Wichalonis Insurance Agency

Will commercial insurance cover the personal car I use for my business?

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Many business owners use their personal cars for company affairs. As a result, determining the proper type of coverage is in order. Will your personal car insurance cover your vehicle if you use it for business, or should you invest in commercial auto insurance? These are good questions. The answer to these questions is heavily based on how you use your car for business. Our team at Wichalonis Insurance Agency is invested in helping Cumming, GA business owners find the best type of auto coverage. 

What is Commercial Auto Insurance?

Commercial auto insurance is designed to provide liability coverage for the vehicles used in your business. Like personal car insurance, commercial car insurance is designed to provide liability protection for accidents or damage caused by company-used vehicles. This insurance also provides personal injury coverage for anyone injured while driving or riding in vehicles owned/used by your company. 

Will Commercial Auto Insurance Cover my Personal Car if Used for Business?

If your personal car is used for business purposes, it can be covered under a commercial auto policy. Depending on what you use your vehicle for, your personal auto insurance may not cover the vehicle you use for business. There’s a risk factor that an insurance company will consider. You could be charged more or denied coverage altogether. Our team at Wichalonis Insurance Agency will gladly help Georgia business owners explore the benefits of commercial auto insurance. Simply using your car for business trips would make it eligible for business/commercial auto insurance. However, one of our agents would be happy to go into more detail. Give us a call. We’re standing by.

Who needs to have boat insurance in Georgia?

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Those in the Cumming, GA area will find that the region of the state can be pretty warm during the summer months. Due to the warm weather and access to various lakes and waterways, owning a boat can be good. When you are looking for a boat in this region, it would be a good idea to get boat insurance. There are various situations when someone here will need a boat insurance plan. 

When Covering Boat

One situation when you will want to have a boat insurance plan is when you want to get coverage for your boat. Owning a boat can be a significant investment, and protecting this as well as you can is important. If you get a boat insurance plan, it will provide the proper coverage you need if your boat is damaged or stolen.

Those Looking to Mitigate Liability Risk

Boat owners all over Georgia also need to ensure they are mitigating their insurance risks. Even if you are an experienced and cautious boat owner, accidents can happen. If there is a boat accident, the costs to cover damages can be significant as they could include both property damage and bodily injury expenses. When adequately covered with insurance, you can offset this risk. 

Having a proper boat insurance plan in the Cumming, GA area is important. Many people that purchase a boat in this area will want to speak with the team at the Wichalonis Insurance Agency before they choose a new plan. The professionals with Wichalonis Insurance Agency understand the importance of this coverage and can offer the guidance you need to pick your policy to cover your boat. 

Umbrella Insurance FAQ

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Understanding insurance products and how they work is imperative to making good insurance choices. At Wichalonis Insurance Agency, serving Cumming, GA, and the surrounding areas, we are here to help educate you on these critical topics so that you can make solid insurance choices. Keep reading to find answers in the umbrella insurance FAQ. 

What Is Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance is a unique insurance product. This type of policy can be added to your existing policies to provide an "umbrella" of coverage. This type of coverage kicks in to pay for any expenses you may still owe after the original policy has been exhausted. If you do not have umbrella coverage, the difference in these two amounts would have to come out of your pocket. This could pose a financial challenge. 

Who Needs Umbrella Insurance?

Anyone can use this type of insurance product, but it is most beneficial for those who have a significant number of assets that they would like to protect. If you experience a large-scale claim event that exhausts your policies, your assets could be put at risk. 

Umbrella insurance is also a good idea for any individual at a significant liability risk due to their hobbies, occupation, or other reasons. 

What Policies Can Umbrella Insurance Be Added To?

An umbrella policy can be added to any existing policy. This can include auto, health, life, commercial, and others. 

If you would like to learn more about umbrella insurance or any other services, don’t hesitate to contact us at Wichalonis Insurance Agency, serving Cumming, GA, and the surrounding areas. We will be happy to answer your questions and help you find the right insurance products for your needs.  

Tips For Owning A Condo On The Beach

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When you own a condo on the beach, you take on the risks of being a homeowner, a property manager, and an association member. Fortunately, there are a few tips that you can follow to accommodate such specialized needs.

Know Thy Neighbor

For people who own beach condos, there is a definite sense of community. When you live in such close proximity to one another, you share common areas and walls. You may even share insurance and maintenance expenses as well. You will need to work together on daily upkeep, necessary repairs, and future desires.

It Is All About Location

Identify the type of flood zone in which your condo is located. Typically, associations will purchase flood insurance for the most common elements. However, this will not include personal property. Therefore, you will need to ensure you have coverage for your interior structure.

Insurance Coverages

Take the time to review your unit owner insurance coverage for personal property and interior structures. You will also need to become familiar with your coverage for medical payments, loss of rental income, and premises liability. The condominium master policy will explain coverages for boat slips, detached structures, decks, pools, and common areas. If you are not certain how to determine if you have the proper coverage to protect you and your condo, the experts at Wichalonis Insurance Agency of Cumming GA are here to help.

Umbrella Insurance

An umbrella insurance policy will protect your assets from unexpected events or accidents for which you may be held responsible for damages. If you do not have an umbrella insurance policy, contact Wichalonis Insurance Agency of Cumming, GA for more information.

To ensure your beach condo is fully protected, contact us today. We are happy to provide answers to any questions you may have about owning a condo on the beach.

How Does Getting Married Affect My Auto Insurance Coverage?

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As you and your spouse are bickering at the dinner table in Cumming, GA, it is hard to believe all the benefits that come from saying "I do". In addition to the lifetime of love and companionship, marriage also decreases the chances of developing dementia, cancer, and heart disease. Even more, getting married can also have a positive effect on your auto insurance coverage.

Married People Are Involved in Fewer Accidents

Statistically, married couples are not as likely as their single counterparts to be involved in an automobile accident. Several different theories surround this fact. Some believe that the reason is that married people drive less. Others think married couples are more stable and less risky.

Regardless of the reason, married drivers are involved in fewer auto accidents than single people. One study even discovered that single people who have never been married are twice as likely to be injured in an auto accident.

Because married people are less likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident, they are considered by insurance companies to be less risky to insure. Therefore, the cost that they pay for their auto insurance premiums is usually less than that of a single individual. Contact the experienced agents at Wichalonis Insurance Agency to find out how much you should be paying for auto insurance.

When Not to Combine Policies

While it may seem like a no-brainer that you and your spouse should share an auto insurance policy to reap the most benefits, this is not always the case. If either of you has a poor driving record, receives a speeding ticket, gets charged with a DUI, or is involved in an accident, this will hurt your auto insurance coverage.

If you would like to learn more about the effects getting married has on your insurance coverage in Cumming, GA, contact Wichalonis Insurance Agency today.

Georgia Condo Insurance – What You Need To Know About Condo Insurance

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You should look into having condo insurance for your dwelling if you’re planning on purchasing a condominium.  The questions are already there running in your mind, you’ve heard of renter’s insurance and homeowner’s insurance, but what is condo insurance?  And why is it so important to have it?  Wichalonis Insurance Agency in Cumming, GA can address these questions and consult with you on what your insurance options are for condominiums.

Condo Insurance

The first question that you probably have goes something like this, “wouldn’t the homeowner’s association cover any events of loss or damage?”.  The easy answer to that question is:  yes, the HOA will cover damages, to the actual building itself and any items that were part of the original lease.  For instance, if you purchase a furnished condo and a fire destroys those furnishings, those losses would be covered under the HOA insurance policy.  What the HOA policy doesn’t cover, is your own personal items or any upgrades or changes that you’ve made to the condo.  This is where condo insurance comes in to protect the items that aren’t covered under the HOA policy.

Patchy Umbrella

You can look at a condo with just HOA coverage as an umbrella with a few holes in it.  The umbrella can still be used, and the wind won’t pick it up and blow away, but when it rains, you’ll still get wet.  Condo Insurance is the necessary alterations and patches needed to close those holes in the umbrella to fully protect you from a rainstorm in the case of a catastrophic event.  You may not appreciate it if you live in a locale where it rarely rains, so to speak, but when it does rain, you’ll be happy that you’re fully protected

To Learn More

You can learn more about condo insurance by contacting Wichalonis Insurance Agency in Cumming, GA today!

Things You Should Ask an Insurance Agent When Choosing Auto Insurance?

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When it comes to choosing an auto insurance policy, most people make the same mistake – they let the premium price of insurance drive their decisions. Do not be like them. If you are currently shopping for insurance to protect your car, the best way to make an informed decision is to talk to an insurance agent and ask them the following questions: 

What Does My Auto Insurance Cover? 

Before purchasing a particular policy, make sure to ask an agent for the details about it. Ask them to walk you through such details as property damage liability, bodily injury liability, personal injury protection, and any additional comprehensive and collision coverage included in your insurance portfolio. 

How Much Will I Have To Pay If An Accident Happens?

Ask an insurance agent to be upfront with you about how much you will have to pay if you cause a road accident. When you buy auto insurance, you choose an amount of coverage that determines how much you will pay monthly or yearly. The move coverage you have, the less you will have to pay out of pocket if you cause an accident. 

Are There Any Discounts? 

If you do not ask about discounts, you will not get them. Most insurance companies offer discounts to their clients, so do not hesitate to ask your insurance agent about them. 

Wichalonis Insurance Agency in Cumming, GA – Your Safety On the Road Is Our Priority

If you live in Cumming, GA or any other nearby area and you are looking for auto insurance, Wichalonis Insurance Agency is ready to help. Our qualified and experienced insurance agents are always ready to answer the questions listed in this article and provide you with any other information you need. Feel free to visit our website or give us a call. 

Is Term Life Insurance the Right Choice?

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Life insurance can be a difficult subject to discuss, let alone to purchase for yourself. When you see that there are multiple types of life insurance available, coverage options can feel even more confusing.

Are you considering your insurance options? Term life insurance might be a good option for you. Wichalonis Insurance Agency, which serves Cumming, GA, can help you determine the steps you need to take to choose a life insurance policy.

What Is Term Life Insurance?

Term life insurance helps you secure financial safety for your family. This policy provides coverage for a specific amount of time, like 10 years. If you have minor children that were born this year, for instance, you might want term life insurance for 20 years to ensure your child is an adult before your policy expires.

Term life insurance is compared to whole life insurance, which provides protection for the entirety of your life. If you are looking for a shorter option, term life may be your best bet.

Term Life Insurance Is Great for Many People

Policyholders are often parents or others with dependents. If anybody is financially dependent on you, it is smart to have a term life policy. If you want to replace lost income, pay debts, and provide for your child’s care after you pass away, this insurance policy may be a good choice.

How to Get a Term Life Insurance Policy

Wichalonis Insurance Agency serving Cumming, GA can help you find the right insurance policy for your family. If you are interested in term life policies, a professional can help you determine how long your insurance should last.

Why Home Insurance is a Must

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Whether buying or building your home, a lot of work goes into it. From planning, research, consultation to saving, homeownership is quite a Herculean task. However, your homeownership journey cannot be complete without a home insurance policy from Wichalonis Insurance Agency of Cumming, GA. 

Unfortunately, most homeowners think that home insurance is a waste of time and resources, only to realize the power of insurance coverage when perils like theft, fire, hail, and others strike. But do you have to learn the hard way? Certainly not. Here are the reasons why home insurance is a must-have investment. 

It may be required

Yes, no law in Georgia requires you to purchase home insurance, but it may be required by your mortgage lender to protect the investment from various perils.

It protects your most valuable asset

Few things are as valuable as your home. So why not do everything in your power to protect it? While installing security features and proper home maintenance is superb, the checklist is not complete without home insurance. This coverage repairs or rebuilds your home when perils like fire, lightning, hail, theft, and others occur. 

It’s affordable

Most homeowners shy away from home insurance because they think it’s expensive. However, the truth is that home insurance is just a fraction of your home value. It costs you a few tens of dollars, but it protects you from thousands, if not millions of dollars, in losses.

For peace of mind

Modern life can be hectic. With bills to pay, personal matters to attend to, and a family to take care of, there is much to be worried about. However, the safety of your home should be the last thing bogging your mind. Why? Let home insurance take care of your worries. Whether it’s liabilities, property damage, or additional living expenses, home insurance got you covered.

Buy home insurance today

Whether compulsory or not, you must invest in home insurance if you love your home. If you are shopping for home insurance in Cumming, GA, and its environs, please don’t look beyond Wichalonis Insurance Agency. Contact us today to start the conversation.

Does Renters Insurance Cover Jewelry?

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Renters insurance protects you and your personal belongings within your residence. Personal belongings include clothes, furniture, and jewelry. Each insurance policy contains a clause for the personal property should it be stolen or damaged by a covered event. Check your Cumming, GA renters insurance policy to confirm how much coverage your jewelry has, and then call the experts at Wichalonis Insurance Agency to learn more about covering your personal belongings. 

Jewelry Coverage

Renters insurance jewelry coverage differs a bit from that under a homeowners insurance policy. Jewelry coverage is limited to theft under a renters insurance policy. Renters insurance does not cover these items in the event of fire or storm damage. If the item gets stolen outside the home, coverage is less than being stolen from inside the residence. Additional coverage is available to cover expensive jewelry in your place. 

Increase Jewelry Coverage

Depending upon the jewelry you own, it might be beneficial to increase the renters insurance coverage and add endorsements for specific items. Renters insurance policies have coverage limits, but you can increase those limits by purchasing additional coverage. Coverage can be purchased for all of your jewelry or individual pieces, such as an engagement ring or family heirloom. If you need additional coverage for your jewelry, contact your insurance agent to discuss increasing your coverage. 

Jewelry Claims

Even with an enhanced policy to cover jewelry, your insurance coverage has limits on the claims you can make. Liability limits represent the maximum coverage available, and more personal property is limited between $20,000 and $100,000. Insurance policies also carry sub-limits for specific high-value items, such as jewelry. Check your policy for limits, including sub-limits. 

Ensure your jewelry is covered against any peril that may occur. Those in Cumming, GA, have options when buying renters insurance, including additional jewelry coverage. Call Wichalonis Insurance Agency today to discuss insurance options and how much coverage you have for your high-priced items.