Insurance

Flood Insurance: Do You Need it?

Posted on by Linda Grissett

Flooding can happen anywhere, and it’s important to be prepared. While properties located in high-risk flood zones are more likely to experience flooding, it can also occur in areas that are not considered high-risk. Even if you are not in a high-risk flood zone, there are other factors that can increase the likelihood of flooding such as nearby bodies of water, heavy rainfall, and poor drainage. Additionally, if you live in an area that has a history of flooding, it may be a good idea to get flood insurance even if you are not in a high-risk flood zone.

It’s important to note that standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. If your home is damaged or destroyed by a flood, you will need to have flood insurance in order to receive financial assistance to repair or rebuild your home.

When determining whether or not you need flood insurance, it’s a good idea to speak with an insurance agent who can provide you with more information about the specific risks associated with your property. They can help you understand the different types of flood insurance that are available, and help you make an informed decision about whether or not to purchase flood insurance.

Keep in mind that if you have a mortgage on your property, your lender may require that you have flood insurance. Even if you own your home outright, it’s still a good idea to consider purchasing flood insurance as a precaution. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your home and your family from the financial devastation that can result from flooding.

In conclusion, flooding can happen anywhere and it’s important to be prepared. Even if you are not in a high-risk flood zone, you may still want to consider purchasing flood insurance as a precaution. If you have any doubts or concerns about whether or not you should get flood insurance, contact LG Insurance Group and we can provide you with more information about the specific risks associated with your property and help you make an informed decision.

How much does your At-Fault Accident impact your Auto Insurance Premiums?

Posted on by Linda Grissett

The impact of an at-fault accident on your auto insurance premiums can vary widely depending on a variety of factors. Some of the factors that may affect the size of the premium increase include:

The severity of the accident: More serious accidents, such as those involving significant damage or injuries, may result in larger premium increases than less serious accidents.

The amount of damage caused: The amount of damage caused by the accident can also affect the size of the premium increase. If the accident resulted in significant damage to your car or the other party’s car, your premiums may increase more than if the damage was minimal.

Your insurance company’s policies: Different insurance companies have different policies when it comes to handling at-fault accidents, so the impact on your premiums may vary depending on which company you’re with.

Your driving record: If you have a clean driving record prior to the at-fault accident, your premiums may not increase as much as they would if you had multiple accidents or traffic violations on your record.

State laws: Some states have laws that regulate how much insurance companies can increase premiums after an at-fault accident, so the impact on your premiums may vary depending on where you live.

It’s difficult to give a specific estimate of how much an at-fault accident will increase your premiums, as it will depend on these and other factors. However, it’s not uncommon for premiums to increase by hundreds or even thousands of dollars after an at-fault accident.

Top three reasons to get flood insurance

Posted on by agentinsure

If you live in an area prone to flooding, getting flood insurance is a good idea. Below are just a few of the top reasons why you should consider getting this critical type of coverage:

1. Flooding can happen anywhere: Even though certain areas are more susceptible to flooding than others, no region is immune from this type of disaster. If your home or property is located near water – such as a river, lake, ocean, or even a low-lying area – there’s always a chance that you may experience flooding at some point.

2. Flooding can cause severe and long-lasting damage: Floodwaters have the potential to cause significant structural damage to buildings and other structures. In addition, standing water can ruin personal property and belongings – even if the flood occurs relatively quickly.

3. Coverage for flooding is not included in standard homeowners insurance policies: Many homeowners mistakenly believe that their existing home insurance policy will cover them for losses caused by flooding. However, this type of coverage is typically only provided under separate policies with specialized carriers specializing in flood coverage. If you live in an area at high risk for flooding, it’s essential to ensure that this aspect of your insurance portfolio is adequately covered.

In conclusion, whether or not you live in a high-risk flood zone, getting flood insurance is a wise decision that can help protect your property. If you have any questions about whether flood insurance is a good option for you, call the LG Insurance Group today. We proudly serve the Marietta, GA area. 

Do I need to have a motorcycle insurance plan?

Posted on by agentinsure

Owning a motorcycle can be a good option if you live in the Marietta, GA area. When you live in this part of Georgia, owning a motorcycle will give you a fun and efficient way to get around. If you choose to purchase this type of vehicle, you also need to get the right insurance. A full motorcycle insurance policy will provide various forms of support and coverage that will make it a good investment. 

Coverage for the Motorcycle

One of the reasons to get a motorcycle insurance policy is so you can protect the asset. A motorcycle can cost a lot to purchase and maintain. Due to this, you will want to know you are doing all that you can to protect this asset. If you can invest in a motorcycle insurance policy, it will give you the coverage needed to replace or repair it if you incur a loss.

Ensure Compliance

You also need to have a motorcycle insurance plan so you can ensure insurance compliance. Anyone who purchases a vehicle in Georgia must have liability coverage, which extends to motorcycle owners. Further, if you have taken out a loan when buying a motorcycle, you need coverage to repair or replace it. With a full insurance plan, you will have this support.  

If you move to the Marietta, GA area, it would always be a good idea to obtain a motorcycle insurance policy. Those that do live here and need motorcycle insurance should call the team with the LG Insurance Group. Various choices need to be made when looking for this insurance, and the LG Insurance Group will provide valuable support. This will help ensure you have a motorcycle insurance plan that protects you and keep you in good standing with obligations. 

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.

Side Hustles & Entrepreneurism Risks: Are You Covered?

Posted on by Linda Grissett

After businesses shuttered and U.S. workers were sent home at the height of the pandemic in 2020, a report from Dollar Sprout revealed that more that 27% of those with a side hustle rely on that income to pay their bills. They might be doing anything from tutoring, freelance writing, offering professional consulting services, walking dogs or delivering groceries, to name a few.

The Dollar Sprout report also revealed that:
• Of those with a side hustle, 18% expect to turn it into a full-time source of income.
• Although 23% lost side-hustle income because of COVID-19, 42% remain hopeful about their prospects.

While the pandemic reshaped the workplace, the prevalence of home-based businesses had already given rise to ETSY, the fourth largest U.S. ecommerce site by monthly visits, where people sell everything from crafts and antiques to handmade toys and items for weddings, among other things.

The community of freelancers is increasing steadily. The Freelancers Union, established in 1995, says:
• There were 57 million U.S. freelancers in 2020.
• Americans rack up more than 1 billion freelance hours each week.
• Freelancers contribute more than $1 trillion annually to the U.S. economy.

New models of work create different insurance requirements. As individuals take on side hustles to generate more income or out of a desire to operate their own businesses, they also take on risks. If you have a side hustle, you need to insure yourself accordingly.

Liability insurance tops the list. Your Trusted Choice Independent Insurance Agent® can help you evaluate your side business, assess your existing coverages, and determine if you need a professional or business liability policy in addition to personal insurance. As a highly trained professional, your Trusted Choice agent can advise you of the specific or often overlooked coverages you should consider, and then assemble competitive product choices for you from the insurance marketplace.

Why is this so important? Even the most benign gig could destroy an individual financially in the absence of appropriate insurance coverage. Imagine a child takes a nasty tumble in your home while there for a piano lesson or a client accuses you of plagiarism: You will be liable. Or consider the costs you would be responsible for if the dog you’re walking breaks loose and attacks a pedestrian. The right policy can protect you.

Cyber insurance is also a growing consideration. If you set up an online store to sell crafts or homemade baked goods and a hacker steals your customers’ credit card data, what would be the cost to you? Would you be able to recoup your losses? Cyber insurance can protect you in the event of a breech whether your computer is hacked or your phone containing private information is stolen.

Auto insurance. Some automotive policies are for personal use only. Others may cover a business-related accident, but with limited coverage. If your side hustle involves driving and you get into an accident, do you know whether your insurance will cover you? If not, check with your Trusted Choice agent before an accident occurs.

Even if you are employed as a delivery driver, you need to know whether the company’s insurance covers you and what the limits are for collision, liability and medical. Talk with your independent agent, so you’ll know if you need a commercial policy for adequate protection.

Fire insurance. You probably have a homeowners or renters policy that provides coverage for losses incurred in a fire. But what happens if you operate a home business and spent thousands of dollars on office equipment? Will the insurance extend beyond your personal belongings to cover that equipment? Or, for that matter, will it cover the materials you purchased to make the items that you sell, or the business inventory you store at home?

Find answers before you need to make a claim, and avoid potentially devastating surprises. Your Trusted Choice agent can explain where your personal coverage ends, and where the gaps are in your business coverage.

As your business grows, be sure to inform your Trusted Choice agent so they can work with you to adjust your coverages and ensure the policies keep pace with your needs — especially if you hire workers or engage a contractor. Your agent can advise you about workers’ compensation insurance and employment practices liability insurance. Your agent also can review your contractor’s proof of insurance to determine if it meets your business’s needs.

Think of your Trusted Choice agent as a business partner who has your interests at heart. Your agent will work with you every step of the way as you grow your side hustle and reap the fruits of your efforts. Contact LG Insurance Group today if you have any questions regarding your insurance needs.

RV Insurance: What You Need to Know

Posted on by agentinsure

When it comes to recreational vehicles, there are a lot of things to take into consideration. Insurance is one of them. Here we will outline what you need to know about RV insurance so that you can make the best decision for your needs.

1. There are Different Types of Coverage to Choose From

When it comes to your recreational vehicle, you will want to ensure that you have the proper coverage. There are different types of RV insurance that people usually choose from.

Liability: This is one of the most important policy options to choose from. This option can provide coverage for damages you cause to other people’s property if it’s the result of an accident caused by you.

Medical Payments: Medical payments coverage can pay for the cost of injuries to yourself or others in your RV at the time of an accident.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: This coverage can cover expenses for injuries to you or others in your RV due to an accident caused by another person who does not have liability insurance.  

Comprehensive: If your RV is vandalized or damaged by causes other than a collision, you will be covered with Comprehensive coverage. Even damage caused by animals can be covered in some policies.

Collision: With this type of policy, your RV will be covered for losses resulting from a collision with another vehicle or object.

2. Your RV Needs to Be Covered for Specific Situations

Your RV should be covered for circumstances that you deem to be very important. For example, if you have pets or equipment in your RV, this needs to be considered when it comes to the types of coverage you need.

3. You Should Read Your Policy Thoroughly

Your RV insurance policy has a lot of details about your coverage. This information is important to understand to know what types of damages are included if you need to file a claim. So, it would be best if you took the time to read through your contract carefully.

You need to ensure that you have the proper insurance coverage for your RV. This will ensure that you are protected if something happens with your vehicle. Contact LG Insurance Group in Marietta, GA, for more information.

Is it time to Update Your Motorcycle Insurance?

Posted on by agentinsure

Let’s be honest. Renewing your motorcycle insurance is always a hurried affair from the moment you get the notification that your policy is about to expire. Your mind is always focused on renewing the policy without looking at the substance. Does your policy address all your current insurance needs?

At LG Insurance Group, we usually advise our Marietta, GA clients to update their bike insurance every year. However, sometimes you don’t have to wait for a year to lapse to update your insurance. If the following occurs, don’t hesitate to talk to your insurer to make the necessary adjustments.

Change of location

If you move to a new location, don’t forget to inform your insurance agent. Your location is one of the factors many insurance companies use to compute your premium, so it’s essential you inform your insurer when your address changes.

Change of bike use

You have always used your bike to run personal errands. But because the economy is taking a toll on your finances, you want to make a few extra bikes using your two-wheeler. You now want to deliver pizza and run other commercial errands with your bike.

Your new line of thought is creative, but you need to inform your insurer that you are using your two-wheeler for commercial purposes.

Selling your bike

Whether you are getting rid of your bike or upgrading to a bigger, better bike, you must inform your insurance agent. The good thing is that you can transfer your old policy to your new policy, and just top up the premium instead of getting a new policy altogether.  

Motorcycle insurance in Marietta, GA 

Still not sure when you should update your motorcycle insurance? Not a problem. If you get in touch with LG Insurance Group, we will advise you on instances you should review your motorcycle insurance policy.