3 Ways to Protect Your Company From Financial Loss

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The agents at Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia provide commercial insurance coverage for business owners throughout the Morgantown and Kingwood, WV area. Each agent has valuable experience that allows them to evaluate your company’s needs and create a policy tailored just for you. They can also offer you advice on how to protect your business from financial loss.

Reduce Your Overall Liability

It’s essential that you reduce your overall liability. You can do this by keeping your floors dry and passageways clear of boxes and other debris. If something breaks, fix it promptly so that your risk of injury is kept to an absolute minimum.

Minimize Your Risk of Theft

Minimize your risk of theft by installing surveillance cameras. Teach employees what to watch for in terms of shoplifting. Keep your most expensive items in a locked case to reduce accessibility by the customers. It’s also important to maintain an accurate and ongoing inventory. 

Maintain Proper Insurance 

When you own a business, the best way to protect yourself from devastating financial loss is to have an adequate insurance policy in place. The right policy will protect you against liability claims, theft, and other situations that you may find yourself in as a business owner. 

Business owners in Kingwood, WV can always discuss their insurance needs with the agents of Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia. If you already have a commercial policy, it may be in your best interest to have it reviewed. Changes to your business that involve an increase in staff, the expansion of your facility, or significant downsizing will have a direct impact on your insurance needs. Call today to discuss your options.

Do You Need Comprehensive Coverage If You Have Collision Insurance?

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Many auto insurance companies have options when it comes to collision and comprehensive coverage. However, these options may not work for certain individuals. If you are financing a vehicle, you have to have both types of coverage in place, but if you own a vehicle, do you need both types?

Collision vs Comprehensive

Collision insurance protects the vehicle owner from expenses related to collisions. Comprehensive insurance covers all other types of damage and incidents such as theft, storm damage, and vandalism. It is recommended that you carry both types of insurance if you have a vehicle newer than 10 years of age, or have an older classic vehicle having substantial worth. In order to make the right choice, you should get assistance from one of the professional agents at Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia. We proudly serve the drivers of Kingwood, WV and throughout the state, and can answer your questions and more. 

Getting The Right Coverage

Finding and obtaining the right level of insurance protection is tricky without the help of an insurance agent. You should reach out for assistance to ensure you get the right level of auto insurance protection to avoid gaps and other unfortunate issues related to inadequate coverage. Your insurance agent is a great tool to help you have peace of mind, no matter where you travel or where you park your vehicle. 

If you are looking for quality auto insurance, check out Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia and allow them to assist you with the selection process. We look forward to helping the residents of Kingwood, WV find solutions that offer protection.

How Homeowner’s Insurance Helps Protect You Against Liability Claims

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You work hard to protect your family, physically, and financially. However, do you know what your policy covers in terms of a liability claim? Our team at Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia has put together a quick guide for you to review. Here’s how homeowner’s insurance coverage helps protect you against liability claims.

Protection Against Most Civil Liability Cases

First, it is essential to know that your policy has some protection against most civil liability cases. A civil liability case is where another person is suing you for damages that arise from your negligence or actions. This includes situations both in your home and outside your home and could cover a pretty wide variety of topics. Think things like contract disputes or defamation. If you find yourself facing a lawsuit and you have homeowner’s insurance, contact your agent.

Injuries to Others

One of the most commonly known aspects of homeowner’s insurance is that it pays for the medical bills of guests who are injured while visiting your home. For example, if your dog bites a visiting friend or the mailman trips over a cord on your porch and breaks their arm.

Property Damage to Someone Else’s House

Another coverage most people are surprised to see included in their homeowner’s policy coverage is damage to someone else’s house. As an example, your child accidentally throws a baseball through the neighbor’s window. The cost to repair the window would be paid for by your policy, subject to your deductible.

Learn more about how your homeowner’s insurance policy protects you from liability claims. Please get in touch with our Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia team in Kingwood, WV today to schedule an appointment. We proudly serve the Morgantown and Kingwood, WV area.

Do You Need Renter’s Insurance?

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Do you need renter’s insurance? At Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia, in Kingwood, WV, we are happy to answer all your questions about renter’s insurance.

What is Renter’s Insurance

When you rent, your landlord is responsible for the home itself. Their insurance policy will generally cover structural damage. However, it will not cover your possessions. It won’t cover damages related to negligence either.

For example, you leave your door open, and your dog runs outside. Your dog bites the neighbor. This results in medical bills and them suing you for personal damages. Renter’s policies can cover your personal belongings as well as expenses that result from negligence. 

Renter’s Insurance Coverage

Renter’s insurance typically covers your personal belongings. However, most policies have a limit to how much they will cover for things like electronics and jewelry. If you have anything that is particularly valuable, you may need to add a personal article policy.

Liability coverage will cover any expenses resulting from negligence. However, it will not cover intentional damages. If you get angry with your neighbor and throw a rock through their window, your renter’s insurance will not cover that. If you are mowing your grass and a rock hits the window from the mower, it will cover that.

Many policies also cover loss of use. If your home is damaged and you have to live somewhere else temporarily, your renter’s policy will cover these expenses. 

Is It Necessary?

Renter’s Insurance is a good idea if:

  • You don’t have the cash to replace all your belongings
  • It would be a financial strain if you had to live somewhere else temporarily
  • You have resources or assets that you could lose in a negligence suit

If you would like to learn more about renter’s insurance in Kingwood, WV, contact us at Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia. We can help you choose renter’s insurance that fits your budget and offers the protection you need.

3 Benefits of Umbrella Insurance

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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!

 

3 Tips for Buying Flood Insurance

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If you haven’t thought about flood insurance, now is the time. Flooding does happen in West Virginia due to inclement weather, but that’s not the only cause of flooding. Faulty pipes or an old roof can also cause property flooding. To protect yourself and your assets, it’s a good idea to purchase flood insurance to protect your home in Kingwood, Morgantown, or anywhere in the state. Read on to learn about tips for finding the right policy within your budget.

1. Bundle Your Policies

When you bundle all of your insurance policies under one company, you save money on your premiums. Combine your new flood insurance policy with your auto, life, home, umbrella, or other policies under one insurance provider. An agent from Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia in Kingwood, WV can help you with this.

2. Compare Quotes

It’s recommended to compare several flood insurance quotes before making a decision. Go over the details carefully and have an insurance agent help you, so you don’t miss anything important. 

3. Work with a Reputable Agent

An experienced, reputable agent will help you find the right coverage at a cost you can afford. When it comes to protecting you, your family, and your assets, you need the proper coverage. Don’t try to do it on your own when agents are standing by to help.

To learn more about purchasing flood insurance for your property in West Virginia, contact the team at Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia in Kingwood, WV. We will answer all your questions and get you started on a quote for flood insurance.

Why my small business needs commercial insurance

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Owning a small business is the American dream. It also comes with lots of worries. In Kingwood, WV small business owners have the knowledgeable agents at Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia to help them lessen that worry and get the coverage that is right for them. Commercial insurance is not one size or one coverage fits all, it should be tailored to your particular needs. 

When you own a small business, it has to be able to stay in business in order to make money. If the building where your business is located suffers from an event that damages it or even worse, renders it uninhabitable, you will need to have it repaired or rebuilt if you are the owner. If you are a tenant then you will at least need coverage for your inventory and any items such as machinery or office equipment that belong to you or your business. 

If your business is broken into and items are stolen or vandalized, a commercial insurance policy can help you to replace the items. 

If you have any employees your insurance can help you to provide workmen’s compensation insurance and also protect you from a suit by an employee for harassment or wrongful termination. 

Commercial insurance can also provide liability insurance should someone be injured at your business or by one of your products.  

With all the uncertainty in the world, why let the success of your small business be in jeopardy? In Kingwood, WV the experienced staff at the Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia are here to help you to protect your business with the right commercial insurance, customized to meet your specific needs. Stop by our office or give us a call for a no-obligation quote.

How to Pick Auto Insurance Around Kingwood, WV

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Driving a car on a daily basis is a necessity for many people in the Kingwood, WV area. If you own a car in this area, there are many important responsibilities that you need to be aware of. One of the most important responsibilities that you will have is to carry auto insurance. There are several factors to take into consideration when you are looking for your next auto insurance policy.

Liability Requirements

When you are looking for your next auto insurance policy, one important factor that you need to consider is whether you have compliance with the state liability requirements. In this state, you will be required to carry a minimum level of property damage and bodily injury liability coverage at all times. If you do not have this level of coverage, you could be cited by law enforcement and possibly lose your driving privileges.

Additional Coverage 

While it is not necessarily required by law, most drivers would also benefit by getting additional collision and comprehensive coverage. The basic liability insurance requirements will not provide you with any coverage for your vehicle. The additional collision and comprehensive insurance that you can receive could provide you with this coverage if your vehicle is damaged, stolen, are you suffer another type of loss to your car.

Whenever you are looking for a new auto insurance policy in the Kingwood, WV area, it would be a good idea to reach out to Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia to start the process. The professionals at Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia are very knowledgeable when it comes to auto insurance and the needs of its customers. They can help you get into a great policy that will give you proper coverage and peace of mind. 

Does Your Home Insurance Cover Stolen Packages?

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Many homeowners insurance policies in Kingwood, WV will cover stolen packages. However, you will still have to pay your deductible on stolen items. As such, it may not make sense to file a claim, depending on how much your package is worth. Many deductibles are between $500 and $2,000, so if your package was worth more than your deductible, it could be worth filing a claim with your agent at Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia to get your money back. If your package is not worth the amount of your deductible, consider the hassle of filing the claim and if there is a possibility of your premiums going up after your claim.

If filing a claim is not worth it, there may be other things to do in order to recover your stolen package. Track your package to make sure it was actually stolen and not just delayed in transit. If it has been delivered, check to see that a well-meaning neighbor doesn’t have it. Sometimes neighbors pick up packages to prevent them from getting stolen in the first place. Next, contact the retailer. Different retailers will have different policies on what happens for stolen packages and may issue a replacement or a refund. If the retailer is unable to help you when filing a claim with the shipping company may work, as well as looking into your credit cards for purchase protection.

There are ways to prevent packages from being stolen, and these may offer you discounts on your home insurance. Installing a security camera can give you some more peace of mind. Security systems may ward off potential thieves but, even if it doesn’t, you then have photo evidence for a police report or claim. Also, be sure to keep your home well lit and even consider using motion detection lighting.

Contact Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia, serving Kingwood, WV, to get a quote on home insurance.