Author Archives: AgentInsure

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.

Preparing the House For Fall in Minnesota /preparing-house-fall-minnesota

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As fall begins in Minnesota, temperatures drop and chances of snow begin to appear in the forecast. The days become shorter as well. It’s important to take steps aimed at preparing your Wayzata, MN home for the months ahead:

1. Switch your ceiling fans so that they turn clockwise. This will help you keep heat in the room rather than letting it rise through the ceiling.

2. If your house has central heat, schedule a yearly furnace inspection and cleaning. These services reduce the risk of system failures and boost the efficiency of your heating equipment.

3. The risk of a fire increases in the autumn because you need to generate heat and spend more time indoors. Remember to test all smoke detectors and replace the batteries when needed.

4. If you use timers or a home automation system, make any necessary adjustments to accommodate changing sunrise and sunset times. For instance, you might set outdoor lights to turn on earlier.

5. Clogged rain gutters may trigger indoor leaks after ice dams form. To prevent this harmful situation, remember to clean your gutters during the autumn. Pour water into the troughs and make sure it drains properly.

6. Seal and insulate your house to cut energy bills and prevent frozen pipes. Consider adding insulation to walls, pipes or the attic. Use caulk to eliminate chilly drafts.

7. The North Star State’s first snow showers often materialize in October. Remember to stock up on sand and ice melter so that you can treat slippery decks, sidewalks and driveways.

While these tips may help safeguard your Wayzata, MN residence during the fall, they can’t prevent every disaster. Consider signing up for affordable home coverage from Pizano Insurance to obtain greater financial protection. Pizano Insurance helps customers compare quotes from multiple insurers. Please dial 763-244-3320 today.
 

Is your home ready for the new year?

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At the start of a new year, there is a sense of fresh beginnings that takes over. It is a chance to get all of your affairs in order to have a productive year. This includes making sure that your Wayzata, MN home is ready to enter the new year with you. When it comes to your home, there is no way to predict what could happen to put your home in jeopardy. From break ins to weather mishaps and roofing issues, your home can go into the new year and take a true beating. It is imperative that you have the right home insurance to ensure a prosperous new year.

Here at Pizano Insurance, our independent agents want to make sure your home insurance fits you and your family needs as well as your budget. From choosing between liability and property insurance to creating a plan that suits your financial needs, our agents know what insurance and will make the process simple and easy. We understand that the process of purchasing home insurance can be confusing, difficult, and nerve wrecking. Our agents will take their time to go over your options and help you make the best choice to protect your home and peace of min in the new year.

The new year is around the corner so don’t waste any time protecting your home, family, and the place that is the foundation of your life. Call us today to speak to one of our knowledgeable agents or walk into our office to speak to one of our agents about your needs and how we can protect your home.

Common Auto Insurance Questions and Answers

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Auto insurance can be difficult to understand. There are however some commonly asked questions that span most agencies and that have fairly basic answers. For those that live in the Wayzata, MN area, Pizano Insurance can help answer these common questions.

What Coverage Do I Need?

This is one of the most common questions. The answer is it depends on the actual vehicle. Basic requirements are liability insurance or the least amount that is required by both state and federal law. These amounts may vary depending on what state you live in but for the most part these policies require coverage between $10,000 and $25,000. This is to cover the basic fees and bills associated with an accident. If you have a loan out on your vehicle or you are paying for it through a third party lender you are required to hold full coverage insurance.

How Do I File A Claim?

This is another common question. The first step is to make sure you thoroughly document the accident. This is going to insure a speedy claim and an accurate claim to boot. You can then go through your insurance agent to help file your claim and provide your insurance company with the needed material to complete the claim. It is far simpler to talk with your agent about how to file your claim and what information is needed.

How Do I Change My Policy?

You can change your policy at any time by contacting your insurance agent or by contacting your insurance company directly or online. If you have questions, an insurance agent is the fastest and most accurate way to get the answers you need.

If you live in the Wayzata, MN area and have insurance questions or needs, contact Pizano Insurance today.  

Steps to Take to Prep Your Home for Winter

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It seems as though everyone loves fall and the weather it brings. While fall is great, winter is closely following. With the fall season so jam packed with events, it is easy to let the season slip by. If you are a home owner, you should take some time to prep your home for winter before it gets too cold. Use these tips from Pizano Insurance to get started today.

  • Get your Heater Examined. One of the biggest issues that people run into during the winter months is a heating system that will not work. When it gets cold, that is one of the things you need to work. Before running the risk of not having heat, get your heater looked at now before you need it. You probably haven’t used the system in many months and you should ensure it is ready to go. Another thing to do at this time is replace your filters around the home for increased efficiency.
  • Clean out Your Gutters. During the fall, many leaves will likely get stuck in your gutters which will not be good once it starts raining and snowing in the area. You should clean these out once all the leaves have fallen so they will continue to work well through the remainder of the year. Another thing that can happen is your gutters may become infested with bugs if they are not cleaned out.
  • Get a Home Insurance Policy. One of the best things you can do to protect your home no matter the season is get a home insurance policy. This is a great way to prepare for the unexpected. Even with prepping your home for the season, you will not be properly prepared without having a home insurance policy.

If you are interested in getting a quote for a home insurance policy, be sure to contact us at Pizano Insurance, serving Wayzata, MN.

How Your State Department of Insurance Can Help You

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Got questions about Pizano Insurance serving Wayzata, Minnesota? Tap into a resource that you help fund as a taxpayer, it’s right at your fingertips. Each state has a department of insurance that may have just the answers that you are looking for.

What is a Department of Insurance?

Pizano Insurance serving Wayzata, Minnesota-along with all insurance companies-is regulated at the state level for the protection of consumers. The department of insurance handles many different areas of service, inclusive of, but not limited to: information on licensing and filing for insurance companies, consumer assistance for many different types of insurance, energy data and reports, education, tips and tools about your money, and complaint resolution.

Your Home

With so many options to choose from for insurance coverage-it’s comforting to know that there are experts available with the information that consumers need to protect their home and what to do in case of damage or loss. Depending on a homeowner or renter’s needs- Commerce guides you to explore your policy annually offering a checklist to bring more comfort.  

Your Vehicle

Auto insurance is required by law, but do you understand how auto insurance in MN works? Commerce is there to help you understand the insurance basics and what you need to do to file a claim. Sign up for consumer protection e-mail updates.

Your Health

Get questions answered about health insurance, life & annuities, and long-term care insurance that will help you choose your insurance company.

Your Money

“Protecting and informing consumers is an important part of the work we do every day at the Minnesota Department of Commerce.”

Minnesotans are provided information and assistance through the Consumer Services Center which will help you choose the insurance company that would best meet your needs of protection. Got a question? Can’t resolve a dispute? Contact Commerce by phone or email.

Essentials of a Home Insurance Policy

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There are many different kinds of home insurance policies on the market. Most of the time, it is difficult to find one that is the same as another. That is why it is so important to know what basic things you should have covered in your home insurance policy. This can help you determine if the policy has a good base and whether or not you should continue looking at the details of it. Knowing the essentials can help your sort through all of the bad policies. These are the essentials according to Pizano Insurance serving Wayzata, MN.

  • Make sure it will cover the structure of the home. You want to have a policy that at least covers the structure of the home in case you ever have to rebuild. This includes the walls, the frame, and even the roof that should be covered by the home policy that you purchase.
  • Make sure it covers the value of the home. Whether you got a great deal on your home or you paid too much, you want to make sure that the value of the home is covered by the home insurance policy, not the price you paid for it. You do not want to end up paying for too little or too much coverage.
  • Make sure it protects your belongings. Not only should your policy protect your home itself, but it should also protect anything that is located within the home. In most cases, if the home becomes damaged, the belongings inside will be damaged as well.

If you would like more information or would like to take a look at your options and some quotes, be sure to contact Pizano Insurance serving Wayzata, MN. They can even take a look at your current policy to make sure you are covered.