Author Archives: AgentInsure

Will my Home Insurance in Albertville, Minnesota, Pay for the Removal of a Tree in my Premises Which is Causing an Issue to my neighbor?

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When a tree in your yard is causing problems with your neighbor, it may seem like the perfect opportunity to use your home insurance to remove the problem. Although some insurers in Albertville, Minnesota may provide some assistance in certain situations, it is possible that your coverage may not include the removal of trees.

Risky Situations

Although the removal of a tree from your yard may not be covered in every situation, it is possible that your home insurance provider will allow you to make a claim if the tree is in a precarious or dangerous position.

Risky situations, such as when the plant is dying and branches are falling onto your roof or your neighbor’s roof, may allow you to make a claim as a preventative measure against more costly repairs and damages in the future.

Variation on Policies

While some insurers may allow you to make a claim in certain situations, each policy is different and the details of your current homeowner’s plan may vary. Even if the situation is risky, some insurers may not allow you to make a claim to pay for the removal of a tree.

Read your policy thoroughly to determine if you have coverage for the removal of trees or if there are certain situations that will allow you to make a claim. You may have a clause or exception that prevents you from making a claim in some situations.

The ability to remove trees from your yard that are causing problems with your neighbors may depend on the current situation. If you want to learn more about coverage options and details, contact us to talk to an independent agent.

Will my auto premium vary in Wayzata, Minnesota, If I add a family member to the list of drivers on my vehicle?

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If you have a family member who drives your car on a regular basis in Wayzata, Minnesota, it’s generally a good idea to have them listed on your auto insurance policy. This helps protect your vehicle in the event of an accident and makes it easier to cover incidents such as windshield damage, plus it also protects those behind the wheel. However, you might be wondering whether adding an additional driver or two will have any effect on your premium.

Placing additional drivers on your policy can potentially have an effect on your premiums, based on the number of drivers added and their driving records. For example, adding a driver who has received several speeding tickets in the previous year will likely cost your premium to increase, whereas adding an older driver with a spotless record may trigger a reduction in your premiums.

Each insurance provider has its own method of calculating a premium for each auto insurance policy. In addition to driving records, the provider may also take into account the type of vehicle to which additional drivers are added and average annual mileage, just to name a few additional factors.

Don’t forget that if a family member has their own auto insurance, their policy is likely to cover them if they occasionally drive your vehicle. By talking to an independent agent, you can find out more about how adding family members to your car’s coverage affects your policy. It’s important to get in touch with us for more details on your specific policy.

Does my Auto Insurance in Albertville,Minnesota, cover if I hit a wild Animal While Passing by a Forest?

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When driving past the seemingly peaceful forests surrounding Albertville, Minnesota, it pays to keep an eye out for the unexpected, such as a run-in with a deer or any other wild animal. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, over 20,000 deer-vehicle accidents occur on a yearly basis. Hitting a wild animal can do more than just give you a scare – it can also result in significant damage to your car, depending on the size of the animal. Windshield damage, broken headlights and crunched fenders aren’t uncommon when dealing with animal collisions.

You might assume that any accident involving a wild animal will be covered by your policy’s collision coverage. However, your insurer will likely cover such an accident under your comprehensive coverage. This coverage also covers damage caused by vandalism, theft, natural disasters and falling objects.

Some companies may even consider an animal strike as an “act of God,” which means you won’t have to pay a deductible and your rates remain the same. If you do have to pay a deductible, it’s important to have an estimate of the damage caused during the accident. If the repairs cost less than the deductible amount, you’re better off paying for the damage out-of-pocket.

If you’re not sure about your coverage, it pays to read the fine print before making a claim. As your independent agent, we can help you better understand your auto insurance policy and how it best protects you from life’s uncertainties. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you need more information about your policy.

Disclaimer: The content of these blogs do not represent any type of specific coverage’s offered by the agency.

Do my stay at home parents need life insurance in Wayzata, Minnesota?

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It does not matter if your parents in Wayzata, Minnesota live 10 minutes or 10 hours away from you. As a concerned son or daughter, you want to do all you can to help them out and make sure they have a comfortable life. One of the ways you can help is to make sure they have the right kind of insurance to protect them against future risk.

If your parents are still driving and own their own home, they probably already have an auto insurance policy and a home insurance policy. They may or may not have a life insurance policy. If your father bought a whole life policy years ago, when you were just a baby, it will most likely cover your mother and you or your siblings may also be named as beneficiaries on the life insurance policy.

When your parents are at a stage in their lives when all the children are grown and out on their own, there is almost no good reason for them to invest in a new life insurance policy. On the one hand, because of possible health issues and their age, it may be difficult or impossible to find an insurance company that will offer them a life insurance policy. Even if they were able to find a guaranteed life policy that does not require you to answer any health-related questions, or take a physical exam, the cost would be very high and the coverage very low.

If the goal for your parents is to have enough income in case one spouse should pass away, insurance, at this advanced stage in life, is usually not a good financial investment. As your independent agent, we would be happy to advise you on the most suitable time to purchase life insurance. Your parents may be better off investing in a long-term care policy, or focusing on financial investments to increase their monthly income.

Is there a limit on the number of assets I list under my umbrella policy in Wayzata, Minnesota?

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There are certain circumstances that demand a person to own certain types of insurance products. Anyone seeking to buy a home must have home insurance, drivers must have auto insurance and business owners must seek to have a business policy. One type of product that some people like to have that extends all personal lines liability coverage is an umbrella policy. Here are a few thoughts about an umbrella policy that you will need to know.

How Your Umbrella Policy Works

  • The number of assets that your umbrella policy can cover is only limited to what your needs are. You will need to list all drivers in your household on the policy in order for them to be protected.
  • List your home insurance policy on the umbrella policy to extend your liability coverage. More and more people today are sued because of issues related to their homes. You can be protected more by an umbrella policy in Wayzata, Minnesota.
  • If you own a boat or a motorcycle and have insurance for them, you will want to list them under the umbrella policy.
  • You will also want to list any other policies under the umbrella policy where you have liability coverage. An umbrella policy is closely tied to lawsuits so you will want to protect yourself with the most coverage you can get.

If you live in Wayzata, Minnesota and have questions about what the limit is regarding your umbrella policy, then you need to call your independent agent today. As your agent we can help answer all of your questions about what you need to cover. It’s important that you give us a call so that we can give you specific details for your circumstances to help you make the best decision relating to your insurance needs.

If I run a paying guest house,in Albertville, Minnesota, is it better to have home or commercial insurance?

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If you decide to become a landlord and rent out your Albertville, Minnesota home to paying tenants, your regular home insurance policy will most likely not cover you against the risks of owning a home. A typical home insurance policy is usually written to cover an owner-occupied, single family home. Once you change the status or use of your house to a guest house with regular paying guests, you will need to get commercial or landlord insurance.

Commercial real estate insurance is really designed for property owners who rent out warehouses, offices and other commercial properties. Landlord insurance is the right kind of insurance to have in Albertville, whether you have a single family house, a duplex, or a small building with multiple apartments.

The reason why you need to call your independent agent and let them know that you are turning your home into a guest house is that you need to change your coverage to be protected against the increased risk that comes with renting to paying tenants or guests.

Typically, the costs of a landlord insurance policy are about 20 percent higher for the same amount of coverage as if you were the owner and occupant of the premises and used a standard home insurance police to protect yourself from perils and liability.

Insurance industry statistics show that there is a higher incidence of claims associated with operating a pay guest house than simply buying and living in a home that you own. Tenants do not have the same pride of ownership and do not take good care of the house or room that they are renting. There is also the increased liability that you incur when other people live on your property.

As your independent agent, we would suggest that you make sure you have a commercial or landlord insurance policy in place before you ever start taking in paying tenants. It is also a good idea to carefully screen applicants and make sure you obtain a security deposit to further protect yourself from damages to your home and personal property.

Can I Withdraw the Claim I placed on my Auto Insurance in Albertville, Minnesota?

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When you make a claim in Albertville, Minnesota on an auto insurance policy, you may decide at a later date that it was unnecessary. The problem is that you will need to withdraw your claim if you determine that the minor accident wasn’t worth making the claim or you are concerned about your monthly rate increasing.

Early Withdrawal

If you withdraw a claim on your policy before a check is issued by the company, then you will not usually have any problems making the change. Call the company and ask to withdraw your claim. It may take a few days to process the request, but it will usually stop the check from being issued in the first place.

Problems After Receiving a Check

After receiving the check from your insurer, the problem becomes more complicated. In some cases, you may discover that your insurer will not agree. Other insurers may allow you to withdraw your claim, but only after you return the funds that were issued.

Variation in Companies

Since the cover you obtain on an auto policy differs between companies and specific plans, each insurance provider will differ. The process and ability to withdraw a claim will vary due to the different standards each company sets up. In some cases, it may be a simple matter of calling the company while other situations are more complicated and will not give the same level of flexibility.

It is usually possible to ask an insurer to put a stop to any claim you make on the policy, but the number of complications and possible issues that arise will vary. In general, making a request early will simplify the process. To learn more about dealing with an insurance provider, contact us to talk to an independent agent.

Is my Pillion Covered Under my Motorcycle Insurance in Albertville, Minnesota?

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When you ride a motorcycle and carry passengers on a pillion, you may assume that your motorcycle insurance in Albertville, Minnesota is protecting every individual involved. Even if you have full coverage for your motorcycle, you and your pillion passenger may not be covered for medical expenses.

Motorcycle Policies

Unlike an auto policy, which provides cover for medical expenses when you have full protection, a motorcycle insurer may not provide medical protection for the rider or passenger. Even if the rider is covered, a pillion may not be covered.

The risk of injuries and accidents is higher when you ride a motorcycle than when you drive a car, which impacts the coverage that you are offered.

Read the Policy

Although many companies will not provide protection for medical expenses, each insurer has a different process of providing protection and the exact amount of protection will vary. Read through your coverage plan to determine if your pillion is currently covered or if you need to add additional protection to your current plan.

If you discover that you need to protect yourself and your passenger from medical complications, then talk to an independent agent about your options. An agent can help you find an appropriate plan based on the amount of riding you enjoy, your budget and any complications that might impact your plan. By comparing your options with the help of an agent, you will not need to worry about your medical costs or that of your passenger if you are involved in an accident.

Riding a motorcycle requires protection from injuries that may occur. The problem is that many insurers do not provide full coverage for the rider or passenger. To learn more about your options or get help understanding your current plan, contact us to talk to an independent agent.

Can I Negotiate my Auto Insurance Claim with my Insurer in Albertville, Minnesota, if I am not Satisfied with What I am Offered?

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When you make a claim on your auto insurance policy in Albertville, Minnesota, you may not always get the amount that you expect. Depending on the situation, your claim and your current policy, you may be able to negotiate with your insurer.

Read the Policy Carefully

Before you try to negotiate with your insurer, read through all of the documents regarding the amount of cover the insurer is expected to provide. Find out if you have full coverage for that specific situation or if an exception is causing the dissatisfaction. If your current plan does not provide protection against a specific situation you are facing due to a clause or exception, then you might not be able to negotiate further.

Obtain Proof

In some cases, the reason you are dissatisfied with the amount provided by the insurance company is actually related to the proof that you’ve given. Provide an estimate of damages from your mechanic for any damage to the vehicle or give a copy of the police report to prove that you did not cause the accident. By providing more proof of responsibility, costs and other factors, you will have the necessary documentation to prove that the insurer is not following up on their side of the contract.

Talk to the Insurer

When you have proof, start the negotiation process. Do not rush through the process and point out every detail about the situation that you can. Use your policy to point out the mistakes.

Negotiating with an insurance company is possible, but it requires the proper steps and the appropriate proof to show that you’ve been given too little according to your policy. To learn more about negotiating with your insurer, contact us to talk to an independent agent.

What role does an independent agent play in a claim in Wayzata, Minnesota?

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What should you do if you back into a pole in a Wayzata, Minnesota shopping center and put a big dent in your bumper? You know your husband is going to see it, so you just can not pretend it never happened. The real question is whether or not you should file a claim with your auto insurance company.

The collision portion of your auto insurance policy will cover the damage that is above your deductible. If the damage was, say, $750, and your deductible is $500, the best you could hope for is a check for $250. You might be hesitant to file a claim in such an instance because it could raise your rates the next time you have to renew your Minnesota auto insurance policy.

As your independent agent, we run into this type of dilemma all of the time. While the decision as to whether you should or should not file a claim is up to you, we can give you some solid information about what the effect of filing a claim will be on your auto insurance rates.

An independent agent works for you and not for any individual insurance company. We can provide you with unbiased advice that you can not get by talking directly to an insurance company. If it is in your best interest to not file a claim, we will tell you why.

If you develop a long-term relationship with an independent agent you like and trust, you will have someone who can look out for all of your insurance needs. Here in Wayzata, we like to get to know our clients so we can serve them better. Over time, your various insurance needs can change. We can counsel you on how best to cover those changing needs and provide you with the right policy or policies so you are properly insured throughout your life.