car Insurance for a Zombie Apocalypse (or if I hit an animal like a deer)

While you’re putting the pedal to the metal to get you and your loved ones out of town, you may have to plow through a few of the undead to safety. If the impact dents your front bumper, you’ll fortunately be covered by the collision portion of your car insurance. (Or, you know, if you hit a car or a fence or telephone pole to escape the zombies, collision coverage could help with repairs or replacement too.)

However, this does depend on how your insurance carrier categorizes zombies. If your insurance classifies the creature as a corpse, collision insurance will cover damage caused to your car by hitting an object. If your insurance company defines the zombie as an animal, though, you’ll need to have comprehensive insurance to cover damage that’s out of your control. (Comprehensive coverage would also cover you if your car caught fire or if someone stole it to escape said zombie apocalypse. It can also cover deer strikes.)

Will My Homeowners Insurance Help If I Can’t Live In My House?

So, after you’ve finished fighting through your undead neighbors and you’re driving into the sunset, how do you wait out the small infestation? You’ve had to abandon your home, so how will you afford to eat for the next few weeks? Where will you sleep?

If you have the right homeowners policy, your Atlanta home insurance will help cover living expenses while you’re away. If you don’t have a relative a few towns outside of the corpse-covered area, the Loss of Use/Living Expenses portion of your homeowners can help you pay for things like hotel rooms, restaurant bills, and even essential supplies like soap and drinking water.

But Take Heed…

Keep in mind that this coverage will only apply if the loss that drove you from your home is covered under your policy and if the home is uninhabitable. (So, if your policy doesn’t list zombie infestation as a covered peril…you may be out of luck. But you’re probably covered for something like a fire.)

Living expenses insurance can also be found in renters and condo insurance, but you will want to keep an eye on how much you spend each day. Most carriers have a limit on the amount they’ll provide for your expenses, and they’ll only help out with the additional amount of money you’ll need to survive. So, ask your insurance agent how much you’re covered for, budget wisely, rescue as much of your cash as you can, and keep your shopping trips short to avoid those pesky corpses.

Whether you’ve been a victim of a vengeful Halloween spirit or an angsty teen, a fire or a freak of nature, a fluffy wolfman or a fuzzy deer, it’s important to have the right type of insurance coverage. We want you to have total confidence in how your policies will protect you in the scariest of situations. We also want to help you save money while doing it! Call our insurance professionals, who will help you compare affordable quotes on Atlanta insurance to address even your wildest fears, or fill out our online quote form.

Happy Halloween!

Does Atlanta car insurance cover me if I hit a deer?

If you have comprehensive car insurance, you should be covered for hitting a deer.

If you have comprehensive car insurance, you should be covered for hitting a deer.

Some days it can be a nice break from reality to take a long country drive down a dirt road or a highway surrounded by trees or a hidden street you’ve made into your own special thinking stretch of road. That is, until a deer jumps from your peripheral into your windshield. Now, you’re slammed back into reality with a maimed deer and at least a dent in your bumper.

So, what happens next? You might be wondering how to fix your car and if your Atlanta car insurance will help you do it. Luckily, we’re here to walk you through one of the most startling things that can happen to a driver.

Read more

Why is my Atlanta car insurance so expensive?

If your Atlanta car insurance rates seem too high, these are some possible reasons.

If your Atlanta car insurance rates seem too high, these are some possible reasons.

If you cringe every time you get your car insurance bill or every time the payment auto-debits from your bank account, you’re probably dwelling on this question: why is my car insurance so expensive? You’re just about fed up, and thinking about Atlanta car insurance rates kind of makes you want to flip some tables. There are a lot of factors that affect the cost of car insurance, and there are a few reasons that your premium might seem high.

Read more

What are the minimum limits of car insurance in Georgia?

Georgia minimum limits of car insurance

Georgia minimum limits of car insuranceIf you’re planning on getting a car in Georgia, you’re probably wondering how much insurance you’re going to need. What are the minimum limits of car insurance in Georgia? We can answer that question, but we’re also going to talk about why you may want to get more than the legally required limit of car insurance.

What are the Georgia minimum limits of car insurance?

The magic numbers to remember for Georgia minimum levels of car insurance are 25/50/25.

The first number, 25, means that you need $25,000 of bodily liability insurance per person. If someone gets hurt in an accident and you’re at fault, you have legal obligations to that person (for example, this could be medical expenses.) The limit of coverage for each person in the other car is $25,000. Anything above that limit would come out of your own pocket.

The second number, 50, means that you must have $50,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per occurrence. That means that your car insurance would not pay out more than $50,000 per at-fault accident.

The third number, 25, means that you need $25,000 of property damage insurance. If you hit someone, the other driver’s car would be covered for repair or replacement up to $25,000.

So, that answers the question of the Georgia minimum limits of car insurance: you need $25,000 of bodily injury insurance per person, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per occurrence, and $25,000 of property damage liability insurance.

However, you may want to think about getting more than the Georgia minimum limits of car insurance (which only covers liability insurance.) We’ll explain why.

Why you might want more than the state minimum levels of car insurance.

Having higher limits of car insurance can protect you financially. We don’t like to think about it, but driving is dangerous. The expenses that could arise from a serious accident could be astronomical.

If you’re involved in a severe accident, those minimum levels might not be enough to fully cover your legal responsibility to the other driver (for example, medical bills.) You’d be left to cover the rest of the costs that you owe to the driver that you’ve injured or whose car you’ve damaged, and those could be some very big bills.

What are collision and comprehensive insurance?

The state minimum levels of car insurance only require liability insurance. That means that other driver’s medical bills, their car repairs or replacement, and even your legal expenses could be covered in case of an accident.

But what about your car?

Liability insurance will not cover your car if it’s damaged. So, whether you’re in an accident or something else happens to the vehicle – a tree falls on it, it gets stolen, you hit a deer – you would be on your own to cover the costs of repairing or replacing your car.

To protect yourself financially and protect your investment in your car, you would need to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage.

  • Collision coverage helps pay to repair or replace your car if you’re in an accident.
  • Comprehensive coverage helps repair or replace your car if something other than an accident damages it. So, if your car gets squashed by a tree, gets vandalized, gets stolen, catches fire, or hits an animal, you could be covered.

To conclude:

If you’re driving with the Georgia minimum limits of car insurance, you may not be fully protected financially if you get into a serious accident or if you get sued. Your car is also not protected if you forego collision and comprehensive insurance and only get liability insurance. So, we encourage you to think about getting higher limits of car insurance. Get some quotes. You might find that there actually isn’t too much difference in premium between the minimum limits and adding tens of thousands of dollars of car insurance to your policy.

And we can help you figure that out. We would be happy to help you get a quote for Atlanta car insurance – and help you save money on your car insurance. Get in touch with us and get started with Georgia car insurance quotes by filling out our online form or give us a call today.

What you need to know about Georgia’s graduated license program

The Georgia graduated license program places restrictions on young drivers.

If you have a teenager who’s about to get their Georgia learner’s permit or driver’s license, there are a few things you need to know about the Georgia graduated license program. See, when your teen gets their license, they can’t just go driving around all hours of the night with as many passengers as they want. Their license has restrictions until they turn 18. As time goes by, those restrictions are loosened until the driver turns 18 and all limitations are lifted. We’ll explain how the Georgia graduated license program works.

Georgia’s Graduated License Program: TADRA

Before we break down each “step” in the Georgia licensing process, let’s talk a little about the program itself.

TADRA, or the Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act, is the system that allows drivers aged 15-18 to “graduate” to less restrictive licensing as they gain driving experience. TADRA places limitations on when newly licensed drivers are allowed to drive and how many passengers they can have in the car. It was passed in an effort to prevent accidents and fatalities among young, teenaged drivers. The restrictions placed on these newly licensed drivers are meant to increase their safety and lower their likelihood of being in a crash.

(Note: TADRA is also known as Joshua’s Law.)

The Three Steps of Georgia’s Graduated License Program:

Phase One: The learner’s permit.

The first step is to get a learner’s permit (a.k.a. instructional permit.) In Georgia, a teenager can get a permit when they’re 15 if they successfully pass the written exam. As they’re learning to drive, the teenager must be accompanied by a driver who has a valid Class C license and who is over 21 years of age.

The first step of the Georgia graduated license system is getting a learner's permit.

Phase Two: The Intermediate License (Class D)

Teenagers aged 16-18 are eligible for a Class D license if they’ve had their learner’s permit for 12 months and passed their driving test. If the teenager is 16, they cannot get their license unless they’ve completed an approved driver’s ed class. Seventeen-year-olds do not need a driver’s ed class.

(However, any driver aged 16 or 17 must have completed 40 hours of supervised driving experience, and six of those hours must be at night.)

There are restrictions for drivers who have a Class D license:

  • They cannot drive between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.
  • They can only have a certain number of passengers in the car.
    • For the first six months after getting their license, no passenger that is not an immediate family member can be in the car.
    • For the second six months, only one passenger (who is not immediate family) that is under age 21 can be in the vehicle.
    • After one year, no more than three other passengers (under age 21) who are not immediate family members can be in the vehicle.
  • They have to meet Joshua’s Law requirements.
    • Any sixteen-year-old who gets a Class D license must have completed a driver’s ed class approved by the Dept. of Driver’s Services.
    • They also must have completed 40 hours of other supervised driving with at least six hours of night driving.

Phase Three: The full license (Class C)

When a teenager reaches age 18, they can graduate to a Class C license and the driving restrictions are lifted. Their Class D license must be valid and they cannot have been convicted of any major traffic violations to get a Class C license.

Also, keep in mind that Georgia does not tolerate underage drinking and driving. Any underage (under 21) driver with a blood-alcohol level of .08 grams or more will have their license suspended for 12 months on the first offense.

Teen driver safety.

As a parent, it’s important that you explain these restrictions to your teen and make sure they know to respect them. As we said, the restrictions are to keep the teenager safer and reduce traffic accidents among newly licensed drivers.

The reasoning behind the restrictions is sound. Night driving is a different story than driving during the day. Bright headlights make it tricky to see and react to hazards in time – teens just don’t have a lot of experience with night driving. As for passengers, they’re distracting. They can cause a teenager to lose focus on driving.

Along with ensuring that your teenager follows the restrictions of their license, you as a parent can do the following to keep your teen driver safe.

  • Talk to them about the dangers of texting and driving.
  • Have them practice a lot.
  • Set a good example.
  • Set some rules for driving and using the car.
  • Get them a safe vehicle.
  • Encourage seatbelt use.
  • Make sure they don’t drive tired.

Georgia’s graduated license program (TADRA) is intended to keep newly licensed drivers safe by placing limitations on when they’re allowed to drive and how many passengers they can have in the car. Be sure to talk to your teenager about the restrictions and understand why it’s so important to follow them.

And, of course, it’s important to get great Atlanta teen auto insurance. Our agents can help you shop for quality coverage at a great rate. Yes, teen auto insurance can be expensive, but we can help you save money while getting your new driver the coverage they need. Get started with car insurance quotes by filling out our online form or giving us a call today.

Source:

https://dds.georgia.gov/teen-drivers

14 common Atlanta car insurance discounts you should ask about

Car insurance discounts are a great way to save money.

Car insurance discounts are a great way to save money.

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

14 common Atlanta car insurance discounts.

1. Accident-free/Safe driver discount.

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

2. Multi-car discount.

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

3. Good Student discount.

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

4. Bundling.

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

5. Setting up automatic payments.

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

6. Paying in full.

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

7. Paperless payment.

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

8. New car.

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

9. Students away at school.

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

10. Usage/Low-mileage discount.

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

11. Seniors.

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

12. Anti-theft device.

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

13. Military.

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

14. Loyalty.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What’s the Good Student Discount?

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

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

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

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

Does my teen or college student qualify for the discount?

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

The student must:

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

How do I get the Good Student Discount?

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

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

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

One more thing:

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

What are the savings from the Good Student Discount?

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

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

Source:

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

What happens if my Atlanta car insurance lapsed?

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

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

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

What do I do if my car insurance lapsed?

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

Okay. Moving on.

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

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

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

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

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

What happens if I drive without car insurance?

Well, that could get problematic.

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

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

But wait – there’s more.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source:

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

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

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

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