Are You Covered?
Dave Lawson
Wood County Farm Bureau
A recent storm (according to the Weather Bureau, a
Micro Burst wind storm) in Wood County made many
people aware that they know very little about what
their insurance covers. Most people buy insurance
for their house, automobile or farm, receive a policy
and never read it. Even if they read the policy, the
average person still does not know exactly what it
covers. When do you find out what it covers or does
not cover? When you need it the most!
I am sure policies vary from insurance companies
of different brands. Policies can have add-ons or
endorsements for many things. I am going to list
some questions that came up in conversations I had
following the storm, and I am sure you will come up
with additional questions.
Questions you should ask your agent
• Is my tractor and equipment covered, and are the
loader and forks covered?
• Do I need Inland Marine insurance?
• If a tree falls on my house –
What is covered on my house?
What is covered in my yard?
What is covered to remove trees?
What is covered on my neighbor’s
house or yard or auto, etc?
Will the tree be replaced, and will other
yard plantings and fences be taken care of?
• Are 4-wheelers covered?
• Are animals covered?
• Is hay storage and hay covered?
• Does my policy provide for temporary lodging
if needed?
• Do I have coverage for new additions?
• When should I, or should I not, make a claim?
• How do I decide what deductible is best for me?
• What is a reasonable amount of time to see an
insurance adjuster after I have damage? (The
next day, several days, a week?) What do I do
while I wait for an adjuster?
• Do I have sewer and drain back-up coverage?
• Will my insurance pay for labor and equipment
to get the mess cleaned up before the adjuster
gets there? Chippers, hauling debris, etc. Tree
removal and brush clean-up – how much for
both?
Most people haven’t used their insurance for years.
They just pay the insurance bills and hope they never
will need it. But if you do need it, you need to know
the answers. Call your insurance agent, invite him
or her to come to see you. Bake some cookies and
make some coffee or tea, and have your questions
ready. You pay for his or her service. This is also
their opportunity to tell you what products cover your
needs. This is important – do not wait. I am calling my
agent. Please call yours.
PS: (1). If you have information on any topic that
could help your fellow Farm Bureau members, write
an article and send it to WV Farm Bureau. West
Virginia Farm Bureau News is our magazine – don’t
be afraid to use it. (2). Thanks to all our Nationwide
agents who do many things to help Farm Bureau, both
in time of real need and for programs, etc. (3). Thanks
Jay Jones, Nationwide agent, for items provided for
our Safety Day in Wood County.
West Virginia Farm Bureau News 25