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.

What are my rights if a Georgia insurer denies my claim?

All FAQs

Quick answer: Under O.C.G.A. 33-6-30 to 33-6-37, your insurer must acknowledge a claim within 15 days and decide it within 15 to 30 days, with any denial in writing. Under O.C.G.A. 33-4-6, if a carrier refuses a covered claim in bad faith, it can owe a penalty of up to 50 percent of the loss or $5,000, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney's fees.

Georgia law sets specific deadlines an insurer must meet when handling a homeowners claim, under O.C.G.A. 33-6-30 through 33-6-37. The insurer must acknowledge receipt of the claim within 15 days and reach a decision on it within 15 to 30 days of that acknowledgment. If the insurer denies the claim, the denial must be in writing, and the policyholder is entitled to a copy stating the reason for the denial.

A separate statute, O.C.G.A. 33-4-6, addresses bad faith: a situation where an insurer refuses to pay a claim that is actually covered, without a reasonable basis for the refusal. If a court finds the carrier acted in bad faith, the carrier can owe a penalty of up to 50 percent of the amount of the loss or $5,000, whichever is greater, in addition to the claim itself, plus the policyholder's reasonable attorney's fees.

For example, a hailstorm damages a roof and the insurer denies the claim without a written explanation, and the file remains open past the 30-day decision window required under O.C.G.A. 33-6-30. That delay is itself a violation of the acknowledgment and decision timelines, separate from any dispute over whether the roof damage was a covered loss in the first place.

These timelines and penalties apply regardless of which carrier holds the policy, including a Georgia Underwriting Association wind policy for a coastal home. A denial on a GUA claim is still required to be in writing and still falls under the same acknowledgment and decision deadlines as a standard-market claim.

A written denial should reference the specific policy provision or exclusion the insurer relied on. Comparing that stated reason against the policy language, including how the dwelling coverage limit and any coinsurance penalty were calculated, is part of reviewing whether a denial or a reduced payment was handled correctly under the policy. A coverage review can look at a denial letter alongside the policy terms, and Olive Cover's carrier page lists the carriers available for a new policy if a claim dispute leads to a change in coverage.