Home Insurance

Reasons why you may need to review your home insurance policy

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Like many other types of insurance, it’s crucial to review your home insurance policy. When your policy arrives, the front page, also known as the declaration page, will provide a summary of your coverage. You should look it over and see if it makes sense. It provides replacement coverage, content coverage, your liability coverage, and any additional add-ons you have. With this information, you can determine if your coverage is appropriate. Getting the right insurance agent in Commerce, GA is as easy as contacting our team at Commerce Insurance Agency.

Have you made improvements to your home?

Not every improvement you make to your home will increase its value, but adding square footage may significantly increase its value. Have you finished your basement or your attic? Added dormers to your roof? Converted a screened porch into a room? Added another bathroom? Have you upgraded your floors or kitchen? All of these can increase the value and thus the replacement cost of your home.

Have you bought or received an expensive item?

Your content coverage has some areas that have limitations. If you have more than the minimum amount of jewelry, you probably need to get it appraised and check your coverage. If you collect art or antiques, you’ll need a waiver to get the coverage you need. If you love expensive electronics, you could be left high and dry if your home suffers a catastrophic loss.

Check for discounts you may be eligible for

Specific safety equipment can make you eligible for a lower rate. Have you replaced your roof recently? Do you have all your insurance coverage with the same carrier? Talk to your agent to ensure you’re getting everything you deserve.

Contact our independent agents at Commerce Insurance Agency in Commerce, GA for all your home insurance needs.

Will My Home Insurance Cover Stored Recreational Vehicles?

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If you own one or more recreational vehicles in Commerce, GA, chances are you probably store them on your property when they are not in use. Whether the RV is a motorhome or a smaller vehicle like a snowmobile or personal watercraft, you want to protect your investment. Those new to the world of recreational vehicles often believe that homeowner’s insurance will protect their RVs while stored on their property. Commerce Insurance Agency can help you determine whether you have sufficient coverage for your big toys.

Read Your Homeowner’s Policy

Most homeowner’s policies will provide some protection when you store recreational vehicles on your property. Most of the time, you must store the vehicle in a garage or another type of shed to keep the vehicle out of the elements. However, each company and policy is different, so reading the coverage provisions is vital to knowing what is covered, what is not, and how much of a deductible you will need to pay in case of a claim. If you have a large motorhome, fifth wheel, or if your RV is quite valuable, considering standalone RV coverage may be in your best interests.

Consider Dedicated RV Insurance

Just as your auto insurance will only offer you minimal protection for recreational vehicles, so will your homeowner’s insurance. A better solution is to buy a recreational vehicle insurance policy to protect your RV, whether on the road or at home. Some companies may have provisions for lower premiums if you keep your RV garaged for an extended length of time due to reduced risk.

Let the professionals at Commerce Insurance Agency, serving Commerce, GA, help you find the right solution for protecting your RV at home. Contact our office today for an appointment to start your insurance protection.

Common Home Insurance Exclusions: What You Need to Know

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While most homeowners focus on the coverage provided in their policy, it’s equally important to be aware of what isn’t covered. Home insurance exclusions can leave you vulnerable to unexpected losses. At Commerce Insurance Agency of Commerce, GA, we offer complete coverage to help safeguard your property.

What are Home Insurance Exclusions?

Home insurance exclusions are specific events, circumstances, or types of damage that a standard home insurance policy does not cover. Common exclusions include:

Natural Disasters

Many policies do not cover damage caused by certain natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. Separate policies may be needed to cover these events.

Maintenance Issues

Lack of maintenance, such as neglect or excessive wear and tear, may be excluded. This may include issues like mold, mildew, and pest infestations.

Certain Personal Property

While most standard homeowners insurance policies cover personal belongings, specialized items may not be covered. This is most commonly seen with high-value items like fine jewelry, electronics, art, or collectibles. Additional coverage or endorsements may be necessary for these items.

Intentional Damage

If any damage to your home was found to be intentional, it may be excluded from coverage. This includes damage caused by the homeowner or anyone living in the house.

Liability for Specific Situations

Certain liability situations, such as dog bites from specific breeds or injuries that occur in certain areas (e.g., trampolines or pools), may not be covered without additional liability insurance. Your Commerce, GA insurance provider can help determine your liability needs for specific situations.

Stay Protected with Home Insurance

Understanding home insurance exclusions is important for every homeowner looking to protect their assets and property. Contact Commerce Insurance Agency today to see how the right policy can protect your property.

Power Outages in Commerce, GA: Does Your Home Insurance Cover Food Spoilage?

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There is nothing worse than sorting through the aftermath of a devastating severe weather event and learning that your power could be knocked out for days. Not only are power outages inconvenient, but they can also cause indirect losses related to non-functioning appliances like refrigerators.

Learn if your home insurance covers food spoilage from the experts at the Commerce Insurance Agency in Commerce, GA.

Does Your Georgia Home Insurance Policy Cover Food Spoilage?

The increasing threats of violent thunderstorms, tornados, and severe weather have local homeowners rethinking their home insurance policies. Whether your home insurance policy will cover claims for food spoilage depends on several factors, including what caused the spoilage.

For example, negligence on behalf of the homeowner that leads to food spoilage is not a covered incident. However, food spoilage caused by blackouts, natural disasters, and severe weather events may be covered up to the designated dollar amount written on your home insurance policy.

Learn More About Uncommon Coverages for Home Insurance Policies

Food spoilage is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to saving homeowners from having to shoulder the out-of-pocket expenses associated with power outages, blackouts, and natural disasters.

Most new homeowners carrying a mortgage are required to have comprehensive home insurance as a condition of their financing. Homeowners who own their dwelling outright may not understand the value of having complete home insurance until something like a natural disaster, theft, or burglary happens.

Please don’t wait until the inevitable happens and it is too late to apply for full coverage home insurance.

Reach out to the trusted and friendly professionals at Commerce Insurance Agency in Commerce, GA, to learn more about home insurance benefits and get a policy quote today!

Home Insurance for Outdoor Structures

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A typical Commerce, GA home insurance policy only covers your house. It doesn’t cover outdoor structures such as an above-ground pool, guest house, pergola, shed, or detached garage. You’ll need other structure coverage to cover these and other structures on your property.

What’s Covered by Other Structure Coverage?

Other structure coverage covers all the structures listed on your home insurance policy, which means that you’ll need to update your policy if you build a new structure on your property at a later date. Such policies are typically "open perils" policies, which means that all forms of damage not specifically excluded in your contract will be covered by your insurance agency. Other structure coverage usually covers the same forms of damage covered on your home insurance policy, including fire, windstorms, hail, ice, snow, water damage, and theft.

What Isn’t Covered by Other Structure Coverage

Other structure coverage doesn’t usually cover flooding, earthquakes, wear and tear, and pest infestation. It never covers intentional damage by someone who lives in the home. What’s more, you may lose coverage if you leave your home vacant for extended periods. 

Get Help from Commerce Insurance Agency 

Commerce Insurance Agency in Commerce, GA, offers other structure coverage to meet the needs of homeowners of all ages and walks of life. We’re locally owned and operated, and we work with a host of insurance companies to ensure you get the best deal on the policy of your choice. We can help you schedule an appraisal of the exterior structures on your property, review insurance policy options to find the best deals, suggest a deductible that will work best for your budget, and more. Get in touch with us at your convenience to find out more about our services or to get a quote. 

Common Gaps in Homeowners Insurance

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Home insurance is easy to ignore, neglect, or even completely forget about. Many homeowners have had the same policy since they purchased their homes. They may pay premiums through escrow with house payments and taxes. If they haven’t had a claim, the policy may have stayed tucked away for years.

In the meantime, there may be gaps that develop in coverage or unsecured areas that need attention. Commerce Insurance Agency in Commerce, GA would like to remind you of potential gaps or neglected areas in your home insurance coverage.

Common Gaps in Homeowners Insurance

Dwelling Costs

Coverage can be lacking due to inflation, major home improvements, and rising values in your neighborhood. Check to make sure your coverage will cover the current replacement costs of your dwelling.

Flood Damage

Flood insurance is not generally included in most base homeowners’ insurance policies. Climate change, construction, and rising waters may make flood coverage prudent now.

Pets

Have you recently acquired a dog? Dogs can be a liability issue that may not be covered under the terms of your current policy.

Contents and Collectible Limits

The contents of your home are usually covered for a certain percentage of your dwelling value. Through the years, these contents or valuable collections may exceed those limits. It may be time for an insurance review.

Update Your Home’s Inventory

It may be time to video the contents of your home, including drawers, closets, and cabinets. Keeping an updated inventory is a good way to ensure there are no gaps in any filed claims for losses.

Get a Home Insurance Review

If you don’t recall the last time you reviewed your home insurance, it is time for a review. We can even provide a no-obligation price quote.

Contact Commerce Insurance Agency Today

Our team can not only review your present coverage but provide a price quote for updated coverage. Make sure the gaps are closed and neglected areas in your home insurance are addressed. Reach out to us at Commerce Insurance Agency in Commerce, GA. Get the coverage you deserve today.

Why do I need to have home insurance in Georgia?

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Real estate has continued to be a great investment for people in and around the Commerce, GA area. If you are looking to buy a home, you do need to make sure you are securing and protecting this investment. A great way that this can be done is by getting insurance for your home. You will actually need to have this coverage for various reasons when here. 

Protect Your Dwelling and Assets

A reason why you need to have a home insurance policy when you are in this area is so you can protect your dwelling and assets. Home insurance is a great tool to use when it comes to securing your assets. Not only will home insurance offer support if your home is damaged, but it can also provide you with coverage for personal assets and other forms of support that can save you time and stress.

Insurance is Often Required

You also should consider home insurance a necessity as insurance is often required. If you are going to finance the purchase of a home with a loan, you will need home insurance to meet the requirements set by your mortgage lender. Further, many home associations will require that you have insurance. Ultimately, having coverage will keep you in good standing with such requirements. 

We Are Here To Help

If you happen to own a home in the Commerce, GA area, you definitely need to have a proper home insurance plan. If you are looking for a new policy when you are in this part of Georgia, you can call our team with the Commerce Insurance Agency. Our professionals at the Commerce Insurance Agency always know the value of this coverage and will give you the support you need to build a home that can protect your property. 

Major Events That Could Destroy Your Home

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Owning a home is a dream come true for many, but without homeowner’s insurance, dreams can quickly turn into nightmares. Many different events, from electrical fires to hurricanes and earthquakes, can destroy homes and even entire communities. Contact the Commerce Insurance Agency, serving the Commerce, GA metroplex, to explore home insurance options.

Keep in mind that standard homeowner’s insurance may not cover every event. For example, you may need to take out flood damage to cover damage caused by flooding. It’s crucial to read the fine print of any homeowner’s insurance plan or to speak with knowledgeable insurance agents who can break down the details and gaps in home insurance coverage.

Major Events That Could Destroy Your Home

Home Fires

House fires cause roughly $7 billion in damage per year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Issues with heating, cooking, and electrical systems are the leading cause of house fires and over 350,000 homes will be affected by a fire in any given year. This makes it crucial to take out a home insurance policy that provides protection from home fires.

Weather Disasters Cause Immense Damage

The Washington Post reported that roughly 1 in 10 homes were affected by a weather event in 2021. Hurricanes and tornadoes may be the most famous and intimidating events, but simple storms can cause a lot of damage. High winds, hail, and heavy rain, among other factors, can all damage buildings.

Don’t Forget Crime

Break-ins, vandalism, and other property crimes cause a lot of damage per year. Indeed, more than a million home burglaries occur per year. In many cases, homes aren’t destroyed outright, but the damage can be immense, as can the costs of replacing stolen property. Fortunately, the right homeowner’s insurance policies can provide protection from property crimes.

Reach out to the Commerce Insurance Agency in Commerce, GA to learn about home insurance options.

Why You Need Home Insurance

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Owning a home means that you have a lot of different responsibilities. Many of these have to do with protecting your home. Getting home insurance is one of these responsibilities. Your lender and HOA will both require that you have this type of insurance. Even if you don’t have a lender or an HOA, you need this insurance to protect yourself and your home. When you need to get a home insurance policy, give us a call today at Commerce Insurance Agency in Commerce, GA to get started. 

Dwelling Protection

One of the types of coverage that is included in home insurance is dwelling protection. It protects the building from a host of risks that can cause it to be damaged. When you have home insurance, it protects against things like calamities, accidents, and specific disasters. These are risks that every home faces, and you need to be prepared for them by having home insurance.

When an event happens that damages your home, the home policy will pay for the necessary repairs. It can even pay for your home to be rebuilt if it’s destroyed.

Item Protection

When you have home insurance, it also protects the items that are inside it. You get coverage for all of your possessions in the home if they are ever damaged or destroyed by a covered event. This is a lot of coverage when you consider the cost of replacing everything. Without a home policy, you’d have to pay for everything that was ruined by yourself. Make sure that you have this coverage to protect your possessions as well as your home against expensive damage. 

Get Home Insurance 

To make sure that your home and everything in it is protected, call us at Commerce Insurance Agency in Commerce, GA to get started with a home policy. 

Three signs that you need to make changes to your home insurance

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Once you’ve purchased home insurance, you shouldn’t assume that the policy you’ve purchased will be adequate for your property indefinitely. Eventually, you may need to make changes to your coverage.

At Commerce Insurance Agency, we recommend that you update coverage on your home in Commerce, GA in certain situations.

The following are three signs that you need to make some changes to your home insurance policy. 

You have just had a swimming pool added to your property.

A swimming pool on your property can change your coverage needs in numerous ways.

With a swimming pool, you’ll probably want to invest in more liability coverage because swimming pools come along with some injury risk. 

After you’ve added a swimming pool, you may also want to increase the dwelling coverage you have on your policy.

There is a new canine member in your household.

In some cases, a new family dog could change your home insurance needs.

If you have a dog, there is a risk of dog bite injuries that you should consider. Make sure that your insurance company knows about your new pet so that you’re covered for such injuries. 

You’ve had a new room added to your home.

Additions to your home increase your square footage. They also increase the value of your home. Putting an addition on your home changes the replacement cost, so you’ll definitely want to discuss your addition with your home insurance provider. 

Give Us A Call

When you choose a home insurance policy, you should get quotes from a few providers on coverage for your home. We can offer you a quote on a home insurance policy for your property in Commerce, GA. Call us today at Commerce Insurance Agency to get started!