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.

How does Branch Insurance work for Georgia homeowners?

Branch is a technology-forward insurer that bundles home and auto, backed by General Security National.

How much dwelling coverage do I actually need?

Dwelling coverage is built to equal the cost to rebuild your home, not its market value.

What is a wind and hail deductible in Georgia?

Many Georgia policies have a separate wind and hail deductible stated as a percentage of your dwelling coverage, not a flat dollar amount.

Homeowners FAQs

What are the biggest insurance risks in Buford?

All FAQs

Quick answer: Lake Lanier's southern shore runs directly through Buford, making flood exposure a real consideration for lake-adjacent properties. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage. Homes in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas with federally backed mortgages are typically required to carry separate…

Lake Lanier’s southern shore runs directly through Buford, making flood exposure a real consideration for lake-adjacent properties. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage. Homes in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas with federally backed mortgages are typically required to carry separate flood coverage. Buford’s older residential stock includes wood-frame homes that carry higher rebuild costs per square foot than newer masonry construction and may face eligibility challenges with standard carriers. The city’s dual-county geography means some parcels fall under Gwinnett County code and others under Hall County code, a distinction that affects fire district classification and building permit costs after a loss.

For example, a homeowner on a lakefront parcel near the Hall County line who sits in FEMA Zone AE may face mandatory flood coverage requirements that add several hundred to over a thousand dollars per year on top of the standard homeowners premium, depending on the home’s elevation relative to the base flood elevation shown on the community’s FIRM map.