How Your State Department of Insurance Can Help You

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Got questions about Pizano Insurance serving Wayzata, Minnesota? Tap into a resource that you help fund as a taxpayer, it’s right at your fingertips. Each state has a department of insurance that may have just the answers that you are looking for.

What is a Department of Insurance?

Pizano Insurance serving Wayzata, Minnesota-along with all insurance companies-is regulated at the state level for the protection of consumers. The department of insurance handles many different areas of service, inclusive of, but not limited to: information on licensing and filing for insurance companies, consumer assistance for many different types of insurance, energy data and reports, education, tips and tools about your money, and complaint resolution.

Your Home

With so many options to choose from for insurance coverage-it’s comforting to know that there are experts available with the information that consumers need to protect their home and what to do in case of damage or loss. Depending on a homeowner or renter’s needs- Commerce guides you to explore your policy annually offering a checklist to bring more comfort.  

Your Vehicle

Auto insurance is required by law, but do you understand how auto insurance in MN works? Commerce is there to help you understand the insurance basics and what you need to do to file a claim. Sign up for consumer protection e-mail updates.

Your Health

Get questions answered about health insurance, life & annuities, and long-term care insurance that will help you choose your insurance company.

Your Money

“Protecting and informing consumers is an important part of the work we do every day at the Minnesota Department of Commerce.”

Minnesotans are provided information and assistance through the Consumer Services Center which will help you choose the insurance company that would best meet your needs of protection. Got a question? Can’t resolve a dispute? Contact Commerce by phone or email.

Essentials of a Home Insurance Policy

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There are many different kinds of home insurance policies on the market. Most of the time, it is difficult to find one that is the same as another. That is why it is so important to know what basic things you should have covered in your home insurance policy. This can help you determine if the policy has a good base and whether or not you should continue looking at the details of it. Knowing the essentials can help your sort through all of the bad policies. These are the essentials according to Pizano Insurance serving Wayzata, MN.

  • Make sure it will cover the structure of the home. You want to have a policy that at least covers the structure of the home in case you ever have to rebuild. This includes the walls, the frame, and even the roof that should be covered by the home policy that you purchase.
  • Make sure it covers the value of the home. Whether you got a great deal on your home or you paid too much, you want to make sure that the value of the home is covered by the home insurance policy, not the price you paid for it. You do not want to end up paying for too little or too much coverage.
  • Make sure it protects your belongings. Not only should your policy protect your home itself, but it should also protect anything that is located within the home. In most cases, if the home becomes damaged, the belongings inside will be damaged as well.

If you would like more information or would like to take a look at your options and some quotes, be sure to contact Pizano Insurance serving Wayzata, MN. They can even take a look at your current policy to make sure you are covered.

3 times when you need umbrella insurance

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Umbrella insurance isn’t a commonly talked about type of insurance, but it is one of the most important investments a business owner can make.  Umbrella insurance covers businesses when other types of coverage just won’t pay for damages.  In fact umbrella insurance comes in handy for these type of situations.

  1. Sale losses from a natural disaster.  While your building, equipment, and vehicles are protected by other insurance policies, there is nothing that can reimburse you for lost sales that happen during a natural disaster.  Umbrella insurance policies can be written to provide you some funds to make up for the lack of business.
  2. Product recalls. It can be next to impossible to predict when a bad shipment of a raw material or a minor design flaw could cause major problems with a product. If a product has to be recalled, your business has to absorb the cost.  Umbrella insurance will reimburse you for these expenses.
  3. Customer lawsuits. Getting sued by a former customer or client can be one of the most stressful things that your business has to go through. Fortunately, an umbrella insurance policy can help in a number of ways. The policy can provide funds for legal counsel or in some cases provide a lawyer to you.  Once the case is resolved, an umbrella policy can provide funds to pay the settlement.

Umbrella insurance is one of the most useful coverage that a small business can have.  If you’re interested in buying a policy, contact the insurance agents at Pizano Insurance.  They have years of experience helping business owners write umbrella policies that meet their specific needs.

Wayzata, MN: How Much Insurance Should You Carry on Your Boat?

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A boat can be a valuable investment. Protecting it with adequate insurance coverage is the key to protecting that investment and preventing financial loss. The amount of boat insurance you will need depends on several different factors. If you have purchased the boat with the help of a lender, you must insure the boat to cover the cost of the loan. It is also important to know what requirements each state demands when purchasing insurance. Most states have minimum liability amounts that must be covered with by an insurance policy.

If you own the boat outright, the amount of insurance you purchase may only be to cover the minimum liability amounts required for the state. This type of insurance is similar to the PL/PD policies that many people carry on their cars once they have been paid off. These policies do not pay for the damage to the boat, but will cover damage caused to other boats and property if their is an accident. Talking to a licensed insurance agent about how much insurance is usually needed and will help you make a choice as to how much insurance should be purchased.

In Wayzata, MN, residents can turn to the agents of Pizano Insurance if they have questions about boat insurance and how much is needed to fully protect your interests. They will be able to help you find the right policy to adequately insure your boat, against damage, theft, and vandalism. The agents are can help you evaluate the type of insurance you need and may be able to offer discounts if other types of policies are purchased.

Why you Need Motorcycle Insurance in Wayzata, MN

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There are few things better than riding a motorcycle on the open road in America, but it’s a dangerous proposition both personally and financially without the right amount of insurance for your bike. So if you live in a place like Wayzata, Minnesota, where there is plenty of scenery with roads that are perfect for riding a motorcycle, setting up the correct insurance policy for your bike with a local agency like Pizano Insurance—who serves the greater Wayzata, MN area—can be the difference between a smooth recovery from an accident or a financial hardship and a lot of medical bills. Below are some tips for what type of motorcycle insurance coverage you should definitely have when riding in this region of the country.

FULL MEDICAL COVERAGE

As motorcycle riders are much more prone to being in an accident percentage-wise and that these accidents often cause serious injuries or worse, having a robust policy on your motorcycle insurance to cover all your possible future medical bills is key. The last thing you want to have happen is to get out of the hospital after an intense and miraculous recovery only to be faced with a medical bill that will destroy your future earning potential for years to come.

COVERAGE FOR WEATHER

Minnesota is known for having relatively increment weather, so it’s important there is something on your motorcycle insurance policy that cover something like that. Be it damage to the bike itself from the weather or something that will cover you in the event of an accident in the icy or rainy conditions you will face in Minnesota, just make sure you have something.

COVERAGE FOR THE BIKE ITSELF

You will want to make sure your bike can be paid for and repaired as well in the event of an accident. Make sure the value of the bike is insured completely before taking out a motorcycle insurance policy.

Three Factors to Consider When Purchasing Umbrella Insurance

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Being underinsured puts your financial future in jeopardy. In the event of an accident at your home, if your liability exceeds your policy’s limits, you risk losing your assets in a civil suit. The right level of umbrella insurance may fill this gap and keep you protected.

Current Coverage

It’s hard to assess your need without knowing what you have. Evaluate your policy with a focus on coverage limits. Take a homeowner with a $100,000 personal liability limit, for instance. During a typical Minnesota winter their sidewalk is covered with ice, resulting in a friend slipping and falling. If their injuries require extensive medical treatment, liability could easily exceed this maximum.  Use current coverage amounts as a baseline to build from.

Assets

What’s the value of your assets, including retirement and stock accounts? The more you’re worth, the more coverage necessary. Secure umbrella coverage that closely compares to your assets and your future projections. For instance, if your retirement account will increase by 15% in two years, in a lawsuit, this increase could be targeted. The purpose of an umbrella policy is to safeguard your financial future. Choose a policy suited to meet this need.

Risks

The type of risks a homeowner faces offers an idea of how much coverage is necessary. Homes with pools, trampolines or owners of aggressive dog breeds are thought to be at an elevated accident risk. An increased accident risk can inherently elevate your chances of a liability suit. In some instances, the basic liability coverage extended in polices may not be enough to cover losses. The greater the risks, the more coverage necessary.

Choosing a coverage amount can be a challenge, but an experienced agent can help. Visit the Pizano Insurance website to be connected with an agent who can assist you.

 

It’s Boat Season: A Checklist to Make Sure Yours is Ready

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Spring has officially sprung, which means summer is right around the corner, so it’s time to think about getting your boat ready for the season. You don’t want to risk taking the boat out on the water and risk something happening you, your passengers or the boat, so the following checklist will help you ensure it is in tip-top condition before you head out to the water.

Electrical Connections
Carefully check all of the electrical connections to make sure they are clean and tight. Check for corrosion, which may be sign of an unsafe connection. Remove the terminals and clean the cable ends and connections with a wire brush. Charge the battery and make sure to test it to ensure it is holding a charge. It is highly recommended that you have the electrical systems inspected by a qualified technician.

Cables, Hoses & Belts
Check control cables for swelling or cracks on the outer layer and replace them if needed. Cables can be easily replaced by a boat repair center or you can order the cables to replace them yourself. Always check the hoses for any cracking that may have occurred during winter storage. The belts should fit tightly around the pulleys to prevent the risk of slipping. Belts that are worn typically have a black substance near the pulley and/or they may have a lose fit.

Fluid Levels
Check all of the fluid levels, including:

  • Coolant
  • Power steering fluid
  • Power trim reservoir
  • Engine oil-if the oil was not changed during winterizing, make sure to change the oil, replace the filter and change the drive lubricants.

Fuel
Inspect the fuel lines for damage. Typical signs of damaged hoses include cracking, or hoses that are hard or extra soft. Remember to check the connections and the tank surfaces. Make sure the clamps and fittings are secure.

Along with the above checklist, it is also important to make sure you check the safety gear to ensure all life jackets are in good condition and that you have various sizes to accommodate all passengers. The onboard fire extinguisher must be the correct class for your boat and fully charged. It is also important to ensure your trailer is in good condition, so inspect the wheels and check the trailer straps to make sure they are not worn.

One of the most important things for Wayzata, MN residents should have on their boat checklist is insurance. Make sure to contact Pizano Insurance to check on your current boat policy or to start a new boat policy.

Premium Gas Compared to Regular

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Regardless of whether you’re taking a short trip to Wayzata Bay or driving all the way to St. Cloud, your car needs the right kind of fuel. Premium gas frequently costs about $0.30-40 cents extra in Minnesota, but it offers major benefits for some autos.

Octane Level

Regular gasoline has a lower octane level than premium. This means that it has a greater potential to prematurely ignite and cause the engine to knock. Engine knocking produces a "ping" noise or rattle.

The majority of vehicles don’t need high-octane fuel to prevent knocking. If a car’s manual doesn’t recommend premium, this type of gas probably won’t enhance performance. It may slightly increase fuel economy, especially if you move heavy cargo.

Other Cars

Even when an auto manufacturer doesn’t urge drivers to use high-octane gasoline, it can still benefit cars with engines that knock. This problem is more likely to develop in heavy, older vehicles with powerful engines.

Premium gas may help prevent a breakdown in this situation. However, mid-grade fuel might work just as well. Your car probably needs professional service if it continues to knock after consuming two tanks of higher-octane gas.

Engine Cleaning

Although many drivers believe otherwise, high-octane gasoline won’t remove more deposits from a vehicle’s engine. The federal government requires every grade of fuel to include detergents that help clean the motor, so regular works equally well.

Serious Risks

A number of luxury and sports cars need premium gasoline. When drivers use the wrong type of fuel, it may void the warranty, harm performance and increase engine noise. Certain components can eventually become damaged.

You could offset the cost of gas by finding affordable yet comprehensive auto insurance. To review existing coverage or compare rates on a new policy, please contact Pizano Insurance today. Contact our independent local agency in Wayzata today!
 

Recyclable Items Found in Every House

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The average American generates nearly 5 pounds of waste every day.  When you multiply that by 300 million (the approximate population of the United States) you can see why we have a serious garbage problem.  Landfills are filling up rapidly, and no one really wants one practically in their backyard.  For that reason, Americans should look at various ways to cut down on the waste they produce.  One good way of doing this is to find those small ways to recycle; they might not seem like big steps, but they can make a huge difference in waste generation.  With that in mind, here are some common household items you should look at recycling instead of throwing away.

Junk Mail

Did you know that junk mail and cards can be recycled?  Instead of pitching those pre-approved credit card offers, letters about cremation services, and grocery store circulars in the trash can, toss them into the recycling bin.  Better yet, sign up for paperless statements for bank accounts, credit cards, and other accounts to further cut down on envelopes and papers you would need to throw away.

Books

Tired of those old romance novels that are sitting in your nightstand drawer?  Kids outgrow their old books?  Donate them to schools, libraries, or thrift stores.  Got Grandpa’s old collection of 1960s hardbound books?  Those might be worth something to book collectors on eBay, Etsy, or other sites.

Waste Paper

If you’ve gone through and shredded your old documents, you might be able to toss them in your recycling bin and leave it to be picked up curbside.  If you’ve used a cross-cut shredder (which makes shredded paper pieces too small to reuse), you might add those shredded paper pieces to your compost pile.  An added bonus is that compost piles also cut down on food waste.

Ink Cartridges

Do not simply toss out ink cartridges; they often contain toxic materials that can leach out in a landfill.  Instead, take them to your local office supply store.  Not only will they accept them for recycling, you’ll often get a small discount toward the purchase of new cartridges.

CD and DVD Cases

Consolidating your CD or DVD collection?  You’ll likely have a bunch of leftover plastic jewel cases.  The good news is that most disposal companies will accept them for curbside recycling.  If yours doesn’t, you can always take your empty cases –along with any electronic waste- to your local Best Buy.  They have bins near the entrance for recycling these items.

As you’re performing Spring cleaning and looking at recycling things you don’t need, the independent agents at Pizano Insurance want to remind you to make sure your homeowner’s policy is neat and tidy as well.  Contact one of our agents to go over your homeowner’s insurance and ensure it still meets your needs or speak to an agent about signing up for a new policy today!

What you can do to avoid fender bender fraud

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Fender bender fraud is one of the fastest growing types of insurance fraud in the United States. Unfortunately, most victims don’t even know that they’ve been scammed until it is too late. This type of fraud uses teams of professional drivers to deliberately cause accidents around the Wayzata, MN area, then bilk the driver’s insurance out of as much money as possible. Fortunately, there re some ways to protect yourself.

  1. Document everything if you’re in a crash. Often, these scam artists will embellish their injuries or the details of the accident in order to claim more money. If you take pictures and write down as much as possible, it’s possible to make a counter argument to their claims.
  2. Get a police report. Even if the other driver insists that they are willing to settle for less than your deductible, get an officer to document the crash. All too often, these scam artists will cause multiple crashes in the same day, netting thousands of dollars. The police, however, will be able to confirm everyone’s identity and look for other accidents that these scammers have been involved in.
  3. Report your suspicions to your insurance agent. If you notice anything strange or off during the aftermath of the accident, make sure that you report it to the police and your insurance agent. Often just flagging a relatively minor case as suspicious can help investigators put together a pattern of minor accidents.

Scam artists are everywhere, and it’s important to stay safe. Having good auto insurance is the best way to make sure you and your family are protected from fender bender fraud. Contact an agent at Pizano Insurance today to make sure you have the coverage you need.