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

5 Ways to keep your car cool this Summer

If you want to enjoy spending time outdoors during the summer months, but the heat and the sun make driving around intolerable, fortunately, there are simple things you can do. From maximizing your air conditioning to taking advantage of a shady spot when parking.

At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross, we give you five tips you can do to help keep your car cooler during those hot and humid summer days:

1. Sun shades: 

Sun shades are a great investment, because they block the direct rays coming into your vehicle. This keeps the temperature slightly lower, which can help your car cool down more quickly once the vehicle is started.

2. Tinted windows: 

A more expensive, yet constant way to block the sun, is with window tinting. Window tinting is proven to block sunlight (and heat). But before you take your car in to have the windows darkened, make sure you know your state’s laws, as some have restrictions on how much or which windows you can tint. There are additional requirements regarding tint colors, certificates, mirrors, etc., so make certain the tinting is done by an experienced, reputable dealer.

3. Covered parking: 

If you don’t have tinted windows or a sun shade, a helpful alternative may simply be parking in the shade. Find a shady spot or park your car so the sun is hitting the rear window instead of the windshield. This may help keep the steering wheel and front seats slightly cooler.

4. Cool seat covers:

Seat covers specifically designed to make car seats cooler have been around for a long time and most of them are at least somewhat effective. Today there are models that incorporate a fan to circulate air through and around the seat cover. 

5. Air Conditioning:

If your vehicle’s air conditioning isn’t functioning properly or you don’t use it in the most efficient way, it may take longer than you would like for your car to reach a comfortable temperature. To maximize your car’s cooling ability, turn the air on full blast as soon as you start the engine and slightly opening all of your windows until the air inside is cool. This helps to improve cooling efficiency as the hot air (which rises) will be pushed out of the windows as the cool air comes out of the vents. Once you’ve achieved your desired temperature, you should use the car’s air recirculating feature along with the air conditioning to maintain the coldest air.

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

Tips for lowering your Car Insurance premiums

Saving money is important to most people and there may be more ways to save than we might think.

There are some practical ways for drivers to lower their premiums and it is easier than most people would realize.

At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross, we give you a list of five things you can do to lower your insurance costs:

1. Compare insurance costs, before buying a car:

Before you buy a new or used car, you should check the insurance costs. Car insurance premiums are based in part on the price of the car, the cost to repair it, its overall safety record and the likelihood of theft. Many insurers offer discounts for features that reduce the risk of injuries or theft. 

2. Ask for higher deductibles:

Deductibles are what you pay before your insurance policy kicks in. By requesting higher deductibles, you can lower your costs substantially. For example, increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive coverage cost by 15 to 30 percent. Going to a $1,000 deductible can save you 40 percent or more. Before choosing a higher deductible, be sure you have enough money set aside to pay it if you have a claim.

3. Reduce coverage on older cars:

Consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverages on older cars. If your car is worth less than 10 times the premium, purchasing the coverage may not be cost effective. Auto dealers and banks can tell you the worth of cars. Review your coverage at renewal time to make sure your insurance needs haven’t changed.

4. Buy your Homeowners and Car coverage from the same Insurer Company:

Many insurers will give you a discounts if you buy two or more types of insurance. You may also get a reduction if you have more than one vehicle insured with the same company. Some insurers reduce the rates for long-time customers. You may save money buying from different insurance companies, compared with a multipolicy discount.

5. Maintain a good credit record:

Establishing a solid credit history can reduce your insurance costs. Most insurers use credit information to price auto insurance policies. Research shows that people who effectively manage their credit have fewer claims. To protect your credit standing, pay your bills on time, don’t obtain more credit than you need and keep your credit balances as low as possible. Check your credit record on a regular basis and have any errors corrected promptly so that your record remains accurate.

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

Does your Car Insurance cover water damage?

Water could be a risk to your car as can cause all kinds of damage to your vehicle's engine or interior, so it is important to know if your car insurance covers water damage.

Fortunately, comprehensive coverage may help cover water damage to your vehicle, depending on the cause. Comprehensive coverage is generally optional, although your lender may require comprehensive if you have an auto loan.

At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross, we give you some potential causes of water damage and how your car insurance might help:

1. Flooding:

Depending on the severity of the flood, your vehicle can suffer some major damage, as rising water levels caused by heavy rains may get into your vehicle's engine and interior. Comprehensive coverage typically helps protect your vehicle against flood damage.

2. Hailstorms:

Hailstorms can lead to water damage if hailstones break your windshield or windows, letting rain and hail into your vehicle. If your vehicle sustains water damage during a hailstorm, comprehensive coverage may help pay to repair your vehicle.

3. Leaks after heavy rains:

If your car is damaged in a one-off event like a sudden, heavy rainstorm, comprehensive coverage may help cover the damage to your vehicle. But if water slowly leaks into the car because of poor maintenance and causes damage over time, water damage likely won't be covered.

4. Damage by leaving windows open:

Comprehensive coverage typically covers damages not related to a collision for events that are out of your control. Doesn't cover problems caused by your vehicle being in poor condition. So if your car's windows were left down, or the sunroof was left open, and rain gets in as a result, any water damage caused by the rain is unlikely to be covered.

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

6 Steps to protect your car in a Hurricane

Hurricanes can make for a stressful time in any vehicle owner's life. Although the best method will always be to evacuate, you may decide to stay at home, but take in mind that having a complete storm safety plan is always better than being caught off-guard.

In order be as safe as possible during hurricane conditions, it is important to keep informed of the progress of a tropical storm, following the recommendations of local and federal officials and knowing the emergency evacuation routes.

When preparing your vehicle for a hurricane, At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross,  we give you the following tips that will help minimize any potential damage.

1. Consult your car insurance agent:

Consult your car insurance agency about your policy's hurricane coverage, if applicable. You will need to inquire about what is covered, as well as what steps to take in the event that your vehicle is damaged and you need to make a claim.

2. Take Pictures:

It can be prudent to have proof of your car’s condition before disaster strikes, for personal and possible insurance purposes. So, you may want to consider taking pictures of your car’s interior and exterior as you make your hurricane preparations.

3. Check and replenish all fluids:

Check your drive belts for tension and wear, and have them replaced if necessary. Also ensure your tires are properly inflated (this includes your spare tire).

The following fluids typically should be checked: oil, transmission, brake, battery, power steering, radiator coolant, and windshield wiper fluids.

4. Fill your tank:

Before a hurricane hits, be sure to fill your gas tank and any reserve canisters to their full capacity. An important part of disaster preparedness is having a plan to get help after dangerous weather subsides. With a full tank of gas, you’ll be more likely to get to where you need to go without having to make a stop for fuel.

Hurricanes can affect incoming supply routes, making gasoline a very important item. To avoid long lines at the gas station and frustration, you should make sure that you have enough fuel for your vehicle.

5. Prepare an emergency kit for your vehicle:

You should have the following essential items: an automotive toolkit, a pocket knife, extra fuses, road flares, emergency tire sealant, extra quarts of motor oil, power steering fluid and antifreeze, a tire jack, jumper cables, a flashlight, extra batteries, a battery-powered radio, pen and paper, a blanket, a can opener, a first aid kit, and extra reserves of water and food.

6. Park Safely:

Parking your car safely before a hurricane or a tropical storm typically involves protecting it from high winds and water. Be sure to keep your vehicle parked on higher ground, away from any tall or loose structures (such as light poles, stop lights, road signs, or trees) that may fall and cause costly damage. Also remember to apply your emergency brake, if applicable. Park your car in a garage if possible. If you don’t have a garage, consider parking your car close to a building, which can offer at least partial protection from high winds.

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