Author Archives: AgentInsure

Preventing Fender-Bender Fraud

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Believe it or not, there’s a lot you can do to prevent fender bender fraud. People get into these kinds of accidents all the time. It can be nerve wracking when it happens to you, though it’s important to be aware of all that’s going on. You can prevent any kind of fraudulent activity by being active throughout the few minutes that take place following the accident.

The other party who is involved in the accident may be trying to commit fraud. This means you have to be cautious about what takes place. You want to get a police officer on the scene as quickly as possible. If the person is trying to commit fraud, they probably don’t want this to happen. This is because there would be an impartial party providing record – and this would make it harder for them to commit fraud.

Essentially, this is exactly why you want the police officer on the scene. They will write up a report as to what they have seen.

You also want photos. Even though the case may seem cut and dry, if it ends up in a courtroom, you may want photos to show what kind of damage was seen on both cars. This will help the judge to determine just how hard the car was hit and what kinds of injuries could result from such a fender bender.

There are certain details you need to share. This includes your insurance information. The moment the other person drives away, you want to contact your insurance company and get your story in before they have an opportunity to reach out to your insurance company.

Contact us at Pizano Insurance today to learn more about auto insurance and what your options are. We can help you to find affordable premiums that will provide protection throughout Wayzata, MN and beyond.

 

3 Ways to Handle Emergencies Like a House Sitting Pro

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House sitting is your job. You take it seriously, so you should thoroughly consider the clear and present danger that could be lurking outside. To ensure that you maintain your brand, and to ensure you are safe at all times, the following three tips will help you while you are home sitting.

Safety Tip #1. Remove every spare key from the home.

Of course, having a spare key under the mat is a great way to save money with a locksmith. However, it’s not a great way to keep intruders out. With the cost of a home burglary averaging over $2,100, it cost less to replace a lost key than to experience a home invasion.

Safety Tip #2. Let the neighbors know you are house sitting.

Two minds are always better than one, even in house sitting. If your clients live in a reputable neighborhood, then you can solicit the help of their neighbors. You can introduce yourself, and let them know that you are house sitting. Additionally, let them know that you would appreciate a watchful eye from them since you are new to the neighborhood. Most neighbors will help you keep a watchful eye for any strange behaviors.

Safety Tip #3. Always use the alarm systems.

Alarms systems work. These systems alert you when there is an intrusion, and they alert your neighbors. Additionally, these systems work to deter intruders. However, you can’t use it unless it’s engaged. No matter what you are doing, you should ensure that the home’s security system is armed so that you are protected.

At Pizano Insurance, our goal is to protect our clients. Whether you have a car or homeowners insurance with us, we have a complement insurance product to ensure that your family is protected while you are on the road or at home. You can visit our website to see all the insurance products we offer.

 

 

Meet Your MN Neighbors Through Volunteering Efforts

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When you move to a new place, one of the things you probably want to do is meet people and make friends. That can help you get involved with the local community, and give you the opportunity to get to know more of the people around you. Making friends also helps keep you from feeling isolated, and can give you a feeling of being at home that you might not have otherwise. Among some great ways to meet your neighbors is through volunteering for causes that are important to you.

When you volunteer you benefit yourself and other people. Any organization that gets your help will certainly be appreciative, as will the people who that organization helps. Additionally, you’ll have a good feeling from helping others, and you’ll also get a sense of purpose that can be hard to come by in a world that’s full of hustle and bustle all the time. Rather than just go out to bars or restaurants to meet others, focusing on something that’s truly important to you lets you give back to your local community and also help you meet people who will be similar to you in the kinds of things they find important. That can make for much better, more lasting friendships in your area.

Supporting local businesses is also an important way to be a part of any community. By using Pizano Insurance for your insurance needs in Albertville, MN, you can get the coverage you need and the personalized service you won’t find with non-local companies that don’t understand your community. That keeps your money in the local area and helps a community business succeed, so it’s a winning situation for everyone.

 

First Time Homeowners: How To Keep Your Cooling Costs Down In The Summer

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If you are a first-time homeowner, there are several things that you need to keep in mind. One crucial consideration is your cooling costs during the summer months. Cooling costs can be very expensive, and so purchasing your first home. If you know a few tips for keeping your cooling costs down in the summer, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars each year.

Replace Old Air Conditioners

If the central air conditioning unit in your new home is worn, you may want to consider replacing it.

Older units are much less energy efficient than newer models. While replacing an old unit can be expensive, it can pay for itself in the money that you would save on cooling costs over the first few years. If you are using older window units, replacing them can save you a great deal of money as well.

Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Most people who are considering switching from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs do so to save money on their lighting costs. What you may not know, is that switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs can also save on your cooling costs. Unlike incandescent light bulbs, compact fluorescent light bulbs don’t give off any heat.

Clean or Change AC Filters Each Month

It is important that you clean or change your AC filters every month. Dirty filters can cause your cooling costs to rise 7 percent or more when it is hot outside. If you have a central air conditioning unit, you would need to change the central AC furnace filters each month during the summer. If you have window units, there is a removable filter that should be rinsed out each month.

Seal Up AC Ducts

If you purchased a home that was built in the last ten years, the duct work is likely well sealed. If your home is older, however, 40 percent of the money that you spend on cooling costs could be leaking through the gaps in the duct joints. Rather than coming out the vents to cool down the house, the leaked air would be trapped in the attic, basement, or in a crawl space. When you move into your home, you should have a professional come to inspect the unit and the duct work.

Plant Greenery Around the Windows

If you are planning to have your yard landscaped after you move into your home, you should consider planting shrubs or trees close to the windows on the sunny side of the home. These plants will keep the sun from heating up the house, reducing your cooling costs.

There are several things that you should do after you have purchased your first home. After you have contacted Pizano Insurance for a homeowner’s insurance policy, you should make sure that the home is ready for the cooling season.

 

 

Tips for Drivers during Minnesota’s Winters

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For those who live in Wayzata, it’s a longer drive into the heart of the big city of Minneapolis for work on a regular basis, especially when it’s cold and icy outside. The combination of distance and inclement weather can lead to a real gas expenditure, which can be hurtful to the pocketbook. Below are some tips on how to reduce using as much gas on that drive, or any long drive for that matter, despite the rough winter driving conditions.

DRIVE A VEHICLE GOOD ON SNOW AND ICE

Since a good portion of the year will be spent driving in snow and ice in Minnesota, especially on the commute between Wayzata and Minneapolis, a vehicle that is good on snow and ice is critical. This is primarily important because it will reduce the time you have to put chains on your tires and drive at a slow speed, lowering your gas mileage tremendously.

TRY NOT TO USE THE HEAT OR THE A/C

If you really want to save money on gas, put on a few extra layers in the winter and don’t use the heat in the car. Heaters in automobiles use a lot of gas to run, especially at full blast. So cut the heat expenditure, add another couple of layers when you get dressed in the morning and save on the gas.

BUY A FUEL EFFICIENT CAR

While they may not be best for driving in snow and ice throughout the year, a fuel efficient car like a hybrid will double your gas mileage instantaneously, meaning you’re saving money every time you drive, no matter what season it is. Of course, you’ll have other expenditures like insuring this car with at least the minimum insurance in Minnesota, which includes no-fault insurance, liability insurance and uninsured motorist insurance. Check with a company like Pizano Insurance, who serves the greater Wayzata area for the very best rates.

 

The Basics of Small Business Insurance

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It’s difficult enough to have the have the energy and skill to construct a successful small business- and learning how the right insurance policy can protect your investments and capital can seem like a whole other project on top of it. We will explain in simple terms, the basics of insuring your small business against all the risks that may challenge it.

1. Liability Insurance

Any type of business can be sued, sometimes for unpredictable reasons. Customers can file a claim for damages they say resulted from the use of your products. Employees or customers may claim that your business is a hazardous environment. Whether or not you win in such disputes, wages lost and court costs can be excessive. Liability insurance can cover such losses and pay for the damages should the claim hold up in court.

2. Property Insurance

The right property insurance policy can compensate your business should property become lost or damaged due to various common perils. Fire, theft and flood are common examples. Property insurance not only covers a building, it can also cover personal property such as office furnishings, raw materials, inventory, equipment, and other mission-critical items. Property insurance can also include coverage for equipment breakdowns, debris removal after a fire, some types of water damage and other losses.

3. Workers Compensation Insurance

In most states, an employer is required to have workers comp insurance whenever there are over a given number of employees. Workers compensation insurance pays for medical care and can replace some wages lost by the employee- regardless of who is at fault. Should a worker die as the result of a work-related injury, the Workers Compensation insurance will provide an award to the family of the victim. Extremely small businesses, (one operated by no more than one or two people from their home, may not need this kind of insurance. But such a business will often need more liability and property coverage than a typical homeowners policy would provide.

Pizano Insurance
The professionals at Pizano Insurance, are dedicated to providing you with the most comprehensive insurance plan available. Our mission is to make your insurance purchase simple, and productive.

Call or click today and let the experts at Pizano Insurance help to protect your small business.

 

Car Crashes: What You Can Do To Help

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When you live in Minnesota, car crashes are inevitable. Whether it happens in the winter or another time of year, there is much that you can do in order to help. While 911 is one of the obvious things to do, there’s actually quite a bit more that you can do as well.

Secure your car

It’s great that you want to help others, but you have to look out for yourself, first. Park your car away from the accident and then walk over.

Check on the victims

When you’re on the phone with 911, check on the victims. This can help the operator know how much help needs to be sent. They may also give you some guidance as to how you can help everyone a little further.

Turn their cars off

If the cars involved in the crash are still on, turn them off. This can be done by the driver or by you.

Wait for help to arrive

Depending on where you are and what the road conditions are, it can take a while for help to arrive. Sit patiently and keep the victims occupied so they can stay calm. Sometimes all it takes is knowing that there is someone there looking after them.

Leave a statement

Leave a statement with the police as to what you saw. Don’t admit to any kind of fault if you were on the roads with the other cars. Also, your contact information may be shared with an insurance company and potentially even a lawyer so that they can follow up as to what you witnessed.

Call and talk to us at Pizano Insurance now. We look forward to helping you with an affordable policy and our agents can get quotes to help with the comparison process, too.

 

 

Do You Need Auto Insurance When Buying a Car as a Present?

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Buying a car as a holiday present can be a great way to really give someone an amazing gift. When you go to buy a car, though, there’s more to the purchase than just the actual purchase. There’s also the title, the registration, and the insurance. You can’t just buy the car from a dealership and take it home. They’re going to do the registration and title paperwork there for you, and then you’ll need to insure it before you drive away.

With a personal auto policy through Pizano Insurance you can cover the car you’re buying as a present before you leave that Wayzata, MN dealership. There are a couple of ways you can buy and insure the car and also give it as a present. You can either bring your gift recipient to the dealership with you, or you can buy the car in your name and then transfer the title at a later date. Both are acceptable ways to buy a car as a present, and which choice you make depends on how you want to give the gift to your recipient.

If you want to do the big reveal, where the car’s in the driveway with a giant bow on it, you’ll need to buy and insure the car in your name before you drive it off the dealer’s lot. The title can be transferred to your gift recipient later, and then they can insure it under their name. If you don’t want the car in your name at all, and you don’t want to worry about the need to insure it, you can take your gift recipient to the dealership with you. That way, the title and insurance will be in their name from the very first day.

 

Why Independent Insurance Agents Matter with Car Insurance

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Whether you are getting a new car insurance policy or renewing your existing policy, you want to get coverage that will suit your needs. What do you gain by purchasing inadequate car insurance coverage?

By working with an independent insurance agent at Pizano Insurance, you get a customized experience that helps you determine the best car insurance for you.

Agents are knowledgeable experts. Our independent insurance agents continually remain abreast of changes affecting the insurance industry. As a result, they can offer you advice and strategies that will help you achieve your insurance goals.

Agents are customer-focused. One of the leading differences among independent insurance agents, compared to other agents, is that they are customer-focused. With every business transaction, we have your best interest in mind. We are constantly thinking and considering new ways to improve your experience in our office.

When it comes to you making a claim on your insurance, you will find that their ability to focus exclusively on your needs helps you work through the process quickly. They will educate you on the process, and work with you to get your car repaired or replaced if necessary.

Pizano agents offer competitively priced products. With the ability to compare prices and services from multiple companies, you can rest assured that our agents will suggest an insurance product that aligns with your needs. You don’t have to worry about purchasing a product you don’t need from Pizano Insurance.

They are problem solvers. Our Wayzata, MN office offers a host of insurance products from many branded insurance companies. With your goals in mind, they effectively act as problem solvers to ensure that you retain your ability to drive. Additionally, they help you remain financially protected on the highways.

Our website has a wealth of information concerning our insurance products. You can research what options we have available on our site, and then speak with one of our independent insurance agents to get a quote.

 

 

3 Ways to Light Jack-O-Lanterns That Don’t Create Fire Hazards

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Carving pumpkins and lighting them up on Halloween night is a longstanding tradition. If you go around Wayzata, MN on the night of October 31, you’ll see illuminated pumpkins in front of many homes. A number of these will be lit with candles, but some will likely be illuminated by a safer option. There are several flame-free alternatives for lighting jack-o-lanterns that don’t create a fire hazard.

Illuminating Pumpkins Safely

Any time there is an open flame, there is a fire risk. If that open flame is put inside a small sphere that can catch fire, the risk increases. In other words, illuminating jack-o-lanterns with candles creates a fire hazard. Your local fire marshall probably doesn’t like it, and we at Pizano Insurance recommend against doing it.

There are several safer ways to light up pumpkins at night. Instead of tea lights, you can use:

  • glow sticks
  • LED lights that are battery-powered
  • small flashlights

None of these items have an open flame, and they’ll all light up a pumpkin just as well as a candle.

Check Your Home Insurance

Regardless of whether you use candles or one of these safer alternatives to light up pumpkins this Halloween, you should take a few minutes to check your home insurance policy for fire protection. Candles can cause house fires, but they’re hardly the only potential cause. Your policy should cover you if your home catches on fire.

If your home insurance doesn’t include enough fire protection, contact us at Pizano Insurance. We’ll help you find a new policy that is affordable but provides better protection. To get in touch with one of our agents, send our agency an email.