Is RV insurance required in Georgia?

Yes for motorized RVs in Georgia (liability matches state auto minimums). Travel trailers borrow from the towing vehicle. Specialty RV coverage strongly recommended for physical damage and personal effects.

What is a deductible?

The amount you pay out of pocket on a covered claim before insurance pays the rest. Higher deductibles mean lower premiums.

How do I cancel my insurance policy?

Cancellation is a written request to the carrier with a specific date, usually 14 days notice. Most carriers refund unused premium pro rata. Never cancel before the new policy is in force.

What commercial coverage do Georgia businesses need beyond a business package policy and general liability?

Beyond a business package policy and general liability, the most common Georgia specialty commercial needs are commercial umbrella, inland marine, cyber, and management liability.

Do I have to use the carrier’s preferred contractor?

Usually no. Most policies let you choose any licensed contractor, though preferred shops have their own benefits.

General FAQs

How do I document my belongings before a loss occurs?

All FAQs

Quick answer: Create a home inventory with photos, video walkthroughs, and written descriptions of your belongings. Store a copy offsite or in the cloud so it is accessible after a disaster.

A home inventory is a room-by-room record of what you own, including photos or video, descriptions, and estimated values. It documents your belongings before a loss so that, if a fire, theft, or storm damages your property, you can prove what you had and support a fair claims settlement rather than trying to recall everything from memory under stress.

Why does a home inventory matter for an insurance claim?

Insurance companies pay personal property claims based on what you can document, not what you say you remember. Without a record, you are left trying to recall the model, age, and value of hundreds of items after a traumatic event. A thorough inventory shifts that burden before the loss happens, when recollection is accurate and receipts are accessible. How much you receive also depends on whether your policy pays replacement cost value or actual cash value, a distinction our FAQ on replacement cost versus actual cash value explains in detail.

What should a home inventory include?

A thorough inventory covers every room, including storage areas, closets, and the garage. The most practical approach combines several formats:

Video walkthrough. Record each room slowly, opening closets, cabinets, and drawers while describing items out loud.
Photos of high-value items. Capture electronics, jewelry, appliances, tools, and furniture, including serial numbers and brand labels where visible.
A written or spreadsheet list. Note the item, approximate purchase date, and estimated value or replacement cost.
Receipts and appraisals. Keep records for expensive items like rings, instruments, or cameras.

For example, a Johns Creek homeowner who photographs the serial number on a $2,800 laptop and stores the photo in cloud storage has immediate, verifiable proof at claim time. A neighbor who simply remembers owning a laptop may receive a fraction of its value without documentation to substantiate the model or purchase price.

Where should you store a home inventory?

A copy stored only in the home provides no protection if the home is destroyed. Keep at least one copy off-site or in cloud storage, such as a shared drive, email folder, or a dedicated home inventory app. Update the inventory once a year and after any major purchase. How a deductible interacts with your total documented loss affects the final settlement amount, so a complete inventory is worth maintaining even when the deductible seems small. Our FAQ on how deductibles work explains how this calculation affects your payout after a loss.

What happens at claim time without a home inventory?

Without documentation, claims adjusters rely on your verbal account and whatever physical evidence remains. For total losses like a house fire, that evidence is often gone entirely. Policyholders who cannot substantiate their belongings typically settle for less than the full value of what was lost, and the process takes longer because the insurer must work harder to establish values item by item.

For example, a renter in Atlanta loses everything in an apartment fire. With a video inventory and a spreadsheet stored in her email account, she quickly substantiates $35,000 in contents, from a $1,400 laptop to kitchenware, and her claim moves smoothly. A neighbor with no records struggles to recall items and likely settles for a significantly lower amount that does not reflect what was actually lost.

How does a home inventory affect your contents coverage limits?

Going through a home inventory often reveals that current personal property limits are too low. Many households accumulate far more value in electronics, clothing, furniture, and collectibles than the default limits on a standard homeowners or renters policy cover. Reviewing the inventory alongside your policy is a practical way to catch that gap before a loss occurs. Whether you carry homeowners insurance or renters insurance, a free coverage review will compare your inventory total against your current contents limits and flag any shortfall.