Month: May 2022

Is Basic Auto Insurance Sufficient?

Posted on by agentinsure

Most motorists know that car insurance is a worthy investment that can save you when things get tricky. However, most are likely to stick to the state-required car insurance to save money. While this might look like a well-thought-out saving plan, you will regret it when faced with a significant accident.

So, should I stick to basic auto insurance? LG Insurance Group of Marietta, GA explains why it’s risky to go this path.

Why minimum auto insurance is never enough

To expound on why basic car insurance is never enough, let’s look at the auto insurance requirements for Georgia. Motorists are required to have a car insurance policy that satisfies the following requirements:

  • Bodily injury liability of at least $25,000/$50,000
  • Property damage liability with a minimum of $25,000
  • Uninsured motorist property damage of at least $25,000 with certain deductibles

When you look at these insurance limits, you might think they are enough, but you will find they are inadequate when faced with a significant auto accident. For instance, assume you are responsible for an accident that causes property damage of $20,000 and bodily injury of $100,000 to multiple persons. Your state-required liability insurance will cover these liability claims up to $75,000. As for the balance of $45,000, you will cover it from your pocket unless you have enough liability coverage to foot the entire third-party bill. See why basic insurance is never a good idea? It can easily land you in a financial mess.

What we tell our clients

Since basic insurance is never enough, we usually advise our clients to increase the coverage limits. For motorists who want super-high liability coverage, we recommend considering umbrella insurance.

Secondly, we advise our clients to consider other insurance policies. Examples include:

  • Collision coverage
  • Comprehensive coverage
  • Personal injury protection (PIP)
  • Roadside assistance, and so on

Want a sound car insurance policy in Marietta, GA? Please get in touch with LG Insurance Group for a quote.

Why home and auto insurance rates are rising in 2022

Posted on by Linda Grissett

Rising Insurance Costs

Thanks to an unusual convergence of market trends, ushered in by the pandemic and other disruptive events, you may see a bigger change to the cost of your home and auto insurance than usual when it comes time to renew your policies this year.

Insurance rates are based on what an insurer thinks it will cost to make you whole in the event of a loss – whether it’s roof damage during a windstorm or a vehicle totaled during a traffic accident. As you’ve likely noticed, pretty much everything costs more than it did even a few years ago.

What’s driving higher home insurance costs

If you’ve shopped at Home Depot or Lowe’s lately, you’ve certainly seen that the price tags on building materials have risen dramatically. Last year alone, the cost of building materials rose 14.1%, with lumber playing an outsized role in that trend, more than tripling in price since March 2020.

To make matters worse, the home-building industry is facing a shortfall of at least 200,000 skilled laborers, which is driving up construction-related labor costs. Combined with the high cost of construction materials and historically low housing inventory, this has been making home claims much more expensive for insurance companies.

What’s driving higher auto insurance costs

An ongoing shortage of microchips and other critical parts like wiring harnesses, plastics and glass is making it more costly to repair or replace a vehicle after an accident.

Supply chain issues are rapidly depleting inventories of new and used cars. Inventories have reached a critical low-point, falling 87% between 2020 and 2022. As a result, the average price of new cars has risen 14% over the same period, while used car prices have skyrocketed 55%.

At the same time, accidents have become more frequent and severe, increasing the number and cost of auto claims. In the first six months of 2021, nearly 2.5 million people sustained injuries requiring consultation with a medical professional. Accident fatalities in Jan. 2022 were 14% higher than in Jan. 2020.

Focus on value as you explore ways to save

Keep in mind that savings comes in many forms. The value of the coverage you choose today may save you more in the long run than the lowest possible premium. Contact us to review your current coverage. Click here to get an online quote, Compare Quotes | LG Insurance Group (lg-ig.com). We will help you explore opportunities for discounts that could offset higher rates when it comes time to renew your coverage.