Commerce

Do You Need To Report Remodeling Work to My Home Insurance?

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As your Commerce, GA, home ages, you may decide to renovate it. Renovations can vary from minor repairs to major changes. Some changes can significantly affect our home’s value, which is why you should report them to your home insurance carrier. Commerce Insurance Agency can guide you through documenting these changes to ensure the most appropriate coverage.

What You Don’t Need To Report

Minor cosmetic changes are just that. They make your home look nicer, but they don’t significantly affect its value. Small changes such as painting rooms, replacing light fixtures, and installing new carpeting fall into this category. The same applies to minor repairs, such as replacing switches or adding outlets to a room.

Projects That Require Reporting

Report any work that requires major structural changes. These include room additions, garage conversions, or basement/attic finishing. If you significantly upgrade your kitchen or bathroom using luxury materials, you also need to ensure your carrier is aware of the changes. Major upgrades to plumbing, electrical, or HVAC systems also qualify, as do additions of external structures such as decks, sheds, or guest houses.

Why Report Renovations?

Major renovations and building projects can affect your home’s value. If your policy is based on prerenovation values, you won’t have sufficient overage and may be considerably underinsured if a total loss occurs. When you add features such as swimming pools, hot tubs, or home gyms, you also increase the risk of injury. These features require higher liability limits.

On the other hand, if you place a new roof on your home or install safety equipment, your premiums could decrease.

Maintain an appropriate level of home insurance protection by consulting Commerce Insurance Agency. We’re currently serving Commerce, GA.

What if You Have a Lapse in Your Auto Insurance?

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If you’re a Georgia driver, you must buy an auto insurance policy. Many Georgia drivers prefer to work with a professional insurance agent to be sure they have purchased the right auto insurance policy. If you are in the Commerce, GA area, our professional staff at Commerce Insurance Agency would love to be your auto insurance guide. We’ve been working with drivers like you for years.

What if You Have a Lapse in Your Auto Insurance?

Once you buy your auto insurance, it’s your responsibility to keep your policy active. An insurance lapse occurs when there are more than ten days between the last effective date of your auto insurance policy and the beginning date of the new auto insurance policy. New policy information must be provided to the Georgia Department of Revenue. If an auto insurance policy is canceled, and no new policy information is received, this is also determined to be a lapse.

If such a lapse occurs, you will receive a letter from the Georgia Department of Revenue. The letter will officially notify you about an incurred fine. The initial fine will be increased if it’s not paid within 30 days. If you continue to drive without insurance, your vehicle registration can be revoked.

Call Us for Your Appointment Today

Every time you drive your car, you should do so with the peace of mind that comes from having the right auto insurance. Our team at the Commerce Insurance Agency can help you make sure you choose the right policy. Drivers in the Commerce, GA area rely on us for excellent client support. Give us a call for an appointment today, and let’s get you safely on the road.

What Rights and Protections Do Life Insurance Policyholders Have?

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Financial decisions can be challenging for anyone. One of your important decisions will be how to provide for your family when you die. If you are in the Commerce, GA, area, our team at Commerce Insurance Agency will explain how life insurance works, including what your rights and protections are when you buy a life insurance policy.

What Rights and Protections Do Life Insurance Policyholders Have?

According to Legal Clarity, life insurance policyholders have rights that are guaranteed by the state. Insurance agencies are prohibited from discriminating against potential clients based on race, national origin, or disability. You may be interested to learn that the Georgia Insurance Code establishes a free-look period of 10 days after the startof a policy. During the free-look period, you can cancel the policy for a full refund. 

Once your policy is active, the Georgia Insurance Code establishes a grace period for premium payments. You are allowed to pay your premiums as late as 30 days after their due date. You can also provide a secondary addressee on your policy, who will receive notices if your policy is in danger of lapse for nonpayment. This gives you a backup if you are in danger of a policy lapse.

Call Us for an Appointment

Many people see the advantages of life insurance because it can help their families pay for their funeral expenses or compensate for some of the financial losses they will experience. Our team at Commerce Insurance Agency can answer any questions you have about life insurance. Call us for an appointment. We’re currently serving the Commerce, GA, area. 

How Home Insurance Handles Storm Damage From Wind, Hail, and Lightning

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Severe storms can cause significant damage to your home in a matter of minutes. Commerce Insurance Agency, serving Commerce, GA, knows that understanding how your homeowners insurance responds to wind, hail, and lightning damage is essential for protecting your most valuable investment. Let’s break down what coverage you can expect when nature strikes.

Wind and Hail Coverage Basics

Most standard homeowners insurance policies include coverage for wind and hail damage under the "perils" section. This typically covers damage to your roof, siding, windows, and other structural elements when storms hit. However, coverage can vary significantly based on your location and policy type. Some regions prone to severe weather may have separate wind and hail deductibles that are higher than the standard deductible.

Lightning Strike Protection

Lightning damage is generally covered under standard homeowners policies, protecting you against direct strikes and power surges that damage electrical systems and appliances. This coverage extends to structural damage from lightning-caused fires and electronic equipment that gets fried during electrical storms. Keep detailed records of your electronics and consider surge protectors as an additional safeguard.

Filing Your Storm Damage Claim

After a storm passes, document all visible damage with photographs before making temporary repairs to prevent further damage. Contact your insurance company immediately to start the claims process. Your adjuster will assess the damage and determine what repairs are covered under your policy terms.

Stay Protected Year-Round

Don’t wait for storm season to review your coverage limits and deductibles. Contact Commerce Insurance Agency, serving Commerce, GA, to ensure your home insurance provides adequate protection against wind, hail, and lightning damage throughout the year.

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.

What Kind of Auto Coverage Do You Really Need?

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Auto insurance is designed to safeguard you against mishaps on the road. At Commerce Insurance Agency, we can help you determine what kind of auto insurance protection you need. Our auto policies offer several coverage options for Georgia drivers of all ages and lifestyles: liability coverage, personal injury protection (PIP), collision, comprehensive, and uninsured/underinsured (UM) insurance. 

Required Auto Insurance Coverage in Georgia

Georgia requires that drivers have specific auto insurance coverage types in the form of liability and PIP. If you’re found at fault for an accident that results in injuries or property damage to others, liability insurance helps cover these costs. Georgia requires that you have minimum liability coverage, but you may want to purchase more to protect you against serious accidents you may cause.

PIP coverage helps cover your medical expenses if you’re hurt in an accident. Although it isn’t required, uninsured motorist insurance is recommended. It provides extra medical protection for you and your passengers if you’re hit by someone who doesn’t have sufficient insurance to cover your damages.

Optional Auto Coverage

If you’re a new driver or own an expensive vehicle, collision and comprehensive coverage offer essential protection for your investment, even though this coverage isn’t mandatory by law. Collision covers damage to your vehicle from crashes. Comprehensive helps pay for your vehicle repairs if it’s damaged by a falling object, vandalism, or inclement weather. It also pays for your vehicle’s market value if it’s stolen, saving you thousands of dollars in getting your car replaced. If you’ve taken out a new car loan, your lender may require that you purchase collision and comprehensive coverage to protect their monetary investment.

To learn more about auto insurance in Georgia or for help in selecting the policy you need, contact Commerce Insurance Agency in Commerce, GA today.