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 Insurance Insights

Why This July 4th Could Be a Record-Breaker for Insurance Claims — and How to Avoid Being One of Them

7/1/2025

 
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This Independence Day is expected to set a record for the number of Americans traveling — and while that’s great news for reunions, road trips, and summer celebrations, it also means a greater potential for insurance claims.

July 4th consistently ranks among the highest-risk days for incidents that affect both people and property.
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Here are 7 practical tips to protect yourself, your guests, and your property from becoming part of the claim statistics:

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Does Your Insurance Cover You If You Rent Out Your Property?

6/24/2025

 
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​Are you among the many side hustlers renting out your backyard, pool, or other property by the hour?
In addition to bringing in some extra money, it can also create additional liability issues for you.

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Does Your Credit Score Affect Your Homeowners Insurance Premium?

6/17/2025

 
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When people think about what affects their homeowner’s insurance premium, they usually think of things like the age of their roof, condition of their home, and where it’s located.

​But does your credit score also play a role? 

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Have you ever thought, "This would never happen to me?"

6/10/2025

 
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Throughout my career, I've had more clients than I'd like who declined certain insurance coverage only to then experience some tragedy in which that coverage would have provided much needed protection.

While you don't want to over insure your assets, you DO want to make sure your insurance is adequate.
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Here are three real-life examples that drive this point home:

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Severe Storm Season Is Back:  Are You Sure Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy Covers Wind Damage?

6/3/2025

 
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Last year’s hurricane season provided some hard lessons for thousands living in their direct paths.  Torrential rains, followed by hurricane-force winds, wreaked devastation on areas with heavy tree densities.  This combination created the perfect storm for trees, especially pines, to uproot and fall.

Given our country’s increase in wind-related weather disasters, insurance companies are changing coverage details in some geographic areas.
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What does this mean for those living in Georgia and South Carolina?

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Insuring Your Toys: What You Need to Know About Boats, ATVs, RVs and More

5/27/2025

 
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Do your outdoor recreational hobbies include ownership of non-auto motorized vehicles like golf carts, boats, motorcycles, ATVs, or RVs?
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Insuring these can be very different from protecting conventional autos.  Here are 4 points you should be aware of if you own a recreational vehicle like these:

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2 Out Of 3 People Are Underinsured – Are You One Of Them And Don’t Realize It?

5/13/2025

 
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🛑 66% of U.S. homes are underinsured
🛑 1 in 7 drivers has no insurance at all

Why? Many people either can’t afford full coverage or never revisit their policies as costs rise. That means when disaster strikes, the protection they thought they had falls short.
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Here are 3 real-life examples:


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Moving & Insurance: What You Need to Know Before Packing Up

5/6/2025

 
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May begins the historic peak season for moving in the US.  Whether you're moving across town or to a new state, one of the biggest decisions you'll need to make is how to transport your belongings.

The method you choose—hiring professional movers, renting a truck yourself, or using your own vehicle—can have a major impact on your insurance needs.
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 Here’s what you should consider to make sure your belongings are adequately protected during the move.

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Homeowners Insurance and Golf Carts:  Don’t Get Caught Unprotected

4/29/2025

 
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If you're a homeowner and have a golf cart, it's important to understand the insurance coverage you need to protect yourself, others, and this vehicle. This is particularly crucial if you plan to drive your golf cart off your property or on public roads.
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In general, your homeowners insurance covers the vehicle under the following conditions:

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Considering Reducing Your Insurance Coverage?  Why Thinking  “It’ll Never Happen to Me” Could Cost You Thousands

4/22/2025

 
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With insurance rates rising over the past several years, many policyholders are looking to reduce coverage to offset those increases.
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While this is understandable, by doing this they are taking on sizable financial risk that they likely can’t cover if the unexpected were to happen.  Here are 3 examples:

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Georgia & South Carolina Homeowners: What’s Happening with Insurance Providers?

4/15/2025

 
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If you've tried renewing or shopping for homeowners insurance lately, you might've noticed fewer options—or worse, gotten a non-renewal notice. You're not alone.

A growing number of insurance carriers are either pulling out of southeastern states or tightening their guidelines. But why is this happening?
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Here are 4 major factors:

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What Does Your Credit Have to Do with Auto Insurance? More Than You Think

4/8/2025

 
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Most people know their credit score matters when buying a car or getting a mortgage—but did you know it also affects your auto insurance premiums?

Many insurers use something called a credit-based insurance score, something a little different from your regular credit score.
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Here’s what goes into this score and how it affects your insurance premiums. 

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Tornado Protection: What Your Homeowners Insurance May Not Cover

4/1/2025

 
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Most standard homeowners insurance policies with "all-perils" coverage do include protection against tornado damage. However, that doesn’t always mean you're fully covered.
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Certain exclusions, limitations, and policy conditions could affect how much you receive after a storm. Here are some key factors that could impact your tornado coverage:

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Renting Your Home Once Per Year For a Local Event? 5 Key Insurance Considerations

3/25/2025

 
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​In the past, homeowners who occasionally rented their properties for local events often relied on their standard homeowners insurance.
 
But with the rise of short-term vacation rentals, insurance policies have changed - making it essential to reassess your coverage. Here are five critical areas to review:

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Do You Have Adequate Insurance Coverage for Your Vacation Travel?

3/18/2025

 
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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.

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How To Enhance Your Home’s Security While Saving on Homeowners Insurance

3/11/2025

 
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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.

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True or False:  Your Credit Score Affects Your Insurance Premiums

3/4/2025

 
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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:

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After A Weather Disaster: Should You Update Your Insurance Coverage?

2/25/2025

 
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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:

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Why Should You Be Interested In Tort Reform?

2/18/2025

 
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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: 

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How Much Contents Coverage Do You Really Need?  How To Get Your Coverage Right

2/11/2025

 
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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:

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The Mystery Behind Insurance Quote Variations: Why No Two Companies Quote Alike

2/4/2025

 
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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:

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Stay Warm, Stay Safe: Space Heater Safety Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

1/29/2025

 
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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:

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Three Things You Want To Bring Inside From Your Vehicle During A Freeze

1/21/2025

 
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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:

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Non-Renewal Of Insurance Policies: What You Need To Know

1/14/2025

 
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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.

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7 Common Gaps In Standard Homeowners Insurance Policies You Should Know

1/7/2025

 
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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:

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