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:

When shopping for auto insurance, many factors influence the rate you’ll pay, including gender.  Here are a couple of general things to know about gender and auto rates:

1. A few states don't allow gender to be considered when calculating auto rates, but Georgia and South Carolina aren't among those few.
2. While insurance companies consider gender, it’s not a static factor—its impact on rates often changes with age.

​Here's how you can expect gender to impact your auto insurance rates with age:

Have you ever thought about how many people drive vehicles without having insurance coverage?
 
It's not something at the forefront of your mind until you're the victim of an auto accident where the at-fault party has no insurance coverage.
 
Unfortunately, this is a reality for many drivers, ​making it all the more important to have adequate coverage for your own financial protection. Here are 5 reasons why:

In Parts 1 and 2 of this series, I described a range of valuable auto insurance discounts, from multi-car and loyalty discounts to checking rates before buying a vehicle.

​In this final installment, I’ll highlight 4 more discounts that can further reduce your premiums and help you save.

In Part 1, I shared 4 potential valuable auto insurance discounts including: paying in bulk, loyalty, low mileage, and having a paid-off auto loan.
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In Part 2, I dive into 4 more discounts that could further reduce your auto insurance premiums.

When it comes to auto insurance, every dollar saved counts. Many drivers aren’t aware of the potential discounts available to them.
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This is Part 1 of a 3 part series on potential auto insurance discounts you could be eligible for that you might be missing.  Here are the first 4 that could help you keep more money in your pocket.

A DUI (Driving Under the Influence) conviction can have significant consequences on your life, including your auto insurance.

​Here's how a DUI affects your auto insurance and what you can do to navigate the situation.

When it comes to auto insurance, it's important to make sure your policy provides the right coverage for everyone who might be behind the wheel of your vehicle.

​But who exactly should you include on your policy? Let's break it down.

In my last post, I shared some must-know facts about driving in the summer heat to take care of your vehicle and avoid insurance claims. 

If you read it you know the answer to this question:  can summer heat break your vehicle's windshield or windows?

Yes, especially with the high summer temperatures we've had this year.  One of my client's car windows had shatter cracks throughout the window, and had to be replaced.

How does this happen?

Vehicle glass can break when it's been under big differences in temperature over time. 

"Weather whiplash" can cause repeated stress on the glass and create cracks when the glass expands from the heat and then shrinks when cooled rapidly. 

Heat from direct sunlight can also cause glass to crack or break.  It heats up not only the glass but also the car metal around the glass.
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To help prevent your vehicle's glass from breaking in the summer heat: