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Who needs flood insurance? Many residents of Georgia and South Carolina are exposed to flood risk. Those living in coastal areas are like to be more at risk. Consider the following:
River Road – It seems wise that anyone living on River Road should check in to flood insurance.
Coastal Highway – Another great clue that suggests there is a heightened risk for flooding.
Lowcountry– Since floods occur in low lying area, it’s probably wise to consider flood insurance if you live in a region known as the Lowcountry.
Anyone with Lender Requirement
Your homeowner’s policy does not protect against flooding. For anyone needing protection from rising waters, a separate Flood Insurance policy is required. This policy will provide specific coverage if your home is damaged by a local flood.
Residents in Coastal Georgia and South Carolina may find that they are required to purchase flood insurance. This requirement is most likely come for a lender. Mortgage lenders know the potential impact of floods as well as which homes are at greatest risk. Due to this risk, borrowers with homes located in a FEMA identified flood zone will likely be required to maintain flood insurance.
Needs to Cover Against Risk
FEMA flood zones are divided into one of many categories. These categories or buckets identified the flood risk as very risky or a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Somewhat lower-risk areas are considered Moderate Flood Hazards. There are two moderate flood hazard groups; Zone B and Zone X (Shaded). Finally, the areas that are exposed to potential flooding yet have the least risk are identified as minimal flood hazards. This grouping also has twp categories; Zone C and Zone X (Unshaded)
Even if the risk is small, you should still consider getting flood insurance. Everyone should consider buying flood insurance. This includes those without a mortgage, and those not required to have flood insurance.
When you are looking to learn more about flood insurance in Georgia or South Carolina, you should speak with the team at TruePoint Insurance. They will make work hard to make sure that your decision is as simple as possible.
Insurers commonly provide coverage for mobile/manufactured homes by modifying a conventional homeowner policy with provisions called endorsements. The endorsements change key definitions and other elements of a conventional policy to fit a mobile or manufactured home situation. The result is a modified homeowner package that protects the home, outbuildings (unattached garages, sheds, etc.) and personal property. They also provide insurance for personal liability. Regardless of the type of home you own or live in, it is important that you learn about the coverage options that are available. You may find that different policies vary considerably in coverage and price.
Coverage for mobile/manufactured homes is generally offered using two approaches. Some policies include a laundry list of items (or perils) that may cause a loss. Other policies protect your home against everything EXCEPT for a host of specified perils. Either approach includes liability coverage that protects you for injuries or losses to others which you accidentally cause.
Property Insurance Needs
Any coverage option you choose is likely to reflect the fact that mobile homes are, well, mobile. Therefore coverage is affected by the fact that mobile homes:
are able to move under their own power (or are capable of being easily transported);
are more susceptible to wind damage,
tend to lose value with age.
The mobility of such homes creates a special need to protect the financial interest of the business that lent the money to purchase the home. For example, a mobile home owner who lives in Ohio decides to drive his home to Arkansas. The soon-to-be Arkansas resident “forgets” to mention his plan (and his new address) to his Ohio Mortgage Company. The Ohio lender would be out of luck if the policy didn’t include protection for this whimsical act. Another way in which a mobile or manufactured homeowner policy differs from conventional homeowner coverage involves coverage for unattached buildings. This coverage is usually minimal for, say, $2,000. Such a provision helps keep the premiums for policies lower by avoiding paying claims on very low value structures. The coverage is likely to be offered on an actual cash value basis. Unfortunately, mobile and manufactured homes tend to lose value over time.
The policy is likely to include a provision that requires you to get permission to move your home. Once granted, you’re likely to get thirty days of special transportation protection for collision; sinking, upset or stranding (a special, higher deductible may apply during the move). Another common coverage feature is coverage for your attempt to move the home in order to prevent damage from an insured cause of loss. For example, you move your mobile home fifty feet to get away from a neighboring trailer that is on fire. IMPORTANT: coverage for moving endangered property usually has a modest limit (several hundred dollars is typical) because of owners who may be too heroic or clumsy for anyone’s good.
Liability Insurance Needs
The liability protection connected with mobile or manufactured homes is, for all practical purposes, identical to the liability provided to conventional home owners. Why? The likelihood of guests to be hurt at your home, or your probability of being sued, tends to be the same. The important thing to remember is that your agent is a tremendous source for getting the information you need to be sure that your home and property are adequately protected at a reasonable price.
COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 2016
All rights reserved. Production or distribution, whether in whole or in part, in any form of media or language; and no matter what country, state or territory, is expressly forbidden without written consent of Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc.
Homeowner and other policies that protect private residences have, for most of their history, been written assuming that the property owner is an individual or married couple. Policies traditionally defined an “insured” or covered person as an individual, married couple or spouse of the individual listed on the policy. However such policies had to respond to a, formerly, rare form of home ownership….trusts.
Besides use as a residence, a home is also often a primary financial asset. As property owners become more sensitive and savvy in handling their finances, the use of trusts to pass on property has expanded. A trust refers to any asset that is controlled or owned by an artificial entity, the trust agreement. Typically, the property owner becomes the trustee, having rights to use the home as a residence, but the legal ownership resides in the trust. The trust allows for tangible property to be passed along to heirs with much more for favorable tax treatment. However, there are consequences that affect insurance coverage and which should not be ignored.
If your home or personal property (furniture, furnishings, etc.) have been transferred into a trust, it is important to share this information with your insurance agent. Then you both may take steps to make sure that the insurance needs of both the trust and the property-users are covered. It is particularly important that liability protection remains intact.
Depending upon the insurer, your homeowner, auto and umbrella policies may have to be modified so that the trust arrangement is specifically recognized and is protected by the policies. It may be that the policy wording already handles things by including trusts or trustees within the meaning of “insured.” In other instances, endorsements may have to be added to include the proper additional insurable interest so that property and liability coverage expands to protect the property held in trust and the trustees.
The existence of a trust means you need to get an insurance professional involved to make sure you can still trust the protection of your various insurance policies.
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Insurance policies involve trust. Insurance policies are written agreements that involve at least two parties. One is the insurance company that provides the applicable form of protection. The other is the party who is protected by the policy. These two parties have a contractual relationship with each other. The insurer agrees to protect the insured if the insured agrees to pay for the protection.
The trusting relationship begins before any policy is issued. Insurers want to provide policies to persons who meet their qualifications. Qualified persons are discovered by using applications. Besides collecting identifying information, applications also gather details that determine if a person is eligible for a given policy. The information also helps the insurer decide how much to charge for the coverage, what level of coverage it should agree to grant and the conditions for providing the protection.
The insured should also to be able to trust the insurer. He, she (or a business entity) has to rely on the company actually issuing the type of coverage it promises. The insured also trusts the company to pay for a loss (that is eligible under the coverage) and to handle any loss fairly and efficiently. Both parties must approach the contractual agreement honestly and fairly. The contract is affected if either party fails to act in good faith.
When an insurance company refuses to cover an eligible loss without a valid reason or when an insured refuses to pay for the policy; these are instances of breaking the contract. An insured may also break the contract if he or she either withheld information or intentionally supplied false information. Of course the information must involve some significant item that would have affected the company’s decision to accept the insured. Breaching a contract may allow an insured to sue a company for coverage or allow a company to void the policy it issued.
Whenever policies are not handled in good faith, there are consequences that impact more than just the two parties. Third parties, such as other businesses or persons, may also be harmed by insurance contracts that turn out to be invalid. Modern economies depend upon the role played by insurance contracts. It would be impossible to handle large transactions without a way to protect all parties against possible losses. Further, many parties would not even attempt certain types of transactions without the support of insurance, such as large building projects, major equipment sales, vehicle rentals and numerous other transactions.
Certainly there are many times when one party fails to handle their insurance obligations in good faith. However, such instances are the exception. Our economy and standard of living are made possible because most parties deal with each other honestly and we all benefit when that happens.
COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 2016
All rights reserved. Production or distribution, whether in whole or in part, in any form of media or language; and no matter what country, state or territory, is expressly forbidden without written consent of Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc.
Many of us avoid or delay decision making. Especially if we are dealing with a new set of issues. Decision making can be extremely stressful.
It’s not surprising that first-time parents report elevated levels of stress and anxiety. In a relatively brief time period they will be expected to make a large number of often critical decesions.
Before you can take your newborn home you will have to decide which Child Safety Seat is right for your situation. The car seat is vital for your child’s safety! The child’s car seat comes down to your judgment and perceived importance of seat safety options, the seat integration to your vehicle, budget, and other factors relating to what best fits your family. Safety is obviously paramount, but you also have to consider Georgia Car Seat Laws. These laws have been designed with your child’s safety in mind and should provide valuable insights. Make sure you’re up to date with the car seat laws in your state and review your vehicle manual for proper fitting.
According to Georgia Consumer Protection: The 4 Steps for kids car seats are: 1. Rear-Facing Infant Seats in the back seat from birth to at least one year old and at least 20 pounds. 2. Forward-Facing Toddler Seats in the back seat from age one to about age four and 20 to 40 pounds. 3. Booster Seats in the back seat from about age four and 40 pounds to at least age eight, unless 4’9”. 4. Safety Belts at age eight or older, or taller than 4’9”. All children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat.
According to www.safety.com: (Updated April 16, 2020)
Bringing Home Your Newborn? You should consider the Britax B-Safe Infant Car Seat.
Want a Child Car Seat that adapts to the changing needs? Look into the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-1 Infant to Toddler Car Seat. This seat can be used in any of the four different positions.
Still, driving a small car? There’s a child safety seat for you. The Graco SlimFit 3-1 Convertible Car Seat is for those parents still fight to keep the choice of vehicle. Wait there’s more the SlimFit 3-1 is another Child Car Seat designed to adapt with your child growth. This seat has been designed for children between 5 and 100 pounds.
A Child Passenger Safety Technician can show you how to install or inspected this critical addition to your auto.
Need help installing your Child Safety Seat? Maybe you need the comfort of a second opinion. Regradless, the organizations listed below have provided a helping hand for new parents in the past. You may want to make a quick call beforehand. Below is a list of places you can call and schedule an appointment to have a Child Passenger Safety Technician show you how to install your car seat or have it inspected.
Most properly licensed persons who drive cars (including vans, SUVs, hybrids, crossovers or pickup trucks) are eligible for policies designed for standard and preferred drivers. In the insurance world, standard and preferred refer to those who typically:
·Drive vehicles that are relatively inexpensive to repair or replace
·Do not use their cars for business
·Have good driving habits
·Do not suffer impairments that seriously affect their ability to drive
·Do not rack up an inordinate amount of annual mileage
·Have few accidents and/or traffic violation
Drivers who fall outside of the typical range of vehicle operators qualify as non-standard drivers.
Generally, non-standard drivers cause more losses so insurance companies may charge them substantially higher premiums or restrict the amount and type of coverage. Besides charging higher premiums, non-standard insurers often charge additional amounts for tickets and accidents. Limits are controlled by offering limits that match what is required by state laws or offering limits slightly higher than these minimums, but which are far less than what is provided by standard and preferred programs. Non-standard programs often are more restrictive, excluding coverage for situations such as special or custom vehicle features (stereo systems, custom wheels, special paint jobs, engine enhancements, etc.). These programs may also bar coverage for more situations, such as when a loss involves a car that the driver has either rented or borrowed.
Being classified as a non-standard driver is often a temporary situation that can change with the passage of time, such as newly licensed drivers, or drivers who had a period of several tickets or accidents. Other situations involve the opposite, where drivers may be re-classified because of having a medical impairment or who reach a very advanced age. Other reasons for re-classification may be due to the vehicle, such as operating a car that is too old to be written by standard insurers, as well as cars that are highly customized, are very expensive or are designed for higher performance.
There are a number of reasons why a driver’s only option is the non-standard market, including merely having a preference for a minimum amount of insurance protection. However, it is a market that provides full coverage (protecting against legal liability for causing loss to others and protecting against damage to one’s own vehicle), though the coverage is not as broad or economical as what is available from the standard market. Regardless, this market performs a critical role that permits a greater number of drivers and vehicles to get needed insurance protection.
COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 2017
All rights reserved. Production or distribution, whether in whole or in part, in any form of media or language; and no matter what country, state or territory, is expressly forbidden without written consent of Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc.
What is a Dealer’s Blanket? It has nothing to do with auto dealer giveaways. The Dealer’s Blanket is a form of business insurance that provides physical damage coverage for Auto Dealers. You may have heard it referred to as Open Lot Insurance or Dealers Open Lot Insurance. Regardless of the name, this policy is essential protection for many car lots.
Consider your own car insurance. In many ways, the Dealer’s Blanket looks similar to your personal auto policy. The primary purpose of the policy is to provide protection against dealer loss. Specifically, losses resulting from comprehensive and collision protection. While there are many similarities, there are also some significant differences.
Personal Auto policies provide liability coverages. Liability coverage is not the purpose of the Dealer’s Blanket. It is a coverage that they have access to, but it is not provided by the Dealer’s Blanket. Liability protection for auto dealers is provided by the Garage Liability Policy.
Insurance companies require Georgia individuals to provide identification to insure their autos. We refer to this identification as a VIN or vehicle identification number. This serves two main purposes. First, it gives insurers a nearly fail-proof input for pricing their exposure as it relates to your specific vehicle.
While the VIN provides accurate information related to the vehicle’s replacement cost. What it fails to do is provide insights into the present condition of your vehicle. To address this shortcoming, you may even go as far as require you to provide a current photo of your car.
Individuals insure against comprehensive and collision risk. For the most, new and used car dealerships insure against the same. What differences exist?
Auto Dealers in Georgia and other states use the Dealer’s Blanket to transfer comp and collision risks. What is the Dealer Blanket and why auto dealers need them?
Individuals are likely to have the same vehicle all year. Most will own vehicles for many years, some several decades. Used and new auto dealers can’t stay in business by holding on to cars for years or decades.
Successful auto dealerships turn their inventory several times each year. The average US Car Dealer’s inventory turnover is more than 13 times. A dealer with an average inventory of 50 cars would have 650 policy endorsements each year. Those policy changes would be required just to keep up with the new inventory vehicles. To avoid overpaying, they would also need 650 approvals to remove sold vehicles. That would present a serious problem! Making over four insurance transactions every business day seems inefficient. Creating issuers for both the dealer and the insurance company. With so many transactions, it’s also possible the process may put the dealership at risk. Failing to record just one transaction could end in a multimillion-dollar loss. Not a claim! Failure to record a newly purchased vehicle is a problem. the sale was never recorded on the books of the insurance company, the auto lot will be on the hook financially. How many Georgia auto dealers do you know that could serve such a substantial loss.
Let’s give the insurance companies some credit. Recording real-time vehicle information was throughout the policy year doesn’t work. With that said, how do Insurance companies keep track of Georgia Auto Dealer risk?
How to Auto dealers address comp and collision risk.?
Comp and collision is priced and transferred via the Dealer’s Blanket. How it’s done varies between insurance companies and between dealers. If you’re a Georgia car lot, you must understand how your risk and premiums are calculated. The insurance company can not be expected to know how your business changes. Often, the difference between good and bad insurance boils down to communications. Having a good a local Georgia insurance agent can go along way. This thought is easy If your one of those people that respect the value of local contacts.
Insurance markets can not totally eliminate risk. The only way to totally eliminate risk is to avoid it. For those in the business of selling vehicles, this is not an appealing option. The Dealer’s Blanket is a great way to transfer risk. But, it is critical that all parties are on the same page. Problems are largely dependant on establishing the necessary communication process. A critial first step is understanding the Dealer’s Blanket. Combined with accurately communicating auto inventories, car deals can significantly reduce financial exposures.
WARNING: Accurate Inventory Critical
There are two primary approaches to calculating dealer open lot premium:
Non-Reporting Forms – This method is most often used by smaller used car dealers. Georgia Car lots with inventories of $100,000 or less will in most cases use the Non-Reporting method. This may not necessarily be by their choice. Often the cost associated with the monthly reporting eliminates dealers with smaller inventories.
At the beginning of each policy period, the dealer must declare a coverage amount. CAUTION REQUIRED! When a loss occurs, and a claim is submitted, the insurance company will most likely review and calculate the dealer’s inventory. If it is higher than the declared amount, THERE COULD BE A PROBLEM. The underreporting will likely trigger the coinsurance clause. As a result, the dealership will bear the financial responsibility for the difference.
Monthly Reporting Form – This method requires the dealer to periodically update the insurance carrier. This forces dealers to take on additional work, but this method is cost-effective. It always reduces concerns associated with paying coinsurance.
The Dealer’s Blanket is important. But there are many additional coverages that Georgia Dealerships should consider. Some of the most common insurance coverages for Auto Dealers include:
Commercial Property
Business Personal Property
Workers Comp
Business Income
Garage Liability
Garagekeepers
EPLI
Business Income
and Cyber Liability.
We mentioned GarageKeepers, which is another coverage that is specific to the Auto Industry. This coverage protects vehicles of customers that have been left in your care. Dealers that also offer repair work will most likely need to add this coverage too.
Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) Photo by John Lloyd, taken on October 22, 2009, distributed by Flickr
Homeowners that live near coastlines face possible loss by a hurricane. Hopefully, any affected person will own a homeowners insurance policy to help deal with the crisis. However, they must be aware of their responsibilities under the insurance policy in order to take full advantage of any available coverage.
The main priority for a homeowner is to be sure that the amount of coverage is adequate in the event that the home has to be totally replaced. Also, the homeowner should keep their deductible in mind, seeking options to make sure that it is affordable. Insurers who operate in areas that experience hurricanes typically require deductibles at a high, flat amount (such as $2,000) or at a percentage of the policy’s insurance limit (anywhere from 2% to 5%).
Naturally, a homeowner should consider ways to minimize their possible loss and maximize their personal safety by:
Bring outdoor property inside the home (lawn equipment, toys, tools, etc.)
Installing or building a proper “safe room”
Cover/Secure all windows and doors
Have a portable radio and stay turned to accurate source of weather broadcasts.
Turn off (unplug) small appliances and turn refrigerators/freezers to their highest settings.
If applicable, turn off fuel/oil tanks.
Fill sinks and bathtubs with water.
Returning to a damaged/destroyed site is not when a hurricane victim will be at his or her best, but that is the time that certain obligations have to be met in order to make the most out of any insurance recovery. It is important to do the following:
At the earliest possible chance, contact your insurer with details about your loss
If possible, be sure you have a way to visually record the loss details (camera, digital camera, even a smartphone camera.)
Take reasonable action to keep intact property protected from additional damage or loss
Keep an accurate record of all expenses that are related to protecting your property as well as items related to temporary housing and meals
Though post-catastrophe times are chaotic and spirit-sapping, it is important to keep in contact with your agent and/or insurer. Take the time to be meticulous about filling out reports, documenting the value of your loss and cooperating with claims personnel.
COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 2016
All rights reserved. Production or distribution, whether in whole or in part, in any form of media or language; and no matter what country, state or territory, is expressly forbidden without written consent of Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc.
Knowing how to pick out the correct car seat for your child is vital for your child’s safety! When picking out your child’s car seat it comes down to your personal preference, budget, and what best fits your family. Make sure you’re up to date with the car seat laws in your state and review your vehicle manual for proper fitting.
According to Kentuckystatepolice.org: The 4 Steps for kids are: 1. Rear-Facing Infant Seats in the back seat from birth to at least one year old and at least 20 pounds. 2. Forward-Facing Toddler Seats in the back seat from age one to about age four and 20 to 40 pounds. 3. Booster Seats in the back seat from about age four and 40 pounds to at least age eight, unless 4’9”. 4. Safety Belts at age eight or older, or taller than 4’9”. All children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat.
2020’s Top Rated Car Seats:
According to www.safety.com: (Updated April 16, 2020) • The best car seat for growth of your child is: Graco 4Ever DLX 4-1 Infant to Toddler Car Seat. • The best infant car seat is: Britax B-Safe Infant Car Seat. • The best car seat for smaller vehicles: Graco SlimFit 3-1 Convertible Car Seat.
Below is a list of places you can call and schedule an appointment to have a Child Passenger Safety Technician show you how to install your car seat or have it inspected.
2. Norton Children’s Hospital: https://www.safekids.org/inspection-stations#KY Address: 315 E Broadway Louisville, KY 40202
3. Norton Children’s Medical Associates-Shelbyville https://www.safekids.org/inspection-stations#KY Address: 150 Frankfort Road Shelbyville, KY 40065
4. Norton Children’s Medical Center- Brownsboro https://www.safekids.org/inspection-stations#KY Address: 4910 Chamberlain Lane Louisville, KY 40241
5. Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital https://www.safekids.org/inspection-stations#KY Address: 4400 Dutchman’s Lane Louisville, KY 40207
6. Kentucky State Police (kentuckystatepolice.org) KSP advises all troopers at all 16 posts have been trained as certified safety seat technicians
7. UK Health Care The Safe Kids Car Seat Inspection Station at Immanuel Baptist Church (ukhealthcare.uky.edu) Address: 3100 Tates Creek Road Lexington, KY 40502
One issue that may arise because of storms, extreme heat or natural catastrophe is the loss of electrical power. While power outages are often, merely a nuisance, extended power interruptions can cause problems ranging from loss of perishables (particularly frozen and refrigerated foods), damage to property that is vulnerable to temperature extremes, and personal endangerment caused by overheating or freezing.
Many homeowners who, for various reasons, are prone to suffering power loss, use an option to protect themselves; home generators. Such generators are capable of temporarily supplying electrical power to run household appliances and utilities. Home generators come in two basic forms:
Portable Generators – lower-powered units that operate externally from a home’s wiring system.
Standby Generators – high-power units that are attached directly to a home’s wiring system and which takes over automatically when utility power is interrupted
Regardless the type, it is critical to take proper precautions to make sure that no harm or injury results from their use.
With standby generators, installation should be performed by a licensed electrician and installations should be inspected by authorized persons before initial use. Installations should include a proper transfer switch and local utilities should be notified that an installation has occurred. Transfer switches insure that electrical power is properly and safely switched from the generator to a utility supply when power is restored.
Portable generators have a host of procedures that should be adhered to, such as the following:
generators should be located outside the home, in an area that provides proper ventilation and which shields the unit from moisture
generators should NOT be located near window or doors since carbon monoxide exhaust could seep into a home
care must be taken to prevent burns due to contact with hot generator parts
generators should never be plugged into house outlets. This can cause back feeds which results in damaging wiring and endangering utility company personnel (backed power can be transmitted through power lines at fatal power levels)
proper, exterior-rated cords should be the only kinds used with generators
generator power should be matched with essential power needs (core appliances, heating/cooling) and not overloaded (which could damage the generator and powered appliances, etc.)
fuel for generators should be stored properly and refueling should take place ONLY after the generator has cooled after being turned off
Generators can be a tremendous method to compensate for temporary power outages but care must be taken to be sure they don’t generate more problems than solutions.
COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 2017
All rights reserved. Production or distribution, whether in whole or in part, in any form of media or language; and no matter what country, state or territory, is expressly forbidden without written consent of Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc.