Umbrella insurance is an interesting animal. A lot of people are under the misconception that it’s “rich people” insurance. In reality, it’s the bridge between policies that can make sure you’re covered in areas that might escape your attention. The agents at Curtis Miller Insurance have noticed that too many people in Parkersburg, WV, are missing crucial coverage. They want to help clarify umbrella insurance so you can make informed decisions on your policies. Let’s start with that first question: does it cover legal fees?

Typically

Whenever we discuss insurance, we have to include this disclaimer: every insurance policy is unique and subject to its own specific contract rules. That said, many umbrella policies include coverage for legal fees. This can even be in addition to the liability limits named in the policy. Legal fees are one of the primary appeals of having an umbrella plan. So, always double check that your policy is worded this way, but it is not at all uncommon to find an umbrella policy that covers legal fees.

Broader Coverage

Perhaps the best part of umbrella insurance is that it’s designed to be broad. It isn’t necessarily limited to specific liabilities and legal fees. It can be extended to work internationally. It can cover all members of your household. Most importantly, it can cover instances that escape the limits of any other insurance. When you choose the right policy, your umbrella plan is the ultimate stopgap. Just remember that these are the details that will determine the final price of your policy.

Curtis Miller Insurance agents know the ins and outs of umbrella policies. If you want to explore possibilities and make sure you have exactly the right plan, let them help. They’ve been doing the same for residents of Parkersburg, WV, for a while. There’s no reason they shouldn’t help you too.

When people purchase motorcycle insurance they are typically concerned with coverage for liability and collision coverage. However, motorcycle policies can be versatile and can offer many additional protections. If you live in the Parkersburg, WV area and would like to learn about the many coverages a motorcycle policy can offer, please reach out to an agent at  Curtis Miller Insurance.

One of the many tricks people do not know about motorcycle insurance is that can cover a wide range of vehicles including ATV’s, snowmobiles and scooters. Many insurance companies consider these leisure vehicles and will insure them under a motorcycle policy. Many car and homeowners insurance policies specifically exclude leisure vehicles so it is crucial to make sure you have coverage to protect you in the event of an accident.

As most riders know, the gear that you need to keep you safe and comfortable on a ride such as helmets, boots and riding leathers can be expensive. In the event, something happens to your equipment, your motorcycle insurance policy can help you replace the equipment.

If an accident causes you to have to stay a certain distance from home, your motorcycle policy may help with the cost of lodging, food, and transportation. This is typically an “extra coverage” that you will need to ask your insurance agent at Curtis Miller Insurance to include in your policy.

If you store your bike through the winter months your policy can provide “lay up” coverage. Lay up coverage will protect you against events that are more likely to happen while your motorcycle is in storage such as theft.

If you would like to learn more about motorcycle insurance and live in the Parkersburg, WV area, please feel free to reach out to us today!

Residents of Parkersburg, WV may be interested in using their life insurance policies to protect their property or other elements of their home. We at Curtis Miller Insurance can help you understand whether this is possible and what you can do to protect your family with these policies.

Life Insurance Covers Loss of Income, Not Belongings

A life insurance policy is put into place to protect a family after the death of the policyholder. These policies do not come into play until after the person passes away, though, so an individual cannot use a life insurance policy to pay for damages to a home or their property.

However, they could create a payout plan designed to protect certain elements of their property, though these won’t be available until after their death. These payouts will be given to the beneficiary and provide them with cash to help protect their property.

How Payouts Can Protect Property

While life insurance can’t be used to cover liability or property damage, per se, the payout of a life insurance policy can be used in any way that the beneficiary sees fit. This technicality is important to understand because, in essence, an individual cannot use a life insurance policy, while alive, to pay for these damages.

However, if a person passes away and their policy pays out, the beneficiary can use this money to replace damaged goods or to pay a mortgage on a piece of property. The exact usage will all vary depending on what the individual who earned the policy wants to do with the money.

Understand Your Rights

The confusion between various types of life insurance and home property insurance may require a little help to better understand. So if you live in Parkersburg, WV and plan on buying life insurance, please contact us at Curtis Miller Insurance. We can help you better understand your policies and buy one that suits the needs of you and your family.

When you own a home in the Parkersburg, WV area, you will be making a very big investment that needs to be properly protected. One of the best ways to do this today is through the use of a quality home insurance policy. However, there are some situations in which a base home insurance policy is not enough. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, you might need to invest in an additional flood insurance policy. There are several situations in which getting a flood insurance policy is right for you.

Required by Loan

One situation in which you will need to get a flood insurance policy is if it is required under your loan agreement. If you live in an area that has been designated as a higher risk for flood zone, you undoubtedly will be required to carry flood insurance at all times. In many situations, the lender will also escrow the payments on a monthly basis to ensure your policy stays in place.

Not Included in Base Policy 

Even if you have not been required to carry flood insurance, it still is a good idea to have it if you have a higher level of risk. If you live near a body of water, you should speak with your insurance company to see if you have adequate flood insurance. If you do not, getting the additional flood insurance policy should be a necessity for you.

If you are in the Parkersburg, WV area and think that you might need to have flood insurance, you should reach out to the team at Curtis Miller Insurance. When you reach out to the professionals at Curtis Miller Insurance, you can receive more guidance and insight into whether or not you should be getting an additional flood insurance policy. 

If you own a commercial endeavor that relies on your vehicles to get the job done, you will want to make sure that your fleet is protected. A typical commercial insurance policy will cover your property, inventory, and equipment, but it may not offer sufficient coverage for your vehicles. If you are in the greater Parkersburg, WV area and rely on your commercial vehicles for deliveries or other tasks that are vital to your success, it’s time to make sure that you’re needs are covered! The team at Curtis Miller Insurance can help you to secure the right policy for all of your commercial needs, including your fleet of business vehicles. 

Does Motor Fleet Insurance Make Sense for Your Company?

If you run a business that relies on vehicles to get your work done, you will likely need additional fleet coverage. Taxi and delivery services are just two examples of enterprises that need dependable and reliable vehicles to meet the needs of their customers and stay in business. If you have a number of different vehicles it may be more effective to take out a fleet policy rather than insuring each vehicle with a single policy. When it comes to comprehensive insurance that will keep you in business even in the event of an accident or another event, it is a smart idea to work with a professional insurance agent. Fleet insurance may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you are protecting your commercial assets, but this coverage may make more sense than you think.

Don’t delay in making sure that you have the commercial vehicle coverage that you need! If you are in the greater Parkersburg, WV area, call or stop by Curtis Miller Insurance today for a consultation.

Automobiles are considered to be classic when they are over 20 years old and “younger” than 40 years old. There is something about owning and driving a classic car in Parkersburg, WV that can bring a smile to even the most disgruntled “car person”. Owning a classic car is somewhat of an important responsibility, not only will you need to contact Curtis Miller Insurance about insuring your “baby”, but you will be responsible for maintaining its beauty and keeping it running like it did when it rolled off the assembly line. Here are three tips to help you maintain the beauty of your classic car.

Use Only Quality Parts

Whether you are in the process of restoring a classic car or simply have to make routine repairs, it is important to use only quality parts. In some situations, using a sub-quality or incorrect part can affect the value as well as how the car runs. There are several options when it comes to buying classic car parts. For instance, searching your local junkyard may be the ideal place to find difficult to locate original parts. It’s also helpful to join a classic car club, which can yield you tons of advice from experienced classic car owners.

Washing and Waxing

Whether you have the original paint on your classic car or it has been repainted, it is important to maintain the exterior. It is important to use products that are safe for the paint and that will not scratch or damage the exterior. When washing and waxing your classic car, do not use products that contain bleach or harsh chemicals and only use a soft, clean cloth to dry and wax the car.

Maintain Fluids and Tires

One of the best ways to maintain the engine is by driving the car. This will help to keep all of the moving parts lubricated. Be sure to routinely check all fluids and keep them topped off, especially the oil. Tires should also be routinely checked to ensure they have the correct pressure and that there are no damages to the tires and/or the rims.

As soon as you take possession of a classic car, it is beneficial to research its history, which will give you an idea of how it was previously maintained. Also, don’t forget to contact your insurance provider about adding your classic car to your policy-even if it is only driven on occasion.

Residents of Parkersburg, WV interested in reviewing the current policy or upgrading their classic car insurance should contact Curtis Miller Insurance.

 

Hurricanes are huge cyclonic wind storms, which generate and rotate over the water and near shore. The very nature of a hurricane puts all things coastal in danger. Luckily, hurricane season is a fairly predictable time of year. Hurricanes tend to rear their head in the fall along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. These two handy facts can help those who live or boat along the coast to prepare ahead of time for storm damage. 

Expect the Worst

Most people find themselves in a bad place with a hurricane because they have underestimated how bad the storm might be. People will refuse to evacuate or protect their belonging appropriately because they simply think the storm will veer away from them. If you are in the path of a hurricane or are under an evacuation notice, then you should most certainly take the notice seriously and follow all precautions you have been given. 

Get Your Boat to Safety

The best thing you can do to protect your boat during a hurricane is to evacuate the boat right along with yourself. If you are evacuating an area, then you should take the boat with you to a safer location. This is the best, tried and true way to avoid hurricane damage to your boat. If you cannot, or are not willing to do that, then you should consider boat storage. There are usually facilities available, especially in areas prone to hurricanes, that will accommodate your boat in a safe location for a rental fee. Although the fee may seem high, you must consider that it is cheaper than losing your boat. 

If you choose to leave your boat in the water during a hurricane, you can expect damage. Be sure that your boat is sufficiently covered by boat insurance to cover any damages. If you would like to learn more about boat insurance, contact Curtis Miller Insurance Parkersburg, WV. Remember, the best place for boats and people during a hurricane is safely evacuated. 

 

There are many unforeseen mishaps that can happen when hosting a party at your home. Your dog could end up biting the neighbor’s kid, a piece of your housing could fall and injure someone, or someone could injure themselves on your stairwell. What’s worse is that all parties who have been affected on your property could end up suing. Not only would you have to provide medical coverage for the affected parties, you would also have to cover legal fees. This could be incredibly costly and wipe out your finances just to ensure you don’t lose a court battle. This could detrimentally affect your family in many ways, including their financial future. Fortunately, there are preventive solutions available to help you avoid such a mishap.

Umbrella Insurance

You will need the right kind of insurance coverage to protect you from unforeseen incidents. Umbrella insurance covers your home and automobiles by providing an additional amount of coverage for any potential legal fees that may occur in the event of an accident. You can purchase umbrella insurance in increments depending on your net worth. This will ensure the proper amount of coverage depending on how much you own. This will mitigate costs in the event any legal action is taken against you on your property.

Protect Your Family with The Right Coverage

Your family could be at risk if your finances go down the drain due to a court battle. Whether it was your fault or not, these types of incidents can happen at any time. Curtis Miller Insurance is here to help you find the right umbrella insurance policy for your family. We service the Parkersburg, WV area and are ready to assist you with all your insurance needs. Don’t put your family at risk, make sure you have the right coverage today. Your finances are important for securing their future.