Is boat/watercraft insurance a requirement in Georgia?

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If you own a boat/watercraft in Georgia, you aren’t legally required to carry any form of watercraft insurance. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that some other stipulation might require you to have boat/watercraft insurance. Our team at Bingham Insurance Group is committed to helping Braselton, GA residents understand the benefits of boat/watercraft insurance and whether they should invest in it.

What is Boat/Watercraft Insurance?

Boat/watercraft insurance covers your boat, yacht, or personal watercraft. Like car insurance, it provides liability protection against damage to motor-powered vessels with 25/mph or more horsepower. In other words, like car insurance, boat insurance provides protection in a boating accident. This coverage can cover you, your watercraft, and damage to another watercraft or person. Watercraft liability insurance includes coverage for bodily injury and property damage coverage and property and indemnity coverage. If you purchase watercraft coverage beyond liability, your boat is also covered if it’s stolen.

Under What Circumstances Would Boat/Watercraft Insurance be Required?

Although you aren’t legally required to carry boat/watercraft insurance in Georgia, you may still need it. Some boatyards and marinas require patrons to have boat and watercraft liability insurance. Also, if you’re financing your watercraft, your lender will more than likely require you to carry watercraft insurance. If you’re a homeowner, your homeowner’s insurance usually offers limited coverage for watercraft. However, the coverage amount is typically very small. If you’re a Braselton, GA watercraft owner and have questions about purchasing insurance coverage, call us. Our team at  Bingham Insurance Group will be happy to answer all of your questions. We’re standing by.

   

 

What is umbrella insurance and why do I need it?

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The amount of available insurance can feel exhausting, from auto to home to life to a disability, but one that is often overlooked and yet is incredibly important is umbrella insurance. Included with most of the insurance mentioned above policies is liability coverage that protects you from being responsible for the legal fees, medical bills, and other costs associated with a third party being injured in an accident you caused. Also known as excess liability insurance, umbrella insurance kicks in when your existing liability coverage has been exhausted. Therefore, think of umbrella insurance as a safety blanket that helps avoid financial ruin if an accident happens. If you do not have an umbrella insurance policy and your existing liability coverage is used, you’ll be on the hook for any overages, which could lead to financial ruin.  

While umbrella insurance is useful for anyone, it is crucial for individuals that meet any of the following conditions:

  • You have significant net worth or assets that could be vulnerable if sued.
  • You own multiple properties.
  • You frequently travel abroad or enjoy high-risk activities.
  • You are a public figure and need to protect yourself from defamation lawsuits or could be an easy target to be sued.
  • You own a pool, treehouse, trampoline, ATV, dog, or other similar items frequently used and could injure a visitor.

If you meet any of these statements, the next step is determining how much liability coverage you need. Add your current liability coverage together and subtract all your assets at risk. If the number is negative, that figure is how much umbrella insurance coverage you should buy.

To learn more about umbrella insurance, give Bingham Insurance Group in Braselton, GA call today – we’d be happy to help! 

How Do You Know If You’re Eligible for Flood Insurance?

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Flood insurance is crucial to have in some regions of the United States. If you are concerned that your home or your place of business may be at risk for damage due to flooding, you’ll want to know if you’re eligible for flood insurance. Talk to an agent from Bingham Insurance Group of the Braselton, GA area so that you can determine what to do in your situation. 

Should You Have Flood Insurance? 

If you live in an area prone to flooding, it’s vital that you have flood insurance. If you’re in a region that is moderate or high risk for floods, you’re likely eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program. You’ll get a certain amount of coverage with this type of policy, but you may want extra coverage due to having valuables beyond this limit. You can get a policy through a private insurance carrier like Bingham Insurance Group. 

Homeowners’ Insurance Doesn’t Cover It. 

Home insurance typically won’t cover the peril of flooding. Since flood insurance isn’t mandatory, this is something you have to seek out separately. Your agent may tell you that they don’t recommend getting this policy. If your mortgage lender asks you to get flood coverage, you can bring some documentation to the insurance company so that they know exactly what to put in your policy. 

Getting flood insurance is made easy when you have a reputable and experienced independent agent on your side. Allow us at Bingham Insurance Group of Braselton, GA, and beyond to assist you with setting up the insurance you need. 

Cashing Out Life Insurance While Still Alive

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If you have a permanent life insurance policy that accumulates cash value, or you have a convertible term policy that you can turn into such, you can cash out while you are still alive. You have a number of different options available for cashing out your policy before you die. The option that is right for you will depend greatly on whether you wish to keep coverage as well as the amount you need to access. The knowledgeable agents at Bingham Insurance Group of Braselton, GA are happy to discuss the available options with you today.

Loan

In most cases, you will be allowed to take a loan from the cash value that has accumulated on your life insurance policy. Unlike other loans, this type of loan does not have a repayment schedule. With that being said, interest charges will accumulate and affect the death benefit directly. This means that any amount that is not repaid by the death of the policyholder will be deducted from the benefit amount.

Withdrawal

This is perhaps the best way to cash out a life insurance policy. It is easy to withdraw money from the cash value of the policy and you do not have to worry about any interest charges. Keep in mind, however, your policy premiums and your benefits can be affected.

Surrender

Essentially, surrendering your life insurance policy is canceling it altogether. When you cancel your life insurance policy, the entire cash value, less the processing fees, will be released. Before choosing this option, be absolutely certain that you no longer need coverage. It is important to note that you may be charged a penalty for cashing out early and you may be responsible for paying income tax on the payout.

If you have any questions about cashing out your life insurance policy while you are still alive, contact Bingham Insurance Group of Braselton, GA and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.

Does my auto insurance cover the trailer I am hauling?

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Does my auto insurance cover the trailer I am hauling?

In Georgia, the automotive insurance laws group trailers into two categories – the kind you drive and the kind you tow. You must purchase RV insurance, also known as trailer insurance, for your RV, but you might be able to get away with just your auto insurance if you use a towable trailer. Bingham Insurance Group serving Braselton, GA wants you to understand the difference so you don’t get caught without coverage.

RV vs. Towable Trailer

What’s the difference between an RV and a towable trailer? An RV falls into one of three categories:

  • Class A,
  • Class B,
  • Class C.

A towable trailer doesn’t have a class designation. Many types of trailers fall into the towable category, including those for:

  • Hauling horses,
  • Towing hay,
  • Hauling light equipment,
  • Transporting camping equipment.

So, for a towable trailer, your auto insurance covers it. You might want to add some coverage for liability and/or property damage since it can cause more damage than just your car or truck.

Your auto insurance will cover an open-air trailer in Georgia. If you own a pop-up camper, even though you might tow it, since you can sleep in it, it typically needs its own policy. That means you’ll need an RV policy.

RV Policy Minimums

Buying the minimum insurance for an RV doesn’t differ from buying a policy for your car or truck. The state of Georgia requires the same minimums for RV coverage as for auto coverage.

Contact Bingham Insurance Group serving Braselton, GA for more information on your RV and auto policies. You might already have coverage for your trailer. You might need added coverage for your trailer. Either way, our insurance agency can help.

Commonly Asked Life Insurance Questions

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At Bingham Insurance Group in Braselton, GA, we are constantly helping people get the right life insurance policy to help protect their loved ones and other financial interests. With this in mind, we are answering commonly asked questions about life insurance.

What are the different life insurance policies?

While different life insurance plans exist, they are mainly categorized into two: term life and whole life. Term life insurance covers you within a specific period. It could be 10, 15, 20, or 30 years. If you die when the policy is in effect, your beneficiaries receive a death benefit.

On the other hand, whole life insurance covers you as long as you live. You are expected to pay premiums when alive for your beneficiaries to receive a death benefit when you pass on.

When should I update my life insurance policy?

Just like most insurance policies, you should update your life insurance at least once a year. However, when you have changes in your beneficiary list or your financial situation changes, you should immediately talk with your insurance agent.

Do I need life insurance if single?

Life insurance isn’t just for married people and those with children. Single persons can benefit from life insurance, especially if they have debts, want to finance their funeral costs or have a business.

How does my insurance company determine my premiums?

While each insurer has its formula for determining your life insurance premiums, most consider factors like your age, health status, gender, and occupation to compute your premiums.

Where can I purchase a life insurance policy?

Life insurance is a must-have investment if you want to protect the things that matter most when you die. If you are in Braselton, GA and its environs, please get in touch with Bingham Insurance Group for an affordable life insurance quote.

How Does Standard Auto Insurance Work?

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Driving is a dangerous activity that requires carrying auto insurance. In the state of Georgia, it is a law to have proper car insurance, and driving without it is a crime. If you have never had auto insurance before and want to know about it, Bingham Insurance Group serving clients in Braselton, GA decided to explain briefly how auto insurance works:

How Does Auto Insurance Work?

The purpose of auto insurance is to help a policyholder recover from damages, expenses, and injuries that are related to a car accident or any other incident. When you buy a certain auto insurance policy, there is a certain amount of money that you will have to pay before your insurance kicks in. This amount is called a deductible, and it can be different depending on the type of insurance you have. The rule is that the higher the deductible, the more you have to pay for your auto insurance. 

If an accident happens, you will have to pay your deductible first and then receive financial coverage or reimbursement up to your auto insurance policy limits. Each policy has its own limits, so it is better to talk to your insurance agent and discuss these details with them. 

Bingham Insurance Group in Braselton GA – Your Safety On The Road Is Our Priority

If you are a driver from Braselton, GA or any other nearby area in Georgia, Bingham Insurance Group is ready to help you find a perfect insurance policy addressing your individual needs and budget. Feel free to give us a call and talk to one of our experienced and qualified agents who will be always glad to answer your questions. 

What Does Commercial Insurance Do for You?

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If you run a business, you may be wondering what kind of insurance policy is right for you. Depending on the size of your business, you may be required to have insurance for your company. Although you may see it as a major requirement, commercial insurance can do a lot for you.

Commercial insurance can do a lot for your business. Bingham Insurance Group, which provides service in Braselton, GA, can help you understand your insurance needs.

Workers’ Compensation

If you have employees at your business, you may benefit from workers’ compensation insurance as part of your commercial policy. This protects your employee by providing for their injuries, and it also protects you by ensuring you are not sued because of injuries that happen in the workplace.

Liability

Commercial insurance can also cover liability concerns. You benefit from liability insurance in the event that somebody is injured at your business or by a product that you manufacture or distribute. Liability insurance covers expenses associated with these injuries.

Commercial Vehicles

If your business owns vehicles, they need to be insured. If an employee is driving a company vehicle, you need to make sure that any accidents that occur are covered under your commercial insurance policy.

Choose a Strong Commercial Insurance Policy

With a good insurance policy, you protect your assets and your future. You can promote company growth by protecting your employees, your finances, and your equipment. You also protect yourself against lawsuits, property damage, and more.

You will find plenty of commercial policies that provide the right coverage. Bingham Insurance Group serving Braselton, GA can help you with the next steps.

Tips Every Homeowner Needs to Know About Insurance

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Before buying your home insurance cover in Braselton, GA, Bingham Insurance Group advises you to have a clear understanding of the following basics about home insurance.

Understand what your home insurance covers

You need to understand the areas covered by your home insurance policy. This understanding helps get the most of your insurance coverage. It also aids during the claim process. Typical home insurance protects your home and its contents, additional living expenses and provides liability protection. 

Home insurance exclusions

It’s critical to understand the common risks not covered by your home insurance policy. Your home insurance will not help in the following cases:

  • Floods damage
  • Earthquake damages
  • Damages due to infestations by fungus, termites, or molds
  • Regular wear and tear
  • Damages due to civil war
  • Nuclear hazard damage
  • Intentional damage
  • Home-based business risks

Please check your home insurance policy document to understand what isn’t covered.

Review your policy regularly

If you haven’t reviewed or updated your home insurance policy for more than a year, it’s time to do so! Here are some benefits:

  • It smoothens the claim process
  • You may save money on premiums if the policy is up-to-date
  • It can help to cover new items you bought recently
  • The cost of renewing your current policy could be cheaper than buying a whole new one
  • If you are unsure when to update your policy, please talk to your insurance agent for guidance

Difference between replacement value and market value

Replacement cost is the amount it would take to replace your house today. On the other hand, market value refers to the value your house would fetch if it were sold today. That said, it’s wise to insure your home against the replacement value to avoid financial losses when catastrophes strike.  

Home insurance in Braselton. GA

Do you need more information on home insurance? Would you please reach out to Bingham Insurance Group for more insights? You can also come to our offices to talk to our team.

How Renters’ Insurance Works

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If you rent your home, you are likely required by your landlord to have a renters’ insurance policy. However, if it isn’t required, it’s still a smart idea to have one of these policies in place. If you need a renters’ policy, give us a call today at Bingham Insurance Group in Braselton, GA.

Renters’ Coverage

When you rent your home, you are not responsible for insuring the actual dwelling itself. The landlord owns it and must keep it insured. So, what does renters’ insurance cover? One of the main ways that it protects you is by insuring your things. These policies cover your personal belongings that are inside your rental. If the worst should happen and a major accident or disaster should ruin your things, your insurance policy will help you to start replacing your possessions. 

Liability Protection

Another way that your renters’ policy protects you is by covering your liability for injuries and illnesses that happen in your home. If a guest were to get sick or have an accident while in your home, you could be liable for paying all of the resulting medical bills yourself. If you have liability protection, the policy pays for those instead of you being sued for them. 

Other Coverage

There is still another way that renters’ insurance can protect you. It carries a type of coverage that protects you against having to stay in a home that is uninhabitable. If something were to damage your rental and it became unlivable, your renters’ policy would pay for you to stay somewhere else until your home is made livable again. 

Get Your Renters’ Policy

If you rent and need renters’ coverage, call us right away at Bingham Insurance Group in Braselton, GA to find out more. We can help you to understand how renters’ insurance protects you and help you choose the best policy for you.