The importance of keeping a home inventory

The importance of keeping a home inventory 

While buying home insurance seems to be one of the best ways to protect your home and valuables, creating an inventory makes filing a claim much easier and efficient. For instance, if thieves broke into your Wayzata, MN home and made away with several items. How will you convince your insurance provider that you owned them? It can be tedious and time-consuming, which is why Pizano Insurance recommends creating and updating your inventory.

It makes filing a claim faster and easier

The last thing you want is a back and forth game with your home insurance company after a disaster strikes your home. What you need and deserve is a smooth transition that will help you get back to your normal life as soon as possible. Without an inventory, your insurance company may have a difficult time believing your word of mouth.

It helps you buy the right amount of insurance

 How will you buy the correct amount of home insurance if you don’t know what you have? When you shop around for a home insurance policy in Wayzata, MN, very few companies can accurately estimate your home insurance value without calculating the value of your belongings. Therefore, you may end up over-insuring or underinsuring your home. Some companies can also take advantage of that fact and add coverages that you don’t need. However, when you have a correctly updated inventory, you can have a more productive conversation with your insurance company.

An inventory helps when applying for financial assistance

Following a catastrophic event, there is only one way to determine whether you qualify for disaster assistance or tax break—substantiating your financial losses. An updated inventory can be quite helpful in such a process.

Not sure where to start? Pizano Insurance can help you analyze your insurance needs and help you determine how to protect your possessions effectively. Call us today!

Auto Insurance Requirements in Wayzata, MN

If you live in Wayzata, MN, you should be familiar with auto insurance requirements in the state of Minnesota. Insurance professionals, such as the ones who work with Pizano Insurance, can potentially help you if you are seeking information.

As is the case in most states, if you live or drive in Minnesota, you need to have auto insurance coverage. This is necessary if you want to register and drive a vehicle anywhere in this state. You will need to have coverage for the following: bodily injury to others, property damage liability, uninsured motorists, and underinsured motorists. There are minimum amounts of coverage that you are required to have, but the majority of people will opt for higher amounts, in order to provide themselves with all the protection they need in the event of an accident or mishap. You also need personal injury protection or PIP. The car insurance requirements in Minnesota are relatively extensive when compared to other states.

There is also an alternative for people in Minnesota who have been denied auto insurance on the open market. If this has happened within the past 60 days, they can apply for coverage via the Minnesota Automobile Insurance Plan. This is a network of insurers that is meant to be of assistance to high-risk drivers. It helps them secure coverage at price levels that have been firmly established. This can be a very useful option to people who do not have the ability to obtain car insurance another way in the state of Minnesota.

If you live in the city of Wayzata, MN and are interested in learning more about auto insurance, you should contact the professionals at Pizano Insurance. They will be able to answer questions that you may have and potentially point you in the right direction in terms of choosing an auto insurance policy for yourself.

3 Things You Might Not Know About Home Insurance

Buying your first home in Wayzata, MN? Before you call Pizano Insurance, there are a few things that you might not know about home insurance, but you should. Let’s get started.

  1. Home insurance protects your valuables even when they’re not in your home. This means that if you have something stolen from your car or truck, for example, then it would be your home insurance that covers the losses, not your auto insurance. So even if you’re visiting a friend and have your items stolen when their home is broken into, your home insurance policy has you covered.
  2. Home insurance typically does not cover flooding. For this, you will need to look into flood insurance. Long story short: Flood insurance is intertwined with other factors like FEMA and government disaster relief, so most home insurers don’t cover it.
  3. Foundation repair is covered by home insurance, but it depends on the cause. Collapse due to the weight of snow and ice on your roof would be covered, as would windstorms, explosions, and falling objects. Earthquakes, floods, poor construction, or pressure from tree roots would typically not be covered. This is basically the rule in home insurance: It’s not so much which parts of your home are or are not covered, it’s the specific hazards that may or may not be covered. Read your policy o that you know what is covered and isn’t covered.

There’s plenty more to learn about home insurance in Wayzata, MN, so if you have any questions, or if you’re looking to get protected, get in touch with Pizano Insurance and see what they can do for you.

Required Auto Insurance in Minnesota

In Minnesota, there are many different kinds of auto insurance that are required for all drivers. However, the required coverages don’t cover everything, so it’s recommended to add other types of coverage to the mandatory minimums. If you need auto insurance, call us at Pizano Insurance in Wayzata, MN.

Auto Coverage

Minnesota law requires that you have a specific minimum amount of coverage for bodily injury for a person who was injured in an accident and another required minimum for all of the injuries that happen in an accident. There is another minimum amount required for the damage caused to someone else’s property. These coverage types are all forms of liability coverage that protect you financially if you were to cause an accident that includes injuries and damage to the other person’s vehicle. 

Coverage for Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists

This type of insurance will cover you if you have an accident that was caused by someone without insurance or with too little insurance. There is a set minimum amount of bodily injury coverage that you must have to meet this requirement. It pays for both your body injuries and the injuries to your passengers.

Personal Injury Protection

This type of auto coverage pays for your medical bills when you are injured in an accident. It also reimburses you for some of your lost wages as you recover from your injuries. It can also pay for essential services that you need during that time. There is a set minimum amount of this coverage type that you have to keep.

Call and Talk to an Agent

To make your appointment to talk with an agent about your auto insurance needs, call us today at Pizano Insurance in Wayzata, MN.

Home Insurance Can Protect Your Biggest Asset

For anyone who’s a homeowner, having a proper level of coverage is very important. If you’re in the Wayzata, MN area and need home insurance, Pizano Insurance can help. Our knowledgeable agents understand that everyone is different, and one policy doesn’t fit all situations. Because of that, we have a number of different types and levels of coverage you can explore. With a dedicated staff that wants to ensure that you have the right policy for your needs, you can get the help and support you’re looking for from us. There’s no reason to settle for less than full protection for your biggest asset.

A home is more than just a place to put your things. It’s where family and friends get together for food and fun. It’s a place to relax and be peaceful after a long day at work. There are so many things that go into making a house truly a home, and one of them is the peace of mind that comes with proper insurance protection. Whether it’s your first house or you’ve owned a lot of them over the years, feeling safe and secure their matters. That’s easier to do with a good insurance policy.

Reach out to us today at Pizano Insurance, and let us help you find the home insurance policy that works for your needs. If you’re in the Wayzata MN area, we can work with you on a quality policy to give your house good protection for the long term. We’re also happy to answer any questions you have about your home’s insurance needs and to update an existing policy if there are changes that need to be made. Having options is important, and we’re dedicated to making sure our customers have the opportunity to choose policies that truly work for them.

Is auto insurance in Minnesota needed?

In the Wayzata, MN area, owning a car is a good idea. Those that have a car at all times will find that it is a lot easier to get around their town. While there are benefits that come with owning a car, there are also responsibilities that need to be met. There are a few different times when someone here is going to need to have auto insurance. 

Insurance Necessary for Legal Compliance

One of the reasons that you will need auto insurance in this state is that it is needed to comply with legal requirements. In Minnesota, all drivers need to have liability insurance coverage at all times. When all drivers have this, it ensures that they will be able to cover damages caused during an accident. Those that do not get this coverage and are caught could face still penalization.

Insurance Needed to Cover Vehicle

If you go out and buy a car, you are going to be making a big investment that you should protect as well as possible. A great way that you can protect this investment is by getting a full insurance plan. If you get collision and comprehensive protection, you will receive coverage to repair or replace your car. In any situation when you take out an auto loan, your lender will want you to maintain full coverage as well.

There are many situations when someone that is in the Wayzata, MN area will need to have auto insurance. If you do get a car here, it would be a good idea for you to call Pizano Insurance. The team with Pizano Insurance understands the value of this coverage and can help you build a new insurance plan. This will ensure you are protected and meet all of your insurance obligations. 

Does Home Insurance Cover Flooding?

Are floods covered under home insurance in the state of Minnesota? You might be surprised to learn that flooding is not included in a standard homeowners’ insurance policy. There are companies that offer this as an additional policy and it’s definitely a good idea to discuss if you live in or near a flood zone. Even if this isn’t the case, you’d benefit from talking to an independent insurance agent from Pizano Insurance, which serves the Wayzata, MN area.

Don’t Rely on Disaster Assistance

In many cases, you won’t be able to use disaster assistance. This isn’t a possibility if the President hasn’t declared that the flood that damaged your home or other property to be a disaster. Of course, it is a catastrophe and there definitely is help out there. It’s important to be prepared for this type of emergency because it can be costly to repair your home or replace your property.

National Flood Insurance Program

There is a National Flood Insurance Program for which you may qualify. A local insurance agency may be able to assist you with signing up for this, and if not, an agent will help you find just the right flood insurance for your needs. They’ll explain the costs as well as what’s covered and let you know if there are any strict limitations.

Flood Insurance from Pizano Insurance

Not every insurance agency is the same. You can depend on Pizano Insurance of the greater Wayzata, MN region to listen to your needs and come up with a solution that should give you strong protection for your investment. The last thing you want to do is worry about how you’ll manage if you have serious flood damage and we’ll make sure to put your mind at ease.

When should I get auto insurance?

The Wayzata, MN area is a great place for someone to live. If you do choose to move to this area of Minnesota, it normally makes a lot of sense to get a car. When you are a vehicle owner in this area, you will have a much easier time getting around town. Along with your car, you also need insurance for it. There are a few situations when you should get this coverage. 

When Trying to Protect Asset

A great situation to get auto insurance is when you would like to protect your asset. A car is a very significant and important asset that you need to cover as well as possible. If you have invested in full auto insurance with comprehensive and collision coverage, you will have the protection that you need to repair or replace it if you do suffer a loss.

When Driving on Public Road

You will also need to get auto insurance when you want to drive your car on a public road. Similar to other states, the state of Minnesota will require that all car owners carry an auto insurance policy that has a certain level of liability coverage. Those that are caught without this coverage could suffer some consequences. 

When you own a car in Wayzata, MN you are clearly going to need auto insurance. Since picking a policy is a big decision, it never hurts to work with someone that you can trust when you are looking for your next plan. The team at Pizano Insurance can help you build a policy that will appropriately meet your needs. Pizano Insurance will always take a personalized approach when it comes to insurance, which will help ensure you get into the best policy possible. 

Three things to know before you choose a home insurance policy in Minnesota

Insuring your home is an important thing to do. Your home is a valuable asset that you put a lot of time and effort into. At Pizano Insurance, we can provide you with a home insurance policy that will protect the investments you’ve made in your home. 

The following are three things to know before you choose a home insurance policy in Wayzata, MN. 

How to escrow insurance payments

Escrowing insurance payments is the most convenient way to make sure that your insurance payments are being made.

When payments are escrowed, your mortgage lender handles them for you. This way, you don’t have to handle them yourself and you don’t have to worry about missing them. 

Discuss escrowing your mortgage payments with your mortgage lender to make home insurance more convenient for you. 

The amount of coverage you need

A home insurance policy has certain maximum coverage limits on it. It’s important that your coverage maximums are not too low.

You want your policy to cover the full value of your home when it comes to damages. This means that you should know the actual market value of your home when you purchase your policy. 

The cost of your monthly premium

The cost of your monthly premiums is an essential consideration. You need to make your home insurance payment month after month. Otherwise, your home insurance policy could be canceled. 

You need to budget carefully to make sure you can afford your home insurance costs. Over time, home insurance is a considerable expense. You need to make sure you can afford the insurance costs of owning a home before you buy it. 

If you need help finding a home insurance policy in Wayzata, MN, let us know at Pizano Insurance. We’ll answer your questions and respond to your inquiries regarding your home insurance needs. 

Three important considerations when you’re purchasing auto insurance in Minnesota

Choosing the right auto insurance policy is a priority for any motorist. Pizano Insurance is a provider of auto insurance and numerous other types of insurance in Wayzata, MN. 

If you’re on the market for auto insurance in Minnesota, you need to make sure you take the following three considerations into account in selecting your policy.

The frequency with which you drive

Auto insurance providers are going to want to know how frequently you use your vehicle. The more frequently you use your vehicle, the more your insurance costs are likely to be.

If you don’t drive very often, you can probably take advantage of lower auto insurance rates. Make sure you notify your auto insurance provider if you use your vehicle infrequently or don’t use it for a daily commute. 

How you use your vehicle

If you use your vehicle for work purposes, this is going to impact your auto insurance needs. You should make sure you specify that you use your vehicle for commercial purposes when you purchase auto insurance.

You’ll probably need to purchase commercial auto insurance coverage to make sure that you’re covered for business use in your vehicle. 

Whether you want collision coverage

One of the most important things to know is that coverage for damage to your own vehicle won’t be included in a standard liability coverage policy. You need to invest in collision coverage if you want damages to your vehicle to be covered.

It’s almost always a good idea to invest in collision coverage. However, you might want to forego this type of coverage if the value of your vehicle is not very high. 

Get started researching your auto insurance options in Wayzata, MN with our help at Pizano Insurance. Contact us with inquiries about our insurance products.