Is Mold Remediation Covered By Home Insurance?

Do you have mold growing in your home? If so, you may have had a remediation or removal company come out and give you an estimate to remove the mold. And when you see its cost, you may wonder if your home insurance company covers mold removal. At North Georgia Insurance Center, we provide home insurance throughout the greater Commerce, GA area. We not only sell products, but we want to help answer the questions that people in the community have about this product. Read on to find out if mold remediation is covered by your home insurance policy. 

Is Mold Remediation Covered By Home Insurance?

Mold remediation may be covered by your home insurance policy. To determine if mold remediation is covered, you need to find out why the mold is growing in your home and whether the cause of the mold growth is covered. For example, if you had a pipe burst and that led to mold growth, mediation would be covered, as burst pipes are usually covered under your home insurance policy. However, if heavy rains caused a river to overflow its banks, and that caused mold growth, that likely would not be covered unless you had a stand-alone flood insurance policy. Flooding caused by heavy rains and overflowing rivers or waterways is typically excluded from home insurance policies. 

Home insurance may cover mold remediation, depending on the cause of the mold growth and the inclusions and exclusions of your specific home insurance policy. If you want to purchase a new home insurance policy or have questions about an existing policy, North Georgia Insurance Center, serving the greater Commerce, GA area, would love to work with you and answer your questions. Call us now to schedule an appointment. 

Easy Ways to Save on Gas and Insurance

Here at the North Georgia Insurance Center serving the Commerce, GA area, we’re all about helping you save money. From your auto policy to the gas you put in the tank, here are three easy tips to save on gas and insurance.

Tighten the Gas Cap

How many clicks did you hear the last time you tightened the cap on your gas tank? If you can’t remember, you’re not alone. Screwing the gas cap back on is something we tend to do quickly and in a hurry without a second thought. But did you know that poorly sealed gas tanks can cause you to lose up to 30 gallons of gas annually through evaporation? Next time you get gas, double-check the gas cap.

Follow the Speed Limit

If you stick to the speed limit, you’ll spend less on gas, and your insurance will be cheaper. When you follow the speed limit, you’re less likely to be involved in a crash, and your insurance carrier rewards you with reduced rates if you avoid claims. How does following the speed limit impact gas usage? Going beyond the limit may result in lowering your car’s fuel efficiency. Staying within the limit helps ensure your vehicle achieves the best fuel efficiency possible.

Walk, Don’t Drive

Of course, the easiest way to save on gas and insurance is to walk instead of driving. The fewer miles you put on your car each year, the lower your insurance premium. Plus, walking won’t cost you a dime in gas.

Are you ready to save even more on your gas and insurance? If so, contact the North Georgia Insurance Center serving the Commerce, GA area today!

Does RV Insurance Cover The Contents Inside the RV?

There is an infinite number of things that you could store inside an RV. If you live in the RV for an extended period, you will likely have all your life essentials with you. Life essentials could include clothing, medicine, furniture, electronics, etc. All these things carry value and are stored in your RV. So, if you are driving an RV around Commerce, GA, or anywhere else in the world, are your belongings inside the RV also covered? The North Georgia Insurance Center team is here to help educate you on the topic.

Contents Coverage for Your RV

RV insurance is going to include a variety of coverage types. One of the insurance types you want to be sure you have if you want the contents of your RV covered is contents coverage. Contents coverage insurance will help protect you if you have a covered loss and the interior contents of your RV take damage or are the victim of theft.

Contents Coverage Inclusions

Contents coverage can include everything from your electronics to furniture and jewelry and anything else you may have within the RV. An RV can carry many valuables, and content coverage helps keep you whole in the event of a loss.  

The North Georgia Insurance Center gets a lot of questions about RV insurance. Many of those questions relate to content coverage inside the RV. When driving around Georgia in your RV, you want to be sure you know what your insurance protects and what you can expect if you have a loss. 

Reach out to our team in Commege, GA if you have any questions.

Does motorcycle insurance cover my helmet and safety gear?

Riding a motorcycle is a thrilling experience but comes with various safety risks in Commerce, GA. That’s why it’s essential to know that your motorcycle insurance will cover your helmet and any other safety gear you may need. In this post, North Georgia Insurance Center explains motorcycle insurance coverage and what it protects.

What Does Motorcycle Insurance Typically Cover?

Motorcycle insurance typically covers any damage or injuries that occur as a result of an accident. This includes medical bills, repairs to the bike, and even liability expenses if you are found at fault in an accident. Depending on your policy type, it may also cover things like theft or vandalism, roadside assistance, and rental car reimbursement if your bike is unusable due to an accident or repair.

Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Helmets and Other Safety Gear?

Regarding helmets and other safety gear, most insurance policies do not cover these items specifically. However, if you are covered by medical bills as part of your policy, those costs will be covered if you are injured while wearing a helmet or other safety gear. Additionally, some policies offer specific coverage for accessories such as helmets and leather jackets—it all depends on the insurer’s policy language. Be sure to read through your policy carefully to determine what types of coverage are included in your plan.

It’s important to understand precisely what your motorcycle insurance policy covers before hitting the road in Commerce, GA. That way, you know what type of protection you have should anything happen during your ride. If you still have questions, contact North Georgia Insurance Center today. We are here to help.

Five Reasons Why You Need Health Insurance

The younger generations are coming-of-age and entering the workforce. This means they face the choice of whether or not to purchase a health insurance policy. Many seem to think that youth guarantees health or that they will never develop any severe illness. However, that is not always the case.

1.) You may experience unforeseen health problems in the future.

Let’s say that you are in relatively good health. Then one day, that all changes. A surprising number of diseases can occur in the body in a relatively short time. Diseases can also run in your family and may develop at an early age. You need to be proactive and think about your future.

2.) You could fall victim to illnesses caused by your environment or lifestyle.

If you are currently healthy but indulge in drinking and smoking often, you could end up with the condition that will later need to be treated.

3.) Medical costs are at an all-time high.

A simple visit to the urgent care clinic can cost thousands without coverage.

4.) You could receive tax benefits just for being insured.

This can significantly help at the beginning of the year when tax season hits.

5.) You won’t have to dip into your savings in the event of an illness.

Protect your hard-earned money by thinking ahead.

The North Georgia Insurance Center in Commerce, GA will assist you in deciding which health insurance policy will suit you. Regardless of age, it is vital to make sure that you have adequate health insurance. Anything can happen at any time, and you need to be prepared. Call North Georgia Insurance Center or stop by the office if you are in the Commerce, GA area.

Should I invest in term life or whole life insurance?

Understanding how life insurance works and what type would be best can be confusing. Our North Georgia Insurance Center team understands that many Commerce, GA residents may find life insurance hard to understand. We’re here to take the confusion out of life insurance. 

What is Life Insurance?

Life insurance pays a beneficiary an agreed-upon sum of money in the event of death or illness. Life insurance can be an investment for a pre-set amount of time or your whole life. Term life insurance is a policy that exists for a specific amount of time and terminates after that time has elapsed. Whole life insurance exists for your entire life as long as you pay the premiums.

Term-Life vs. Whole-Life Insurance

Most people invest in term life insurance, particularly when they have minors or children they are caring for. Term life insurance is the most common life insurance. People typically invest in this form of life insurance because it’s more affordable than whole life insurance, and the coverage provided is usually adequate enough to meet your needs. Most people get term life insurance to cover the number of years a child and a loved one would be dependent on their income. The lump sum paid out for beneficiaries is typically ten-plus times your income. 

Conversely, whole life insurance is typically more expensive and is designed to last for your entire natural life. However, remember that how much you pay for life insurance is somewhat dependent on your age and the type of insurance you’re investing in. If you have questions about term life or whole life insurance, we can help. Call us. We’d be happy to explore the benefits of both.

What Policies Can I Consider to Boost My Standard Home Insurance?

Your standard home insurance protects you and your home against numerous risks. However, like most things in life, your homeowner’s insurance isn’t perfect. There are perils it doesn’t offer protection against. Luckily, you can purchase add-ons to boost your home insurance. Since there exist numerous home insurance add-ons, you may wonder which ones are worth your hard-earned money. North Georgia Insurance Center looks at four policies you can consider to enhance your home insurance.

Flood Insurance

Your typical home insurance doesn’t cover flood damage. However, you can purchase stand-alone flood insurance from private carriers or the NFIP to protect your home against floods. Flood insurance covers your home structure and its contents when floods strike.

Sewer back up

While sewer back-ups happen every day, the unfortunate thing is that standard home insurance doesn’t cover the resulting damage. Your sewer lines could be damaged by many factors, including clogged pipes and tree roots. You can protect your home from blocked sewer lines by purchasing special coverage.

Earthquake insurance

Like flood damage, your typical home insurance doesn’t cover earthquake damage. You can purchase earthquake insurance to protect your home, especially if it’s located in a zone at high risk of earthquakes. Earthquake insurance covers damage to your building and its contents and loss of use.

High-value contents coverage

Your standard home insurance covers valuable items like cash, jewelry, and art up to a specific limit. Most home insurance policies cover these high-valued items up to $1,000. Since this amount is on the lower end, you should purchase special coverage for optimal coverage of your high-priced items.

Ready to protect your home with insurance? If you are in Commerce, GA, please call North Georgia Insurance Center for reliable coverage.

 

FAQs About Auto Insurance Policies

If you’re like the millions of people with auto insurance, buying insurance can be a challenge. It can be confusing, time-consuming, and frustrating, but getting the right coverage at the right price doesn’t have to be that way. Below are some frequently asked questions about auto insurance answered by North Georgia Insurance Center. 

What is auto insurance?

Auto insurance is a contract between you and an insurance company. You pay the company money, and the company agrees to give you coverage for your car or truck and any passengers in it if you’re involved in an accident.

What types of auto insurance are there?

There are many different types of auto insurance to choose from. Some of the most common include

  • Liability– Damages you cause to other people and their property when driving your car or truck. If you’re at fault in an accident, this insurance will help pay for your legal expenses and other damages.
  • Collision– Coverage to repair or replace your vehicle if it gets damaged in a collision with another car or object.
  • Comprehensive– This pays to repair or replace your vehicle after being stolen or damaged in any other way.
  • Medical payments- This type of insurance covers medical expenses for you, your passengers, and pedestrians injured in an accident.

What factors affect auto insurance rates in Commerce, GA? 

The type of auto insurance coverage you choose, the number of miles you drive, your age and gender, and your location can all affect your insurance rates.

The North Georgia Insurance Center can answer your questions about auto insurance and help you find a policy that fits your needs. Contact us today for an estimate or to ask more questions for clarification. 

Why You Need to Update Your RV Insurance When You Update Your RV

When you remodel your RV, you also need to update your RV insurance. Why? Because your insurance covers the RV as you purchased it. Once you’ve updated the interior, you need to insure those new items that now form a part of your vehicle.

Whether you park your RV in Commerce, GA or travel the country in it, North Georgia Insurance Center can help you add the insurance coverage you need to protect your investment.

Remodeling an RV

Remodeling a recreational vehicle differs from buying a new microwave for it. The microwave receives coverage under the policy coverage for personal belongings.

Remodeling refers to removing the old flooring and replacing it or flooring over the old. It also refers to replacing the paneling, adding a loft, replacing the old furniture, or adding solar panels to obtain solar energy. The latter requires re-wiring your RV.

These types of updates become a physical part of the vehicle, unlike a new microwave or refrigerator that you could unplug and remove. Without an RV insurance update, your changes go unprotected.

Accident and Damage Coverage Applies to Your Stated Value

If you incurred an accident in your RV and damaged it, your current insurance only covers the RV’s value when purchased. Even if your policy contains a clause for actual value replacement, if the insurer doesn’t know the value changed, you would obtain the actual value as the company insured it.

Insurance agents request an item inventory for policies that cover personal belongings. This list with photographs and video documents the typical contents.

Remodeling or renovating the RV works the same way. You obtained your insurance based on the purchase value which you stated. That’s the amount on which your insurance agency based the policy. So, when you redo the interior or exterior of your RV, you need to update the insurance policy.

Contact Us

You might buy a used RV and redo it to flip it or to enjoy it, but until you update the insurance, its coverage only provides the purchase price or the Blue Book value, depending on the text of your policy. Contact North Georgia Insurance Center serving Commerce, GA to update your coverage today.

Tips for Preventing Motorcycle Accidents

According to the NHTSA, there were over 5,570 motorcycle fatalities in the U.S. in 2020. That staggering statistic highlights the need for motorcycle riders to take precautions to prevent accidents. This blog post will explore some of the most effective ways to avoid motorcycle accidents.

1. Ride Defensively

The best way to avoid an accident is to ride defensively. This means being aware of your surroundings and looking out for potential hazards. It also means being cautious when passing other vehicles, as they may not see you. And finally, it means yielding the right-of-way to other vehicles when necessary.

2. Use Your Headlight

Another good way to prevent accidents is to use your headlight, even during the daytime. This will make you more visible to other drivers and help you see potential hazards on the road ahead.

3. Wear Proper Gear

One of the most important things you can do to prevent an accident is to wear proper gear. This includes a DOT-approved helmet and protective clothing such as gloves, boots, and a jacket.

4. Keep Your Bike in Good Condition 

It’s also essential to keep your motorcycle in good working condition. This means regularly checking the tire pressure, brakes, lights, and other essential bike parts.

5. Be Aware of Weather Conditions

You should also be aware of the weather conditions before you ride. For example, the roads will be more slippery and dangerous if it’s raining or snowing. So, waiting for better weather before hitting the road is best.

Invest in Motorcycle Insurance

Of course, even if you take all the above precautions, accidents can still happen. That’s why it’s so important to have motorcycle insurance. This type of insurance can help cover the cost of repairs or medical bills if you’re ever in an accident. When shopping for motorcycle insurance, compare rates and coverage options. This will help you find the best policy for your needs.

Get Motorcycle Insurance in Georgia

The above tips can go a long way towards preventing motorcycle accidents. But remember, even the most experienced riders can still be involved in an accident. It’s important always to wear proper gear and to invest in motorcycle insurance. North Georgia Insurance Center is here to help you find the right motorcycle insurance policy for your needs. We offer competitive rates and coverage options to fit any budget. Contact us today to get started.