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 Insurance Insights

Do You Exercise These Fire Pit Safety Measures?

11/30/2023

 
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In a prior post we addressed some essential fire safety tips to take inside your home but what about taking safety measures when using your outdoor fire pit?

The incidence of fire pit accidents has risen in recent years as more homeowners have added fire pits in their backyards.
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To reduce the possibility of a fire pit accident, take these safety measures before you light yours:

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Are You Taking These Fire Safety Measures During The Christmas Season?

11/29/2023

 
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Now that the Christmas season is in full swing, here are some sobering facts to keep in mind:

  • Unattended cooking fires are a leading cause of house fires in the US
  • Christmas tree fires  contribute to millions in property damage each year.
  • Candles cause an average of 23,600 fires in homes each year.

Here are some safety tips to remember so you can enjoy the holidays instead of spending your time dealing with an unexpected home insurance claim:

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Does Your Renters or Homeowners Insurance Cover Package Theft?

11/28/2023

 
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Are you concerned about package theft this holiday season?  If so, you're not by yourself.  Almost 7 out of 10 homeowners are, according to a recent survey by the Chamberlain Group.

Do you know if your renters or homeowners insurance covers package theft?

Generally it does, but coverage is only helpful for purchases that are valued more than your deductible.

Most deductibles fall between $500 - $2000, and over half of all packages stolen last year were worth $50 - $200, so filing a claim isn't a viable option or in your best interest.

What do you do if your package isn't at your home when it says it was delivered?

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Have You Checked Your Headlight Visibility Since The Time Changed?

11/22/2023

 
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According to AAA, 50% of vehicle crashes occur at night when far fewer autos are on the road.

This makes it critical that you pay attention to your headlight visibility as headlights that deteriorate over time can reduce light output by 80%!

Most of the headlights used on vehicles are made of a type of plastic, which breaks down over time and causes clouding, fogging, and scratching.
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What can you do to ensure maximum headlight visibility and reduce your chances of being involved in an accident at night?

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Have You Prepped Your Vehicle For Upcoming Cold Temps?

11/21/2023

 
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Cold weather in GA and SC may not be as "bitter" as this photo shows, but it can still have a negative impact on your vehicles:
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  • freezing condensation in fuel lines
  • lower tire pressure leading to reduced tire grip
  • strain on your battery, especially electric vehicles
  • thicker fluids, especially transmission fluid, that decrease vehicle performance

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Minimize Thanksgiving Homeowners Insurance Claims By Doing These 5 Simple Things

11/16/2023

 
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 With Thanksgiving fast approaching here are 5 important reminders to minimize potential home insurance claims:
  • Thanksgiving Day is the leading day for home cooking fires.  Remember not to put out cooking fires with water, but with items like baking soda, a fire extinguisher, or fire blanket.
  • Candles add warmth to the ambience, but they also add a hazard to the setting.  Place them so people don't have to reach over them, aren't too close to foot traffic, and are out of reach of children and pets.
  • Check smoke detectors to confirm they are working correctly.
  • If you'll be away from your home, increase its security by using an internal security system, lights on timers inside, motion lights and cameras outside, and doorbell cameras.
  • Ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your home and collect mail/packages and have local law enforcement patrol your property, if that service is available in your area.

Haven't looked at your homeowners insurance policy lately?  Ensure you have enough coverage BEFORE the upcoming holiday season.  Call me at 706-726-1446 for a comprehensive review.

4 Important Actions To Take During The Holidays To Maximize Your Protection

11/15/2023

 
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The upcoming Thanksgiving holiday formally confirms we're in the busy holiday season, which brings its own unique hazards.

Here are 4 important insurance actions to take to maximize your protection during this festive time:

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Have You Ever Thought, "This Would Never Happen To Me?"

11/14/2023

 
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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.

Insurance can be complex and confusing, so do yourself a favor and consult with a local experienced independent insurance agent.

So you can avoid thinking:

"I wish I'd ...."
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Don't gamble with your assets.  Reach out to me for a comprehensive review to ensure you are adequately covered: 706-726-1446.

In An Auto Accident and Expect Yours To Be Totaled?  Do THese 5 Things Now

11/9/2023

 
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If you're in an auto accident and you expect yours will be totaled, don't sit around and wait to hear from the adjuster.  There are several things you need to do immediately:
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  • If you own your car, have your title on hand.  This will speed up the claims process, if totaled.
  • Clean out your car.  If it's totaled, your car will be picked up quickly to be taken to a salvage yard.
  • If you have car rental coverage, you'll want to get a rental.  HOWEVER, first make sure you know what your policy covers regarding numbers of days allowed and a dollar limit on that coverage.
  • If you have the original spec sheet on the car, have that handy.  If it's totaled, this will help the claims rep document all the extras you had, will increase the value of the car, and ultimately the amount you're paid for it.
  • Start looking for a replacement vehicle now.  Remember, if you have rental insurance, you are covered for a certain number of days and dollar amount for rental expenses.

Don't wait for disaster to strike.  Get an experienced independent insurance agent in your corner now who can guide you expertly through situations like this:  706-726-1446.

When "Bundling" Insurance Policies May Not Be Advantageous

11/8/2023

 
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Do you "bundle" your insurance policies?

Generally, it's advantageous to do this, meaning you combine your insurance coverages with the same insurer.  Companies reward you with discounts for using that one insurer to cover multiple policies. 

The most common combination is to use the same carrier for home and auto insurance.

HOWEVER, there are exceptions, and this is another reason to use an experienced independent agent.
Independent agents have access to numbers of insurance carriers, meaning they can mix companies to match your specific insurance needs.

When would using different companies be better than bundling policies with one insurer? Here are a few examples:

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Does Homeowners Insurance Include Identity Fraud Protection?

11/7/2023

 
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Although a few insurance companies offer this as part of a standard homeowners policy, most companies offer it as a rider.

Coverage varies widely and usually don't cover stolen money or other financial losses.  However, it may include proactive monitoring services, resolution assistance, and reimbursement for expenses related to restoring your identity, like legal fees.
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According to a variety of sources, the most vulnerable targets are:

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Why You Shouldn't Use Free USB Charging Stations at Airports or Hotels

11/2/2023

 
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Have you used a free cell phone charging station at the airport or hotel?  If so, you may have put yourself at risk of a cyber hack.

The FBI found that cyber criminals are installing malware onto public USB charging stations that can export your data and password information from your phone.

Once they have this information, they can access your online accounts. 
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If you see a cable left plugged into a free charging station...

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What Does The Upcoming Time Change Have To Do With Insurance Claims?

11/1/2023

 
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Did you know domestic burglaries increase substantially once the clocks are turned back?

With the time change coming up soon, now is the time to prep your home to minimize the possibility of a home break-in.
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Here are some reminders:

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    Dennis Lam

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