In today's online world, it's possible to get insurance quotes without the involvement of an agent. But, the convenience of direct access to insurance companies or chatbots may come at a cost when you find yourself in a claim situation. Going solo could lead to headaches and financial hardships if you haven't chosen the right coverage.
An experienced insurance agent is invaluable when it comes to providing personalized guidance for this critical form of financial protection. Rather than navigating the complex world of insurance alone, an agent partners with you to ensure your needs are met. When choosing an insurance expert to entrust with your coverage, consider these seven factors: I continue to get calls from people because their auto insurance premiums are rising at renewal time, and they're searching for lower rates.
Many of these potential clients haven't had any accidents, tickets, moving violations, etc. to directly cause their rates to rise, so why are they experiencing this? There are a number of factors that contribute to this, including these 5 reasons: Renting a car for a spring road trip? When it comes to insurance coverage, things can get a bit tricky. Here are 4 items to consider before signing the rental agreement.
March Madness is a captivating event as millions of college basketball fans across the country analyze the teams and create their own (hopefully winning) brackets.
As we all watch the games and cheer for our favorite teams, we can also learn valuable lessons about selecting homeowners and auto insurance. Here are 3 important takeaways from March Madness that can help you choose the right homeowners insurance coverage. With St. Patrick's Day coming up, it's worth noting that even the Luck of the Irish can sometimes result in less-than-fortunate circumstances.
Here are a few unfortunate snippets from insurance claim reports to brighten your day: March is National Credit Education month so it's a great time to understand this.
Here are 2 ways your credit score influences your insurance rate: In the past, homeowners who rented out their properties once a year for local events often relied on their standard homeowners insurance.
But with the surge in short-term vacation rentals, insurance policies have also evolved, prompting the need for a closer look at coverage options, including these 5 areas: With tornado season already underway in the South, it's important to recognize what most standard homeowner's insurance policies provide for "all-perils" coverage.
This insurance coverage includes protection against tornado damage, but understand that there may be potential exclusions or limitations within your policy that can greatly impact your coverage. For example: Umbrella insurance serves as an added layer of protection, going beyond the confines of your existing insurance plans.
It acts as a safeguard against significant financial setbacks in situations where you may be deemed liable for damages or injuries to others including: bodily injury, property damage, personal liability, and advertising injury. Consider the following scenarios: Telematics is the use of GPS and other technology in vehicles to track driving behaviors and habits.
Insurance companies use behavioral analytics to determine the driving behavior of their policyholders and adjust insurance rates accordingly. There are pros and cons for policyholders considering using telematics. Here are a few: "Green" discounts - perks on your homeowner's insurance for embracing energy efficiency and eco-friendliness - are becoming more popular among homeowners.
Along with familiar green discounts like solar panel and smart home technology, here are 3 additional possibilities you may not have thought about: Looking to save on homeowners insurance? You're probably familiar with some saving options like bundling and claims-free discounts, but there are other lesser-known discounts you might qualify for. Here are 3:
We've all experienced the increase in cost of goods and services over the past several years, so it's logical to anticipate that your insurance premiums might increase some, too. However, the amount of increased cost has taken some policy holders by surprise.
There isn't simply one major reason but a number of factors that have caused insurance premiums to rise. In addition to increasing rates, insurance carriers have also tightened requirements for insurance approval and/or renewal. Just like with increasing premiums, clusters of factors have made it more complicated to identify and predict risk. Technological advancements like machine learning and artificial intelligence have given insurers a more accurate way to predict risk by using huge volumes of data. So what kinds of data are now being used to modify (and tighten) criteria for insurance policy approval? Here are 3 lesser known factors you should be aware of that affect your perceived financial stability by insurers: Historical data show that as people age, physical and cognitive changes may impact driving skills. Once you reach 70 years old, you can expect your auto premiums to rise. There are a number of things drivers at this age and older can do to lower their auto premiums. Here are 5 suggestions:
When shopping for insurance, you've likely encountered a puzzling phenomenon: why do rates differ so drastically between insurance companies? It's a common question many find themselves asking as they navigate insurance options.
While it may not make sense on the surface, there are 7 valid reasons insurance rates can vary between companies: Winter brings its own set of challenges, and one crucial aspect is safeguarding your home from potential fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, house fires occur more frequently in the winter than any other time of year.
Do you know the top causes of house fires? Read on to find out, including 5 valuable tips to prevent them: Of all the winter driving conditions, black ice is one of the most hazardous because you don't necessarily see it until you're on it.
What conditions most often create black ice, and how do you best navigate it? With 2023 wrapped up, remember to add "evaluate your insurance coverage" to your New Year's resolutions list. Why? Because changes you and your family experienced during 2023 or upcoming ones you expect this year will impact your insurance requirements.
Common examples include: As part of New Year's plans many plan to renovate their homes. In the Augusta area, this is particularly the time when those who want to rent their houses for the Master's Tournament get started on these tasks.
So do you need to update your homeowners insurance coverage if you're making changes to your home? As 2023 has wrapped up, it's time to re-evaluate your insurance plans. Why? Because changes you and your family experienced during 2023 or upcoming ones you expect this year will impact your insurance requirements.
Common examples include: Are you preparing for a New Year's Eve celebration? Make sure you take these 7 key tips to avoid any unforeseen insurance claims:
- This is obvious, but needs to be emphasized: if you or those you're with have too much to drink, do not drive. Either designate a driver ahead of time or tap local transportation resources to get to your destination. - If you're a host, have non-alcoholic beverage choices available, and stop serving alcohol several hours before the party is over. - Make sure your phone is charged, and be very aware of your surroundings if you're celebrating out in public. - Refrain from posting your location on social media so you don't alert potential thieves from visiting your residence while you're away. - If you plan to set off fireworks, observe local ordinances about them and ensure you do that in an open area. - Avoid setting off fireworks in a neighborhood to avoid conflict escalation regarding noise and property safety issues. - When you set off fireworks, make sure adults handling them take appropriate safety steps, and there is adequate supervision of children. Be proactive in safeguarding your assets. Make sure you have the coverage you need by reviewing your policies with an experienced independent insurance agent. Call me today: 706-726-1446. Wishing you an enjoyable and claim-free New Year's Eve! Are you planning a road trip this winter? If so, you need to be ready for wintery road conditions.
In addition to preparing your vehicle ahead of time for the cold temps, it's important to apply the following tips when navigating winter weather conditions once you're on the road: If you received an expensive gift for Christmas, do you know if you need to insure it or if it's covered by your existing insurance policy?
As usual, my answer is It depends - in this case, on the kind of gift it is and what its value is. Happy first day of winter!
With cold weather's entrance to our southern states comes an increased incidence of home insurance claims from things like:
If you experience some type of winter damage, take the following immediate steps: According to the Insurance Information Institute, nearly 13% of drivers countrywide are uninsured (12.9% in Georgia and 10.4% in South Carolina).
Many MORE drivers are UNDER-insured, meaning if they're found at fault in an accident, their policies aren't enough to cover accident-related losses. What recourse do you have if your car is hit and the person at fault doesn't have insurance? |
AuthorDennis Lam Archives
February 2024
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