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Curtis Miller Insurance Agency

1800 Blizzard Drive
Parkersburg, WV 26101

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Commercial Insurance Needs For Construction Companies

ruction firms in Parkersburg, WV need to take the time to understand all of their construction insurance needs entirely. Many types of coverage are required for these types of businesses, which is why we at Curtis Miller Insurance have created this simple and easy-to-understand list for you.

Construction Insurance Minimizes Risks

When you buy commercial insurance for your construction company, you are taking positive steps to minimize the risks to your business. For example, you can make sure that all of your vehicles and equipment are adequately protected from damage. You can also protect your workers and visitors to the area from severe physical injuries and ensure that they get compensation if they are hurt at work.

Construction Insurance Is Required For Many Businesses

Construction insurance is necessary for many different fields, including carpentry, plumbing, electrician work, masonry, home builders, welders, renovation experts, security companies, handyman services, and more. Each type of coverage is designed to meet the unique needs of a specific business. For example, electrician coverage will handle damage caused by shocks or electrical concerns that happen while you are working on a job site.

Policy Types Vary

When buying construction insurance, there are many types of coverage that you need to consider. These include liability coverage, business owners, insurance, workers’ compensation, and policies for your vehicles. These vehicle policies include insurance for any car or pickup used for delivery or as a company car. Any construction vehicle, such as dump trucks, also need specific construction insurance coverage to protect them from damage.

Getting A Comprehensive Package

If you run a construction company of any type in Parkersburg, WV, don’t hesitate to contact us at Curtis Miller Insurance. Our specialists will work with you to find a construction insurance coverage package that works for your needs.

Does Boat Insurance Cover Flooding?

At Curtis Miller Insurance, serving Parkersburg, WV, we are asked numerous questions about boat insurance. This is because people do not fully understand what boat insurance covers and does not cover. When you purchase insurance, we want to be sure that you know exactly what is being covered and is not being covered. Here is what you need to know about boat insurance and flooding.

Does Boat Insurance Cover Flooding?

In some cases, boat insurance will cover flooding. In other cases, boat insurance will not cover flooding. The easiest way to determine if flooding to your boat is covered is to read through the inclusion and exclusion list. If storm damage is covered under your policy, any flooding caused by heavy rains, tropical storms or hurricanes would be covered. If storm damage is excluded from your policy, flooding caused by these events would not be covered.

How Can You Ensure Your Policy Covers Flooding?

Flooding is not something that is covered or not covered by all insurance companies. However, if your policy does not cover storm damage, you can purchase a supplemental storm damage policy that covers all types of storm damage, including flooding. This helps to protect your boat against storm-related damage, including hail damage, damage caused by strong wind gusts, and even damage caused by a tree or other item falling on your boat in the midst of a storm.

When you are looking to purchase a new boat insurance policy or add storm damage coverage to an existing boat insurance policy in the greater Parkersburg, WV area, contact Curtis Miller Insurance. We would love the opportunity to help you find the best policy for your needs. Call us today to get started.

Is Motorcycle Insurance Necessary in West Virginia?

The simple answer is yes.  Just like your auto, the state of West Virginia requires that you carry at least the minimum liability coverage on your bike.  The agents at Curtis Miller Insurance can help you get the coverage that you need.  Serving the Parkersburg, WV area, they can make recommendations on the types of coverage that you may need, beyond liability insurance, based on your travel habits and motorcycle usage.  For instance, weekend warriors need insurance on their bikes but the type and amount of coverage may differ from someone who uses their bike every day as their primary mode of transportation.  That’s where the advice from the agents at Curtis Miller Insurance is invaluable.

The state of West Virginia has two definitions for two-wheeled vehicles.  A ‘motorcycle’ is defined as a two-wheeled vehicle with a motor that is more than 55 cc.  These must be registered and covered by minimum liability insurance.  If the bike’s motor is 55 cc or less, the state generally considers these to be scooters or mopeds.  Generally, these bikes do not need to be registered or meet liability insurance standards.  If you have a moped or scooter, it is prudent to talk with your agent and local DMV to ensure that your bike is exempt from the state insurance requirements.

The agents at Curtis Miller Insurance are your partners.  They have worked with many residents in the Parkersburg, WV area and are ready to serve your insurance needs.  They may recommend coverage beyond the state-mandated liability insurance.  It is important to consider their advice and ask questions until you fully understand what is available to you.  Their team works to ensure that you are protected when you hit the open road.

Why Is It Necessary To Have Boat Insurance?

Curtis Miller Insurance Parkersburg, WV is a full-service insurance agency.  While West Virginia (WV) law does not require boat insurance,  WV does require registration of the boat with the WV Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles.  After you pay the expenses for ann uninsured boating accident, you would wish you had insurance.

Home Owners Insurance

Homeowner’s Insurance is not a satisfactory replacement for boat insurance because the amount covered is typically less than the coverage of a boat insurance policy. There is no standard homeowners coverage plan for a boat.   Further, if there is homeowners insurance coverage, the boat must be damaged on the home owner’s property.

Boat Insurance

Boat insurance typically covers:

1.  Collision damage: Either boat repair or replacement. May need optional coverage for removing any boat wreckage.

2.  Bodily injury liability: Covers an individual with permission to use your boat, medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and dock. Further, other structures or property and coverage if your boat caused damage to someone else’s boat.

3.  Comprehensive:  This involves any other type of injury to the boat including if the boat is damaged, stolen,  damaged other than a collision or vandalized.

4.  Any additional coverages: oil spills, accidents caused by those who are uninsured or underinsured and any personal property such as fishing gear.  The compensation is limited by the deductibles, policy limit,  replacement value based on agreement or actual cash value.

5.  The amount of insurance needed:  Factors in considering insured value is the age of the boat, its motor size,  type of boats such as a speedboat, a cruiser for pleasure or a houseboat.  Price of liability insurance based on all factors including personal injuries and related costs.

Curtis Miller Insurance Parkersburg, WV looks forward to interviewing you concerning all your insurance needs. Please call us!

Increase Your Defense Against Lawsuits With Umbrella Insurance

Lawsuits in America have reached epidemic proportions that are greater than any other developed country in the world. Commongood.org reports that there are 15 million new civil lawsuits annually. Many are "frivolous," which means there is no real justification for them, just an attempt to extort money from someone with "deep pockets." Umbrella insurance can provide protection from this risk as well as extend home and auto insurance limits.

Many can benefit from umbrella insurance coverage. Certain professions are particularly vulnerable to lawsuits. By talking about your specific circumstances with an agent at Curtis Miller Insurance, serving West Virginia and Ohio, you will get a clear idea of what type of umbrella insurance will provide adequate coverage for your needs.

Why Professionals Need Umbrella Insurance

Umbrella insurance is especially helpful for professionals who have the risk of a lawsuit being filed against them for malpractice. Most people know that doctors, nurses, attorneys, and accountants all need this type of insurance. Additionally, so do veterinarians, morticians, estate planners, and even hairstylists.

Anyone who works with the public in a personal, financial, or other way or provides health care or related services needs umbrella insurance. Because the law allows suits for settlement amounts that include punitive damages; if a case is lost, the judgment can easily be in the multiple millions of dollars.

Why the Average Wealthy Person Needs Umbrella Insurance

If you own a luxury home that makes you a target. If you own a luxury home and operate a small business that deals with the public, the risk increases. Even when you operate your business out of your home, umbrella insurance coverage can be invaluable. A slip and fall accident on your property, where someone gets seriously injured, suddenly will make you very appreciative that you have umbrella insurance coverage in place.

Because of the snowy winters and the chance that ice can build up on the walkways around your home, a slip and fall accident can easily happen and be blamed on you.

Reach out to an agent at Curtis Miller Insurance, serving West Virginia and Ohio to learn more about umbrella insurance.

Flood Insurance in Parkersburg, WV

For those that own property, making sure that it is properly protected is very important.  For those that are in the Parkersburg, WV area, having adequate flood insurance coverage would be a great option.  There are several reasons why you should get flood insurance on your property.  

Provides Property Damage Coverage

The primary reason that you should get flood insurance on your property is that it will provide you with property damage coverage.  A flood that impacts your home can have a devastating impact on your property.  This could require you to complete major repairs and renovations to make it livable again.  While a base insurance policy may not cover these repairs, a full flood insurance policy will ensure you have the proper financial protection.

Covers Personal Belongings

Those that get a flood insurance policy will also receive reimbursement if their personal belongings are damaged in the flood.  Most homeowners have thousands of dollars of furniture, electronics, and appliances.  The flood insurance policy will provide you with coverage to replace any of these items damaged by the flood.  

Loan Compliance

The third reason to get flood insurance is that it will keep you in compliance with your mortgage lender.  Depending on where the property is located in town, it could be in a flood zone.  If it is in a flood zone, your loan documents will likely require you to have it.  If you do not have proper flood insurance coverage, it could lead to a loan violation and you could be charged a fee.  

If you are in need of flood insurance, Curtis Miller Insurance would be a great place to start.  Curtis Miller Insurance, which serves Parkersburg, WV, can help you to determine what type of flood insurance coverage you need to ensure that you are properly protected and covered.  

Is My Jewelry Covered? What Should I have Appraised and Why

Homeowners insurance is a good thing to keep updating as your life changes throughout the years. Insurance agencies like Curtis Miller Insurance serving Parkersburg, WV is a perfect colleague to contact to review and update your coverage. One of the many things you should ask your insurance agency is, "Is my jewelry covered? The truth is it is, but just as other valuables in your home, there is a limit to the amount the insurance will cover. Standard homeowner policies include some coverage for jewelry and other valuables, but in some cases it is much less than the items actual value.

To protect yourself and your valuables there are two ways you can increase your insurance coverage:

1.  Add a Floater Policy:  Itemize or schedule each piece of jewelry you own on a Floater Policy. You may have to have the items appraised by a professional in order to prove the item’s value. Having each piece itemized will  probably raise your insurance premium, but will give you the peace of mind that if something happens to your valuables, you are protected. This includes losing the item, theft of the item  and other unexpected incidents.

2.  Raise the Liability Limit:  Explain to your insurance agency that you have valuable items and you would like to raise your homeowners entire liability amount. Your premium will increase some, but not as much as scheduling each piece individually on a floater policy. One downside of raising the liability is that there still may be a limit of the coverage in individual items. For example if a ring is appraised at $5,000, the amount of coverage may only be $2,500.

For specifics  and how to find an appraiser, contact Curtis Miller Insurance serving Parkersburg, WV.

Do I need commercial insurance yet?

Just starting a new business? Here’s what you need to consider before calling Curtis Miller Insurance:

  • Do you have investors?

If you’re starting a small business in a home office in Parkersburg, WV, you might not need commercial insurance just yet. But, if you’re going into a new venture with some insurers who have helped you to build your storefront or rent some office space, then commercial insurance is a must to ensure that you’re covered and not left paying your investors out of pocket should something go wrong.

  • Can you pay for damages out of pocket?

Some businesses have very low overhead. If your whole business is a camera and a laptop and you get to work in your personal car, commercial insurance might not be a requirement until you upgrade to a studio and a company car. If you’re primarily selling your abilities as a freelancer, then the real goods are the years you spent training and learning your craft.

  • Do you have a physical location?

If the answer to this is yes, and the physical location is not covered by your home insurance, then it’s time to look into commercial coverage. Commercial insurance is intended to cover all the physical assets involved in your work, so if you have some valuable physical assets, and they’re not covered by any insurance policy you’re already holding, then it’s time to give Curtis Miller Insurance a call.

The good news is that commercial insurance in Parkersburg, WV isn’t as pricey as you might expect. Get a quote and see for yourself. Not everyone who runs a business needs a commercial policy, but if you do, you don’t want to go a day without it.

Top Tip to Prepare your Home for Winter

Winterizing your home is an important step you need to take as a homeowner. Winters in Parkersburg WV can be harsh and prepare your home is a necessary step you need to take to avoid damage to your home and potential claims against your home insurance policy.

Here are the top tips you should take to prepare your home for winter.

Clean Your Gutters

If your gutters are not cleaned before winter, you risk the blocked water freezing and seeping into your home causing water damage.

Examine Your Furnace

It is prudent to have your furnace serviced before winter. This will ensure it is working effectively. Also, you should change the air filter every month throughout winter which reduces the chance of a fire.

Wrap Pipes

A string of cold nights can increase the likelihood of a burst pipe. You can avoid costly homeowners claim by wrapping your pipes with insulation. Your insurance agent at Curtis Miller Insurance also recommends you turn off the water supply to your outside hose bibs. In addition to reducing the likelihood of a burst pipe, insulating pipes can save you between 4%-9% off your monthly energy bill.

Clean Your Chimney

Have a professional chimney company come and inspect and clean your chimney. Not only will this help improve its efficiency through the winter but it will make sure there are no buildups that can cause a fire in the house. Chimney companies get filled up quickly as the winter approaches so make a point to get an appointment on the books early in the season.

If you are interested in learning more about tips to keep your home free from damage, please feel free to reach out to us at Curtis Miller Insurance. We proudly service the Parkersburg, WV area.

What to Do When a Winter Storm is Heading Your Way

Winter storms are a part of life during this season. Whether you like it or not, they will come our way and you should do everything you can to prepare for them. There are some easy tricks to preparing for a winter storm in Parkersburg, WV. Use these tips the next time one is heading your way. 

Get Food and Water

This may seem like it is an obvious thing to do but you would be surprised by how many people forget to do this. Make sure there is plenty of food and water for each person in the home for a few days. Also, when buying food, be sure to choose some options that do not have to be cooked just in case you lose power. 

Get Salt

With winter storms come ice. The best way to naturally get rid of ice after a storm is by putting salt, sand, or cat litter on the pavement. You need to have this before the storm hits or you will be stranded without a way to get out until the ice melts on its own. Get enough for your driveway and any walkways around your home. You can put some out before the storm as well as after to help speed up the process. 

Even with properly preparing for a winter storm, there is nothing better than having a good home insurance policy. You never know what can happen during a storm and you should protect your investment. Whether you already have one and want to be sure you are properly covered or you are looking to purchase a policy for the first time, we can help you with the process. Be sure to contact Curtis Miller Insurance serving Parkersburg, WV, for some quotes so you can be better protected. 

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