Author Archives: AgentInsure

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

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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?

Posted on by

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?

Posted on by

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?

Posted on by

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?

Posted on by

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.

What are the most important features of an auto insurance policy in Wayzata, Minnesota?

Posted on by

Shopping for auto insurance coverage in Wayzata may seem frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be. All it takes is knowing exactly what to look for when it comes to finding a solid insurance policy for your cars.

Below are some of the most important features that any auto insurance policy you purchase should have:

  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – This coverage takes care of your medical, hospital and funeral expenses. Minnesota requires all licensed drivers to carry at least $40,000 of PIP coverage per person.
  • Bodily Injury Liability – This coverage pays for other people’s injuries or deaths, plus it covers legal fees if the other party decides to sue for further damages. Minnesota requires drivers to carry at least $30,000 of coverage for one person and $60,000 for two or more people.
  • Property Damage Liability – This covers physical damage done to the other person’s vehicle and damage to other property. Once more, the state mandates that drivers must carry at least $10,000 of property damage liability coverage.
  • Uninsured and Underinsured Coverage – This covers damages caused by motorists without insurance as well as those with paltry insurance coverage. The state requires at least $25,000 of underinsured coverage and $25,000 of uninsured coverage.
  • Collision Coverage – With this coverage, your insurance company will cover the replacement or repair of your vehicle in the event of an accident. This coverage is ideal for those who own relatively new vehicles.
  • Comprehensive Coverage – Comprehensive insurance covers loss from theft, fire, flood and other non-accident events that may not be covered by your collision coverage.

You’ll also want to learn about all of the discounts that your insurance provider offers and ways you can qualify for them. Get in touch with us to speak to your independent agent about finding an insurance plan that fits your needs.

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

How important is it to have personal umbrella insurance in Albertville, Minnesota?

Posted on by

Every year in the United States there are court cases that involve personal lawsuits against people for various reasons. In some cases the lawsuit will involve some kind of insurance payout or involvement. If you are concerned about the possibility of being sued as a result of an accident or liability claim, then you may want to consider a personal umbrella insurance policy.

The Importance of Having an Umbrella Policy

  • An umbrella policy, also known as a PELP policy, extends the coverage of insurance policies already owned by the individual.
  • Your current policies will only pay up to the limits that are set and once they are maxed out the umbrella policy will pay out the rest of the claim.
  • Without an umbrella policy you will have to pay the difference of the judgment and what the insurance company will cover. In some cases the amount you are stuck with can cause a lot of financial hardship.
  • An umbrella policy does not cost a lot of money to buy. For as little as a few dollars per day you can have the added protection of a PELP policy.
  • A PELP policy will not only protect you but it will also cover any drivers and people living in your home. It also extends to your home policy, car policies and any other insurance products that you may own.

If you live in the Albertville, Minnesota area and are considering buying an umbrella policy, then there are some things that you may be asking questions about. As your independent agent we can help put your mind at ease about the importance of an umbrella policy. Give us a call today and let us help you get a policy that is right for you.

Do auto insurance companies give a discount when you have mulitiple cars to insure in Wayzata, MN?

Posted on by

It’s not uncommon for a Wayzata household to own more than one vehicle. Whether it’s a truck for hauling furniture, junk and other loads, a minivan for driving the kids around or a sporty ride for weekend jaunts through winding roads, having a second, third or even fourth car offers its own set of benefits. The costs of insuring multiple cars, however, can be quite expensive without a decent discount or two to offset those costs.

Loyalty is one quality that the average auto insurance company wants out of its customers, for obvious reasons. As a result, many insurance companies do offer sizable discounts to policyholders who own multiple cars and have those cars listed on the same policy. Multiple car discounts are just one of the many ways that customers can save on their auto insurance premiums and it’s also a great way for companies to retain loyal customers.

Multiple car discounts can easily offer anywhere from 5 percent to 20 percent in annual savings on your premiums. Combined with other discounts, it represents a definite savings of up to hundreds of dollars per year. When you have more than one car to ensure, you’ll definitely appreciate any discount that allows you to keep more money in your pocket. The fine details of multiple car discounts tend to vary among insurers, so it pays to ask before you add additional cars to your current policy.

If you want to know more about multiple car insurance discounts in Minnesota, you’ll want to speak to one of our agents. As your independent agent, we can give you more information that can help you make smart decisions when it comes to getting the most out of your car insurance policy.

Can getting help from an independent agent in Albertville, MN benefit me to finding auto insurance?

Posted on by

Getting the right auto insurance policy for your needs can be a challenge if you are attempting to complete the process on your own. You have to figure out what the top auto insurance companies in Minnesota are, gather quotes from each of these providers, and then compare the costs to decide what policy to purchase. Rather than going through all of this work, get in touch with us to see exactly how an independent agent can make your job of finding auto insurance easier.

One of the major benefits of an independent agent is that this agent can see all of the policies available to you through one system. This means that you don’t have to enter details about your car, address, and the policy coverage you want with each of the different carriers. Instead, you provide your information once and the independent agent can get you quotes from all of the companies that insure vehicles in Albertville, Minnesota.

You’ll also reap other benefits from working with an independent agent. You’ll be able to get specific recommendations on appropriate auto insurance coverage based on your needs. The agent will make sure you’re getting every discount you qualify for to reduce your premiums as much as possible. And of course, your independent agent can also help you renew your auto insurance policy when it’s time. You may want to change your coverage, review whether you’re still using the company with the lowest rates, or add another driver to your policy.

Don’t waste any more time trying to find auto insurance on your own. Instead, contact a local agent in Albertville, Minnesota to get help finding a car insurance policy that will meet your needs. We, at Pizano insurance can make your insurance finding path much easier, please talk to us to get on to the right path.