Here is a unique perspective... Is the agent you are referring business to looking out for your customer or is there only a desire to obtain a sale.

Moving from NY to Georgia?  There may be a need to be concerned:

Are you moving your insurance from New York to Georgia? 
Many of those moving to Georgia will contact an agent in Georgia representing the same insurance company they have in New York.  The request is "Please transfer my insurance to Georgia".  The eager agency will often times just "push the button" and terminate the policy in NY and will start the policy in GA.   Don't let that happen until you understand the following:

1. In NY if the insurance policy is canceled while you are still in possession of the TAGS or License plates there is a per day penalty accessed by NY to the vehicle owner.  Don't cancel the NY policy until the plates are returned and the "receipt" from NY is in hand.
2. Work with a Georgia Car Insurance agent that understands how to provide a policy in Georgia while at the same time not charging you for "duplicate coverage".  There are ways to obtain your Georgia License Plates while working to properly return the NY tags.

Juggling the process will provide a quick solution to obtain a Georgia Tag while at the same time providing time to return the NY tags while NOT being charge for duplicate coverage.  This is the type of service you should expect!

Google the term "Georgia Auto Insurance" and see if Matt Locke has solutions of this nature.   There is a noticable difference when the agent is looking out for the customer above and beyond the sale of a policy.

Paul "Matt Locke"

NOTE: This post has to do with Auto insurance and most agents are traditionally only concerned about the home insurance.  A good agent will work hard to obtain both policies.  Make sure the agent you are working for understands how to take care of your customer.

NOTE: Other states have this same issue... 

The unveiling of the event has started the public planning for this the 2nd year for the Johns Creek Art Fesstival.  This will be a GREAT opportunity to see local artists and have a great time enjoying time with the family with special events for the kids and adults.

Put it on your calendar and more importantly come support our local chamber and the City of Johns Creek.

The lack of financing options for those with low to mid-credit is difficult... The desire to own or have the the prospect of owning after a couple of years has positioned the Lease Purchase as a viable option.

Creating accured equity over time for the Lease Purchaser and having the opportunity to personallize the home even prior to owning are "benefits". 

All can be LOST with the lack of a Renters policy. 

Example: a down payment of 5k, and 2 years of acrued down-payment can be lost in a moment when there is a loss.   A Lease Purchaser has much more to loose than a normal tenant.  If the Lease Purchaser causes damage or if a Tenant causes damage, the owner's policy will repair the home.  The insurance company will find out that the tenant/lease purchaser was responsible of the loss and will "subrogate" against the tenant.  That "subrogation" entails the insurance company and owner sueing the tenant/Lease Purchaser for reimbursement.

The Lease Purchaser without a renters policy is subject to having a lawsuit and potentially a bankruptcy to rid themselves of the debt.  That type of event results in lost credit and the loss of ability to purchase.  The Lease Purchaser would potentially loose their credit, their down-payment, and loose the ability to purchase the home of their dreams.

If you are working with a Lease Purchaser, encourage them to have renters that has "LIABILITY" coverage that equals or is greater than the value of the home being rented.  More is better and it is cheap.

Position the Lease Purchaser to succeed amongst life's twist with a simple "renters insurance" policy.

Matt Locke

Good news, you contact a contractor and the qualifications and skills are sufficient for the project. References check out, Licensing validated, the local BBB gives you the thumbs-up, and the contractor's insurance agent even sends over proof of insurance coverage.   You are ready to now say, go do the work... but wait... Proof of Insurance.... Do you know how to read the policy limits?

Here are a few important issues:

1. The section 2/3 down on the Acord form is called "Description of Operations".  Make sure the policy description cooresponds to the risk.  Example: The description may say "Plumbing operations to include and not limited to installation, repair, water lines to homes, water heater installation and repair".  BUT, if the contractor is being engaged to drop dead trees in the yard, there may be reason to believe the policy will not provide coverage for the task.
2. "Each Occurrence" is the next VERY important item to review.  "Each Occurance" means that in the event the insured is found liable, the policy will only pay up to this amount.  In this example, the most the policy will pay is $300,000.00... Sounds GREAT unless the insured is working on a 1.2 million dollar home.  Now, if the insured is a plumber installing pipe with a blow torch and burns the home down, we have a problem.  The policy will pay up to $300,000.00 but the home was worth a lot more.  When checking out insurance coverage make sure the coverage is sufficient for the risk.
3. Effective dates for the policy are traditionally defined as "Policy Effective Date" and "Policy Expiration Date".  Don't assume that the recently faxed document has dates that include today.  We have seen where the customer recieved a document from the AGENT that clearly showed the expiration of the policy.  Lack of reading the document proved very costly to the homeowner.

This is a high level review....  As a professional looking out for your client, take the time to review and bring understanding to the issues at hand.

 Just some interesting insurance issues to ponder.

Respectfully,

Matt Locke

The laws in Georgia are changing.  More and More contractors are now getting licensed in Georgia.  The licensing process is requiring the contractor to prove insurance at the time of licensing.  Our experience as agents is the policy is terminated shortly after licensing. 

Making the assumption that "Licensed" means "insured" is a faulty assumption.

If you choose to find a "Licensed" contractor, do take the normal steps to have the contractor prove they are insured.  How do you prove coverage?

• Do not have the contractor show you a document of coverage (acord 25)
• Do have the Insurance agent or the Insurance company fax over a proof of insurance certificate.  1-800 lines to customer service or local calls to the local agent should position you with the proof needed that the policy was not canceled.

If the contractor is going to work for you on a consistant basis, consider having your name added as "additionally insured".  If there is a contractual relationship between you and the contractor requiring your name being "additionally insured" should result in "no cost" to make the change. 

Bottom-line, making assumptions of coverage can be costly.  Using un-insured contractors for yourself or ordering contractor services on the behalf of the customer could position you to be liable...   Imagine a punch list for closing.  The realtor contacts a contractor to do the work and include the bill at closing according to the contract.  But, during the repairs the contractor causes damage... The un-insured contractor could position the realtor to be the focal point for liability.

Insurance topics that make you think....   

Respectfully,

Matt Locke

The Johns Creek International Music & Arts Festival will bring a variety of talented musicians, performers and visual artists to Johns Creek for a two-day celebration. The festival, hosted by the Johns Creek Chamber, will also support food, beverages and other attractions of an international flavor to our city.

The Johns Creek Children's Museum will provide inflatibles for the kids, along with arts & crafts and other entertainment for your family.

Chattahoochee Christian Church, at 108000 Bell Road, Johns Creek, will be the site of the annual festival on Friday, Sept. 21 from 2 p.m.-10 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 22 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Festival Schedule

MUSIC ON THE LAWN

FRIDAY, SEPT. 21, 8 p.m. -10 p.m.

Atlanta Jazz Syndicate

Lindsay Appel, contemporary singer/songwriter

Deverett Kagle, gospel

SATURDAY, SEPT. 22, 8 p.m. -10 p.m.

Jazzmatic

Terrell King, R&B/gospel

RRed, rock

Admission for each evening - Adults: $5, Children Under 12; $1

DJC-Mitch will provide music throughout the festival.

ART

JURORS

Timothy Tew, Timothy Tew Gallery

Dr. Pam Sachant, North Georgia College & State University

PRIZES

Best in Show: $250, 1st place: $125, 2nd place: $75, 3rd place: $50

CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES

Provided by the Johns Creek Children's Museum Mobile exhibit; Hands-on arts & crafts; Inflatable games.

FOOD & BEVERAGES

Provided by Tropical Breeze Shaved Ice, Big Wills BBQ, Stevi B's and Vine Amore.

SPONSORS

aboutU magazine

Creative Avalanche Productions

KRC Communications

LOCATION

Chattahoochee Christian Church

10800 Bell Road

Johns Creek, GA 30097

770-418-1101

About 1/2 mile south of McGinnis Ferry Road

You are cordially invited by the Alpharetta and Johns Creek Kiwanis Clubs to join their membership and families for Kiwanis Family Night.  This benefit event for the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation is sponsored by Chick-fil-A located at 5180 Windward Parkway in Alpharetta.

This event is being held on Tuesday, September 25th from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the Chick-fil-A restaurant located at 5180 Windward Parkway in Alpharetta.  Our generous sponsor, Chick-fil-A is donating 10% of all their sales proceeds from the event to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation. 

Founded in 1982 by a group of DeKalb area firefighters, the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation's goal is to help burn survivors in their journey of recovery, as well as to prevent others from experiencing the traumatic event of a burn injury.  It serves all of Georgia in its three-fold mission:

· To education the public in burn awareness and prevention

· To support medical facilities in the care of burns in Georgia

In order to succeed in this mission it relies on the support of dedicated volunteers and their generous contributions of time, talent and resources.  To learn more about this organization, please visit their website at http://www.gfbf.org/.

In addition to their generous donation, our sponsor Chick-fil-a is providing a variety of activities including games and prizes, a balloon artist, and a free sundae bar for the kids.  There will also be a special guest-the Chick-fil-A cow to greet the children and a fire truck on hand so children can meet a firefighter and see a truck up close.

SafetyNet4kids will be at the event for adults who wish to purchase child safety products and are donating 10% of all proceeds to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation. 

To learn more about this event, please contact Melinda Colcord at 770-375-7754.  For more information on any of these organizations, we encourage you to visit their websites:

http://www.alpharettakiwanis.org/
http://activerain.com/action/blogs_admin/
http://www.gfbf.org/
http://www.chickfila.com/
http://www.safetynet4kids.com/

Please help us raise funds to support this incredible organization by bringing your family to Chick-fil-a for dinner and tons of activities and fun for the kids!

You are cordially invited by the Alpharetta and Johns Creek Kiwanis Clubs to join their membership and families for Kiwanis Family Night.  This benefit event for the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation is sponsored by Chick-fil-A located at 5180 Windward Parkway in Alpharetta.

This event is being held on Tuesday, September 25th from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the Chick-fil-A restaurant located at 5180 Windward Parkway in Alpharetta.  Our generous sponsor, Chick-fil-A is donating 10% of all their sales proceeds from the event to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation. 

Founded in 1982 by a group of DeKalb area firefighters, the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation's goal is to help burn survivors in their journey of recovery, as well as to prevent others from experiencing the traumatic event of a burn injury.  It serves all of Georgia in its three-fold mission:

· To education the public in burn awareness and prevention

· To support medical facilities in the care of burns in Georgia

In order to succeed in this mission it relies on the support of dedicated volunteers and their generous contributions of time, talent and resources.  To learn more about this organization, please visit their website at http://www.gfbf.org/.

In addition to their generous donation, our sponsor Chick-fil-a is providing a variety of activities including games and prizes, a balloon artist, and a free sundae bar for the kids.  There will also be a special guest-the Chick-fil-A cow to greet the children and a fire truck on hand so children can meet a firefighter and see a truck up close.

SafetyNet4kids will be at the event for adults who wish to purchase child safety products and are donating 10% of all proceeds to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation. 

To learn more about this event, please contact Melinda Colcord at 770-375-7754.  For more information on any of these organizations, we encourage you to visit their websites:

http://www.alpharettakiwanis.org/
http://activerain.com/action/blogs_admin/
http://www.gfbf.org/
http://www.chickfila.com/
http://www.safetynet4kids.com/

Please help us raise funds to support this incredible organization by bringing your family to Chick-fil-a for dinner and tons of activities and fun for the kids!