Author Archives: AgentInsure

Improving Your Home Insurance Policy: Add Ons and Extra Considerations

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Home insurance is based on you, so it helps to know everything that’s available. While each company differs in terms of exactly what’s offered, you can make your own requests if you have specific fears. For example, if your beloved Golden Retriever is prone to knocking your things to the ground with the sweep of their tail, you don’t want to be responsible for replacing everything he destroys out of pocket. Keep these tips in mind from Pizano Insurance if you live in Wayzata, MN. 

Start Asking Questions 

The best way to improve your home insurance is not necessarily to start combing through the pages of your policy. The best way is to start addressing different scenarios with a critical mind. What happens if your home is flooded, what happens if a vandal destroys your mailbox, who will pay if your cash is stolen from your safe? Once you get these exact answers, you can start seeing where the gaps are so they can be filled with additional language that covers further destruction. You can also decide if an event is likely enough to happen to you to justify spending the extra money. 

Help for Wayzata, MN Residents 

If you’re looking for help when it comes to your policy, we’re here to make it easier to navigate. Our job is to address your home and the possessions that make it special and start giving you concrete ways to protect it. The key is to remember that insurance policies can be built to you. For example, you may not have a dog, but what if you have a relative who might bring theirs over? Pizano Insurance makes it simpler to see how insurance really works in the real world, so call today! 

College Students and Auto Insurance Policies

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While planning for the big transition from high school to college, students largely focus on dorm room furniture, making new friends, and choosing a major. They don’t spend much time dwelling on insurance considerations — but auto insurance is definitely worth addressing.

In some circumstances, students are able to remain on their parents’ car insurance plans. Others opt for their own insurance coverage. There is no one right solution for every situation; the following are a few of the most common approaches to car insurance in college.

Dropping Car Insurance Altogether

Depending on where your student attends college, he or she may not need a car on campus. But what happens when the fall and spring semesters end? When your student returns home, he or she will once again want to drive, making full coverage a necessity. Coverage is also essential if your student chooses to live at home and commute to a local community college or the University of Minnesota.

Sticking With the Same Car Insurance Policy

Students who drive their parents’ cars infrequently typically remain on the same plan that covered them as high school students. In doing so, they can take advantage of less expensive coverage while still enjoying full driving privileges whenever they return home. This is one of the most popular options for college students covered by Pizano Insurance serving Wayzata, MN.

A New Car Insurance Policy

Some college students desire total independence. Separate car insurance policies may prove preferable for those with their own cars who wish to break away. However, this approach is more expensive than sticking with an existing policy.

Car insurance does not have to be complicated when your teen driver leaves for college. Pizano Insurance offers a variety of options for families residing in and around Wayzata, MN. Get in touch today to learn more about college student coverage.

 

 

 

The Best Ways to Save On Your Home Insurance

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You are not locked into the amount of money you pay currently for home insurance. There are different ways to reduce what you pay while living in Wayzata, MN, all without dropping coverage or increasing your deductible. At Pizano Insurance, we want to make sure you not only receive excellent home insurance but at a desirable price. 

Security System

A home security system is one of the very best services out there. It will keep your home safe and yet can also reduce your home insurance costs. With a connection to the local police and fire departments, you’ll reduce any chance of extensive damages in the event of a fire. It will also prevent break-ins, which in turn also cuts down on insurance costs. 

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

It is a good idea to have these in every room of the house. These will keep you safe and also reduce insurance costs as fire damage is limited. Some smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can work in unison with the security system as well. 

Improve Utilities

If you have money for a home upgrade, consider having work down to the electrical or plumbing. In a dated house, these are often the most problem filled areas. By making these corrections and having the system updated you can see a drop in insurance costs. 

No matter the kind of home you live in or where in Wayzata, MN you call home, at Pizano Insurance we are here to assist in finding the right coverage at a price you can afford. So, if you have any questions regarding your home insurance or want to know if our company can help you save money, feel free to reach out and contact us at your earliest convenience. 

Auto Accident Insurance Coverage Minnesota

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Minnesota’s snowy winters make accident protection a must. Auto accident insurance coverage is a must for drivers in the state.

In the event of an accident, a full-coverage automobile insurance policy will offset attendant costs to a collision such as medical bills and subsequent wage loss associated with physical injury. Drivers in cold weather states like Minnesota are of keen interest to insurers, as road collisions and auto related accidents from winter road conditions result in dis-proportionality higher than average insurance payouts than the national average. Minnesota drivers have three basic policy options to meet state minimum mandates for auto insurance.

1. Auto Liability Coverage

The most basic coverage for a driver in Minnesota, auto liability insurance agreements protects vehicle assets in case that an auto accident is an insured’s fault. A minimum of $30,000 for single person injury, and $60,000 for injuries to multiple parties, as well as $10,000 for damage to an insured’s vehicle, is required.

2. Personal Injury No-Fault Coverage

Coverage for hospitalization and wage reimbursement is available to an insured driver before a lawsuit. In Minnesota, a driver must carry a minimum of $40,000 in coverage insurance to meet the criteria to ‘no-fault’ coverage. Per-person coverage for an accident is $20,000 in medical care expense offsets and $20,000 for non-medical expenses such as lost wages following an injury sustained from an auto accident.

3. Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Compensation for driver injuries post-accident, where the culpability is another driver with no insurance or limited insurance, is provided by an uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage agreement.  Minnesota auto insurance policy minimum for this type of coverage is $25,000 for injury to a single person and $50,000 for injuries to multiple parties.

For auto accident coverage in Wayzata, MN, contact an insurance broker.

Trimming Back Trees and Hedges Improve Your Home Security

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With winter rapidly approaching around Wayzata, MN, most of your yard work is done for the year. However, now is a good time to take a look at those oversized shrubs in front of your house and trim any overgrown trees down to size.

Can You See Your Doors and Windows From the Road?

During the warm months, have you admired all the trees and hedges in front of your home? If you couldn’t see the doors or windows through all the leaves, that means you can’t see a home invader working away at locks and windows, either. By removing large landscaping from around points of entry, you improve the security of your home.

Check the Power Lines to Your Home

Blizzard winds will be howling soon. Did that tree near the house finally get big enough to be hanging over your cable, phone and electric lines running to your house? You can prevent loss of power in a storm by having those trees trimmed back now. The utility companies may take care of the ones on the street, but not on your property. Call in a professional now.

Are Your Trees Healthy?

Sometimes we like the tree that grew with a natural V in the trunk. However, that means when it grows large enough, it is susceptible to coming down in a storm–possibly damaging your siding or roof. With all the leaves down, it’s a good time to have sick, rotting and unsafe trees identified and removed from your property.

Good property maintenance isn’t just about keeping up appearances; it’s also about protecting your most valuable asset and your family.  Give your Wayzata, MN area home a good winterizing review and catch up on those forgotten chores.

Top Reasons You Should Carry an Emergency Kit in Your Car this Winter

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Minnesota winters can get extremely cold. While those of us who have lived in Wayzata, MN or other parts of the state are familiar with how do drive in cold and icy conditions, it is still important that you always keep an emergency kit in your vehicle. This is especially the case during the cold winter months. At Pizano Insurance, we want all of our clients and their families to be safe while driving this winter. As an added measure of safety, take a few minutes to pull together an emergency kit and place it in your care.

What is An Emergency Kit?

An emergency kit is essentials that you might need if you are stalled, stranded, or otherwise detained on the road. It contains things supplies such as snacks, water, any medications, flashlight, and extra batteries. In the winter time, it should also have seasonal items such as a shovel and windshield scraper, blankets to keep you warm, and extra warm clothing including gloves, hats, and scarves.

Why Should You Keep One in Your Vehicle?

By keeping these supplies and any other essentials that you may need in your vehicle, you are prepared for the worst. If your automobile stalls or is involved in an accident and you are unable to run the heater, warm clothes, and blankets will come in handy until help arrives. If it is nighttime, a flashlight with working batteries can help you visually to assess the situation. Or, there may be times when you must clear a path of snow, and a shovel would be very helpful. At Pizano Insurance of Wayzata, MN, we hope that you stay safe while driving, but if you need help, give us a call.

Safety Hazards to Avoid During the Winter

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Winter can be a beautiful time of year when you consider the coziness of relaxing by the fireplace with a good book or the beauty of the freshly falling snow. This time of year can also be filled with safety hazards, but many of those can be avoided if you know how to be prepared and react properly. Here are some tips for you, courtesy of Pizano Insurance serving Wayzata, MN.

Outdoor aspects

Outside the home is a common place for people to run into – sometimes quite literally – safety hazards during the winter. Watch out for ice and snow that becomes a safety hazard, especially on steps and walkways surrounding your home. Promptly clear snow and ice from all around the exterior of your home using tools like shovels and snow blowers. You will be helping to keep your family and all guests to your home safe.

Decorative and comfort items

It is very common for people to decorate their homes and make them look and feel relaxing and inviting during the winter. But just make sure you are doing so in a safe way. Be aware of safety issues with things like Christmas decorations, fireplaces, and other household decorative items. Follow all instructions that come with these items.

Heating helps

Everyone wants to stay comfortably warm when it is cold outside, but maintaining that level of comfort should not come at the risk of safety. Be cautious when using items like space heaters, making sure to follow all instructions that come with appliances like this.

Pizano Insurance, serving Wayzata, MN wants you and your loved ones to stay safe and healthy during the wintry months of the year. Following these suggestions to help you achieve just that, and contact us if you need additional safety information.

Why Does the Number of Miles You Drive Annually Affect Your Car Insurance?

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When you are signing up for auto insurance, one of the questions that the insurer will likely ask is how many miles per month or year do you drive your car. Based on the number you give, your insurance rate may increase or decrease. The more miles you drive, the more you will pay. But have you ever wondered why this is? Here are a few of the reasons why the number of miles you drive affects your auto insurance rate.

The More You Drive, The More Likely It Is You Will Be In An Accident

The number one reason that your auto insurance rates are higher if you drive more is because you are more likely to be involved in an auto accident if you drive more. If you commute four hours per day, that leaves a four hour time period in which you can hit someone or someone else can hit you. This is significantly higher than someone who only drives for an hour a day or even less. As such, your rates will be higher. 

Don’t Think About Lying About Your Driving Mileage

If you do drive a lot, you may be thinking about fibbing on the numbers to get a lower rate. However, your insurance company can determine how many miles are on your car a number of different ways. Many states require inspections or smog checks every one to two years. During these inspections or checks, the mileage is noted. Once an insurance company sees you are driving much more than you claimed, the can increase your rates or even cancel your policy.

If you are looking to price out a new auto insurance policy in the greater Wayzata, MN area, contact Pizano Insurance. We can help determine the best plan for you based on the number of miles you drive each year. Contact us now to get started.

How to Take Inventory of the Contents of Your Home

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Have you ever wondered how the insurance company would reimburse you after your Wayzata, MN house burned down or a tree fell on the roof? You might be surprised to learn that you can’t just tell them, "Well, I guess the total value of everything we owned was $20,000," and expect a check. You have to be able to prove it in order to get the most out of your Pizano Insurance homeowner’s policy.

That’s why you need to inventory your home. If your Wayzata, MN home has never burned down, that’s great. But you need to be prepared. Follow these tips to make sure you get reimbursed for everything—not just the house, but its contents too.

Get an Inventory App

That’s right, there’s an app for that. In fact, there are quite a few available for any type of device. These apps make taking inventory of your house fast, all in one place, even fun. Some allow you to take pictures, some have space for a receipt. They all look a bit different. But the bottom line is they make taking inventory easy. For most of these apps, you can walk into a room and start snapping pictures of your stuff.

Keep Your Receipts

It’s likely that you never thought about taking inventory of your home before, and that’s ok. But from here on out, you’ve got to be savvy. Every time you purchase an item for your home, keep the receipt, or at least take a picture of it. Remember that the more proof you have of an item’s expense, the better your chances of being fully reimbursed for it in the event of a catastrophe.

It’s not hard to keep an inventory of your home. Make it simple by keeping receipts and taking picture of your items, as well as building a list of them, for your Pizano Insurance homeowner’s company. You’ll get your home’s worth, inside and out, when you file a claim.

How to Prevent Your Auto Rates From Rising Because of a Speeding Ticket

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At Pizano Insurance, we know that sometimes good drivers get a bit carried away and find themselves being issued a ticket for speeding. However, when this happens, your car insurance rates in the Wayzata, MN area may increase. But, fortunately for you, there are a few things you can do to stop this increase or minimize it. Here are a few tips you should follow to minimize the impact of a speeding ticket on your car insurance rates.

Participate in Traffic School

Most states will allow you to participate in driving school every two or three years when you receive a ticket. This helps to wipe the points you receive because of the ticket off of your driving record. If this is the only ticket you have received, wiping the points away can prevent your insurance rates from rising. Always check with the traffic courts in your area to find out if you qualify for traffic school and how to enroll.

Take a Safe or Defensive Driving Course

Another way to minimize the impact of a speeding ticket on your auto insurance rates is to participate in a safe or defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer you a discount if you take one of these courses. The reduced rates can last anywhere from five to ten years. The course helps teach you defensive driving techniques that reduce the likelihood of you being involved in an automobile accident, which is why your rates can be slightly discounted.

Shop Around For a New Insurance Policy

If you have received a speeding ticket and your rates have drastically increased, it may be time to shop around for a new auto insurance policy. This helps you find the best rate for you, regardless of whether you have a ticket or not.

If you have received a speeding ticket and are looking for a new auto insurance policy, contact Pizano Insurance, serving the greater Wayzata, MN area. Give us a call or visit one of our offices to get started on a quote today.