Georgia homeowners insurance overview
There's more to pinning down the best homeowners insurance in Georgia than landing the lowest price. Here are some other factors to consider while shopping for the best homeowners insurance.
Different types of homeowners coverage
There are a number of different types of policies specifically designed to cover traditional homes, from basic policies to coverage with all the bells and whistles. The best homeowners insurance companies offer them all. Before shopping, it can be helpful for a homeowner to list all the things about their home they're looking to protect. For example, a homeowner may have customized their home in an otherwise cookie-cutter neighborhood and needs a policy that will cover their upgrades if the home is damaged or destroyed.
Level of coverage
The thing about a bare-bones insurance policy is that it may be cheap, but it's unlikely to provide a full range of coverage. Having enough coverage to make the house good as new -- no matter how much it costs to rebuild -- gives many homeowners peace of mind. And in that case, it may be worth paying a slightly higher premium.
Amount of deductible
A deductible is an amount the homeowner must pay toward a claim. Let's say there's a small kitchen fire and the total cost of the repair is $15,000 with a $1,000 deductible on the policy. The homeowner pays the contractors $1,000, and the insurance company covers the remaining $14,000. So it's worth looking into deductible amounts, not just premiums, when shopping for homeowners insurance.
Potential discounts
One way to land cheap homeowners insurance in Georgia is to take advantage of all possible policy discounts. Nearly every insurance company offers a list of discounts, and they cover everything from whether a home includes an alarm system to if the homeowner is a nonsmoker. In other words, there are one or more home insurance discounts for just about everyone.
What are the most common homeowners insurance claims in Georgia?
Here are some of the top Georgia home insurance claims.
Wind damage
Whether the damage is due to an everyday thunderstorm or a hurricane, wind damage is one of the most common claims in the state. Between blowing objects, falling trees, and heavy winds, roofs and other exterior features can take a beating. It can pay to take out extra coverage for wind damage in a state as prone to weather-related events as Georgia.
Fire and lightning
Whether lightning causes a fire or a fire begins another way, the fact that fire and lightning are among the top Georgia home insurance claims underscores the importance of having a policy that fully covers the homeowner's financial investment.
Hurricanes and tornadoes
Due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico, Georgia experiences its fair share of tornadoes and hurricanes, both of which can lead to expensive homeowners claims. While homeowners insurance will cover damage directly caused by a hurricane, the policyholder may need to buy additional flood and windstorm coverage.
Theft and vandalism
Burglary is a problem in every state, and some parts of Georgia are more impacted than others. It's one of the most common reasons a homeowner makes a claim.
Homeowners insurance coverage options and discounts in Georgia
Buying the best homeowners insurance in Georgia often means paying as little as possible for a comprehensive policy with a full suite of coverage. Plus, finding the right Georgia home insurance frequently comes down to examining potential coverages and comparing them against costs, including any available discounts. Here, we list both coverage and discount options that can help shoppers find the best homeowners insurance in Georgia.
Coverage options
Shopping for cheap homeowners insurance in Georgia involves finding the lowest price for the most comprehensive coverage. Coverage options include everything from basic policies to coverage with all the bells and whistles -- including full replacement cost.
There are policies meant to cover older homes and policies designed to cover condos. There's even a policy type that covers only mobile homes. Because there are a number of different policy types that cover a traditional brick-and-mortar home, homeowners can secure precisely the level of coverage they're most comfortable with.
Discount options
Each insurer offers its own set of discount options. Here's a sampling of the most common:
- Bundling
- Professional affiliation
- New home construction
- Home upgrades
- Home security system
- Advance pay
- Nonsmoker
5 cheapest cities in Georgia for homeowners insurance
Georgia home insurance rates are based on a number of factors, including the rate of crime in a city, how near (or far) a house is from a fire station, and the value of other homes in the area. Here's a list of the five cheapest cities in Georgia for homeowners insurance:
