What Renters Insurance Covers

Many apartment owners now require that their residents carry renter’s insurance. This is actually good protection for the lessee.  If there is a fire or other disaster that damages or destroys the building, residents with coverage will be protected. The apartment owner has property insurance to cover the physical building but it doesn’t cover the furniture or personal belongings of any of the residents.  Many don’t understand this very important point. In the Commerce, GA area, the team at Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. can help you get the coverage you need.

Renter’s insurance is a very affordable policy that will protect your belongings.  Disaster protection aside, it will also cover items when you are away from home.  Should your computer be stolen or vandalized at a local cafe, it will still be covered.  It will also cover items damaged by an electrical fault or damaged pipes.  While the policy provides a lot of protection, it won’t cover items damaged in a flood event or neglect.  When you purchase a policy, create a comprehensive inventory of your possessions so that they will be documented if you need to make a claim.  That’s a lot of protection from a reasonably priced policy.

At Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc., our team works with apartment renters throughout the Commerce, GA area.  We know that you want the most comprehensive renter’s insurance coverage for a price that you can afford. Visit our website for general information to get you thinking about what you need.  Then call or come by our offices to visit with an agent.  We’re able to answer your questions and explain your coverage options.  Your stuff is important to you so it’s never too soon to protect it and yourself.  Come see us today for the coverage you need!

Does My Commercial Insurance Cover Shoplifting?

Business owners in Commerce, GA understand that they need to be vigilant when it comes to protecting their retail business from financial loss. Shoplifting is one of the main ways a retail store loses money over the course of a year. The agents of Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. work with their clients to help find ways to reduce their overall risk and prevent financial loss.

Shoplifting vs Theft

While shoplifting is normally not covered by a commercial insurance policy, theft is. Shoplifting often occurs during business hours without anyone even realizing it is occurring, therefore it’s hard to file a claim on that type of loss. Theft, on the other hand, often occurs after regular business hours and often results in thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise being lost.

Keep An Accurate Inventory

As a retail business owner, it is up to you to maintain an accurate inventory of everything you buy and sell through your business. Most business owners take a yearly inventory once a year and then maintain a running inventory throughout the year. This gives you an accurate representation of how much you may be losing over the course of the year to shoplifting.

At Hyman Brown Insurance Agency, the agents work with business owners in Commerce, GA to assist them in finding ways to protect themselves from financial loss. This includes installing surveillance cameras and alarm systems to help monitor exits and prevent shoplifters from removing merchandise from the store. If you have concerns and want to learn more about protecting your business, contact an agent today! They can evaluate the security measures you have in place and offer advice on how to keep your risk of loss as low as possible. 

 

 

Home Safety Tips to Prevent Accidents Over the Holidays

Holiday celebrations are the highlight of the season. At the same time, a house full of guests increases the risk of holiday accidents. The following safety tips from Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. in Commerce, GA can help prevent accidents so you can enjoy the season to the full.

Safety in the Kitchen

Too many cooks in a small environment could be a distraction, leading to accidental cuts, burns or even a kitchen fire. It’s best to have fewer people in charge of meals to reduce the risk of accidents. Don’t leave the stove unattended when cooking and keep young children out of the kitchen during meal prep.

Fire Prevention

The kitchen is not the only place that poses a risk of fire. Frayed or overloaded light strands could cause sparks to catch your tree and surrounding presents on fire. Before putting up Christmas lights, make sure all strands are in good condition.

If you’re using real candles in your celebrations, keep them well out of the reach of children and clear of curtains, carpets or other items that can catch on fire.

If you have an artificial tree, make sure it’s fire-resistant. Keep your natural tree watered at all times to keep it from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.

Make sure your smoke alarm has fresh batteries and that there’s a working fire extinguisher within easy reach in the event of fire.

Precautions Against Slip and Falls

Declutter entryway and living spaces to provide ample space for people to move about freely. Remove throw rugs as they can cause elderly guests to trip or slip and fall. Keep living spaces well-lit to avoid accidents.

Make sure your home insurance is up to date to protect you against the risk of holiday accidents. If you have questions concerning your coverage, call or visit us at Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. in Commerce, GA.

How do I know how much renters insurance to get in Commerce, GA?

There are a lot of great reasons to rent, such as the convenience of having someone else maintain your property and knowing that if something breaks, you won’t be responsible for fixing it. If you do rent in Commerce, GA, you probably already realize how important renters insurance is. Even if your landlord doesn’t require you to prove you have insurance, failure to carry insurance could be disastrous if anything ever happened. You could lose all your belongings in a fire or burglary, and without insurance, you would have to replace them with money out of your own pocket.

But the biggest question you probably have when you call Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. is how much insurance you actually need. You don’t want to pay more than you need to, but you also don’t want to find that your policy doesn’t offer enough protection. Renters insurance is surprisingly inexpensive, so it won’t really hurt if you overestimate your needs a little.

You can probably find a policy for less than $200 a year, even if you ask for coverage to suit your needs. There are several things you want to consider when deciding your policy limits:

  • How much is your personal property worth? You aren’t responsible for the building structure itself, but you will need to insure your clothing, furniture, rugs, personal appliances, and cookware. You should also add in your television, movies, and other entertainment items, and keep the serial numbers somewhere safe.
  • How much liability insurance are you comfortable with? Renters insurance will also protect you if someone visiting you has an accident. 

Renting in Commerce, GA is great, but make sure you’re protected. If you need a new policy or just have questions about an existing policy, please call Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. today.

How can Umbrella Insurance Protect You

Having adequate personal insurance is very important. For most people, this means having a quality home and auto insurance policy. However, there are many situations in which having additional liability insurance coverage could make sense. For many people that are in the Commerce, GA area, having a full umbrella insurance policy could be beneficial as it can provide you with additional protections.

Gives Additional Liability Coverage

One of the advantages of having umbrella insurance is that it will give you additional liability coverage. If you have a home or auto policy, you will have a certain level of liability insurance in your name. However, in some situations, the coverage that you receive may not be enough to handle certain situations. If you are found at fault in an accident that causes serious damage, you will need even more coverage. In these situations, an umbrella policy will be beneficial as it will give you additional liability coverage.

Covers Other Situations

While a home or auto policy can provide you with valuable coverage, they will not give you coverage for all situations that could lead to liability. To ensure you are properly covered, having an umbrella policy is very important. An umbrella insurance policy will give you coverage for virtually any situation in which you are found to be liable.

If you are in the market for a new umbrella insurance policy in the Commerce, GA area, you should reach out to Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. The team at Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. knows all about the benefits that are provided with a quality umbrella insurance policy. They can help you to better understand the benefits that come with umbrella insurance and get you into a policy that provides you with coverage and peace of mind.  

 

Why Should You Maintain Full Coverage On An Older Vehicle?

Auto insurance is one of the best tools you can have to protect you from losses to your vehicle both on the road and when you are parked. Even if you have an older vehicle, you may still want to maintain your auto insurance coverage above the legally required level of liability. 

Maintaining Full Coverage

Although full coverage insurance may be tempting to drop on an older vehicle, there may be some instances where it is better to keep it. If your older vehicle is your main mode of transportation and you are not prepared to replace that vehicle out of pocket, you may want to keep your coverage to prevent having to replace it out of pocket. In addition, you’ll want to obtain specialty coverage for classic cars that have a higher value. Work with a trusted insurance agency to outline your needs and get the policy coverage that suits your situation.

Work With A Trusted Agency

Finding a good agency that has trusted, experienced agents is the first step towards obtaining the right level of coverage for your older vehicle. People who live near the Commerce, GA area can count on Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. for their vehicle insurance needs. They are dedicated to helping their clients get the policy options they need to feel secure on the road. 

If you have questions about coverage for your older model vehicle and live in the Commerce, GA area, you should call or stop by Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. to get the answers to your questions and discover which high-quality insurance products will work for your situation. 

Does Commercial Insurance Cover Patron Injury?

 Commercial insurance is something that all business owners need in order to make sure that their business, their patrons and their employees are all safe. That being said, commercial insurance covers more than you might imagine and taking the time to find out just what your policy covers is a must. For those in the Commerce, GA area, the agents with Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. can help you to find the policy that works for you.

Commercial insurance does cover the cost of injury to your patrons. Commercial insurance is put in place to help make sure that if something does happen, you are able to fall back on that coverage to help cover the costs rather than having to pay for it out of pocket. Commercial insurance covers injury to your patrons but only if the injury is an accident and not out of neglect on the part of the business owner. If you are aware that there is an issue and you do not remedy it, you are liable for the injury and must pay it yourself. If the injury is accidental, you will be able to get coverage from your policy.

You can choose different coverage types, levels and more to help make sure that you are fully covered and that your patrons are protected when they come to your business. A good commercial policy is the best way to make sure that you are covered and that if something does happen, you are able to recoup your losses and get everyone back in great shape. For those that are in the Commerce, GA area, the agents with Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. can help you to find the policy that works best for you and that is going to protect your patrons most.

New Homeowner? Why You Need a Home Inventory

In addition to protecting your Commerce, GA home, home insurance from Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. protects your belongings against theft or loss due to a major disaster. A home inventory can help you keep track of your personal goods to facilitate making a claim and getting reimbursed for your loss. By making a home inventory as soon as possible after moving into your new home, you can protect your assets against any eventuality. Here’s why you need a home inventory.

To Get Adequate Insurance Coverage

A home inventory is a list of all your personal possessions to include clothing, jewelry, electronics, furniture, artwork, appliances, etc. This record makes it easier for you to choose the personal property coverage you need to fully protect your goods. You don’t want to be caught lacking in coverage for expensive items that are stolen or lost in a major catastrophe. You also don’t want to pay for extra coverage that you don’t really need.  

To Get Reimbursed for Your Loss

If your goods are stolen or lost in a disaster, your home inventory can be used as proof of ownership when it comes to making a claim so you can get properly reimbursed for your loss.

A comprehensive home inventory will include a list of your goods, a short description of each to include brand names, serial numbers, and receipts as well as photos or videos of large-ticket items to verify their value. This information will help expedite your claim. You should store a copy of your inventory outside your home so it’s not destroyed in the event of a fire or another catastrophe.

To learn more about home inventories or to obtain the right home insurance coverage for your Commerce GA abode, contact Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. in Commerce, GA today.

3 Reasons You Need Boat Insurance in Commerce, GA

There’s no question that owning a boat can bring quite a bit of enjoyment to your life. However, because a boat is also a liability, it’s important to insure it to be certain you are fully protected in the event of an unforeseen issue or accident. The top reasons it is a good idea for you to purchase boating insurance from Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. serving Commerce, GA can be found here.

Theft or Fire

Just like cars, boats can be stolen. If your boat is stolen or if it catches on fire, and you don’t have insurance coverage, you have no recourse to recover your losses. If you are still paying on the boat, you will have to continue to do so without the ability to replace what you lost. Insurance makes sure you and your boat are protected and minimizes significant losses related to theft or fire.

Boating Accident

Another reason to have boating insurance is to protect yourself in the event of a boating accident. Boating accidents can be severe, but all this is based on the type of boats involved, speed, and where the impact occurred. Insurance will protect you for damages to your boat, as well as other people’s property if the accident was your fault.

Physical Injury

If you own a boat, and take others out on it, you may be held liable if they suffer an injury while on board. This is something that a quality boat insurance policy covers. As you can see, there are several reasons to invest in boating insurance. If you need more information, contact Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. Our professionals can help you get the coverage needed in Commerce, GA.

Does Your Car Qualify to Get Classic Car Insurance?

Do you have a classic car model, or think you have what could be considered one? If so, read on to learn how you can tell if your car will qualify for classic car insurance. You need all the coverage you can get when it comes to your prized vehicle in Commerce, GA from a trusted company like the Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc.

The Type of Vehicle 

Your car needs to be in one of three categories to qualify for classic car insurance:

  • Veterans – a car that was created on or before December of 1904
  • Edwardian – a vehicle manufactured sometime between January of 1905 and December of 1918
  • Limited – those vehicles that are a special interest, rare, or limited edition models

Be aware that not all those models produced in the early 1970s are considered classic. This only includes 2-door sports cars, specific 4-door sedans, vehicles that have unique shapes or big block V8 engines, foreign sports cars, and convertibles. 

Age Limitations

Most states require that a car is at least 15 years old to be counted as classic. States such as Massachusetts require that the vehicle is at least 25 years old. Some providers will offer coverage on cars that are less than 15 years old, such as ones that are incredibly exotic or rare. 

Usage of the Vehicle

Your car should not be used as your primary means of transportation. If you are using it on a daily basis, the value will depreciate and it will no longer be considered a classic car. Typically, there is a mileage restriction of about 5,000 miles per year. 

Background of the Driver 

Besides the age of the car, the age of the driver is important. Only individuals who are at least the age of majority may receive this auto coverage. Driving history and experience of the driver also are a part of the equation. 

Storage 

There are strict storage requirements for classic vehicles. For one thing, it must be parked in a highly secure, designated garage. Companies tell classic car owners to keep their classic vehicles in car storage facilities that are designed for securing car collections. 

Reach out to learn more about classic car insurance from the Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. We’ve been serving the Commerce, GA area for several years, and would be pleased to assist you.