Do I Need To Tell My Home Insurance Provider About Renovations?

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Have you recently undertaken a home improvement upgrade? Maybe you decided to add onto the house, or perhaps you’re updating the kitchen. All of these will have an impact on the overall value of your home. This is fantastic, but it also leaves you with a bit of a dilemma. Do you tell your home insurance provider about the renovations? Here at Pizano Insurance, we are here to address those concerns when you call Wayzata, MN home. 

Should You Tell Your Home Insurance Provider About Renovations?

First of all, you are not obligated to say anything about renovations to your home insurance provider. So, if you don’t want it to it is not required. However, that doesn’t mean it is the best idea. Why? Because what happens if your home is damaged? You will be compensated based on the original value of your property. This means all the money you put into the new renovations will be completely out of the window. Does shaving a few dollars off your insurance rates compared to paying for the renovations all over again should something happen to your home? That decision is up to you, but in general, it is always a good idea to let your provider know. 

All of Your Home Insurance Needs

If your considering new home insurance, are looking at performing home upgrades, or you have other basic questions regarding home owner’s insurance, you need to contact the professionals to find out what is the best course of action and what you should avoid. Here at Pizano Insurance, we are here to address these exact concerns. So, if you have any questions or you want to know more about insuring renovations on your property our staff here is just a phone call away. 

When Should You Reevaluate Your Auto Insurance Policy?

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Many factors determine the rate an insurance provider charges you for your automobile insurance policy. Those factors are a part of life, and they change over time. Some changes happen unexpectedly, and some are expected. If you are about to experience a change, consider reaching out to Pizano Insurance in Wayzata, MN for a consultation. If you have already experienced one of the changes listed below, contact us. One of our independent agents will discuss policy options with you. 

  • Marital status  – Most people will experience a decrease in rates after marriage.  However, after a divorce, your rates may rise a bit, so if you are planning a divorce, it is a good time to reevaluate your car insurance options. 
  • Employment – The length of your commune may change. If you are no longer employed, you will be putting fewer miles on your car. 
  • Moving – your home address is a factor, an address in a lower density area might decrease rates.
  • Buying or selling a vehicle – the age, condition, engine size, and even type of paint (but not color) will affect your auto insurance rate. 
  • Special Birthday – rates may change when a driver turns 20, 40, 55, and 70
  • Teen Drivers 
    • A household member recently received a permit or license.
    • If your teen’s grades have drastically changed, you may gain or lose a ‘good student" rate discount. 
    • If your teen goes away to college and leaves the car at home, they may be re-classified as an "occasional" driver.

All these factors are good reasons to have Pizano Insurance provide you with a new quote on your automobile insurance. Contact one of our offices today. We have locations in Albertville and Wayzata, MN. We are an independent agency, and we look forward to working with you. 

Should I get home insurance for my Minnesota property?

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If you are in the Wayzata, MN area, it could be a very good idea to own your own home. When you are a homeowner, there are many long and short-term benefits and advantages. If you are going to purchase a home in this area, it is very important that you carefully consider all of your insurance needs. There are several reasons why you need to get insurance for your Minnesota home and property. 

Gives Valuable Coverage

One reason why you should get home insurance for your Minnesota property is that it can provide you with very valuable coverage. A quality home insurance policy is going to protect your assets and provide you with liability insurance coverage. Both of these forms of coverage can prove to be very valuable in a situation where you incur any type of loss.

Requirements for Property Owners

Depending on your situation in Minnesota, you may also be required by a variety of different parties to carry property insurance. When most people purchase a home, they end up taking out a mortgage. If this is what you did, your mortgage lender will require that you carry coverage at all times. Also, if your home is located in an association, the home association documents will likely require you to carry both liability and property insurance at all times. 

Ultimately, whenever you are going to purchase any type of property in the Wayzata, MN area, you need to get proper insurance in place. A good home insurance policy can protect you and your home in several different ways. When you are in the market for a new home insurance policy, you should contact us at Pizano Insurance. The team at Pizano Insurance can help you to understand all of your options and get you into a quality policy. 

Will Home Insurance Cover Pet Damage in Wayzata MN?

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Unless you’ve read all of your home insurance policy in Wayzata, MN, it’s unlikely you know very much about the exact terms of every event. There are a couple of problems with this though: one is that you’ll file a claim for something that isn’t covered, and two is that you won’t file a claim when something is covered. Because pets can cause a lot of damage, Pizano Insurance wants to clear at least a few things up for you. If your best friend knocks over your TV, destroys the fence, or bites someone, here’s what you need to know. 

All Policies Are Different 

Your coverage is determined by the policy you choose and the company you choose as your carrier. For the most part, pets aren’t covered unless they damage someone else’s property or injure them. These events would fall under your liability, although again, every policy will have different terms. 

Getting a Provision 

The problem with pets is that they’re far from predictable. There are plenty of cats, dogs, hamsters, lizards, etc. that are entirely harmless and will be for their whole lives. But there are some who seem well trained, only to react poorly in times of high-stress. This unknown element is why insurance carriers often stray away from coverage in the first place. However, you can get a provision in your home insurance if you live in Wayzata, MN, and you want to take as many precautions as possible. 

Pizano Insurance is here to help you get all your ducks in a row when it comes to your home insurance policy. Give us a call today to learn more about our company and how we can help you find insurance that fits the bill. 

What Is Collision Coverage And Why Do I Want It?

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Pizano Insurance, serving Wayzata, MN, has been offering insurance to the city for a long period. We feel collision coverage is necessary for every motorist. Here, we will tell you what the coverage is meant for and we ill also let you know why you need it.

Collision coverage provides funds to fix your car if you get into an accident. Whether you run into a stationary object or you run into another motorist, this coverage will fix the car regardless of who is at fault.

If you lease the car or you bought it through financing, you will be required to purchase the insurance coverage, but if you buy your car outright, it is optional. That’s why we want you to see the necessity of the coverage.

It is possible for your car to be totaled in an accident. In that case, this coverage may replace the car for you. This is one of the most important auto insurance coverage. You seem to be confused about something. What’s it? Oh, you are wondering why you need it when you have already purchased comprehensive insurance why should you purchase collision insurance.

Here in Minnesota, the comprehensive insurance coverage will only provide funds for your car if the damage is not collision-related. For instance, if your car is vandalized, damaged by fire or natural disaster, the comprehensive insurance coverage will fix the car for you. Also, if your car is stolen, since it is not related to a collision, comprehensive insurance coverage may provide a replacement.

But once the damage is caused by collision while in motion, the collision insurance policy will fix the car for you. Now, you should also decide the amount of deductible you can afford and the annual premium you want to pay. Just bear in mind that the higher the deductible, the lower the premium and vice-versa.

For more information about collision insurance or any other auto insurance product, kindly reach out to us at Pizano Insurance in Wayzata, MN.

Should You Increase Your Home Insurance Coverage?

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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.

Does my auto insurance cover my side hustle?

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Having a side hustle is a way of life for many people, and numerous part-time gigs require the use of a car. From ridesharing to grocery delivery to restaurant order delivery, you need to have a set amount of auto insurance — typically your state minimum as a minimum — to register as a driver. However, this amount of coverage is not always adequate for protecting your potential liability in a wreck, and in some instances, your insurance policy may not cover the accident. Contact Pizano Insurance serving Wayzata, MN to discuss your car insurance needs in detail and review policy options.

Personal auto insurance

Carrying out a side hustle on your personal auto insurance is a bad idea. When you sign up for a policy, insurance companies ask questions about how the car is used. As your usage changes and you start to deliver riders or food, your needs change. Contact your insurer to review additional policy options. Many insurers offer ridesharing insurance for a minimal bump in monthly premiums while others may require the purchase of a commercial policy.

Ridesharing insurance

Insurance provided by ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft is a form of protection, but the coverage levels vary based on whether you are carrying a passenger or connected to a ride when a wreck occurs. This coverage also does not protect you from the harsh reality of losing your personal auto insurance policy if you are in a wreck and not having your losses covered.

Food delivery insurance

The same basic rules apply to insurance for delivery driving, whether it’s pizza, groceries or fast food. Most personal policies exclude delivery. This means you need to discuss add-ons or commercial policy with your insurer. Some delivery services do offer drivers a certain amount of liability protection, but the policies do not typically cover your car. You could also lose your policy for driving for the delivery without reporting the business use of your vehicle. The risk is not worth it in the long run. 

Due to the complexity of auto insurance, it is always best to speak to a professional when changing the ways you use your car. Agents at Pizano Insurance serving Wayzata, MN are ready to discuss your car insurance needs in detail and review policy options.

3 Benefits of Having a Professionally Monitored Home Security System

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Home security is something that everyone thinks about. There are several benefits to having a professionally installed and monitored system put in your home. In Wayzata, MN, the agents of Pizano Insurance can provide sound advice when it comes to choosing a professionally monitored system that is best suited for your home.

24/7 Monitoring

With a 24/7 professionally monitored system in place, there are eyes on your home every minute of every day, even when you are asleep or away. When an alarm is triggered, an alert will be sent to the monitoring center unless you turn off the system. You can rest assured someone will be watching your home, even when you cannot.

9-1-1 Response

With professional monitoring, a dispatcher will immediately notify the local authorities if an alert is triggered. In most cases, response times are less than 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your system and where you live. In some cases, the call center will notify the homeowner first if they want to ensure there really is an emergency.

No Maintenance Costs

When you install a professional home security system, you don’t own the equipment. You Lease it. When something breaks or stops working, it is up to the owner of the equipment to replace the device or make repairs.

Wayzata, MN residents who want to have a professional home security system installed can get additional information from the agents of Pizano Insurance. They can offer much-needed advice and help you make the right decision when it comes to the type of system you need. Call today to get the answers you need. Make an informed choice when it comes to protecting your family.

 

What should I consider when shopping for auto insurance?

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People that are in the Wayzata, MN area likely need to drive a car on a daily basis. If you are an owner of a car and drive it, you need to make sure that you are as responsible and safe as possible. Part of this has to include getting the right auto insurance policy in place. There are a variety of factors that need to be considered when you are looking for a new auto insurance policy.

Type of Insurance Needed

The first thing to think about is the type of auto insurance that you need. All drivers in Minnesota need to have liability insurance in order to comply with the state legal requirements. However, those that have a car that is expensive or have a loan that they need to repay, should also get collision and comprehensive insurance. This additional insurance will give you coverage for many events that could result in a loss. 

Deductible

When building an auto insurance policy, you also need to think about your deductible. This is the amount of money that needs to be spent before a claim is covered. While a higher deductible comes with a lower monthly payment, you also need to spend more money out of pocket when a claim is filed. 

Ultimately, it can be hard to choose a good auto insurance policy. If you are in the Wayzata, MN area, it never hurts to get the advice you need from someone that you can trust. A great resource for any questions that you have regarding auto insurance is Pizano Insurance. If you call Pizano Insurance, you will get the support that you need to get into a great policy. This will ensure that you and your vehicle are properly covered. 

How to Cover Valuables with Home Insurance

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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.