Residents of the Mountain State have long enjoyed the balance of nature and city, and when it comes to insurance policies, balance is also important. It’s essential that you have enough coverage for your home and car, but you also need to stay within a budget. So how do you find affordable coverage?
You can work with an independent insurance agent in the Trusted Choice® network. West Virginia has a population of 1,855,413 individuals and there are 109 Trusted Choice network agents with offices throughout the state. Do not hesitate to contact an agent near you to find affordable, reliable coverage.
Why Work With an Independent Agent?
When it comes to insurance, there are two types of agents you can work with: captive and independent.
Here are some main differences:
Captive Agents
- Only have the ability to sell one company’s products
- Cannot venture outside parent company products
- Have limited product flexibility
Independent Agents
- Can compare policies from a variety of insurance companies
- Can tailor your policies to meet your specific needs
- Can offer discounts when combining policies
When you choose an independent agent, you can be confident that you're investing in variety. You can see several quotes before you buy, which saves you time and effort when comparison shopping for insurance.
Affordable West Virginia Car Insurance
This state consists of many different regions. Charleston is a vibrant city while Snowshoe is a skiing town. Different locations have different hazards so it is of the utmost importance to have the right amount of car insurance to protect your finances in the event of an accident.
If you need a new car insurance policy or would just like to re-evaluate your current coverage, consider working with an independent agent to discuss your coverage options and compare rates.
You will need to be sure that the coverage you purchase meets the liability requirements of the state of Maryland. Your car insurance policy must provide:
- Bodily injury liability coverage per person in the amount of $20,000
- Bodily injury liability coverage per accident in the amount of $40,000
- Property damage liability coverage per accident in the amount of $10,000
- Uninsured/underinsurance motorist coverage
While the state sets minimum coverage limits, it is usually recommended that you purchase more than the minimum. Even a fender-bender can cause significant damage if you strike an expensive vehicle and the other driver suffers a significant injury.
Keep in mind that liability coverage does not cover your personal damage or injuries. Consider adding more coverage for better protection. The following optional coverage is sometimes required by lenders if you finance the purchase of your vehicle, but it is not required by law:
- Comprehensive coverage: This will cover damages to your vehicle resulting from anything other than collision. This can include such things as theft, vandalism, fire, falling objects and weather-related incidents.
- Collision coverage: This will cover damages to your car that occur as a result of a collision, whether it’s with another vehicle or a stationary object, when the accident is your fault.
Purchasing West Virginia car insurance is necessary and important. Be sure to compare a variety of policies before making a decision about which to purchase.
Learn about West Virginia Business Insurance
While the state is primarily known for its mining and logging industries, there are a variety of businesses that crop up every day. The local farmer is certainly fulfilling a different niche than the WVU sports memorabilia store, but they share one common need: West Virginia business insurance.
Your business's industry and inherent risks will determine what kind of coverage you need to purchase. The answers to the following questions are the main things insurers will consider when building your policy and determining your rates:
- What kind of business do you own?
- Where is your business located?
- How long has your business been open?
- How much revenue does your business generate?
- How many employees do you have?
- What kind of liability issues does your business face?
- Do you have any company-owned vehicles?
Don’t be afraid that revealing certain bits of information will drive your premiums up. While having a business next to the New River opens you up to flood risk, paying for a business flood insurance policy is much less expensive than replacing a large amount of business property.
A West Virginia business insurance policy can protect your business from liability charges, property loss, loss-of-income and many other hazards that have the potential to cause financial losses.
Consider West Virginia Life Insurance
Death is inevitable and while most people live long and productive lives, sometimes lives are cut short in their prime because of accidents or illnesses. If you have loved-ones who are financially dependent on you, it is necessary to take suitable precautionary steps to provide for them in the event of your early demise. This can include making a will and ensuring your end of life preferences are understood. Another important step you can take at any time is purchasing a West Virginia life insurance policy.
Unlike many insurance policies, life insurance is not required by law. However, it is a good idea to have coverage, especially if you have dependents. In its most basic form, life insurance can help pay for estate settlement and funeral expenses, but policies can set your children up for life or can serve as an investment account to help you earn extra retirement cash.
The best thing about life insurance is that it can be specifically tailored to meet your needs. The earlier you purchase a policy, the less expensive it will be. There are two main types of life insurance:
- Temporary life insurance: Usually referred to as term life insurance, this type of policy is valid for a specified number of years and is significantly more affordable than permanent life insurance. These policies have no cash value and expire at the end of the term.
- Permanent life insurance: These policies include whole and universal life insurance. Permanent live is valid for as long as you continue to pay on your premiums and includes an investment component where account balances grow tax-free. Owners of permanent life insurance policies can cash their policies anytime.
Because life insurance is not required, many West Virginia residents forego purchasing coverage. Many wrongly assume that coverage is simply too expensive but many policies are available for less than $30 a month.
Compare West Virginia Health Insurance Plans
As new laws and healthcare options are being incorporated into residents’ lives, it is helpful to have a guide that can help you through the process of purchasing a policy. Many West Virginia residents obtain health insurance subsidies through their employers or their spouses, but those that do not will be required to purchase coverage through the newly established West Virginia health insurance exchange.
There are a variety of health plans available and each one of them will have exclusions, condition specific deductibles, and other details that can make understanding and comparing policies difficult.
A computer analyst understands code and mining has its own language and terms, so why should you have to understand pages of insurance documents just to find suitable coverage? When you work with an independent agent, you can get answers to your coverage-related questions. These professionals can explain many aspect of health coverage to you including helping you to understand:
- PPO's
- HMO's
- HDHP/HSA's
- PPS
- Deductibles
- Tax benefits
West Virginia residents with health insurance policies are more likely to obtain age-appropriate health screenings and preventive care and this can lead to longer, healthier lives. Learn more about health insurance and secure a suitable and affordable policy today.
Find West Virginia Home Insurance
West Virginia is an expansive state, and homes range from small houses in the Appalachian Mountains to condos in downtown Charleston. You may be relaxing on a homestead in the suburbs of Wheeling or saving some money by living in a mobile home in Morgantown. No matter where you live or the type of property you purchase, make sure you protect your investment with an appropriate West Virginia homeowners insurance policy.
A typical West Virginia homeowners insurance policy will provide you with:
- Coverage A: Dwelling
- Coverage B: Other Structures
- Coverage C: Contents/Personal Property
- Coverage D: Loss of Use
- Coverage E: Personal Liability
- Coverage F: Medical Payments
Your homeowners insurance rates will be based on a variety of factors including the location of your home, the materials it is built with and how much coverage you are purchasing. Do not skimp on coverage to save money. It may be cheaper to buy actual cash value (ACV) coverage for your possessions because it only covers your belonging at their current market value. The downside is that if your home is totaled in a fire, you might not be able to afford to repurchase everything you need with ACV coverage. Replacement value coverage can provide you the necessary funds to replace all your lost items with new ones.
Homeowners insurance is required by mortgage lenders but even if your home is paid off, it is an extremely important policy to own. You home is a major investment and it is important that it be protected as such.
West Virginia Flood Insurance
West Virginia is among the top ten states for 2012 flood claims payments. With its numerous rivers, creeks and streams, it is not uncommon for residents to have a small body of water trickling through their backyard. However, in the event of heavy snow-melts or torrential rains, flash floods can quickly develop and destroy property. Flooding is the number one natural disaster in the entire U.S. and damage can be significant and long lasting; however, flood damage is not covered by home insurance policies.
While it is true that if a federal emergency is declared, you can receive governmental assistance, this comes only in the form of low-interest loans that must be paid back. Only a flood insurance policy can provide you with the compensation you need to rebuild, repair or replace your damaged property. The cost of flood insurance depends on the amount of coverage you purchase and where your home or business is located. If it is in a designated flood-plain, premiums will be higher but you cannot be turned down for coverage.
Keep in mind that flood insurance, while offered by the federal National Flood Insurance Program, must be purchased through an insurance company. Policies do not go into effect until 30 days after you have purchased coverage, so do not wait until a flood is likely to occur to purchase your flood insurance policy.
Compare West Virginia Insurance Options
When you work with a Trusted Choice member agent, you will have access to the advice and guidance of an insurance professional in your own neighborhood. These local agents understand the unique coverage needs of their West Virginia neighbors and are available to explain coverage details and options.
Trusted Choice agents are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. If you ever have any questions about your current policy or need to make a change to your coverage, a member agent can assist you. Contact a Trusted Choice agent in your neighborhood today to learn more and to start reviewing quotes for a variety of West Virginia insurance policies.