We recently put out an article on some of the benefits of working with a local independent insurance agent or agency. Now, we're adding to the list! At the Roberts Insurance Group, we're an independent insurance agency based in Canton, GA and we truly believe that we provide the best overall solution for our clients in regards to their home, auto, and business insurance. Here's some more reasons why:

Professional Advice

We've spent years working in the insurance industry and know it inside and out. We've helped clients in all types of situations and with many different types of risk. In short, we've seen it all! In addition, since we're an independent agency, we represent many different companies- over 40 currently! This means that we never have a pressure to push our clients towards any single product or insurance company. We're able to operate in the best interest of our clients and place them in the best situation possible.

Claim Guidance

Claim guidance is one of the great benefits of working with a local independent insurance agency like the Roberts Insurance Group. We fight for our clients to make sure they are treated fair and that their claims are properly adjusted. Case in point:

About 2 weeks ago we can a client that was involved in a total loss auto accident. The insurance company offered them just over $33,000 for their vehicle based on comparable vehicles in the area. We followed up with the client to check on their claim and they informed us that they thought the offer was too low and the adjuster was unable to increase the value. What did we do? We fought for our client. We spent hours searching the local market for comps and sent those to the adjuster to review, along with an explanation for why they needed to increase their offer. So what happened? The insurance company increased their offer for the vehicle to over $38,000! That's right. Our client is getting an extra $5,000 for their vehicle that they would not have gotten without our guidance and willingness to step in.

Relationship

By working with a local independent insurance agency, you get a personal relationship from your licensed professional just like you get with your attorney, CPA, doctor, dentists, etc. Our kids go to school together, we shop at the same stores, we see each other face to face from time to time, so on and so forth. You are more than just a number to us.

Better Rates

Did you know our clients pay, on average, almost $900 per year less for their insurance? Again, we're in independent insurance agency so we shop around for our clients to find them the best overall value. The best price for the coverage they need.

We would love the opportunity to help you, your family, or your business with their insurance and risk management plan here at the Roberts Insurance Group. We help clients throughout the state with their home, auto, and business insurance.

Give us a call at 678-250-8133 or click below to see what we can do for you!

If you've ever been into a car accident in Georgia, you know it can be scary and overwhelming. There's a lot going on, emotions are high, and you just aren't thinking as clearly as you normally would. To help make things easy for when the unexpected happens, we're going over some steps and tips you should follow the next time you're in an auto accident:

Park Your Vehicle In A Safe Location

This is step 1 and, although it seems simple enough, many times Georgia drivers do not follow this step and further damage or injury occurs. We've seen drivers that may pull over onto the shoulder but do not give enough room for other motorists to safely pass, among other things. It's important to get to a safe place and away from danger so that you can safely exit your vehicle.

Assess Injuries

Your next duty if you're involved in an accident is to assess injuries for yourself, your passengers, and the other party's occupants. If anyone is seriously hurt or needs immediate medical attention, go ahead and call 911 to get paramedics to the scene.

Call The Police

Whether the accident happens on a public roadway or private property, it is important to call the police to come assess the situation and create an incident report. The incident report will help the insurance companies involved determine fault and properly adjust any claims. Also, since emotions are running high, policy officers can help diffuse any situation that may turn into more than just a car accident. It is important to not admit fault at the scene of an accident. At the end of the day, this is for the insurance companies to decide. 

Exchange Information

Go ahead and exchange information like names, phone numbers, insurance information, and vehicle information. If you are able to, take a picture of their info and their vehicle (including the license plate). Again, do not admit fault at this time, even if you feel it is your fault. 

Take Pictures And Gather Witness Information

Pictures can really tell a story. By taking pictures of the accident scene, it can help the insurance companies "get. the full picture" of what exactly happened. Doing this will help them adjust the claim properly and quickly. Also, if there are any witnesses to the accident, ask them to stay to give a statement to the police officer. If they aren't able to stay, ask them for their contact information. The insurance companies involved may contact them for a statement to help shed light on what exactly happened. 

Call Your Insurance Company

The last step would be to call your insurance company or local agency. If you are not at fault, we will often advise clients to go ahead and try to file on the other party's insurance. 

Being involved in an auto accident in Georgia can really ruin your day. No one wakes up in the morning and expects to get into an accident, which is why it is called an accident! By following these steps, it will help the situation and your claim get resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Here at the Roberts Insurance Group, we provide first class advice and claim management support to guarantee our clients get the best possible outcome from their claims and would love the opportunity to help you and your family.

We're located in Canton, GA and help individuals, families, and businesses throughout the state of Georgia with their home, auto, and business insurance. Give us a call at 678-250-8133 to see how we can help you!

Let's face it, insurance can be complicating. Not only are insurance terms and definitions  exclusive to the industry but sometimes it is specific to each individual insurance company on what they mean! If you're like most folks, you've looked over your policy and weren't 100% sure on what was being said. That's OK! This means you're normal or you don't work in insurance. 

Today we're diving into 2 different coverages that are often misunderstood with home insurance policies in Georgia: Replacement cost (RCV) and Actual Cash Value (ACV). These are 2 common options that are used to determine how claims are paid. 

So What's The Difference?

Replacement Cost (RCV)

Replacement cost coverage essentially means that, when a claim is covered, the insurance company will pay the full cost to fix or replace something minus your deductible. This is the more expensive of the two options and the option that we recommend for all homeowners in Georgia whenever possible. 

Actual Cash Value (ACV)

Actual cash value coverage essentially means that, when a claim is covered, the insurance company will deduct your deductible AND depreciation from what they are willing to pay to fix or replace something with your home. For example: $10,000 in damages minus a $1,000 deductible minus $5,000 for depreciation means that the insurance company will only pay $4,000 for a claim that resulted in $10,000 in damages. This is the least expensive of the 2 options and we highly suggest staying away from this coverage whenever possible.

So What Coverage Should You Have For Your Home Insurance In Georgia?

Replacement cost coverage- without a doubt. Sometimes, depending on the condition of your home, past claims history, location, home characteristics, etc., it may not be an option. But for 95% of homeowners in Georgia, you should take advantage of the option to have replacement cost coverage for your home and personal property. 

Here at the Roberts Insurance Group, we're dedicated to getting our clients the very best value for their home, auto, and business insurance. We're an independent insurance agency located in Canton, GA and help clients through the state. 

If you'd like to get a better value on your insurance, give us a call today at 678-250-8133 or click below and we'll get started working for you!

We always hear people asking "Who has the cheapest insurance" or "Where can I find the cheapest insurance". At the Roberts Insurance Group, we think the question Georgians need to be asking is: "How can I get the best value for my insurance". And here's why:

Just like anything else in this world, you'll get what you pay for when it comes to insurance. The important things to remember when trying to save money or get a better value is that you want to make sure your coverage needs are met and that you're getting a great price for your coverage. Some questions to ask:
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• "What coverage should I have?": Whether it's home, auto, or business insurance, you need to make sure your coverage needs are met. The last thing you would want is to have a claim denied or not fully covered just to save a few dollars. 
• "What's the best price I can get for the coverage I need?": We never said the price you pay is not important, it absolutely is. However, you want to make sure your coverage needs are fully met first and then find the best or most competitive company to place your business with. 

So How Can You Get The Coverage You Need At The Best Price?

The answer to that is by using an independent agent or agency. Independent insurance agents represent multiple companies and can shop your coverage around to make sure you're getting the very best rate on the coverage you need.

The Roberts Insurance Group is a locally owned and operated independent insurance agency based in Canton, GA and we help clients throughout the state with their home, auto, and business insurance. We have over 40 different carriers we can quote our clients with to make sure they're getting the best overall value for their insurance.

If you'd like a better value for your home, auto, or business insurance, give us a call at 678-250-8133 or click below. We'd love to help!

Have you ever wondered how the rate you pay for your auto insurance is calculated? Most folks in Georgia who reach out to The Roberts Insurance Group for help or advice usually ask, "why is my car insurance rate so high with my current company?". It's a very common question. 

The truth is, there are over 200 factors that go into determining the rate you pay for your auto insurance policy in Georgia. Below are some of the main factors:

• Location: Typically, vehicles used and garaged in higher density areas, like Atlanta, will pay more for insurance.
• Credit: Policyholders with good credit tend to pay much less than those with bad credit
• Driving History: As to be expected, drivers with tickets and violations tend to pay more than those with few to 0 violations.
• Claim History: Policyholders with a lot of claims pay more than those with very few or 0 claims
• Vehicle Type: The type of vehicle you have matters. Rates for specific vehicles are based on claims history with that vehicle and the cost to repair or replace the vehicle.
• Vehicle Use: Vehicles used for business purposes are going to be more expensive than those used for everyday personal use or commuting. Vehicles used on occasion or for pleasure will cost even less to insure.
• Driver Age: This is a major factor. Very young drivers are the most costly to insure followed by very old drivers. 
• Previous Insurance History: A policyholder who was with the previous insurance company for several years in a row will get a better rating than someone who changes insurance companies frequently or someone who has a recent lapse in coverage.
• Previous Policy Liability Limits: If you have higher limits on your auto policy, you will pay less on your next policy than someone with lower limits.
• Coverage Selection: Coverage selection is a major factor. The liability limits you choose and whether or not you carry comprehensive and collision coverage (and the deductibles) will be the biggest factors.

At the Roberts Insurance Group, we work with our clients to get the coverage they need at the best possible price. We make sure you know exactly what you're paying for and what factors are effecting your rate.

We're an independent insurance agency based in Canton, GA and help clients throughout the state of Georgia. We would love the opportunity to provide a better value insurance solution for you and your family.

Give us a call at 678-250-8133 or click below to start saving today!

For many Georgians, their home is their biggest investment and asset. Most folks will go into debt for 30 years for it and want to make sure it is properly protected in the event of something unexpected. However, many homeowners in Georgia are surprised to learn that your home insurance policy protects far more than just your home. 

At the Roberts Insurance Group, we educate our clients on different coverages that come packaged with their home insurance. We're an independent insurance agency located in Canton, GA and help clients throughout the state and today, we're educating everyone on some of the coverages you can get with your home insurance policy:

Personal Property Coverage

Many Georgians aren't aware, but your personal property is covered under your homeowners policy. Depending on what type of home insurance you have (HO3 or HO5) will determine what type of coverage or cause of loss the policy will cover but all home insurance policies will have coverage for your belongings. 

Liability 

Another less than well known coverage is personal liability coverage. This coverage will pay for legal defense and settlement if there is a lawsuit brought against you or other household members in the event you are accused of being liable for bodily injury or property damage (and sometimes libel/slander) to a third party. 

Identity Theft

In today's day in age, adding identity theft to your policy is almost a no-brainer. This coverage is very inexpensive and will pay for the costs to help recover your identity if it is ever stolen. 

Theft From Items In Your Car

Did you know that your homeowners insurance will pay for items that are stolen from your vehicle, whether or not your vehicle is on your property? Most homeowners in Georgia don't! This is an extension of personal property coverage.

Loss Of Use

Loss of use coverage is another coverage that comes as a surprise to many Georgia homeowners. This coverage will help pay for any additional living expenses you my have as the result of having to vacate your home due to damage from a claim. It pays for things like renting another home, apartment, or extended stay hotel, along with additional food and transportation costs, storage costs, etc.

What Other Coverages Are Available?

The truth is, there's dozens and dozens of other coverages available depending on the insurance company. Something we do at The Roberts Insurance Group is we help our clients build a coverage plan that takes care of everything they want and need so that they are totally satisfied whenever the unexpected happens and they need to file a claim and use their insurance. 

We would love to help you and your family build-out a plan that takes care of your wants and needs! Give us a call at 678-250-8133 or click below to get started!

Unfortunately, being involved in a hit and run auto accident is not uncommon here in Georgia. If you've been involved in one in the past, you know it's not a great experience. Other than making sure you have adequate uninsured motorist coverage on your policy (we recommend add-on coverage of at least$100,000/$300,000 for bodily injury and at least the value of your vehicle for property damage), here are some guidelines to follow if you're involved in a hit and run accident:

Park Your Vehicle

Do not pursue the at-fault driver. This is the police's job and nothing good can happen from chasing the vehicle. You should have insurance in place to pay for damage to your vehicle and any injuries, so don't risk anything else. Park your car in a safe location. 

Assess Injuries

Once your car is parked, assess any injuries to you and any passengers. If someone is hurt, call 911 (which is step 3).

Call The Police

If you're involved in a hit and run, that means a crime has been committed. It is important to call 911 to help get anyone to the hospital that needs medical attention and to have the police come and investigate the incident. Having a police report filed will be crucial to having your uninsured motorist coverage pay your claim. 

Gather Witness Information

If someone witnessed the incident, stop them and ask them to be a witness. If they agree, ask them to wait for the police to arrive. If they can't wait, then get their contact information so that the police and your insurance company can follow up with them for a statement to help with their investigation. 

Call Your Insurance Company

Now that you and your vehicle are in a safe place, injuries have been assess, police have been called, and witnesses have been identified, it is now time to call your insurance company to get a claim files. Almost every insurance company has 24/7 claim reporting. Just call the number on the back of your insurance ID card to get the process started.

Conclusion

Having the right coverage paired with the right advice after an accident is key to making sure you, your passengers, and your vehicle are taken care of after a hit and run accident. 

At the Roberts Insurance Group, we help clients throughout the state of Georgia build their auto policy with the right coverage so that they are properly covered in the event of a hit and run or any type of accident. In addition, our experience allows us to give solid and sound advice so that your claim is covered and paid quickly. 

We're located in Canton, GA and can help anyone throughout the state. Give us a call at 678-250-8133 or click below to get a better value on your car insurance today!

There are many reasons Georgians choose to do business with a particular insurance company or insurance agency. Maybe it's the rates they pay, the way previous claims were handled, the coverage that their company offers, the ease of doing business, maybe the technology, or maybe it's because they have a great relationship with their carrier or agent. Whatever the reasons are, the most important thing is that you, your family, and your belongings are properly covered.

If any or all of these things are important to you, then we have some good news for you: an independent insurance agent or independent insurance agency can take care of all of those needs.. and more! The Roberts Insurance Group is a full service independent insurance agency based in Canton, GA and we help clients with their home, auto, and business insurance throughout the entire state. Even if you aren't in our area, we think it's important to find a local independent agency to do business with and here's why:

Discounts And Savings

Independent insurance agents know that, while price isn't necessarily everything, it's very important! Independent insurance agents, like at The Roberts Insurance Group, want to earn your business, so we will do everything possible to make that happen by delivering the absolute lowest price and best value for you and your family.

Multiple Companies

Unlike captive insurance agencies who just represent one company or family of companies, independent insurance agents represent dozens and dozens of different companies. For instance, here at The Roberts Insurance Group, we represent over 40 different carriers directly and have access to hundreds of others through secondary markets. This means that we can shop around for our clients to help them find the best value and best fit for their individual situation. 

As Life Changes, You Can Change Companies Without Changing Agents

For most people, shopping or changing insurance can be very time consuming and exhausting. You spend hours calling around, talking to different people, repeating the same information over and over. And, in the end, if you do decide to switch, you have to get used to dealing with a call center or a brand new agency. When working with an independent insurance agency, there is none of that. We shop around for our clients and can place them with a new carrier without our clients having to lift a finger. The best part is that our clients get to keep us and the same point of contact forever. 

Knowledge

Insurance can be very confusing. Even working in insurance, we learn something new almost every day. It is next to impossible to fully understand your policy and how claims work without the help of a licensed agent, which is why it is important to rely on the help of a licensed professional when purchasing insurance. The last thing you would want as a policyholder is for a claim to be denied because you didn't know what you were purchasing. Always rely on a licensed professional for advice, when possible. 

One Stop Shopping

As an independent insurance agency in Canton, GA, we can help out clients with every type of risk they may have as life change. Home, Auto, Life, Business, Disability, you name it, we can do it. This eliminates the need to have your insurance spread around between several different agencies, which creates confusion around your insurance program. 

How Can We Help?

The Roberts Insurance Group is a full service independent insurance agency based in Canton, GA and we help clients throughout the state with just about anything they need. We are a true one stop shop that is guaranteed to get you the very best value on your insurance and provide fantastic customer service to our clients. 

Give us a call at 678-250-8133 or click below to see how we can help you, your family, or your business!

So you're looking over the Declarations Page for your Georgia Auto Policy. You see several different numbers and technical terms. You have an idea of what they mean but you're not quite sure....

We hear this from clients and prospective clients so often. Lucky for you, we're breaking those down and giving you an easy-to-understand guide for deciphering your Georgia car insurance policy:

Liability

The liability limits on your auto policy represent how much your insurance company will pay out on your behalf to a third party if you're at fault for an accident. It will either have 3 numbers (called split limit coverage) or 1 number (combined single limits, or CSL). 

If you have split limit coverage, the first number is how much your insurance company will pay for bodily injury liability per person. The second number is the maximum that your insurance company will pay for bodily injury in any single accident. The third number is how much your insurance company will pay for property damage liability- to fix or replace someone else's property, usually their vehicle.

We recommend at least carrying $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 for split limit coverage at $300,000 if you have combined single limit coverage. If you have less than this, then we need to talk!

Medical Payments

Medical payments coverage is designed to help you pay for medical bills you may have as the result of an accident. It is not meant to replace your health insurance, but rather to supplement it so that you aren't stuck with various co-pays, out of pocket costs, and costs to meet your deductible.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage will help pay for your injuries and to replace your car if you're involved in an accident with someone who does not have insurance or someone who does not have ENOUGH insurance. There are 2 options for this coverage: add-on or reduced. Add-on coverage will add-on to any amount you are able to recover from the at-fault party's policy. Reduced means that your coverage will be reduced by what you're able to recover from the at-fault driver's policy.

We recommend carrying at least $100,000/$300,000 or $300,000 in add-on coverage to ensure you and your family are well protected in the event of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist.

Comprehensive

The number you see listed here will be your deductible for a comprehensive claim. It is your share of the damage. If you have $2,500 of damage with a $500 deductible, then you're responsible for the first $500 and the insurance company will cover the remaining $2,000. Common comprehensive claims include: hitting an animal, weather damage, cracked windshield, a tree or other object falling on your car, and theft.

Collision

The number listed here will be your deductible for any collision claim. It works just the same as the comprehensive deductible mentioned above EXCEPT it covers different types of loss. Collision claims are for when you are responsible for the damage to your vehicle. 

Rental Car Reimbursement

There are often 2 numbers listed here. It is usually a per day dollar amount listed first and a total dollar amount listed second. For example: $50/$1,500. This means that your auto insurance policy would pay up to $50 per day for a rental vehicle, up to a maximum of $1,500 for any one claim. 

Emergency Roadside

This will be carrier specific and many carriers won't even list a number here. If they do, it will either be a number that corresponds to the maximum mileage for tow they will pay for (like 15) or it would be the maximum that they will pay for any one tow or breakdown (like $100). 

We hope this helps! If you're still not understanding your Georgia auto policy, or if you'd like a second opinion on your coverage or the price you're paying, we'd love to help!

At the Roberts Insurance Group, we've helped thousands of families throughout Georgia navigate the market to get the very best value on their car insurance.

Give us a call at 678-250-8133 or click the button below to get started!

Are You Receiving All Of The Discounts Available For Your Workers Compensation? Chances Are, You're Probably Not.

If you own a business and have workers compensation insurance in Georgia, chances are you have no idea that you can qualify for discounts on your workers comp insurance. Why? Because most agents, let alone business owners, even know they exist. This is why it is so important to work with a workers comp expert on your company's workers compensation insurance. 

Workers Compensation Discounts

The first step to making sure you're receiving all of the discounts that you're eligible for is to work with a workers compensation specialist. Insurance agents and agencies that aren't experienced in worker's compensation are often unaware of these programs and options and, as a result, your business ends up paying way more than you need to. Some of the discounts and credits available are:

• Safe Workplace- A discount you can receive for producing a written safety manual and show that your employees are regularly trained on safety procedures

 

• Return To Work Program- A discount you can receive for showing a written Return To Work program that has been implemented by your company. 

 

• Drug-Free Workplace- A discount you can receive for having a written drug testing policy and procedure.

 

• Individual Risk Premium Modification- IRPM credits are unique to each individual carrier. They are applied at the discretion of the company or underwriter based on the company's history, leadership, safety, procedures, etc. This is something that is often negotiated by your workers compensation agent, so it's a good idea to have an agent that knows what they're doing.

 

• 2nd Level Class Codes- This is a rating credit that certain companies can apply to specific employees that can often give them a more favorable rating in calculating your rate. Another great reason to make sure you're working with a workers comp expert.

Take a look at your current policy. Do you see any of these discounts on there? Have you discussed anything like this with your agent? Chances are, the answer to both is "no" and there's an even greater chance that you're overpaying for your worker's compensation insurance.

So What Can You Do?

You can get with an agency that specializes in workers compensation. Give us a call at the Roberts Insurance Group at 678-250-8133 or click below and we will review your policy and let you know some options for saving on your premium and increasing your bottom line.