Recreational vs. Recreational Vehicle Insurance

In today’s rush and hurry world, we often try to do things online or by a phone message that really needs an actual conversation. At The Insurance Mart, we want everyone in Blue Ridge, GA to get exactly the insurance they need, one reason we encourage people to come by and talk about your insurance needs before you buy.

If you try to go the do-it-yourself route, you could end up with not enough, too much or the wrong coverage altogether. For example, there are two different kinds of recreational insurance – outdoor/recreational insurance and recreational vehicle insurance. They’re both known as recreational insurance, for short.

If you want to insure your boat, Seadoo, RV, fifth wheel, snowmobile, dirt bike, dune buggy, golf cart, or ATV, you need recreational vehicle insurance. You’ll obtain a comprehensive policy to protect both rider and ride.

On the other hand, outdoor/recreational insurance offers businesses such as outfitters & guides, rope courses and ATV, bicycle or snowmobile tours either general liability insurance to cover bodily injury and property damage claims or comprehensive protection. It also covers amateur sports events. Although some items covered under it do involve a vehicle, others don’t. A ropes course or 5K race involves only the entrant and their physical capabilities.

The Insurance Mart wants to talk with you to know if you need insurance for your weekend ride or your weekend business. If you buy online, the similarities in name and some coverages might seem the same. You won’t have what you need though.

Come visit us in Blue Ridge, GA. We’ll help to determine what insurance really serves your needs and your budget.

Classic Cars: A Hobby and An Investment

The Insurance Mart of Blue Ridge, GA understands how much love and care can go into classic car ownership, in addition to the expense of buying and maintaining the vehicle. We are here to help you procure the comprehensive care that your classic car requires and help you gain the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your hobby and investment is fully covered. If you are considering the purchase of a classic car, give us a call to ensure that your new investment has the comprehensive coverage such a vehicle deserves.

Protect Your Classic Car Investment

If you have or are considering buying a car that is 12 to 24 years old and is of a limited production or a rare make and model, you will want to protect your investment with classic car insurance. These policies are tailor-made for the unique requirements of such an investment, and our trained agents are here to ensure that your car receives the right coverage. 

There are certain regulations that come with classic car policies, such as the stipulation that the car receives a limited use, it must be restored or in excellent condition, and this condition must be actively maintained. Some policies will require that the vehicle is stored in a secure garage or other location, while others do not carry this requirement. Whether it is required or not, safely storing your classic car is always a smart idea.

The Insurance Mart is proud to serve the unique insurance needs of the greater Blue Ridge, GA area and would welcome the opportunity to fulfill your comprehensive insurance needs. Please give us a call today at (706) 492-3234 to schedule an appointment to discuss your classic car insurance needs. We look forward to working with you!

When You Are on The Road…How Does RV Insurance Protect?

Just as you are required to carry liability insurance on your car, you are also required to carry coverage on your RV. While the two policies may have some similarities, due to the nature of the vehicle, an RV must have a specialized policy. The team at The Insurance Mart has worked with RV owners in the Blue Ridge, GA area for many years. Like you, they enjoy the area lakes and recreation areas so the understand your needs.

As the RV combines elements of both a vehicle and a living space, insurance policies have to recognize both of these elements. Other factors that will determine appropriate insurance coverage include the size, weight and special features the RV has. RVs are rated as Class A, B or C. Class A motor homes are large RVs with full size features designed for long term use. Class B RVs are smaller vehicles and have far fewer amenities. These “camper vans” are most often for short term use.  Class C motorhomes are a mid-size RV. While they are smaller than a Class A, many people see Class C RVs as a more economical choice for their family. Another factor that determines coverage levels is the amount of use the RV will get.

RV insurance policies protect with liability, personal injury and collision coverage. They can also provide coverage for full replacement should your RV be stolen or totaled in a collision. There are also policies that will cover your personal effects. Additional coverage can protect elements that are attached such as awnings or satellite dishes. 

The team at The Insurance Mart can help you with your RV insurance needs in the Blue Ridge, GA area. Call today and get the protection you need!

What Are the Standard Coverage Options for Boat Insurance?

Each time you cast off in your boat, you want to have peace of mind knowing that you’ll be covered if an accident or unexpected event occurs. To get this piece of mind, you’ll need an insurance policy that will protect your boat and finances no matter what.

Depending on your boat, location, and policy choice, there may be additional coverage options available to you, but for the most part, when it comes to boat insurance, you’ll be working with a policy that provides standard coverage options. This includes physical property damage coverage and liability coverage. 

Physical Property Damage Coverage

Physical property damage coverage will protect your boat from losses that may be caused by fire, collision, theft, sinking, storms, or other catastrophic events. Generally speaking, your hull, anchors, motors, batteries, fuel tanks, safety equipment, and other permanent boat components will be covered under this type of insurance. Again, depending on the policy that you choose, you may be able to get things like your trailer and other boat-related components covered as well.

Liability Coverage

This type of insurance protects you and your finances from liability claims. If your boat were to cause physical property damage to another boat or structure or if it were to cause personal injuries to someone else, a good liability plan will protect you from possible lawsuits and the subsequent costs.

The Insurance Mart Can Help

Are you a Blue Ridge, GA resident who is looking for boat insurance? The Insurance Mart serves residents of Blue Ridge, GA and would be happy to work with you to find a boat insurance plan that meets your unique needs. To learn more about the boat insurance policies that we offer and to speak with an agent today, give us a call or visit our nearest office. 

3 Mistakes to Avoid when Buying Condo Insurance

Once you’ve made the decision to buy a condo, the next step is to look into condo insurance to protect your investment. By discussing condo insurance options with an agent from The Insurance Mart in advance, you can avoid costly mistakes in insuring your new abode. Here are a few common mistakes people make when purchasing insurance for their new condo.

Getting Insufficient Coverage

Be leery of cheap insurance policies that don’t provide the coverage you need to protect your new home. A “bare walls-in” policy, for example, may cover some aspects of the interior of your Blue Ridge, GA condo, but exclude such essentials as kitchen and bath fixtures, cabinetry, flooring and other architectural details vital to your home. In contrast, “all-in” coverage protects all aspects of your condo.

Selecting Cash Value over Replacement Cost

When insuring personal effects, you may be offered the option of cash value or replacement cost coverage. Cash value coverage may cost less, but has less to offer when making a claim as you only receive the original price you paid for an item, which may not be enough to have it replaced. With replacement cost coverage, your insurance covers the cost of replacing personal property that has been stolen, damaged or lost.  

Not Reviewing a Policy before Signing

Many people make the mistake of signing a policy without reading it through. Reviewing your policy gives you an opportunity to catch any mistakes or omissions in your coverage that could cost you later on. While reviewing your policy, take time to ask questions about anything you don’t understand. Once you sign, you’ll be responsible for what the policy contains or doesn’t contain, whether it’s in your favor or not.

For more information about condo insurance coverage and costs, be sure to contact us at The Insurance Mart, Blue Ridge, GA. 

 

3 Reasons to Protect Your Business With Commercial Insurance

Congratulations, your new business has finally got of the ground level and you are finally seeing some results and compensation from all of your hard work. At The Insurance Mart we love to see new businesses succeed and grow into established companies in and around Blue Ridge, GA. We also know that sometimes things go wrong that are entirely out of the hands of the most hard working business owners. 

3 Reasons to Insure Your Company

  1. When you have employees the stakes of your choices no longer only effect you. If your business has employees then they are also depending on your company to continue to flourish. This makes keeping insurance all the more important. 
  2. You cannot predict every outcome. Many successful business owners have a keen eye for what matters and have some ability to see what is coming before it happens so they can prevent catastrophe. But even the most observant business owner cannot predict every outcome this where full coverage and even some umbrella policies to cover certain circumstances comes in handy. 
  3. Even small home-based business need someone to have their back. It may come as a surprise that your home owner’s insurance may not cover some of your business needs even if your company is run from your home. Make sure you are truly protected because even a small business needs to cover the assets they do have. 

Contact us at The Insurance Mart today to find out more about how we can help keep your business fully covered in Blue Ridge, GA and the surrounding areas. One of the worst feelings after something does go wrong is the realization that the burden would be significantly less if you would had only made one phone call before it happened. 

Things You Should Consider Adding To An Existing Homeowners Policy

Many homeowners simply take out insurance to meet the requirements of their lender. Banks want to know their investment is secure. But what about your security? As time passes and your needs change, it may be in your best interest to revisit your homeowner’s policy and decide if it still meets your needs. At The Insurance Mart, our professionals are committed to helping members of the Blue Ridge, GA, community create a policy that works for you. We’ll help you to avoid common areas where people may be underinsured.

Flood and Natural Disaster Coverage

The State of Georgia has felt nature’s power more than a few times. As folks living around the Blue Ridge Dam are well aware, flooding is a fact of life. While the overflow of the Toccoa River may not have reached your doorstep in recent years, the potential exists. Flood insurance is not part of a standard homeowners policy. Given the imminent threat of the dam and waterways such as Blue Ridge Lake, you would be wise to have this additional coverage.

Theft Coverage

The amount of theft coverage you selected when you first purchased homeowners insurance may still have the same cap. Over time, we accumulate stuff. Some of that stuff can be very expensive to replace. Jewelry, electronics, and cash on hand are prime targets for burglars. We recommend that you take an inventory and make sure that your policy protects you in the event these pricey items are stolen.

Outbuildings

We all tend to personalize our homes over time. New sheds are built to house our lawn and garden tools, as well as children’s bikes and toys. The hot Georgia sun presses us to either add a garage or car port. But these things may not be covered if you renew your policy each year without adding them. After all, your coverage was not originally based on these structures.

Updating an existing homeowners policy makes good sense. It’s important that your coverage provides the security you need. At The Insurance Mart, we are available to help members of the Blue Ridge, GA community with professional and comprehensive homeowners service. At the end of the day, it’s important that you have a policy that meets your individual needs and gives you peace of mind.

Auto Insurance Basics to Consider

When looking for car insurance, many factors influence the price that you pay for your premium.  Some factors are unchangeable such as your age and if you are a are male or female.  However, there are other factors in wich you can control:

Accident History
The number of insurance claims presented in past years can have an effect on your premium.  If you have a history vehicle accidents, the insurance company will want to look at your driving record and understand who or what has caused the accidents.

Ticket and DUI History
If you have been pulled over by the police many times for speeding and it has resulted in your receiving tickets, this too will push your premium high as you are considered a risky driver.

If you have received a DUI, this stays on your record and can affect the insurance premium for up to 10 years.  If you have received multiple DUIs, many insurance companies will refuse to provide insurance at all.

Residence
Where you call home can affect the premium if the area has a record and high risk of theft or vandalism. Those living in a busy urban area will experience an increase as compared to those in suburban or small town residentials areas.

On the flipside, if you live in a suburban or small town and drive a distance to get into the city to work, this is also taken into consideration because of miles were driven to get to work as well as where the vehicle is parked during work hours.

To discuss your insurance needs and receive a quote, call The Insurance Mart in Blue Ridge, GA to learn more.

3 Tips for Taking Care of the Carpet In Your Home

Whether you live in a new home or one that was built more than 50 years ago, if it has carpet in it, it is imperative that you take care of it to the best of your ability. Taking care of the flooring in your home not only improves the look of your home but also increases the flooring’s longevity. Here is a quick look at three tips for taking care of the carpet in your house.

1) Clean up spills immediately

The worst thing you can do when it comes to your carpet is not clean up spills and stains immediately. The longer a stain soaks into the carpet, the harder it will be to get out. And if you leave a stain for too long, it may become impossible to completely remove it. Ammonia, vinegar, and cornstarch are three of the most effective products for removing carpet stains. Just make sure you follow instructions when using them so as to not make the stains worse or to discolor the carpet.

2) Install heavy traffic carpet in heavy traffic areas

Are there certain parts of your home that endure heavy amounts of traffic? If so, it is usually best to have heavy traffic carpet installed in these areas. Heavy traffic carpet is more durable than other types, meaning it is more likely to last longer.

3) Vacuum regularly

Lastly, you need to make sure you vacuum the carpet in your home regularly. The cleaner your carpet stays, the longer it will last. Vacuuming will also improve the smell in your home and keep it looking its best.

To learn more about taking care of the carpet in your home, contact The Insurance Mart serving the Blue Ridge, GA area.

Fall Home Shopping Checklist: The Supplies You Need To Autumn-proof Your home

Fall is setting in, and that means getting your home ready for the change in the weather. Now, depending on your climate, you may or may not need every single thing on this shopping list, but you’re going to have a rough Autumn if you don’t prepare for it as early as possible:

  • Weather-stripping and caulk for sealing up any leaks and drafty spots
  • Firewood and newspaper for kindling if you use a stove or a fireplace
  • Propane, if you use gas-heating
  • Batteries, for smoke and CO monitors, as well as flashlights
  • A humidifier, if you live in a dry climate and don’t have one already
  • Furnace filters
  • Blankets, sweaters, and anything else you’re short on to keep you cozy in the cold
  • Space heaters, even if you have central heating, you’ll want one or two of these if you need to do any work in the attic, garage or storerooms
  • Rock salt, for clearing away ice if it gets a little frosty out before December
  • Canned food, for those days when you just don’t feel like braving the weather for groceries
  • Heating tape for your pipes
  • Bottled water, in case your pipes do freeze
  • Galoshes, raincoats, umbrellas, etc.

Again, you might not need everything on this list. Some of these supplies you no doubt have on hand already. All the same, while the Insurance Mart will help you to protect your home should the unforeseen take place, it’s your job to make sure you’re prepared for the foreseeable. Stocking up before the chill sets in will let you ride out the colder months in comfort.