Factors for Secondary Dwelling and Rental Insurance

Owning a secondary dwelling could be a magnificent way of wealth accumulation in the future, as well as providing a home for vacation during summer. However, second homes come with inherent risks such as theft because most times, they are unoccupied compared to the houses occupied regularly. Most Blue Ridge, GA residents concentrate more on acquiring a primary residence, but it is also an excellent option to own a secondary dwelling. Secondary dwellings can generate income through renting or future appreciation of price. Therefore, if you own a secondary residence, it’s prudent to get a prolific secondary dwelling & rental insurance policy from The Insurance Mart as soon as possible.

Factors That May Impact Secondary Dwelling & Rental Insurance Premiums

The homeowner’s insurance policy for your second home from The Insurance Mart will offer similar coverage to that of your primary home insurance. Still, the following factors will impact the premium costs:

Available amenities: Does your second home have pools and hot tubs for leisure activities? Suppose your secondary dwelling is equipped with these or other unique amenities. In that case, they may attract payment of high insurance premiums, forcing you to incorporate additional liability protection, which will automatically increase your insurance costs.

Location: The location of your second home determines the cost of homeowners insurance. If your second dwelling is in an earthquake or flood-prone area, it may require separate coverage, increasing insurance costs. The locations that are regarded as desirable for your second home may increase the insurance costs. For resistance, if you locate your second home near a beach, it becomes more prone to storm surge, and if you locate a ski house in remote or mountainous terrain, it could be susceptible to wildlife fire. These risky locations, therefore, attract high insurance premiums and deductibles.

Property: Factually, the age and type of building materials for your second dwelling will directly affect the insurance cost. Is your second home a condominium, single occupancy, or a townhouse? The type of occupancy may impact the insurance costs. For resistance, a condominium may attract a lower insurance premium rate because of the inclusion of the homeowner’s association.

Are you a second homeowner in Blue Ridge, GA, seeking secondary dwelling & rental insurance? Please call or visit us at The Insurance Mart today and secure your secondary residence as soon as possible.

What Are The Benefits of Recreational Insurance?

When most people think about insurance, they think about the car, home, or health insurance. However, another type of insurance is becoming more and more popular: recreational insurance.

Recreational insurance covers skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and more. If you are considering purchasing recreational insurance but are unsure if it is worth the cost, read on to learn about the benefits of this type of coverage.

1. Peace of Mind

One of the most significant benefits of recreational insurance is the peace of mind it can provide. If you are injured while participating in a covered activity in Blue Ridge, GA, your policy will cover the cost of your medical care. This can help you avoid financial hardship in the event of an accident.

In addition, if you have to cancel your trip due to an injury, your policy will reimburse you for non-refundable expenses. This coverage can give you peace of mind knowing that you and your family are protected financially in the event of an accident.

2. Financial Protection

Another benefit of recreational insurance is the financial protection it can provide. Your policy will pay for your medical bills if you are injured while participating in a covered activity. This can help you avoid financial hardship in the event of an accident.

3. Coverage for Equipment

Recreational insurance from a professional company such as The Insurance Mart can also provide coverage for your equipment. If you rent equipment, your policy will cover the cost of repairs or replacement if the equipment is damaged. This coverage can help you avoid financial hardship if your equipment is damaged while on vacation.

Blue Ridge, GA is a great place to live with plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. The Insurance Mart can help you find the right recreational insurance policy to fit your needs. Contact us today for more information.

Why your small business needs commercial insurance

All businesses are at risk. The failure rate for businesses is astronomical. Small businesses are even more vulnerable. One in five new companies will fail within two years, and only 25% will make it to 15 years. Many of the things that cause businesses to fail can be mitigated with commercial insurance. At The Insurance Mart in Blue Ridge, GA, we provide our customers with the benefit of our commercial insurance experience when creating the perfect policy for their business. 

A covered hazard hits your business.

It could be a fire or a theft, but suddenly you don’t have what you need to operate your business. If you don’t have commercial property insurance, you might have to close your door immediately. Commercial property insurance will cover the loss of your business equipment, tools, electronics, raw materials, and inventory. You should be able to be back up and running in less time than you probably expect. 

Someone is injured at your business or by your product

About one in three businesses will be sued every year. What happens if this is your year? How would you pay for injuries and maybe a judgment against you? Does your business have the cash that it could take? Many don’t. If you can’t pay the judgment you might have to close your doors. This can be avoided with commercial liability insurance. 

Your business is closed temporarily, but you can’t pay your bills

When you have to temporarily close your doors while you recover from a covered hazard, you won’t have income, which can make it challenging to meet your normal expenses. This won’t be a problem if you have business interruption insurance. 

Contact The Insurance Mart in Blue Ridge, GA to help to protect your small business with commercial insurance. 

Is it Time to Update my Auto Insurance Policy?

When was the last time you updated your car insurance policy? If it’s been a couple of years, you need to give your policy a second look. Failing to review your auto insurance policy could mean two things. First, you are overpaying or underpaying your insurance premiums. Secondly, you could be in for a rude shock when filing a claim.

At The Insurance Mart, we usually advise our clients to update their insurance policy annually. However, sometimes you don’t have to wait for a year to lapse to update your insurance policy. Please contact your insurer to update your insurance policy if the following incidences occur.

Change of use

Are you using your vehicle to run business errands? You need to update your standard auto insurance to commercial auto insurance. Why? Using your car for commercial reasons exposes your vehicle to new risks, and your personal auto insurance won’t be enough.

Upgrading your vehicle

Finally, got your hands on the car of your dream? Congratulations! Even more good news, you don’t have to get an entirely new car insurance policy. You need to talk to your insurer to transfer your old policy into your new car. Of course, expect to top up your premiums, especially if the new vehicle has a high value.

Allowing a teenage driver to use your car

Want your teenage daughter or son to drive your car? You need to talk to your insurance company to update your policy. Teenage drivers are considered riskier, so expect an adjustment to your premiums.

Learn more about car insurance in Blue Ridge, GA!

Still not sure whether you should update your car insurance policy? No worries. Please get in touch with The Insurance Mart for more information on car insurance.

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.

What Is Secondary Dwelling Insurance, and What does it Cover?

Do you have a second home in Blue Ridge, GA? Wondering whether you need a new home insurance policy, or you can extend your current insurance plan to cover your second home? All these are questions that tend to worry many homeowners with more than one home. However,

The Insurance Mart is here to shed light on secondary dwelling insurance — coverage you may need if you have two or more homes.

What is secondary dwelling insurance?

This policy covers your second home the same way your primary home insurance protects your current home. You may think of extending your current home insurance to your second home, but this may not work since your new home has unique risks. For sure, you can extend liability coverage to your new home, but what about damages and losses? As such, you need secondary dwelling insurance.

What does secondary dwelling insurance cover?

How do you want to use your second home? Perhaps, you want to use your new home as a vacation house, or you simply want to rent it out. Whatever the reason, here are the coverage options you can opt for your new home:

  • Dwelling coverage: It protects your home against physical damage. Besides, your coverage can protect detached structures like the shed, garage, and fence at an additional premium.
  • Liability coverage: Just like your primary home, you can be held responsible for injuries and property damage you cause to other people.
  • Flood insurance: You need to consider a flood insurance endorsement if your home is located in a flood risk zone.
  • Rental coverage: If your second home is a rental, you need rental coverages to help you avoid financial losses.

Would you like to invest in secondary dwelling insurance in Blue Ridge, GA? Please get in touch with The Insurance Mart for an affordable quote.

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.

Types of Auto Insurance Georgia Residents Should Know

Do you own or lease a car in Georgia? Then you know that you need auto insurance. But how much auto coverage do you need? The state of Georgia requires liability insurance as a bare minimum. You don’t have to settle for the minimum, though. You have other coverage options. At The Insurance Mart in Blue Ridge, GA, we help people make sense of car insurance. If you want to go beyond the minimum, here are the options you should know. 

Uninsured Motorist Insurance 

Not everyone follows the rules when it comes to insurance. Some people may drive every day without minimum coverage. So what happens if one of these drivers collides with your car? Their lack of insurance shouldn’t cost you money. Uninsured motorist insurance can keep you covered, so you don’t have to pay for their mistakes. 

Physical Damage Insurance 

Your liability insurance covers damage to other people’s vehicles. But what about your own vehicle? With only the minimum insurance coverage, you may have to pay for repairs out of pocket. 

Physical damage insurance prevents this situation. It covers damage to your own car in case of a collision. You can also buy additional coverage that would help with non-collision damage. 

Classic Car Insurance 

Classic cars require liability insurance, too. If you drive a classic car, you may also want specific coverage that goes beyond the basics. Classic car insurance focuses on the car’s market value, not just the sum of its parts. 

The Insurance Mart in Blue Ridge, GA 

How can you know if you have the right coverage? You can start by reviewing your coverage once a year. This way, you can make sure you have what you need in light of life’s changes. Have questions about your insurance options? The Insurance Mart team would love to help. Contact us today or visit us here in Blue Ridge, GA.