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

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!

Why basic auto insurance may not be the right choice for you

At Commerce Insurance Agency in Commerce, GA, we are an independent insurance agency that is customer-centered. Our team is experienced in all facets of auto insurance and the requirements of the state of Georgia. We are here to help our customers to get the right insurance at the right price. 

Basic Auto Insurance & More

Basic auto insurance in Georgia is liability insurance in the amount of 25/50/25. The first person injured in a vehicle accident is covered by $25,000 in injury insurance, and the total for all injuries is $50,000. $25,000 is assigned for injury to property. This is a reasonable amount, but if it is a bad accident, involving hospital stays, this could be very much short of the actual expenses, and you could end up paying out of your pocket. 

When you lease a vehicle or have an auto loan, you are not going to be able to get away with having basic insurance. Your lender or the company leasing your vehicle to you is going to demand that you have insurance to protect the vehicle. This means having collision insurance and comprehensive insurance. 

Collision insurance covers your vehicle in an accident you are responsible for. It can help to pay for repairs or for the replacement of your vehicle if your vehicle is determined to be a total loss. 

Comprehensive insurance covers most other things that can damage your vehicle. Coverage includes theft and vandalism. It also covers a variety of weather events such as hail, ice, and high winds. If a deer runs into your vehicle, you are covered, and it includes glass coverage, which is very handy if a stone comes up and cracks your windshield. 

Give Us A Call

Contact Commerce Insurance Agency in Commerce, GA when you are in need of auto insurance information or coverage. 

Life Insurance FAQs

If you have questions about life insurance, you are in good company. Most people don’t know a lot about life insurance, which makes it difficult when it comes to make sure you have what you need. At Commerce Insurance Agency, serving the greater Commerce, GA community, we are a locally owned independent insurance agency that puts our customers’ needs first. 

Life Insurance FAQs

How much life insurance is enough?

There is no one amount of life insurance that is right for everyone. Life insurance needs to be personalized to you and your situation. If you are young and unmarried or retired on a fixed income, you will have different life insurance needs than someone who has a young family. The amount of life insurance you need is the amount that will keep your family financially secure if you are not there to provide your income. 

Can a life insurance policy be canceled?

Yes, life insurance policies can be canceled. The most common reason that a policy is canceled is the nonpayment of the premium. If you are going through financial difficulties, contact your insurance carrier and try to work out a deal that will allow you to keep your protection. Another reason for cancelation is not being truthful on your life insurance application. 

What is term life insurance?

Term life insurance is life insurance that has a term. It lasts for a predetermined amount of time and at the end of that time, the policy ends. When choosing term life insurance, make sure that the term is long enough to offer you protection when you need it most. 

Do I need life insurance after I retire?

If someone depends on your income to maintain their lifestyle, then yes, you do need life insurance after you retire. 

Give Us A Call

Contact Commerce Insurance Agency in Commerce, GA for all your life insurance needs and questions. We are here to help!

How proper tree maintenance can help protect your Commerce area home

Commerce Insurance Agency is here for the Commerce, GA community. If you have questions about the protection that your homeowner’s policy provides, we are here to help. Give us a call or come by our office today to learn more.

Protect your home from tree damage with proper maintenance practices

If your home is damaged by a tree, the cause of the incident can determine if the damage is covered by your homeowner’s policy. When it comes to tree damage, there are some instances that are typically covered and some that usually aren’t covered. 

For example, if lightning strikes a tree on your property and it falls and causes damage to your home, the damage will likely be covered. But, if the trees on your property aren’t properly maintained and a branch falls due to neglect and damages your home, it will be highly unlikely that your homeowner’s policy will cover that damage. And, if a neighbor’s tree falls onto your property, causing damage, your insurance carrier probably won’t cover the damage but will pursue coverage from your neighbor’s insurance company. 

Properly maintaining all of the trees on your property can help to ensure that any damage that they may cause due to unforeseen circumstances will be covered. No one wants to have to come out of pocket to pay for damage that can be easily avoided. This is especially true of tree damage because proper maintenance can prevent it from happening. 

Give us a call today

Commerce, GA area homeowners can rely on the Commerce Insurance Agency team for all of their insurance needs. Give us a call or stop by our office today to learn more about the home insurance policies that are available in our area. 

How proper tree maintenance can help protect your Commerce area home

Commerce Insurance Agency is here for the Commerce, GA community. If you have questions about the protection that your homeowner’s policy provides, we are here to help. Give us a call or come by our office today to learn more.

Protect your home from tree damage with proper maintenance practices

If your home is damaged by a tree, the cause of the incident can determine if the damage is covered by your homeowner’s policy. When it comes to tree damage, there are some instances that are typically covered and some that usually aren’t covered. 

For example, if lightning strikes a tree on your property and it falls and causes damage to your home, the damage will likely be covered. But, if the trees on your property aren’t properly maintained and a branch falls due to neglect and damages your home, it will be highly unlikely that your homeowner’s policy will cover that damage. And, if a neighbor’s tree falls onto your property, causing damage, your insurance carrier probably won’t cover the damage but will pursue coverage from your neighbor’s insurance company. 

Properly maintaining all of the trees on your property can help to ensure that any damage that they may cause due to unforeseen circumstances will be covered. No one wants to have to come out of pocket to pay for damage that can be easily avoided. This is especially true of tree damage because proper maintenance can prevent it from happening. 

Give us a call today

Commerce, GA area homeowners can rely on the Commerce Insurance Agency team for all of their insurance needs. Give us a call or stop by our office today to learn more about the home insurance policies that are available in our area. 

What Steps Can You Take in Fall to Prevent Winter Car Accidents?

At Commerce Insurance Agency, serving the greater Commerce, GA region, auto insurance is one of the many insurance products that we offer our customers. However, in addition to selling insurance, we also want to help our customers avoid having to use those insurance products. This includes providing tips that can help you avoid an accident.

Here are a few of the different steps you can take in the fall to help prevent winter car accidents:

Check Your Tires

One of the best ways that you can prevent accidents on wet, slippery, or icy roads is to have tires that are in good condition. If the tread on your tires is wearing thin, your tires may not be able to grip the road. Replacing your tires before winter hits is important. 

Familiarize Yourself With Local Roads

Another tip to help keep you safe on the roads is to familiarize yourself with the local roads that you will frequently be traveling on. It gets dark earlier in the winter, so the roads you will travel on may be dark and can get icy. Being familiar with the roads can help prevent an accident. 

Consider a Defensive Driving Course

Lastly, consider taking a defensive driving course. This can help teach you how to safely drive on icy or wet roads, and what to do if your car starts to slide or fishtail. This can be vital to preventing an accident from happening. 

Get Auto Insurance Today

Unfortunately, you cannot prevent every car accident from happening. You can only minimize the chances of a car accident occurring. Having the right auto insurance coverage helps to cover you if an accident does happen. If you are in the market for a new auto insurance policy, or you are unsure if your existing policy offers you the coverage you need, reach out to Commerce Insurance Agency, serving the greater Commerce, GA area today. Let us help you find the right auto insurance policy. 

Is whole life insurance a good investment for a young person?

The younger you are when you invest in life insurance, the better. You’ll be able to lock in better rates as a young healthy person. However, youth and health aren’t the only factors you should consider when it comes to life insurance. Our team at Commerce Insurance Agency knows that life insurance can be confusing to navigate. However, we’re committed to helping Commerce, GA residents explore their options. 

What Is Whole Life Insurance?

Whole life insurance lasts a person’s entire life and pays a death benefit when they die. The death benefit is set aside for your beneficiaries once the initial premium is paid. However, a whole life insurance policy also builds cash value as time passes. However, keep in mind that your policy will take a decade to build any significant cash value. If you have the patience to wait for your policy to build in cash value and want to leave your existing family, and perhaps future family money, whole life insurance may be a good choice.

Is Whole Life Insurance Right for You as a Young Person?

Whole life insurance is expensive. Although you have youth and good health on your side, whole life insurance is still expensive. Plus, it takes years for a policy to build cash value. Whole life insurance is a good investment if you can afford to pay the premiums and have the time and patience to wait for the value of your policy to increase. If you’re young, make enough money, and want to leave your family with a nest egg, it may be a good investment.

Contact Us Today

Our team at Commerce Insurance Agency in Commerce, GA would be happy to discuss your life insurance options. Give us a call today.

How often should you review your homeowner’s insurance policy?

Residents in the greater Commerce GA area can count on the team at Commerce Insurance Agency for help with all of their insurance needs. Come by our office, or give us a call today to find out more!

Is it time to give your homeowner’s policy a thorough review?

When it comes to protecting your home, few things are more important. A home purchase is commonly the largest investment that a person will make. It only makes sense to make sure that it’s protected!

Many people review their insurance options when first selecting a policy. After that, they simply renew their existing policy year after year without too much thought. Can you relate? If it’s been a while since you have taken a close look at your home insurance policy, now is a great time to do so.

At minimum, having a good review of all of your insurance policies once a year is a great idea. This is especially true with your homeowner’s policy. Home values can fluctuate, especially after a few years. Your belongings may also change. If you purchase high-worth items like art or jewelry, it may be time for a personal articles rider for your policy.

Even in situations where nothing has really changed, knowing what protections your current policy provides will allow you to make adjustments where appropriate. Today is the perfect day to review yours!

Let us give you a hand with all of your insurance needs!

The folks at the Commerce Insurance Agency are dedicated to providing the residents of Commerce GA with the information they need to make informed decisions when it comes to insurance. If you have questions about home insurance, we are here to help! Give us a call or schedule an appointment today!

What Are The Common Types Of Auto Insurance Coverages?

Understanding what auto insurance coverages are available for you is an excellent way of ensuring that your vehicle is sufficiently insured. Commerce Insurance Agency provides this guide in navigating the common types of auto insurance coverages accessible to residents of Commerce, GA.

Common Types Of Auto Insurance Coverages

1. Liability Insurance

At least some minimal auto liability insurance is required by law in 48 states in the US. In Georgia, the minimal car insurance liability for bodily injury is $25,000 per individual and $50,000 per incident. On the other hand, the minimal property damage liability is $25,000 per accident. Bodily injury liability covers costs related to injury to other people, while property damage liability covers damage to other people’s property.

2. Collision Coverage

Collision coverage takes care of repairing or replacing your car after an accident. Although collision coverage is optional, at Commerce Insurance Agency, we recommend that you get it. This is because, depending on the accident’s severity, paying for your vehicle’s repair can be very costly. Additionally, if your car is totaled, purchasing another car out of pocket can be financially detrimental to you.

3. Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage covers your automobile from damage as a result of theft, fire, vandalism, and hail. This auto coverage will repair or replace your car up to its actual cash value. Since cars depreciate over time, this means that the compensation you will get in the case of replacement will reflect the car’s depreciation.

4. Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Getting hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver is not unlikely as you might imagine. The outcome of such an event can be very unfortunate for you because the other driver might to be able to cater to your medical needs sufficiently. The underinsured and uninsured driver coverage will cover your medical bills after such an accident.

Contact Us Today

Are you looking for unbeatable auto insurance deals in Commerce, GA? Call Commerce Insurance Agency today.

What is the value in having a life insurance plan?

Residents in the Commerce, GA area will always have different personal insurance needs. A type of coverage all people here should take seriously is the need and requirement to get a life insurance plan. There are various forms of benefits and value that come when you do get a proper life insurance policy, which can make it a great form of coverage and investment. 

Benefits of Life Insurance

Provide Financial Protection for Dependents

A common reason that many people will get a life insurance plan is so they can provide financial protection for their dependents. When there are people that rely on you and your income, it is important you provide them with support if you were to pass away unexpectedly. The use of a life insurance plan is a great way to do this as it will offer an insurance benefit that you can build and curtail to meet your needs. 

Conservative Investment for Personal Portfolio

While life insurance is a great way to offer support and protection for your dependents, it is also a good investment option. One popular type of life insurance is whole life coverage. If you get a whole life plan, a portion of your payments will build in an account with interest. This can make it a conservative addition to any personal investment plan as you prepare for the future.

Give Us A Call

There are different benefits that come with having a life insurance policy in place. As you are looking to get the right insurance in the Commerce, GA area, it would be a good idea for you to speak with the Commerce Insurance Agency. The professionals with the Commerce Insurance Agency will give you the right guidance that you need to select a plan that will provide ideal protection and meet your needs.