Why does my policy have more than one deductible?

A policy commonly carries a flat deductible for most claims and a separate percentage-based wind and hail deductible in storm-exposed states like Georgia.

Does my own insurance cover me when I stay in an Airbnb or VRBO?

The host's short-term rental policy protects the host, not you. As an Airbnb or VRBO guest, your own homeowners or renters insurance usually covers your belongings and personal liability away from home, within policy limits, while travel insurance covers trip-specific risks neither the host nor your home policy will.

Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?

No. Standard homeowners policies exclude all flood damage regardless of cause.

What does uninsured motorist coverage do?

If you are hit by a driver with no insurance or not enough insurance, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays your medical bills.

When do we use Selective for flood coverage versus NFIP?

Selective private flood wins for Zone X and moderate AE properties where it beats NFIP on price and offers higher limits with ALE coverage.

Do coastal Georgia homeowners have to bundle with one carrier?

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Quick answer: Often they cannot. Homes in Chatham or Glynn County with wind exposure may need a Georgia Underwriting Association or surplus lines policy for the home that standard bundle carriers will not write (O.C.G.A. Title 33, Chapter 33). The auto can still be placed competitively on its own, so splitting is normal on the coast.

Often they cannot. Homes in Chatham or Glynn County with wind exposure may need a Georgia Underwriting Association or surplus lines policy for the home that standard bundle carriers will not write (O.C.G.A. Title 33, Chapter 33). The auto can still be placed competitively on its own, so splitting is normal on the coast.

The Georgia Underwriting Association, often shortened to GUA, is a state-created insurance pool that writes property coverage for homes standard carriers decline because of wind and hail risk near the coast. A surplus lines policy is coverage placed with an insurer not licensed to sell standard policies in Georgia, used when no standard carrier will take on a particular risk. Both exist specifically because ordinary homeowners carriers price high-wind coastal exposure out of their standard bundle programs, or decline it outright.

A home on Tybee Island in Chatham County is a typical example. The wind and storm-surge exposure that close to open water often puts the house outside what a standard bundle carrier will write, so the homeowner ends up placing the house through the GUA or a surplus lines market instead. The two family vehicles are a different risk profile entirely and can usually still be placed with a standard auto insurance carrier at competitive rates, with no wind exposure to account for. The household ends up with two separate policies from two separate markets, which is a normal outcome on the coast rather than an exception.

This means the multi-policy discount that applies inland often is not available to coastal homeowners, since the discount depends on one carrier writing both the home and the auto policy. Coastal homeowners in a flood zone also need to check separately whether flood coverage is required on the mortgage, since that is a third policy on top of home and auto. A homeowners insurance review specific to the property address is the most reliable way to find out which market will write the home, and a coverage review can walk through GUA, surplus lines, and standard-market options side by side.