Understanding Liability Coverage: What are the benefits of having it on my home insurance policy?

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Liability coverage on an insurance policy, mainly a homeowner’s, covers "the other guy." Personal liability never covers you. However, it is essential because it protects you financially if you are found legally responsible for property damage or bodily injury of someone else. This includes neighbors or visitors that you welcome onto your property. At Pizano Insurance in Wayzata, MN, we want you to be "in the know" regarding your homeowner coverages and the benefits you get with your policy.

Understanding Liability Coverage

Homeowner liability applies when someone slips and falls on your slick driveway, falls down your stairs, gets bitten by your dog, or a fire on your property damages your neighbor’s property. You, as the policyholder and any household members are covered by the policy.

Regarding policy limits, most homeowners’ policies generally start with $100,000 of liability coverage. However, you can increase those limits to an amount you are comfortable with.

Liability coverage is crucial because it protects you and your assets if you are sued for injury to another person or damage to their property. Home insurance liability coverage will typically go toward medical bills for the other party and legal fees and court costs if you are sued for damages.

We’re Here to Assist!

Personal liability coverage will provide you and your family with financial protection. Most homeowners don’t have the funds to pay thousands in medical bills or property damage to another person. That’s why we’re here to help you find an affordable home insurance plan that is there when you need it the most. Call us today at Pizano Insurance in Wayzata, MN, at (952) 473-1880. You’ll see that we’re the right company for you.

Does Your Home Insurance Cover a Home Office?

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Many small business owners, self-employed professionals, and remote or hybrid employees work from home in Wayzata, MN. Whether you have a den, spare bedroom, or other space for your home office, it’s important to understand how home insurance applies to your workspace.

What Qualifies as a Home Office

A home office is generally a space that’s dedicated to work, typically a specific room. The IRS defines it as a space you "exclusively and regularly use as your primary place of business." If your workspace meets the IRS criteria and you take a home office deduction, then insurance companies will normally treat the space as an office. If you don’t meet the IRS criteria but still think you might have a home office, an insurance company might still cover the space as a home office. We at Pizano Insurance can help you evaluate how an insurer would likely treat your workspace.

Insuring a Home Office

Whether your home insurance covers your home office depends on the specific policy. Some homeowner’s policies include at least basic coverage as a standard feature, but others don’t. An insurance agent can check your homeowner’s policy to see whether it covers a home office and can also check the specific limits for such coverage.

If your current home insurance doesn’t cover your home office, there are two main options:

  • Endorsement: Many home insurance policies have endorsements that add on specific coverages. Your policy may have an optional endorsement for a home office.
  • New Policy: An independent insurance agent can help you find a new homeowners policy with the necessary protections.

Have an Agent Check Your Home Insurance

If you need help checking your current home insurance, contact us at Pizano Insurance. Our agents have helped many Wayzata, MN, residents find home insurance that meets their needs.

Beware of Credit Card Skimmers!

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If you’re contemplating purchasing a life insurance policy in Minnesota, you might have questions about the amount of coverage you should buy. Our experienced team at Pizano Insurance in Wayzata, MN, is ready to answer your questions and guide you through the process. We’ve been serving clients in your area since 1994.

Be Aware of Credit Card Skimmers

As you travel across our state, you’ll likely stop at many of Minnesota’s gas stations. The Minnesota Department of Commerce has reported an increase in credit card skimmers at gas pumps nationwide. Attached to credit card readers or gas pumps, these devices transmit your credit information to the person who placed the skimmer device. The Department of Commerce is raising awareness about these practices to help citizens protect themselves financially.

The Department of Commerce advises gas station owners to identify and remove these devices before scamming unsuspecting customers. It is also advising citizens to inspect devices carefully before swiping their cards. Pumps located on a gas station’s furthest perimeter have often been identified as containing these skimming devices.

Contact Us Today for Your Appointment

Whether you recently had an accident or a change in your family situation requires a new auto policy, you may have questions. Pizano Insurance will work with you to find the right insurance policy to meet your needs. Residents of the Wayzata, MN, area can bring their auto insurance questions to us. Call us today, and let’s discuss your insurance needs.

Will My Auto Insurance Pay to Tow My Vehicle?

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Being stranded on the side of the road with a broken-down vehicle is an unfortunate situation. When you’re dealing with car trouble, it’s crucial to resolve your problem quickly and efficiently. If you have the right type of car insurance policy, you can get help for free from your insurance policy.

If you have questions about your car insurance policy and whether roadside assistance is covered, the professionals at Pizano Insurance, serving Wayzata, MN, can help. We can answer your questions or provide a copy of your policy so you can find out more information yourself.

What Is Roadside Assistance?

Roadside assistance is a feature of full-coverage car insurance policies. While each policy may work differently, roadside assistance typically provides towing services if your car breaks down or has a flat tire.

Which Auto Insurance Provides Roadside Assistance?

Full-coverage car insurance often includes roadside assistance. If you’re interested in this option, talk to your insurance agent. It is a popular option among drivers with new vehicles.

If you’re buying a new car, your lender may even require you to get full coverage car insurance. Even if you pay for the car with cash, getting full coverage car insurance can help you avoid significant expenses in the event of an accident. Full coverage car insurance will pay to repair or replace your vehicle in various covered events, including car theft and major damage from a collision.

Do you want more information about roadside assistance and full coverage car insurance? The professionals at Pizano Insurance, serving Wayzata, MN, can help. Call today to learn more.

Four Times to Review and Update Your Home Insurance Policy

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Pizano Insurance is here to assist if you’re in the Wayzata, MN area and looking to review and update your home insurance policy. Our agents will collaborate with you on any necessary changes and provide guidance to protect your home. Here are four crucial times to review and potentially update your policy.

1. Undertaking a Home Renovation

Any significant renovation to your home can impact your insurance coverage. Consulting with us after your updates are completed is an excellent way to ensure you have adequate coverage for the upgrades.

2. Acquiring a Large or Collectible Item

Did you purchase a grand piano? Or perhaps you moved your grandmother’s heirloom furniture into your home? Discussing how these acquisitions may affect your policy is important. You may need to increase your coverage levels, add a rider to protect specific items, or even obtain a separate type of policy.

3. Installing a Swimming Pool

Swimming pools can be a great source of fun, but they can also affect your insurance. We’ll be happy to discuss the type and size of the pool you plan to install so you can make informed decisions about your insurance coverage.

4. Annually, Just in Case

Even if nothing new has occurred, don’t renew your policy yearly. Instead, let us review it to ensure you’re getting the quality and value you deserve, along with coverage that offers peace of mind.

Review and Update Your Coverage Today

If you live in the Wayzata, MN, area and need to update your home insurance policy, contact us at Pizano Insurance. We’ll be happy to review your policy and provide suggestions and information. Whether you need a simple update or a completely different policy, our dedicated agents can provide the support and guidance you deserve.

What are the Six Categories in Homeowner’s Policies?

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If you are a first-time home buyer in Wayzata, MN, understanding your policy may initially seem confusing. However, most policies have the same basic categories, allowing you to compare coverage between insurance plans. The professionals at Pizano Insurance can guide you through different parts of your policy so you can fully understand your coverage.

Six Essential Coverage Areas

The first thing you will see is the declarations page, which essentially summarizes your coverage. Subsequent pages will go into greater detail about how much coverage you have and its limitations. Most homeowner’s insurance provides coverage for the following:

  • Dwelling
  • Other structures
  • Personal possessions
  • Liability and medical payments
  • Loss of use
  • Additional living expenses

Depending on the insurer, you may be able to purchase additional types of coverage to protect your home and its contents. For example, most policies don’t cover damage from flooding, so if you want that protection, you’ll have to get it through an add-on.

Understanding Coverage Areas

Dwelling coverage protects your home and attached structures if damaged by a covered peril. This section provides coverage if you have other structures on your property, such as a shed or detached garage. Personal possessions coverage involves all your clothing, furniture, and other possessions. Consider getting a rider for additional coverage if you have valuables, such as expensive jewelry.

Liability and medical payments cover damages and medical treatment if someone sustains injuries on your property. Loss of use and additional living expenses come into play if a covered peril damages your home and it becomes uninhabitable. This coverage usually has a specified dollar amount.

If you want to learn more about homeowner’s insurance, contact the agents at Pizano Insurance in Wayzata, MN. We will gladly schedule an appointment to help you understand your options.

Why Comprehensive and Collision Coverage is Essential in Wayzata, MN

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As a driver or resident in Wayzata, MN, a standard auto insurance policy may not always provide adequate protection for your vehicle or injuries you may sustain in an accident or collision. Opting for comprehensive and collision coverage is essential to safeguard yourself from potential risks, especially during the harsh Minnesota winters. At Pizano Insurance, we can help you determine which comprehensive and collision coverage policies are right for you, what your protection needs are, and what your lifestyle is like in Wayzata.

Understanding Comprehensive and Collision Insurance

While liability insurance is required by law in Wayzata and throughout Minnesota, comprehensive and collision coverage can provide additional protection for your vehicle, even if you’re at fault in an accident. Here’s how comprehensive and collision insurance policies work:

  • Comprehensive Coverage: Comprehensive policies protect against weather-related damage, vandalism, theft, and other non-accident or collision-related events.
  • Collision Coverage: Collision coverage covers your vehicle’s replacement or repair costs after a collision, even if you’re found to be at fault.

The Importance of Comprehensive and Collision Coverage in Wayzata, MN

  • Minnesota Weather: The weather in Minnesota can become extremely dangerous and life-threatening, especially during significant snow, hail, and ice storms.
  • Collision Risks: In Minnesota, high-traffic areas and narrow streets can lead to more accidents and fender benders, increasing the risk of a collision.

Minnesota receives approximately 37 inches of snow each year, making winter-related accidents, collisions, and vehicle damage more common. With the right comprehensive and collision coverage solution, you can navigate Minnesota’s weather-related risks knowing you’re always protected. To learn more about comprehensive and collision coverage in Wayzata, MN, contact Pizano Insurance for your quote and consultation today.

Will Auto Insurance Help Me If I Have a Flat Tire?

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While many people view auto insurance as a means to pay for vehicle repair or replacement after a collision, other types of insurance can provide roadside assistance.

At Pizano Insurance, servicing Wayzata, MN, we can help you find the type of auto insurance that meets your needs. If you need auto insurance that offers roadside assistance, we can assist!

Which Insurance Can Help With a Flat Tire?

Full coverage auto insurance provides help with roadside assistance. Full coverage auto is the most comprehensive type of auto insurance available. Other benefits of full coverage auto insurance include:

  • Payment for repair or replacement of your vehicle in the event of a collision, regardless of who is at fault
  • Payment for repair or replacement of your vehicle when a covered event (like a fire) occurs
  • Payment to replace your vehicle if it is stolen

Your lender will likely require this type of auto insurance if you get an auto loan for your vehicle. Even if you do not have an auto loan, it’s a great policy to consider if you have a high-value vehicle.

How Can I Get Full Coverage Auto Insurance?

You can get full coverage auto insurance by contacting the professionals at Pizano Insurance, servicing Wayzata, MN. We work with many insurance carriers to help our clients find the best policy for their needs. If roadside assistance is important to you, our full coverage policies may be the right option for you. Call today to learn more.

Have You Reviewed Your Home Insurance Yet this Year?

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It’s important to review your home insurance policy periodically. This review can help ensure that you have adequate coverage and refresh your understanding of what your policy does and does not cover. At Pizano Insurance, servicing Wayzata, MN, we can assist you in reviewing your home insurance policy.

The Importance of Reviewing Your Home Insurance

Reviewing your home insurance policy serves several purposes:

  • Ensuring adequate coverage: If you’ve recently made changes or upgrades to your home, your home’s value may have increased enough to warrant an update to your insurance coverage. Additionally, consider inflation. If the cost of repairing or replacing a home damaged in a covered event has risen significantly, you may need to increase your coverage.
  • Familiarizing yourself with your policy: Reviewing your insurance coverage is the perfect opportunity to become more familiar with your policy. This can help you decide if your home insurance is sufficient or if you need additional insurance policies to supplement it (for example, you may decide to add flood insurance or an umbrella insurance policy).

How Often Should You Review Your Home Insurance?

It’s advisable to review your home insurance annually. Some people do this shortly before their home insurance policy renews, while others do it at a specific time of year, like the start of the year.

What’s the Process for Reviewing Home Insurance?

To review your home insurance, go through your home insurance policy. Call your insurance agent if you don’t have these documents on hand. The agents at Pizano Insurance, servicing Wayzata, MN, can help you review your policy, answer questions about your policy, and provide an updated copy of your policy if needed. Call today.

Three Services Your Car Needs Through the Winter

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As the winter months approach and temperatures drop, your window for winterizing your vehicle will shrink. Here are three things you must do to get your vehicle through the winter.

1. Change and Top Off Fluids

Before it gets too cold, make sure the oil is changed in your vehicle so that fresh oil is circulating through the engine and there’s little debris causing potential damage. Also, top off the other fluids, like antifreeze, power steering fluid, and brake fluid. This keeps all your systems operational and protects the engine from freezing temperatures.

2. Inspect and Change Your Battery

If you haven’t changed your battery in a while, this is an excellent time to have it inspected and see if it needs to be changed. Winter can be brutal on old batteries that are getting weak. You don’t want to find out that your car won’t start, whether at home or in public, as this can be a stressful situation in the cold winter. If it’s time to change the battery, make sure you replace it before the weather gets too cold.

3. Inspect and Get Tires

Living in Minnesota means you need to get snow tires once the weather starts to stay around 45 degrees. These tires have chains and additional grips that will help you when traveling on the highways in the winter. There is lots of water, ice, and snow to be expected for several months in Minnesota, and without snow tires, you could be dangerously hurt. If you’re putting last year’s snow tires back on, inspect them first and install them before the weather gets too cold.

If you’re looking for a new auto insurance quote and live in the Wayzata, MN, community, or surrounding areas, contact Pizano Insurance today for your personal quote.