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.

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.

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

Will filing a claim raise my premium?

All FAQs

Quick answer: It depends. Single not-at-fault claims rarely raise rates. At-fault and frequent claims usually do.

Filing a claim does not automatically raise your premium. Whether your rate changes depends on three factors: the type of claim, your carrier's rating guidelines, and your claims history over the past three to five years.

What types of claims are unlikely to raise my insurance premium?

Certain claims rarely trigger a rate increase. A single not-at-fault auto claim, where another driver is responsible, typically does not count against you. Comprehensive claims, such as a cracked windshield or hail damage to your vehicle, are generally treated the same way because they involve no driver error. A first-time, one-off property claim with no negligence on your part often falls into the same category. Many carriers also carry some form of accident forgiveness for long-tenured policyholders with a clean prior record, which can absorb a first incident without a surcharge.

Which claims are more likely to increase my rate at renewal?

Other claims carry more surcharge risk. At-fault auto accidents carry the highest risk, especially when bodily injury is involved. Multiple claims within a three-to-five-year window, regardless of fault, signal elevated risk to underwriting and can affect renewal pricing or insurability. Repeat claims of the same type, such as two or three water damage losses or successive theft claims, are read as a pattern rather than a one-time event.

How do I decide whether a loss is worth filing as a claim?

The practical question is whether the loss justifies the filing. Consider the numbers before calling in a claim:

A $10,000 hail loss is almost always worth filing. Even if your annual premium rises by $200, you recover the difference within a year and come out well ahead.
A $1,200 fender bender with a $1,000 deductible leaves a $200 net recovery. If that claim adds $150-$300 per year to your premium for three years, the cost of filing exceeds the payout.
A major liability claim, where another party sues for bodily injury or property damage, is almost always worth filing regardless of premium impact, because the carrier's legal defense is part of what the policy provides.

For example, a homeowner in Marietta has a burst pipe that causes $3,500 in water damage. After the $1,000 deductible, the net payout is $2,500. If filing that claim results in a $300 annual surcharge for three years, the total surcharge cost is $900, well below the $2,500 payout, so filing makes financial sense.

Do Georgia carriers have rules about how much they can surcharge after a claim?

Carriers differ in how they apply surcharges. Some use a tiered point system. Others base the increase on the dollar amount paid. Georgia does not cap surcharges by statute in the same way some other states do, which means the carrier's own rating guidelines control the outcome. Two carriers writing identical policies can produce very different renewal rates after the same loss.

For example, a water damage claim paid at $8,000 might trigger a 15 percent surcharge at one carrier and no surcharge at another, depending on how each carrier classifies the loss type and the policyholder's prior claims history.

Where can I get help deciding whether to file a claim?

The math is specific to your policy, your carrier's guidelines, and your loss. A licensed advisor can walk through the numbers before a decision is made. Schedule a coverage review and we can work through it together.