Umbrella Insurance

How Umbrella Insurance Benefits Key Businesses and Professions

Posted on by admin

Umbrella insurance can assist businesses in several ways, including covering lawyers’ fees and court costs for specific legal situations. However, its primary purpose is to extend the liability limits of other insurance policies. Since insurance policies limit the amount paid on a claim, the policyholder becomes responsible for the amount over the limit. If you have umbrella insurance, it pays the damages exceeding the underlying policy’s limits. If you’re considering umbrella insurance to protect your business further, contact the Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia, serving Kingwood, WV, and the surrounding areas.

Which Professions and Businesses Need Umbrella Insurance?

While every business might benefit from umbrella insurance, companies with customers onsite and those visiting customer sites find it particularly valuable. For instance, physicians, lawyers, and other professionals whose clients visit their offices risk someone falling and injuring themselves during a visit. Similarly, all retailers, restaurants, and auto dealers that invite the public into their facilities face similar risks. Should an accident occur, an umbrella policy will extend the liability limit of the base policy.

Other businesses that find umbrella policies valuable are those that work at customers’ sites. Skilled tradespeople who work on-site run the risk of damaging their customers’ property or injuring others. The same applies to delivery services and other businesses that operate vehicles due to the potential for damage or injuries in work-related vehicle accidents.

Also, contracts with government and private organizations often require their business partners to carry umbrella insurance.

Working With the Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia

The Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia team serves individuals and businesses in the Kingwood, WV, market. Call (304) 329-1440 or stop by our office to schedule an appointment to address your insurance needs.

How wealthy do you have to be to need umbrella coverage?

Posted on by admin

Why You Need an Umbrella Insurance Policy

Rich can be a relative term, especially regarding insurance coverage. Generally speaking, you definitely need an umbrella policy if your net worth exceeds $500,000. The policy covers you for large amounts beyond what you may already have on your home or auto policies. It is possible to be ordered to pay millions of dollars if you lose a major liability lawsuit. The more you have to lose, the more you need an umbrella insurance policy. Visit the Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia in Kingwood, WV to get all your insurance questions answered.

Protecting Your Future Wealth

For instance, if you have a large inheritance coming, you might consider umbrella protection. If you were ordered to pay, you would have to pay when you received the inheritance, no matter how much later it is. You could also want to protect the lottery or other gambling winnings you might win in the future. It not only protects what you have now, but it also protects what you may have in the future.

What Does an Umbrella Policy Cover?

The umbrella policy can also cover you for damage done by your dependent children. It can also protect you from losses due to slander, libel, defamation of character, and other things that you could possibly face a lawsuit over.

Cost and Risk Factors

Umbrella policies are not very expensive, and how likely you are to face such a lawsuit may also determine your risk. Regardless of your net worth, there are still risks. If you drive a lot, own a swimming pool, or have a dog, these are just a few things that increase your risk or exposure to large settlements if you were to be sued.

Is an Umbrella Policy Right for You?

To find out if an umbrella policy is right for you, regardless of your net worth, contact the Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia in Kingwood, WV to get the coverage you need.

Three Frequently Asked Questions About Umbrella Insurance

Posted on by admin

You can usually tell what’s covered by an insurance policy by the policy name. Homeowners insurance covers your home. Auto insurance covers your car.

But what is umbrella insurance? What does it cover? The professionals at Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia, servicing Kingwood, WV, are here to help. If you have questions about umbrella insurance, we can help. 

1. What Is Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance offers extended liability coverage that goes beyond the liability coverage offered by another policy, like a homeowners insurance policy. Umbrella insurance is designed to offer an extra level of protection if you are likely to be sued.  

2. Who Needs Umbrella Insurance?

Many people don’t even realize they could benefit from umbrella insurance. If you own a home or have many assets, such as an investment portfolio or a retirement savings account, you could benefit from umbrella insurance.

Generally, your liability coverage should be as much as or more than your assets. You could benefit from umbrella insurance if you can add all your assets together; the total is more than your liability insurance. 

3. How Can I Get the Best Umbrella Insurance Policy for Me?

The best way to get an umbrella insurance policy is to talk to a trusted insurance agent. The Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia professionals servicing Kingwood, WV are here to help. We work with many carriers to ensure our customers have many choices and can find the right policy. 

If you want umbrella insurance, call today to speak with one of our experienced insurance professionals. 

Umbrella Insurance: When Pretty Sure Isn’t Sure Enough

Posted on by admin

Insurance is a proven form of security and protection for people and businesses across the greater Morgantown and Kingwood, WV area. One of the most common questions policyholders have, however, regards what is and isn’t covered. That is also where the expertise and help of agencies like the Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia can help.

Regarding insurance coverage, it isn’t sure enough for many home and business owners. That is also where umbrella insurance policies can bridge the gap and help ensure coverage for policyholders.

Additional Coverage Where You Need It

One of the most helpful features of umbrella insurance is its flexibility to extend coverage limits across various liability situations. That includes protection against potential liabilities such as injuries, property damage, lawsuits, and other scenarios.

If you have questions about what your insurance policy does and doesn’t cover an experienced and professional insurance agency can help. At the Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia, we help people from in and around Kingwood, WV, with all their insurance coverage needs. 

That means that when pretty sure isn’t good enough, umbrella insurance is often the solution by providing the coverage you need. Additionally, umbrella insurance functions like a supplement to current policies, so policyholders can choose which umbrella policies work best.

Umbrella Insurance for Morgantown and Kingwood, WV

If you live in or near Morgantown or Kingwood, WV, and want to learn more about umbrella insurance or if it could benefit you, we can help. Contact us at the Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia to learn more and to ensure you have the coverage you want, need, and deserve.

Why Every Family Should Have Umbrella Insurance

Posted on by admin

The right insurance policies can protect people from many different things. That said, any given insurance plan often has gaps and limitations. Fortunately, with the right umbrella insurance, it may be possible to close and seal those gaps. Contact Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia, serving Kingwood, WV, and beyond, to explore umbrella insurance plans.

We’re going to examine insurance policies and coverage in a second closely. However, it’s essential to read the fine print with a given insurance policy as there are many nuances, and not all plans provide the same coverage.

A Closer Look at Umbrella Insurance

Car insurance covers vehicles, as you likely already know. Meanwhile, homeowner’s insurance covers homes, personal property, and perhaps even personal injuries incurred by guests on your property. So why do you need an umbrella insurance policy?

First, insurance policies usually don’t provide complete protection from different types of damages. Second, even with events covered, there is often an upper limit on how much the plan will pay.

Understanding what is covered and how much is covered is crucial. Many people use umbrella insurance to expand coverage to mitigate more events and liabilities. Folks also often want to increase payout and liability limits.

Standard homeowners’ insurance may not cover certain events that destroy or damage your home. For example, flood damage often isn’t covered by standard home insurance. Likewise, many plans fail to cover damage from termites and other pests. Some policies will cover bills from dog bites, and some won’t.

With umbrella insurance, extending coverage for termites, dog bites, and the like may be possible. This way, your family can mitigate risks and improve financial security.

Contact Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia, serving Kingwood, WV, and other areas nearby, to discuss umbrella insurance options.

Benefits of umbrella policies for West Virginia businesses

Posted on by admin

Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia is here to meet all of the insurance needs of the business owners in the greater Kingwood, WV area. If you own or operate a business in the area, give us a call today to learn more about the benefits of umbrella insurance. 

Why umbrella insurance might be right for you

If your company operates in an industry where there is a lot of liability risk or common lawsuits, it makes sense to have a sufficient amount of liability protection. This can help to protect your firm’s assets and the assets of any principals who have risk exposure. There are several different ways to keep your company protected, and an umbrella policy should be one of them. 

Your primary commercial policy has policy limits and may also have carve-outs of specific claims that it will not cover. And, if you are involved in a lawsuit, you will need to have enhanced protection. Many umbrella policies provide coverage for lawsuit liability and have protection that could help you pay some legal expenses. This type of coverage is critical because, unfortunately, we live in a litigious society that is not always fair.

To protect yourself from such risks, you must build a more robust layer of protection around your company. This is achieved by putting an umbrella policy to supplement your current primary commercial insurance policy.

Let’s work together!

Businesses in the greater Kingwood, WV area can rely on the Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia. We are here to help you protect your local business and continue to increase its success. Give our office a call today to find out more about the benefits of umbrella insurance.

What Is Umbrella Insurance And What Does It Cover?

Posted on by admin

If you have already auto insurance, home insurance, and life insurance, you may find it hard to believe that there could be yet another type of insurance that you need. 

What Is Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance is an extra type of insurance that provides coverage beyond the limits of other existing policies. Umbrella insurance can provide coverage for property damage, injuries, personal liability situations, and lawsuits. 

What Does Umbrella Insurance Cover?

When there is an incident on your property or a serious car accident with high medical bills, you may be responsible for damages exceeding the limits of your auto or home insurance policies. That is when umbrella insurance kicks in by providing extra coverage that goes beyond the limits of your existing standard policies. 

Here is what umbrella insurance usually covers:

  • Liability in excess of car and home insurance policies
  • Libel and slander
  • Mental anguish and psychological harm
  • Legal defense costs for covered losses
  • Liabilities when you travel overseas
  • Malicious prosecution
  • Other things that are not covered by auto or home insurance policies
  • False arrest

The main advantage of umbrella insurance is that it applies to more situations than standard home and auto insurance policies. It becomes especially useful when you are facing a serious financial loss because of the claim. 

Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia in Kingwood WV – We Help Make Your Bad Days Less Stressful

If you live in Kingwood, WV or any other nearby town in West Virginia and you consider getting umbrella insurance, Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia will be glad to help you find a policy you need. We specialize in all types of insurance, including umbrella insurance. 

Who should carry umbrella insurance

Posted on by admin

West Virginia has a wide variety of weather, it isn’t always sunny. When the weather is stormy an umbrella can be very helpful. In insurance terms. umbrella insurance is a lot like a real umbrella with the protection that it offers. An umbrella keeps the rain off your head and umbrella insurance keeps bad things from happening to your assets. Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia in Kingwood, WV has been serving residents for more than 50 years with dedicated customer service. 

Most people are not very knowledgeable about umbrella insurance, it is one of the most misunderstood types of insurance. For you to buy an umbrella policy, you must already have a primary policy that includes liability coverage. An umbrella policy is an additional layer of liability insurance. It can be added to a home, auto, commercial, condo, or renters policy among others. You may wonder why you would need that much liability insurance. 

When was the last time you looked at the liability limit on your insurance policies? Probably never. This can be very dangerous to your finances. We live in a world where getting sued is a real possibility. If you are found at fault, you could have a very sizable judgment against you. The legal expenses can also be high. With an umbrella policy, after your primary insurance policy reaches its limit, the umbrella will kick in and pay up to its limit. Most umbrella policies are between two and five million dollars. 

At Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia in Kingwood, WV we know that you have worked very hard to get where you are, and protecting your assets is a major concern. We want to talk to you about your umbrella insurance needs. Stop by our office or give us a call for a no-obligation quote. 

3 Reasons to Add an Umbrella Insurance Policy

Posted on by admin

If you live in or around the Kingwood, WV area, and you want to add to your level of protection and peace of mind, it may be time to consider an umbrella policy. At Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia, we can help you find the policy that’s going to work for your needs and situation. You don’t have to settle for a policy that doesn’t give you enough coverage, or that leaves you worried about your level of protection. Instead, you can work with our trusted agents on a policy that’s right for you. Then you won’t need to worry about coverage limits any longer. Here are three of the main reasons you might want to add umbrella insurance to your coverage.

  1. You want to make sure you have adequate coverage that goes above and beyond your current policy limits.
  2. You have special circumstances, such as a celebrity or public figure status, that could put you at risk for unusual situations.
  3. You have a high level of assets that need more protection than average policies allow for. 

When you know you need more coverage, or you simply want to be better protected, an umbrella insurance policy can be the right choice. At Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia, we can help with that. Our knowledgeable agents will give you plenty of great information, so you can get the help and support you’re looking for. Being an informed consumer is very important, especially when it comes to insurance policies. We want all of our clients in and around the Kingwood, WV area to have the kind of coverage they want, need, and feel good about. Reach out to us today, and let us help you find the umbrella policy you’re looking for.

3 Benefits of Umbrella Insurance

Posted on by admin

Umbrella insurance can be a lifesaver for a business. Because of how it works, it can ensure that a catastrophic event won’t disable a business or cause it to experience a devastating financial loss. In Morgantown and Kingwood, WV, residents can turn to Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia if they need answers concerning umbrella insurance and what it covers.

Less Risk of Financial Loss

Having an umbrella insurance policy in place reduces the risk of financial loss a business may face if the unthinkable happens. When a company experiences a devastating event, it could result in the business not being able to recover. Umbrella insurance reduces that risk and protects your financial security.

Picks Up Where Traditional Coverage Leaves Off

If your liability insurance has a cap amount and you are ordered to pay compensation over and above that amount, your umbrella insurance policy will pick up where your other policy falls short. While this may not often happen, having that additional coverage may mean the difference between losing your investment and staying in business.

Added Sense of Security

Having an umbrella policy also gives you, as the business owner, an added sense of security. The protection it affords you can be a blessing, even though you may not have to use it very often.

Contact the agents of Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia today to find out how an umbrella insurance policy can protect your business from financial loss. If you live in Morgantown or Kingwood, WV, don’t delay! Call and set up an appointment to go over your existing commercial coverage and learn what adding an umbrella policy can do for you!