Many childhood dreams include jumping on trampolines, swimming on hot summer days, and climbing play sets with friends. As adults, it’s great to have an area to send the kids to burn off energy in the privacy of your own yard. Residents of Parkersburg, WV can rely on Curtis Miller Insurance to help them navigate proper insurance coverage for their play areas.

Does my home insurance policy cover my play area?

The only way to find out is to ask. Insurance companies have different requirements for covering trampolines and swimming pools. Some companies have no exclusions, meaning your regular homeowner’s insurance has adequate liability coverage to handle injuries if you are found legally liable for the medical bills. The next step up is coverage with specific safety precautions. Things like fences with child-proof/locked gates surrounding either the whole yard or the specific equipment may be required. Trampolines may have to have a net enclosure. There are a few agencies that will not provide coverage at all if a trampoline is brought onto the property and it can result in non-renewal of your policy. The best thing you can do is talk to your agent at Curtis Miller Insurance to determine whether your current policy is sufficient before installing new play equipment.

Is it necessary to notify my agent if I get new play equipment?

The best thing you can do is talk to your agent at Curtis Miller Insurance to determine whether your current policy is sufficient before installing new play equipment in Parkersburg, WV. You may want to review current liability limits even if your policy does cover trampolines, pools, and play sets. A great time to do this is before installation in your yard. It’s amazing how quickly an injury can occur. 

Will my regular home insurance be enough?

If you are unsure whether your policy limits will be enough, check into the possibility of an umbrella policy to provide coverage beyond the homeowner’s policy liability cap. Our agents can guide you on how to best protect your family, friends, and home from the legal ramifications of injury.

 

Love for your pets is natural since they are members of your family. The remaining objective when it comes to your pets can be difficult. It is the job of your insurance agent to inject some objectivity into the situation when discussing home insurance needs. Curtis Miller Insurance can answer questions about pets and liability for the residents of Parkersburg, WV.

Dogs

Dogs are the pets that most often affect home insurance. Be aware that breed and prior actions of the animal may impact cost and coverage requirements.

Keep your dog’s license current. If your dog is over three months old, you must obtain a license by January 1st every year. The annual fee is discounted for animals that are spayed and neutered. 

Take responsibility and action if your dog has a history of aggressive behavior. If your dog is labeled a dangerous dog by the courts, it means they have attacked a person or domestic animal without provocation and caused injury or death. You are required to carry at least $50,000 in liability insurance coverage in the Commonwealth. Any dangerous dog must be safely contained and is required to be muzzled if it is taken out into the public.  

Police dogs, guide dogs for the blind, deaf, and handicapped, and farm dogs (depending on circumstances) are exempt. If a person is attacked while trespassing or after provoking the dog, you should be protected. Check with your agent to be sure.  

Exotic and Non-Traditional Pets

Any damage caused by pot-bellied pigs and farm pets is usually covered under your liability policy, but you will want to double check with your agent. Exotic animals could be different. The type of animal can potentially affect the level and type of insurance you need.

Your agent at Curtis Miller Insurance can help you determine if your regular home insurance policy in Parkersburg, WV will be enough or if you will need additional coverage.

 

Home insurance is something that should be tailored to each home and each policy holder and as such you might end up needing less coverage than you think you need. The best way to be sure you have the right coverage is to work with an agent to make sure your policy and your coverage is right for you. The agents with Curtis Miller Insurance can help those in the Parkersburg, WV area find the right coverage each and every time.

The main reason that someone might end up needing less home insurance than they currently have is depreciation of the home. Say for instance you took your home insurance policy out ten years ago. Since then your home has had a few repairs, has become out of date in regards to things like the kitchen and bathrooms, and your home is generally in not as great of a state as it was when the policy was taken out. Usually, this is not a huge issue and many homeowners choose to continue paying higher premiums to keep the same amount of coverage. For some, however, reporting depreciation can help you to have a lower monthly premium.

You might also have less contents also that would help to lower your monthly premium in regards to the amount of coverage you would need for home contents. You might also experience the need for less coverage if your home is not worth what it once was worth. It is important to have the correct amount of coverage for your home and having more coverage is better than not having enough. For those in the Parkersburg, WV area, the agents with Curtis Miller Insurance can help you find the proper coverage for your home and particular needs and coverages.

Before traveling for the holidays, take time to safeguard your property. By taking precautions, you can avert problems with theft or damage to your property during your absence. Here are a few tips on how to keep your home safe while on holiday.  

Mail/Lawn

Have a neighbor pick up your mail daily or request that your post office hold it during your absence to avoid having an overflow of letters in your mailbox. If you have a newspaper subscription, put it on hold during your travels.

For extended holidays, have someone mow the lawn or shovel snow from your driveway, depending on the season, to give the impression that someone is home.  

Timers

Invest in timers to turn on lights, radio or TV during the evening so no one will suspect that you’re not home. Thieves are less likely to target a home that looks like it’s occupied. Unplug all appliances not on timers to minimize the risk of power surges causing an electrical fire.

Holiday Plans

Don’t advertise your travels to the public as you never know who’s listening. Share holiday plans with family, close friends or a trusted neighbor in private who can keep an eye on your property while you’re gone. Leave spare keys with someone you trust in case they need to get in the house due to an emergency during your absence.

Valuables

Lock up costly jewelry, important documents and other valuables in a safety deposit box or safe as an extra precaution against theft.

Home Insurance

Make sure you have adequate home insurance coverage to protect your property. Contact Curtis Miller Insurance, Parkersburg, WV, before traveling to discuss home insurance options. With the right insurance policy from Curtis Miller Insurance, you can travel in peace knowing your home in Parkersburg, WV, is well protected against any eventuality.