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As insurers are tightening their criteria of their client portfolio due to the industry's hard market, the occurrences of cancellations and non-renewals are on the rise.
It's especially important in this climate that you understand the difference between these two actions, reasons insurers take them, and how to avoid being the recipient of either of them. You're not by yourself if you feel overwhelmed when making decisions about your insurance coverage. Why is insurance so complicated, and how do you navigate through coverage options to ensure you choose what's best for you? Read on for answers to these two important questions.
This 250th Independence Day is shaping up to be one of the busiest travel holidays and most celebrated in American history. And while this means more reunions, barbecues, and celebrations, it also means a higher likelihood of insurance claims.
July 4th is consistently one of the riskiest days of the year for both personal injury and property damage. Here are 7 practical ways to make sure you're celebrating, not filing a claim: Golf carts are becoming an increasingly popular way to get around neighborhoods, parks, and communities. But before you start using one for everyday family transportation, it's important to understand the local rules and insurance requirements that apply where you live.
When shopping for homeowners insurance, most people focus on factors like their roof’s age, the overall condition of their home, and its location. But there’s another important factor many don’t realize: your credit score.
Yes — your credit history can significantly impact your homeowners insurance premium. Here’s how: June marks the beginning of hurricane season, and for residents of Georgia and South Carolina, that means it's time to review your insurance protection before a storm threatens the area.
When hurricanes strike, damage can come from multiple sources—including wind, hail, falling trees, storm surge, and flooding. Unfortunately, not all types of damage are covered by the same insurance policy. Depending on where you live, protecting your home and finances may require a combination of coverages. Here are several important steps to take now—before a storm is on the radar: Would you like to make your home safer while possibly reducing your homeowners insurance premium? Many homeowners don’t realize that certain security upgrades can help protect their property and may also qualify for insurance discounts.
Thanks to today’s technology, there are many great options available. Here are three upgrades that often provide strong value for both safety and savings: Living in humid climates like Georgia and South Carolina means moisture is a constant factor—and that creates the perfect setup for mold inside your home.
When warm, damp air meets cooler surfaces, condensation forms. Over time, that moisture can allow mold to take hold and spread. You’ll often find these conditions in areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements where humidity and water tend to build up. In many cases, homeowners insurance will cover mold, mildew, fungus, and spores—but only if they result from a covered peril. So what is a covered peril? This includes specific situations such as: Rising costs aren’t just affecting groceries and gas—they’re impacting your homeowners insurance too. The real question is: would your current policy fully cover a loss today?
Many homeowners were already underinsured, and with construction, labor, and fuel costs climbing in recent years, that gap may be even wider now. If your home were to be seriously damaged, your current coverage limit might not stretch as far as you think. The following 4 coverage areas are likely the most vulnerable to inflation: Severe weather season is back across Georgia and South Carolina. After events like Hurricane Helene, many homeowners learned valuable lessons—but as time passes, it’s easy to let preparation slide.
The good news? A little proactive planning can go a long way toward preventing costly insurance claims. Here are 7 smart steps every policyholder should take before the next storm hits: Every March, fans across the country dive into NCAA March Madness, studying matchups and building brackets they hope will come out on top.
While you're watching the action unfold, there’s a surprisingly practical takeaway: the same mindset that helps build a winning bracket can help you make smarter decisions about your home and auto insurance. Here are three lessons worth applying: 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. But, 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: Most people think of spring cleaning as decluttering closets and washing windows. But it can also protect your home — and help you avoid costly homeowners insurance claims.
A few simple maintenance steps now can prevent thousands of dollars in damage later. Here are three smart ways to reduce risk this spring: Homeowners insurance is designed to protect one of your biggest investments. But many claims surprises don’t happen because someone had “bad” insurance… they happen because of coverage gaps.
Here are three of the most common gaps — and how they can impact real homeowners. Important changes have been implemented for homeowners in Georgia and South Carolina.
Effective January 1, 2026, new laws affect how insurers handle policies, how homeowners prepare for disasters, and even how contractors can market roofing work. Here’s a quick breakdown of key changes: It’s no surprise that house fires occur more frequently in winter months than any other time of year. The use of candles, fireplaces, and alternative heating devices contribute to over 2 BILLION dollars in property losses every year.
To prevent your home from becoming part of that statistic, keep these 7 claim prevention tips in mind: Thanksgiving is almost here, and it’s a great time to make sure your home is as safe as possible. Here are five simple reminders that can help prevent a holiday from turning into an insurance claim:
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, the holiday rush is officially here—and so are a few seasonal risks worth preparing for. A quick insurance checkup now can go a long way in protecting your home, car, and peace of mind.
Here are four smart steps to take before the festivities begin: With the time change back to standard time and as package deliveries start ramping up across Georgia and South Carolina, so do reports of porch pirates making off with them. A recent Chamberlain Group survey found that nearly 7 out of 10 homeowners are worried about package theft — and it’s easy to see why.
But here’s the big question: Would your homeowners or renters insurance cover a stolen package? Insurers are tightening their standards and restrictions so before you call to file a homeowner’s insurance claim and have it denied, ask yourself these questions:
It’s been a little over a year since Hurricane Helene tore through Georgia and the Carolinas, wreaking an estimated $64.2 BILLION in damages. Damage ranged from high winds, downed trees, inland flooding, mudslides, and infrastructural damage to roads and utilities.
With such a wide range of causes, some homeowners uncovered additional hurricane-related hidden damage after their claim was closed that wasn’t previously included. In cases like this, is it possible for homeowners to re-open the original claim after they’ve already received and cashed a check for those damages and request to receive additional compensation for those damages? So many homeowners admit they “set it and forget it” when it comes to their homeowners insurance policies. Unfortunately, that means many people end up paying out of pocket for things their policy might already cover.
So, how well do you really know what’s inside your home insurance policy? Most homeowners policies protect six key areas: When the temperatures dip and the leaves start to turn, most of us look forward to cozy nights indoors. Unfortunately, squirrels, mice, and rats have the same idea—and your attic, crawlspace, and venting may look like the perfect Airbnb to them.
Does your homeowners insurance cover repairs from damages from animal home invasions? In today’s world, you can buy just about anything with a click so it’s no surprise that insurance companies have jumped on the “buy online now” trend. The idea sounds great: fast, easy, and cheap. But when it comes to protecting your home, car, or business, “fast and easy” often translates to “expensive regrets later.”
Here’s why you should not buy insurance online: Most people don’t find out what’s missing in their insurance until after a claim. And by then—it’s too late.
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AuthorDennis Lam Archives
July 2024
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