Why should I get home insurance for my Kingwood property?

Posted on by admin

Owning a home has continued to be a worthy investment in the Kingwood, WV area. If you are going to buy a home, you will enjoy having a place to call your own and the ability to build long-term wealth. If you are going to buy a home here, you need to insure it properly. There are various reasons why you should get a home insurance policy for your West Virginia property. 

Receive Helpful Coverage

A primary reason that people will want to have this insurance is so they can receive reliable coverage. If you purchase a home, you will want to know that you are supported if you incur an unforeseen loss due to damage or destruction of your home. A home insurance plan will provide coverage to repair and replace the property in various situations. 

Stay in Compliance

Getting home insurance to stay in compliance and in good standing with your insurance obligations is also a good idea. It is very common to be required to have home insurance. If you have taken out a mortgage or live within a home association, you will likely need a certain type and level of insurance. Having home insurance will keep you in good standing with these obligations. 

Those living in the Kingwood, WV area will need to ensure they are correctly covering and protecting their home. If you want this type of coverage, it would be wise to call the Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia team. The Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia team can assess your situation and help you build a home insurance plan that is right for your situation. 

Protect Your Belongings in Kingwood With Renters Insurance

Posted on by admin

As a renter in Kingwood, WV, it’s essential to protect your belongings in case of an accident or theft. Renters insurance is an affordable way to do just that. Here’s what you need to know about renters insurance and how it can benefit you.

What is Renters Insurance?

Renters insurance is a type of insurance that covers your personal belongings in the event of damage or theft. It also provides liability coverage in case an injury happens on your property. Most importantly, renters insurance lets you know that your belongings are protected. 

Benefits of Renters Insurance

There are many benefits to having renters insurance in Kingwood, WV, including: 

  • Protection for your belongings: In the event of damage or theft, your renter’s insurance will reimburse you for the cost of replacing your belongings. 
  • Liability coverage: If someone is injured on your property, your renter’s insurance will cover their medical expenses. 
  • Peace of mind: Knowing that your belongings are protected can give you peace of mind and help you relax and enjoy your home. 

These are just a few of the many benefits of having renters insurance in Kingwood, WV.

How to Get Renters Insurance 

The best way to get renters insurance is to contact your Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia representative for a free quote. So don’t wait—contact us today to get started! We’ll help you find the right coverage for your needs and budget.

Don’t wait until it’s too late—protect your belongings with renters insurance today! Contact Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia for a free quote and see how affordable it can be.

Protect your company from liability risk with an umbrella policy

Posted on by admin

Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia is proud to serve Kingwood, WV and the surrounding area. You can count on us if you own a business and have questions about umbrella insurance. Contact our office today to set up an appointment.

Umbrella insurance is an effective way to protect your company from liability risk. 

Liability protection is important for all types of companies. If you own a company that has been increasingly growing, it’s probably time to take a close look at your liability protection. Without adequate liability coverage, the company can be held financially responsible. And depending on the structure of the business, the owners and principals could also carry some personal liability.

Umbrella insurance comes into play if your primary property insurance policy is exhausted. The firm’s direct insurance will be accessed when a company suffers a significant loss and is held liable, typically due to a lawsuit. If the damage is to such an extent that the primary policy limits are reached and exceeded, the umbrella policy will come into effect. 

Without this protection, a company’s future viability can be at risk. Now is an ideal time to meet with a local insurance professional to learn more about how an umbrella insurance policy can provide your company’s additional liability protection. Don’t wait until your primary policy is exhausted to add this vital policy type to your company’s insurance portfolio. 

We look forward to working with you!

Business owners in Kingwood, WV, and the surrounding area can rely on the team at Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia for all of their commercial insurance needs. Call us today and schedule a consultation if you have questions about umbrella insurance. 

Does Flood Insurance Cover Wind-Driven Rain?

Posted on by admin

There are many natural disasters across the country and in Kingwood, WV. The chance for severe storms with high winds is a primary concern for most and can create significant losses. It’s always a great idea to have flood insurance in especially prone areas experiencing flooding, but does flood insurance cover wind-driven rain? Let the experts at Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia help. 

Flood Insurance

Flood insurance is a government-backed program that covers the costs of losses and repairs to property resulting from a covered flooding event. However, this FEMA-backed insurance only covers the damage caused directly by flooding. Your homeowner’s insurance covers damage from wind-driven rain. 

Our agents are ready to assist if you want to purchase a flood insurance policy. They can assess your current situation and help determine if you need flood insurance based on your location and its history of flooding. They can recommend the type of insurance that best suits each situation to ensure customers get the best protection available to them. Additionally, they can help with purchasing the policy and submitting the necessary documents. If any adjustments are needed in the future or claim submissions, they are there to help. 

Reach Out Today

Anyone in the Kingwood, WV area looking for reliable insurance products can count on the Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia team to help them create a layer of protection that offers peace of mind. Call or stop by the office today to speak to an agent. We are proud to help the residents in and around the area to ensure they get the solutions they need to protect their assets. 

Commercial Insurance and Your Home-Based Business

Posted on by admin

That photography business you run out of your home or the web design side gig you started may seem like low-overhead, but you still need to protect it separately from your home with commercial insurance coverage. That’s because the typical home policy only provides about $2,500 worth of coverage for business property.

Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia can help you with a home-based business policy for your business. It doesn’t just cover your business property; it also covers liability for slips and falls or employee injuries.

If you built a workshop or converted your garage, you might think your home policy covers it, but no. Your other structure coverage only covers your personal items and structures. At most, your policy may include $500 of coverage for business property detached from the residence.

With a home-based business policy, you completely cover your structure and your business property. You can obtain this coverage as a separate policy or an endorsement on your home policy.

Do you wonder if your Kingwood, WV home-based business needs business insurance? Most do. If you meet with clients in your home or a structure on the residential property, you do. If you keep inventory at your home, you do. If you keep clients’ belongings at your home, you do.

Let’s consider a few home-based businesses that fulfill each of the above. An independent architect or business consultant typically meets with clients at their homes. Tax preparers and accountants do, too. Plus, they sometimes keep their clients’ financial records at home while accomplishing the work. A t-shirt silk screener maintains inventory in their home. Other examples of those who keep client property on their property include knife sharpeners and engravers.

Contact Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia, serving Kingwood, WV, for more information. Let us help you adequately cover your home-based business.

5 Questions to Ask Before Buying Auto Insurance

Posted on by admin

Whether you’re a new driver or someone who has been behind the wheel for years, it’s always important to have adequate auto insurance. However, with so many different policies available, knowing which one is right for you can be challenging. Here are five questions to ask before buying auto insurance.

1. What Am I Required to Have?

Every state has different requirements for auto insurance, so you’ll need to find out what yours are. Typically, you’ll need liability insurance at a minimum, but that does not cover everything. You may also want to consider collision and comprehensive coverage, especially if you have a newer car.

2. What Is My Budget?

Once you know what coverages you need, you’ll need to set a budget. How much can you afford to pay each month? How much can you afford to pay out of pocket if you have an accident? Remember that the cheapest policy may not always be the best.

3. What Are Add-ons, and Do I Need Them?

Auto insurance policies typically come with various add-ons, or options, that you can purchase. Some of these may be required in your state, while others are additional coverage that can provide extra protection. You’ll need to decide which ones you need and which you can live without.

4. What’s the Claims Process Like?

If you have an accident, you’ll want to know what the claims process is like. How easy is it to file a claim? How long does it usually take to get reimbursed? Make sure you understand the process before you purchase a policy.

5. Am I Getting the Best Rate?

Finally, you’ll want to ensure you get the best rate possible. Get quotes from several different companies and compare them. Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples, though. Some policies may have different coverages than others, so read the fine print before deciding.

Get Auto Insurance in Kingwood, WV

Now that you know what to look for in an auto insurance policy, it’s time to start shopping around. Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia offers a variety of different options to choose from. Call us today for a free quote.

Is Home Insurance Tax Deductible?

Posted on by admin

As with any insurance policy, the amount you spend annually on your home insurance policy is not tax-deductible. However, if you claim on your home insurance policy and receive a reimbursement, that amount is tax-deductible. Keep excellent records to ensure you have all the necessary documentation for your home insurance claim. Contact Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia for questions in Kingwood, WV. 

Know About the Tax Deductibles 

Though the IRS does not currently offer a deduction for home insurance, it may be possible for you to deduct other expenses related to your homes, such as property taxes, mortgage interest, or utility bills. To claim these deductions, you must meet specific requirements, such as the amount of your income versus your expenses. To learn more about these requirements, visit the IRS website at irs.gov. 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires home insurance policies to be bona fide and tax-deductible. To be bona fide, the insurance must be for something that has financial value and be covered by the policy. Common examples of non-deductible home insurance may include earthquake or flood insurance, certain types of liability insurance like workers’ compensation, car insurance, and life insurance. 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) specifies that only certain types of home insurance are tax-deductible. The most common types of home insurance tax-deductible include: Mortgage interest — Interest paid on your home loan is usually tax-deductible. 

Most policies have an annual premium, and it is best to keep track of these expenses throughout the year to ensure you don’t miss out on a tax deduction. You may also have to fill out a form (Form 1040) to deduct certain expenses that exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income. 

Contact Us

To be eligible to deduct home insurance premiums on your taxes, you need to have a valid reason for buying it – like a significant risk to your property if you don’t have insurance. You can’t deduct the cost of a policy that only covers your health care expenses or a policy that covers a liability you might have if someone is hurt on your property. For help, call Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia if living in Kingwood, WV.

As a renter do I need an inventory?

Posted on by admin

About 36% of households are renters. Only about 40% of those households feel the need to have renters’ insurance. That is both optimistic and scary. Being sure that nothing bad will ever happen to you is unrealistic. Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia in Kingwood, WV has a team of insurance experts who can provide you with the information you need about what renters’ insurance can do for you. 

If you ever need to file an insurance claim for the loss of your personal property, how will you prove that you did have a 60-inch smart TV? It will be easy if you have done a good inventory of your rental with backup photos and receipts. 

An inventory is a detailed listing of all the things that you own. It is usually done one room at a time with photos and as many sales receipts as possible. It is much simpler to do this before a catastrophe hits than after. This document is then stored away in a safe place, usually away from your rental, so that if you ever need it, you can easily access it. If you must store it at the rental, store it in a waterproof, fire-resistant box or bag. Placing a copy of it on the cloud or emailing it to yourself and placing it in a file where you can get to it when needed is important. 

Beyond just personal property coverage, renters insurance also provides you with liability coverage and loss of use insurance. If your rental is damaged and you can’t live in it, you will be able to afford another place to live. 

Contact Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia in Kingwood, WV if you are ready to consider the benefits of renters’ insurance. 

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.

Why Flood Insurance Is A Must Even If You Don’t Live In A Flood Zone

Posted on by admin

With flood zones constantly changing due to evolving weather patterns and other factors, it is possible not to live in a flood-prone area one day and be in one the next. While it may be tempting to believe that your homeowner’s insurance will cover flood-related damage, it is often one commonly excluded peril. Consequently, you can be on the hook for thousands of dollars in repair costs – for even minimal damage – if you do not have flood insurance. If you live in a Special Flood Hazard Area, as defined by FEMA, you’ll likely be required to purchase flood insurance if you have a federally backed mortgage. FEMA defines flood zones as places with a significantly higher statistical probability of a flood occurring. 

Flood insurance will cover the replacement cost of your home or the actual cash value of damages to your policy maximum, making it important to choose coverage amounts that accurately reflect the value of your home and personal belongings. Flood insurance can be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program if you are in a high-risk zone or through private insurers like the Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia. With most policies taking 30 days from the point of purchase to be effective, you’ll want to purchase flood insurance now to avoid costly repair bills in the future.

For further information on flood insurance, give our Kingwood, WV office a call to schedule a complimentary consultation with a knowledgeable insurance professional that can answer your questions and help with selecting the best policy for your needs.