Millions of Americans will take to the roads this holiday season to travel. While many will visit relatives and loved ones, some may embark on a vacation, venturing into unfamiliar territories. At Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc., serving the greater Commerce, GA area, we aim to keep you safe when driving on unfamiliar roads. Here are some tips that may assist you.

Plan Your Route Before You Go

Before driving, study a map or use a GPS to plan your route. Ensure you know your destination and check for any roadblocks or detours. This strategy helps prevent getting lost and saves time.

Check Your Car Before You Leave

Check the oil, tires, and brakes to ensure your car is trip-ready. If your vehicle is in good condition, you’re less likely to encounter problems on the road.

Take Breaks to Stay Safe

Long drives can be tiring. Stop every couple of hours to stretch your legs and rest. If you feel sleepy, pull over to a safe spot and take a short nap. Staying alert contributes to safe driving.

Watch for Signs and Local Rules

When driving in new areas, look for road signs and follow speed limits. Different places have different driving rules, so it’s important to be cautious and follow them.

Pack an Emergency Kit

Carry an emergency kit with essentials like water, snacks, a flashlight, and a first-aid kit. This way, you’ll be prepared if something goes wrong while you’re driving.

Having the right auto insurance is crucial in case something unexpected happens. At Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc., serving Commerce, GA, we can help. Call now to learn more.

Purchasing a new car is exciting, but there are some slightly mundane matters to attend to. One of those matters is insurance. Here’s how to equip yourself with auto insurance when you buy a new car and enjoy your drive without worrying about coverage.

Arrange Insurance Before Purchasing the Car

Before you finalize the purchase of your new vehicle, you need to have auto insurance in place. Georgia law requires all drivers in Commerce, GA to have insurance.

You can start shopping for insurance as soon as you decide on the specific vehicle you’ll purchase. If you want an accurate quote, you need to know at least the vehicle’s year, make, and model, and preferably the VIN too.

Check Lender Auto Insurance Requirements

If you’re financing your new car through a bank or other lender, you’ll need to meet specific insurance requirements. Lenders usually require comprehensive, collision, and gap coverage as part of their investment.

These coverages will likely pay if you’re in an accident that damages or totals the vehicle. The insurance agents at Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. can assist you in ensuring that these three coverages are in place if you’re in a financing situation.

Opt for More Than the State Minimum

All drivers in Commerce, GA are required to carry coverages that meet Georgia’s minimum requirements. However, it is generally recommended that you carry more coverage and higher limits.

Work with an Independent Insurance Agent

One of the best ways to compare policies and opt for the ones that suit your needs is to check quotes with an independent insurance agent. Not only can an independent agent help you choose specific coverages and limits, but they can also verify pricing from several insurance companies.

If you would like to speak to an independent agent about auto insurance, please contact Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc.

Comprehensive Auto Insurance: A Layer of Extra Protection

Purchasing a vehicle marks a significant investment, an essential asset for work and family commuting. The right insurance can guard against hefty repair costs following an accident. But vehicle damage extends beyond just road mishaps. It is here that comprehensive auto insurance steps in. Let Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. in Commerce, GA, address all your queries about comprehensive insurance coverage for your vehicle.

Understanding Comprehensive Auto Insurance Coverage

A basic auto insurance policy features collision coverage and various types of liability coverage. Comprehensive insurance caters to the less common hazards that can still cause considerable vehicle damage and incur high repair costs. It is often selected by new-vehicle owners still settling their payments or possessing high-end vehicles known for expensive repair costs. In such cases, comprehensive coverage is an effective tool for reducing personal expenditure on repairs.

The Scope of Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive insurance provides coverage for fire, theft, vandalism, animal damage, natural disasters, glass damage, and civil disobedience. However, it excludes the aspects covered by liability or collision coverage. It doesn’t cover deep-pothole damages or rental vehicle costs during your vehicle’s repair period.

While the premium rates for comprehensive auto insurance are higher than basic policies, the financial safeguard it provides makes it a worthwhile consideration. Comprehensive auto insurance shields vehicle owners who prefer not to bear the full damage repair costs independently.

As auto insurance can be complex, our Commerce, GA agents can provide detailed insights into the various coverage levels. Contact Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. for a no-obligation auto insurance quote to protect yourself from expensive losses when mishaps occur.

If you are in the Commerce, GA area, you will find owning a car is a good idea. When you buy a car, you will want to know that your vehicle and investment are adequately protected. A great way that this can be done is by getting a proper insurance plan. A full auto insurance policy can support someone here in various ways. 

Ensure Assets and the Car are Protected

You can be protected with an auto insurance plan by ensuring your car and assets are protected. Your vehicle is likely one of the most valuable assets that you will ever own. Getting an auto insurance policy will give you the coverage and support needed to repair or replace the vehicle in certain situations. Some events typically covered by a fully comprehensive plan include theft, vandalism, and accident damage. 

Liability Risk Mitigation

Getting an auto insurance plan to reduce your liability risks can also be a good idea. When you are looking to get a car and drive it, there is a chance you will cause an accident. If you cause an accident, you will have to cover any damage caused by the collision. You will have the insurance needed to offset this risk when you are insured correctly. 

It is essential for someone in the Commerce, GA area to get an appropriate auto insurance policy. Once you are ready to start looking for coverage, you can call our Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. team to learn more. Our professionals with Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. know the value of this coverage and can help you create a plan that will keep you in good standing moving forward while also protecting your car. 

Regarding auto insurance in Georgia, you want to ensure you’re on the right side of the law. It is against the law in the state of Georgia to operate an auto without continuous liability coverage. Operating an unregistered vehicle, including those with a suspended, revoked, or canceled registration, is also a criminal offense. 

With these helpful reminders, understand how to obtain and maintain your auto. 

1. Make sure your vehicle is registered. Register any existing or newly purchased auto according to state guidelines. Don’t try to go around insurance laws by skipping this step, as operating an unregistered vehicle is also against the abovementioned law. 
2. Pay any existing insurance penalties. When it’s possible, start your coverage with a clean slate. Pay any current penalties at Georgia’s online payment portal.
3. Check the dates when switching insurance coverage. If you need to switch insurance coverage on a vehicle or change insurance providers — make sure you check the dates. If possible, have your new coverage start on the day your old coverage ends to avoid a lapse.
4. Verify that lapsed insurance does not continue for ten days. If it isn’t possible to get continuous coverage, keep an insurance lapse under ten days between policies. Time your coverage switch to best match pay dates, so you fall within the Georgia insurance grace period. And a reminder, don’t drive your auto while your insurance has lapsed.

Ensuring you have the right insurance on your Georgia auto protects you from accidents and accidental penalties. Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. can help provide expert knowledge on Georgia auto insurance laws, and the coverage you need for your vehicles. 

If you reside in Commerce, GA or the surrounding area, you know the importance of convenience and security. The history of Commerce reaches all the way back to the civil war and is the site of the famous "furnace" that served to heat the iron during the war between the states. 

Location of Commerce, GA

Commerce is located in the county of Jackson in the foothills of NE Georgia. Its original name was Harmony Grove. 

Georgia’s Insurance Statutes

In Georgia, the insurance laws are simple:

• Drivers must have bodily injury liability ($25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident)
• Property damage liability ($25,000 per accident)

Why Liability Insurance?

Some drivers complain about carrying so much liability insurance. They ask: "Why should I have liability insurance when it is only used if I injure someone or damage their property." But the better question to ask is: "Can you really afford not to have this insurance?" If someone is hurt or their property is damaged by your actions, you are looking at potentially thousands or even millions of out-of-pocket expense if the victim wins in court. You would literally owe the injured party for the rest of your life. 

That’s why the state requires this basic insurance in most states.

Additional Coverage

If you choose to add on to your basic required coverage,  you may do so. You can speak to an agent at Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc., to get started. Ask them what they recommend based on your lifestyle, amount of property, type of vehicle, and other factors that you are insuring, and let them assist you in this decision.

Other types of insurance may include:

• Uninsured motorist insurance
• Underinsured motorist insurance
• Collision
• Comprehensive

Your friends with Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. are ready to assist you with whatever you need. If you are in the Commerce GA area, give them a call today. or contact them online. 

While all motorists in Georgia are required to have at least liability and underinsured/uninsured auto insurance coverage, it may be best for you and your situation to obtain more auto insurance coverage. If you borrowed money to purchase your vehicle from a lender, you are probably already required to have more coverage than simple liability insurance. There are many different types of auto insurance coverage that are available to protect your investment in your vehicle and here are a few of the most popular coverage options:

Comprehensive Insurance

Comprehensive insurance coverage will pay for the replacement cost of your vehicle if it is stolen, vandalized, or totaled in an accident. It will also cover the replacement cost or cost of repairs if your vehicle is damaged by a fire or a natural disaster, such as a tornado or hurricane. Many vehicle owners opt for this coverage for the peace of mind it brings in knowing their vehicle will be replaced or repaired if any of these unforeseen events happen.

Collision Insurance

This type of policy will cover your vehicle if you are involved in a crash, whether it is your fault or someone else’s fault. It will also cover any property damage that you cause. For example, if you have an accident because you hit the garage door of your friend’s house, it will pay to cover the garage door or if you hit a building, it can pay for any damage to the building.

To create an auto insurance policy that works best for you and your situation, you will want to enlist the help of a trusted and experienced auto insurance agent. Contact the knowledgeable and skilled auto insurance agents at Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. in Commerce, GA.

Auto insurance is one of the best tools you can have to protect you from losses to your vehicle both on the road and when you are parked. Even if you have an older vehicle, you may still want to maintain your auto insurance coverage above the legally required level of liability. 

Maintaining Full Coverage

Although full coverage insurance may be tempting to drop on an older vehicle, there may be some instances where it is better to keep it. If your older vehicle is your main mode of transportation and you are not prepared to replace that vehicle out of pocket, you may want to keep your coverage to prevent having to replace it out of pocket. In addition, you’ll want to obtain specialty coverage for classic cars that have a higher value. Work with a trusted insurance agency to outline your needs and get the policy coverage that suits your situation.

Work With A Trusted Agency

Finding a good agency that has trusted, experienced agents is the first step towards obtaining the right level of coverage for your older vehicle. People who live near the Commerce, GA area can count on Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. for their vehicle insurance needs. They are dedicated to helping their clients get the policy options they need to feel secure on the road. 

If you have questions about coverage for your older model vehicle and live in the Commerce, GA area, you should call or stop by Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. to get the answers to your questions and discover which high-quality insurance products will work for your situation. 

It’s no secret that driving while intoxicated in Athens, GA is extremely dangerous, but did you know that driving drowsy is just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated? Although the effects of driving while drowsy vary from person to person, most fatigued drivers often experience short-term loss of memory and have slower reaction times while behind the wheel. Here are a few of the causes of drowsy driving and how to avoid driving while drowsy.

Common Causes of Drowsy Driving

Drowsy driving, also known as driver fatigue, occurs when someone is too fatigued to safely drive a motor vehicle, which in turn puts them, their passengers and others on the road in danger. Some of the most common causes of drowsy driving include:

• Consuming drugs and/or alcohol
• Using sleep aids or sedatives before driving
• Lack of or interrupted sleep
• Sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy or chronic insomnia
• Working a schedule that affects your amount of sleep or the circadian rhythm
• Driving for long periods without stopping for sufficient rest

Who’s at Risk for Drowsy Driving?

Although every driver is susceptible to driving drowsy, some groups are considered to be at a higher risk for drowsy driving, including:

• Young drivers between the ages of 18-29
• Commercial drivers
• Late evening and overnight shift workers
• Business travelers
• People with sleep disorders

How to Prevent Drowsy Driving

There are several preventative measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of being involved in a collision resulting from driving drowsy, including:

• Get plenty of sleep before getting behind the wheel
• Travel with another driver
• Use rest stops
• Use of caffeine (will provide energy, but not a replacement for sleep)
• Chew gum (stimulates senses)
• Open the car windows to get fresh air
• Listen to music
• Drive during the day whenever possible
• Don’t hesitate to stop for the night to sleep

Understanding your warning signs is critical in preventing a collision resulting from drowsy driving. For instance, if you are yawning, blinking frequently, or missing traffic signals, it is a sure sign that you need to stop and rest. Driving drowsy can result in a collision, and these types of collisions are often as serious as those that occur as a result of driving while intoxicated. If you are interested in learning more about the risks relating to drowsy driving, contact Hyman Brown Insurance Agency, Inc.

Residents of Athens, GA who want to learn more information about their current insurance policy or to upgrade your current policy, contact Hyman Brown Insurance Agency, Inc.

When you are looking to get a new car, understanding your auto insurance needs is very important. There are several factors to consider when determining what your auto insurance requirements are for the new vehicle.

State Auto Insurance Requirements for Georgia

For those that are in the Commerce, GA area, the first factor that needs to be understood is what your requirements are per state law. In the state of Georgia, you will need to have the minimum level of liability coverage in place at all times. This means you will need to have property damage liability coverage of $25,000 plus bodily injury coverage of $25,000 for each injured person, with a $50,000 cap per incident.

Auto Loan or Lease

While there are some basic requirements that are set forth by the state for people in Commerce, GA, there are other factors to consider as well when you are looking at auto insurance policies. One of the most important factors to consider is whether you have insurance requirements in your loan or lease.

If you have a loan or lease, you will likely need to have additional collision and comprehensive coverage on your policy. This type of coverage will give you additional protection for a variety of items including protection against vandalism, theft, and being in an accident with someone that does not have coverage. Lenders and lessors will likely require you to have this coverage since the car is their collateral.

When you are trying to figure out what you need to get in terms of auto insurance, you should contact the Hyman Brown Insurance Agency, Inc. When you speak with Hyman Brown Insurance Agency, Inc., you will get a full understanding of your requirements and what the best level of coverage would be for your situation. Reach out to our agents for more information on how to get started.