Lam Agency, LLC
  • Home
  • Insurance Services
    • Home Insurance
    • Auto Insurance
  • Blog

 Insurance Insights

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

5/13/2025

 
Picture

🛑 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.
​
Here are 3 real-life examples:


Read More

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

5/6/2025

 
Picture
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.
​
 Here’s what you should consider to make sure your belongings are adequately protected during the move.

Read More

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

4/29/2025

 
Picture
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.
​
In general, your homeowners insurance covers the vehicle under the following conditions:

Read More

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

4/22/2025

 
Picture
With insurance rates rising over the past several years, many policyholders are looking to reduce coverage to offset those increases.
​
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:

Read More

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

4/15/2025

 
Picture
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?
​
Here are 4 major factors:

Read More

Tornado Protection: What Your Homeowners Insurance May Not Cover

4/1/2025

 
Picture
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.
​
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:

Read More

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

3/25/2025

 
Picture
​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:

Read More

Do You Have Adequate Insurance Coverage for Your Vacation Travel?

3/18/2025

 
Picture
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.

Read More

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

3/11/2025

 
Picture
Did you know that investing in home security not only provides peace of mind but can also reduce your homeowners insurance premiums?
​
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.

Read More

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

2/25/2025

 
Picture
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:

Read More

Why Should You Be Interested In Tort Reform?

2/18/2025

 
Picture
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.
​
How have past tort reform efforts regarding insurance premiums in Georgia fared?  Here's a recap: 

Read More

7 Common Gaps In Standard Homeowners Insurance Policies You Should Know

1/7/2025

 
Picture
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:

Read More

New Year, No Claims: Practical Quick Tips For A Low- Risk Fireworks Celebration

12/24/2024

 
Picture
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.
​
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:

Read More

Hurricane Damage:  What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

11/12/2024

 
Picture
 
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:

Read More

When Trees Cause Trouble: Who’s Responsible for Repairs and Removal?

10/29/2024

 
Picture
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.
​
Here are three common scenarios to help you understand who’s usually responsible for repairs and whether insurance can help.

Read More

Is Your Home Prepared For Fall? 5 Insurance-Savvy Tips

9/17/2024

 
Picture
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.
​
Here are 5 insurance-related tips to protect your property as this fall season approaches:

Read More

Don't Let Water Damage Sink You: Insurance Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

8/8/2024

 
Picture
Water damage is the 3rd most common home insurance claim, behind wind/hail and fire/lightning claims (ref:  Insurance Information Institute).

Of all water damage claims, the root cause is damaged pipes.  So, while indoor plumbing has been one of the greatest conveniences of homeownership, it has been one of the greatest sources of losses of home insurers.

Do you know which water damage is covered vs. not covered by homeowners insurance?
​
Here are 5 major considerations to help you identify which side of the fence water damage may fall on regarding homeowners insurance coverage:

Read More

What Every Homeowner Should Know About Flood Coverage

8/6/2024

 
Picture
Weather forecasts for the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) have projected significant rain amounts due to tropical storm Debby.  For those in Savannah and Charleston, which can flood even with regular rainfall amounts, warnings have been issued for possible historic flooding events.

Generally, most of the CSRA isn't considered a typically flood-prone area.  But as we recently saw in our local area, sudden heavy rain storms created flash floods in areas that weren't at all known for flooding.

Unusual events like this have homeowners questioning whether their homeowners insurance covers flooding from heavy rains.

What do you think - does a typical homeowners insurance policy cover water damage from storm flooding?

If you said "no," you're right.

Homeowners must have a specific flood insurance policy to cover water damage from flooding, even if their homes are not considered to be in a flood plain.
​
Wondering if you should look into getting a flood policy?  Here are the key points you need to know:

Read More

Olympic Fever: How To Protect Yourself From Online Scams During the Games

7/25/2024

 
Picture
As the 2024 Summer Olympic Games get underway, millions will be actively watching the events and purchasing Olympic swag.

Unfortunately, too many will become the victims of online scams run by unscrupulous deceivers.  They set up very sharp and slick-looking e-commerce sites with the sole purpose of absconding with your money or even your identity.

According to Gen Digital's Threat Labs, scam attacks increased over 280% during the last summer Olympics and 238% during the last winter games. 
​
Even if you and your family members take precautions vetting these sites to prevent falling for these fakes, you might consider investing in the following types of insurance coverage:

Read More

What's Happening To Cause Increases and Non-Renewals of Homeowners Insurance In Georgia?

7/11/2024

 
Picture
Hardly a day goes by that I don't hear comments bemoaning the rise of homeowners insurance - or worse - the receipt of a non-renewal notice from an insurance company.

Why are these actions happening and affecting even those who haven't filed a claim on their homeowners insurance?
​
Recent reports shed a spotlight on the data found, including these  4 eye-opening facts that help answer that question:

Read More

Are You Storm Ready?  5 Key Tips To Severe Weather And Insurance Readiness

7/9/2024

 
Picture
Even though meteorologists' technology resources allow us to anticipate some upcoming severe weather events, others can crop up with little warning.

Since these events can leave behind significant damage and disruption, policyholders should be prepared well ahead of time for such occurrences to ensure your safety and protect your property.
​
Here are 5 key tips to help you stay prepared for a potential claim from a weather-related event:

Read More

Are You Rolling The Dice On Your Insurance Coverage?

6/27/2024

 
Picture
As insurance rates have climbed over the past several years, it has insureds hard pruning coverages to offset those increases.

It's understandable why they're doing that, but it's like gambling with their money.
​
Many become significantly under-insured when they do that and take on huge financial risk.  It takes just one event to financially destroy them, as the following examples illustrate:

Read More

Does Your Homeowners Insurance Go Up After Filing A Claim?

6/25/2024

 
Picture
Filing a homeowners insurance claim is a necessary step when disaster strikes, but many homeowners are concerned about the potential impact of a claim on their insurance rates.

Does your insurance premium go up after filing a claim?
​
Here's the answer, along with some clarification:

Read More

Preventing Water Damage At Home While On Vacation

6/18/2024

 
Picture
Going on vacation is an exciting time to get away and make memories with family or friends. While you're busy planning activities and making travel arrangements, it's easy to not think about potential issues that could occur at home while you're gone.

One of the most devastating events is water damage.

Imagine walking into your home only to be met with:
                several inches of water wetting your feet, or
                seeing a section of the ceiling hanging down and dripping water

Not exactly the welcome home you were expecting.

It's natural to think "it won't happen to me" and not take precautions to protect your house from a water catastrophe.
​
But there are a few small actions you can take before you leave to minimize the risk of having to deal with a major headache when you get home.  Here are 3:

Read More

Trying To Reduce Your Homeowners Insurance Premiums?  Consider These Lesser Known Possibilities

6/13/2024

 
Picture
Homeowners are typically aware of bundling polices and increasing deductibles to lower their insurance premiums.

But, there are other ways that might offer the same reduction.  Here are 3:

Read More
<<Previous

    Author

    Dennis Lam

    Archives

    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022

    Categories

    All
    Anti Theft Devices
    Anti-theft Devices
    Artificial Intelligence
    Asphalt Shingles
    Asset Verification
    ATV Insurance
    Auto Accidents
    Auto Glass Policy
    Auto Insurance
    Auto Saftey Features
    Behavioral Analytics
    Black Ice
    Boat Accidents
    Boat Insurance
    Bundling Policies
    Cancellations
    Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
    Cell Phone Insurance
    Chimney Fires
    Christmas Gift Coverage
    Claims Prevention
    Claims Response
    Clogged Gutters
    Commercial Insurance
    Computer Chips
    Contractor Scams
    Coverage Changes
    Credit Score
    Cyber Risks
    Deck Damage
    Declarations Page
    Deer Collisions
    Driver's Ed Discount
    Driving In Extreme Heat
    Drone Coverage
    DUI
    Electric Vehicles
    Employer Insurance Coverage
    Energy-efficient Roofing
    Engagement Ring Coverage
    Expensive Item Coverage
    Experienced Agent
    Fallen Trees And Limbs
    Fall Season
    Fire Pits
    Fire Safety
    Fireworks
    Flash Floods
    Flood Damage
    Flood Insurance
    Foggy Driving Conditions
    Fourth Of July
    Frozen Pipes
    Golf Carts
    Green Discounts
    Grilling Accidents
    Gutter Cleaning Safety
    Hard Insurance Market
    Hard Market
    Hazardous Materials
    Headlight Visibility
    Hit And Runs
    Hit-and-runs
    Holiday Season
    Home Based Business
    Home-based Business
    Home Closing
    Home Discounts
    Home Fires
    Home Insurance
    Home Inventory
    Homeowners Endorsements
    Homeowners Med Pay
    Home Theft
    Home Warranty
    HVAC Coverage
    Identity Fraud Protection
    Independent Agent
    Inflation And Homeowners Insurance
    Insurance
    Insurance Binder
    Insurance Claims
    Insurance Complexity
    Insurance Discounts
    Insurance Policy Review
    Insurance Rates
    Insurance Renewals
    Insurer Differences
    Jewelry Coverage
    Jewelry Insurance
    LEED Certification
    Liability Insurance
    Liability Limits
    Life Changes
    Lightning Strike
    Loss Assessment Insurance
    Loyalty Discounts
    Manufacturer's Warranty
    March Madness
    Medical Pay
    Mold Coverage
    Motorcycle Insurance
    Moving Insurance Coverage
    New Year Resolutions
    New Year's Eve
    Non-renewals
    Non-smoker Discount
    Older Drivers
    Once/year Home Rental
    Online Insurance Shopping
    Package Theft
    Parking Tickets
    Personal Property Coverage
    Personal Watercraft Insurance
    Pet Liability
    Plumbing Leaks
    Pool Coverage
    Predictive Modeling
    Private Property Car Accidents
    Rainwater Harvesting
    Rental Car Coverage
    Renters Insurance
    Replacement Cost
    Retirement Discount
    Rising Insurance Costs
    Rodent Damage
    Roof Damage
    Roofing Expert
    Roof Rejuvenation
    Russia And Ukraine
    RV Insurance
    Security System
    Short Term Home Rentals
    Short-term Home Rentals
    Smoke Detectors
    Soft Market
    Spectator Injuries
    Speeding Tickets
    Spring Cleaning
    Storage Insurance
    St. Patrick's Day
    Subrogation
    Summer Heat
    Teen Drivers
    Telematics
    Tornado Damage
    Totaled Vehicle
    Totaled Vehicle Calculation
    Towing And Assistance
    Tree Damage
    Umbrella Insurance
    Under Insured Coverage
    Under-insured Coverage
    Underwriting Criteria
    Uninsurability
    Uninsured Motorist
    Utility Line Insurance
    Vacation
    Valentine's Day
    Vehicle Theft
    Watercraft Insurance
    Water Heater
    Water Leaks
    Weather Disaster Claims
    Weather Preparedness
    Wind Damage
    Wind/hail Insurance
    Winter Driving Conditions
    Winter Season
    Work Travel

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Insurance Services
    • Home Insurance
    • Auto Insurance
  • Blog