How a business owner policy helps you.

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When opening a Braselton, GA business, make a business owners’ policy (BOP) the foundation of your insurance portfolio. This handy policy package from Bingham Insurance Group bundles together the four most necessary insurance policies for a business at a reduced premium.

A BOP covers your business for liability and essential property damage. The insurance package includes the following four policies:

  • Business interruption
  • Property damage
  • Peril
  • Liability

By starting with a BOP, you know your business has the essentials covered.

Because many businesses lack a retail component, they may only need a BOP. Those with a retail component may also need a glass policy to cover the plate glass windows of the store or a boiler policy to cover the mechanical of the building. You can add to the insurance package that starts with a BOP.

You don’t have to guess which policies you need to add to a BOP. Bingham Insurance Group can help you choose the policies your business needs to add to its BOP. We’ll ask you a few questions about your business, then recommend the options that fully cover your company.

Essentially, the liability component covers you for fault in an accident that occurs on your premises. The other three policies cover damage occurring to your business caused by a peril, including any time you must shut down the company temporarily. Examples of this include fire, tornado, and hurricane damage.

Cover your Braselton, GA business with a BOP from Bingham Insurance Group. We will help your business protect its financial future with a BOP. Contact one of our agents today to get started with a BOP policy. Let us help you nab the BOP policy that protects your business.

How can you customize your home insurance?

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Bingham Insurance Group, serving Braselton, GA, wants you to get the most out of your home insurance. We want to explain how you can add to your home policy, regardless of its type, to cover items that fall outside the purview of a home policy.

This blog explains how to add special coverage to your home policy to cover your jewelry, hobby equipment, a home-based business, etc. Your home policy, whether homeowners,’ renters,’ or condos, protects the items inside your home up to a percentage of the home’s value or a stated value.

High-Value Jewelry

Your high-value items often don’t receive coverage because their value exceeds the property allowance in the policy. To insure these items, you need a rider, also called a floater, to your insurance.

The typical home policy covers up to about $1,500 for jewelry. You can add a rider to cover your engagement or anniversary ring fully. If you own other high-value jewelry, you can cover it in the same rider.

Hobby Equipment

Home policies also do not cover hobby equipment. Your photography, videography, or recording equipment requires a rider, too.

Home-based Businesses

Any home-based business needs its own coverage. The insurance industry doffersan add-on to home insurance that provides business equipment and inventory coverage. It also covers business-related liability. Your home insurance only covers personal liability, so if a vendor, client, or contractor has an accident in your home while visiting for business purposes, your home policy does not cover it without the rider.

Contact Us

Contact Bingham Insurance Group, serving Braselton, GA, for more information on how to add coverage to your home insurance policy.

What every renter needs to know about renters insurance

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More than half of all renters don’t have renters insurance. If their rental was damaged, they could lose everything in the rental. At Bingham Insurance Group in Braselton, GA, we want to ensure that renters understand the valuable protection that renters insurance provides and how affordable it is. 

You may think you are covered under the same insurance policy covering the building you live in. That is, unfortunately, not true. Your landlord or management company only protects their property, not your property. You are responsible for protecting yourself. Renters’ insurance provides valuable protection, maybe even more than you know. 

Personal property

You own a lot more things than you realize. That’s a fact. It would be a hardship if you had to replace them all at once. Think about how much furniture and clothing you have, electronics and appliances. It would be devastating. With renters insurance, your property is covered in your rental and when it travels with you. 

Liability coverage

No one likes to think about being sued, but it is all too common nowadays. If someone is injured while visiting your rental, you could be responsible for their medical bills and any pain and suffering they decide they need. Just the legal fees can be quite high. This coverage provides the protection you need. 

Loss of use

Have you ever considered what you would do if your rental were damaged so badly that you couldn’t live in it? Loss of use coverage will help you to pay for a place to stay while your rental is being repaired. This can make all the difference in what is already a difficult situation. 

Contact Bingham Insurance Group in Braselton, GA to learn more about why every renter can benefit from renters insurance. 

How Much Liability Insurance Do I Need?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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

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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?

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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.