The Financial Benefits of a Whole Life Policy

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Whole Life Policies

There are many benefits that come with a whole life insurance policy. When you’re looking for a life insurance policy, call us at North Georgia Insurance Center in Commerce, GA to talk about what you may need from your policy.

Keeping Your Life Insurance Policy in Place

One of the main benefits of having a whole life policy is that the policy will continue for the rest of your life. If you keep paying the premiums, you keep the coverage indefinitely. This allows you to lock in one rate for your premiums instead of paying more and more with each term of the coverage. Other types of insurance get more expensive as the insured gets older.

Building Cash Value

These policies build up a cash value over time. As you pay the premiums, your coverage build value that can be used if it’s needed. When you have a cash value built up in your policy, you can borrow against that amount. This allows you to take care of a big financial need with little notice if one comes up. Once the money is borrowed, the death benefit of the policy is lowered by the amount that was borrowed. These policies can also be exchanged for annuities. This allows the insured to get regular payments sent to them instead of keeping the death benefit of the policy. 

Getting Whole Life Insurance

If you are interested in the financial benefits of a whole life policy, call us at North Georgia Insurance Center in Commerce, GA to make an appointment to talk with an agent. Your agent can go over the different types of insurance and help you assess which one might be best for you and your family. 

When is home insurance needed in Georgia?

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In the Commerce, GA area, people that own their homes will benefit a range of different ways. Those that own properties here can benefit from having a consistent and stable place to live, enjoying long-term price appreciation, and a variety of other benefits. If you are going to purchase a home in this area of Georgia, you undoubtedly need to get a home insurance policy as well. There are several situations when having this coverage will be needed for you. 

When Taking Out a Mortgage

One of the most common situations, when you will need to have home insurance, is when you want to take out a mortgage. If you have ever taken out a loan to buy a home, you will find that there are specific insurance requirements. The lender will not only review and approve your policy, but they will also require you to escrow payments to ensure there is not a coverage lapse.

When Looking to Protect Home

Even if you do not have a home loan, you still should get home insurance. Your property is most likely the most valuable asset that you will ever own. Due to this, you should protect it as well as you can. With a full home insurance policy, you can receive the coverage you need to repair or replace your home if needed. 

If you are in the Commerce, GA area, it will continue to be very important for you to protect your home with insurance. To ensure that you are picking the right home insurance policy for your situation, you should call the North Georgia Insurance Center to discuss your needs. If you do call the North Georgia Insurance Center for your insurance needs, they could assess your situation and help you to pick a policy that will offer you the right coverage to meet your needs. 

Mistakes To Avoid When Buying Auto Insurance

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Being a responsible driver, you understand the importance of having auto insurance. Unfortunately, many people do not know how to look for auto insurance and therefore make a lot of mistakes. Here is the list of the most common of them prepared by North Georgia Insurance Center serving Commerce, GA and other surrounding areas: 

  • Not getting enough coverage. Many drivers do not want to spend a lot on their car insurance and choose the minimum coverage. However, in most cases, this means that they will not have enough coverage and will end up with high out of pocket expenses in case of an accident. 
  • Not getting familiar with the policy. Once you have found a policy you like, make sure you learn it from top to bottom. Do not hesitate to ask your insurance agent questions if something seems unclear. 
  • Not disclosing all drivers. It is very important to mention all the drivers who are going to use your car on your policy. If an insurance company figures out that there are unreported drivers, you may end up with a higher rate. 
  • Being unaware of your deductibles. Make sure to discuss with an insurance agent the deductible option and pick the one that is right for you. For example, if you are a careful driver without any accidents in the past, then a higher deductible might be a perfect option for you. 
  • Not shopping around. To make sure you making the right choice, it is highly recommended to shop around and compare offers from a few different companies. This will help you find a perfect policy. 

If you are looking for auto insurance for your new vehicle in Commerce, GA or you just want to update your existing insurance, North Georgia Insurance Center is ready to assist you. Give us a call to talk to one of our qualified agents and discuss the available options. 

Do You Need Year-Round RV Insurance Coverage?

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Approximately 9 million American families own some sort of RV. Of that number, only about 1 million live in their RVs full-time. That means nearly 8 million RV owners may have too much RV insurance. After all, if your RV is in storage for 6 to 8 months of the year, should you be paying for year-round coverage? 

North Georgia Insurance Center is here to help you find out how to find the right RV insurance.

Year-Round RV Insurance

If you’re like most proud RV owners around Commerce, GA, you take three or four trips a year, typically in the spring and summer. The rest of the time your RV is either in a storage facility or on your own property. You may be paying for full coverage even in the off-season. 

Unless something really strange happens, your RV should be safe from all those dangers present on the highways of America. 

But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have any insurance. While you may not get into a fender bender in your stationary RV, other things could happen that insurance can cover. So, what’s your alternative to year-round RV insurance?

Storage-Only RV Insurance

Your best bet for coverage during the off-season, storage-only RV insurance is worth looking into. Essentially, it’s designed to provide coverage for those things that may happen to your RV while it’s in storage. 

In some cases, premiums can decrease depending on where your storage unit is located. If you keep your RV at your home, you may be able to find very affordable coverage, depending on where you live. 

To find out more about storage-only coverage for your RV, contact North Georgia Insurance Center in Commerce, GA, today!

5 Tips on Buying Your First Motorcycle

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Motorcycles are no small investment. If you’re thinking of buying a bike in Commerce, GA, you’d do well to take your time and get it right. These tips by North Georgia Insurance Center can help you make wise decisions in the motorcycle you buy.

Review Bike Types  

Motorcycles come in all sizes, types and styles. By reviewing the different types of bikes available in the Commerce, GA area, you can get a better idea of what to buy. When deciding on a bike for you, consider how, when and where you’ll be using your motorcycle so you can match your purchase to your lifestyle.

Research Your Options  

Once you’ve decided on a bike type, research your options for bike shops, brands, and prices online. This can help narrow your search for the bike of your dreams. If you have biker friends, enlist their help in recommending a bike for you. Better yet, take them with you for their personal input when you’re ready to buy.

Try Your Bike for Comfort and Size

Try your bike to make sure you’re comfortable with its height, weight, and seat shape and size. New riders may prefer a bike with a low seat that enables them to touch the ground when stopping. A bike with a smaller engine and reduced power will also be safer for novice riders.

Stay Within Your Budget

Your first motorcycle shouldn’t break the bank. Set a budget for your purchase and stick within that budget. You can always upgrade to a more costly model, if you want, after gaining greater experience on the road.

Include Motorcycle Insurance in Your Budget

Motorcycle coverage is a must to protect you, others, and your newly acquired investment against theft or damage in an accident. Call or visit North Georgia Insurance Center for help in selecting the motorcycle insurance you need. 

What You Need To Know About Health Insurance Before Open Enrollment

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Health insurance is an important investment you make in both your health as well as your finances. In order to make the best decisions concerning health insurance, you need to be informed. Here at North Georgia Insurance Center serving Commerce, GA, we look forward to educating our clients on these important insurance topics. Keep reading to learn what you need to know about health insurance before open enrollment. 

Enrollment Dates Matter 

Every state in the US now has open enrollment dates. These are the only time frames in which you can enroll in health insurance coverage. In Georgia, the open enrollment dates run from November 1st through December 15th. Before or beyond these dates you cannot enroll in a health insurance plan. If you miss the date you may be required to wait an entire year before enrolling. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule for individuals who have experienced a variety of life changes during the year. You will need to speak with an insurance representative to learn about these exceptions. 

Coverage Levels Matter

Most health insurance plans will divide their policies according to metal levels or coverage levels. Each level represents a different type of coverage. You will need to spend some time getting acquainted with these levels so that you can make the best choice for your health coverage. Different people will have different needs in health coverage. Understanding these levels will ensure that you are sufficiently covered without paying for coverages you don’t need. 

Your Budget Matters

Fitting a health insurance plan into your budget will be a crucial part of your financial planning for the year. Taking time to truly understand what you are paying for and how it will impact your budget can save you from any financial surprises down the road. 

If you would like to learn more about health insurance, please contact our staff today at North Georgia Insurance Center serving Commerce, GA. 

Who Needs Life Insurance?

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Life insurance is not a luxury – it is a good investment and necessity today. It is a guarantee of financial protection for your beloved ones if you pass away. North Georgia Insurance Center in Commerce, GA prepared a list of main types of people, whose lifestyle requires them to have life insurance: 

Married People

Many married people mistakenly believe that they do not need to spend money on life insurance unless they have children. However, if one of the spouses suddenly dies,  the other one will face serious financial hardship by being unable to pay off all the debts, including credit card balances, mortgage, car loans, and others. In addition, there are also funeral expenses that are not cheap and need to be covered as well. 

Breadwinners

If your family members depend on your income, it is extremely important to get life insurance to protect them.  After your death, they will be eligible for income replacement that will cover all the necessary expenses and give them financial stability, at least for a while. 

Business Owners

Life insurance can be used to pay off estate taxes, business debts if you have any, and fund a buy-sell agreement. Life insurance even allows you, as a business owner, to fund a retirement plan for your employees. 

Single Mothers

You should think about the future of your kids, especially if you a single mom, and your child depends on you completely. If you are not around anymore, life insurance will provide your children with a safe financial net and stability after your death. 

Retired people

If you are retired and your kids are already grown independent people, you might think you do not need life insurance. It is a mistake. You still need it in order to protect your heirs from paying off high estate tax and make sure that your spouse can still afford the same good lifestyle you had lived before.

If you are shopping for life insurance and have any questions, North Georgia Insurance Center in Commerce, GA will be more than happy to assist you. Call us today for more information and a consultation.

Do Prefab Homes Require Special Insurance?

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Buying a prefab or modular home in Commerce, GA. Here’s the good news: You don’t have any extra hoops to jump through when it comes to home insurance. Every policy sold by companies like North Georgia Insurance Center is especially suited to the home it covers in the first place, and the difference between a home built in 1950 and one built in 2019 is as big a difference as anything you’ll see between a prefabricated home and a conventional home. Your insurer knows what they’re getting themselves into, and you don’t need to go to any specialty provider to get your prefab home covered.

There are some concerns you may have as a prefab homeowner. You may be at a slightly greater risk come storm season, for instance, but with proper maintenance and a solid roof over your head, insurers don’t really see prefab homes as being significantly riskier as an investment in comparison to a conventional home. In fact, your insurer probably won’t even ask if your home is a prefab in the first place.

The big concern in insurance, whether we’re talking commercial, home, or auto, is a liability, and that’s basically identical between prefab and conventional homes. As a homeowner, you have to worry about dog bites, slip-and-fall cases, and assorted injuries and damages.

If you’re looking to get coverage for your home in Commerce, GA, whether it’s prefab, modular, or something else, give North Georgia Insurance Center and see what they can do for you. The whole process is really no different no matter what kind of home you live in, and any insurer that covers conventional homes will cover prefabricated and modular homes.

First time car buyers: Things to keep in mind

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Buying or driving your own car for the first time can be fun but scary at the same time, whether young or old getting on the road for the first time is not always a smooth ride. With worries of driving right comes the aspect of whether you are adequately covered in case of an accident. Auto insurance in Commerce, GA is a requirement by law and all drivers, including new drivers, must carry a valid auto insurance policy in case they are pulled over.

1. Buy insurance before you have bought the car

Before you even step foot on the car buying company lot to negotiate about the price, make sure you have sorted your insurance needs. While shopping for auto insurance may not be as fun as the car buying process, sorting your insurance needs saves you hundreds of dollars. Remember, vehicles such as sports cars carry higher insurance rates. You need to consider auto insurance as part of the cost.

2. The dealership may and may not take care of the insurance paperwork for you.

Different dealerships have different ways of doing things. While some are willing to do the paperwork for you, it is always prudent to be one or two steps ahead. If this is not your first vehicle, take the initiative to add that collision or comprehensive insurance before you leave.

3. Understand what is needed

As a first-time car and auto insurance buyer, you need to know the average cost of the vehicle in order to calculate the cost of insurance. You also need to understand the limits, coverages, and deductibles. An insurance expert at North Georgia Insurance Center can help you with that.

Car insurance companies have a way of determining how much the premiums should cost. This varies from one insurance provider to another. At North Georgia Insurance Center, we can help you choose a policy that best fits your needs. Be sure to visit us at Commerce, GA today!

Updating Your RV Auto Policy Before Hitting the Road

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An RV can be an incredible asset to own. You can stay close to your Commerce, GA home, or you can travel all around the country and still have some of the comforts of home. They are extremely popular among retirees and families who travel with children.

As the warmer months approach, RV owners are gearing up for vacations and road trips. While you are getting your oil changed and stocking the cabinets in preparation, there is one more thing you need to do: Update your insurance policy. North Georgia Insurance Center can help you make these updates so you can relax on your trip.

First, there is a chance that you dropped your insurance while it was parked for the winter. If that is the case, you will need to reinstate your policy to drive legally. Whether you are reinstating or just updating, you need to check your coverage:

  • Do you have at least the minimum amount of coverage required to drive your RV?
  • If you encounter damage due to theft, vandalism, acts of nature, debris, or impact with animals, can you afford to cover the repairs? If not, you should consider adding comprehensive and collision.
  • Can you afford any repairs for damages due to an uninsured motorist out of pocket? If the answer is no, consider adding uninsured motorist coverage.
  • Have you upgraded your RV in any way that might either get you a discount for safety features or require you to increase your coverage due to increased value?
  • Do you need to add any new drivers to your policy that will be taking turns behind the wheel?

Some additional coverages to consider are:

  • Roadside assistance in case of a mechanical or electrical breakdown that makes you need a tow
  • Total loss replacement that can cover the cost of a brand new RV if yours is totaled

There are many types of coverages to protect your RV, and North Georgia Insurance Center can help you find the perfect coverage for you. If you are a Commerce, GA resident, be sure you give us a call or stop by!