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Curtis Miller Insurance Agency

1800 Blizzard Drive
Parkersburg, WV 26101

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Why should I get flood insurance?

In the Parkersburg, WV area, owning a home can be a great long-term personal investment. When you are in the market to purchase a home here, you should consider all of your insurance needs. While all people will need to have a standard home insurance policy, others may also need to get insurance to protect against flood damage. There is a range of reasons why you should get a full flood insurance policy for your property in this area of West Virginia.

Offers More Flood Protection

The main reason that you should get flood insurance in this area of West Virginia is that it can offer you more flood protection. Anyone that lives around here knows that the local waterways do come with some risk of flood damage. If you do not have sufficient coverage through other insurance policies, you should consider getting a flood insurance plan as it will give you the additional coverage you need to protect your home and provide you with comfort.

Flood Insurance is Often Required

Another example of why you should get flood insurance is that it can ensure you remain in compliance with your flood insurance requirements. Depending on where your home is located, you could be in a designated flood zone. If this is the case for you, your mortgage lender will undoubtedly require you to get appropriate coverage. In most cases, you will need to have your flood insurance payments escrowed each month along with your real estate taxes and base home insurance policy.

As you are looking for flood insurance in the Parkersburg, WV area, it could be challenging to determine your actual need. The team at Curtis Miller Insurance can help you with this. When you call Curtis Miller Insurance, you can get the support and guidance you need to understand your options and to choose a policy. 

Do I need to get commercial insurance in Parkersburg?

When you are in the Parkersburg, WV area, you could find that the local environment will make it a great place to start and own a business. For those that are willing to work hard, there is a lot of opportunity for success. If you are going to start a business here, you should consider your insurance needs. There are a variety of reasons why a business owner will need commercial insurance here.

Needed to Protect Business

One reason that you need to get commercial insurance is that it is a great way to effectively protect your business. A small business in the Parkersburg area will receive both property and liability insurance protection. This can help to ensure that your business assets are properly covered at all times and that you are protected if you are sued for liability. 

Requirements for Most Lenders

Another reason to get a commercial insurance policy is that it could be a requirement for most lenders. Any business that takes out a loan from a bank will need to fully understand their commercial insurance obligations. Most of the time, it will require that you maintain a certain level of coverage. There is a good chance that the bank will also escrow your monthly payments to ensure that you stay covered at all times. 

As you are looking for a commercial insurance policy in the Parkersburg, WV area, you should reach out to the team at Curtis Miller Insurance. When you do call Curtis Miller Insurance, you can receive the guidance that you need to understand the risks that come with running a business here and how you can mitigate them with insurance. The team can then help you build a policy that will properly protect your entire organization. 

When to Increase Your Home Insurance Coverage

When you remodel or refurbish your home, you need to update your insurance coverage with Curtis Miller Insurance of Parkersburg, WV. Your home improvements increase the home’s value which otherwise would not be covered without a policy update.

We do not mean a simple update like replacing the kitchen fixtures, but something more major such as adding a deck or porch. If you remodel your kitchen with a new island and update all the appliances, you would need to increase your insurance coverage.

Another instance where you need to update and add coverage is adding a room or building an addition. The same truth applies if you convert a room. Converting a walk-in closet or dressing room to a bathroom significantly changes your home’s value. Home appraisals consider the number of bedrooms and bathrooms as a key criterion, so by adding a bathroom, you significantly raise the value of your home. This one gets people because converting a room did not change the square footage of the home.

When you alter your home to make it wheelchair accessible or convert to a smart home, you similarly raise the home’s value. This modernization requires added insurance to cover its technology.

Repainting the rooms or wallpapering does not fall into the same category. Though it pretties up the place, you do add much to the appraisal value of the home.

If you have a renovation or remodeling planned, contact Curtis Miller Insurance serving Parkersburg, WV to learn whether you need to increase your home insurance coverage and when. You may need a construction policy to cover your home while it undergoes updates, then you will need the added home insurance coverage once the work is finished.

Who needs auto insurance in West Virginia

If you live in the Parkersburg, WV area, it is very likely that you will need to own a car. For those that are looking to purchase a car, it is also very important that they spend time assessing their insurance needs. There are many incidences when someone in West Virginia is going to an auto insurance policy.

When Driving on a Public Road

One of the most common situations, when someone will need an auto insurance policy, is West Virginia is when they are driving on a public road. All drivers in this state will need an auto insurance policy that provides them with liability coverage. When you have this protection, it will ensure that you are able to pay for any damages that you cause in an accident. If you do not have this insurance coverage, there are a variety of penalties that you could face. 

When Financing the Car

Another situation when you will need to get an auto insurance policy is when you are taking out a car loan. The majority of car buyers need to finance at least a portion of their vehicle. To ensure that their collateral is covered, any auto lender will require that their borrowers get an auto insurance policy. This way, they will know that you have the ability to pay off the loan if the car is stolen or damaged.

There are many situations when someone in the Parkersburg, WV area will need an auto insurance policy. If you are shopping for an auto insurance policy, you should call Curtis Miller Insurance. The team a Curtis Miller Insurance is very aware of the complexities that come with choosing an auto insurance policy. They can then help you to get into a policy that offers the right protection. 

Three misconceptions about commercial insurance

Business owners need to understand commercial insurance to make sure that their companies are adequately protected financially. At Curtis Miller Insurance we offer commercial insurance policies in Parkersburg, WV. 

The following are three misconceptions about commercial insurance that you need to be aware of as a business owner. 

Business owners don’t need commercial coverage with an LLC.

Many business owners have a misconception that an LLC protects them from all financial liabilities. However, this is not the case. 

Commercial insurance is necessary even if you’re running an LLC. While the LLC setup might help protect your personal assets, it will not protect business assets in the event of a lawsuit or similar liability expense. 

If a company’s sole service is consulting, commercial coverage is not necessary.

Some business owners who run consulting companies think that consulting is not a type of service that requires commercial coverage. However, this is not the case.

Consulting companies could be held liable for errors and omissions claims. They also could be subject to malpractice suits in some situations.

Therefore, commercial coverage is necessary for many consulting firms. 

Commercial insurance covers flood damage to commercial properties. 

Commercial insurance is important for insuring commercial facilities. However, it’s important that business owners don’t make the assumption that their commercial coverage includes coverage for flood damage to commercial properties. 

In fact, flood coverage generally requires add-on coverage. If your commercial facility is located in an area that is subject to frequent flooding, you need to invest in added flood coverage in addition to your basic commercial property coverage. 

If you’d like to get more information about meeting your commercial insurance needs, get in touch with us at Curtis Miller Insurance. We offer commercial coverage in Parkersburg, WV. 

How Umbrella Insurance Can Assist Small Business Owners In West Virginia

Located in Parkersburg, WV, Curtis Miller Insurance assists people throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley. Through our relationship with several insurance companies, we are able to provide our clients with the insurance coverage that they are looking for at an affordable rate. We care about our clients and remain committed to putting their needs first.

Umbrella Insurance

Curtis Miller Insurance advises Parkersburg WV businesses to consider purchasing umbrella insurance. Umbrella insurance provides businesses with additional protection. For small businesses, umbrella insurance is especially important because it allows them to have protection in the event of an emergency that would seriously hurt them otherwise.

If your business has high liability risks, you should consider purchasing umbrella insurance. Having umbrella insurance will protect your business if someone gets injured on your property. Umbrella insurance will cover your business so that you will not have to jeopardize your financial future to cover defense costs.  Umbrella insurance will also cover any of the vehicles associated with your business if there is an accident.

If your employees perform tasks that involve hazards, umbrella insurance will cover your business against any injury lawsuits. You can also cover your employee’s personal vehicles that they use on the job. Workers Compensation is also essential. Workers Compensation will cover your employee’s medical bills if they are injured on the job. That will prevent the business from being held liable. Having umbrella insurance allows your small business to minimize risk so that it will continue to thrive.

Contact Curtis Miller Insurance

The agents here at Curtis Miller Insurance will assist you as you evaluate your options. We will provide you with a thorough breakdown of what umbrella insurance entails. To learn more information, head to our website.

The Family that Bikes Together: Motorcycle Insurance for your Teen

Every family has their own traditions and hobbies. From sharing coffee cake at Christmas to putting together puzzles on New Year’s Day, to taking group pictures together every Thanksgiving. These experiences help to bond the family and to provide opportunities for making memories. 

Some families enjoy the experience of riding motorcycles together. In West Virginia, your 16-year-old can join this family tradition, acquire a license, and get out on the road with you. You’ll enjoy the view as you whiz over the Ohio River all together on your motorcycles.

But before you begin your tradition, make sure to add your teen to your existing motorcycle insurance. You’ll want to contact Curtis Miller Insurance as soon as your young adult receives a motorcycle license to make sure he or she has the correct insurance set up in case of any unforeseen accidents or on-road issues. 

Parkersburg, WV is a fantastic place to show your teen how to get comfortable on a motorcycle. Make sure she or he has the correct gear, including clothing, eyewear, and helmet, and that these items are in good condition and fit the rider well. 

Teaching your teen how to ride a motorcycle is a great way to connect. The transition to adulthood can be challenging, as young people strive to achieve independence while also needing guidance along the way. Riding motorcycles together is a wonderful way to preserve the parental bond while instructing your teen about important, adult matters such as safety, road rules, and proper protective equipment. 

You’ll also want to let your teen know how important it is to acquire motorcycle insurance. Let them be part of the process as you request a quote from your local Parkersburg, WV agent at Curtis Miller Insurance together. Your insurance agent will be happy to explain the importance of choosing the right coverage and making sure your family tradition carries on for years to come. 

Reach out today about motorcycle insurance. You’ll be glad you did!

Ways Life Insurance Protects Your Family

Protecting your family is your main priority and life insurance is one way to do that.  It can give you reassurance that your children will be protected should one or both spouses pass away.  The main question that most people have is would your family be able to pay for the funeral and final expenses.  Would your children be able to go to college?  For the charities that you support, can you designate funds for them from the policy?  Life insurance policies can do more than you think.  Our agents at Curtis Miller Insurance work with people throughout the Parkersburg, WV area to discuss how life insurance can protect their family. 

Determining the amount and type of coverage will take some thought but your agent will be able to help.  Considering inflation and estate taxes can help with your decision.  There are two forms of life insurance:  term life and whole life.  Both are beneficial depending on how you want to use it.  Term policies are for a set period of time.  While they can be renewed and are cost-effective, they do not build cash value over time.  Each time the policy is renewed, it will be more expensive. 

Whole life policies, on the other hand, remain in place throughout the lifetime of the policyholder.  While they have higher premiums than term policies, they do build cash value.  This means that if you need to, you can borrow against the policy. 

Our agents at Curtis Miller Insurance can help you with your options.  We know that choosing a life insurance policy comes with many questions so we’re here to help!  In the Parkersburg, WV area, we’re conveniently located.  Come by and talk with an agent today!  Family is important.  Take the first steps to protect their future.

Flood Insurance in West Virginia

Flood insurance is not especially a problem for coastal areas. Flood damage can happen anywhere. If the drainage of a city is not ideal, even a lot of rain can cause floods regardless of the geographical location of the city. Most homeowners forget that home insurance doesn’t cover for flood damage. A sperate policy in flood insurance is needed for protecting the house against flood damage.

For most people, their house is their biggest investment in life and they need to protect it with adequate insurance coverage. The 1937 Great Flood had caused severe damage in West Virginia. Homes that were miles away from the Ohio River were damaged with floodwater. However, even in areas with no flood history, there is always risk for flood and it is too much risk for your biggest investment, your house. The federal disaster assistance can be useful but it only kicks in when the disaster is declared federally. The coverage amounts might also not be sufficient. In any case, flood insurance is a must along with home insurance to properly secure the value of your house.

Flood insurance typically covers building property and personal content property but does not cover property and belongings outside of the insured building such as trees, patios, swimming pools, etc. It can get a bit complex there you should get in touch with a flood insurance expert to guide you. Curtis Miller Insurance serving Parkersburg, WV has all the experience you need for insurance policies in the state of Virginia. Their team of agents will educate you and navigate you with the best insurance coverage for your requirements. The contact details for Curtis Miller Insurance serving Parkersburg, WV is available on the website. Please feel free to get in touch so they can help you.

Are You Aware of These Common Commercial Insurance Myths?

As a business owner, you have many options for insuring your enterprise. Finding the right coverage for your small business can be challenging, especially when faced with so many business insurance myths. By debunking common commercial insurance myths, your Curtis Miller Insurance agent in Parkersburg, WV can help you make wise commercial insurance choices.

Myth: All you need is commercial property coverage.

Commercial property insurance protects your place of business, business equipment, and inventory such perils as storm damage, lightning strikes, fire, theft, vandalism and more. At the same time, you can’t rely on just property coverage to protect your business interests.

If your business deals with the public, you’ll need liability coverage to protect you against injuries on your business property. If you have employees, you need worker’s comp to protect your workers against injuries on the job. We can help you select a comprehensive business insurance package catered to your specific business needs.

Myth: Home insurance will protect your home-based business.

Home insurance isn’t designed to protect your business interests. If your business equipment is damaged by a home disaster or a client has an accident while visiting your home for business purposes, you could suffer financial loss if you lack the appropriate coverage. By getting commercial coverage for your home business, you’ll have the protection you need against any eventuality.  

Myth: A standard BOP (business owner’s policy) will protect your small business against flooding.

Commercial insurance doesn’t cover damage from flooding. You can, however, add flood coverage to your commercial policy to protect your business against this risk. If you live in or near a flood zone, it’s advisable to purchase flood insurance to protect your business assets.

For more information about commercial insurance and the coverage it provides, contact Curtis Miller Insurance in Parkersburg, WV.

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