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? Did you know hit-and-run accidents - those in which someone causes an accident and then leaves the scene without providing their information - are more common than you might think?
And, Georgia ranks 4th according to Ride Safe Georgia for fatal hit-and-run accidents. So, if you're a victim of a hit-and-run does insurance cover the accident? It may seem logical to remove your RV insurance during off-season times, but there are still risks that your RV could be damaged while not in use.
Here are 6 reasons it's wise to maintain your RV insurance throughout the year: Winter is officially only a few weeks away, so now is the time to avoid a home insurance claim from frozen water pipes bursting by taking these preventive tips now:
Have you turned on your heater only to find out it isn't working?
You call a repair service and they tell you your system isn't repairable and needs to be replaced. Does your homeowner's insurance policy cover your HVAC system? It depends on the reason for a malfunction. You'll need to review your policy to see what it covers specifically. For example: What do you think has been the brand of car most pulled over by law enforcement this year for speeding?
Logically, a great guess would be a brand that makes a compact, sporty, high-end horsepower vehicle whose drivers tend to drive faster than the speed limit. According to a recent report by Insurify, Cleaning gutters is a thankless chore that peaks in the late fall.
Here are 10 safety tips that can literally save you from physical injury and property damage: In a prior post we addressed some essential fire safety tips to take inside your home but what about taking safety measures when using your outdoor fire pit?
The incidence of fire pit accidents has risen in recent years as more homeowners have added fire pits in their backyards. To reduce the possibility of a fire pit accident, take these safety measures before you light yours: Now that the Christmas season is in full swing, here are some sobering facts to keep in mind:
Are you concerned about package theft this holiday season? If so, you're not by yourself. Almost 7 out of 10 homeowners are, according to a recent survey by the Chamberlain Group.
Do you know if your renters or homeowners insurance covers package theft? Generally it does, but coverage is only helpful for purchases that are valued more than your deductible. Most deductibles fall between $500 - $2000, and over half of all packages stolen last year were worth $50 - $200, so filing a claim isn't a viable option or in your best interest. What do you do if your package isn't at your home when it says it was delivered? According to AAA, 50% of vehicle crashes occur at night when far fewer autos are on the road.
This makes it critical that you pay attention to your headlight visibility as headlights that deteriorate over time can reduce light output by 80%! Most of the headlights used on vehicles are made of a type of plastic, which breaks down over time and causes clouding, fogging, and scratching. What can you do to ensure maximum headlight visibility and reduce your chances of being involved in an accident at night? Cold weather in GA and SC may not be as "bitter" as this photo shows, but it can still have a negative impact on your vehicles:
With Thanksgiving fast approaching here are 5 important reminders to minimize potential home insurance claims:
Haven't looked at your homeowners insurance policy lately? Ensure you have enough coverage BEFORE the upcoming holiday season. Call me at 706-726-1446 for a comprehensive review. The upcoming Thanksgiving holiday formally confirms we're in the busy holiday season, which brings its own unique hazards.
Here are 4 important insurance actions to take to maximize your protection during this festive time: 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. Insurance can be complex and confusing, so do yourself a favor and consult with a local experienced independent insurance agent. So you can avoid thinking: "I wish I'd ...." Don't gamble with your assets. Reach out to me for a comprehensive review to ensure you are adequately covered: 706-726-1446. If you're in an auto accident and you expect yours will be totaled, don't sit around and wait to hear from the adjuster. There are several things you need to do immediately:
Don't wait for disaster to strike. Get an experienced independent insurance agent in your corner now who can guide you expertly through situations like this: 706-726-1446. 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. HOWEVER, 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: Although a few insurance companies offer this as part of a standard homeowners policy, most companies offer it as a rider.
Coverage varies widely and usually don't cover stolen money or other financial losses. However, it may include proactive monitoring services, resolution assistance, and reimbursement for expenses related to restoring your identity, like legal fees. According to a variety of sources, the most vulnerable targets are: Have you used a free cell phone charging station at the airport or hotel? If so, you may have put yourself at risk of a cyber hack.
The FBI found that cyber criminals are installing malware onto public USB charging stations that can export your data and password information from your phone. Once they have this information, they can access your online accounts. If you see a cable left plugged into a free charging station... Did you know domestic burglaries increase substantially once the clocks are turned back?
With the time change coming up soon, now is the time to prep your home to minimize the possibility of a home break-in. Here are some reminders: |
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February 2024
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