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 I need an appraisal to schedule a ring in Georgia?

All FAQs

Quick answer: In most cases, yes. A current appraisal, usually dated within the past two to three years, is generally required before a valuable item can be scheduled. Insurers price and settle scheduled jewelry claims off the appraised value rather than the original purchase receipt, so the appraisal sets both the premium and the payout.

In most cases, yes. Before a valuable item like a ring can be scheduled, meaning listed individually on a policy with its own coverage amount, carriers generally require a current appraisal, usually dated within the past two to three years.

The appraisal matters because of how scheduled jewelry claims are settled. Insurers price the premium and calculate the claim payout off the appraised value, not the original purchase receipt. This connects to two terms worth defining. "Agreed value" means the payout amount is fixed in advance at the appraised figure, rather than being determined after a loss the way actual cash value coverage works elsewhere in a policy. "Replacement cost," a related term explained on its own glossary page, refers to what it would take to replace an item new, which for jewelry is often close to the agreed value set at scheduling.

Consider a ring purchased five years ago for $3,000. Diamond and gold prices have moved since then, and a current appraisal now values the ring at $4,500. If that ring is scheduled using the old $3,000 purchase price instead of a current appraisal, the policyholder is underinsured by $1,500 without realizing it. A current appraisal closes that gap by setting the scheduled value, and therefore the claim payout, at what the ring is actually worth today.

The two- to three-year window exists because jewelry values move with commodity prices and market demand. An appraisal from a decade ago may understate a ring's current value significantly, particularly for pieces with larger stones or dense gold content. Carriers ask for a refreshed appraisal periodically for the same reason a home's replacement cost estimate gets revisited over time, so the coverage amount keeps pace with the item's actual value.

Appraisals are typically performed by a certified gemologist or jeweler and should include stone characteristics, metal weight and purity, and a dated value. Once that document is in hand, the scheduling process itself moves quickly. For what scheduling costs once an appraisal is ready, see what it costs to insure jewelry in Georgia. For how scheduling changes the coverage limit compared to a standard homeowners policy, see the jewelry coverage limit on a Georgia homeowners policy. A coverage review can confirm what a specific appraisal document needs to include before it is submitted, and background on jewelry coverage generally is on the jewelry insurance page.