Health Insurance FAQs

What’s one thing that matters most in your life? If you think about it, it should be your health. Without proper health, you can’t take care of your family, business, and other interests. Given that health is critical, investing in health insurance from The Insurance Mart of Blue Ridge, GA makes sense. But because health insurance is one of the widely misunderstood insurance coverages, we have prepared a FAQs section to shed more light on this coverage.

Why do I need health insurance?

There are several reasons you must invest in a sound health insurance policy. First, with the rising healthcare costs, it would be catastrophic to live without health insurance. Health insurance takes care of expensive medical bills as you focus on recovery. Since health insurance shoulders the medical bills, you can afford quality health care that you wouldn’t access if you didn’t have the funds.

Secondly, health insurance covers preventive healthcare routines such as annual screenings, vaccinations, etc. So, health insurance doesn’t always wait for diseases to strike — it helps prevent diseases from happening in the first place.

Thirdly, you need health insurance for your peace of mind. Given the emergence of new diseases and the increased risk of accidents, you never know when disaster will strike. However, you can maintain your cool by investing in a health insurance policy.

What are the different health insurance plans?

Like most insurance policies, health insurance comes with different insurance options. Here are some options to consider:

  • Medicare
  • Medicaid
  • Individual
  • Family
  • Corporate
  • Dental
  • Eyecare

Since understanding health insurance can be challenging, you need a trusted insurance agent to help you navigate. Fortunately for Blue Ridge, GA residents, you can always partner with The Insurance Mart for your health insurance needs.

4 Reasons Why You Need Life Insurance

Most people think that life insurance is only for those who are elderly. But the truth is, everyone should have life insurance. Here are four reasons why.

1. You Have Loved Ones That Depend on You

If you have people in your life who are counting on you, then they would be devastated if something were to happen. That means that you need to ensure that they don’t suffer financially. If you have a spouse, children, parents, or siblings who are relying on your income each month, buy life insurance to replace that income when you’re gone. The amount of coverage needed is different for everyone, so speak with an agent about what would be best in your case.

2. You Have Debt That You Need to Take Care of

Do you have a mortgage or car loan? Or is there medical debt in your past? These become difficult and even impossible to pay off when you die. Life insurance can help pay off any remaining debts after your death, so your loved ones don’t need to worry about them or continue making payments.

3. It Can Help Cover Your Children’s College Tuition

Even though your children are young, their education is extremely important. If you want to help pay for your children’s college tuition after you’re gone, then life insurance can help with that too.

4. Peace of Mind

While it may sound like life insurance is all about money, it’s not just that. It’s also about the peace of mind that comes along with knowing that your loved ones will be taken care of when you’re gone.

Life insurance is something that everyone should have, no matter their age or financial situation. The four reasons outlined here are just a few of many. Call The Insurance Mart today if you’re interested in learning more about life insurance in Blue Ridge, GA. We are here to help you get the coverage that you need.

Why You Should Purchase Recreational Insurance

As a car owner in Blue Ridge, GA, it is imperative to invest in auto insurance to protect yourself and your vehicle. If you have an ATV, UTV, or other recreational vehicles, you may not realize how important an insurance policy can be for this equipment. Before you head out on the trail, you should familiarize yourself with a few of the many ways a recreational insurance policy from The Insurance Mart can help you.

Liability Coverage Protection

Regardless of whether you are heading out on your own or having fun with some friends, liability insurance is designed to protect you from both financial and legal hardship. This part of your recreational insurance kicks in should you injure someone else or damage someone else’s property while out riding. 

In the event that the affected individual requires medical attention or professional repair, your liability coverage will take effect. This ensures you don’t have to pay out of your pocket for these costs.

Collision Coverage Protection

ATVs and other recreational vehicles are made for people to explore, go off-roading, and simply be adventurous when the situation allows. Unfortunately, this increases the potential for collisions and other accidents. In the event that you collide with another rider or a tree, this part of your recreational vehicle insurance will take effect. This keeps you from needing to pay the full amount to repair or replace your ride. 

Natural Disaster Comprehensive Coverage Protection

In the event of a tornado, wildfire, or other significant act of nature strikes and causes damage to your ATV or other recreational vehicles, the comprehensive portion of your recreational vehicle insurance policy will kick in. This coverage offers protection against damage from fallen limbs, floods, hail dents, and more. 

If you own an ATV, UTV, or any other kind of recreational vehicle, you should purchase recreational vehicle insurance. The Insurance Mart can help Blue Ridge, GA residents obtain the necessary coverage based on their situation.

Does Georgia Require Commercial Insurance for a Home Business?

At the Insurance Mart, we know that Blue Ridge, GA folks are creative and capable. Many of you have put your skills to work making money from home, and it might be expanding into a full-fledged business. Having the proper insurance coverage for your business can help your new endeavor thrive.

The Basics of Commercial Insurance

Every business has different needs, so commercial insurance is built to be adaptable. Like personal insurance, the commercial version has you commit to a policy that covers specified perils minus your deductible, in exchange for a recurring premium charge. Most providers have packages with a range of coverage that the typical business needs, but they may or may not have packages made with home businesses in mind.

Required Coverages

If your business employs three or more people, then you are required by state law to carry worker’s compensation coverage. Any vehicle that you operate in the course of business will need commercial auto insurance. There are no legal obligations beyond those, but other businesses may require them. Typically, this applies to brick-and-mortar businesses that rent a space.

What Risks Does a Home Business Face?

The primary difference between a home business and any other business is where they operate. Since you’re using your home, your business has no real estate that it needs to protect. You still face that risk, but it’s going to be covered by your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance.

Otherwise, home businesses may be financially liable if they make an error that causes damage or a data breach exposes sensitive files. The Insurance Mart in Blue Ridge, GA can help you identify where your business might encounter risk and shop for a policy that covers those risks.

What Should Your Health Insurance Cover

Health insurance is important in case the worst happens as medical bills can be high if you do not have the right coverage. So, what kind of health insurance should you have, and what is a must to add to your insurance?

The Insurance Mart in Blue Ridge, GA is proud to offer health insurance to residents in the following states:

  • Georgia
  • Tennessee
  • North Carolina
  • Florida
  • South Carolina

The Insurance Mart works with several providers so that we can ensure that the insurance you end up choosing suits you and your needs. 

Health Insurance Must-Haves

Health insurance is not easy to navigate, but we recommend that you consider the following health insurance items: 

  • Dental health, as even when looking after your teeth well, sometimes you can’t avoid the need for dental treatment
  • Life insurance, especially if you have children or debt, so you do not leave debt behind for your family to deal with

What Impacts Your Health Insurance

Health insurance can be different for everyone, and you and our advisors will look at the following to determine what additional coverage you should add:

  • Your age, as unfortunately, certain ages come with certain health risks
  • Your lifestyles, such as your diet, exercise routine, and smoking habits that could affect your health
  • Current and past medical conditions
  • Where you live, some areas might provide more risks to your health than others

If you want to receive a quote for health insurance, contact Julie at The Insurance Mart in Blue Ridge, GA GA today We will determine what type of coverage is most relevant to you and your situation and provide you with different quote options from our wide range of providers. 

Types of Life Insurance

Life insurance is an investment and, like with any investment, you need to know your options. Here at The Insurance Mart serving the area of Blue Ridge, GA, we would like to talk about the two main types of life insurance available to you so that you can make an informed choice when it comes to making sure your family is taken care of after your death.

Term Life Insurance

Term life insurance is just that, life insurance for a specified term or timeframe in your life. If you die within that term, the death benefit is paid out to the beneficiaries that you have listed in your policy. If you don’t die, then you have to renew your policy or let it lapse. The benefit of this type of policy is that the premium is (usually) lower in the beginning. As you age, it often gets harder to renew, more expensive to have, or both.

Cash Value Life Insurance

This type of life insurance has several different names but the most common alternative is whole life insurance. This type of insurance is for the entire length of your life. It is paid to your beneficiaries upon your death. This type of insurance may also have a cash value attached to it in addition to the death benefit. There are several benefits to this type of policy, the only real downside being that the premiums are expensive in the beginning. However, in the long run, the insurance premium evens out.

Act Today

To get your head around the type of life insurance that will best suit you and your pocket, speak to the people at The Insurance Mart serving Blue Ridge, GA today and rest easy knowing that your family is in good hands.

What to Consider when Purchasing Renter’s Insurance in NC

The contents inside our homes is often overlooked, and it can be expensive to replace if damaged or stolen. If you rent your home, then renter’s insurance will help you avoid a financial loss. Oak Ridge Insurance Services serves the area of Oak Ridge, NC and is available to help you find the right renter’s insurance for you.

Renter’s insurance has several subcategories, but there are two main areas to consider.

Liability

Liability is one of the foundations of any good insurance policy. If someone enters your home and is injured, then do you have enough coverage if you are legally liable? Additionally, liability can cover damage to the property caused by a resident or a visitor if you are legally liable. Consider the policy wording carefully and cover all your bases when it comes to liability.

Loss

Loss is the second area to consider. Your policy will specify a list of perils against which you will be covered. These include disasters like fires and windstorms. Theft is another peril that is usually covered. The third section of perils may include things like water heaters that suddenly crack or break that are not a result of wear and tear. When it comes to loss, compile an inventory ahead of insuring your contents. An inventory is a complete list of the contents of your household. For big-ticket items, specify these in your policy to avoid complications down the line. For jewelry, make sure you have valuations.

Renter’s insurance is not expensive, and for a little bit extra every month you can rest knowing that you are covered against loss, damage, or injury inside your home. Speak to Oak Ridge Insurance Services serving the area of Oak Ridge, NC today.

The benefits of Recreational Insurance

RVs are spectacular vehicles for undertaking long road trips because it’s a vehicle and a home in one package. Rather than providing this breathtaking experience of exploration, they also need prolific protection. Just like other RV owners out there in Blue Ridge, GA you would want to reap the maximum benefits you accrue from your vehicle. Connect with our charismatic agents at The Insurance Mart; they will assist you in acquiring outstanding recreational insurance that guarantees you to enjoy unlimited fun with your RV stress-free. By investing in formidable recreational insurance, you will accrue the following benefits.

Protect your asset

Every time your RV hits the roadways in Blue Ridge, GA  you need to get financially prepared for any unexpected eventualities that may happen to it even off the road. Regrettably, perils like accidents, fire, and vandalism can compromise your asset. To avert these out-of-pocket settlements, you need recreational insurance to cater to repairs and your RV. Buying content coverage will offer the additional advantage of safeguarding your possessions that get lost or damaged in your RV.

Liability protection

Recreational insurance may also safeguard you from claims, accident liabilities, and lawsuits. Liability insurance in your recreational insurance caters to costs culminating from injuries and property damage you cause to third parties and if found to be legally responsible.

Protect you and your passengers

Recreational insurance accords you peace of mind, knowing that you and your passengers boarding your RV are protected during a road trip or enjoying a vacation. If you procure medical payment coverage on your recreational insurance, your medical expenses accrued when involved in an accident get catered to with ease.

It’s a legal requirement.

Just like your car or home, many states, including Georgia, require your RV to carry liability insurance. Hitting the roads of Georgia devoid of this type of recreational insurance might subject you to stiff penalties and fines. Furthermore, you will be required to cover any overall accident costs out of pocket.

Do you need to explore the Blue Ridge, GA countryside stress-free? This exploration requires formidable recreational insurance that safeguards you and your RV from imminent perils like theft and accidents. Don’t hesitate to contact us at The Insurance Mart and start your insurance journey with us.

4 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Commercial Insurance

When it comes to getting insurance for your business, you need proper commercial insurance to cushion your business against financial losses. While buying insurance is one thing, getting the best out of your coverage is another thing. In light of this, The Insurance Mart of Blue Ridge, GA shares tips on harnessing the power of your commercial insurance.

Ensure that the most critical areas are covered

Commercial insurance isn’t a one-size-fits-all investment. What fits one company won’t necessarily work for another business. That said, you need to evaluate your business insurance needs with your agent to ensure that you carry appropriate insurance. Your insurance agent should customize your commercial insurance policy to fit your unique needs.

Read your commercial insurance policy carefully

If you want to get the most out of your commercial insurance coverage, you must understand the nitty-gritty of your insurance policy. Since the devil is always in the details, understanding the terms of your commercial insurance policy helps you know what is covered and what isn’t covered. 

Keep your commercial insurance current

It’s vital to keep your commercial insurance updated to ensure that you aren’t underpaying or overpaying your premiums. You should review your commercial insurance at least twice every year. Besides, changes in your business offering, workforce, location, and size, are enough triggers to update your commercial insurance policy. 

Be close with your insurance agent

Partnering with a trusted insurance agent is a life-saver for your business. An insurance agent is like your financial advisor that helps your business get protection against numerous risks. Pay attention to your agent’s recommendation to harness the power of your commercial insurance.

Buy commercial insurance today!

Are you looking for a trusted partner to help you get the most out of your commercial insurance? Please partner with The Insurance Mart of Blue Ridge, GA for all your home insurance solutions. 

Important health insurance term to understand

What could be more important than protecting your health?  Health insurance makes getting the care you need possible and early detection can keep you from ending up with serious conditions. Picking a health insurance plan that can provide the care you need is not easy, it requires you to familiarize yourself with some insurance terms you never thought you would need to learn. At The Insurance Mart in Blue Ridge, GA, we are a family-owned and operated independent agency that serves the Tri-state area. 

Managed care

You may have heard the term managed care and wondered what exactly it means. It is actually a good thing; it means your healthcare insurance company has made a deal with medical providers to provide care for their members at a reduced price. Not all managed care is the same, there are three basic types: HMO, PPO, and POS. 

HMO– With an HMO you must use providers in your network. In the case of a dire emergency, you might be reimbursed for an expense outside your network, but you are expected to stay in-network. 

PPO-With a PPO you also have a network, but you can choose to use a provider outside your network. You will pay more to use a provider not in-network, but they will be covered. 

POS-A POS has some features of both an HMO and a PPO. 

High deductible plan

These health plans have a very high deductible. Most expenses you incur you will have to pay yourself. Many employer plans fit into this category.

HSA

An HSA is a Healthcare Savings Account. It allows you to save money pre-tax that you use to pay your medical expenses. It works well with a high deductible plan. 

If you are in the market for health insurance or any type of insurance, contact us at The Insurance Mart in Blue Ridge, GA.