 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:
 What Is Diminished Value And When Should You Request It? Even after a vehicle is properly repaired following a collision, it typicaly doesn’t retain the full market value it had before the accident. That drop in value — simply because the vehicle was in a wreck and now has an accident-history — is called diminished value (DV).
Why is this important to know? If you were in an accident through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to recover that loss in value via the at-fault party’s insurer (or your own in certain states, including Georgia, under very specific circumstances). Many vehicle owners have never heard of this and overlook it when filing an auto claim. What are the eligibility criteria for filing a diminished value claim?  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.
The number one issue is ...  This past year, a family faced a real-life nightmare that no parent ever expects. Their 17-year-old son, driving after a party, lost control of the car and crashed into a nearby home. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt but the fallout quickly became complicated.
The injured homeowner filed a lawsuit—not just against the teenage driver, but also against his parents, claiming they had “negligently entrusted” him to drive under unsafe circumstances. But when the family turned to their umbrella insurance for help, things didn’t go as planned because, as it turned out, the umbrella policy didn’t apply in this situation. Why?  When you think about your homeowners insurance policy, you probably picture coverage for your home’s structure, personal belongings, and liability protection. But there’s a hidden gap many people overlook, and it could cost you dearly.
 Summer heat isn't just tough on you—it’s brutal on your tires too. In fact, tire failures cause hundreds of avoidable accidents and fatalities each year, especially during the hotter months, which many tire professionals call “blowout season.”
Here are 3 key facts every driver should know to stay safe during summer travel:
Bottom line: Before you head out in the summer heat, check your tire pressure and tread depth. A quick check now could save you from a serious accident later. Planning a road trip? Give me a call at 706-726-1446 for a professional review of your auto insurance. Let’s make sure your coverage is ready to go when you are.  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.  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. Here are three real-life examples that drive this point home: Severe Storm Season Is Back: Are You Sure Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy Covers Wind Damage?6/3/2025
 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. 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?
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:  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:  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:  Insurance shopping can be frustrating. You submit the same information to multiple companies only to receive veryy different quotes.
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.
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:  We're well into severe storm season and have already seen some storms cause damage in our area. Before the next storm blows through, there are things you can do quickly beforehand to minimize weather-related damage and prevent an insurance claim.
In addition to tips I've mentioned before, here are 3 more tasks you can do now:  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 what insurance coverage you'll need. Here's a quick rundown:  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 uptick.
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.  As with other industries, the insurance market is cyclical, and we're currently in what's called a "hard market."
A hard market is when political, societal, climate, and other factors cause insurers' profits to fall. Over the past several years, the impact of these factors have combined to a point where insurers have experienced greater losses and have had to make adjustments to maintain profitability. Insurers have become more conservative in what they are underwriting causing their portfolios to shrink and clients' premiums to rise. Historically, hard markets haven't lasted as long as "soft markets," which is when market conditions are just the opposite. In soft markets, insurers' revenue reserves are higher and they are able to be less strict in the risk they underwrite. This allows them to increase their client portfolios, there is more competition among companies, and premiums are very stable over time. SO, what can you do while we're in a hard market to soften its impact?  In my last post, I highlighted the advantages of bundling your home and auto insurance policies. However, it's essential to recognize that bundling isn't always the best approach.
There are certain scenarios where keeping your home and auto insurance policies separate may prove more beneficial. Here are a few of these situations:  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: |
AuthorDennis Lam Archives
July 2024
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