Home insurance isn’t something you can buy once and then forget about it. It needs to be reviewed periodically to ensure you’re getting the protection you need. Changes in your family, lifestyle or home structure can affect your coverage. At Pizano Insurance in Wayzata, MN, we recommend you review your policy annually to see if you need to increase your coverage to optimize your protection. Here are a few reasons why you may need more home insurance coverage.

Renovations

If you’ve recently renovated your home, you’ll need to add these renovations to your dwelling coverage to protect them against unforeseen disasters. Costly renovations such as a kitchen remodel or the addition of a new bathroom will increase the value of your home. You may need to increase your dwelling coverage to cover your renovations and the increased value of your property. Inadequate coverage could result in your paying for thousands of dollars worth of home repairs out of pocket in the event of a disaster.

Costly Belongings

Standard homeowner’s insurance comes with limits in protecting your belongings. If you inherited costly heirlooms, purchased high-end electronics or were gifted posh jewelry over the last year, your current coverage may be insufficient to cover their full value if they were stolen or damaged in a disaster. To protect these goods, you’ll have to increase your property coverage or obtain a rider that gives you extra protection for your costly valuables.

Retirement

Maybe you retired and plan to entertain at home more often. The more visitors you have, the greater the risk of someone having an accident on your property. Increasing your liability coverage protects you against accidental injuries that may occur during a special event on your property.

For more information about home insurance coverage and costs, contact Pizano Insurance in Wayzata, MN.

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably collected a lot of “stuff” over the years, some of which could be quite valuable. When insuring your high-end possessions, it’s important you get the right coverage so you don’t lose out if these items are stolen or lost in a disaster. At Pizano Insurance, Wayzata, MN, we can customize your home insurance policy to provide the property protection you need. Here’s what you should know about protecting valuables with home insurance.  

Standard Property Coverage

Standard home insurance policies have limits on the personal property protection they provide. For most people, these limits are enough to protect their goods against theft or loss in the event of a disaster. The value of high-end goods, however, may exceed the limits of your policy, leaving you to cover the remaining cost of your loss out-of-pocket. By getting additional coverage for your valuables, you can avoid financial loss.

Additional Insurance Coverage

To fully protect high-end goods, consider getting additional insurance protection in the form of a floater policy or endorsement. A floater policy extends coverage on specific items you own to help reimburse you for their full value. An endorsement allows you to increase coverage on a category of items.

By making a home inventory of your goods and documenting their worth, you’ll have a better idea of the insurance coverage you need to protect valuable items. Before insuring antiques, heirlooms or collectibles, have them appraised to determine their value. If any of your costly goods are stolen or damaged in a covered peril, having a record of their value will make it much easier for you to file a claim.

To learn more about home insurance personal property coverage and costs, call or visit Pizano Insurance in Wayzata, MN today.

If you plan to host festivities in your Wayzata, MN home this holiday season, there’s no time like the present to prep your abode. The following ideas from Pizano Insurance can be helpful in getting your home ready to receive family and friends for the holidays.

Declutter

Decluttering will improve the appearance of your home and make it more spacious for holiday events. Start with your foyer and proceed to the living room, stairs, kitchen, and dining room to remove clutter from bookshelves, ottomans, coffee table and counters. Get rid of unwanted items and store away what you want to keep for future use.  

Ready Your Kitchen

Deep clean your kitchen to make it a pleasant environment for guests to congregate during the holidays. Clean counters, cabinets, appliances, and floor. Stock up on foods and snacks you’ll need for the holidays as well as party supplies (napkins, paper plates, paper towels.) Check your dinnerware, glasses, and utensils to ensure they’re in top shape for holiday service.   

Prepare Guest Room

Wash guest sheets, blankets, comforters and towels well before house guests arrive so you won’t be caught unprepared. Clear out closet space for guests to hang up holiday clothing and empty a drawer for personal belongings. Scented candles and a bowl of holiday snacks add a finishing touch to welcome those you love.

Stock up Bathrooms

Stock up on toiletries, toilet paper, and paper towels and put them well within visitor reach. Purchase new bath mats and rugs, if needed, to enhance your décor. Tidy bathrooms right before guests arrive, so they will appear fresh and clean. 

Updating your home insurance is an important part of preparing your home for the holidays. Dwelling, liability and contents coverage will protect you against the risk of holiday accidents. For comprehensive coverage at an affordable cost, call or visit Pizano Insurance in Wayzata, MN today.

You may have received a letter from your home insurance carrier telling you that they want you to do a particular repair. Are you required to do this repair just because they want you to? The simple answer to this question is yes since they can cancel your policy if you don’t comply. For the most part, if your insurance company tells you a repair is necessary it is best to do it as soon as possible. Pizano Insurance in Wayzata, MN will be happy to discuss this issue with you if you have questions. 

Some repairs that insurance companies request may be the result of an inspection that was made of your home and others may be the result of a claim that you recently had. An issue may have come to light and they are within their rights to ask that this issue be corrected. However, sometimes the insurance companies can be a little too aggressive in their requests and it may be possible to delay if not totally avoid the repairs that they are demanding. 

If they tell you that they will cancel your insurance if you don’t replace your roof, you may be able to get a contractor to do an inspection that can give you at least a little time. If you have a contract to have a repair done within a reasonable amount of time, say 6-8 months, the insurance company may be willing to work with you. 

When it comes to home insurance companies, basically they hold all the cards. They have the insurance and you need it so that places you at a serious disadvantage when it comes to fighting them. 

Pizano Insurance in Wayzata, MN is happy to discuss this and any other questions you may have about home insurance. Give their office a call by the office. 

Home security systems offer homeowners peace of mind and the assurance that they have done everything they could to protect their home and family. The agents at Pizano Insurance encourage local homeowners in Wayzata, MN to do everything they can to protect their families and possessions. It’s up to you to decide whether you want a professionally monitored system or one you monitor on your own.

Self Monitoring Home Security Systems

Self-monitoring of home security systems are quite effective and are reasonably priced. While some do it yourself systems give you the option for professional monitoring, they are designed so that you can easily monitor them yourself from an app for your smartphone or through the system itself.

Professional Systems

Professional systems tend to be more expensive and often require a contract. Most security companies offer 24-hour, professional monitoring that will notify local authorities in case of an emergency. They also offer professional installation and 24-hour customer service.

Your Choice

It’s up to you to decide how much time you want to spend monitoring your home security system or whether you want to pay for a professional monitoring system. Some home security companies allow you to pay for your service by the month and can turn it on and off at will.

In Wayzata, MN, you can discuss your home security options with an agent at Pizano Insurance. They have the knowledge an experience to help you make an informed decision when it comes to the right home security system for your home. Schedule an appointment by calling their office or visiting them online. They have the answers to your questions!

Protecting your home is an important task. You put effort into this by maintaining your property, having maintenance and repairs scheduled for heating and cooling systems, upgrading when needed, and taking pride in having a place to call your own. Life is unpredictable, however, and we never know what the future could bring. Fire, theft, and even a lawsuit could put your home in jeopardy. With the right home insurance in Wayzata, MN, you can have peace of mind knowing that whatever might happen, your insurance policy has you covered. If you’re in the market for a new home insurance policy or want to upgrade an existing one, here are three tips that will help you secure the right policy and save you money in the process.

1. Compare Several Quotes

No two insurance quotes are exactly the same. That’s why it’s always a good idea to compare many quotes before purchasing a policy. An agent from Pizano Insurance can help you go over the quotes to understand the coverage and cost and pick the right one for your needs.

2. Bundle Your Insurance Policies

Because Insurance Companies reward loyal customers, it’s a good idea to bundle your insurance policies under one carrier to get a discount on your premiums. This is a fast and easy way to save money on your home insurance.

3. Work with a Reputable Agent

To find the right home insurance policy for the best price, work with a reputable and experienced insurance agent who will help guide you through the process. This agent should be friendly, knowledgeable, and patiently answer all of your questions.

To purchase a home insurance policy in Wayzata, MN, contact Pizano Insurance today. Our friendly agents are standing by to take your call. 

When it comes to home insurance, you don’t want to be caught short. Insufficient coverage could cost you tens of thousands of dollars out-of-pocket if you were to suffer a catastrophic loss. At Pizano Insurance in Wayzata, MN, we’ll help you select home insurance coverage that adequately protects your home investment and assets. The following tips can be helpful in determining how much protection you need.

Dwelling Coverage

Your dwelling coverage should be sufficient to rebuild your Wayzata MN home if it’s destroyed by a severe storm, fire or other catastrophes. This includes major renovations you may have done since purchasing your property. Replacement cost coverage covers the cost of replacing your home if it’s destroyed in an unforeseen disaster, giving you the protection you need.   

Personal Property Coverage

Personal property insurance protects your personal goods to include furniture, household appliances, electronics, clothes, jewelry, sports equipment and more. Replacement cost coverage for your personal goods provides you with the funds to replace these items if they are stolen or totally destroyed in a covered peril.

By creating a home inventory, you’ll have a record of what you own to make it easier to make a claim. Your home inventory should include photos or videos of pricey items along with receipts of purchase to verify their value. If the limits of your home insurance aren’t enough to cover high-end goods, you may need additional coverage to protect their full value.

Liability Coverage

Liability insurance pays for the medical costs of visitors who have an accident on your property. It also covers your legal expenses if your visitor decides to sue for damages. If you entertain often, you’ll want to have sufficient liability coverage to protect your assets.

For customized home insurance to protect your valuable investments, contact  Pizano Insurance in Wayzata, MN.

If you’ve lived in Wayzata, MN for a while, you probably understand how much of a threat windstorms can be in the area. A little bit of wind may seem harmless at first — After all, if it’s not categorized as a tornado or hurricane, it doesn’t have as much of a capacity for damage, Right? Wrong.

Windstorms can spell tragedy for your house and anyone inside of it. Even if you’re planning to evacuate your home for the duration of the storm, experts such as Pizano Insurance recommend taking a few important precautions to keep your home safe and in one piece as it rides out the storm.

1. Check Your Home’s Perimeter

Your house may have been built to outlast a strong storm, but is its perimeter secured?

Before the storm is due to arrive, take a walk around your property and inspect it thoroughly. Look for any loose rocks, pieces of wood, and other objects that might be lifted by a strong wind. Should you find any such items, get rid of them or secure them safely in a shed or garage.

You should also ensure that any buildings on your property, including your home, are firmly rooted in place. There should not be any shifting ground or soft soil around the perimeter of your home.

2. Seal Your Windows And Doors

It’s always a good idea to cover your windows and doors in preparation for any kind of storm. Boarding up your entryways and windows may be necessary if you anticipate strong enough winds.

3. Make Sure Your Appliances Are Grounded

Are all of your electrical appliances grounded?

This is especially of great importance when it comes to major appliances like clothes dryers. Make sure that all of the electricity around your home is grounded and properly secured. If you have any outdoor electrical appliances (such as a grill or even a hot tub), unplug everything and secure properly before the storm.

4. Cut Down Any Unnecessary Trees

Are there any unnecessary trees on your property?

If so, this might be a good time to cut them down, or at least give them a good trimming. If you have enough time before the storm is due to start, take care of this task to the best of your ability.

Old trees that seem to lean or waver even in weaker wins are especially of concern. Having such trees on your property may be an issue for your home insurance provider as well.

If your neighbor’s trees are a threat to your Wayzata, MN home in the instance of high winds, discuss the possibility of having them removed.

Can your Home Withstand A Windstorm?

A strong enough wind can wipe out even the sturdiest of homes if preventative measures are not taken. Call Pizano Insurance today for a homeowner’s insurance quote or to get added protection. We are here to help you ride out the worst of storms.

Home insurance is something that is essential for anyone that owns a home. It protects your home from fire, from storm damages, from break in and more. This is a great way to make sure that your home is protected and that you are not going to be out a great deal of money if something happens. If you live in the Wayzata, MN area, the agents with Pizano Insurance can help you to find the home policy that is going to work best for you and your home.

Home policies are not as difficult to void as you might imagine. There are many factors that might void a home policy. A great example is arson, if it is found that you were the one that caused a fire that burned your home down, then in all likelihood you will end up in jail and your home policy is not going to pay out. Another example would be if someone got injured on your property and it was the direct result of your negligence. In this case your home owner’s policy is not going to pay out. Another event in which your home owner’s policy is not going to be valid is if you do not pay your premiums or if it is proven that you are providing fraudulent information to your insurance company.

You should take the time to get all your policy information to find out what the policy covers. Your homeowner’s policy is crucial and can make a world of difference in how easy it is to come back after something terrible happens to your home. If you live in the Wayzata, MN area, the agents with Pizano Insurance can help you to find the right insurance policy for your needs.