How Old Do You Have To Be To Legally Operate A Boat in Georgia?

In Woodstock, GA, the agents of Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. offer several different types of insurance for vehicles and watercraft. Each agent is available to help you understand the rules and regulations that pertain to legally operating a boat or other type of personal watercraft on the state’s waterways. Just like operating a motor vehicle, there are rules of the water that must be followed.

Legal Age

In the state of Georgia, a person must be at least 16 years of age to legally operate a boat or any other type of personal watercraft throughout the state of Georgia. INdividuals between 12 and 15 may also legally operate a watercraft if they have applied for and received a valid boating license. For younger operators, it is strongly recommended that they complete a safe driving boating course that teaches the basics of water safety. 

Proper Identification

Another requirement is that whoever is operating the boat must have a valid driver’s license or other forms of identification. If the person is between the ages of 12 and 15, their valid boating license will serve as their identification. Even adults who operate any type of personal watercraft must have in their possession a valid form of identification with them at all times.

The agents of Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. are always on hand to answer questions about your boating insurance policy. If you live in the Woodstock, GA area, call and talk to one of the agents today. They will be able to provide you with the answers you need and will make sure you have the coverage you need to protect yourself and your family.

Types of Motorcycle Insurance and Which Ones You May Need

When you first buy a motorcycle, the last thing on your mind is getting into an accident.  However, in order to cruise down the highway with the peace of mind that you’re adequately covered, you need to understand what your insurance requirements and options are. Your representative at Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. can walk you through the details of the different types of insurance. Here’s some information to get you started, so you can get your bike on the road in Woodstock, GA.

Required Insurance

Like most states, GA requires you to carry insurance for bodily injury and personal property damage in an accident you cause. However, there are many additional coverage types that you may benefit from. 

Optional Coverages

When shopping for motorcycle insurance in Woodstock GA, consider that liability insurance doesn’t cover you, your bike or your passenger. Here are the types of insurance that you might need, depending on your personal situation.

  • Collision insurance pays for repairs to your bike if it’s damaged in an accident.
  • Comprehensive coverage pays for repairs to your motorcycle in case of vandalism, theft, fire, or other natural disasters.
  • Medical payments cover your injuries after an accident.
  • Towing and labor cover you if you’re stranded when your motorcycle breaks down. It provides emergency roadside assistance or towing.
  • The uninsured/Underinsured motorist pays for damage and injury caused by an underinsured or uninsured motorist. It protects you if you are in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist.

Contact Us

Contact Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. for more information on purchasing motorcycle insurance or to set up an appointment for a free quote for your motorcycle in Woodstock, GA.

 

Why Should You Have More than the Minimum Car Insurance Coverage?

Getting the minimum car insurance required in Peoria, AZ may save you money on your monthly payments, but it could hurt you in the long run if you do get in a car accident.

The minimum coverage may not provide enough protection in the event of an accident, because many accidents surpass the minimum limits. In Peoria, AZ, the minimum limits are $30,000 total per accident for bodily injury coverage and $10,000 per accident for property damage. If you have significant assets, you will be on the hook for any additional costs that are not covered by the minimum insurance. You could even be required to pay these damages out of your future paychecks, which is why it makes sense to have more that the minimum level of coverage. The best rule of thumb is to be covered for an amount that is the total value of your assets, which includes the vale of your home, car, and savings.

Not only could you be on the hook for more money, especially if you cause the accident, you also won’t have any insurance to help pay for your car. Collision coverage is the type of insurance that will pay for damages to your car, and Arizona does not require that you have this coverage. If your car is damaged by some event other than an accident, or if it’s stolen, you won’t have comprehensive coverage to help pay for those costs either. If you are leasing or have payments to make on your car you may be required by the lending company to have both collision and comprehensive, but the state will not require it. An agent at Schaller & Thomas Family Insurance can help increase your insurance limits, depending on your risk

Contact Schaller & Thomas Family Insurance to get a quote on car insurance.

Should I Get Renters Insurance If I Live in My Parent’s House?

There’s no denying that a large percentage of Millennials are living with their parents. In fact, according to certain studies, the rate of young adults choosing to stay in their parents’ homes is higher than it ever has been. If you happen to be one of these young adults, there’s no need to feel alone. What you do need to do, however, is make sure that you are protecting your belongings with insurance just the same as you would if you were living in an apartment or renting a house from a landlord. 

Do I Need Insurance If I Rent From My Parents?

When you live with your parents, you can still speak with an insurance agent about purchasing renters insurance. Many insurance companies will allow you to buy coverage for your personal belongings. All of your parent’s belongings will have to be covered by their own homeowner’s policy. Purchasing renters insurance while living at your parents is especially simple when you have your own entrance to the home and your own living quarters. 

It should be noted that the specifics of a renters insurance policy will vary from one insurance provider to the next, making is very important to speak with an agent to determine exactly what is covered and what is not. If you have chosen to stay in your parents home, regardless of your reasons, you definitely need to speak with an insurance agent to see how renters insurance can be of benefit to you. Even if you are staying there for a limited amount of time to save up for your own home, a renters insurance policy can provide you with peace of mind. 

Contact Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. today to learn more about renters insurance in Woodstock, GA. 

When is Commercial Insurance Necessary?

If you are a business owner in the Woodstock, GA area, you will find that there are many important business decisions that need to be made. One very important decision you will have to make is whether or not to get commercial insurance. There are several situations in which having commercial insurance is a necessity.

You Have a Loan

One situation in which you may be required to carry commercial insurance is if you have a business loan. Taking out a business loan and be a very good financial decision for many business owners. However, when you do have a business loan, you will be required to carry commercial insurance and name the lender as an additional insured party. 

When You Have Employees

Another situation in which having commercial insurance is a necessity for your business is if you employ people. In the state of Georgia, all companies that have more than three regular employees are required to carry workers compensation coverage. This type of insurance will help to ensure that your employees are properly covered in the event they are injured while working.

Operate Out of a Property

If you operate out of a property, you also need to carry property insurance as a form of commercial insurance. Even if you are the tenant on the property, you will likely be required under the lease to carry coverage on the building. This will provide you with protection if the building is damaged.

If you are a business owner in the Woodstock, GA area, you should contact Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. When you meet with Peter Laczko Insurance Inc, you can receive more information about your needs for commercial insurance. The company will help to make sure that you get a policy that provides you with the right type and level of coverage.

 

Do I Have to Purchase RV Insurance If I’m Renting an RV?

Renting or leasing an RV is the most cost-effective way to take a road trip, especially if you only get to do it once every year or so. When you decide to take off on this type of adventure, you need to have the right type of insurance to make sure you and your family have the protection you need. In Woodstock, GA, the agents of Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. can help you accomplish that goal. 

The Rental or Lease Agreement

In most cases, when you lease or rent a recreational vehicle for a getaway weekend or vacation you are offered to purchase insurance as part of the agreement. You can also choose to purchase the insurance through your own insurance company. Most companies require some degree of coverage over and above what you carry as part of your regular auto or vehicle insurance. Recreational vehicle insurance is slightly different and must be added separately.

Additional Coverage

If you choose to purchase the insurance from the leasing agency, it will only cover the vehicle itself. It’s a good idea to look into additional coverage through your personal agent to make sure your own belongings are covered as well.

Residents who live in the Woodstock, GA can call the agents of Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. if they have questions about RV insurance or what they need to do if they lease an RV. Agents can provide them with the information they need to make an informed decision. If you plan on having a fun vacation, you don’t want to worry about mishaps that could cost you financially. Call the agency today to find out about recreational vehicle insurance and how it can protect you.

Golf Cart Insurance in from Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. in Woodstock, GA

If you rely on a golf cart to get around your neighborhood in Woodstock, GA, you don’t have to register it at the DMV. However, it’s important to make sure you have the coverage you need while operating your gold cart. Consider what coverage would benefit you regarding your golf cart. If you just drive from one green to another, you might not think you need golf cart insurance. However, every time you transport other people, you open yourself to liability.

Who Should Get Golf Cart Insurance?

If you rely on your golf court as a primary means of transportation around your gated community or retirement park, you should seriously think about getting this coverage.

Whether you drive on the cart on the green or on the roadways, proper coverage is essential to protect your valuable asset. You can’t depend on your homeowner’s insurance to cover you if you leave your property. Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. representatives can help you determine whether your homeowner’s policy covers your golf cart at all.

What is covered?

A golf cart policy includes the following coverage:

  • Property damage
  • Bodily injury
  • Collision and comprehensive

This insurance covers the cost to replace or repair damage to your cart in incidents. If you cause an accident, the policy may cover expenses and injuries to another person and their property.

Having a golf cart can be a great asset for those who tire easily, have limited mobility or cannot walk long distances. Don’t give up your golf game. Contact Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. in Woodstock, GA to set up an appointment for a quote today.

I Only Use My RV Once a Year. Do I Really Need RV Insurance?

You and your family enjoy spending time camping in the Woodstock, GA area. It’s your time to spend some quality time in nature. Once a year, you load all of your supplies into the RV and hit the road for a little adventure. The rest of the year, that RV sits beside the garage on your property. So, you may wonder if you really need to insure the RV if you only use it once a year. The answer is yes!  While your RV may have some protection under your homeowner’s policy while it is parked on your property, it is not covered once it is on the road.  The agents at Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. can talk with you about RV insurance policies that fit your travel style.

As an RV is your ‘home away from home’ when you are on the road, there are several things to consider when looking at RV insurance policies. You should consider including total loss replacement should the RV be damaged beyond repair. This is particularly important is the RV is less than five years old. You will also want to have coverage for all of the RV’s contents. Some policies also have provisions for emergency funds for housing and meals should there be an accident that renders the RV uninhabitable. While liability coverage is required by law, you may consider the amount of coverage a policy provides as RVs are large vehicles. Also, talk with your agent about the possibility of temporarily suspending portions of the policy when the RV is not on the road. This saves some money over time. The agents at Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. understand the needs of RV owners in the Woodstock, GA area. Call today!

Workers Compensation Codes & Why They Matter

As a business with employees in Woodstock, GA you know you have to provide workers compensation coverage. This is not unique to just your company; it’s a general legal requirement in most states on businesses with part-time or full-time employees. However, the cost of a workers compensation plan is dependent on how many and the type of employees you have, and that can change dramatically over time. If one just compares what the employee roster looked like when the business was a startup, so when it turned into a small or medium-sized business, the difference can be dramatic both in numbers as well as the type of work people are performing.

Workers compensation premiums for Woodstock, GA businesses are originally set up as estimates for the year based on payroll, but instead of just a simple formula the figure is calculated by looking at the current employee body, what work they perform, and how many people fit into a given workers compensation code. A code represents the industry calculated risk for a given work function. So, obviously, the code for a construction worker or security guard is going to be a different risk valuation than for an accountant due to the nature of the job. How these codes add up for your business then influences the cost of your worker’s compensation plan premium paid for the year. A subsequent insurance provider audit then follows up and confirms the codes are correct because providers are also aware of employee rosters change over time as well.

As a business, you can ensure your codes are applied accurately from the start versus just a guess, which is common in the startup phase. And that could impact your premium significantly. The expert staff at Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. can walk your business through the code assessment process to fully understand how it works as well as to secure a plan that reflects your business properly. Give Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. a call today!

Home owners transition basics

In today’s life transitions, people no longer stay in one family home for generations. Often people will live and own several houses of different sizes, in different areas of the country during their lives. Transitioning you should know a few basics so a new place to live doesn’t dazzle you and then surprise you with costs you don’t anticipate.

Be aware of your paper trail

  • Know your credit rating: This can make a difference in your insurance premium.
  • Check your any home insurance claims that you might have filed.  Your agent can look at various sites for you and determine how it will affect future insurance.
  • Renters insurance It can be important to have a history of insurance when you are buying.

Things to look for

  • Construction of the house:  Look at the location of where you want to move, it may come with hidden problems like flooding hurricanes or weather.
  • Age of the house: Older homes sometimes have features that are costly to deal with repairs. These replacements may raise the cost of insurance.  
  • Current codes: The age of the house and updates may indicate whether or not it’s up to code. This may affect insurance rates.
  • Mechanical systems and safety devices:  Plumbing, electric, HVAC, as well as smoke, fire and burglar alarms all wear out in time. Recent upgrades make for a safer home and minimize insurance.
  • Pool, wood burning stove: Wonderful to have, but you will need higher property and liability.
  • Fire department: Little known is that if a home is located near a fire station and a hydrant close by have reduced insurance. Also, there’s a bonus for a professional rather fire department.
Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. serving Woodstock, GA can help you find the insurance you need.