Does Commercial Insurance Cover Vandalism?

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Commercial insurance helps to protect your business in a variety of ways. One of the questions we are often asked at Town & Country Insurance, serving the greater Buford, GA area, is whether vandalism is covered under a commercial insurance policy or not. Here is some information you need to know about this topic.

Vandalism is covered under your commercial insurance plan. For example, if you have commercial insurance property coverage, and someone throws a rock through your store front window, the insurance company would pay to replace the window, minus your deductible. Likewise, if someone breaks into your store and smashes your computer equipment, that would be covered as well.

However, the catch to vandalism is your deductible. Most commercial insurance policies have fairly high deductibles. As such, if someone spray painted the side of your building, your deductible may be more than buying a can of paint and painting over the graffiti in question yourself. Before filing a claim for vandalism, you should take the time to find out how much it will cost to repair the damage yourself and then compare that amount to your deductible. If they are close, you may be better off by not filing an insurance claim and just paying out of pocket to fix or rectify the damage yourself.

Do you have questions about your existing commercial insurance policy or are you looking to obtain a new one in the greater Buford, GA area? Then let Town & Country Insurance help. Give us a call today and let us discuss your insurance needs with you, answer any questions you have, and put together the perfect policy for you.

Possible Penalties for Driving Without Auto Insurance in the State of Georgia

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Any driver in the state of Georgia is required to have an active auto insurance policy at all times, or the driver could be faced with serious penalties. Anyone who drives without auto insurance in the state of Georgia could be charged with up to $185 in fines and could spend up to a year in jail. If you decide to drive uninsured, you could face certain consequences that could result in the suspension of your driver’s license and your vehicle’s registration.

Georgia’s Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements

If you live in Georgia, you’re required to carry liability insurance for your vehicle so that any injuries and damages related to an accident for which you’re at fault can be covered. You’ll also need to carry proof that you have a policy in place. Your vehicle must have a minimum amount for each of the following types of liability coverage:

•    A minimum per person for bodily injury coverage and a minimum for multiple people who have been involved in an accident.
•    A minimum in liability coverage for every accident that involves property damage.

Be sure to speak to an agent at Town & Country Insurance if you live in Buford, GA. We can help you find the coverage you need, and we’ll make sure it complies with Georgia State Law.

What You Could Face for Driving Without Auto Insurance

In addition to paying a fine and spending up to a year in jail, you could have your driver’s license and registration suspended. This can negatively affect your driving record. If your auto insurance policy has been terminated, you have 30 days to send an electronic notification to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). If you fail to send it in within that specified period, you could be faced with certain penalties.

What you could face will depend on the circumstances of your case, but you could pay a fee that could fall anywhere between $85 and $185. If you’re not able to provide adequate proof that you have an auto insurance policy, your vehicle’s registration could be suspended, and you could be faced with jail time of up to one year. The fee and time in which your driver’s license and registration can be reinstated will depend on the number of subsequent offenses, so be sure you have an active auto policy at all times. Otherwise, you could face serious consequences later on.

If you live in Buford, GA, feel free to get in touch with Town & Country Insurance Group. Our experts have a thorough understanding of Georgia’s auto insurance requirements. If you need a policy that complies with state standards, be sure to contact someone at our office. We would be happy to speak with you!

Comprensive Vs. Collision Insurance. Do You Have Enough For Your Car?

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Auto insurance is broken into two different types: comprehensive and collision. These two types are actually complimentary forms that protect the insured from paying totally out of pocket when an accident happens. Here are definitions of each one:

1. Comprehensive Insurance:  This type of coverage applies when something happens to the car other than a collision. For example, when damage is caused by fire, vandalism, theft, falling objects natural disasters, animals or glass damage like a cracked windshield. Some car collectors that store cars but don’t drive them will carry comprehensive coverage on them.

2.  Collision Insurance:  This type of coverage applies when a covered car runs into or collides with another car, an object other than a car or if the road driven on is hazardous, ie: a large pothole. It does not cover damage to the other vehicles. Liability insurance is what covers the other vehicle and is required by law in most states, including Georgia.

The difference between a car’s comprehensive and collision insurance is the damage they cover. The easiest way to remember is that comprehensive insurance covers drivers against damages caused to the car outside of their control and collision insurance covers drivers when they are in an accident with another vehicle or object.

Most insurance companies conveniently offer both comprehensive and collision insurance together as a package. Both types can include a deductible or the amount of money the insurer must pay to get the damage fixed. Going one step further, if there is a loan on the car, the bank will require both comprehensive and collision coverage and proof of insurance.

Contact Town & Country Insurance, Buford, GA for more information about comprehensive and collision insurance and what coverage is best for you.

Filing a Home Insurance Claim in the State of Georgia

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No one wants their home to get damaged, but the risk is always there. That’s why people get homeowner’s insurance, but it’s a product that people hope they never have to use. No matter what happens, you need to know how to file a successful claim, and you should avoid certain mistakes that can cost you both time and money.

When You Need to File a Claim

Every home insurance policy has a deductible, and it should be taken into consideration before you file a claim. Smaller issues (what many insurance companies call “incidentals”) won’t meet your deductible, and they can give them a reason to raise your rate. You should think twice before you file a claim on these types of issues because it can raise your overall insurance cost. Every claim you file is recorded in a database, and making too many within a certain period could cause insurance companies to flag you as high risk.

If you live in Buford, GA, Town & Country Insurance can help you find a home insurance policy that will meet your specific needs, and we can help you with the entire claims process. Be sure to contact us so we can answer any questions you may have. We would be glad to serve you!

What to Expect from the Adjuster Inspection

Once you’ve made a good assessment of the damage, you will have to present it to the insurance adjuster. He or she will make sure that nothing has been overestimated or that any important details have been missed. You should be careful what you say to the adjuster because this person represents the insurance company, and he or she will look for any reason to reduce the cost of the claim. Be ready to fight during the entire process, and make sure you take plenty of pictures so you can have a documented record.

If you need help filing a claim on a home insurance policy you’ve signed with us, Town & Country Insurance has a team of agents that can help you throughout the entire process. We have been meeting the needs of the residents of Buford, GA for a long time, and we have a reputation of getting results for our clients. Be sure to get in touch with someone at our office, and we would be happy to speak to you about all your insurance needs!

Life Insurance Guaranty Laws in the State of Georgia

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If you purchased an insurance policy with a company that has gone out of business, you have the right to keep it regardless of what happens to the insurer. A special officer from the Georgia Guaranty Association is responsible for facilitating the transition of any active policies once they have shut down.

This level of protection was set in place by the Georgia Guaranty Association Act in 1981, and it was amended in 2012. The process is done under court supervision, and it’s meant to protect Georgia residents from any unfair treatment because of a company’s insolvency or liquidation.

What Happens When an Insurer Goes Out of Business

If an insurer decides to close up shop, the Georgia Guaranty Association will be able to keep your policy in force if the premiums have been paid and there is enough money to cover the cash value. They may cover the policy directly, or they may transfer it to another company. Regardless of what happens, you should continue to pay the premiums. The Georgia Guaranty Association has the same rights and authority as the insurance company, so they can cancel the policy if they have reason to do so.

If you live in Buford, GA, Town & Country Insurance can write many different policies, and we will be able to find a plan that will meet your needs. We can also offer it to you at a price that you can afford. Our agents can help you get the coverage you need, and we can give you advice on all the policies we offer. Just reach out to us, and we would be happy to speak with you!

Types of Policies That are Protected

While many insurance policies are protected under the act, there are some that aren’t, and there are coverage limits on each one. If the company went out of business before July 1, 2012, you could get protection for the following policies:

•    Life insurance policies with up to a $300,000 death benefit and a $100,000 surrender value for each person covered.
•    Health insurance claims of up to $300,000 for every covered person.
•    The cash value of an annuity of up to $100,000 for every annuitant, and up to $300,000 per annuitant if it’s in the payment period.
•    Up to $5 million in group annuity benefits for each annuitant.

The following protection is available if the insolvency occurred after that date:

•    Life insurance policies of up to a $300,000 death benefit and a $100,000 surrender value for every insured.
•    Hospital, medical, and surgical claims, as well as any major medical claims up to $500,000 for every insured.
•    Disability, long-term care, or any other type of health insurance of up to $300,000 for every insured.
•    Any annuity cash value of up to $250,000 for every annuitant, and up to $300,000 if it’s in the payment period.

Regardless of these limits, the amount covered can’t be greater than the original obligation of the insurance company.

If you have any questions about any insurance regulation in the state of Georgia, Town & Country Insurance can answer them for you. We’ve been serving Buford, GA for a long time, and we understand the needs of the people who live in the area. Feel free to get in touch with us so we can take care of all your insurance needs.