How Much Liability Insurance Do I Need?

When it comes to business, there are a lot of risks that you need to be aware of. One of the biggest risks is liability. You could be held liable if someone gets injured on your property or as a result of your products or services.

This is why it’s important to have liability insurance. The question is, how much do you need? This blog post will discuss the different types of liability insurance and how much coverage you should have.

Types of Liability Insurance

There are two main types of liability insurance: property damage and bodily injury. Property damage covers damages to someone else’s property caused by you or your business. For example, if you accidentally break a window while working, your property damage insurance would cover the cost of repairs.

Bodily injury covers medical expenses and other damages if someone is injured due to your business. For example, if a customer slips and falls in your store, your bodily injury insurance would cover their medical expenses.

So How Much Liability Insurance Do You Need?

The answer depends on a few factors, including the size of your business and the types of products or services you offer. If you have a small business with low-risk products or services, you may only need a few thousand dollars in coverage.

However, you may need millions of dollars in coverage if you have a large business or higher-risk products or services. Talking to your insurance agent at Bingham Insurance Group in Braselton, GA about your specific needs is essential. They can help you determine the right amount of coverage for your business.

Conclusion

Liability insurance is an important part of any business. The amount of coverage you need will depend on the size and risk of your business. Talk to your insurance agent to determine the right coverage for your needs. Bingham Insurance Group can help you find the right liability insurance policy for your business. Contact us today to learn more.

Do I Have to Have Motorcycle Insurance?

Motorcycle insurance is required in almost all 50 states, although the type of coverage required varies. At Bingham Insurance Group in Braselton, GA, we offer the motorcycle insurance options you need. 

Legal Requirements for Motorcycle Insurance

Georgia requires all owners or operators of a motorcycle to carry liability insurance. Liability insurance will cover property damage and injuries to others if you are found at fault in an accident.

Georgia requirements include $50,000 total bodily injury or death per person per accident and $25,000 property damage coverage per accident. You may choose higher coverage limits if you wish.  

Full Coverage Motorcycle Insurance

Full coverage motorcycle insurance isn’t required by law. However, it may be required by your lender if you have a lien on your motorcycle. Full coverage insurance consists of collision and comprehensive coverage. 

Collision insurance will pay to replace or repair your motorcycle if you are in an accident, even if you are at fault. This is particularly important if your bike is valuable or you can’t pay to replace it if it’s damaged. 

Comprehensive coverage covers damage that doesn’t occur when driving your motorcycle. This includes covers vandalism and theft. This is important since motorcycles are smaller and more accessible to steal than passenger vehicles. This can also cover any accessories that are on your bike. 

Additionally, comprehensive coverage covers accidental damage when your bike isn’t in motion. For example, comprehensive coverage will pay for the repairs if a tree limb falls onto your motorcycle. 

Are Passengers Covered? 

This depends on your policy. Some policies will cover passengers, while others may only cover you as the operator. You should speak to your insurance provider to be sure. 

Motorcycle Insurance at Bingham Insurance Group 

If you need motorcycle insurance in Braselton, GA, contact us at Bingham Insurance Group. We offer the motorcycle insurance options you need to keep you and your investment protected. 

Is boat/watercraft insurance a requirement in Georgia?

If you own a boat/watercraft in Georgia, you aren’t legally required to carry any form of watercraft insurance. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that some other stipulation might require you to have boat/watercraft insurance. Our team at Bingham Insurance Group is committed to helping Braselton, GA residents understand the benefits of boat/watercraft insurance and whether they should invest in it.

What is Boat/Watercraft Insurance?

Boat/watercraft insurance covers your boat, yacht, or personal watercraft. Like car insurance, it provides liability protection against damage to motor-powered vessels with 25/mph or more horsepower. In other words, like car insurance, boat insurance provides protection in a boating accident. This coverage can cover you, your watercraft, and damage to another watercraft or person. Watercraft liability insurance includes coverage for bodily injury and property damage coverage and property and indemnity coverage. If you purchase watercraft coverage beyond liability, your boat is also covered if it’s stolen.

Under What Circumstances Would Boat/Watercraft Insurance be Required?

Although you aren’t legally required to carry boat/watercraft insurance in Georgia, you may still need it. Some boatyards and marinas require patrons to have boat and watercraft liability insurance. Also, if you’re financing your watercraft, your lender will more than likely require you to carry watercraft insurance. If you’re a homeowner, your homeowner’s insurance usually offers limited coverage for watercraft. However, the coverage amount is typically very small. If you’re a Braselton, GA watercraft owner and have questions about purchasing insurance coverage, call us. Our team at  Bingham Insurance Group will be happy to answer all of your questions. We’re standing by.

   

 

What is umbrella insurance and why do I need it?

The amount of available insurance can feel exhausting, from auto to home to life to a disability, but one that is often overlooked and yet is incredibly important is umbrella insurance. Included with most of the insurance mentioned above policies is liability coverage that protects you from being responsible for the legal fees, medical bills, and other costs associated with a third party being injured in an accident you caused. Also known as excess liability insurance, umbrella insurance kicks in when your existing liability coverage has been exhausted. Therefore, think of umbrella insurance as a safety blanket that helps avoid financial ruin if an accident happens. If you do not have an umbrella insurance policy and your existing liability coverage is used, you’ll be on the hook for any overages, which could lead to financial ruin.  

While umbrella insurance is useful for anyone, it is crucial for individuals that meet any of the following conditions:

  • You have significant net worth or assets that could be vulnerable if sued.
  • You own multiple properties.
  • You frequently travel abroad or enjoy high-risk activities.
  • You are a public figure and need to protect yourself from defamation lawsuits or could be an easy target to be sued.
  • You own a pool, treehouse, trampoline, ATV, dog, or other similar items frequently used and could injure a visitor.

If you meet any of these statements, the next step is determining how much liability coverage you need. Add your current liability coverage together and subtract all your assets at risk. If the number is negative, that figure is how much umbrella insurance coverage you should buy.

To learn more about umbrella insurance, give Bingham Insurance Group in Braselton, GA call today – we’d be happy to help! 

How Do You Know If You’re Eligible for Flood Insurance?

Flood insurance is crucial to have in some regions of the United States. If you are concerned that your home or your place of business may be at risk for damage due to flooding, you’ll want to know if you’re eligible for flood insurance. Talk to an agent from Bingham Insurance Group of the Braselton, GA area so that you can determine what to do in your situation. 

Should You Have Flood Insurance? 

If you live in an area prone to flooding, it’s vital that you have flood insurance. If you’re in a region that is moderate or high risk for floods, you’re likely eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program. You’ll get a certain amount of coverage with this type of policy, but you may want extra coverage due to having valuables beyond this limit. You can get a policy through a private insurance carrier like Bingham Insurance Group. 

Homeowners’ Insurance Doesn’t Cover It. 

Home insurance typically won’t cover the peril of flooding. Since flood insurance isn’t mandatory, this is something you have to seek out separately. Your agent may tell you that they don’t recommend getting this policy. If your mortgage lender asks you to get flood coverage, you can bring some documentation to the insurance company so that they know exactly what to put in your policy. 

Getting flood insurance is made easy when you have a reputable and experienced independent agent on your side. Allow us at Bingham Insurance Group of Braselton, GA, and beyond to assist you with setting up the insurance you need. 

Cashing Out Life Insurance While Still Alive

If you have a permanent life insurance policy that accumulates cash value, or you have a convertible term policy that you can turn into such, you can cash out while you are still alive. You have a number of different options available for cashing out your policy before you die. The option that is right for you will depend greatly on whether you wish to keep coverage as well as the amount you need to access. The knowledgeable agents at Bingham Insurance Group of Braselton, GA are happy to discuss the available options with you today.

Loan

In most cases, you will be allowed to take a loan from the cash value that has accumulated on your life insurance policy. Unlike other loans, this type of loan does not have a repayment schedule. With that being said, interest charges will accumulate and affect the death benefit directly. This means that any amount that is not repaid by the death of the policyholder will be deducted from the benefit amount.

Withdrawal

This is perhaps the best way to cash out a life insurance policy. It is easy to withdraw money from the cash value of the policy and you do not have to worry about any interest charges. Keep in mind, however, your policy premiums and your benefits can be affected.

Surrender

Essentially, surrendering your life insurance policy is canceling it altogether. When you cancel your life insurance policy, the entire cash value, less the processing fees, will be released. Before choosing this option, be absolutely certain that you no longer need coverage. It is important to note that you may be charged a penalty for cashing out early and you may be responsible for paying income tax on the payout.

If you have any questions about cashing out your life insurance policy while you are still alive, contact Bingham Insurance Group of Braselton, GA and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.

Does my auto insurance cover the trailer I am hauling?

Does my auto insurance cover the trailer I am hauling?

In Georgia, the automotive insurance laws group trailers into two categories – the kind you drive and the kind you tow. You must purchase RV insurance, also known as trailer insurance, for your RV, but you might be able to get away with just your auto insurance if you use a towable trailer. Bingham Insurance Group serving Braselton, GA wants you to understand the difference so you don’t get caught without coverage.

RV vs. Towable Trailer

What’s the difference between an RV and a towable trailer? An RV falls into one of three categories:

  • Class A,
  • Class B,
  • Class C.

A towable trailer doesn’t have a class designation. Many types of trailers fall into the towable category, including those for:

  • Hauling horses,
  • Towing hay,
  • Hauling light equipment,
  • Transporting camping equipment.

So, for a towable trailer, your auto insurance covers it. You might want to add some coverage for liability and/or property damage since it can cause more damage than just your car or truck.

Your auto insurance will cover an open-air trailer in Georgia. If you own a pop-up camper, even though you might tow it, since you can sleep in it, it typically needs its own policy. That means you’ll need an RV policy.

RV Policy Minimums

Buying the minimum insurance for an RV doesn’t differ from buying a policy for your car or truck. The state of Georgia requires the same minimums for RV coverage as for auto coverage.

Contact Bingham Insurance Group serving Braselton, GA for more information on your RV and auto policies. You might already have coverage for your trailer. You might need added coverage for your trailer. Either way, our insurance agency can help.

Commonly Asked Life Insurance Questions

At Bingham Insurance Group in Braselton, GA, we are constantly helping people get the right life insurance policy to help protect their loved ones and other financial interests. With this in mind, we are answering commonly asked questions about life insurance.

What are the different life insurance policies?

While different life insurance plans exist, they are mainly categorized into two: term life and whole life. Term life insurance covers you within a specific period. It could be 10, 15, 20, or 30 years. If you die when the policy is in effect, your beneficiaries receive a death benefit.

On the other hand, whole life insurance covers you as long as you live. You are expected to pay premiums when alive for your beneficiaries to receive a death benefit when you pass on.

When should I update my life insurance policy?

Just like most insurance policies, you should update your life insurance at least once a year. However, when you have changes in your beneficiary list or your financial situation changes, you should immediately talk with your insurance agent.

Do I need life insurance if single?

Life insurance isn’t just for married people and those with children. Single persons can benefit from life insurance, especially if they have debts, want to finance their funeral costs or have a business.

How does my insurance company determine my premiums?

While each insurer has its formula for determining your life insurance premiums, most consider factors like your age, health status, gender, and occupation to compute your premiums.

Where can I purchase a life insurance policy?

Life insurance is a must-have investment if you want to protect the things that matter most when you die. If you are in Braselton, GA and its environs, please get in touch with Bingham Insurance Group for an affordable life insurance quote.

How Does Standard Auto Insurance Work?

Driving is a dangerous activity that requires carrying auto insurance. In the state of Georgia, it is a law to have proper car insurance, and driving without it is a crime. If you have never had auto insurance before and want to know about it, Bingham Insurance Group serving clients in Braselton, GA decided to explain briefly how auto insurance works:

How Does Auto Insurance Work?

The purpose of auto insurance is to help a policyholder recover from damages, expenses, and injuries that are related to a car accident or any other incident. When you buy a certain auto insurance policy, there is a certain amount of money that you will have to pay before your insurance kicks in. This amount is called a deductible, and it can be different depending on the type of insurance you have. The rule is that the higher the deductible, the more you have to pay for your auto insurance. 

If an accident happens, you will have to pay your deductible first and then receive financial coverage or reimbursement up to your auto insurance policy limits. Each policy has its own limits, so it is better to talk to your insurance agent and discuss these details with them. 

Bingham Insurance Group in Braselton GA – Your Safety On The Road Is Our Priority

If you are a driver from Braselton, GA or any other nearby area in Georgia, Bingham Insurance Group is ready to help you find a perfect insurance policy addressing your individual needs and budget. Feel free to give us a call and talk to one of our experienced and qualified agents who will be always glad to answer your questions. 

What Does Commercial Insurance Do for You?

If you run a business, you may be wondering what kind of insurance policy is right for you. Depending on the size of your business, you may be required to have insurance for your company. Although you may see it as a major requirement, commercial insurance can do a lot for you.

Commercial insurance can do a lot for your business. Bingham Insurance Group, which provides service in Braselton, GA, can help you understand your insurance needs.

Workers’ Compensation

If you have employees at your business, you may benefit from workers’ compensation insurance as part of your commercial policy. This protects your employee by providing for their injuries, and it also protects you by ensuring you are not sued because of injuries that happen in the workplace.

Liability

Commercial insurance can also cover liability concerns. You benefit from liability insurance in the event that somebody is injured at your business or by a product that you manufacture or distribute. Liability insurance covers expenses associated with these injuries.

Commercial Vehicles

If your business owns vehicles, they need to be insured. If an employee is driving a company vehicle, you need to make sure that any accidents that occur are covered under your commercial insurance policy.

Choose a Strong Commercial Insurance Policy

With a good insurance policy, you protect your assets and your future. You can promote company growth by protecting your employees, your finances, and your equipment. You also protect yourself against lawsuits, property damage, and more.

You will find plenty of commercial policies that provide the right coverage. Bingham Insurance Group serving Braselton, GA can help you with the next steps.