How will flood insurance protect me?

Anyone that is in the Kingwood, WV area will want to make sure that they are properly protecting their homes with insurance. A form of insurance protection that can offer helpful coverage is flood insurance. For those that are located within a designated flood zone, having this coverage could be a requirement set by your mortgage lender. This form of coverage can protect a property owner in several ways. 

Protect Your Dwelling

The most significant asset that most people are ever going to own will be their home. If you are a property owner, ensuring that your home is properly protected should be a top priority. Unfortunately, the risk of a home being damaged by a flood can lead to significant losses. When you get a proper flood insurance plan, you will have the insurance needed to receive proper protection if your home is damaged by a flood. 

Protect Your Contents

While you will always want to know that your dwelling is protected, you also need to ensure that the contents within your home are properly supported as well. If your home is damaged during any type of flood, it could damage your personal belongings including furniture, electronics, clothes, and other personal items. With a proper flood insurance plan, you can obtain the protection that you need to ensure your personal items can be replaced if damaged during a flood.

Those that are in the Kingwood, WV area will always want to ensure that they have the right insurance in place. Those who are looking for this coverage should call the Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia. As you are assessing your insurance needs, the Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia can provide any support that you need to build a proper insurance plan. This can help ensure you properly mitigate your flood risks. 

Do You Need Umbrella Insurance?

If you are a business owner, homeowner, or own a vehicle in West Virginia, it may be a good idea to add umbrella insurance to your already existing insurance policies. The umbrella insurance agents at Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia in Kingwood, WV can provide you with all the types of insurance you need.

Umbrella insurance offers an extra layer of insurance protection which means more peace of mind and relaxation for you and your family. It will provide you with extra insurance that goes beyond the current coverage limitations of insurance policies you already have in place and even includes coverage for different types of lawsuits.

Types of Umbrella Coverage

You can pretty much obtain umbrella coverage with any of your existing insurance policies. For example, if you own a business and want coverage for things like false arrest, slander, libel, and even extra insurance for rental properties, an umbrella policy may be for you.

It can give you extra coverage on your homeowner’s insurance policy. For example, if your dog attacks the mailman, you may be able to get coverage for that through your existing homeowner’s insurance policy but the rest of it would be picked up by your umbrella insurance policy if the injuries are very extensive. This could save you from getting sued and having to go to court.

If you feel you need extra insurance coverage the best way to obtain it is through an umbrella insurance policy. The umbrella insurance agents at Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia in Kingwood, WV can help you get your policy started. Call for an appointment or to obtain a quote today!

Do I Need Flood Insurance?

Floods cause billion-dollar losses in the United States every year. This extent of damage to property has a ripple effect on your financial stability. Worse still, phenomena such as floods are rarely covered in standard coverages such as homeowners insurance. So, what happens when floods run havoc in your home? Flood insurance is your answer in such cases. 

What is Flood Insurance? 

This insurance coverage option covers residents of Kingwood WV from the losses caused by floods. When you apply for flood insurance, the intention is to protect your dwelling from prolonged rain, melting snow, and coastal storm surges. Our flood insurance plan at Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia uses topographical dynamics to categorize risk factors. 

Do Residents of Kingwood WV Need Flood Insurance? 

The unpredictability of torrents makes flood insurance a necessary backup plan for residents of Kingwood, WV. Here are some reasons why this coverage is a must for you. 

Your Homeowners Insurance Does Not Cover Floods

Every property owner considers homeowner’s insurance to be an essential plan against perils such as fire and theft. However, this plan doesn’t cover losses caused by floods. As such, even when you have homeowners insurance, you also need to consider flood insurance. The coverage will come in handy in case the heavens open up and cause damages. 

Your Area Is Within a Flood Zone

People all over West Virginia live in a zone that’s highly susceptible to floods. The categorization means that you are more at risk of flood damage compared to people in other areas. This is more reason why you should consider our flood insurance at Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia. 

Home Association Requirements 

Most home associations consider flood insurance a mandatory prerequisite for members. If this is the case in your area, you can always consult our agents at Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia. 

We are Ready to Secure Your Dwelling

Floods are unpredictable and have detrimental consequences. Kingwood WV residents can benefit from our insurance coverage at Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia, considering its comprehensive nature. With this plan, your heart doesn’t have to skip a beat every time it pours.

We also offer auto, home, farm, motorcycle, renters, and umbrella insurance for our clients. Contact our agents today for all your insurance needs.

Important Changes Your Insurance Company Should Know About

From starting a business at home to changing your roof, there are specific changes that you should definitely share with your insurance company. In so doing, you will receive the appropriate home insurance coverage, which will affect your rate. Your risk level could be affected by the changes you make to your home and that is one of the main reasons for having your current policy reexamined by an insurer like Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia in Kingwood, WV.

Reporting Changes

If you fail to share those changes with your insurer, then it could result in denied claims, which you may subsequently file. It could also lead to a canceled policy later on. Therefore, it is always ideal to choose full disclosure. If you plan to make changes in the home, or you have made changes and you haven’t shared this information with your insurer, you should contact them right away. What kind of changes are we talking about?

The changes below could affect your policy:

  • Going on extended vacations
  • Obtaining a hot tub or installing a pool
  • Making a significant purchase to install in the home such as collectibles, expensive jewelry, or fine artwork
  • Installing a new water heater or heating system
  • Paying off your mortgage in full
  • Changing your marital status from single to married
  • Starting a business in your home

Roof Replacement

The first major change to report is doing a roof overall. At any point in time, your roof can suffer damages due to mold, leaks in the ceiling, and sometimes, structural damages in other areas of the home. It is recommended that you get the roof inspected regularly and replaced when it is necessary. This would reduce the risk of having to make certain insurance claims and filing fewer claims could greatly reduce your monthly premium.

Major Renovation

If you plan to undergo any type of major renovation in the home such as replacing carpets and painting the walls, it might not have any impact on your premium nor will it compromise your insurance coverage. However, if you plan to move out of the home while it is undergoing renovations, you could see special changes to your coverage. You need to speak to the insurance company providing coverage so you know about these potential changes to the policy ahead of time.

Partial Renting of the Home

If you plan to rent a part of the home; whether it is short-term or long-term, you should report this to the insurer. It is possible that you would have to modify your existing policy or consider obtaining a landlord policy so you are fully protected. Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia in Kingwood, WV can provide answers to your questions and concerns.