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:

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:

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.

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:

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. 

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.

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 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:

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.

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?

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.

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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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:

Fact or fiction:  Car tires melt in extreme heat?     ....      If you said fiction, give yourself a star.

And what about this one:  Very high temperatures can cause tire pressure to increase so much it can cause your tire to explode?    ....    That's a fact.

We're used to having long hot summers in the South, so August and September can still be very hot, especially when combined with the high humidity.   Also remember that pavement temperatures are significantly higher than the air temperatures.

And that brings up potential situations you should be aware of regarding driving in extreme heat that you haven't really had reason to be concerned about in the past.
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Here are 4 must-know facts to help you remain safe while driving in this summer's sweltering sun:

Flash floods have already struck the CSRA this summer and caused unexpected property and vehicle damage.

Even though you may not live in a flood-prone area, there are plenty of low-lying and flood prone areas in the region where you may park your vehicle.  Here's what you need to know about auto insurance coverage for flash floods:

Basically, yes. 

Although white cars get the greatest number of  tickets, there are many more white cars on the road, so relatively speaking, the percentage of red car traffic tickets is highest.  (Red cars also rank highest in accidents, by the way.)

But is it due to law enforcement bias, driver behavior, or something else?