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!

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.

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.

Georgia law requires that all drivers carry auto insurance. If you plan to continue to drive, you need to maintain this insurance at all times. At the Chastain Agency Inc. in Gainesville, GA, we are an independent agency and thus are committed to service. We treat our customers as individuals and customize the insurance we recommend for their needs. We strive to give everyone the service they expect and deserve. 

Georgia is a fault state, which means whichever driver is responsible for an accident pays for the damages. What you must carry if you are driving is liability coverage. The mandated amount is 25/50/25. That is $25,000 in bodily injury for one person in an accident with $50,000 for all injuries. With $25,000 for damage to property. This is pretty average when it comes to liability coverage. 

For drivers who lease their vehicle or have an auto loan, you will need to cover your vehicle as well as have liability protection. This means adding collision, and comprehensive coverage to your policy. 

Collision covers exactly what you would expect, collisions when you are responsible. This will help pay for repairs and if the vehicle is a complete loss, you will get the amount the insurance company thinks your vehicle is worth. If this is not enough to pay your loan, you should consider gap insurance. Collision insurance also covers an accident where your car is the only car involved and hit and run. 

Comprehensive coverage is non-collision insurance. Many things can happen to your vehicle without another vehicle being involved. Your vehicle can be stolen or vandalized, a tree limb can fall on your car or hail can damage your paint. A deer can run into the road in front of you. Glass coverage is also included. 

Contact Chastain Agency Inc. in Gainesville, GA., when you need to get an auto insurance quote. 

You have car insurance in Chastain Agency Inc. because it’s mandatory, right? But is this the only reason you should invest in a car insurance policy? It’s a resounding no. Auto insurance is a worthwhile investment because it covers you in the following areas.

Protects your asset

Has your car been stolen? Or perhaps it’s been involved in an accident? Whatever the case, you don’t have to worry because car insurance has got you covered. Car insurance compensates you for loss or damage sustained by your vehicle. As such, you don’t have to start from scratch whenever the unthinkable happens.

Liability protection

Life is full of surprises. By deciding to take a simple drive with your car, the aftermath of a car accident can leave you facing costly liability claims. Thankfully, if you have car insurance, it takes care of bodily injury and property damage liability claims, lessening your financial burden.

Medical protection

Assume you and your passengers are involved in a car accident. Without a sound health insurance plan, you could easily plunge into a financial mess. Luckily, MedPay or PIP coverage takes care of your medical expenses following a car accident. Also, it pays for partial loss of income if you can’t resume your place of work due to injuries.

Emergency assistance

A vehicle breakdown can happen when you least expect it. It could be in the middle of the night or during weekends when far away from home. Luckily, car insurance can bail you out from your predicament by towing you or providing services like gas delivery, puncture repair, and battery jumpstart.

Car insurance in Gainesville, GA

Shopping for car insurance in Gainesville, GA? Why don’t you get in touch with Chastain Agency Inc.? Since different motorists have unique needs, we provide personalized auto insurance coverage to meet your unique needs.

Having an auto insurance policy is undoubtedly one of the wisest decisions of a good and responsible driver. Yes, you may have years of experience, keep your car well maintained and obey traffic laws, but anything can happen. Think of a careless driver on the road or even a natural disaster. What would you do in such instances? 

Georgia requires you to carry a minimum level of insurance wherever you drive. However, many opt to purchase additional coverages for well-rounded protection. If you buy car auto insurance from Chastain Agency Inc. in Gainesville, GA, you will enjoy the following benefits.

Compliance with the law

Georgia requires that all drivers must have auto insurance coverage. The minimum coverage constitutes the maximum amount your insurance company will pay if you are at fault for an accident. You risk jail time, heft fines, and license suspension if you do not have at least the following:

• Bodily injury coverage
• Property damage liability
• Uninsured and underinsured coverage (though may be rejected in writing)

Offers protection to yourself and others

Insurance is a safety net that pays for unforeseen expenses that may arise. An accident can happen that leaves you in need of medical care or unable to work anymore. PIP or MedPay coverage covers partial loss of income and medical expenses for you and your passengers. 

Offers customized coverage features

The worry of not having a policy that won’t cater to all your needs is a thing of the past. We can help customize your policy that suits your needs and that of your family. For example, if you need endorsement coverages like engine protect coverage and roadside assistance, it can be customized in your policy.

Offers peace of mind

Imagine driving, and a careless driver hits your car. Worse enough, assume they are uninsured or underinsured. In such instances, you could pay a fortune to repair. But with your insurance policy that covers such an event, you are safe. That’s what we call peace of mind.

Auto insurance in Gainesville, GA

The benefits of having auto insurance are limitless. That said, wait no longer to get coverage. Instead, contact Chastain Agency Inc. for an affordable quote.

If you live in Gainesville, GA, you know you need car insurance so that you can be on the safe side of the law. Having car insurance is almost a requirement that you cannot ignore if you live in any other state across the country. Chastain Agency Inc. answers some questions that are very critical to many people when it comes to car insurance, especially those who are not conversant with this industry. 

Does My Insurance Extend to My New Car?

If you have already registered for car insurance and you happen to get a new car, you don’t have to buy another policy as your current auto insurance extends to the new vehicle. However, this is only temporary because you have not informed your insurance provider. You have a grace period of seven to thirty days before communicating with your insurance company about the new car. 

What If I Don’t Own a Car?

If you don’t own a car, you need to get auto insurance immediately. In every other state around the country, you cannot drive a vehicle without an insurance policy. Therefore, before getting onto the road, the first thing you should do is to get an insurance policy that will cover you as you drive home when you buy a new car. 

This policy does not only apply to new cars. You’re required to have an insurance policy immediately you buy a used car, and you cannot be on the road without proof of insurance. 

Do You Need Car Insurance?

In Gainesville, GA, Chastain Agency Inc. is the leading insurance agency in the city. We are highly interested in helping new car owners to understand more about auto insurance and get a policy that covers their needs. Call us today for more information on the different types of car insurance on offer. 

3 Safety Tips for Winter Driving

With winter fast approaching, cold and inclement weather is just around the corner. While the best advice to stay safe is to stay home, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and read a book in front of a roaring fire we know that isn’t possible so if you do have to venture out on the roads during bad weather follow these tips:

Vehicle Winter Maintenance

The last place you want to be stranded during a winter storm is on the road with only what’s in your car for protection and warmth so before embarking on any trip – no matter how short – it’s always a good idea to prioritize your vehicle’s maintenance. Start by checking the tread on your tires because this is what helps your vehicle maintain a grip on the road during icy conditions. Next, check the brakes, and if you hear a squeaky or grinding noise when using them take your vehicle to the dealership ASAP. Lastly, always check the fluids – particularly windshield washer fluid. 

Prioritize Defensive Driving

Bad weather is not the time to hit the roads like you’re on a race track so take your team and go slow. Making quick movements of the steering wheel or having to slam on the brakes is going to increase the likelihood of losing control. Additionally, pay extra attention to other drivers and try to match their speed if it is safe to do so – particularly if you are on a road that has already been plowed. 

Check Your Liability Coverage

Make sure that your car insurance liability coverage is high enough to safely cover the medical bills and property damage associated with a third party. At the Chastain Agency Inc. in Gainesville, GA our knowledgeable team of insurance professionals can review your policy and help customize it to best fit your needs. 

Drivers in the state of Georgia are required by law to have insurance coverage for their vehicles and everyone in the household who drives the vehicles. Liability insurance is mandatory, however, there are other supplemental policies available as well to extend coverage.  Parents or guardians with teenage drivers who fall in the fifteen to the eighteen-year-old range are often overwhelmed by the choices and rates for various policies. The Chastain Agency Inc.can help parents and guardians in the Gainesville GA area to choose the right policy for their teen driver. 

Most states including Georgia have implemented a graduated license system for teens between the ages of fifteen and eighteen.  Since traffic accidents are a leading cause of damage to vehicles, injury to the drivers and others, and even death in this age range, the limited license allows teens to gain experience in a more controlled way.  Discussing these risks with a qualified agent will help parents/guardians to find the right auto insurance coverage for their entire family.  

Families often choose to add their teen to an existing family auto policy.  Since the risk of an accident is higher in the first year of having their license, the insurance rates for a new driver are often higher.  Ask your agent at Chastain Agency Inc. about the following ways to lower rates:

• Possibly raising deductibles to lower monthly payments
• Ask about discounts 
• Compare rates on SUVs and sports cars to those of vehicles considered safer for teen drivers.

If you are looking for insurance coverage in the Gainesville, GA area please visit our website for more information and to get started finding the right auto insurance policy for your teen driver.

You may think that teaching your teen to drive is the most stressful thing you have ever experienced. For many families making this transition can feel overwhelming. Getting yourself mentally and financially prepared for adding a teen driver is crucial to your family’s success. At Chastain Agency Inc. serving Gainesville, GA we love to take the opportunity to educate our clients and future clients on how they can make the best insurance choices possible. 

How Will Insurance Change After I Add a Teen Driver?

In most cases, insurance premiums will change when adding a teen driver. In order to know how your premium will change, you will need to speak with an insurance representative. Before adding a teen driver, shop around for the best rate. Experts recommend that you shop around for insurance rates at least once a year. This will ensure that you are always getting the best possible rate. Make sure to include the teen driver in the rate quote. Each families’ rate will be dependent on many individualized factors. Each family is different so you will want to make sure you find an insurance choice that works for your particular family. 

Are There Discounts Available?

The best way to keep your car insurance rates low is to always demand safe driving from your teen. A clean driving record is still the best way to keep your car insurance affordable. Be sure your teen understands that there will be consequences for unsafe driving behavior. 

If you would like to learn more about adding a teen driver to your insurance policy, please contact our staff at Chastain Agency Inc. serving Gainesville, GA.