The ABCs Of Georgia Auto Insurance: A Guide For Beginners

If you’re a first-time car buyer in Georgia, you may feel a little overwhelmed with auto insurance.

Don’t let shopping for and buying car insurance stress you out – Chastain Agency Inc. in Gainesville, GA can help!

We’ll walk you through the ABCs of Georgia auto insurance so you can make an informed decision about your coverage.

ABCs Of Georgia Auto Insurance

A – Auto Liability Coverage

This coverage protects you financially if you are at fault in an accident and hit another car or damage property.

In most cases, liability insurance does not cover the costs of repairs to your vehicle. You’ll need collision and comprehensive coverage for that. (more on that later).

All drivers in Georgia are required by law to have auto liability insurance.

B – Bodily Injury

There are two types of liability coverage: bodily injury and property damage.

Bodily injury coverage will help pay for medical expenses if you injure someone else in an accident.

Property damage coverage will help pay to repair or replace someone else’s property (like their car) if you’re at fault in an accident.

C – Comprehensive and Collision Coverage

Collision coverage will help pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged in an accident (regardless of who is at fault).

Comprehensive coverage will help pay for repairs or replacement if your vehicle is damaged by something other than a collision – think hail damage, theft, or vandalism.

So now that you know the different types of insurance available, how do you choose how much to buy?

Contact a licensed insurance agent at Chastain Agency Inc. in Gainesville, GA for a free quote!

Three misconceptions about commercial insurance

Commercial insurance protects business owners from financial surprises that could compromise the future of their companies. Chastain Agency Inc. is a commercial insurance provider in Gainesville, GA.

Unfortunately, there are some common misconceptions out there when it comes to commercial insurance. The following are three misconceptions about commercial insurance. 

Small businesses don’t need commercial insurance.

Businesses of all sizes can benefit significantly from carrying commercial insurance. You shouldn’t assume your business venture doesn’t need to be insured because it’s relatively small.

Not only does commercial insurance protect your company financially, but it can also make it easier for you to acquire business loans. Many lenders will only loan business capital to companies with commercial insurance. 

You don’t need commercial insurance if you run your business out of your home.

Business owners operating commercial ventures outside their homes sometimes think they don’t need commercial insurance. Such business owners also sometimes feel that their home insurance will cover them for business operations that are run out of their homes.

The truth is that even home-based businesses can benefit from commercial insurance coverage, and home insurance won’t provide any coverage for business operations within a home. 

All commercial insurance policies are more or less the same.

Commercial insurance is one of the least standardized types of insurance out there. Every commercial insurance policy is unique and addresses an individual company’s unique needs and risks.

You need to take the time to carefully design a policy that best fits your company’s unique situation when you buy commercial insurance. 

We’re happy to help you to meet your commercial insurance needs in Gainesville, GA. Give us a call at Chastain Agency Inc. We can provide you with the helpful information you need about commercial insurance options and give you a quote on one of our policies. 

Roommates and Your Car Insurance

Are you wondering if you could add your roommate to your car insurance policy in Gainesville, GA? In this post, Chastain Agency Inc. explains what you need to know.

You can add your roommate to your car insurance policy as long as they meet the necessary criteria. To be eligible, they must typically live with you and have access to the vehicle stated on the policy. Adding them gives you peace of mind that both of you are protected while on the roads.

Another thing to consider is whether or not your roommate has an existing auto insurance policy of their own. If they have their own auto insurance policy, it might make more sense to add the vehicle to their policy rather than yours. This could potentially save money as each insurer has different rates and discounts available that may benefit both parties in different ways. 

When it comes down to it, it depends on your living situation and how often your roommate will be using the vehicle. If they live with you and frequently use the vehicle while living with you, then adding them to your car insurance policy is likely worth considering. However, if they only use the vehicle occasionally or live elsewhere most of the time, it may not make sense for them to be added to your car insurance policy. 

When deciding whether or not adding a roommate to your car insurance is right for you in Gainesville, GA it’s vital that you consider all factors, such as living arrangement and usage of the vehicle in question. Contact Chastain Agency Inc., and we can help you find the right policy for you, your roommate, and your budget.

What Commercial Insurance Policies do I Need for my Online-based Business?

If you run an online-based business, you may ask whether you need commercial insurance. The answer is yes. Online businesses encounter unique risks and challenges that could leave you in major financial turmoil. Commercial insurance, also known as business insurance, can protect you from these potential risks and prevent you from paying costly claims out of pocket. We at Chastain Agency Inc. have prepared some of the commercial insurance policies you need for your online business.

  • General liability: just like liability coverage for your car or home, commercial general liability coverage protects you from third-party lawsuits. It pays for legal fees against you for the service or products your sell or provides. General liability covers a bodily injury claim, property damage caused by your business, and medical bills.
  • Professional liability:  Mistakes are bound to happen, but some can cost you a fortune. Professional liability protects your reputation if you make a mistake. It covers missed deadlines, mistakes or omissions, negligence, breach of contract, libel, and privacy violations.
  • Business income insurance:  The policy covers lost income if your business can’t operate due to a covered loss like property damage or physical loss.
  • Workers’ compensation: If you have employees, you must carry workers’ compensation insurance. The policy covers lost wages and medical costs if your employee gets injured. The policy may also include death benefits and disability.
  • Product liability: If your business sells products, you must have product liability coverage. Your product, for example, can be defective and cause injuries or damage to property. The resulting legal claims may be expensive to handle without product liability insurance. The policy also covers improper labels and missing product warnings.

Commercial insurance in Gainesville, GA

Commercial insurance is meant to help you stay in business by protecting your asset from financial disasters. Ready to protect your online business in Gainesville, GA, or around the state? Contact us at Chastain Agency Inc. for a reliable quote.

Reasons Why Most Landlords Are Making Their Properties Pet-Friendly

In recent years, there has been a trend among landlords to make their properties pet-friendly. There are several reasons for this, including the fact that renter’s insurance policies often cover pets, which provides peace of mind to both the tenant and the landlord. Chastain Agency Inc. in Gainesville, GA, is a reliable provider of renters’ insurance, and we can help you find a policy that covers your pet.

How Renter’s Insurance Works

If you’re a renter, your landlord’s insurance policy won’t cover your belongings in the event of damage or theft. That’s why it’s important to have your own renter’s insurance policy, which will protect your belongings and provide liability coverage in the event someone is injured on your property.

Most renter insurance policies will cover pets, so if your pet causes damage to your apartment, you’ll be covered. In addition, if your pet bites someone, your liability coverage will kick in to help with any medical expenses.

Other Reasons Why Landlords Are Going Pet-Friendly

In addition to the peace of mind that comes with knowing their tenants’ belongings are covered by insurance, landlords also know that pet-friendly apartments are in high demand. As of 2022, it’s estimated that 70% of households in the U.S. have at least one pet, so by making their properties pet-friendly, landlords can tap into a large pool of potential renters.

You can also expect prolonged tenancy from pet-owning renters, who are often hesitant to move because it’s challenging to find a new apartment that allows pets.

Get Renter’s Insurance that Covers Your Pet in Georgia

Are you looking for an insurance policy that can cover your pet? Contact Chastain Agency Inc. in Gainesville, GA, to get started. We offer various renter’s insurance policies, and we can help you find one that fits your needs. Give us a call today to get started.

Private health care insurance options available in Georgia

Securing the right private health care insurance policy can be challenging to navigate. Fortunately, the folks at Chastain Agency Inc. are here to provide Gainesville, GA residents with the information they need to determine the most appropriate policy for their needs. Get in touch with our office today and learn more about the options available in our area. 

Finding the right private health insurance policy

If your employer doesn’t offer health insurance, you are self-employed, or you work as a freelancer, you will need to secure a private health insurance policy. This has become easier recently, as fewer employers offer this benefit as more people require their health insurance.

People who are relatively healthy without ongoing conditions may feel comfortable with a high deductible policy. This option is unlikely to be an appropriate fit for folks who require ongoing regular care. More traditional plans are also available. These plans do contain a higher deductible, but depending on the amount of healthcare you receive, they can require a smaller amount of out-of-pocket payments. 

The policy selection process is much less stressful when you sit with an agent to review your needs. This allows them to understand your unique situation better, making selecting an appropriate policy much easier. Why not take the time today to review your health care needs and insurance options?

You can count on us!

Chastain Agency Inc. is here for the greater Gainesville, GA community. We can help you find the right health insurance policy that meets your family’s needs. Give us a call today or stop by our office to learn more about the health insurance options available in our area.

What Is Whole Life Insurance?

When you want to help your loved ones after you are gone and to leave a legacy for them, it’s important to have life insurance. It would be best if you had life insurance to provide for their needs instead of leaving them in financial distress. When you get a whole life insurance policy, there are many benefits of this type of life insurance. Many people choose this type for its many advantages. If you are interested in whole life insurance or other types of insurance in Gainesville, GA, call us today at Chastain Agency Inc. to speak with an agent. 

Your Whole Life

Whole life got its name from the period that the policy is good- your whole life. If you keep paying the agreed premiums, your policy can’t be canceled, not even by the insurance company that issued the policy. Many people like these policies because there is no expiration date as with other types of life insurance. This gives you peace of mind when you know you’re covered for as long as you live. 

Borrow Against It

When you have a whole life policy, the policy begins to build up its cash value after a few years. When a cash value is established for your policy, you will be able to borrow against that amount. If you were to pass away before repaying the loan, the loan amount you owe would be deducted from the policy’s death benefit. The loan is paid just like any other loan. This can be extremely handy if you ever run into financial trouble. 

Get a Whole Life Policy

If you want to protect your loved ones with life insurance in Gainesville, GA, call us at Chastain Agency Inc. to find out more and get your policy. 

Liability Versus Comprehensive Auto Insurance in Georgia: Which Is Best?

Even driving an older car, you may not be able to afford significant repairs if you get into an accident. In addition, natural events such as fire, flood, hail, or falling trees may also damage your vehicle, resulting in costly repairs. Carrying liability-only insurance meets Georgia state minimum requirements but leaves your vehicle unprotected. Although comprehensive insurance costs more, a single accident can leave your vehicle inoperable. Our Chastain Agency Inc. agents in Gainesville, GA can help you select the ideal amount of insurance for your needs.

Types of Auto Insurance

Four types of insurance exist to cover your vehicle:

  • Liability
  • Comprehensive
  • Collision
  • Uninsured Motorist

Liability

Of these four, Georgia residents must carry liability insurance. Georgia’s residents must have the following amounts of two types of liability coverage to drive legally:

  • Bodily Injury coverage at $25,000 per person or $50,000 per incident and
  • Property Damage worth $25,000 per incident

Comprehensive

Liability covers collision damage to the other party’s vehicle, while comprehensive insurance pays for damage to your car that did not result from a crash. For example, comprehensive insurance pays when a tree falls on your car or hail pits your windshield.

Collision Insurance

Currently, 12 states have no-fault auto insurance. Unfortunately, Georgia does not. Instead, someone must determine who caused the accident or contributed to its severity. Consequently, even if you did not cause the accident, you could still be partially at fault for failing to avoid it.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Unfortunately, not every Georgia resident follows the law. Uninsured motorist coverage protects you when someone fails to maintain their Georgia liability insurance. 

Comprehensive Versus Liability

Since liability does not pay for damages to your vehicle, it may not be your best choice. Call our Gainesville, GA agents at Chastain Agency Inc at 770-297-1166 to help you decide.

Tips To Reduce The Cost Of Commercial Insurance

When most entrepreneurs think about getting commercial insurance for their business, the increase in operational costs always comes to mind. However, there are many ways to make commercial insurance cheaper for your business in Gainesville, GA. Here’s how:

1. Minimize risks

Minimizing the risks at your place of business will make your employees and customers safer, resulting in lower premiums for your business insurance. You can reduce the risk at your business premises by initiating a risk training program for employees and conducting regular risk management reviews for employees and customers. 

2. Categorize Your Employees’ Risk Profile Accordingly

Whether in an industry with a high or low risk of staff injury, properly categorizing their risk profile in your business insurance policy is essential. Not classifying your staff’s risk profile correctly if you are in an industry with a low risk of injury means you will be paying unnecessarily high premiums. In contrast, downplaying the risks that your staff are exposed to in the workplace may lead to your claim being denied if an accident occurs. We at Chastain Agency Inc. recommend that you consult with your insurer to categorize your staff’s risk profile correctly. 

3. Evaluate Your Policy Annually

Reviewing your commercial insurance policy annually is critical to keep its cost down. Doing this annual review will allow you to make changes to your policy, such as applying discounts and removing the add-in coverages you no longer need. 

4. Pay Your Premium at Once

You can make your commercial insurance cheaper if you opt to pay your premiums at once rather than dividing the payments into portions. This is because you will avoid paying a fee for the privilege of subdividing your premiums. 

Are you looking for commercial insurance in Gainesville, GA? Welcome to Chastain Agency Inc. our insurance agents will help you get a reliable commercial insurance deal. Call us today.

Who needs to have health insurance in Georgia?

Having proper personal insurance is vital for anyone in the Gainesville, GA area. Health insurance is a basic form of coverage that people need to have. This type of coverage will help someone save money when they need to see a doctor or obtain other forms of care. There are various scenarios when someone will need to have health insurance coverage here. 

Those that Want Access to Care

One situation when someone will need to have a health insurance plan comes when they want to get access to affordable care. If you need any policy or regular medication, you will quickly realize how expensive it can be. Fortunately, if you invest in a proper insurance plan, you will receive coverage to offset these costs. This can greatly reduce your total personal expenses. 

Those Wanting to Comply with Requirements

You will also need to have a health insurance plan to ensure you can comply with any requirements. Obtaining health insurance for yourself and any dependents is required by law. Those that do not abide by this can face penalties at the end of the year. Further, they will not have access to affordable care without a full insurance plan. 

Having a health insurance plan will always be a necessity for those in the Gainesville, GA area. Once you are ready to start looking for your next insurance plan here, it would be wise for you to call the professional with Chastain Agency Inc. There are a lot of choices that are needed to be made when looking for coverage. Chastain Agency Inc. can help. This will help ensure you choose a plan that is ideal and meets your needs.