How Does a Home Inventory Help with Filing a Home Insurance Claim?

Posted on by admin

At Wichalonis Insurance Agency, we encourage all Cumming, GA homeowners to create a home inventory to facilitate filing a claim in the event of a loss. A home inventory is an itemized list of all the items you own. If any of your goods are stolen or damaged in a covered peril, a home inventory will make it easier for you to recuperate your losses. Here’s how a home inventory can help with the claims process.

Verifies Ownership of Goods

A home inventory can verify ownership of your personal goods. It should include an itemized list of your goods along with photos (or video) and receipts of high-end items to confirm their value. You can also have appraisals done of posh jewelry or original artwork.  If you have to file a claim due to theft or damage, you’ll have verification of owning these goods. This can help expedite the claims process.

Verifies Value of Goods

By including receipts or appraisals of your high-end goods, you’ll have proof of their value to make it easier to recuperate your losses. This will ensure you get full compensation for your loss in accordance with your insurance coverage.

Helps You Keep Track of Your Possessions

Without an inventory, it can be difficult to keep track of all that you own. If your Cumming, GA home is destroyed by fire or severe storm, you could miss out on getting compensation for items you lost due to overlooking these goods when making your claim. A home inventory provides you with an accurate record of your goods so you can get fully compensated for all of your losses.

For help in making a home inventory or to purchase a home insurance policy for your Cumming, GA home, contact us at Wichalonis Insurance Agency today.

3 Tips for Purchasing Auto Insurance in Cumming, GA

Posted on by admin

Getting around in Cumming, GA requires a car, and to have a car registered, you need auto insurance. If this seems like a daunting task, rest assured that auto insurance is affordable and easy to obtain. To help you get started, follow these three simple tips outlined by Wichalonis Insurance Agency.

1. Bundle Your Insurance Policies

Do you have auto? home? life? RV insurance? If so, save money when you purchase auto insurance by bundling this new policy with all your others under one insurance carrier. This will save money on your premiums and make buying auto insurance even more affordable.

2. Compare Quotes

It’s always a good idea to compare several insurance quotes. The recommendation is three to five to really understand what is out there and at what cost. If you’re a visual person, write everything down and then do a pros and cons list. Also, work with a reputable agent to have your questions answered in real-time.

3. Work with a Reputable Agent

We also recommend working with a reputable agent because these industry leaders take the hassle out of searching for the perfect auto insurance policy. They are available to answer all your questions and concerns, compare quotes, find the right carrier, and bundle policies.

Ready to purchase a new auto policy, renew an existing one, or upgrade? The team at Wichalonis Insurance Agency are here to help. Simply give us a call to be connected to a reputable insurance agent and start comparing quotes today. Your agent will ask you a few questions to find out what you need and then go over each quote with you in fine detail. Call today!

Protect Your Cumming GA Business this Winter

Posted on by admin

Winter will be here before we know it, and making sure that your Cumming, GA area business is protected will help you weather any storms that may come our way. The team here at Wichalonis Insurance Agency

Make Sure Your Business is Ready for Winter!

Winter in our area can be filled with some unpredictable weather! There’s no question that having the right insurance protection in place can make your life go a lot more smoothly, no matter what Mother Nature has in store for us. If there is a covered event that creates an unwanted impact on your company, having the right insurance can help make the situation a lot less stressful. 

There are a number of different steps that we can take to winterize our business locations, such as trimming back any branches that could cause damage, making sure that our pipes and water systems are in good shape, and reviewing our commercial policies to ensure that we have the appropriate level of protection. Without adequate insurance, whether it’s an incorrect policy coverage level, or a gap in protection, an already stressful situation can become a lot worse. Fortunately, with local agents who understand the ups and downs of our winter weather, it’s a straightforward process to acquire the appropriate coverage. 

Don’t wait until it’s too late to find out that you need different coverage or a higher level of protection, review your policy today!

Count on Wichalonis Insurance Agency to protect your Cumming, GA area business this winter. Now is the perfect time of year to make sure that your commercial policy has the protection you need. If it’s time for a policy review for your business, or you want to review your coverage portfolio, contact us today and schedule a consultation!

3 Tips to Protect Your Home While You Are on Vacation

Posted on by admin

Residents who live in Cumming, GA and many of the nearby communities rely on the insurance agents of Wichalonis Insurance Agency for valuable tips and tricks on how to keep their homes secure all year long. Leaving your home to go on vacation can make it vulnerable to intruders unless you know ways to hide the fact that you aren’t home. The following tips will help you give the impression that someone is home.

Stop Mail/Paper Delivery

One of the biggest attention getters for burglars is papers laying on the porch or mail collecting in the mailbox. Stopping your service is the best way to prevent that from happening. If you don’t want to stop your delivery service, have your neighbor or a family member collect your mail/paper for you.

Set Timers for Your Lights and Home Security System

If you have a home security system, set timers so that your lights will go on and off according to your normal schedule. This can also be accomplished without a home security system. All you have to do is purchase timers that can be used on individual lights and set to the appropriate time.

Have a Friend or Family Member Housesit While You’re Away

You can also ask a friend or family member to stay at your while you’re away. Your house will remain occupied and well cared for while you’re away.

At Wichalonis Insurance Agency, residents of Cumming, GA can talk to a reputable agent and find the answers they need when it comes to keeping their home secured and protected while they are away. Visit the office today and let one of the agents help you find ways to keep your home safe!

Georgia Auto Insurance Requirements

Posted on by admin

Each state requires auto insurance for vehicles and vehicle owners on its roads. Residents of Georgia must adhere to its minimum requirements to legally drive on the state’s road and to register their vehicle. At Wichalonis Insurance Agency serving Cumming, GA, we want you to understand the minimum requirements of our state and how we can help you fulfill them plus how adding other auto insurance types can help you better protect your finances.

In Georgia, the individual at fault for an accident must compensate those injured or whose personal property was damaged in a vehicular accident. Each driver must carry appropriate insurance to cover the compensation of their potential fault.

The state requires each driver to carry insurance for liability and property damage. The minimum required insurance includes:
–   Bodily injury/death coverage of $25,000 per person, 
–   Bodily injury/death coverage of $50,000 per accident, 
–   Property damage coverage of $25,000 per accident.

The reason you have two components to the bodily injury and death coverage is that more than one person may be injured in a single accident. The policy pays up to $25,000 per person, but it maxes out at $50,000 per accident. That means the insurance company only pays for $50,000 of medical costs and funeral costs even if your accident incurred $100,000 of medical bills for the others involved. If they take you to court, you need to pay the other $50,000 plus attorney fees and court costs if the court makes a judgment against you.

The insurance you carry, if you only carry the minimums required in Georgia, does not cover your injuries. Those come out of your pocket unless you add coverage. You would need personal injury protection (PIP) to cover your own medical costs. You would need collision coverage to compensate yourself for repairing or replacing your vehicle.

Contact Wichalonis Insurance Agency serving Cumming, GA for help obtaining the auto coverage you need to protect your automobile and yourself. Let us help insure you today.

Is Commercial Insurance Legally Required?

Posted on by admin

In Cumming, GA, there are no reasonable circumstances where you are going to be legally required to carry commercial insurance. In the US, we still have, more or less, a free market at work. As long as you are licensed wherever you need to be licensed and registered wherever you need to be registered, you are allowed to ply your trade in most fields.

But, that doesn’t mean that nobody can tell you to get insurance, just that the law can’t. Business partners can insist that you carry insurance, and so can lenders, guilds, unions, customers, licensing boards, clients, and anyone else you do business with. The free market goes both ways: In most fields, you are free to go without insurance, and everyone else is free to refuse to do business with someone who does not carry insurance.

For most businesses, the only time you will be legally required to carry commercial insurance is in the case of commercial vehicles. Your personal auto insurance provider may be able to provide some basic protection for business use. Still, if you are using your car as a regular business vehicle, you can’t expect every claim to be approved.

If you are looking to get your Cumming, GA business covered, get in touch with us at Wichalonis Insurance Agency. You can call us, visit our website, or drop by the Wichalonis Insurance Agency offices to talk about getting protected. Whether you’re looking for basic liability or something more substantial, it is vital to protect your business, and we can compare several quotes from different providers to get you a good deal on an excellent commercial insurance policy.

Four basic boat safety tips every boater should know

Posted on by admin

Boating is a fun all-year-round activity for both family and friends. The weather in Cumming, GA is perfect for some good time in the waterways. However, no matter how experienced you are, it is imperative to learn boating safety rules before entering into a water adventure.

 At Wichalonis Insurance Agency, we recommend buying boat insurance to help protect you from damage, loss, or injuries that may result after an accident. Here are four essential safety tips to keep in mind:

  • Never forget to carry your safety gear: Boating requires some form of preparation. Before setting out, make sure you bring the safety kit for you and other boat users. A first aid kit, life jacket flashlight, duct tape, ropes whistle, and fire extinguishers are some of the things that should not miss on your list.
  • Always check the weather: Many people prefer boating during warm sunny days, but you cannot underestimate the weather. Currents and strong winds may signal a storm. Look for warnings and exit the water as soon as possible.
  • Have your boat checked: Before you even start loading your boat, make sure you have thoroughly examined it from the interior to the exterior. Watch out for faults that could leak water into the boat. Keep a close eye on gas as it can be disastrous if ignored.
  • Avoid overloading the boat: You should never overload your boat for obvious reasons. Each boat comes with capacity restriction. Overloading only puts your life and other passengers in the boat at risk.

Lastly, exercise common sense in water. There are things that no one will teach you as they are basic knowledge. For example, you should never consume alcohol when operating a boat.

If you need more information on safety tips, feel free to visit us at Wichalonis Insurance Agency in Cumming, GA, and we will be happy to help.

When can an umbrella insurance policy protect me?

Posted on by admin

Having proper liability insurance coverage is very important for people in the Cumming, GA area. For a lot of people, getting coverage from a home and auto insurance policy is a good start for liability protection. However, getting an umbrella policy could make a lot of sense for others. There are several situations when this coverage can protect you. 

Gives Coverage for More Situations

One of the top reasons to get umbrella coverage is that it will give you coverage for situations that you may not already have liability protection for. For most people, home and auto insurance policies will provide liability coverage for the vast majority of realistic situations that could result in a claim. However, those that are in certain professions could be at risk for uncovered situations. Fortunately, an umbrella policy will give you coverage for these risks. 

Provides Additional Liability Coverage

Another way your umbrella insurance policy can protect you is by providing additional liability coverage on top of your base policies. If you are involved in a severe accident and are found liable, there is always a small chance the damages could exceed your coverage from your home or auto policy. If this happens to you, the umbrella insurance policy will give you additional coverage to ensure you are protected. 

Getting umbrella insurance can be a great form of personal liability protection. When you are thinking about getting this form of insurance, you should call the Wichalonis Insurance Agency. For those that are in the Cumming, GA area, the team at the Wichalonis Insurance Agency is an excellent source of information. These professionals can give you the guidance that you need to determine if umbrella insurance is right for you and your situation. Based on this, you can pick a policy. 

What are the benefits of a Georgia condo insurance policy?

Posted on by admin

Anyone that lives in the Cumming, GA area should consider investing in themselves and buying their own home. For a lot of people, one ideal home purchase option would be to buy a condo. When you do get a condo, there are a lot of advantages that include lower maintenance obligations and improved security. Along with purchasing a condo, it is vital that you consider all of your insurance needs. Several benefits come when you get a condo insurance policy. 

Valuable Liability and Property Protection

The main benefit that comes when you get a condo insurance policy is that it will provide you with valuable protection for your assets and against liability. When you own a condo, the insurance policy will protect your dwelling and personal assets. It will also give you coverage for liability if someone gets hurt while in your home. 

Agreement Compliance

Another benefit of a condo insurance policy is that it can help to ensure that you remain in compliance with a variety of different agreements. Having condo insurance is a requirement for your mortgage lender and condo association. When you get an acceptable policy, you are going to have the coverage you need to stay in compliance with both policies. 

If you are going to purchase a condo in the Cumming, GA area, you should speak with the team at Wichalonis Insurance Agency to learn about all of your insurance needs and options. The insurance professionals at Wichalonis Insurance Agency can help you to learn more about all of your condo requirements and explain to you how an exceptional insurance policy can provide excellent protection. Contact our office to get started with a quote.

Is It Time to Upgrade Your Vehicle?

Posted on by admin

As your vehicle gets older, it may become less reliable due to age or wear and tear. Whether you’re single or have a family, it’s important to have a vehicle you can rely on for personal or business travels. If your older vehicle poses a greater risk of accidents or has constant breakdowns on the road, it may be time to upgrade to a newer model. The following questions compiled by Wichalonis Insurance Agency in Cumming, GA, can help you determine if it’s time to upgrade your car.

How Reliable is Your Vehicle?

You know it’s time for an upgrade when your vehicle requires constant maintenance or repairs to keep it running. If you’re investing hundreds of dollars’ worth of repairs into your car on a regular basis, it’s probably time to replace it with a newer model.

You should also consider the mileage you have on your vehicle and whether the repairs you make offer a permanent or temporary solution to the problems at hand. Temporary fix-it jobs can cost you more in the long run than replacing your older car. Your goal should be to have a safe, dependable vehicle you can rely on for your daily needs.

Does Your Car Still Meet Your Needs?

A change in lifestyle may prompt you to upgrade your vehicle to better suit your needs. If you’re planning to have children, you may want to replace your sports car with a family sedan. If you get a new job that requires more travel, you may want to upgrade to a safe, fuel-efficient vehicle you can count on for long-distance travel.

When upgrading your vehicle, don’t forget to factor in quality auto insurance coverage to protect you and your family on the road. For more information on auto insurance options and costs, contact Wichalonis Insurance Agency in Cumming, GA.