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608 N Mechanic St
Cumberland, MD 21502

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Three Types of Commercial Insurance You May Need

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When you are a business owner, there are a lot of responsibilities that you’ll have. One of these is to get the types of commercial insurance that you need for your specific business. The types of coverage you need depend a lot on the kind of business you own, how many people are involved, what you sell, etc. When you need commercial insurance to protect yourself and your business, call us at Knippenberg Insurance Inc. in Cumberland, MD.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

When you have employees, you need this insurance coverage. It’s important to protect your business against the high cost of medical bills if any worker should get injured in a work-related accident. It pays for those bills so that your employee doesn’t have to sue you and can instead handle it through the insurance company. If you don’t have this insurance, it’s time to get it. You can call us to get started. 

Commercial Auto Insurance

Does your business own a vehicle? If so, you need to have a commercial policy on it. If you don’t have a commercial policy for it, the policy likely won’t pay for any accident that’s work-related, if any at all. It’s like being completely uninsured. A commercial policy is a must from the first day that your business owns the vehicle. 

Product Liability

If you sell a physical product, you need product liability coverage. This covers you in case the product injures or sickens someone or there are certainly other problems with it. If you don’t have this insurance, you could be vulnerable to a number of lawsuits that could come from customers one day. 

Get Commercial Insurance

Make sure your business has the protection it needs by getting the right insurance policies. Call us at Knippenberg Insurance Inc. in Cumberland, MD to find out more. 

Clever Ways to Improve Your Home Insurance

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When it comes time to choose your auto insurance, it’s critical to work with a team that has your back. Our team at Knippenberg Insurance Inc. can help you provide auto insurance in Cumberland, MD, by providing you with several clever tricks that can improve your policy and its overall cost.

Don’t Add High-Risk Areas 

It might seem fun to add swimming pools and even playgrounds to your backyard for yourself or your children. However, you’re going to notice a pretty quick uptick in your insurance policy if you do. Why? These are considered high-risk additions and will put your family and others at risk. 

Bundle Your Policies 

It’s possible to save good money on your homeowner’s policy when you combine it with other types of policies from the same provider. It’s also a great idea if you plan on protecting your home for the long term and want to work with the same provider for many years. 

Improve Your Home’s Structure 

While adding certain types of improvements can impact your home’s insurance negatively, structural improvements can improve it. For example, if you repair problems with the foundation, roof, walls, doors, and windows, you can make your insurance a little stronger. Talk with your agent and a contractor to learn more.

Add Security Systems 

Insurance companies love it when homeowners add security items to their homes, like deadbolts, cameras, alarm windows, and more. They’ll likely reduce your payments or even open you up to other types of policies that may be unavailable to many homeowners. 

Taking the Smart Steps Towards Success

By working with our team at Knippenberg Insurance Inc., you can protect your Cumberland, MD home from various long-term complications. Just as importantly, you can get the policy that makes the most sense for your needs and minimize potential financial issues.

Can You Get Federal Crop Insurance for Hemp?

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Hemp has traditionally not been insurable through the federal crop insurance program, but that changed within the past few years. Hemp is generally now insurable through the program.

USDA Change to Federal Crop Insurance Program

As of 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) adjusted its program stipulations so that hemp is insurable through the federal crop insurance program. Coverage is broadly available in states where hemp can be legally grown, and thus is usually available in Cumberland, MD, and the state’s many other communities.

In Maryland, coverage is mainly available through the Whole Farm Revenue Protection program. A pilot program is available in select other states but not yet in Maryland. The whole farm program can provide robust protection in many situations, however.

Coverage is generally based on Actual Production History (APH) for hemp grown for fiber, grain, or CBD oil, provided it contains 0.3% or less tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Percent is determined by dry weight. 

Protecting a Valuable Crop

Because hemp can be such a valuable crop, it’s especially important to make sure that the crop is insured against damage and loss. While there may be other coverage options. The USDA’s Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program is normally the most affordable and effective option for growers in Cumberland, MD.

An insurance agent specializing in hemp operations can help growers confirm that this is the right option for them. Because this remains a relatively new insurance, it’s particularly important to work with an agent who knows hemp crop insurance options well.

Knippenberg Insurance Inc. Is Here To Help

For help insuring hemp crops in Maryland, contact our knowledgeable agents at Knippenberg Insurance Inc.

When to review your life insurance coverage

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Life insurance is an important part of your financial planning. Your needs change over the years of your life and the amount of coverage you require also changes. At Knippenberg Insurance Inc. in Cumberland, MD, we pride ourselves on knowing our customers and being about to make recommendations about when to review life insurance needs. 

When to review your life insurance coverage

You buy a home

One of the first major milestones in your financial life is probably buying your first home. It raises your liability level, and when you have a mortgage, it is a big financial investment. Raising the amount of life insurance that you have will make sure that your family is not financially crippled by your taking over your debt. 

You change jobs

If you have life insurance as a benefit of your job, that is great, but it should not be the only life insurance you have. If you change jobs you will lose and maintaining it on your own may not be a wise financial decision.  

You get married

When you take a partner, the first thing you do is to make sure that you change the beneficiary on your insurance policy.  You may also need to increase the amount of life insurance that you have in order to provide financial protection to your spouse. 

You have children

Children change everything, so it is not surprising that they also change the amount of life insurance that you now have. You need to potentially provide for them for an extended period of time. 

You retire

When you no longer have dependents other than your spouse, you can go back to the amount of life insurance you require as a married person and perhaps even less since the income you are replacing is probably less. 

Get Insurance Coverage For Your Needs

Contact Knippenberg Insurance Inc. in Cumberland, MD for all your life insurance needs. We are happy to help!

Auto insurance add-ons that are worth considering

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The state of Maryland requires that you carry liability insurance to protect other drivers from you. The amount that you must have is 30/60/15 which means $30,000 for the first person injured in an accident with a total of $60,000 per accident and $15,000 for property. At Knippenberg Insurance Inc. in Cumberland, MD, we make sure all of our customers comply with the law, and we also offer them all the add-ons that can give them additional protection.

If you need to protect your own vehicle in the event that you are the responsible party in an accident, or your vehicle is damaged by another event, you need to consider getting collision, comprehensive, and full glass coverage. 

Auto Insurance Add-ons

Collision coverage covers your vehicle if you collide with another vehicle or a stationary item. It will also cover you if you are the victim of a hit-and-run. There is a deductible that must be paid first, but the vehicle can then be repaired or replaced. 

Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle from other things that can damage it such as weather events, high winds, hail, and flooding. It also covers theft and vandalism. It covers the glass on your vehicle but with a deductible. 

Total glass coverage will replace your windshield without any deductible. You should be able to have them come to you to do the replacement too. 

Gap insurance is a necessity if you have a new car and an auto loan. It will cover the gap between what you owe and what the insurance company values your vehicle at. 

Rental vehicle insurance provides you with a rental vehicle in the event your car is damaged in an accident. 

Schedule A Consultation Today

Call Knippenberg Insurance Inc. in Cumberland, MD to take advantage of our experience and the many choices we can offer you as independent agents. 

Does Commercial Insurance Cover Stolen Equipment?

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When it comes to protecting your business, our team of insurance professionals at Knippenberg Insurance Inc. in Cumberland, MD knows how scary and devastating theft can be to your company’s success. Your business is most likely your livelihood and legacy. If you have employees who rely on your business to support their families and households, the time and resources lost when equipment is stolen can have disastrous consequences.

When you don’t know where to turn after this difficult experience, our insurance agency may be able to help.

Does Commercial Insurance Cover Stolen Equipment?

On top of the impact of stolen equipment on you and your employees, lacking your typical equipment frequently means that your customers and clients will also suffer the consequences of not receiving their goods or services on time. This can hurt your reputation as a business that provides reliable and trustworthy products or services. It can also lose business as customers get impatient and take their money elsewhere. 

What’s more, your company can struggle to pay for the replacement of the equipment that fell into the hands of thieves. As a result, it can jeopardize your business depending on your company’s financial situation. In this scenario, you will probably be inclined to explore different ways to pay for the lost items’ replacement. If you have commercial insurance, that may be your first line of defense if your policy covers stolen or damaged equipment that’s part of your business. As long as your commercial insurance policy provides coverage for equipment and tools related to your business, you may be able to recover some or all of the costs associated with replacing them. 

Schedule A Consultation Today!

To explore commercial insurance options and cover your business, call our office at Knippenberg Insurance Inc. in Cumberland, MD today!

How Can Home Insurance Protect Me If I Am Sued?

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Many people do not realize that their home insurance policy can help to protect them if they are sued for injuries or events that occurred at their home. Here at Knippenberg Insurance Inc., providing home insurance to the residents of Cumberland, MD, we want to help you understand more about this concept and how it may protect you.

Home Insurance Provides Protection

Liability Coverage

Home insurance typically includes liability coverage, which can offer financial protection if someone is injured on your property or if you accidentally cause damage to someone else’s property. If you are sued for such incidents, your home insurance policy can help cover legal expenses, court costs, and any settlement or judgment up to the policy’s liability limits.

Legal Representation

In the event of a lawsuit, home insurance can provide you with access to legal representation. The insurance company can assign an attorney to handle your case and help defend your interests. Having an experienced attorney by your side can be crucial in navigating the legal process and protecting your rights.

Settlements and Judgments

If you are found liable for damages or injuries in a lawsuit, your home insurance policy can help cover the settlement amount or court-ordered judgments up to the limits specified in your policy. This can help prevent you from having to pay significant amounts out of pocket, which could have a substantial impact on your financial stability.

Reach Out To Us

Your home insurance can help to protect you in case you are sued for an event that happens on your property or in your home. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to have a home insurance policy that has enough insurance coverage to protect you. If you are looking to purchase a new home insurance policy in the greater Cumberland, MD region, reach out to Knippenberg Insurance Inc. 

When can farm & crop insurance come in handy?

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The agricultural industry in the Cumberland, MD area continues to be a very important one. Today, farmers and others in this industry can do quite well. However, there are risks that any business in this industry will face. One way you can help to mitigate some of these risks is by getting a farm & crop insurance plan. There are various forms of coverage that can make farm & crop insurance a good investment. 

Revenue Protection

One of the reasons for having farm & crop insurance is that it can help to protect your revenue. This can be done in a number of ways. First, this insurance can offer crop loss coverage, which will provide support if you lose crops due to fire, severe drought, or other perils covered by the plan. It can also offer protection in the event of yield reductions, price fluctuations, and other risks that could be out of your control.

Liability Coverage

A typical farm will face various forms of liability risks on a daily basis. This includes risks that an accident can occur on the farm or that the crops sold could cause injuries or illness to the recipients. As this is an ongoing risk, having farm & crop insurance is a good option as it will provide coverage to mitigate this risk. 

Reach Out To Us

If you are in the agriculture industry in the Cumberland, MD area, it would be a great idea to get a full farm & crop insurance plan. As you are looking for this type of coverage here, calling our team with Knippenberg Insurance Inc. is a great option. There are a lot of complexities that come with this unique type of coverage, and our insurance professionals can help you assess your situation and build an ideal plan. 

How much life insurance do I need?

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Deciding how much life insurance from Knippenberg Insurance Inc. you need can be tricky. The most important factor to consider is your family’s financial situation in the event of your death.

How much life insurance do I need?

Do you have any dependents here in the greater Cumberland, MD area who may need financial support? Are there any debts, like a mortgage or student loans, that would need to be paid off? If so, you should plan for enough coverage to take care of those expenses. 

You should also factor in potential future costs such as college tuition or retirement savings for your family. Consider what kind of lifestyle your family wishes to maintain if something were to happen to you and make sure you have enough coverage to support that. 

Finally, you should think about any other insurance policies or investments you may have. Are they enough to cover your family’s needs after your death? If not, adjust the life insurance policy so that it does. We offer several options for coverage levels and can help you find the right balance for your needs and your budget. 

It’s a good idea to talk with an advisor or financial planner about life insurance options and the amount of insurance necessary for your particular situation. They can provide insight into different policies and guide you through the process of finding a plan that fits within your budget while still meeting all of your needs.

Reach Out To Us

For more information, give us at Knippenberg Insurance Inc. a call today. We are proud to serve the Cumberland, MD area and would be happy to help you find a policy that meets your needs and your budget.

Tips To Avoid Car Accidents During Winter

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Winter is infamous for its sloppy, icy roadways. While driving in these conditions is unavoidable, drivers must be aware of how to drive in poor conditions in order to stay safe and avoid accidents. Here at Knippenberg Insurance Inc., we’re no strangers to winters in Cumberland, MD – we can help!

Here are some tips t to help keep you safe on the road:

Employ Extra Caution: 

Drivers should slow down and leave a big following space when driving on snow and ice since reduced visibility might hide hazards.

Slow down for curves:

Slick road conditions will increase stopping distance. Drivers should steer clear of situations that can compel them to skid.

Drive Sober:

Drivers should never operate a motor vehicle if inebriated, distracted, exhausted, or otherwise unfit.

Avoid Black Ice:

Black ice forms when melted snow on highways freezes. Bridges are the most common location for black ice to form because they are surrounded on all sides by cold air. Because the roadway receives little sunlight and gathers runoff when the snow melts, underpasses are also popular locations for black ice. When driving, drivers should be aware of these places.

Be Wary of Plows:

Plows have extensive blind spots and may leave lanes to avoid road dangers or to prevent impact with packed snow. Passing snowplows should be avoided unless there is enough space and visibility.

Prepare for the Unexpected:

Drivers should be prepared for vehicle problems, accidents, or other unexpected concerns.

Make Sure Your Auto Insurance Policy Is Right For You!

Here at Knippenberg Insurance Inc., we can help create a specialized car insurance policy that best meets your needs. We are proudly serving the greater Cumberland, MD area and can help you get started on your new policy today!

Partner Carriers

  • Allstate
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  • Nationwide
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  • The Hartford
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  • Zurich