Will Home Insurance Cover Your Pets?

Posted on November 26, 2025November 17, 2025 by admin

Most homeowners assume their home insurance covers incidents involving pets. As an example, if a homeowner’s dog bites someone, the general assumption is that home insurance covers all related damages.

Though some homeowner’s insurance policies cover dog bites that occur on the property, that is not always the case.

Read the Small Print of Your Policy

If you own a pet and unsure as to whether incidents involving your furry friend are covered by homeowner’s insurance, check your policy details. You might find only certain pet-related incidents are covered.

You might also find that the policy is exhaustive, covering all damages related to pet bites, scratches, clawing, etc. However, home insurance policies do not cover the cost of healthcare for pets. You’ll need pet insurance for your fur buddy’s healthcare treatment.

Be Honest With Your Insurer

When considering homeowner’s insurance options, tell the truth about your pets. Communicate the number of pets you have including their breeds. These details help insurance companies like ours at The Mitchell Agency LLC, serving Alabama and Georgia, write policies and price them appropriately.

The truth is a homeowner’s type of pet and number of pets shapes coverage terms. As an example, a homeowner with several large dogs or potentially violent dogs might have a higher monthly premium for additional coverage.

In contrast, a homeowner with a cat or a pet parrot might have a lower rate. Factor in the potential for exotic pets along with farm animals and the picture becomes that much more complicated.

Liability Limits

Home insurance policies have liability limits that often apply to pets. Those limits typically range between $100,000 and half a million dollars.

There is also the potential to supplement existing coverage using an umbrella policy. Moreover, coverage can also apply if the pet is not being cared for by the property owner when the incident occurs. As an example, if your dog bites someone while a pet sitter is taking care of the animal, the coverage might still apply.

Get a Quote From The Mitchell Agency LLC

Call us to learn more about our insurance options for Alabama and Georgia homeowners. We’ll provide a free quote and answer any questions you may have.

Do You Need Wind Insurance If You Have Home Insurance?

Posted on October 31, 2025October 23, 2025 by admin

Do you need wind coverage insurance if you already have home insurance? This is a common question that customers ask us at The Mitchell Agency LLC, serving Alabama and Georgia.

This article will discuss wind coverage as it relates to home insurance, but if you have further questions about wind coverage, contact us. Our insurance professionals can help you determine whether wind coverage is right for you.

Will Home Insurance Cover Wind Damage?

Typical home insurance policies may cover wind damage, but coverage is not a given and should be confirmed with your home insurance policy. To find out if your home insurance policy covers wind damage, contact one of our agents. They can explain the details of your coverage.

Why Get Wind Coverage If You Have Home Insurance?

Even if your home insurance policy covers wind damage, that coverage may be limited. Wind coverage helps fill in the gaps, ensuring more complete coverage for your home. Whether you could benefit from wind coverage depends on the risk to your home. Your insurance agent can help you decide if this type of insurance can help you.

Do You Want Wind Coverage? Contact Us

Alabama and Georgia homes can be subject to wind damage under various scenarios, and sometimes, that damage can be devastating. It’s important to get the right type of insurance for your house.

If you think that you may benefit from wind insurance, the professionals at The Mitchell Agency LLC, serving Alabama and Georgia, can help answer your questions. Call to find out more about wind coverage and how it can help protect your home.

Does Having A Business In A High Crime Area Impact Your Commercial Insurance?

Posted on September 30, 2025September 24, 2025 by admin

Insurance companies in Alabama consider several factors when determining your commercial insurance rate. The location of your business can impact your insurance costs, but it depends on specific circumstances.

Higher Insurance Rates

Businesses located in high-crime areas are more likely to file claims due to theft or vandalism. Additionally, they may face liability lawsuits from individuals seeking to profit from their actions. These risks can lead to higher insurance rates, including increased premiums and deductibles, even if you’ve never filed a claim before.

Consider contacting an agent at The Mitchell Agency LLC before selecting the location for your business to better understand how the location may affect your insurance costs.

Type of Business

The type of business you operate also plays a role in determining your insurance rates. For example, a store or business with expensive tech equipment is more likely to experience theft compared to a legal office. Insurance companies will request details about your business to assess your risk accurately. Always provide honest and detailed information to ensure proper coverage.

Not Getting Coverage for Everything

You may be able to reduce insurance rates by excluding coverage for certain risks. For instance, you could lower your monthly premium by excluding theft or vandalism from your policy. However, this means you would need to pay out of pocket for these events if they occur.

Whether exclusions are allowed depends on the agency. Some agencies may let you customize your policy by excluding certain risks, while others may offer blanket policies that cover everything without customization options.

Agents at The Mitchell Agency LLC can help you explore your options and find the right coverage for your business. Contact us today to learn more. We proudly serve the Alabama area.

Birmingham Businesses: Is Your Commercial Policy a Trap?

Posted on June 30, 2025June 23, 2025 by admin

Many businesses throughout Alabama fall into the same trap—they purchase a commercial insurance policy, assuming they’re fully covered. While the policy may provide coverage for some areas, it often fails to address the unique needs of each business. Every business is different, and its insurance coverage should reflect that. If you’re in Birmingham or the surrounding areas, The Mitchell Agency LLC is here to ensure you don’t fall into this common trap.

The Industry You Work In

The industry you operate in plays a significant role in determining your insurance needs. Some industries are inherently riskier and require more comprehensive coverage. Unfortunately, many commercial insurance providers don’t take the specifics of your industry into account. Instead, they offer a generic policy that may leave critical gaps in coverage.

Understanding the risks associated with your industry will help you secure a more inclusive and tailored policy.

Your Coverage Needs

It’s essential to ensure that every aspect of your Alabama business is covered. This includes your building, vehicles, and employees. Failing to overlook any area could result in insufficient coverage. If an incident occurs and you file a claim, the insurance company may deny it, or even if the claim is accepted, you could still face significant out-of-pocket expenses.

Getting a Custom Policy

The best way to ensure comprehensive coverage is by working with a professional insurance agent. A knowledgeable agent will take the time to understand the details of your business and recommend a policy that includes liability coverage, property protection, vehicle coverage, and more.

At The Mitchell Agency LLC, we’re committed to helping you every step of the way. Contact us today to start discussing your business needs. We’ll evaluate potential “what if” scenarios and recommend coverage levels that will keep your business protected, no matter what happens, year after year.

When Is Mold in a Home Covered By Home Insurance?

Posted on May 30, 2025May 28, 2025 by admin

Discovering mold in your home can be both frustrating and alarming. At The Mitchell Agency LLC in Alabama, we understand that dealing with mold isn’t just a nuisance, but it can also pose significant health risks and financial burdens. But when it comes to home insurance, is mold damage covered?

The Cause is Crucial

Whether your home insurance covers mold largely depends on how it originated. If the mold results from a sudden and accidental issue, like a burst pipe or an overflowing appliance, it’s likely to be covered under a standard homeowners policy. Insurance typically covers situations that are unexpected and unpreventable.

What Isn’t Covered?

Regrettably, mold that forms due to long-term issues, such as poor ventilation, high humidity, or leaks that weren’t promptly addressed, is usually not covered. Insurance companies consider these situations preventable through regular maintenance. In other words, if mold is caused by neglect, your policy probably won’t cover it.

Act Promptly

If you do find mold in your home, it’s important to act quickly. Document the damage, stop the source of moisture if possible, and contact your insurance provider. Even if the mold itself isn’t covered, related damage might be.

We’re Here to Help You Stay Protected

At The Mitchell Agency LLC, we’re here to help Alabama homeowners understand what their policy covers and how to stay protected before problems occur. If you have questions about mold coverage or want to review your current policy, give us a call today. We’re happy to help you breathe a little easier.

3 Reasons to Review Your Commercial Insurance When Your Business Starts to Grow

Posted on April 30, 2025April 29, 2025 by admin

Commercial insurance helps protect businesses from financial difficulties following covered events. The Mitchell Agency LLC, serving Alabama, helps businesses choose the right type of commercial insurance for their needs.

Below, we’ve listed reasons to review your commercial insurance when your business begins to grow. Staying on top of your insurance needs is just as important as getting insurance when you start a business. Here’s what you need to know.

1. There Are Several Types of Commercial Insurance

Commercial insurance is a type of insurance that can protect your business against a variety of events. Commercial insurance includes insurance types like:

Workers comp insurance
Commercial auto insurance
Business income coverage
Professional liability insurance
General liability insurance

2. As Businesses Grow, Their Insurance Needs Change

When your business is new, it may not need all of the types of insurance listed above. For example, your business may not have employees or vehicles. However, when your business hires its first employees, it will need to add workers’ comp insurance. When your business buys its first vehicles, it will need commercial auto insurance.

3. You May Need to Add Multiple Insurance Types

Reviewing your insurance coverage annually will prompt you to think about the types of insurance that you should add as your business grows. To review your commercial insurance policy, ask your insurance agent for a copy of your commercial insurance. Your insurance agent can review your policy with you, which can help you decide if you need to add more coverage.

The Mitchell Agency, LLC, which services Alabama, can help. We work with multiple carriers to provide our customers with multiple quotes. Want to know more? Call today to get started with a quote for your business.

Factors Influencing Home Insurance Policy Cost

Posted on March 28, 2025March 26, 2025 by admin

If you’re a first-time home buyer in Alabama, you might be surprised to learn that several different factors can influence the price you pay for your homeowner’s insurance policy. While many people know that credit score and location affect your price, many lesser-known factors influence a policy’s cost. The Mitchell Agency LLC can explain these factors and help you find an affordable policy that fits your budget.

The Condition of Your Home

Older homes are generally more expensive to insure than newer ones. Their mechanical systems deteriorate with age, potentially leading to mishaps. However, most issues involve your home’s exterior. An older roof is one of the most significant issues in areas with frequent windstorms. If you buy a house and the inspection reveals substantial issues, you may face higher premiums or a request to resolve those issues within a specific timeframe. Premiums are generally 75% higher for homes over 30 years old compared to newer construction.

Crime Rate and Proximity to Fire Services

Expect higher rates if you are in an area with frequent burglaries or vandalism. That’s because your insurance will have to pay out more for claims. The same applies to your proximity to local fire services. Being closer to a local fire department will result in lower rates, as you’ll have a reduced chance of destruction from smoke and fire.

Security Systems and Claims History

These two factors are interconnected. Your home is less likely to be burglarized if you have a security system. If you are less likely to be burglarized, you’ll have fewer claims, resulting in fewer payouts.

Ask the Mitchell Agency LLC, serving customers throughout Alabama, how you can save money on your home insurance policy. Contact our agents today to get started.

Commercial Insurance Requirements for Alabama-based Businesses

Posted on January 31, 2025January 28, 2025 by admin

Thanks to its low tax burden, top-tier infrastructure, and excellent training programs, Alabama is an ideal state to start a business. However, before opening a business in the Yellowhammer state, you must familiarize yourself with state insurance requirements.

Commercial Insurance Requirements in Alabama

Alabama requires two commercial insurance policies: worker’s compensation insurance and commercial auto insurance.

You’ll need worker’s compensation insurance if your business employs five or more people. However, this requirement is waived if you employ domestic workers, farm laborers, or casual employees. Workers’ compensation insurance covers an employee’s expenses if they become sick or get injured while on the job, typically covering loss of income and medical bills.

Commercial auto insurance is a must if you use a vehicle for commercial purposes. Such purposes include transporting business products to and from markets, making deliveries to customers, traveling to and from job sites, and traveling to meet customers and business partners. Required commercial auto insurance policies include liability and property damage coverage.

How Much Insurance Do You Need?

The amount of insurance you need to run an Alabama-based business successfully will depend on your industry, number of employees, products/services, exact location, and other factors. It’s a good idea to get professional help when assessing commercial insurance coverage options, and the Mitchell Agency LLC is a great source of information for business owners from all walks of life.

At the Mitchell Agency LLC, we have many years of experience helping local business owners find and purchase commercial insurance policies and policy bundles. We offer a host of policy options and friendly, professional assistance to make it easy for you to find and buy the best coverage for your business. Contact us to find out more or get policy quotes.

What could occur if I don’t get proper home insurance in Alabama?

Posted on December 30, 2024December 23, 2024 by admin

Owning real estate in Alabama is a great investment. Whether you’re looking to purchase a property or protect your existing home, it’s crucial to consider your home insurance needs. Without home insurance, you could face various consequences.

Potential for Significant Financial Hardship

One of the most significant impacts of not having home insurance is the potential for serious financial hardship. A home insurance plan is designed to provide financial protection in various situations, including support for major home repairs or liability for certain accidents. Without this insurance, you won’t receive this valuable support, which could create a severe financial strain.

Non-Compliance and Potential Penalization

Having insurance also ensures you’re not violating any rules or regulations, helping you avoid potential penalties. Most homeowners have some form of insurance requirement. Those with a mortgage or living within a homeowners association likely have specific insurance requirements. Failure to carry this insurance could result in penalties.

You should consider your home insurance needs if you own property in Alabama. If you’re in the market for a new plan, contact us at The Mitchell Agency LLC. Our dedicated team will provide the guidance necessary to ensure you understand your options.

The Importance of Liability Coverage in Home Insurance

Posted on October 28, 2024October 25, 2024 by admin

When you own a home, it’s easy to focus on protecting it from damage or theft. However, an equally important aspect of home insurance is liability coverage. At The Mitchell Agency LLC in Alabama, we want to ensure you understand why this protection is crucial.

Understanding Liability Coverage

Liability coverage is designed to protect you financially if someone gets injured on your property or if you unintentionally damage property that belongs to someone else. Imagine a scenario where a guest slips on your driveway, or your child accidentally breaks a neighbor’s window. This coverage can help cover medical expenses or repair costs, preventing unexpected out-of-pocket spending.

The Importance of Liability Coverage

Accidents can happen to anyone; even the most careful homeowners can face unforeseen incidents. Without liability coverage, you might be responsible for paying legal fees, medical bills, or repair costs on your own. These expenses can quickly add up, creating financial stress. Liability coverage provides peace of mind, knowing you’re protected against these unexpected events.

Determining Your Coverage Needs

The amount of liability coverage you need can depend on several factors, such as the size of your property and the risks involved. Most policies start at $100,000, but higher limits are available. It’s wise to assess your circumstances and consult an expert to find the right balance for your needs.

Comprehensive Protection for Your Home

At The Mitchell Agency LLC, we appreciate the unique needs of Alabama homeowners, which is why we provide home insurance throughout the state. Our team is committed to helping you navigate the complexities of liability coverage and ensuring your home is fully protected. Contact us today to discuss your options and secure your future.

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