​Are you among the many side hustlers renting out your backyard, pool, or other property by the hour?
In addition to bringing in some extra money, it can also create additional liability issues for you.

When people think about what affects their homeowner’s insurance premium, they usually think of things like the age of their roof, condition of their home, and where it’s located.

​But does your credit score also play a role? 

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:

Last year’s hurricane season provided some hard lessons for thousands living in their direct paths.  Torrential rains, followed by hurricane-force winds, wreaked devastation on areas with heavy tree densities.  This combination created the perfect storm for trees, especially pines, to uproot and fall.

Given our country’s increase in wind-related weather disasters, insurance companies are changing coverage details in some geographic areas.
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What does this mean for those living in Georgia and South Carolina?

Do your outdoor recreational hobbies include ownership of non-auto motorized vehicles like golf carts, boats, motorcycles, ATVs, or RVs?
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Insuring these can be very different from protecting conventional autos.  Here are 4 points you should be aware of if you own a recreational vehicle like these:

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:

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?
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Here are 4 major factors:

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. 

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.
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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:

​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:

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

Surprisingly, your credit score IS one factor that can influence the price you pay for homeowners insurance coverage but why and how does it affect your insurance premium?

Studies have shown a correlation between credit history and insurance loss potential, indicating that individuals with poor credit tend to file more insurance claims and are considered to be a higher risk.
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In general, people with higher credit scores are seen as demonstrating more responsible financial behaviors, which may translate into more cautious and responsible actions in other areas of life, including homeownership.

Insurance companies typically use credit-based insurance scores, not traditional FICO scores. These scores are specifically designed to predict insurance claims and are based on certain credit-related factors. including:

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:

When it comes to protecting your belongings, you need to have something called contents insurance.

What should you consider "contents?"  This is best described by any personal items that are not permanently attached and that you would take when you move.  This includes not only inside your home/apartment but items outside, too, like in a storage shed.

People commonly underestimate the value of their contents because they forget about little things that make a significant difference in the total value. 
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How do you best go about accurately calculating this for your home/apartment? Here is an organized step-by-step method that will help you determine how to get your contents coverage just right:

Insurance shopping can be frustrating. You submit the same information to multiple companies only to receive veryy different quotes.
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There are numbers of reasons why these differences occur, and being aware of them can help you make more informed decisions about your coverage.  Here are five:

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:

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:

 
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: