5 Tips to Keep your Home safe while on Vacation

After you have planned your itinerary, you need to consider how to best protect your home while on vacation. Of course you never leave expecting that something bad will happen, but take precautions before you leave. A little extra vigilance will help keep your property and belongings safer while you're gone.

At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross, we give you five tips to help you protect your home while on Vacation:

1. If it looks like there are still people at home, you are much less likely to be robbed. Do everything you can to make it look like there is activity both inside and outside the house. This would be an excellent time to have some lawn or exterior work done. You may need to make arrangements with whoever is doing the work, either paying them a deposit ahead of time, or arranging to pay the balance at a later date.

2. To help create the illusion that the residence is still occupied, invest in timers that turn on the interior lights for a few hours every evening. 

You could also consider having some lights or motion sensors put in. A battery operated push light in the window can be a great idea. Better yet, connect some outside and inside lights to motion sensors. This way, if anyone gets too close, the lights will come on automatically.

3. An easy, low tech way to make sure that your place is covered is by asking a trusted friend, neighbor or family member. Have them go over to your home several times a week just to check on everything. You could also have them collect mail and take the trash cans out and/or bring them back in. In some cases, the local police department is able to help with a few of these tasks. This is not a replacement for a trusted friend or neighbor. However, having a police officer do a ‘vacation check’ a few times while you are away is still an additional level of security.

4. Installing a home security system is a good way to ramp up security around the old homestead and make your house safer whether you're around or not. There is no better way to secure your home while you are away on vacation than a home alarm system. With the technology available, at minimum you will be able to have a system with a control panel, door and window sensors, motion sensors, glass break sensors and often times these features can be monitored using your cell phone. 

5. Take the final trip through the house before you leave. Check to make sure that all windows and doors are closed and locked, that there is no water running and that all unnecessary appliances are off. If you are leaving your home vacant for a long period of time, you may need to purchase special vacant home insurance. Talk to your insurance agency you're planning on being more than a few weeks away.

Remember that a Home insurance policy may help protect your wallet, your House and even offer peace of mind. Contact us for more Information, At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross we can help you to find the best Renters or Homeowners Insurance!For more Information contact us: (706) 884-5006 or (770) 969-5666

Please visit us: www.go-guardian.com

Tips for finding the right Car Insurance Company

When you are looking for the right Car Insurance company, setting your priorities, checking reputations and financial standings, comparing quotes, shopping for the best car insurance company for your needs might be a difficult and daunting task but at GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross,  we give you three tips to help you whit that important decision: 

1. Compare different Car Insurance Quotes:

- First and foremost, never look at just one or two car insurance companies; always get and compare at least three quotes.

- Talk with family members and friends about their car insurance providers.

- Look for auto insurance companies that offer discounts and good-driver rewards programs.

- Ask about bundling insurance policies also known as “multi-line coverage," some companies provide discounts for purchasing two or more lines of coverage.

- Check out the companies' social media accounts.

2. Check for Reputation:

Once you've found a few compatible car insurance companies, do some investigative work and check out the companies' reputation.

Check with your state’s Department of Insurance website and make sure the company is licensed to sell auto insurance in your state.

3. Consider working with an Agent or Broker:

The difference between car insurance agents and car insurance brokers is that, generally, agents work with one company while brokers work with several companies.

So, while an agent can help you get the best coverage and rates from his or her particular company, a broker can shop around and help you find the best coverage and rates from a number of companies. 

Remember that a car insurance policy may help protect your wallet, your vehicle and even offer peace of mind. Contact us for more Information, At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross, we can help you choose the coverage that's right for your needs.

For more Information contact us: (706) 884-5006 or (770) 969-5666

Please visit us: www.go-guardian.com

What happens after your Car gets totaled in an Accident?

A car is considered totaled when the cost of repair the auto exceeds the value of the car. Some states have laws that define a totaled vehicle by specific limits. In other cases, the insurer determines whether a vehicle is considered a total loss.

At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross, we give you some important information to take in mind when your car is totaled in an accident:

1. Collision coverage and comprehensive coverage help pay to replace a totaled vehicle. These two coverages are typically required on your car insurance policy if you're leasing or financing your vehicle. If your vehicle is totaled and you don't have comprehensive or collision coverage, you may have to pay out of pocket to buy a replacement vehicle.

2. To determine your car's worth at the time of the accident, insurers typically use a number of factors to figure your car's actual cash value including its age, condition, mileage and resale value, plus the selling price of similar vehicles in your area.

3. If you're involved in a car accident, there are a few basic steps to follow before and after your vehicle is considered totaled:

- Contact your Insurance agent and initiate an insurance claim.

- Get the damaged vehicle inspected at an auto body shop. The shop will provide a repair estimate, including both parts and labor.

- Your insurer will determine whether the vehicle is a total loss, based on repair costs.

- Your insurer will cut you a check for the actual cash value of the totaled vehicle, minus your deductible on your comprehensive or collision coverage.

Remember that a car insurance policy may help protect your wallet, your vehicle and even offer peace of mind. Contact us for more Information, At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross, we can help you choose the coverage that's right for your needs.

For more Information contact us: (706) 884-5006 or (770) 969-5666

Please visit us: www.go-guardian.com

5 Types of Insurance you need to protect your Business

When you own a business, you are exposed to certain risks and you have a lot to protect, so the right insurance coverage for your business can be important to your continued success. Luckily, there are a variety of coverages to choose from when it comes to protecting your business.

At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross, we give you five types of Insurance that could help protect your business:

1. Business Liability Insurance Coverage:

No matter how careful you are, you may find yourself in a variety of situations that could result in a lawsuit against your business, so it's a good idea to be prepared.There are three types of business liability coverage:

- General liability coverage: This type of coverage protects you in case you are sued because of accidents, injuries or claims of negligence. For example, if someone is injured on the premises of your business and files a lawsuit against you, this type of coverage may help cover some of the related costs.

- Product liability coverage: If your company manufactures or sells a product, this type of coverage may come in handy. It protects you in case your product is defective and causes injury or damage.

- Professional liability coverage: Businesses that provide services often purchase this type of coverage, which protects against errors and negligence.

2. Small Business Property Insurance Coverage:

The most obvious reason to purchase small business insurance is to protect your tangible investment, from your merchandise to the tools you use to make your business work. 

The property coverage in a business insurance policy can help protect the physical property of your business against certain causes. This coverage may protect the actual building in which your business is housed, as well as inventory, equipment, furnishings and other property you have there. It may also cover other costs, such as equipment breakdowns or the cost of removing debris after a covered loss.

3. Insurance Coverage relating to Employees:

Depending on the number of employees you have, as well as other factors, there may be additional insurance considerations. Employment practices liability coverage, for example, helps protect you in case a former employee files a groundless claim against your company.

All states except Texas require businesses with a certain minimum number of employees (3-5) to have workers compensation coverage, which may help protect them in the event that an employee is injured on the job.

4. Data Compromise Insurance Coverage:

Data compromise coverage, or data breach coverage, is another way to protect your business. This type of coverage helps protect against any associated legal or other costs in the event that personal data of employees or customers is stolen or accidentally released by your company.

5. Insurance Coverage for Business Cars:

Just like your personal car, your business vehicle needs to be protected. Business car coverage is available to help protect your company against liability arising from accidents in your company's vehicle, as well as other features, depending on the policy.

Remember that a Business insurance policy may help protect your wallet, your Business and even offer peace of mind. Contact us for more Information, At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross, we can help you choose the coverage that's right for your needs.

For more Information contact us: (706) 884-5006 or (770) 969-5666

Please visit us: www.go-guardian.com

Tips for comparing Car Insurance Rates

If you are doing an annual review of your finances or if you just bought a new car, comparing car insurance rates can be a good way to evaluate if you are getting more for your money.

The Insurance Information Institute (III) suggests getting at least three quotes from auto insurance providers. Every quote you get should be for the same set of coverages, limits and deductibles, so you can actually compare them side by side.

At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross, we give you some important information on how you should compare your auto insurance rates:

1. Set similar deductibles: 

Some car insurance coverages, such as collision coverage and comprehensive coverage, typically come with a deductible that you may be able to adjust. A deductible is the amount you'll pay out of pocket toward a covered claim. Increasing your deductible may lower your car insurance premiums. However, a higher deductible means you'll pay more out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in after a covered loss.

When you are comparing car insurance rates, the deductibles you choose should be the same for each quote so you can make an accurate comparison.

2. Select appropriate liability limits:

Auto liability coverage is required in most states. Liability coverage may help pay for car repair and medical bills of another driver if you cause an accident.

Most states set minimum liability coverage limits that drivers must purchase but have the option of increasing your auto liability limits. If you cause an accident and the damage exceeds your state's minimum liability coverage limits, you could end up paying out of pocket for additional expenses.

Whether you select the state minimums or increase your coverage, make sure the limits you set for bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage are the same for every quote you compare. Bodily injury liability coverage helps cover expenses of another person's physical injury if you are found liable in an accident. Property damage liability coverage helps pay for damages you may cause to another person's property.

3. Choose the same coverages:

To accurately compare car insurances rates, make sure you've selected the same set of required and optional coverages for each quote you get.

Required:

• Liability coverage: May help pay for another person's property damage or medical bills if you cause an accident. 

Required in some states:

• Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage: May help protect you against damages caused by a driver without insurance or not enough insurance. 

• Medical payments coverage: May help pay for medical expenses if you or your passengers are injured in a car accident. 

• Personal injury protection (not available in all states): May help pay for hospital bills, lost income and even child-care services if you're injured in a car accident. 

Typically optional:

• Comprehensive coverage: May help pay for damage to your car not caused by a collision. Coverage may include theft, vandalism or damaged caused by animals. 

• Collision coverage: May help pay to repair your car if it's been damaged or destroyed in a collision with another vehicle or object such as a fence. 

• Rental reimbursement coverage: May help pay for a rental car while your car is being repaired after a covered loss. 

• Towing and labor cost coverage: May help cover services if your car breaks down. Coverage may include jump starts, fixing flat tires or towing. 

Remember that a car insurance policy may help protect your wallet, your vehicle and even offer peace of mind. Contact us for more Information, At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross, we can help you choose the coverage that's right for your needs.

For more Information contact us: (706) 884-5006 or (770) 969-5666

Please visit us: www.go-guardian.com