Author Archives: AgentInsure

Can I Avail Occupational Discounts on my Auto Insurance Policy in Wayzata, Minnesota?

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Obtaining a discount on your auto insurance policy from your occupation may sound unlikely, but some insurers may allow a business owner or employee of a business with an occupational discount to apply the discount in cover to a personal account in Wayzata, Minnesota.

When Discounts Apply

Discounts do not apply to every situation, particularly when it is an occupational discount that is used for business reasons. In some cases, insurers may allow that discount to carry over to a personal policy, but it usually requires the same carrier for both business and personal use and may require individuals to use a personal vehicle for business reasons.

Variation Between Companies

Although discounts may apply in certain situations, it is rare and most companies will have strict divisions between personal and business vehicles, even when it relates to discounted coverage.

While the companies will have different rules and policies related to the situation, it may be possible to find companies that allow occupational discounts to carry over into personal coverage plans.

Finding the Right Plan

Even if an insurer does not apply a discount related to a specific occupation to a personal vehicle, you may be eligible for discounts that you’ve overlooked when searching for coverage. Different companies offer a wide range of solutions to help bring down the prices, so it is important to ask about any current promotions or possible reductions that may apply to a specific account.

Getting the right plan and policy is not always easy, but it is possible when you are willing to compare options. Since private insurers are different from business insurers, in most cases your occupational discount will not apply to the personal account. To learn more about getting better rates, contact us to talk to an independent agent.

Why do home insurance companies in Wayzata, Minnesota, mandate that I have a separate policy to cover my business?

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If you own your home and have a business, then you may have heard that you will need to have two separate policies in order to have everything covered properly. Home insurance is designed to cover risk exposures that are related to a person’s personal home. A business will need its own policy in order to be protected correctly. Here are a few reasons why you will need two different policies.

Why You Need Two Policies for Your Home and Business

  • A business has a lot more risk exposures that need to be covered by a business policy. Most personal line agents may not write any policies for insurance companies where the applicants home is the place of business.
  • A business policy carries a higher liability limit than a normal home policy. In most cases the lower limit starts at one million in coverage and can be increased to cover the increased customer exposure.
  • A normal home policy only covers personal belongings so if you have a business in your home, then none of the companies merchandise would ever be covered should there be a total loss.
  • Your home policy will have limited coverage for high dollar items. A business policy is more comprehensive in what it covers.

If you live in the Wayzata, Minnesota area and have questions about your home policy or a business policy, then you need to contact your independent agent today. As your agent we can help answer all of your questions that you may have about your insurance options. It’s important that you give us a call so that we can give you specific details for your circumstances and help you get the policy that you need for your business and home.

Am I protected against identity theft under my home insurance policy in Wayzata, Minnesota?

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Identity theft can happen to anyone, even people living along Lake Minnetonka in the small city of Wayzata, Minnesota. Well Wayzata is a nice quiet place to live and everyone is friendly, but, there are evil-doers out there, lurking on the Internet and trying to find ways to steal your identity.

If you use a computer to bank online, make purchases at Amazon, or stay in touch with your friends on Facebook, you are at risk of becoming a victim of identity theft. No insurance can protect you 100 percent of the time from having your private information compromised.

The best thing you can do is take as many steps as you can to make it harder for an identity thief to steal your identity. Chang passwords frequently. Don’t open emails from unknown senders. Check your bank and credit card statements to make sure there are no withdrawals or purchases that you don’t recognize. Even with all that, you still are at risk.

Your standard home insurance policy will not cover identity theft, but many home insurers will offer you some protection against the hideous invasion of your privacy by giving you the option to add an endorsement for identity theft to your policy.

An endorsement under your home insurance policy will not reimburse you for the monetary losses you may suffer if someone hacks into your bank account, but what it will do, is pay for the expenses that you incur to restore your identity and credit.

For instance, when you find out that your identity has been stolen, you might want to do things like cancel all of your accounts and open new accounts. It can take a lot of time and be expensive if you have to get a new passport, birth certificate, or driver’s license. You may have to send certified letters to all of your creditors, need notary services and even miss time at work. When you add an endorsement for identity theft, it will cover some, if not all of those expenses.

As your independent agent, please give us a call and we can see if adding this type of coverage to your home insurance policy makes sense for you.

Does installing storm-resisting shutters avail discounts on my home insurance premium in Albertville, Minnesota?

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The premium on your Albertville, Minnesota home insurance policy is calculated by assessing the different level of risk associated with insuring your home. Anything you can do that significantly reduces the chance of loss, and thus the need of your insurer to possibly have to pay a claim, can help lower your premium.

For instance, installing an alarm system can make you less susceptible to loss by burglary. Smoke detectors protect against fire and installing storm-resistant shutters can minimize the chance of broken windows and other damage from flying projectiles in a strong windstorm.

While Albertville, Minnesota is not in the path of tropical hurricanes, it is very possible that a big thunderstorm can generate winds with speeds great enough to blow over trees and send branches hurtling through the air. Tornadoes, while fairly rare, are a possibility in the Gopher State.

Storm-resistant shutters that can cover your exposed glass windows, do an excellent job of protecting those windows in severe weather conditions. Such shutters also provide a level of security, making it a little harder for a criminal to gain access to your home.

Insurance companies in Minnesota will reward you for taking proactive measures to help protect your house, and the people inside, from damage or injury as the result of a severe storm. While your premium is not going to change by much just by installing storm-resistant shutters, every little bit helps.

Even if your storm-resistant shutters do not do a perfect job of protecting your home, they will at least mitigate the amount of damage that can be caused by loose- flying debris.

As your independent agent here in Albertville, we would encourage you to have a visual audit done of your house to see if there are ways to make it safer. Give us a call and an independent agent will be happy to review your policy and see if they can find ways you can get some discounts of your home insurance premium.

Is clearing snow on my premises covered by my home insurance policy in Albertville, Minnesota?

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As much as you love living in Albertville, Minnesota, you do have to accept the fact that winters can be extra cold and you will have to deal with the task of clearing snow from your premises. If you are in good shape and don’t mind doing some hard work, you might be okay getting a shovel and clearing the snow from your front path and driveway.

If you choose to hire someone to clear the snow and ice on your premises, that can run into quite a bit of money over a long winter with frequent snow storms. While it would be nice if your home insurance policy in Albertville, Minnesota covered the clearing of snow, the fact is, your home insurance policy does not cover such costs.

Snow clearing is considered routine maintenance, just like mowing your lawn or pressure washing your patio. If insurance companies were to offer a policy for snow clearing in a snow-prone state like Minnesota, the rates they would have to charge would be outrageous.

While your home insurance policy is not going to cover the costs of removing snow on your paths, patios and driveways, it will cover you if the weight of those snowflakes falling on your roof causes your roof to fail. You can file a claim to get that heavy wet stuff off of your roof and make any repairs that the forces of Mother Nature inflicted on your roof.

If you have been a resident of Minnesota for even one winter, you probably don’t need your independent agent telling you that heavy snow and ice can be dangerous. Even though your home insurance policy provides liability coverage for slip and fall accidents, you still have a duty to make sure your property is as safe as possible. As your independent agent, we would tell you, and every other homeowner in Minnesota, to keep snow off of your roof and walking paths..

Minnesota Boat Owners: Basic coverage options you should know about for your equipment

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Living in the Albertville, and Wayzata, Minnesota areas there are plenty of chances for you to take your boat out on the water. While boating there are a lot of things that can cause damage to your boat. There is the possibility of colliding with another boater or even being in a damage causing storm. If you are looking for some type of boat insurance, then there are few basics related to coverage options that you will need to think through before buying the policy.

Basic Boat Insurance Options for Your Watercraft

  • Liability insurance is one part of the policy that comes standard no matter what you end up getting. This coverage pays for damages that you may cause because of accidental causes. If someone trips and falls and ends up suing you, your insurance liability will cover the cost.
  • Comprehensive will still cover for damages to your craft that are not accident related. Some things that might be covered include Hail, theft, fire and several other perils.
  • Taking a certified boat safety class will get you a great discount not available to most boaters.
  • Equipment coverage is another benefit that you will not want to pass up. Some boaters like to buy a lot of expensive equipment for their boats. They may buy sonar, radios, and many other safety devices. If something turns up missing, you may not have coverage unless you covered your equipment on the boat.

If you are looking to get a boat policy or just have questions about a policy that you already have, then you need to contact an independent agent today. We can help guide you through the basics of a great boat policy. Call us today and get your boat protected the way it should be.

What is the Minimum Business Insurance Coverage Needed for a Start-Up Company in Albertville, MN?

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If you are a new business owner with a start-up company, you should never open your doors in Albertville, Minnesota, without speaking to your independent agent about buying at least the minimum of insurance coverage. Minimum coverage is generally considered commercial general liability insurance. Business owners can purchase a company insurance package that offers adequate protection at a lower price.

Sometimes this minimum coverage is the only policy protection a company will need. If you have more than one company location, have hired employees and your company have higher profits you will no doubt need a different type of coverage protection.

This minimum liability coverage will protect you against property damage, personal injury, bodily injury and advertising injury. These four separate issues are purchased in one package instead of buying each coverage separately. These four coverages are bundled into a package are usually enough for any small business.

If your endeavor is a higher risk company that could leave you at risk for a high liability law suit, such as a small restaurant, in Albertville, Minnesota, you may want to purchase a supplement policy, such as an umbrella policy that will pay beyond the limits of your basic policy. Your independent agent can help you decide if an umbrella policy will be what you need, and sort through the particulars of purchasing the right coverage at the right price.

The umbrella policy will open up benefits that pay for legal fees and judgments that your basic policy does not cover. If you operate a business that presents more risk than normal, you should discuss your options with your independent agent in Albertville, Minnesota, in order to secure your financial future. We can help you with your policy needs. It is important that you give us a call so that we can give you specific details for your circumstances.

Will My Premium Increase if I Make a Claim on My Home Insurance in Albertville, MN?

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If you live in the Albertville, Minnesota area and need to turn in a claim on your homeowner’s policy, think carefully before taking this action. You can call your independent agent in Albertville and discuss your risks. When you make claims on your home there are certain factors that are sure to increase your monthly premium and overall policy cost. Many homeowners do not make claims for fear of raising their homeowners insurance premiums. Speak with your independent agent first, we are here to help you.

Depending on how many claims you make on your home could flag your name in databases, such as CLUE and A-PLUS. Having your name in a database may make it more difficult for you to get homeowners insurance in the future or maintain your current homeowner’s coverage.

The purpose of having this policy is to give you, the homeowner, peace of mind. A homeowner’s policy is available for you to help you replace or rebuild property to its original state. The purpose for homeowner’s coverage is to help the homeowner fix a situation. The homeowner should never abuse their insurance by turning in unnecessary claims.

Claims that are sure to raise premiums and claims that may not be able to be neglected are dog bite incidents, water damages, and personal injury claims, such as slip and fall accidents. Every claim is different with varying details. These details will determine if your premium will increase and how much.

There are some claims that companies cannot charge you for, such as, claims that are considered being natural events. The weather is going to do what it does, and no one can prevent this type of damage. If you need help with your homeowners insurance in Albertville, Minnesota, give your independent agent a call today and we will help you sort out the pros and cons of turning in a claim on your home.

How Do I Know What Type of Business Insurance I Need in Wayzata, Minnesota?

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A smaller or larger commercial company can be perilous for any business owner. Lawsuits have been on the rise and primarily over the last few years since our economy has been failing. Some companies are at jeopardy more than other companies such as restaurants, grocery stores and medical companies, including doctor and dental offices. Tax preparation offices are another company showing increasing lawsuits. Without the proper business insurance, it could mean economic ruin for business and personal life.

No matter what kind of commercial company you own, you should have at least basic and comprehensive general liability coverage. This general liability policy shields you the owner from lawsuits arising from accidents, injuries and claims stemming from negligence. This basic coverage will protect you from property damages, slander, libel, bodily injury, medical expenses, legal fees and settlement bonds.

The necessary policy you need for your business will depend on your company. If you have a company that offers a service to the public, like a doctor’s office a professional liability policy is always a wise decision. This professional liability will cover beyond what the basic liability policy covers. These companies need a policy that covers errors, malpractice, and negligence lawsuits. If you own a company that supplies products to the public you will want a product liability insurance in case you face a lawsuit for product malfunction, or the product cause injury or harm to an individual.

If your Wayzata, Minnesota company has just one employee, you should be covered with worker’s compensation. Some states will require you to have worker’s compensation. Another type of policy you may have to consider is commercial property insurance.

You should not risk opening for business without the customary insurance coverage. As your independent agent, we can help you. If you reside in the Wayzata, Minnesota area, contact us and speak with an independent agent. All circumstances are different. Give us that call today so that we can give you specific details for your circumstances.

How can you save money on your home insurance in Albertville, Minnesota?

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No homeowner ever wants to see unexpected damage, but sadly, it happens more often than you would like to think. Some of the hazards you may face in Albertville, Minnesota include tornadoes, heavy snowfall, thunderstorms, wind storms, and hail. Therefore, you definitely need a comprehensive home insurance policy. Keep the costs low with these tips.

1. Install safety and security features in your home. Insurance companies look at the age of your major systems, whether you have an alarm, the presence of dead bolts on your doors, and whether you have fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in key areas. If you don’t have any of these, consider getting them to improve your home’s overall protection against disasters and save money on your insurance premiums.

2. Increase your deductible to the highest amount of money you’re comfortable paying. Most people don’t end up needing to use their home insurance policy, and you’re paying extra to keep a low deductible. Take a look at your savings account and figure out how much you could afford to pay if you needed to make a claim. Increasing your deductible to this amount will decrease your premiums in the meantime, and you can use this money in other areas of your budget or add it to your savings account.

3. Use an independent agent in Albertville, Minnesota to help you shop for the lowest cost policy. Not all home insurance companies calculate their rates the same way, and you can pay significantly different premiums on identical policies. Contact us today to have an independent agent gather comparative quotes for you. It never hurts to check whether your current insurance company is really the best one for your needs. You could save hundreds of dollars each year just by switching to another company.