How to get Atlanta State Auto renters insurance

Atlanta State Auto renters insurance

Atlanta State Auto renters insurance

If you have an apartment, you might be considering getting renters insurance. You want to protect your belongings, and you’ve heard renters insurance can help with that. There are a lot of different options out there for renters insurance, but one of them is Atlanta State renters insurance. You might be wondering how to get a quote for Atlanta renters insurance from State Auto. Well, we can help with that! Here’s how the process works.

How to get Atlanta State Auto renters insurance

1. Get in touch with our team.

Talking to an insurance agency might sound like a massive hassle, but we strive to make insurance as easy as possible. We have a few different ways to get in touch with us. Here’s how you can get started with your quote for Atlanta State Auto renters insurance.

Phone. If you like to take care of insurance stuff on the phone, that works fine for us. Our team likes to talk on the phone, and we like insurance, so combining those things is fun for us and makes us happy. So, just give us a ring if you need some insurance and we can help with that.

Online form. We also have an online form that you can fill out so we can get some of the information we need to help you get that insurance quote. Think of it as giving us a place to start with getting to know your insurance needs and gathering the information we need for your insurance quote.

LiveChat. Let’s say that you can’t talk on the phone and online forms aren’t really your thing. We have LiveChat so you can message back and forth with us if that’s best for you. We know that sometimes you’re on the go and you can’t pause long enough to have a phone call. (And maybe the idea of LiveChat is less scary.)

Email/Text. Emailing or texting might be the most convenient thing for you. That’s fine by us – we can email or text if that’s easiest for you. All you have to do is let us know that this is the most convenient for you and we’d be happy to either email or text. We want to make things as easy as possible.

2. Have a chat with us about your insurance.

Once you’ve reached out to us, we’ll have a quick talk with you about your insurance. We want to introduce ourselves, too! Anyways, we’ll talk about your insurance needs so we can get you the coverage you need. We also just need to make sure that we have all the information we need to get you an accurate quote for your insurance. Anyways, that’s Step 2 of the process of getting a renters insurance quote from State Auto in Atlanta.

3. We’ll go get the quote.

Well, you reached out to us so you could get an insurance quote, right? So, we should probably get around to actually getting that quote. Our team doesn’t want to keep you waiting, so we’ll do our best to be as quick as possible. We don’t want you to have to tap your foot and stay in suspense with your quote. Waiting is the worst.

4. We’ll go over the quote with you.

When we’ve got your quote, we’ll go over it with you. We’ll answer any questions you have and clarify anything that needs clarification. We want to make sure that you feel good about your renters insurance. So, feel free to throw any questions you have our way.

5. We’ll be here.

If you have any questions or concerns, we’ll be here to answer them. So, any time that an issue comes up, you can reach out to us. We’re not going to abandon you in your time of need! That’s not what we do.

So, that’s how getting an Atlanta renters insurance quote from State Auto works! Get started with your quote by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us. We can help you get the coverage you need.

Am I covered if someone drives into my house?

What happens if someone accidentally drives into your house?

What happens if someone accidentally drives into your house?

It’s a far-fetched scenario that even the most prepared homeowner may not think of – what if someone drives into my house? If you’re in a townhome or along a long street, you may not be too worried about it. But if you’re at the end of a cul-de-sac or at the corner of an intersection, it may have crossed your mind once or twice. This incident is a very real threat to your home. So, would you be covered for this mishap? Let’s see.

What happens if I drive into someone’s house?

If you, as a driver, end up crashing into someone’s house, your car insurance should be able to help you cover the damages to the house. At minimum, Georgia requires $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 of bodiliy injury liability per occurrence, and $25,000 of property damage coverage. The property damage portion could help you repair the structure of the house and any belongings you may have crumpled in the process.

The catch is, you have to have the right amount of coverage. Although Georgia requires $25,000 of property damage coverage, that may not be enough to fix the damage you’ve caused. If your limits aren’t above the state minimum, you may be on the hook for what your car insurance doesn’t cover.

What about my car?

If you’d like to get your car repaired or replaced, you’ll have to go through your auto insurance’s collision coverage. Collision coverage is the part of your car insurance that can cover damages to your car if you, well, collide with something. The “something” in this case, would be the house. However, collision coverage is typically not required by law. It can be required by a bank or loan company to get the loan for the car. So, it’s important to look over your policy and be sure that you actually have the coverage. Otherwise, you may be out of luck.

Whose insurance should I file the claim with?

If you’re the homeowner, though, you may want to go directly through the driver’s car insurance to get the repairs done. After all, your house couldn’t have really run into their car. So, filing through the driver’s property damage coverage is probably the easiest route to go. Plus, it could save you from having to make a home insurance claim – which is always nice.

Will my home insurance cover if someone drives into my house?

Let’s say that you can’t or don’t want to go through the driver’s insurance. Your home insurance could help you cover the damage to your house. In fact, your homeowners’ policy can cover all sorts of kooky things. But you’ll have to read up on your policy to tell exactly what’s covered by your insurance.

The most common home insurance policies cover perils like:

 So, you’re probably covered if someone drives into your house. Now, the question is, how much are you covered for?

What will my home insurance cover if someone drives into my house?

As with car insurance, you have to have the right amount of coverage to repair or replace your house’s structure and your belongings. There are two ways that home insurance can cover perils for both your structure and your personal property.

Market Value vs. Replacement Value

Your home’s market value is not the same as its replacement cost. If you want to repair or rebuild your house after an incident, the market value may not be enough. The market value of your house may be enough to buy a similar house on the market, but it might not cover things like contractors, materials, and other costs associated with building. That’s what insuring your home for its replacement cost could help with.

Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost Value

Your belongings, on the other hand, can be covered for its actual cash value (ACV) or their replacement cost value (RCV). If your things are insured for their actual cash value, your home insurance can reimburse you for the value of your belongings, plus depreciation. So, if someone drives into your kitchen and takes out the $600 oven you bought a year ago, ACV coverage may only reimburse you for $450 because the oven has depreciated since you bought it.

However, if you’ve insured your belongings for their RCV, your home insurance could help you replace the items at today’s prices.

That’s why it’s vital that you read your homeowners’ policy all the way through. Your policy details the coverages you have and knowing what they are can save you a lot of money and headache later.

Speaking of which, we want to save you a lot of time, money, and headaches early on. That’s why our agents can take on the heavy task of finding the right home insurance (or car insurance) for you! We’ll work with you to find out the best home insurance policy for you, and then give you free, customized quotes on affordable coverage. We can even bundle your insurance for more savings! To get started, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a professional today.

How to get Atlanta Hartford home insurance

Atlanta Hartford home insurance

Atlanta Hartford home insurance

If you’re looking for home insurance to protect your house, you might be considering getting Atlanta home insurance from The Hartford. Home insurance is really important when it comes to protecting your home, of course, but it might seem a bit intimidating or overwhelming, and maybe you just want to get it taken care of. Well, our team can help you get a quote for Atlanta Hartford home insurance. Here’s how that works.

How to get a quote for Atlanta Hartford home insurance

1. Get in touch with our team.

We want to make insurance as easy as possible, and we want to make communication convenient so that you don’t get stressed out about getting home insurance. That’s why we have a few ways in which you can speak with us. You can choose what works best for you. (Or just what you prefer.)

Phone. If you like talking on the phone, that’s great! Coincidentally, talking on the phone is one of our favorite things (especially if the phone call is about insurance). So, if you want to have a chat on the phone, we’d be happy to talk with you about your insurance. All you have to do is give us a ring and we’ll put you in touch with one of our agents.

Online form. We also have an online form, so you can get in touch with us through that. The form lets us know that you’re looking for home insurance, and it also lets us collect some of the information we need to help you get an insurance quote. So, if you want to fill out our form to get started with your quote, you can definitely do that!

LiveChat. There’s also a chat feature that we can use to talk to you about your insurance. We can message back and forth. So, if you don’t really want to talk on the phone or fill out our online form, you can send us a quick message and we can communicate that way. It’s convenient to chat online, and our agents can hop into a chat with you.

Email/Text. If you’re busy and you can’t talk on the phone, that’s fine with us – you can email or text with us. We know that sometimes it’s not ideal to talk on the phone, so just let us know that you’d rather email or text and we can do that.

2. We’ll have a chat with you about your insurance.

The next thing that happens is that we’ll have a chat with you about your insurance needs. We want to make sure we help you get the coverage that suits your needs. (We also want to make sure that we have the information we need to get you an accurate quote.) We understand that you don’t want to spend a ton of time talking about your insurance, so we won’t keep you too long. We get it – you have things you need to do, and you don’t have the time to spend all day on the phone. Insurance doesn’t have to be complicated – that’s our philosophy.

3. We’ll go fetch your quote.

So, the whole objective of this mission is to get an Atlanta Hartford home insurance quote, right? Then it stands to reason that we should get around to doing that, and reason is right! The next step is to go forth and fetch that quote for you. We’ll scamper along and get your quote. Don’t worry, we won’t keep you waiting too long. Our team enjoys working at top speed, so we’ll be quick in getting you that quote.

4. We’ll go over the quote with you.

Next, we’ll present the quote to you and explain everything that needs explaining. Insurance can be confusing, so don’t hesitate to ask any questions you have. We’re ready for them. Don’t worry about asking too many questions – there is no such thing as asking too many questions! Besides, we love talking about insurance. You’ll make our day if you give us the chance to dive deep into insurance concepts.

5. We’ll be here to help with your coverage.

We’re not going to disappear if you ever need anything, be it a question or a concern. You don’t have to worry about handling insurance things on your own – you won’t have to fly solo. We’ll be here to help. All you have to do is reach out to us and we’ll be there to run tech support on your insurance.

Maybe you’re moving to Atlanta, or maybe you’ve lived in the area for a while. Get started with an insurance quote for home insurance from Hartford in Atlanta by filling out our online form or giving us a call. Our team would be happy to help you with your insurance needs.

What is service line coverage?

Service line coverage

Service line coverage

Every bill and service that you have as a homeowner has to be connected to your home somehow. The water you use, the electricity that turns your lights on, even the sewer system that carries water to and from your toilet have to have ways to get into and out of your home. But what if one of these pipelines breaks? We’ll explain what could happen and give you some details about service line coverage.

Does home insurance cover if a pipe, cable line, or electric wiring breaks underground?

Normally, people think that it’s the job of the service provider to fix the thing that’s, well, providing the service. The scary reality is that if the line is on your property, it’s your job as the homeowner to get it fixed. So, especially if the break isn’t just affecting your house, you could end up paying the repair costs out of pocket if you don’t have the right insurance. However, there is an endorsement that can save you from this headache: Service Line Coverage.

What is service line coverage?

Service line coverage is a home insurance endorsement that can help you repair:

  • Power Lines
  • Electrical wiring
  • Phone & Cable lines
  • Drainage
  • Fuel lines
  • Water pipes
  • Waste disposal
  • Sewer piping and backup
  • Private wells and septic systems

that are on your property.

Even if the damage is caused by something outside of your control, service line coverage can help you repair leaks, breaks, tears, ruptures, collapses, or arcing of service lines due to:

  • Corrosion
  • Frozen surrounding ground or service lines
  • Root systems blocking or growing into the service line
  • Lightning
  • Landscaping accidents
  • Rodents and pests

Why doesn’t my property insurance cover service lines?

You may be wondering, “If service lines are a part of my property, why doesn’t the property damage section of my home insurance cover damage to service lines?” The answer mainly lies in the wording of your policy. If you’ll remember, property damage coverage usually covers:

  • Fire
  • Smoke damage
  • Lightning
  • Windstorms
  • Falling objects
  • Theft
  • Vandalism
  • Hail
  • Damage caused by the weight of snow, sleet, or ice
  • Explosions
  • Damage caused by vehicles or aircrafts

Basically, (and specifically noted in your homeowners’ policy), your home insurance is built to deal with damages that are freak accidents, not damages due to a lack of maintenance. Most damage to service lines is due to a lack of upkeep. So, even though you can’t exactly dig up your yard every so often to check on your service lines, your homeowners’ insurance won’t cover those types of damages.

Additionally, most homeowners’ insurance policies don’t cover damage done to the actual land that your house is on. (Weird, right?) Instead, it’s built to cover the structures that sit on the land, such as the structure of your actual home and most other structures that may be in your yard, such as fences, sheds, gazebos, pools, etc.

How much does service line coverage cost?

Like home insurance itself, there are tons of factors that go into determining your rates for service line coverage. So, there’s no real way to tell what you would pay to add the coverage, although it’s usually not that much.

If you want to add this endorsement to your home insurance or you just want better rates on your homeowners’ policy, contact our agents today. our agents will get to know your particular needs and use our connections with various carriers to get you the best rates on quality coverage. To get started, give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a professional today!

10 must-see things to do in Atlanta

Things to do in Atlanta

Things to do in Atlanta

Whether you’re moving to Atlanta or you’ve been here a while, you probably know that there are tons of places to see and things to do. Atlanta, and even its surrounding areas, are always busy and bustling. While there are tons of places to spend your weekends in the city, we only have time to focus on a few. So, here are the top 10 things to see and do in Atlanta.

10 must-see things to do in Atlanta

1. Skyview Atlanta

If you want to start with a bird’s-eye view of all that you can see and do in the city, head over to Skyview Atlanta. If you’re near Centennial Park, the Georgia Aquarium, of the World of Coke, it’s hard to miss this giant ferris wheel in the middle of town. Skyview offers regular, VIP, and Elevated Date Night packages from varying hours depending on the season. But honestly, any time of day is a great time to take a ride on their “gondolas.” We would recommend a sunset or nighttime ride, though, if you want to take in all of the city lights.

2. The Vortex

We couldn’t talk about things to do in Atlanta without mentioning one of the most famous eateries in the area. The Vortex Bar & Grill is the perfect place to pig out if you’re craving great burgers, a bustling atmosphere, and a sassy menu. Their portion sizes are definitely something to write home about, even if you’re just getting an appetizer for a meal (and trust us, you can). They even offer veggie options! There’s a polarizing argument between Atlanta natives as to whether the Little 5 or Midtown location is better. So, we’ll let you go and decide for yourself.

3. The Coca-Cola Factory

This touristy attraction is a favorite for locals and visitors alike. There are a number of exhibits to feed the soda fanatic in you. Go on a 4D adventure through a Coca-Cola story, meet the Coca-Cola bear, or follow your souvenir bottle of Coke down the building-wide conveyor belt. It all ends with a trip to the tasting room, where you can sip a series of Coke flavors from all over the world!

4. The Georgia Aquarium

Here’s another place where you can awaken a sense of childlike wonder. The Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the Western hemisphere, but that doesn’t mean you’ll just watch fish swim. Of course, you’ll get to see your favorites like dolphins and whales, but you’ll also have a chance to learn about the playful otters and the aquarium’s dedication to wildlife preservation and rehabilitation. Plus, you can take an in-depth look at the aquatic life there through everyone’s favorite exhibit, the tunnel, where you can watch the creature of the water come to life and swim right over your head!

5. The High Museum of Art

“The High,” as it’s called around Atlanta, is an awe-inspiring experience for art lovers and perusers alike. This colossal museum houses tons of artwork from all over the world, with visiting exhibits year-round – including Yayoi Kusama’s famous exhibit, “Infinity Mirrors.” For those who want to expand their art knowledge or skill, there are numerous talks, tours, and workshops for visitors to take advantage of.

Must-see things to do in Atlanta

6. Downtown Decatur

It can be tough to choose just one location to feature in Downtown Decatur. So, we’ve decided to include it all! There’s no shortage of interesting shops, centers, restaurants, bars, and general places to have fun in downtown Decatur. If you’re a fan of the eclectic and off-the-beaten-path adventures, this locale is definitely for you. Check out the city’s small coffee houses, like Java Monkey, discover new dishes at restaurants like Leon’s, or just walk around the Square to poke around in the local shops and support small business owners. One thing is for sure, you’ll never be bored.

7. Ponce City Market

If you’re looking for something similar to Downtown Decatur but a bit more central to the city, check out Ponce City Market. The area is full of popular shops as well as local businesses. Plus, there are tons of great local bars with comedy and music events at any given time of the week. This is definitely an area where style meets eclectic and eco-friendly, the southern way.

8. Stone Mountain Park

For fans of the great outdoors, drive a little bit east of the perimeter to Stone Mountain Park. The park hosts tons of paths with varying difficulty. No matter where you choose to stake your walking stick, though, you’ll have a beautiful view to take in at the top of each trail. The park’s campgrounds and seasonal events may even make you forget that you’re minutes away from the busy city.

9. The Fernbank Science Center

If you want to get science-y, the Fernbank Science Center is the place to go. The center not only hosts exhibits about the final frontier, but it also features sales, live animal exhibits, workshops, and an observatory. Plus, if you really want to dive deep into space, check out Fernbank’s planetarium events to learn more about the universe we live in.

10. The Chattahoochee River

Last, but not least, one of the favorite past times of area locals is “shooting the Hooch.” The Chattahoochee River has multiple touch points with parks all over North Atlanta. However, be sure to find a tubing rental company to float along the river with great friends and a cooler or two. Spend the afternoon floating your worries away, or just hike along the water to take in the scenery. Either way is a wonderful way to spend a long, lazy afternoon.

Again, this is only a taste of what Atlanta has to offer. There are a lot more people to see and places to go all around the city and its suburbs. So, the best way to get to know the “Hollywood of the South” is to explore!

If you need some home insurance quotes, give us a call! You can also fill out our online quote form or message us on LiveChat.

How does Atlanta home insurance cover storm damage?

Storm damage and home insurance

Storm damage and home insurance

So, being in Atlanta, we certainly get our fair share of storms. Those thunderstorms can be scary, what with the lightning storms, kabooms, and swaying trees (there are a LOT of trees in Georgia.) We often want to hunker down inside under a blanket with a cup of cocoa when that happens, and we want to stay safe and sound. But what about the house? What if your house takes a beating during a storm? Well, home insurance can help. We’ll explain about how storm damage could be covered by home insurance.

What storm damage losses can be covered by home insurance?

Well, let us start by saying that it’s very important to read your home insurance policy. It’ll outline what losses are covered and which are not. It’s important that you’re clear about how your policy protects your home and what your responsibilities are as the insured. Don’t underestimate the importance of slogging through your policy. It’s maybe not “fun” but losses related to storms can get tricky, so it’s necessary.

Anyways, let’s move along. What storm damage losses are typically covered by home insurance?

Lightning.

Lightning is scary. If your home is struck by lightning and catches fire, home insurance may cover it. As far-fetched as that might sound, it does happen. It just does. But that’s where home insurance can become a lifesaver. (And in case you were wondering, a power surge that happens because of lightning can also be covered.)

Wind damage.

Storm-level winds can put a beating on your house. Have you ever noticed that the trees bend and sway like crazy when a storm hits? Georgia storms are no joke, but thankfully home insurance may cover wind damage.

Hail damage.

Hail? In Georgia?

Yep.

If your house gets caught in the line of fire of dastardly chunks of ice, home insurance could cover you. Hail can really pummel your roof and siding, after all. But hey – home insurance may cover it!

Trees falling.

If a bad storm causes a tree to fall onto your house, you could be covered. Trees don’t really know how to be considerate and fall away from houses and fences, so there’s that. Anyways, whether it’s your tree or a neighbor’s tree that crashes into your home, you could be covered. Then you get to have the last laugh, not the dumb tree.

Rain that blows into your house because of damage caused by wind.

Let’s say wind puts a major beating on your house and leaves some holes that allow that wind to blow rain into your house. Home insurance could cover you for the water damage that results. Phew.

What’s NOT covered by home insurance: Flooding

One thing you need to be aware of is that flooding is not covered by home insurance. (In this case, when we say “flooding” we mean that a lot of water has accumulated on the ground outside where there usually isn’t water.) Heavy Georgia rains can get intense, so it’s important to be aware and prepared. Many homeowners find out that flooding is excluded after they’ve experienced a loss, and then it’s too late. Even if you’re not in a “flood-prone” area, necessarily, you could still find yourself on the wrong side of floodwaters.

But not all hope is lost. You can protect yourself by getting flood insurance, which you can get through the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program). Make sure that you get enough coverage for your home and your belongings – and keep in mind that flood insurance often has a waiting period of 30 days before it becomes effective, with very few exceptions.

Recap about storm damage:

So – to recap about storm damage…

Home insurance may cover wind damage, hail, lightning, falling trees, and even wind-driven water that enters your home if the roof or walls have been damaged. It won’t, however, cover flooding, so you may want to consider flood insurance, which you can get from the NFIP through an agent. Read your policy so you know what your insurance covers and what your responsibilities are if you have a claim.

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

Get your home ready for fall with this checklist

Get your home ready for fall 2

Get your home ready for fall 2

Autumn is the time to start breaking out the sweaters, warm soups, and hot drinks. For homeowners, it’s also prime time for fall maintenance and to get your home winter-ready. Fall can bring a lot of rain and wind to Georgia and a lot of ice and snow to the Atlanta area. So, start preparing your home for the cold weather with these fall tips.

The gutters & downspouts

Before these important fixtures get clogged with leaves, debris, and possibly become iced over, make sure to:

1. Clean out your gutters – Seriously. Clean your gutters and downspouts – otherwise, water could accumulate and damage the siding of your house. Or the roof.

2. Check that the gutters are not drooping.

3. Know where to send the water. You don’t want the water to damage your foundation, so make sure it’s going away from the base of the house.

Windows & Doors

Windows and doors might add a nice aesthetic to both the inside and outside of your home, but they keep unwanted pests and debris out. So, before or during the Fall:

4. Repair any cracks or holes in your doors and windows

5. Make sure the area around the doors and windows is properly sealed. – This can also you keep in heat, which can help you save money on your energy bill.

Your home’s exterior

Your home’s job, after all, is to protect you from the elements. Make sure that the outside of your home can do that by:

6. Scheduling a roof inspection – Fall can be the perfect time to schedule an inspection, right before potential hail and snow damage weighs and wears on your roof. Choose a reputable roofing company who will identify and report any potential problems you may see in the near future.

7. Visually inspecting the outside of your house. – Do a check of the outside of your house and look at the siding and foundation. And don’t forget the roof.

8. Sealing up any gaps. – Winter is an especially hard time for pests too. So, there will be a lot more of them trying to make a cozy home inside your humble abode. Don’t give them the chance! Close any holes that you see and block any potential entrances that bugs or rodents might use, big or small.

9. Check your sidewalk and stairs. You don’t want anyone taking a nosedive on a slippery sidewalk or staircase. Make sure your railings are nice and strong and that your driveway is in good repair.

10. Keep an eye on the trees. Make sure your trees are all staying sturdy and healthy.

Get your home ready for fall

Your yard

Depending on your preference, you may or may not get a lot of use out of your yard in the winter. However, the land is still important to maintain. Before they become larger issues, check on these items in your lawn:

11. Long tree limbs – Trim down shrub and tree limbs that are too close to power lines or that could possibly fall on your roof or a neighbor’s property. Branches are no match for heavy winds, rains, and the weight of snow.

12. Your sprinkler systems, hoses, and faucets – Chances are, you won’t be watering your lawn much in the winter. If you don’t, drain and store your hoses. Also, don’t forget to turn off outdoor faucets.

13. Trim trees and shrubs. This can help them stay nice and strong.

14. Fallen leaves – Even if you jump in them afterward, rake up your leaves. If you leave them on the ground, it could make it harder for your lawn to bounce back.

15. Keep branches back. When you spruce up your bushes and shrubs, make sure the branches are away from the house. Otherwise they could make water drip onto the house.

Your home’s interior

Making the inside of your home comfy and cozy means more than just turning your central air system from cool to heat. These items will need your attention now so that you can be safe and warm later:

16. Having your chimney inspected – Before you light the first fire of the season, have a professional come and inspect the system before winter weather officially comes.

17. Having your HVAC/furnace inspected – The same goes for furnace inspections. Make sure your heat works before the cold weather hits, and have a professional inspect your furnace.

18. Cleaning your dryer – This is more than just emptying the lint trap. Clean out your dryer vents before the greater amount of static electricity makes its shocking appearance known – in the form of a house fire.

19. Checking your ducts – If it’s been a while since you’ve looked at your ducts, you might want to get those cleaned.

20. Making sure your pipes are well-insulated – Make sure that your pipes are still well insulated to avoid them freezing over.

21. Knowing where your main water line is and how to turn it off. – It can be useful if your pipes do freeze and you need to turn it off.

22. Doing a check on your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

23. Stock up on winter supplies. You’ll also want to make sure you have all the winter supplies you’ll need to get through the season – for example, you might want to check your home emergency kit.

It’s also never a bad season to review your home insurance policy and shop around. However, we know that it can be a hassle to shop for homeowners insurance. That’s why our agents are here to help. We’ve formed relationships with the best carriers in the business so we can help you find great rates and coverage. Plus, we shop for you year after year to make sure you get the best prices! To start getting quotes from our insurance professionals, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with us today!

Source:

https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/home-maintenance-tips/fall-checklist/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/houzz/2015/09/26/your-fall-home-maintenance-checklist/#7d9f56791b9c

https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/home-maintenance-tips/fall-checklist/

Did you know about these home insurance endorsements?

selling your home in Atlanta

Home insurance endorsementsAtlanta home insurance can protect you from a lot of different sticky situations. However, certain things might need to be added to your policy so you can be sure you’re protected. (Home insurance does a lot of great things, and it’s definitely a worthwhile financial safety net, but it doesn’t protect you from EVERYTHING.) To make sure your home and belongings are protected from losses that might worry you, you can add these things called endorsements to your policy. We’ll explain what home insurance endorsements are and go over a few that you should know about.

What is an endorsement?

An endorsement is an addition to your policy that alters coverage. It can add coverage for certain losses, or it can provide coverage for certain items. Yes, it’s one of those insurance words that gets thrown around a lot – so it’s a helpful word to know. Unfortunately, Insurance-Speak 101 is not a class offered at school, so there are some words out there that agents just think people know and understand because they’re in the insurance world – which isn’t their fault, but can make people feel sheepish.

Anyways, moving on. That’s what an endorsement is, but which endorsements should you know about? As you’ve probably guessed, there are many home insurance endorsements. Things just can’t be simple, can they?

3 home insurance endorsements to know about.

1. Sewer backup.

This very unfortunate – and potentially very smelly – problem is typically not covered by your home insurance. But – yes, there’s a but – you can add an endorsement to your policy to protect yourself from losses related to sewer backup and sump discharge. You might not think this could ever happen to you, but sewer backup could strike at the most inopportune time.

The endorsement could help you cover losses related to…

  • The backup of water or waterborne materials through a sewer or drain.
  • Water or waterborne material that overflows from a sump (including if the sump fails due to a mechanical problem.) Keep in mind that damaged property is covered, but not the sump itself.

Note: Losses due to negligence (i.e. not turning on the sump) or flooding ARE NOT covered.

Okay, so that’s what the endorsement does. However, there are a few things you can do to avoid a sewer backup.

  • Do NOT flush anything other than toilet paper.
  • Toss cooled grease in the garbage instead of rinsing it down the drain.
  • Keep an eye out for tree roots. They can allow debris to infiltrate cracks in the sewer line. You might consider replacing your sewer lateral with plastic pipe if you keep having issues.

2. Personal property.

Your home insurance might offer only a limited amount of coverage for things like jewelry and valuables. It’s important to read your policy so you understand how much coverage you have for your expensive treasures like your jewelry – and what’s covered and what’s not.

If you find that the coverage offered by your home insurance isn’t going to cut it, you can consider getting a home insurance endorsement. A personal property endorsement can give you the appropriate coverage for items that are specifically listed (or scheduled, in insurance-speak.) That way you would have the coverage you need if something happened to your beloved treasures.

Make sure that you have the appropriate amount of coverage in the endorsement and that you understand what losses are covered. Also, be sure that you know how your valuables would be replaced. As always, it’s important to read the details of your coverage.

Your jewelry is valuable, both money-wise and sentimentally. Don’t skip out on getting the right coverage.

3. Identity theft.

You may also be able to get an endorsement to protect yourself from identity theft. The possibility of having your identity stolen is a scary one – and a potentially expensive one. An identity theft endorsement can help you out if you’re dealing with the fallout from an identity theft situation. If you’re concerned about what you’d do if your identity was stolen, you may want to look into this.

While your home insurance does a lot to protect you, you might want to add endorsements to your policy. It’s always a good idea to read your policy carefully and understand what’s covered and what you might need to adjust or add via endorsement.

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

15 things you need to know if you’re moving to Atlanta

Moving to Atlanta

Maybe you’re moving to the Atlanta area because of a job transfer, or maybe you’re moving to be closer to family. Or maybe you’re hunting for a job in the Atlanta area. Whatever your reason for relocating to the ATL, you might be wondering what to expect when you settle down in the capital city of the Peach State. Whether you’ve visited the city frequently or only once or twice, we’ve put together a list of 15 things you need to know before moving to Atlanta.

15 things to know if you’re moving to Atlanta.

1. There are a lot of streets called Peachtree.

So, one of the first things you should know about moving to Atlanta: there are a ton of streets called some version of Peachtree. It’s borderline annoying. Anyway, if you’re trying to get around Midtown or Downtown, be careful of what you enter into your GPS. Peachtree Street NW is not the same as Peachtree Street, not is Peachtree Avenue the same as Peachtree Boulevard. It’s kind of a running joke that literally (not really) every street is called Peach-something. Such is living in the Peach State.

Anyway, best of luck with navigating! Truly.

2. Cars are a survival mechanism.

So, Atlanta is not exactly a walking city. There is public transit, but many people choose to drive. Having a car to get around would be super helpful. However, the abundance of vehicles also leads to a major issue – traffic. At rush hour, the roads and highways aren’t a terribly fun place to be. It is possible to avoid it if you’re able to drive at non-rush hour time, but if you’re moving to Atlanta, be prepared to share the roads and to be patient with the traffic situation.

3. Summers are hot and humid.

Atlanta can experience some very brutal summers. It gets hot and humid. The upside to the climate is that winters generally aren’t too bad…although the city does shut down if there’s a tiny bit of snow or any ice on the roads. (Seriously – you’ll laugh to see it if you’re from a northern city.)

Winter aside, summers in Atlanta are very green. The trees are lovely and there’s a lot of plant life for an urban area.

4. That green vine that eats everything is called kudzu.

So, you might be driving along and notice a wide area that’s been taken over by a leafy vine thing – possibly a monster of some sort that appears to be eating everything in sight. That’s called kudzu. It’s a thing.

5. The North Georgia mountains aren’t far away.

About an hour or so north of the city are mountains that provide some really beautiful scenery and nice hiking areas. It’s a picturesque way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and/or suburbs. Georgia boasts some very beautiful wildlife, forests, and waterfalls. If you’re the outdoorsy sort, not to worry – you can escape the urban-ness of the city or the suburb-ness of the suburbs.

6. Tennis is a big thing.

If you’re a sports person, good news – tennis is pretty big in the metro-Atlanta area. Many neighborhoods have tennis courts, and ALTA (Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association) has lots of different teams at different levels. So, whether you’re a newbie to tennis and want to give it a try or you’ve been playing for a while, you can probably find a team – or at least a place to hit the tennis ball around.

7. There’s plenty of stuff to do.

Atlanta has plenty of museums and other fun things to see. There are a lot of interesting things to see – and there’s plenty for kids, too. Here are just a few highlights:

  • Georgia Aquarium
  • Zoo Atlanta
  • Fernbank Museum of Natural History
  • The World of Coca-Cola
  • High Museum of Art
  • National Center for Civil and Human Rights
  • Center of Puppetry Arts

So, as you can see, there’s plenty to keep you busy!

Pro tip – Check out the City Pass for Atlanta. This could help you get reduced rates for popular attractions around the city.

Things you need to know if you're moving to Atlanta

8. Atlanta is home to the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Why is the airport worth mentioning, you as? Because this is no ordinary airport. It’s actually the world’s busiest airport. It’s quite impressive, and there’s a fairly new international terminal that’s pretty posh. So, as far as air travel is concerned, Atlanta has got you covered.

9. Understand OTP vs. ITP.

You also have to understand a little bit of Atlanta terminology: OTP vs. ITP.

OTP means outside the perimeter, meaning outside of I-285, which encompasses the city.

ITP means inside the perimeter, meaning inside I-285 and within the “bounds” of the city.

We’re not entirely sure why this distinction is so important, but it matters to Atlanta-folk.

10. There’s a lot of great food.

There’s also plenty of great food to be found in the Atlanta area. Whatever kind of food you’re looking for, a quick Google search will probably turn up some options. Try some different places and you’ll probably find a favorite haunt.

11. Atlanta United is pretty cool.

Atlanta recently got a major league soccer team, Atlanta United. It’s pretty fun to go to the games and get swept up in the excitement. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to visit Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta’s fancy new sports stadium. It even has a very cool, high-tech roof.

12. The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System rocks.

The libraries in Fulton County (which is the county Atlanta’s in) are pretty great. Looking for a novel? A biography? Some books for the kids? The newest YA releases for your teenagers? The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System has got you covered. They have an easy-to-use online catalog so you can hunt down your next read. It allows you to see what branches of the library system have the book you want, and you can also place holds and request for books to be transferred to the library branch closest to you. (All AFPLS branches are connected, so you can return the books to any of the branches.)

Anyways – bookworms have a great library system to discover.

13. There are many different neighborhoods to explore.

Atlanta also has lots of neighborhoods that have different vibes. There’s Buckhead, Virginia Highlands, Little Five Points, Old Fourth Ward, West End, Inman Park, and more.

Don’t forget that you don’t necessarily have to live Downtown. You can live in the suburbs if you’re moving to Atlanta and still stay close to the city – for example, Decatur and Sandy Springs.

14. Lots of TV shows and movies have been filmed here.

A lot of shows and movies have filmed in and around Atlanta. It’s really cool to recognize the Atlanta skyline or other Atlanta landmarks when you take a trip to the movie theater!

Here’s just a few of the shows and movies that have filmed in the ATL:

  • The Walking Dead
  • Black Panther
  • Stranger Things
  • Avengers: Endgame

Truth be told, we could go on and on. There has been A LOT of filming going on in the city lately.

15. We can help you with your home insurance.

And when you’re moving to Atlanta, you probably want some great home insurance at a great rate. We can help with that! Just fill out our online quote form, give us a call, or message us on LiveChat.

6 tips for finding a home loan partner in Atlanta

Finding a home loan partner

Finding a home loan partner

Buying a home can be a big step into the next chapter of your life. However, it’s pretty unlikely that you have the money to buy a house all at once. So, you’ll need a home loan or a mortgage that you can pay off steadily. The problem is that there can be so many mortgage loan partners to choose from. How can you find the right one for you? Here are 6 tips on how to pick the right home loan partner.

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