Ready to head out on your spring vacation trip?  Traveling for leisure carries its own risks and considerations that impact the insurance coverage you should have

​Here are a few considerations to think about to ensure you have just the right coverage for your itinerary.

Did you know that investing in home security not only provides peace of mind but can also reduce your homeowners insurance premiums?
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There are a number of great home security options thanks to technology, but here are three upgrades that may result in the best return on your investment on your insurance premiums while  also enhancing the safety of your home.

Surprisingly, your credit score IS one factor that can influence the price you pay for homeowners insurance coverage but why and how does it affect your insurance premium?

Studies have shown a correlation between credit history and insurance loss potential, indicating that individuals with poor credit tend to file more insurance claims and are considered to be a higher risk.
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In general, people with higher credit scores are seen as demonstrating more responsible financial behaviors, which may translate into more cautious and responsible actions in other areas of life, including homeownership.

Insurance companies typically use credit-based insurance scores, not traditional FICO scores. These scores are specifically designed to predict insurance claims and are based on certain credit-related factors. including:

The aftermath of a weather disaster like Hurricane Helene can be overwhelming. Once the storm has passed and you begin assessing damage and making repairs, you might be wondering — do you need to update my insurance coverage?

​The short answer is: possibly. Here are 5 items that trigger an update:

With insurance premiums having risen significantly over the past several years, increased attention has been directed on neutralizing climbing costs.

One effort that has gained attention for slowing and reducing these costs is tort reform.  Tort reform refers to a set of changes to civil justice laws to reduce the number and cost of lawsuits.

Evidence indicates that implementing tort reforms can help lower insurance premiums for both individuals and businesses.  When insurance companies face lower costs from lawsuits and settlements, they can pass those savings on to customers through reduced premiums.

Georgia has implemented tort reforms in phases, with significant legislation in 2005, additional measures through 2023, and continual refinements since then.
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How have past tort reform efforts regarding insurance premiums in Georgia fared?  Here's a recap: 

When it comes to protecting your belongings, you need to have something called contents insurance.

What should you consider "contents?"  This is best described by any personal items that are not permanently attached and that you would take when you move.  This includes not only inside your home/apartment but items outside, too, like in a storage shed.

People commonly underestimate the value of their contents because they forget about little things that make a significant difference in the total value. 
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How do you best go about accurately calculating this for your home/apartment? Here is an organized step-by-step method that will help you determine how to get your contents coverage just right:

Insurance shopping can be frustrating. You submit the same information to multiple companies only to receive veryy different quotes.
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There are numbers of reasons why these differences occur, and being aware of them can help you make more informed decisions about your coverage.  Here are five:

Have you noticed the increase in house fires during the winter season? 

According to the National Fire Protection Association, they occur most frequently during winter.

The top cause of house fires?  Cooking fires.  Not surprisingly, these happen most frequently around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The second most common cause of house fires?  Heating equipment.
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Space heaters can be extremely useful for supplemental heating, but they can also pose a huge fire hazard if not used correctly. Here are key tips for using space heaters safely:

When the temperature drops and a freeze is on the way, it's easy to focus on getting inside and overlook items sitting in your car.  Certain items can be damaged by freezing temperatures or create safety issues.

​Here are 3 things you should bring inside from your vehicle when the weather turns frigid:

Insurance is designed to safeguard your assets against unexpected events. There are times when an insurer decides not to renew an insurance policy. This can be stressful to insureds, especially if they're unsure why it happened or what steps to take next.
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Here's what you need to know about why insurers make the decision to non-renew an insurance policy and how you can respond effectively.

Homeowners insurance covers against many misfortunes, but it does have gaps.  Some exclusions, like damage from earthquakes and floods, are more widely known.

​There are other typical gaps in coverage in standard homeowners insurance, but may not be as well understood.  Here are 7 to be familiar with:

Determining the true value of your holiday gifts for insurance purposes is a step you don't want to overlook in ensuring adequate policy coverage. Here are 6 key methods to accurately assess the value of your presents:

Did you know that the New Year's holiday typically sees a spike in insurance claims?

Celebratory activities, including the use of fireworks, can lead to unexpected accidents and, in some cases, insurance claims.
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By taking a few quick precautions, you can ring in the new year without the stress of dealing with insurance claims. Here are 10 practical tips to keep in mind if you plan to include fireworks as part of your celebration:

Did you know domestic burglaries increase substantially once the clocks are turned back to standard time in November?

This additional veil of darkness gives thieves more time to stake out and burglarize your home.  
Knowing this, you can minimize the possibility of you being a victim of a home break-in.
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Here are 10 specific actions you can take:

After Thanksgiving, the Christmas season is another significant period when home fire risks increase significantly.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, holiday decorating causes an average of 790 home fires each year, resulting in substantial property damage and insurance claims.
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To keep your holiday merry and safe, here are 5 decorating tips to significantly reduce the risk of fire and the potential for filing an insurance claim.

Parking lots may seem mundane, but they’ve a common setting in the CSRA for theft and personal safety risks, especially during busy times like the holiday season.

Numbers of social media posts by local shoppers describe how they noticed they were being followed in a store or were being watched or approached by someone once they left the store and headed to their vehicle in the parking lot.
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Staying alert and aware of your surroundings like these shoppers can make all the difference in becoming a victim of theft and avoiding the hassle of filing an insurance claim.  Here are 9 steps to stay safe and secure when parking your vehicle to avoid being a victim and having to file an insurance claim for theft.

Did you know there are more home fires on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year?

According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are 3 to 4 times more fires on Thanksgiving, compared to a typical day.

The main cause?  Cooking.

Unattended cooking and cooking equipment are the 2 leading factors, and a common thread involved deep frying turkeys.
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Deep-frying a turkey can be delicious but obviously risky if not done safely. Here are some tips to minimize fire risks:

After flying to a far-off destination and back, the last thing you want to experience is to find your vehicle missing from the parking lot of the airport where it was parked.

Recent reports reveal that crime rings are now targeting airport parking lots to steal vehicles.  Thefts have spiked in this past year at airports from Anchorage to Atlanta and everywhere in between.   Just this year, over 300 vehicles have been stolen from Atlanta's Hartsfield.
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Which vehicles are targeted?

 
Insureds along the southeast corridor got a rude awakening in September as a result of the historic damage caused by Hurricane Helene.  Many affected were far inland and geographically not used to the catastrophic  levels of wind and water this storm produced.

Thousands are still in process of understanding what their insurance policies cover, filing claims, and getting estimates for repairs.

The damage from this hurricane included:

• dwelling damage
• wind damage
• flood damage
• personal property damage

​Most homeowners have a standard homeowners policy.  What does that cover?  It can vary significantly, but in general:

Hurricane Helene has swept through, leaving many car owners dealing with unexpected damage from falling trees and flying debris.

As you face this stressful situation, understanding the details of your auto insurance policy can make the claims process smoother and help you get back on track faster.
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Here are 5 key points to help you understand your policy's coverage and claims process better:

After Hurricane Helene's devastating effects on Georgia's Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), practically all residents were facing questions around what their insurance policies covered.

Given the hundreds of thousands of trees that fell, the primary issue was distinguishing: 1) whose responsibility it was for these downed trees; and 2) who was responsible for covering the resulting damage they caused.
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Here are three common scenarios to help you understand who’s usually responsible for repairs and whether insurance can help.

Filing an insurance claim may seem straightforward but certain mistakes or misunderstandings can result in your claim being denied.

​Avoiding these pitfalls is essential to ensure your claim is processed smoothly. Here are 3 of the most common reasons why claims get denied:

Bow season for deer hunting has opened in Georgia and is deer hunting season is already open to firearms in South Carolina so that means deer movement is increasing.

Because this region of the country has a high deer population, that also means deer vehicle collisions will rise during the fall and winter seasons.

If you're driving through these regions, it’s important to understand what auto insurance coverage you'll need if you hit a deer, as it's not included as part of a minimum auto policy.  Here's more about what you need to know and have:

Comprehensive Coverage is Key
To protect yourself financially from a deer collision, comprehensive coverage is the most important part of your auto insurance policy. Unlike liability or collision coverage, which covers accidents involving other vehicles, comprehensive insurance is designed for damage from other events like fire, theft, vandalism, and—most importantly in this case--animal strikes.

If you have comprehensive coverage and hit a deer, you can expect your insurance will cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle, minus your deductible. Without it, you'll have to pay for damages out of pocket.

What About Personal Injury?
If you or your passengers are injured during a deer collision, your medical payments coverage or personal injury protection (PIP) will kick in to cover medical expenses, depending on what state you're in and what type of coverage you’ve selected.

What to Do If You Hit a Deer in Georgia or South Carolina
Deer collisions can be scary, but knowing what to do after the fact is crucial. Follow these steps:

1. Pull Over Safely: If you hit a deer, pull over to a safe location, preferably away from traffic.
2. Check for Injuries: Ensure that no one in your vehicle is injured. If anyone is hurt, call 911 for medical assistance immediately.
3. Contact Law Enforcement: In both Georgia and South Carolina, it’s a good idea to contact the local police or highway patrol. This can be helpful for insurance claims, as having a police report on file can validate your claim. Also, if the deer is blocking traffic, law enforcement can help with removal.
4. Document the Scene: Take photos of the damage to your vehicle, the road, and the deer (if it's safe). This evidence can be useful when filing your insurance claim.
5. Avoid the Deer: Don’t approach the animal, even if it seems lifeless. Injured deer can be unpredictable and may react aggressively.
6. Call Your Insurance Agent: Once you're safe and have all the necessary information, contact your insurance agent for guidance on next steps. Since deer collisions fall under comprehensive coverage, insurance companies may not raise your rates—unless you have a history of claims.

Deer Collision Prevention Tips
To reduce the chances of hitting a deer, try these driving tips:

• Stay Alert Especially at Dusk and Dawn: Deer are most active during these times.
• Use High Beams: When driving at night in darker/rural areas, use your high beams to better spot deer.
• Watch for Deer Crossing Signs: These signs are placed in high-risk areas because deer are known to by nearby and cross the road there. Slow down and stay alert in these zones.
• Brake, Don’t Swerve: If a deer jumps into your path, brake firmly but don’t swerve. Swerving can lead to more serious accidents with oncoming vehicles or roadside obstacles.

As an experienced independent insurance agent in Georgia and South Carolina, I can help you review your policy to ensure you have the right coverage to protect you in the event of a deer collision.

​Contact me for more personalized advice or a free insurance review: 706-726-1446.
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This is the perfect time of year to make sure your house and property are in top shape for the upcoming fall and winter seasons.

Seasonal maintenance inside and outside your house can help you avoid not only costly repairs, but also prevent insurance claims and keep your premiums in check.
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Here are 5 insurance-related tips to protect your property as this fall season approaches:

Navigating the complexities of insurance coverage can feel overwhelming for individuals and businesses alike in the current hard insurance market because:
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• insurance underwriting becomes stricter
• carriers reduce coverage offerings due to increased losses or economic pressures, and
• insurance premiums rise.

When this happens, having an independent insurance agent by your side becomes more than just a convenience—it’s a necessity. Here’s why: