Who needs to get commercial insurance in Blue Ridge?

A business in the Blue Ridge, GA area can enjoy all of the amenities that come with operating in this part of the state. This includes having access to a strong population base, a good economy, and support for local organizations. If you start a company here, getting insurance is very important. You need to have a commercial plan in this area for many reasons. 

Businesses with Loans

A situation when you need commercial coverage will come when you have taken out a loan. Business banks are aware of the risks that businesses face and will want to offset them as much as possible. Due to its value, they will typically require you to carry commercial insurance. You can face various forms of penalization if you don’t have coverage. Coverage is also typically required by investors, lessors, and other stakeholders. 

Those Looking to Mitigate Risks

Even if you do not have insurance requirements, maintaining coverage at all times is still a good idea. A commercial insurance plan will give you the support you need to protect your business assets and reduce your commercial liability risks. Ultimately, this can help to keep your business solvent and moving forward during some otherwise difficult times. 

Businesses throughout the Blue Ridge, GA area must ensure they carry the right commercial insurance. If you purchase one of these plans and grow a business, call our team with The Insurance Mart to discuss your needs. Our professionals with The Insurance Mart understand the value of commercial coverage and all of the options it provides. We can ensure you select a plan that is right for your situation and adequately protects your organization. 

Tips to get better gas mileage in your car

Gas mileage is essential in saving money on your car here in the Blue Ridge, GA area. By following these simple tips from us at The Insurance Mart, you can significantly improve your gas mileage and save a lot of money on gas. 

1. Keep your tires properly inflated: Under-inflated tires can lead to lower fuel efficiency due to increased rolling resistance. Properly inflated tires can improve fuel economy by up to 3%. 

2. Reduce weight: Carrying extra weight in your vehicle will reduce fuel efficiency. It’s best only to carry the essentials and remove any unnecessary items from the trunk or backseat of your car. 

3. Utilize cruise control: Driving with cruise control helps keep your car running at a steady speed, which will help maximize fuel efficiency. 

4. Avoid idling: Idling for more than 30 seconds uses more gasoline than restarting the engine would use. If you’re waiting for someone or in a long line, turn off the engine and save some fuel! 

5. Drive sensibly: Aggressive driving- speeding, rapid acceleration, and braking- can reduce gas mileage significantly. It can reduce it by up to a third when on the highway! Keeping a steady speed and avoiding sudden stops or starts will help increase fuel economy significantly. 

By following these five simple tips, you can improve your gas mileage and save money on fuel costs without sacrificing performance! For more tips or to find an auto policy that is right for you, call us today. We at The Insurance Mart are proud to serve the Blue Ridge, GA area and would be happy to help you find a policy that meets your needs and budget.

Here’s How to File a Health Insurance Claim

Filling out a health insurance claim can be the last thing you want to do when you or your loved one is unwell. Illness comes with many emotions, and doing insurance follow-ups can be tiring. However, filing a health insurance claim is relatively easy when you know it. At The Insurance Mart, we have seen many people struggle filing insurance claims, which prompted us to curate this guide to help simplify the process.

Get the Insurance Claim Form

Every insurance company has a form where the insured fills details of their case. You can acquire this form from your insurer’s website, download it and print it. Alternatively, you can get it from a company near your home. A few important things to include in this form include:

  • Health insurance policy number
  • Your full name and personal details
  • Reason for the claim

Filling every section of your health insurance claim with accurate details is important because the insurance company will check. Mistakes can deny you compensation, so you should be honest.

Attach Receipts

A health insurance claim cannot be valid if there’s no evidence attached to it. You must still convince your insurer that you are sick by providing the right attachments. You can attach receipts, including x-rays, medical tests, and medication. In other words, ensure you attach any bill or receipt which shows you have been in the hospital and have incurred hospital expenses.

Make a Copy

The insurer may deny your claim, or some documents may get lost. To avoid disputes, make a copy of every document you have submitted and keep them for easy future reference.

Do you have more questions or concerns about filling out health insurance claims in Blue Ridge, GA? If so, contact us, and we will gladly reply. At The Insurance Mart, we advise our clients about health insurance, and we will gladly serve you.

What Are the Benefits of Buying Life Insurance Early In Life?

At The Insurance Mart, we provovide individuals in the greater Blue Ridge, GA area with life insurance. We are often asked a variety of questions by individuals considering purchasing life insurance. We try to answer these questions the best we can so that everyone can make the decision that is best for them regarding life insurance.

One of the questions that we are asked is what the benefits of buying insurance early in life are. Learning these benefits may help you purchase life insurance for a child or yourself earlier in life. Here are some of those benefits. 

You Get Covered Before Health Conditions Kick In

One of the benefits of purchasing life insurance early in life is that you can get covered for health insurance before any serious health conditions kick in. The older you get, the more likely you will develop severe health conditions. Locking in your rate earlier in life helps to prevent that. 

Premiums Are Generally Lower If You Purchase Earlier In Life

The other significant benefit associated with buying life insurance earlier in life is that your premiums are generally lower compared to purchasing life insurance later in life. In many cases, you can lock in rates for many years, even decades in the future, helping to keep your rates as low as possible. 

Several benefits are associated with purchasing life insurance earlier in life, including getting life insurance before severe health conditions kick in or experiencing premiums that are generally lower than if you purchased them later in life. If you are looking to purchase health insurance in the greater Blue Ridge, GA area, The Insurance Mart would love the opportunity to help you. Call us now to get started. 

Does Renter’s Insurance Cover a Roommate’s Belongings?

While roommates come with many pros and cons, you may wonder if their renter’s insurance policy covers your belongings in the event of a fire or other disaster. If you are the policyholder of rental insurance, you might also wonder if your roommate can file a claim if their items are damaged or stolen in the unit. 

At The Insurance Mart, we’ve seen how roommates can complicate a policyholder’s understanding of rental insurance in Blue Ridge, GA. Before you rest assured that your roommate’s rental insurance policy will cover your belongings (or vice versa), we have some general information to help you determine what’s covered under a rental insurance policy and what’s not.

What does renter’s insurance cover?

Renter’s insurance covers a wide range of needs, such as damages in the event of certain disasters, medical bills if the policyholder is found at fault if an injury occurs in the unit, and the costs of replacing certain items in the unit like furniture or electronics if they are stolen or the unit undergoes a disaster.

Does a renter’s insurance policy cover a roommate’s belongings?

If you are the only one listed on a renter’s insurance policy, then the policy probably won’t cover your roommate’s belongings. While some providers and states don’t allow renters to list anyone other than a spouse or relative on a renter’s insurance policy, others may let you add a roommate with proper verification. If your roommate is officially added to your policy, the policy may cover their belongings if they fall under the policy’s coverage.

To see if our renter’s insurance is right for you and your roommate, call our office at The Insurance Mart in Blue Ridge, GA today!

Three common myths about recreational insurance

Being well-informed is essential to make the right choices about recreational insurance in Blue Ridge, GA. When you’re ready to get a quote on a recreational insurance policy, we can help you at The Insurance Mart.

The following are three common myths to be aware of regarding recreational insurance. 

Consumers don’t need recreational insurance.

In many cases, recreational insurance is not optional. For example, recreational insurance is never optional if you insure an RV that you will drive on public roadways.

In this case, you have to meet state coverage minimums for vehicle insurance, just like you do when you drive a car or truck on public roads. 

Recreational insurance and auto insurance are pretty much the same.

There are some differences to be aware of regarding recreational and auto insurance.

Recreational insurance policies are designed to address the unique risks that recreational vehicle owners face. For example, they typically have higher liability limits than standard auto insurance. 

Recreational insurance is only needed if you use your recreational vehicle on public roads. 

Some recreational vehicle owners might not need to use their vehicles on public roads. For example, some RV owners might live in their RV but don’t travel in it.

Even if you don’t use your RV on public roads, carrying recreational insurance is still a good idea. You can still face liability expenses or collision damage to your RV even if you don’t take it on public roads. 

Let us answer your questions about recreational insurance in Blue Ridge, GA. We’ll help you ensure that your recreational insurance decisions are based on good information at The Insurance Mart. Call us today to explore our policy offerings. 

When to Update Your Commercial Insurance Coverage in Blue Ridge, GA

As a Blue Ridge, GA, business owner, you understand the importance of protecting your company with commercial insurance coverage. But just having a policy is not enough; you must periodically review your coverage and ensure that it meets your business’s ever-changing needs.

Read on for tips on when to update your commercial insurance coverage.

Changes in Business Structure

You should immediately review your commercial insurance policy if your business structure or size has changed. This is especially true if you have gone from being a sole proprietor to an LLC or corporation, as this change can affect the type and amount of coverage necessary for your business. Additionally, if you are planning on hiring employees or adding additional locations, it’s important to ensure that your policy adjusts accordingly. For questions about coverage, contact your agent at The Insurance Mart.

Changes in Technology

Technology advances quickly and can leave certain areas of your business vulnerable if they are not adequately covered by insurance. If you have added new technology, such as computer systems or software programs, consider updating your policy to include cyber liability insurance, which protects against unauthorized access, stolen data, and other related issues.

Changes in Assets

If any of the assets owned by your business have changed (e.g., new equipment or inventory), then it’s prudent to adjust the amounts listed on your policy accordingly so that these assets are adequately covered. It’s also important to remember to add any new businesses affiliated with yours under the same coverage umbrella.

Updating commercial insurance policies can seem overwhelming, but regularly will ensure that all aspects of your business are protected should disaster strike unexpectedly. If you need assistance determining when and how often to update your policy, contact The Insurance Mart today!

Why You Need Auto Insurance On and Off the Road

Your car is more than a luxury. Your vehicle provides a convenient means to move from place to place. For some people, cars are a source of fun, especially when cruising on the open road. Your car means a lot to you, so you need to protect it with car insurance. And whether your car is parked in the garage or on the road, auto insurance protects your vehicle in many ways.

The Insurance Mart in Blue Ridge, GA highlights the many areas covered by car insurance.

Physical damage

Comprehensive coverage covers your vehicle against non-collision risks like fire, falling objects, natural disasters, theft, etc. This policy compensates you for repairing or replacing your vehicle up to the coverage limit.

Collision insurance is similar to comprehensive coverage, only that it’s restricted to collision-related damage. This policy covers your vehicle if it collides with another vehicle or a stationary object.

Liability protection

Auto insurance can bail you out if you cause an accident, causing bodily injury or property damage to other people. Even better, car insurance bails you out when sued for negligence. Without liability coverage, you will have to pay for the liability claims from your pocket, which can be costly.

Medical coverage

Were you injured in a car accident? Car insurance can cover the medical costs incurred for treating your auto injuries. The best part? Car insurance will cover the medical expenses, regardless of who was at fault for the accident.

Underinsured/uninsured motorist (UI/UIM) coverage

Involved in a hit-and-run accident? Hit by a motorist with no or insufficient car insurance? UI/UIM insurance coverage should cover your losses in such cases.

Do the above benefits of car insurance appeal to you? If yes, it’s time to purchase coverage in Blue Ridge, GA. Please get in touch with The Insurance Mart for an affordable policy.

Three pieces of misinformation out there regarding health insurance

Health insurance is essential for protecting your health and your finances. Consumers need to be informed about health insurance to make the right decisions when purchasing coverage.

At The Insurance Mart, we can help you research your health insurance options in Blue Ridge, GA. The following are three pieces of misinformation consumers need to be wary of regarding health insurance. 

Lower premiums always mean more affordable coverage.

While choosing a health insurance policy with lower premiums might mean lower costs if you don’t have any health problems, such policies can be very expensive when you need to use them.

Less expensive policies typically mean less coverage. This means more scenarios where you’ll have to pay out of pocket for healthcare services. Choosing a policy with higher premiums that offers more coverage may be more affordable in the long run. 

An employer-sponsored health plan is always the best health insurance option.

Some employers offer better health insurance than others. If your employer’s health insurance offerings leave something to be desired, you might be better off purchasing health insurance independently or through affiliation with an organization other than the company you work for. 

Do research before assuming your employer’s group health plan is the best option. 

Healthy young people don’t need health insurance.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is assuming you don’t need health insurance coverage because you’re young and healthy. 

Even if you’re healthy now, you never know when a costly health problem may come up. That’s why you should always have health insurance regardless of how young and healthy you are. 

If you want to learn more about health insurance options for consumers in Blue Ridge, GA, we can come to your assistance at The Insurance Mart. Browse our website to learn how to contact us and inquire about our health insurance policy options. 

How Whole Life Insurance Works

When you have people who depend on you, you need a life insurance policy to leave something behind for them when you’re gone. There are different types of life insurance policies, and many people choose to get a whole life policy for the many advantages of this type of policy. If you need life insurance to protect your family, give us a call at The Insurance Mart in Blue Ridge, GA to get started. 

Long-Lasting Life Insurance

If you are in the market for life insurance, different types last for different periods. A term life insurance policy, the other primary type, is only good for a set period, after which it expires. Term life, however, works very differently. The name comes from the fact that this insurance type can last for the rest of your life. This life insurance never expires, no matter how many years you keep it. You have to keep paying the premiums to keep it active, and as long as you do, it can’t be canceled. It will pay out a death benefit to the beneficiaries once you’re gone. 

Money to Borrow

Over the years, your whole life insurance policy will build a cash value. This cash value is an amount that you can borrow later if you should need to. This can come in extremely handy if your family has a financial emergency. You can borrow this amount and pay it back just like any other loan. Having this in place can bring peace of mind because it will be there if you ever need it. 

Get Whole Life

If you want to help your loved ones after you’re gone, call us at The Insurance Mart in Blue Ridge, GA to get started with your own policy.