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

What is the insurance appraisal process and when does it apply?

All FAQs

Quick answer: The appraisal process is a policy-based mechanism for resolving disputes about the dollar value of a covered loss. Each side hires its own appraiser, and a neutral umpire breaks any tie.

The insurance appraisal process is a built-in way to settle a disagreement about how much a covered loss is worth, without going to court. It applies when a policyholder and the carrier agree that the damage is covered but cannot agree on the dollar amount. Most home and auto policies in Georgia include an appraisal clause that either side can invoke.

What does the appraisal process actually decide?

Appraisal resolves the amount of the loss only. It does not decide whether something is covered in the first place. That is a coverage dispute, which is a different process. If a carrier denies a claim as not covered, the appraisal clause does not apply. Appraisal is the right tool when both sides agree coverage exists but disagree on the repair or replacement cost.

How is the appraisal panel structured?

Appraisal is a structured process run by independent appraisers and a neutral umpire:

Each side picks its own independent, competent appraiser.
The two appraisers select a neutral third party called an umpire before they begin.
The appraisers inspect and value the damage. If they agree, that figure sets the loss.
If they disagree, the umpire reviews the differences, and an agreement between any two of the three becomes binding on the amount.

Each party usually pays its own appraiser and splits the umpire’s fee. The process is generally faster and cheaper than a lawsuit.

What does appraisal look like in a real claim?

For example, a carrier estimates hail damage to a roof in Gainesville at $9,000, but the policyholder’s contractor and an independent estimate put full replacement at $19,000. Both sides agree the hail is covered; the dispute is about cost. Appraisal is invoked, each side names an appraiser, an umpire is chosen, and they settle the figure at $16,500. That number is binding, and the carrier pays accordingly after the deductible.

When is appraisal the right choice?

Appraisal makes economic sense when the gap between the carrier’s estimate and an independent contractor estimate is large enough to justify the cost of hiring an appraiser. For example, a Stone Mountain homeowner who received a $7,000 fire damage estimate from the carrier, but had contractor bids of $21,000, invoked appraisal. The final agreed amount was $18,000, a difference of $11,000 that covered the appraiser cost several times over. If a carrier’s estimate feels low, see what to do when a carrier estimate is too low.

What are the limits of the appraisal clause?

Appraisal is binding once completed, so going in without solid documentation can produce a final number lower than expected. It also does not resolve coverage disputes. If the carrier is denying the loss outright, see whether a denied claim can be overturned and the difference between a claim dispute and a DOI complaint. Understanding how replacement cost differs from actual cash value also matters before entering appraisal, since the measurement standard affects the final figure.

If the carrier’s number feels too low and options are being weighed, a free coverage review can help assess whether appraisal fits the situation and the homeowners insurance policy.