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Curtis Miller Insurance Agency

1800 Blizzard Drive
Parkersburg, WV 26101

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What unique situations does umbrella insurance provide support for?

Proper personal insurance plans and coverage in the Parkersburg, WV area is critical. One type of coverage all people here should consider getting is umbrella insurance. This personal liability insurance plan offers coverage for some unique situations and scenarios.

Very Serious Accidents

One type of coverage you will receive with an umbrella insurance plan is for very serious or catastrophic accidents. While you can have coverage for accidents through the home and auto plans, there are policy caps that can be exceeded if the accident is bad enough. If you have umbrella coverage, it will give support on top of your other insurance plans.

Dog Bites

A dog can be a beloved pet in your home. However, they are still animals that can react the wrong way and possibly bite someone. If this occurs, you will be held liable for injuries, medical bills, and other expenses sustained by the other party. An umbrella plan can help to protect someone against this risk.

Slander and Libel

If you say, write, or post something negative and inaccurate about another person or business, you can be liable for reputational damage. Having the right umbrella plan will provide you with slander and libel insurance coverage to mitigate these risks.

An umbrella insurance plan is a smart idea for anyone in the Parkersburg, WV area. If you are looking to purchase a new umbrella insurance plan, our team at Curtis Miller Insurance will provide customized guidance to ensure you remain adequately covered. 

Motorcycle Safety During a Thunderstorm

As beautiful as Parkersburg, WV can be, we all know how quickly the weather can change. The bright sunshine can quickly turn into thunderstorms with heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning. As a motorcycle rider, you must consider the weather forecast and plan your ride accordingly. Curtis Miller Insurance wants you to stay safe, so here are some friendly tips.

  1. Check the Weather Forecast: Obvious advice, but still good.
  2. Take Shelter: If you are already on the road and cannot avoid a thunderstorm, try to find a safe place to take shelter until the storm passes. If there is no shelter nearby, park your motorcycle on the side of the road and wait for the storm to pass. Do not continue riding in the storm, which can be very hazardous.
  3. Slow Down: If you cannot escape the rain, slow down and reduce your speed. The roads will likely be wet and slippery, making it harder to control your motorcycle.
  4. Wear Proper Gear: Wearing the right gear can help protect you from rain and lightning. Make sure you wear a waterproof jacket and pants to keep you dry. Wear a helmet and gloves to protect your head and hands.
  5. Be Visible: During a thunderstorm, visibility can be poor, making it harder for other drivers to see you. To stay visible, turn on your headlights and taillights, even during the day. Reflective clothing can also make it easier to see you.

Biking around Parkersburg, WV can be dangerous in bad weather. Pay attention to the weather forecast, find shelter if possible, slow down, wear proper gear, and be visible. At Curtis Miller Insurance, we care about your safety and hope these tips will help you stay safe on the road.

What Happens If You Name a Minor As a Beneficiary On Your Life Insurance Policy?

At Curtis Miller Insurance, we proudly provide life insurance policies to individuals residing in the greater Parkersburg, WV region. We are often asked questions about life insurance by those interested in purchasing a policy. A couple of the questions we are asked include whether a minor can be named as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy and what happens if the child is a minor when you pass away. We invite you to read on to find out the answers to these questions. 

Can a Minor Be Named As a Beneficiary On Your Life Insurance Policy? 

Legally, a minor can be named a beneficiary on your life insurance policy. However, the insurance company cannot legally release life insurance funds to a minor. 

What Happens If You Name a Minor As a Beneficiary On Your Life Insurance Policy?

If you name a minor as your beneficiary and pass away before the child becomes an adult, a court-appointed adult will likely be given the money. In most cases, this is the other parent for your child or their legal guardian. Unfortunately, suppose you leave the money to a child as a beneficiary. In that case, you have no say in who the court may name as the court-appointed adult to release the life insurance money. 

Many individuals want to leave their life insurance to their children. However, if your child is a minor, it may be wise to name someone else as a beneficiary to keep the courts out of it. Here at Curtis Miller Insurance, serving the greater Parkersburg, WV region, we are here to answer any questions about life insurance or help you purchase a policy. Contact us if you are interested in obtaining a life insurance policy. 

Does flood insurance cover temporary living expenses?

Natural disasters, like floods, can cause serious damage to your home. If a flood damages your home, you may wonder if your flood insurance covers temporary living expenses. The answer depends on the type of policy you have. Let’s look at what types of coverage are available and why contacting Curtis Miller Insurance in Parkersburg, WV is important for the right policy. 

What Does Flood Insurance Cover? 

Flood insurance policies cover the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home after a flood. This includes the cost of materials and labor needed to restore your home. However, the standard policy does not cover temporary living expenses while your home is being repaired. 

What Is Not Covered? 

A standard flood insurance policy will not cover any damage caused by mold or other pollutants, nor will it cover costs related to temporary housing or relocation expenses. At the same time, repairs are being made to your home. This additional coverage is available, however. If this interests you, it is important to speak with one of our experienced insurance agents, who can explain all of your options and help you find coverage that meets all your needs.       

Contact Us Today

When it comes to protecting yourself against flooding damage, having adequate flood insurance coverage is essential – especially if you want coverage for temporary living expenses while repairs are being made on your home. To ensure you get the right policy for your needs and budget, contact Curtis Miller Insurance in Parkersburg, WV today! Our knowledgeable agents will help you get a customized plan that gives you peace of mind and financial protection should disaster strike.

Why should a Parkersburg business owner get commercial coverage?

A business in the Parkersburg, WV area will benefit from the strong local economy and variety of amenities that can help build a business. No matter what business, getting commercial insurance is a good option. There are various reasons you should obtain this coverage. 

Cover Company Assets

A great reason any business gets commercial coverage is to cover company assets. A growing business today will rely heavily on any assets they acquire. These can include inventory, equipment, office items, and computers. If these are lost due to a fire or theft, the impact can be significant. A commercial insurance plan gives the coverage needed to replace these items.

Reduce Risk of Liability

Getting commercial coverage to reduce your liability risk is also a good idea. Businesses today will always take on commercial liability risks. If you are found liable for damages incurred by another party, it can be a significant financial strain. If adequately insured, you will have coverage to offset this risk.

Comply with Requirements

Businesses should also always have commercial coverage to ensure they comply with any requirements. Today’s business will require lenders, investors, vendors, and various other parties to carry insurance. If you maintain this coverage, you will stay in good standing with such obligations. 

When you want to protect your business in the Parkersburg, WV area, it would be smart to get a commercial policy. Curtis Miller Insurance is a great company to call when looking for this insurance. The team with Curtis Miller Insurance offers all the support you need to identify risks and build a plan that mitigates them as well as possible. 

Do I Need an Umbrella Policy to Supplement my Commercial Insurance?

Purchasing commercial insurance can be a complex process. Understanding all available coverage is essential to ensure your Parkersburg, WV business is covered in an accident or disaster. One type of coverage that may benefit some companies is an umbrella policy, which provides additional protection beyond a standard commercial insurance policy. Let’s take a closer look at why you might need an umbrella policy from Curtis Miller Insurance and how it works.

What is an Umbrella Policy?

An umbrella policy is an additional type of insurance that provides extra coverage over and above your existing liability coverage from your standard commercial insurance policies, such as general liability and property damage. An umbrella policy also covers any gaps in your current coverage, providing additional protection from loss due to accidents or disasters. For example, suppose your business experiences a situation where the cost of damages exceeds the limits of your standard commercial insurance policies. In that case, an umbrella policy may help cover those costs up to its limits.

Do I Need an Umbrella Policy?

Whether or not you need an umbrella policy depends on the type and size of your business and the risks associated with it. Suppose your company has higher-than-average risks, such as working with hazardous materials or operating in areas prone to natural disasters. In that case, extra liability protection could be invaluable if something goes wrong. Additionally, if you have significant assets that could be at risk if damages exceed your existing coverage limits, having extra protection with an umbrella policy could save you from financial ruin should something unexpected occur.

If you think that you might benefit from this extra layer of security against potential losses due to accidents or disasters, contact Curtis Miller Insurance today for more information about how our team can help protect your business with comprehensive insurance solutions tailored specifically to meet the needs of Parkersburg, WV area businesses like yours!

Why do people in West Virginia need classic car insurance?

Many people love cars in the Parkersburg, WV area, and owning a classic car can be a dream and goal for car lovers. If you are an owner of a classic car in West Virginia, you will want to know that you are protecting it well with insurance. There are various reasons why someone here should want to get a class car insurance plan when purchasing a classic car.

Protect Your Investment and Asset

A good reason for anyone to get a classic car insurance plan is to protect their asset and investment. If you choose to buy a classic car, you will be purchasing an asset that can increase in value. This differs from other types of vehicles that tend to decline in value over the years. If you get the right insurance through a classic car insurance policy, it will give full coverage for the collectible value of the vehicle.

Comply with Liability Requirements

It would be best if you also got classic car insurance to comply with your liability insurance requirements. If you choose to drive a car in this state, you will undoubtedly need liability insurance to drive it, even if you only drive it sparingly. A classic car insurance plan will build a liability policy that factors in your typical mileage driven. 

If you want a classic car insurance plan in the Parkersburg, WV area, it would be a good idea to assess your options carefully. There are a lot of choices to make when looking for coverage, and Curtis Miller Insurance can help you create an ideal plan. Curtis Miller Insurance understands the value of this coverage and will help you build an ideal policy that can meet your needs. 

Do You Live in a Flood Area? Protect Your Home and Property with Flood Insurance

Any home, regardless of location, can be subject to flooding. No home is safe. If it rains, it can flood. However, Curtis Miller Insurance of Parkersburg, WV is available to provide the insurance coverage you need to protect your property.

It is considered a flood when there is an excess of water on land that is typically dry, affects two or more acres of land, or affects two or more properties.

Did you know that just one inch of water can result in more than $25,000 in damage? A flood insurance policy can mean the difference between total recovery and financial ruin. You will be protected if there is a major hurricane event or just one or two inches of water.

Several factors are considered when the annual flood insurance premium is calculated. Factors such as:

  • Flood zone or risk
  • Type of coverage desired for building and contents
  • Deductible amount
  • Location of the structure
  • Age and design of the home
  • Location of the home’s contents, for example, are the utilities elevated?

Flood insurance will cover water damage caused by flooding. Water damage is described as any loss caused by water intruding where it will cause a breakdown in materials, such as the rotting of wood, the growth of mold, rusting of steel, the growth of bacteria, the swelling of composite wood, the delaminating of plywood, or short-circuiting of electrical devices, etc. Damage caused by a sewer backup would be covered if a direct result of the flooding.

Flooding cannot only be an emotionally devastating event but a financially devastating one as well. Flood insurance will enable you to recover fully and faster. Don’t be the victim of a flood disaster. Contact Curtis Miller Insurance of Parkersburg, WV to purchase your policy today.

Purchasing new equipment? Make sure your current commercial policy provides adequate coverage

Parkersburg, WV area business owners can contact the Curtis Miller Insurance team with their insurance needs, questions, and concerns. Looking closely at your current commercial policy before making a large purchase is always a brilliant idea. Let us help you determine the right policy for your needs!

Double-check commercial policies before making large purchases

Purchasing large equipment is often lengthy as it constitutes a serious investment. In addition to determining the right equipment to buy, you’ll also want to ensure that your firm has the proper protection. It may be time to upgrade your policy based on your current policy limits.

Having the right type and correct amount of insurance in place is an important part of responsible business ownership. As a company grows and changes, so too do its insurance needs. This is why it’s advisable to conduct a thorough policy review regularly, perhaps once every six months.

When more equipment is being acquired, it can bring your insurance needs over the upper limit of your policy coverage. This is why it is essential to review current insurance policies thoroughly before finalizing a large purchase. A hefty equipment purchase can also create a need for higher liability protection. All of these factors should be discussed with your local agent to protect the company.

Business owners can rely on us. 

Curtis Miller Insurance proudly serves the greater Parkersburg, WV area business community. If you have questions about how a commercial insurance policy can help protect your business, give us a call today. We look forward to working with you.

Winter is Coming: How to Prepare Your Roof for Rain, Snow and Ice

The staff at Curtis Miller Insurance, serving the greater Parkersburg, WV area, have seen how winter can wreak havoc on roofs. While home insurance may cover damage done to your roof by storms, it will not cover damage caused by not properly maintaining your roof. Here are a few tips to help you prepare your roof for the upcoming winter months. 

Clean Your Gutters

One of the best ways to prepare your roof for the upcoming winter months is to have your gutters cleaned. Water cannot flow from the roof into the gutter trough if your gutters are not clean. Water may freeze in the trough, and this can be the beginning of a roof dam forming. 

Trim Back Overgrown Trees

Another way to prepare your roof for the winter months is to take the time to trim back overgrown trees that may hang over your roof. The branches or limbs can fall on your roof in the winter, damaging your roof. Branches and limbs can also impede water flow off the roof, leading to ice build-up. 

Have Your Roof Inspected for Signs of Damage

Finally, it is strongly recommended that you have your roof inspected by a roofing professional in late summer or fall. The professional will ensure your roof is in good condition and free of leaks. If damage is noted, the roofer has time to make the repairs needed before winter hits. 

While you cannot prevent all damage to a roof, there are many steps you can take to help decrease the chances of roof damage. If damage occurs, having the right home insurance coverage can be vital. The team at Curtis Miller Insurance, serving the greater Parkersburg, WV area, can help to ensure you are properly covered. Call us today to discuss your home insurance needs with us or to obtain an estimate for a policy that offers you the protection you need. 

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