Home Insurance

Atlanta insurance tips for Halloween ghosts and ghouls

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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!

What is other structures coverage in my Atlanta home insurance?

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Other structures coverage can provide insurance for detached structures on your property.

Other structures coverage can provide insurance for detached structures on your property.

Other structures coverage is just like it sounds – it covers the other large structures that are on your property besides your house. Most times, other structures coverage will be included in your homeowners policy. The best way to know if you have this coverage already is to look at your insurance declarations page and see if you have something called “Coverage B,” which is another term for other structures insurance.

Other structures coverage was originally created for detached garages. However, as home prices increased and less developed land became available in the 1970s, builders began building attached garages. That still doesn’t mean that other structures coverage is completely useless.

What Does Other Structures Insurance Cover?

If you have one of the following structures, you should look out for other structures coverage in your homeowners insurance policy:

  • A detached garage
  • A pool or pool house
  • A shed
  • A gazebo
  • A fence
  • A paved driveway

It’s important to note that just because you have other structures coverage, the complete cost to replace a structure may not be covered by the insurance. Other structures coverage is based on a percentage of the value of your home. So, depending on your policy and carrier, the maximum coverage limit could range anywhere from 5 percent to 20 percent of the value of your house.

Also keep in mind that just because you have other structures insurance or even a general homeowners policy, the belongings inside of your home or other structure may not be completely covered. Personal property coverage, or “Coverage C,” is also usually only a percentage of the value of that item or of your home. So, it’s important to review your homeowners declarations page and talk to your insurance agent about what you’re covered for and how much the coverage is.

Our agents are professionals at not only breaking down what’s in your homeowners insurance but giving you the best coverage and pricing that’s personalized to your needs. Call us at 770.497.1200 or fill out our online quote form to get free quotes on your homeowners insurance and compare the coverage you can get on the other structures on your property.

Can I Remove Other Structures Coverage to Save Money?

I hear some of you saying, “Wait, I don’t have anything else attached to my house or on my property,” or “I don’t really care about insuring my other structures.” So, can you take off other structures coverage to save money on your homeowners?

Homeowners insurance is usually not the piecemeal that other types of insurance can be. Whether you have an HO-3, an HO-5, or some other type of homeowners coverage, it usually comes as a bundle – a bundle that will more than likely already include other structures. This is because insurance companies want to be able to offer coverage to the vast majority of people, who will usually have at least a shed or fence.

That being said, if there’s anything on your property that falls into the “other structures” list, you should probably keep your other structures coverage anyway. Your insurance carrier may exclude some structures from the coverage if they decide that it needs too many repairs or if it’s too dangerous to use due to a lack of maintenance, but those cases are few and far between. Your carrier could also include other structures in your dwelling coverage, which will lump everything on your property together in terms of coverage anyway.

If you don’t have any other structures on your property, taking off other structures coverage could mean that you’ll have to skimp on your homeowners coverage altogether. So, you may not be paying for other structures coverage that you’ll never use, but you could also be missing out on coverage that you need for your actual home.

If you’re really worried about saving money regarding this part of your homeowners, there are other ways you can save money – for example…

Discounts!

Talk to your insurance agent to make sure you’re getting all of the discounts you possibly can. Ask about common discounts like loyalty and bundling. Ask about carrier specific discounts. Ask about home improvements like a security system or an impact-resistant roof that may qualify you for a discount.

You can also ask one of our insurance professionals! We’ve formed relationships with multiple, trusted insurance companies so that we can get you the best rates on the specific coverage you need. We’ll help you compare quotes on policies that cover only the property you want to cover and find ways to save you money on all the rest. Call us at 770.497.120 for a free quote or get started with our online form.

Sources:

https://www.irmi.com/term/insurance-definitions/other-structures

https://www.thebalance.com/remove-other-structures-insurance-coverage-2645713

What is the personal liability section of my Atlanta homeowners’ insurance?

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Personal liability insurance can help you if you're found responsible for causing someone bodily injury.

Personal liability insurance can help you if you're found responsible for causing someone bodily injury.

Your home insurance does a lot more than just fix your house if Mother Nature sends a disaster your way or you have a fire. It can also protect you financially with personal liability coverage – it’s a part of what your home insurance covers. We’ll explain how personal liability coverage works and how it can provide a safeguard around your bank account.

What is the personal liability insurance coverage section of my policy?

Personal liability insurance can protect you if you (or a member of your family who’s covered under the policy) are found legally responsible for causing someone bodily injury or property damage. For example, if a guest tripped while walking down your driveway, you could end up shouldering the legal blame. You could end up facing a lawsuit, and that lawsuit can become very expensive very quickly.

What does personal liability insurance cover?

No-fault Medical Payments.

Medical bills aren’t cheap. If someone gets hurt on your property, they’ll need to get the care they need. There could be a medical payments coverage included in your liability insurance, which allows the injured person’s medical bills to be paid without the ado of a lawsuit.

Your personal liability insurance can also help you if there's a lawsuit.

Legal expenses/Lawsuits.

Should the person who got hurt on your property decide they’re in a litigious mood, they might sue you. Which means you’d need a lawyer. Liability insurance could cover the legal costs – which add up very quickly. Whether or not you’re guilty of what you’re being accused of, you still need that lawyer. And you need to pay them.

Property Damage.

If you’re responsible for accidentally causing property damage to another person, your home insurance can help you cover the costs of a lawsuit. So, if your kid accidentally smashes your neighbor’s priceless, rare vase, you could get some help from your home insurance.

How much liability insurance is included in my home insurance?

Many home insurance policies offer $100,000 of liability insurance, but you can increase those limits. ($100,000 is often the minimum amount you can get.)

It’s important to check your limits of insurance to see how much liability coverage you have. If your current limit isn’t high enough, you can talk to your agent about raising it. You can also consider getting a personal umbrella insurance policy to really boost your liability coverage. (A personal umbrella policy sits on top of your existing liability coverage to provide additional coverage.)

Can personal liability insurance cover me if my dog bites someone?

It’s really important that you talk to your insurance agent about your dog and check to see what your policy says about dog bites. It’s better to know exactly what’s covered than to think something’s covered…only to find out it’s not. Dogs and home insurance don’t always mix.

Some insurance companies are leery of insuring homeowners who have dogs of certain breeds (like Pitbulls, Dobermans, or Rottweilers) because of their history of aggression.

Anyways, take care to understand how your insurance would handle a dog-bite situation.

So, that’s a brief look at how personal liability insurance can protect your finances. It’s easy to get caught up with the coverage for the house and for personal belongings, but it’s important not to overlook the liability portion of your policy. Don’t underestimate how expensive lawsuits can be!

If you’re looking to get quotes for home insurance, our team can help. We’ll shop for your insurance so you can get great coverage at a great rate. To get started with your quotes, fill out our online quote form or give us a call today.

Source:

https://www.thebalance.com/personal-liability-insurance-coverage-3957084

10 fall home maintenance tips to prepare your Atlanta house for winter

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Prepare your home for winter with fall home maintenance.

Prepare your home for winter with fall home maintenance.

Fall in Atlanta is a great time to get some home maintenance done. Okay, truthfully our winters may not be as harsh as in other areas of the country, but still, it’s important to strengthen your home before the winter and do some fall home maintenance. Cold weather and maybe – yikes – snow is really hard on a house. We might want to think our home is an indestructible Super House, but that’s (unfortunately) not true. We’re going to go over several home maintenance tasks so you can prepare your home for winter.

Fall home maintenance tips.

1. Look after your roof.

Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against weather – kind of like a super fancy helmet. A helmet with cracks or holes in it isn’t super effective, right? And besides, your roof affects your home insurance rates.

2. Check around your doors and windows.

The weatherstripping around the doors and windows serves as a seal against the weather. The delightful, cozy warm air inside your house can leak out of the home. That makes your heating system work harder. Repairing any spots that need fixing can help you keep your home nice and toasty – and it can make your home more energy-efficient (and thus lower your heating bill.) Take some time to make necessary repairs.

3. Maintain your heating system.

Enlist the services of a trustworthy technician and have them check over your heating system. It’s better to find out about a problem before the temperatures get super cold. Otherwise, you might find yourself with your teeth chattering as you shiver and wait for someone to fix the heat. By getting a maintenance check of your heating, you can make sure that your home will stay nice and warm all winter.

4. Put away garden hoses.

Before you put away any outdoor garden hoses, make sure to drain them of water. Then put them indoors.

5. Clean the gutters and downspouts.

Yep, we know that gutters are gross. Cleaning the gutters is on no one’s “favorite things to do” list. But it’s got to be done. Leaves and debris are problematic because they can block water that needs to escape. That water can cause damage to your home because it builds up and just sits there. Before the rainy, gross weather of Atlanta winter hits, clean out the gutters.

Cleaning the gutters is a part of fall home maintenance.

6. Take care of your trees.

If there are any tree branches that are getting too close to the house, you might want to have them trimmed before they crash-land into your house.  Though most likely your home insurance covers fallen trees, it’s best to not have to deal with it at all.

7. Get your chimney checked.

Who doesn’t love a warm, crackling fire in the fireplace in the winter? It’s great. But it’s a good idea to get your chimney inspected before you start a fire in the fireplace this winter. You don’t want to have any unexpected chimney problems.

8. Prevent your pipes from freezing.

Pipes that are exposed to cold temperatures can freeze if the weather gets cold enough. You may want to go ahead and take steps to prevent them from freezing when the temperatures drop.

9. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Make sure that you’re regularly checking your smoke detectors. The batteries also need to be changed regularly. It’s important to make sure that your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors can do their job.

10. Look over the outside of your home.

As part of your fall home maintenance routine, take a minute to walk around your home. Look at the roof, the siding, and foundation. Look at your driveway, your porch and steps, your walkway. Make sure to repair any areas that need to be repaired while the weather is still decent.

The winter can really put a beating on your home. By taking the time to put some TLC into your house and do some fall home maintenance, you can help it stand up better to the cold, rain, and maybe snow. Your house endures a lot. Take time this fall to baby it a little.

And of course, it’s important to protect your home with the right Atlanta home insurance. Our agents can help you get great coverage at a great rate. We’ll help you get the coverage you need to fully protect your home. Get started with your home insurance quotes by filling out our online form or giving us a call today.

 

Source 1 | Source 2

What perils are covered by Atlanta home insurance?

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Home insurance covers a variety of perils.

 

“Peril” may seem like a five-dollar word used only in stage plays and the literature of old, but it’s actually used a lot in terms of homeowners insurance. A peril is usually defined as a serious or catastrophic threat to your home – including storms, heavy vandalism, and any other Independence Day type of catastrophe that strikes your humble abode.

We’re here to tell you which perils are covered by most policies, which perils you’ll need additional coverage for, and what type of plans you should look for in the Atlanta area.

What is Peril Insurance for Homeowners?

Perils in insurance usually include wind, hail, civil commotions, vehicular damage, smoke, aircraft damage, and explosions. (No, we’re not making this up.)

However, different perils are covered in different ways or may not be covered at all depending on location. Typically, insurance carriers will offer two types of perils insurance: Named Perils Insurance and All Risks Insurance.

What is Named Perils Insurance?

Also called “Broad Form”, Named Perils insurance is a common type of policy when it comes to comprehensive homeowners insurance. Basically, if the policy names a certain natural disaster or general threat to your home, you’ll be covered for it.

This can be useful if you want to directly focus your coverage on certain threats and disasters that you know are common to your location. So, for Atlanta, you may not be as worried about earthquakes as you are about heavy storm damage from the latest hurricane.

These policies are usually less expensive and will probably be the first ones offered when you speak with your broker about homeowners insurance.

What is All Perils Insurance?

Unlike the Named Perils insurance that will explicitly list items that you ARE covered for, All Perils (or “Special Form”) insurance will cover anything EXCEPT what is explicitly listed as excluded from the policy. For example, if you have All Perils insurance and the policy doesn’t explicitly exclude earthquakes, you’ll still be covered for earthquake damage (in the event that that stray Georgia earthquake decides to wreck your house).

However, buying an All Perils insurance policy does not mean that you’ll be completely covered for all of the unlisted threats. Your insurance carrier will still usually direct coverage funds toward the perils that are most likely to happen for the area. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to speak with your agent about the specific concerns that you have. Our Atlanta Insurance agents are here to learn all about your homeowners woes and are professionals in finding the perfect perils insurance plans and endorsements for the perfect price. Call us at 404.352.0304 to get a quote on the best insurance plans for you!

What Perils Are Included in My Atlanta Homeowners Insurance?

The most common type of homeowners insurance plan is a basic HO-3 plan, which will generally cover natural disasters, accidents, and property damage. More specifically, they’ll probably cover the following perils:

Fire

Note that most insurance carriers will consider fire damage as being different than smoke damage. So, if there happened to be a fire where fires usually don’t go in a house, you’ll be covered for what was unintentionally burnt to a crisp.

Lightning

Ah, Mother Nature. When she strikes, she strikes quickly and without warning. Luckily, most perils insurance will cover damage caused by natural electricity. If a lightning strike fries your flat screen, cooks your CPU, or annihilates your air conditioner in the dead humidity of the Georgia summer, talk to your insurance agent about how much coverage you have to fix it. Remember though, your insurance will only cover damage made by a strike to your electrical system, not problems coming from your electrical company’s side.

Explosions (No. We’re still not kidding.)

Hey, you never know what could happen. Some carriers don’t include this part in their regular homeowners insurance, so it’s always important to consult your agent about if you’re covered and how much you’re covered for.

Windstorms

When that light summer breeze gets a little too aggressive in the form of hurricanes, tornadoes, or cyclones, your insurance can help you cover the cost of repairs to both the outside and inside of the house if the storm suddenly makes a new door or window. Keep in mind, though, that in the event of a hurricane or heavy rain, your normal HO-3 plan will not cover flooding from surface water that’s been on the ground.

Hail

When rain acquires the strange ability to clobber your property in the form of ice chunks, your perils insurance can help you plug up the holes. Just make sure you skip out on the hailstorm show through an open window – homeowners insurance won’t cover any internal damage caused by hail that enters through an existing opening in your home.

Riots & Civil Commotions

A riot, in insurance terms, is defined as three or more people causing damage. Similarly, a civil commotion is when a large group of people causes damage to a property.

Aircraft Damage

Anything from balloons to helicopters to airplanes to spacecraft to self-propelled missiles could be included in this part of your homeowners policy. So yes, if part of a UFO crash lands into your roof, don’t worry, you might be protected. (At least from the damages.)

When in doubt, your insurance policy declaration page will tell you what is covered by your insurance and/or if you have Named Peril or All Perils insurance.

What Perils Are NOT Covered by Homeowners Insurance in the Atlanta Area?

Luckily, Atlanta is located fairly inland and is not prone to natural disasters. Many of the peril exclusions on Atlanta home insurance are ones that that are standard across the board. Most homeowners insurance policies will not include these events in a normal policy or cover them on a very limited basis:

  • Flood Damage
  • Sewer backups
  • “Earth Movement”
  • Jewelry and Fine Art
  • Termites

Keep in mind that any piece of coverage may have dollar limits on the object and repairs that they cover. Also, if you have concerns about covering damages to your home because of the above perils, there are plenty of options for supplemental insurance that is specifically tailored to these types of disasters and emergencies.

Call Atlanta Insurance at 404.352.0304 or fill out our online quote form for a free quote on some of these supplemental plans so that you can rest assured that all of your home concerns are addressed.

Sources:

https://www.insuranceopedia.com/definition/130/named-peril

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/n/named_perils.asp

https://www.thebalance.com/homeowners-insurance-peril-2645726

What is Atlanta renter’s insurance?

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What is Atlanta renter's insurance

Atlanta renter's insurance can protect your personal belongings.

If you’re like many Atlantans, you might rent an apartment or a house. Lots of people are apartment dwellers. You love your place, but the question to ask yourself is are you properly insured? Sometimes Murphy’s law gets in the way and creates a bit of chaos. And when that happens, you might need Atlanta renter’s insurance to set things right.

What is renters’ insurance, you might ask? Why needs renter’s insurance? Does my landlord’s insurance cover me? These are just a few of the questions you might have, and we’re going to answer them.

What is renters’ insurance?

Atlanta renter’s insurance is like home insurance, but it’s intended for people who, well, rent an apartment instead of owning a home. It provides coverage for your personal belongings and liability. However, it won’t provide coverage for the building or structure. (Your landlord’s insurance would cover the building itself.)

So, renter’s insurance would help you build a financial safety net for your bank account so that you won’t get totally cleaned out if something happens at your apartment and things go a little haywire.

Who needs renter’s insurance?

If you rent an apartment or a house, you might want to consider it so you can protect yourself financially. Imagine if a fire tore through your apartment or a crafty burglar made off with your stuff. Imagine if a guest tripped and took a bad – and expensive – fall…and you’re found responsible.

You might be scratching your head and thinking, well my stuff isn’t all that expensive…But chances are you have more stuff than you think crammed into your place. Think about your electronics, furniture, clothes, shoes, and so on. It would probably cost quite a bit to replace all of your belongings. And if someone tripped and fell, like in our scenario above, their medical expenses (or even a lawsuit) could get super expensive.

Does my landlord’s insurance cover me?

Maybe you’re wondering: What’s the point of Atlanta renter’s insurance? Doesn’t my landlord’s insurance cover me?

Well, to answer the question simply, no. Your landlord’s insurance will probably not cover your personal belongings, and it might not cover your liability if someone gets hurt in your apartment or rented house.

Like we said earlier, your landlord’s insurance only covers the structure of the building itself. So, if there’s a fire, their insurance would pay to rebuild it, but it won’t pay to replace your belongings. You’d be on your own.

Atlanta renter's insurance provides liability insurance.

What does Atlanta renter’s insurance cover?

Your personal property.

If you have a covered loss (i.e. fire or burglary) your renter’s insurance can replace the belongings that were destroyed.

But a quick tip – check and see if the policy has actual cash value coverage or replacement cost coverage.

Here’s why:

Actual Cash Value will only give you the depreciated value of your belongings (their value at the time of the loss.) This may not be enough for you to replace your belongings at today’s prices.

Replacement cost coverage can allow you to replace your belongings at today’s prices.

So, that’s just something to be aware of when you’re choosing the renter’s insurance that’s right for you.

Liability.

You could be found liable if someone gets hurt in your apartment or if you cause property damage. Your renter’s insurance can help you cover the expenses you’re obligated to pay.

So, if a visitor trips in your apartment, gets hurt, and decides to sue, you might be responsible for their medical expenses. But your renter’s insurance can come to the rescue.

Additional living expenses.

What would happen if you’re apartment had a fire and you couldn’t live there anymore?

Here’s another cool trick that Atlanta renter’s insurance does:

Your renter’s insurance policy might cover additional living expenses. That means that if a covered loss forces you to leave your home because it’s uninhabitable, your “extra expenses” would be covered. For example, you might have to stay in a hotel. Those are expenses above your normal living costs, so your renters’ insurance may reimburse you. (Just be sure to hold onto your receipts!)

Those extra bills could become a real burden, but with renter’s insurance, you can put that money back into your wallet.

Am I required to have renter’s insurance?

Your landlord might want you to have renter’s insurance. This just ensures that you’re covered and that any potential liability situations would be taken care of.

And you can get an Atlanta renter’s insurance policy by working with our team of agents. We can help you get the coverage you need for your rented house or apartment. Getting started with quotes is easy – all you have to do is fill out our online quote form or give us a call today.

Don’t fall for these 8 Atlanta home insurance myths

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We'll explain the truth and debunk eight home insurance myths.

We'll explain the truth and debunk eight home insurance myths.

When you’re dealing with something as important as Atlanta home insurance, it’s crucial to have the facts. There are many assumptions and myths out there about home insurance. We’re going to turn some of these home insurance myths upside-down and discover the truth.

1. MYTH: I should use my home’s market value when I insure it.

The truth: You need enough insurance to completely rebuild your home from the ground up.

The goal is to have enough home insurance to completely rebuild your home from the ground up if it were destroyed, including building materials and the labor of the contractors. That means insuring your home for its replacement cost. The market value of the home, or the amount that a house would reasonably sell for, may not accurately reflect the amount you would need to rebuild the home.

2. MYTH: Home insurance covers flooding.

The truth: It doesn’t. This is one of those home insurance myths that is not true.

Many homeowners only find this out after their home sustains flooding due to heavy rain. But flooding simply isn’t covered by Atlanta home insurance, even though certain types of water damage are. To protect your home against flooding you would have to have a flood insurance policy in place. You can get flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through an agent.

3. MYTH: Home insurance covers all of my personal belongings.

The truth: Kind of. This is one of those home insurance myths that you need to talk to your agent about.

Yes, a typical home insurance policy will provide coverage for your personal belongings – furniture, clothing, and so on. But there are a few things to consider. First, you need to check and see what the limit of coverage is for your personal belongings (the maximum amount of money insurance will pay out.) You also have to check to see what losses and perils are covered under your policy.

Jewelry and valuables are something else you have to think about. Your policy may only provide limited coverage for jewelry, art, and other valuables – and this coverage might not be enough to fully protect your treasures. You might have to explore options for covering your jewelry, valuables, art, and collections.

4. MYTH: Home insurance will cover termite damage.

The truth: Termites are pestilential beasts and damage by these tiny demons is not covered by home insurance.

If termites go to town and turn your home into their own personal buffet, the damage and cost of extermination would not be covered by home insurance. Termite damage is considered to be a maintenance thing, and home insurance typically doesn’t cover maintenance-related issues.

Pro-tip: Have regular pest-control and termite inspections. Squash the bugs before they cause serious damage – or emotional distress.

Be aware of the home insurance myths that are out there.

5. MYTH: Home insurance will replace my belongings like new.

The truth: Well, it depends on your policy.

You can insure your personal belongings for their replacement cost value or their Actual Cash Value.

Actual cash value coverage means that your insurance company will give you the value of the belongings at the time of the loss as reimbursement. (This is the depreciated value, and it may not be enough to replace your belongings at today’s prices.)

Replacement cost value coverage can replace your belongings at today’s prices.

The point is you need to read your policy to see how your personal belongings are covered and to determine if you have enough insurance.

6. MYTH: If an injury occurs in my home, it’s covered.

The truth: Liability coverage takes care of your legal responsibility to your guests if they’re injured, not your family.

If a guest trips over your garden hose and breaks an arm, your liability would probably be covered by home insurance. (For example, their medical bills or expenses if they sue you.) But if a member of your family trips over the same hose and breaks an arm, you would have to use your health insurance.

7. MYTH: Home insurance covers my home-based business.

The truth: You need to check your home insurance policy (as with many of these home insurance myths.)

You need to make sure your home-based business is properly insured. You might need to add coverage to your home insurance policy through an endorsement, get a home-based business policy, or get a business owner’s policy.

8. MYTH: Home insurance is too expensive to be worth it.

The truth: Home insurance is a financial safety net.

The house you live in is a big investment, and insurance can help you protect that investment. Consider what would happen if your home was burgled, caught fire, or got in the way of a falling tree.

As far as home insurance being overly expensive, we’re happy to bust that myth. Our agents are pros at helping people save money on home insurance and get great coverage at a great rate. We can shop your rates and get you the insurance you need to protect your home. All you have to do to get started with Atlanta home insurance quotes is fill out our online form or give us a call today. Let’s crush these home insurance myths together.

Source:

https://www.thebalance.com/ignore-these-6-myths-about-homeowners-insurance-coverage-4177282

Does Atlanta home insurance cover burglary?

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Home insurance should cover burglary.

Home insurance should cover burglary.

Your Atlanta house is more than just a structure with a roof and walls. It’s your home. You know you need to protect it with the right insurance, even though it’s scary to think about what-ifs – like burglary and what would happen if your home is burglarized. The thought is terrifying. But you might have this question – does home insurance cover burglary? We’re going to answer that question and give you some quick tips to prevent a break-in at your home.

Does Atlanta insurance cover burglary or theft?

Most home insurance policies do cover theft. Your policy should include personal property coverage, and that will provide insurance for your belongings. So, if someone breaks into your home and steals some of your possessions, you could file a home insurance claim and you should be covered. You’d have to read your policy carefully to find out exactly how your insurance would handle a burglary.

Your policy will probably have a limit for coverage for your personal property. That limit could be a percentage of the dwelling coverage on your home. Anyways, it’s really important to make sure that you have enough coverage to replace all of your belongings, so you need to check that your personal property coverage limit is high enough. (And we can help you make sure that you have the home insurance you need. Get started with Atlanta home insurance quotes by filling out our quick online form.)

To get an idea of how much coverage you need for your belongings to protect yourself against burglary, you can take a home inventory, which is basically a list of all of your belongings and their value. This will come in handy if you ever need to file a home insurance claim for burglary because you’ll easily be able to tell what’s been taken. You’ll know exactly what you need to include in your claim.

What if my belongings are in my car when they’re stolen?

If you have a bunch of stuff in your car and your car gets broken into or burglarized, your home insurance should cover those belongings and replace them. Most policies will cover your personal belongings even if they’re not in the home (although there could be limitations.)

Now, if your car is stolen from your driveway, however, your home insurance probably won’t cover it. You would have to have comprehensive coverage for your vehicle, which is a type of car insurance that will repair or replace your car if it’s damaged by something other than an accident (such as fire, falling trees, animal strikes, vandalism, and yes, theft.)

How to prevent a burglary at your Atlanta home.

No one wants to see their home get broken into, and it’s important to secure your house. The following tips can help you prevent a burglary at your house:

  • Keep the doors and windows locked. Contrary to popular belief, a lot of burglaries occur during the day – not at night.
  • Consider getting timers for your indoor lights.
  • Make sure you have plenty of outdoor lighting.
  • Consider getting a security system.
  • Secure your valuables.
  • Keep your bushes and trees trimmed to eliminate and potential hiding places for burglars.
  • Be familiar with your neighbors.
  • Don’t leave boxes from expensive purchases outside on the curb.

So, that’s the scoop about home insurance and burglary. Your home insurance policy most likely covers burglary and theft. There is a section of your home insurance that covers your personal belongings, and that’s the piece that’s going to replace your belongings. So, hopefully, you can find a little peace of mind knowing that your home insurance covers burglary.

Want to save money on your home insurance? We’d be happy to help you get an Atlanta home insurance quote. Our agents are professionals at helping people get great coverage at a great rate. To get started with your quote, fill out our online quote form or give us a call today.

Does Atlanta home insurance cover my personal belongings?

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Your home insurance covers your personal belongings.

Your home insurance covers your personal belongings.

You purchased Atlanta home insurance to be an invisible financial safety net in case you have some sort of loss to your home. That house was a big investment, after all. But you might have this question floating in your mind: does home insurance cover personal belongings? We’re going to answer that question, but we’re also going to explain how much insurance you need for your personal belongings and how to insure your belongings.

Are personal belongings covered by Atlanta home insurance?

Yes. A typical Atlanta home insurance policy should pay to replace the contents of your home (such as your furniture, your electronics, your clothes, and so on) if they are destroyed by a covered loss. Your policy should have a certain “limit” for personal belongings coverage. Home insurance is there for you – it’s got your back. (And if you’re looking for Atlanta home insurance quotes, we can help. Just fill out our online quote form or give us a call and we can help you get the insurance you need to protect your house.)

What losses are covered?

Well, that depends on your policy, which will outline the losses that are covered. However, some examples of losses that are usually covered by home insurance are:

Like we said, you really have to go over your policy carefully to understand exactly what is covered and what is not. There’s a lot of helpful stuff in your insurance policy. Admittedly, it might not be the most riveting read, but still – you’ve got to read your policy.

Taking a home inventory can help you find out how much insurance you need for your personal belongings.

What losses aren’t covered?

Some losses are typically not covered by Atlanta home insurance. The following are excluded from most policies.

  • Flooding: To protect your home against a flooding disaster, you would need flood insurance. You can purchase flood insurance from the NFIP through an agent, and you would have to make sure to include coverage for personal belongings in your flood insurance policy.
  • Sump pump failure/Sewer backup: To be protected against losses stemming from a sewer backup or sump pump failure incident, you would have to add coverage for sewer backup to your policy.
  • Jewelry: It’s not that home insurance excludes jewelry and other valuables, but usually policies offer a very limited amount of coverage for them. You may need to add extra coverage for your valuables.

These are just a few home insurance exclusions to be aware of. You need to spend some quality time with your policy to find out how certain losses are handled.

How much coverage do I need for personal belongings?

The next question is how much insurance you need for your personal property.

Taking a home inventory can help you find out how much coverage you would need to replace your belongings. A home inventory is basically a list of all the items in your home and their values. The easiest way to organize it is to break it down room by room.

Having a home inventory can also come in handy if you ever have to file a home insurance claim. It’ll be a lot easier to list the items that need to be replaced because you’ll have a prepared, detailed list of your belongings. Just make sure to keep your inventory somewhere safe – maybe consider a safe deposit box or Google Drive to ensure it doesn’t get destroyed if something happens to your home.

Pro tip: Pay extra attention to jewelry and other valuables. Like we said, you may need to add coverage for these things.

How should I insure my personal belongings?

You can insure your belongings for their Actual Cash Value or their Replacement Cost Value.

Actual Cash Value (ACV): If you insure your belongings for their ACV, your insurance company will reimburse you for the value of your belongings at the time of the loss (meaning the depreciated value.)

Replacement Cost Value: Replacement cost value does not take depreciation into account and can allow you to replace your belongings at today’s prices.

The bottom line is that you might want to insure your belongings for their replacement cost value to ensure that you receive enough reimbursement to replace your belongings at today’s prices.

So, that’s the scoop about home insurance and your personal belongings. While your home insurance should have coverage for your belongings, you have to read your policy to find out which losses are covered and which aren’t. Having a loss to your home could be a huge financial blow, but that’s why home insurance is there – to be your safety net.

To get started with some Atlanta home insurance quotes, you can fill out our quote form or give us a call today. Our team can help you find great coverage at a great rate. And we’ll help you make sure that your house and all of its contents are fully covered by insurance.

8 times you need to talk to your insurance agent

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It's important to keep your insurance agent informed about changes to your life or home.

It's important to keep your insurance agent informed about changes to your life or home.

Your insurance agent is there to help with many things. As life goes on, changes happen and your insurance might need to be adjusted. Your coverage needs to be customized to you, and if you have a change in your life or to your home, you need to have your coverage tailored so it fits like a glove again. It’s important to keep your agent in the know so that you don’t have any coverage gaps. Here are 8 times you might want to pick up the phone or write an email to talk to your agent.

8 times that you should talk to your insurance agent.

1. When you buy a house.

Buying a new home insurance means getting home insurance, and that means calling an insurance agent. You need to make sure your home is protected from fires, burglary, falling trees, and so on by getting the right home insurance. This is why an agent can be a big help. They can help you make sure you have enough home insurance.

Keep in mind that you probably want to insure your home for its replacement cost, which is the amount it would cost to rebuild your home from the ground up if it were destroyed by a fire or another loss. The replacement cost value includes the expenses associated with building materials and the labor of the contractors. And of course, it’s also important to have enough coverage for the contents of your home.

2. When you’re renovating your home or when you’re making home improvements.

Home renovations can affect your home insurance. You could end up increasing the value of your home if you make significant changes to the house, which means you may need to increase your limits of home insurance. It’s a good idea to let your agent know about any major changes or renovations to the home and have a conversation about your insurance. It’s essential that you have enough insurance to cover the costs of rebuilding your home so you can put it back to the way it was before the loss.

Apart from renovating, home improvements that make your home stronger or safer – such as getting a security system, getting a new roof, or getting a new electrical system – can qualify you for home insurance discounts. So, if you’ve made an improvement to your home that makes it safer or stronger, you could be eligible for a home insurance discount.

3. If your teenager gets their driver’s license.

If your teen is getting their license, you need to set them up with the right car insurance. Teen car insurance can be very expensive, so you may want to add them to your policy rather than getting them their own policy. However, that’s a conversation that you can have with your agent. Talk to your agent about the fact that your teenager is about to start driving. Hopefully, they can help ease your anxiety about handing over the keys by setting you up with great teen auto insurance.

Your insurance agent can help you make sure you have enough home insurance.

4. Getting married.

As far as car insurance goes, you could get a car insurance discount if you insure more than one car with your carrier. It might be worth checking to see what it would take to get you and your spouse onto the same car insurance policy.

5. Buying a car.

Well, if you’re buying a new car, you’re going to need the right insurance for it! It’s important to make sure you have the coverages you need to protect your new set of wheels. You don’t want to find out too late that you don’t have the coverage you thought you did for the new vehicle.

6. When you get valuable jewelry or art.

Maybe you’ve recently gotten some valuable jewelry or artwork. When expensive jewelry or art comes into your possession, you’ll need to let your agent know so you can chat about the best way to go about insuring your valuables. Oftentimes home insurance policies only give you a small amount of coverage for your values, so you may need to add coverage or even take out a separate policy for your valuables.

7. When you retire.

If you retire, you might qualify for a home insurance discount, so that could be worth a phone call to your agent.

8. If you want to bundle your home and auto insurance.

You might want to consider bundling your home and auto insurance (meaning getting them from the same carrier). That might help you save some money on your insurance because a lot of insurance companies offer discounts for bundling.

The above are a few occasions where it could be worth calling your insurance agent to tell them about your new situation. Remember, it’s so important to have the right insurance for your house, your family, and your finances. Don’t be shy – your agent’s job is to ensure that you’ve got the insurance you need.

Do you want to save money on your home insurance or auto insurance? We can help you get quotes for your coverage. We strive to be your insurance partner and advisor, so we’ll help you get the coverage you need at a great rate. Get started with home insurance quotes or auto insurance quotes with our online quote form or by calling us today.