What’s Involved in a Home Insurance Claim?

Many people never want to have to deal with a disaster and the insurance of their home. It is something that can be unpleasant, to say the least. Hurricanes, floods, vandalism, among other events, can be unpredictable and unpreventable so having quality insurance is very important for such a big investment as your home.

Having an insurance provider you can trust is crucial if something major happens. That is why choosing a company that will look out for you. Pizano Insurance of Wayzata, MN has reliable agents who will take the time to get to know what your insurance needs are.

Beginning Stages of a Claim

If your home is damaged by an accident that was unforeseen, you are eligible to file a claim to cover expenses to repair your home. There is not a guarantee the claim will be approved, but the process must be started and your information collected. General repairs from age are not considered under a claim as they are not accidental in nature. You will need to contact your provider for more information during this process.

The Claim Process

Your insurance company might refer you to a damage repair company as a temporary measure to prevent further problems. Investigations must be made and an adjuster will be involved in the process. The insurance company will determine if a claim is to be paid. This payment can happen in different ways depending on your provider and conditions. It is good to have a trusted insurance company you can rely on during this whole procedure.

If you need help selecting the best home insurance policy, Pizano Insurance of Wayzata, MN can help. We have experienced agents who can answer your questions about policies and claims processes. Give us a call to schedule an appointment to speak to one of our representatives today.

The Most Common Myths About Auto Insurance

Auto insurance can be difficult to understand, especially if you have never purchased it before. There are also many misconceptions and myths about car insurance that make it even more complicated. In order to help you make an informed decision, Pizano Insurance serving Wayzata, MN, and other surrounding communities has prepared the list of the most common auto insurance myths that everyone should know: 

  • The color of a car affects the cost of insurance.  Despite this common misconception, the color of your car does not affect your premium.  There are other factors affecting the cost of insurance, including the vehicle’s model, age, body type, engine size, the car’s safety features, and rating, and some others. 
  • Older drivers pay more for car insurance. Auto insurance does not go up with age. Actually, it is often just the opposite. Many drivers at the age of 55 and older can be qualified for discounts if they complete an accident prevention course successfully. 
  • Getting a traffic violation increases the cost of your insurance.  In fact, getting a traffic violation does not always increase your premium, especially if the violation was minor. If you want to keep your auto insurance at the same price, you need to maintain a clean driving record following the violation. 
  • It costs more to insure expensive cars.  The price of your car does not necessarily affect your insurance costs. However, if your car is costly to repair, then your insurance will be more expensive. 

There are many myths that make auto insurance so complicated to understand. If you are a resident of Wayzata, MN and you have doubts about car insurance, Pizano Insurance is ready to help and answer all the questions you may have. Do not hesitate to call us and let our experienced agents help you find a policy you and your vehicle deserve. 

Will Home Insurance Cover Something I Forgot To Add To My Inventory?

Losing items in a fire or a burglary can be frustrating, and especially frustrating when you have not yet added those items to your home insurance inventory. Fortunately, Wayzata, MN can be somewhat flexible in these matters, but you need to exercise some caution and common sense here.

If you can prove that you owned the items in question and simply hadn’t added them to your inventory yet, you may be able to file a claim for them. If you have photographic or video evidence, your adjuster may be willing to take that into account even if you never sent receipts directly to your insurer. Home insurance companies understand that it’s hard to fully plan for an emergency, and a fire isn’t always going to happen right after your most recent inventory.

But there is no guarantee that your insurance company will cover these items, and claiming items that you cannot prove you owned may even have your insurer suspecting fraud.

The best way to make sure that this doesn’t happen:

  • Keep your receipts somewhere safe.
  • Update your inventory often. Every six to twelve months, and after every major purchase.
  • Keep documentation. Keep your receipts together, take photos, capture videos, and make sure that you can prove it.

And remember that an insurance adjustment isn’t a negotiation. Many homeowners assume that their adjuster will lowball them, so they claim a higher number than the actual value of the damaged or lost goods. Don’t do this. Just tell them what you lost and what it was worth.

If you are still shopping around for an insurer for your Wayzata, MN home, get in touch with Pizano Insurance by phone or through the Pizano Insurance website.

What You Need To Know About Adding Teens to Your Insurance

Teens can be stressful. When teens start driving parents may worry about a host of things. One consideration parents should keep in mind is the importance of adding their teens to their insurance. This is a big step in life for both the parent and the child. At Pizano Insurance serving Wayzata, MN, we know how important these decisions are. Keep reading to learn what you need to know about adding teens to your insurance. 

When Should I Add My Teen To My Insurance 

The legal requirement of adding a teen to your insurance may vary from state to state. However, to be on the safe side, you will want to speak with an insurance representative. They can help you understand legal requirements and make sure you time this change wisely. 

What Can I Expect After Adding a Teen 

In many cases, rates do increase after adding a teen driver. This is unavoidable as young drivers are simply riskier to insure than older more experienced drivers. These costs can be offset to some degree with good student discounts. In some cases students with a certain grade point average can enjoy discounts on auto insurance. 

Continue Their Driving Education

You child will likely have undergone driver’s ed, but many experts agree that drivers education should continue beyond the classroom. In order to make sure your teen is truly road-ready, keep the education going with frequent driving lessons. These can be conducted either with an instructor or simply with a dependable driver that the teen is comfortable with. The point is to continue their education for as long as possible also making sure they are getting plenty of experience. 

If you would like to learn more about teen driving safety, please contact our friendly staff at Pizano Insurance serving Wayzata, MN. 

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

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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.