Category: Home Insurance

Buying home insurance can be a considerable undertaking. Securing the right policy at the right price can set you up for success when a covered event occurs. Understanding how to shop for home insurance can facilitate your decision-making process.

At Atkinson Casey Agency, servicing Monroe, GA, we assist homeowners in finding the right home insurance for their needs. We work with several insurance carriers and offer numerous insurance products to our customers. Below are three steps we recommend when you’re shopping for home insurance.

1. Find an Insurance Agent You Trust

The first step to finding home insurance is identifying the right insurance agent. Consider the following qualities when looking for an insurance agent:

• Reliability. Does the insurance agent return phone calls promptly and answer questions accurately?
• Professionalism. Does the agent operate a professional office with adequate staff support?
• Communication. Can the agent communicate ideas clearly?

2. Know the Questions to Ask Your Insurance Agent

You should have a list of questions to ask your insurance agent during your meeting. These questions may include:

• How much will this cost?
• How much coverage do I need?
• What’s covered by this policy?
• Do I need to make a home inventory?

3. Determine if You Need Additional Insurance

Some people benefit from having umbrella insurance. This type of coverage extends beyond your home insurance policy to provide additional protection. Your insurance agent can help you decide if you need an umbrella insurance policy.

Are you seeking a professional insurance agent with strong communication skills? Contact the specialists at Atkinson Casey Agency, servicing Monroe, GA. Call us today.

If you own a home in the greater Monroe, GA, area, you can rely on Atkinson Casey Agency for all your home insurance needs. We understand how important it is to protect our homes and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with having the right policy in place. Get in touch with our team today to learn more.

Protect your Georgia home with the proper homeowner’s policy.

When choosing your home insurance policy, there are a few main factors to consider. The age, size, and location of your house can all have an impact on the type of policy that will best meet your needs. So will events like major remodels, outbuildings, and live-work situations. If you’re actively looking for a new home, now’s the time to start thinking about insurance. 

There’s no time like the present to sit down with a local agent to assess your current and future needs. And, if you’ve been living in your home for years, you’ll still want to review your policy regularly. Insurance needs can change as market fluctuations occur and the value of your home increases. Don’t wait until a catastrophic event happens to find out that your policy no longer meets your needs. Contact our office today to learn more about the range of home insurance policies that are currently available in our area. We’re here to help!

Give us a call or stop by today!

The Atkinson Casey Agency team is proud to serve the residents of Monroe, GA, and the surrounding communities. If you have questions about insurance, we’re here to help. Call our team today or visit the office to learn more about our services.

We look forward to serving you!

Homeowners’ insurance has many benefits. It can provide protection for your home, your interior and exterior structure, personal belongings, and more. However, the terms of coverage are always clearly outlined so that homeowners understand what’s covered and under what circumstances something is covered. Our team at Atkinson Casey Agency understands that understanding homeowners’ insurance can be confusing. We’re committed to helping Monroe, GA residents understand homeowners insurance better. 

What is homeowners insurance?

In short, homeowners insurance is property insurance with different areas of bundled coverage that all fall under the term "homeowners insurance." This means that your home’s structure is covered, both inside and out, as well as your personal belongings. Also, any structures on your property are covered as well. Liability coverage is also a benefit of homeowners insurance. This provides protection for you and also covers any injuries or property damage others may sustain while visiting your home. Liability coverage can also cover other people’s property that you may accidentally damage while driving your car. Some policies may also cover damage your dog may cause to others if he or she bites or attacks them. 

Will homeowners insurance cover my broken mailbox?

Maybe. Your homeowners’ insurance will cover the repair of your damaged mailbox if it’s damaged as a result of a situation or circumstance that falls under the terms and conditions of your policy. Not all situations will fit your terms and conditions. For example, if you hit your own mailbox, it’s possible that your homeowners’ insurance won’t pay for its repair. An incident like this may be considered negligent. However, the exact terms of your policy will have to be explored to determine if the repair of your mailbox would be considered a covered event. An insurance agent would be able to determine if your damaged mailbox will be eligible for repair.

Schedule A Consultation Today

If you have questions regarding home insurance, we’d be happy to answer them. Call us at Atkinson Casey Agency. We serve the greater Monroe, GA area. 

At Atkinson Casey Agency, we want to provide quality home insurance to the people of Monroe, GA. Part of our comprehensive strategy includes the use of specific home insurance policies such as medical protection.

What is Guest Medical Coverage?

This is a form of insurance that pays for a person’s medical bills, especially after an accident or a personal injury has occurred at the insured client’s home. As a homeowner, you’ll know that purchasing homeowner’s insurance is just one of your many responsibilities. If a visitor experiences physical harm at somebody’s home, then the homeowner could be liable in a legal court case. The injured party might ask you to pay for medical bills or additional costs. Medical bills are expensive, with some costing beyond $10,000 in extreme cases. It helps to have a home insurance plan that provides for guest medical expenses as well as homeowner’s liability.

Should You Get Guest Medical Coverage?

Some homeowners like to throw house parties and invite guests over. If you plan on having many guests at your home, then yes, you should get guest medical coverage as well as liability coverage. When shopping for insurance, be sure to ask the agent about any policies that are a part of the homeowner’s insurance plan – including medical expenses. Having guest medical coverage will provide you peace of mind and provide guests with a sense of financial assurance.

Guest Medical Coverage in Monroe, GA

If you are interested in purchasing guest medical coverage, then feel free to get in touch with our team at Atkinson Casey Agency. 

When considering upgrades to your home, you need to think about the return on your investment. Remember a ROI doesn’t always just mean money, it can mean anything of value that you get as a result of your investment. In-ground pools are a popular addition to a property, but there are certain insurance considerations you should keep in mind. Here at Atkinson Casey Agency, serving the Monroe, GA metroplex, we want to help homeowners make smart choices about their homes.

Here’s more about in-ground pools:

Home Value and Quality 

Having an inground pool installed can increase your home’s value. If you ever plan to resell your home in the future, this might be an important concern to you. In addition to increasing home value, an in-ground pool can also improve your home’s value. Home value is different from home quality. Home quality is how you feel about your home and how much you enjoy spending time in your home when you are there. A pool is definitely one way to help you and your family enjoy their time at home more. 

Other Considerations

Although having an in-ground pool installed can definitely be thought of as a good investment, there are other considerations though. For instance, you should understand that having a pool on your property does change your homeowner’s insurance risks. There is more risk of injury and so your insurance would reflect that. You should talk with an insurance representative concerning how your insurance might change.

Reach Out To Us

If you’d like to learn more about homeowner’s insurance, please contact us at Atkinson Casey Agency today in Monroe, GA.

When you are traveling, whether you are going across town or thousands of miles across the country, you need to make sure you keep your home safe and secure.

Here are some tips for doing just that, courtesy of Atkinson Casey Agency serving Monroe, GA.

Maintenance

Keeping your home safe while you are traveling starts before your trip. Make sure you have maintained and checked everything to make it safe before traveling. That includes all appliances, plumbing, outdoor areas, and more. Hire professionals to do maintenance work as needed.

Safety features

You need to have various equipment that will keep your home safe from all sorts of disasters and other events. So for example, you should have adequate smoke alarms, fire alarms, and the like. Make sure everything works by testing it all out before your trip.

Security features

Have all the security features and devices in and around your home that you need. That includes cameras, adequate locks for doors and windows, and more.

Specific precautions

You should take certain precautions to make sure your home is safe before and during your trip. So for example you could have your lights on timers so that they will come on and go off at certain times of the day and night. Have lights strategically placed throughout various rooms in your house.

Update Your Insurance Policy

It does not take much effort to make sure you keep your home safe when you are traveling. But that effort can really prove fruitful, including as far as contributing to your home’s safety and your peace of mind. Also, ensure to keep your home insurance updated.  Atkinson Casey Agency serving Monroe, GA is here to help. 

Your home is where you gather with family and friends to celebrate special occasions.  Making your home a safe place is important for a variety of reasons. Safe means protection from dangers inside and outside of your home. At Atkinson Casey Agency in Monroe, GA, we are dedicated to providing the level of service that our customers deserve. We will do the hard work of making sure that they have the right home insurance to make them feel safe. 

Tips for making your home a safer place

Add a home security system

If you don’t have a home security system, there has never been a better time to do so. You have lots of choices when it comes to home security. You can add something as simple as a doorbell camera, or you can have your entire home wired. These days you can monitor your home with an app on your phone. 

Have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Fire and carbon monoxide are serious dangers to your safety. The extra time that they provide can save your life and that of your family. Make sure to replace the battery backup every six months. 

Keep poison out of reach

Poison comes in many forms. What can poison your child or pet may not be poison for an adult, such as some medication. Plants can be poisonous to pets. Many home cleaners are poisonous to both pets and children. 

Clean up clutter

Clutter around your home can be a safety hazard. Don’t leave clutter on your stairs or in hallways. Trip and fall hazards are very real, and they can cause serious injury and even death. Small children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable when it comes to these types of injuries. 

Give us a call today

Contact Atkinson Casey Agency in Monroe, GA for all your home insurance needs. 

One of the most common questions for home insurance is whether a standard policy will cover valuables like an art collection.

The answer, unfortunately, is not always cut and dry. Here’s what you need to know about special coverage for expensive items and your home insurance policy in Monroe, GA:

What Does a Standard Policy Cover?

A standard home insurance policy in Monroe, GA will cover the dwelling and your personal belongings within the residence. But there are limits to how much coverage you’ll have for these items. A home insurance policy typically covers up to $2,500 worth of personal belongings. So, if you have an art collection valued at $5,000, it may only cover half of the value.

There are also limits on items covered by a standard home insurance policy. For example, most policies will not cover items like jewelry, furs, or precious metals. If you have any of these items in your home, you’ll need to purchase a separate policy or rider to insure them.

If you’re unsure about your limits, speak with your Atkinson Casey Agency agent.

What Can I Do to Insure My Art Collection?

If you have a valuable art collection, you’ll want to ensure it is adequately insured. The best way to do this is to purchase a rider or standalone policy that covers your collection. This ensures that your art is protected no matter what happens.

When shopping for coverage, get an appraisal on your collection. This gives you an accurate value of your art, so you can purchase the right amount of coverage. It’s also a good idea to keep a list of your art pieces and their values in a safe place.

Give Us A Call

Contact Atkinson Casey Agency for a free quote on insuring your art collection. We’ll help you find the right coverage for your needs.

When you insure your home, you have the option to choose between insuring it for its market value or its rebuild value. So which should you choose?

Here, we discuss the pros and cons of each option in Monroe, GA and help you make the best decision!

When You Insure Your Home for Its Market Value

To put it simply, market value is what your home is worth on the current market. This is the price a willing buyer would pay for your home and is usually based on recent comparable sales in your area. The pros of insuring your home for market value include

• You’re more likely to get a payout if you need to make a claim
• It can be easier to sell your home if it’s insured for market value

The cons of insuring your home for market value include:

• Your premiums will be higher
• If your home is undervalued, you may not get the full payout you’re entitled

When You Insure Your Home for Its Rebuild Value

The rebuild value of your home is how much it would cost to completely rebuild your home from scratch. This is usually lower than the market value, as it doesn’t take into account the value of the land your home is built on. The pros of insuring your home for its rebuild value include:

• Your premiums will be lower
• If your home is undervalued, you may not get the full payout you’re entitled to

The cons of insuring your home for its rebuild value include:

• You’re less likely to get a payout if you need to make a claim
• It can be harder to sell your home if it’s only insured for its rebuild value

So, which option is right for you? Ultimately, it depends on your individual circumstances. If you have a mortgage on your home, your lender will usually require you to insure your home for at least its rebuild value. However, if you own your home outright, you may want to consider insuring it for market value so that you’re more likely to get a payout if you need to make a claim. Talk to Atkinson Casey Agency to discover the best option for your home.

Give Us A Call

If you’re not sure how much your home is worth, Atkinson Casey Agency in Monroe, GA can help. We specialize in home insurance and can provide you with a free, no-obligation quote. Contact us today to get started.