Tag Archives: Wayzata MN

Don’t Drive Without Auto Insurance – It’s Against the Law

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Do you live in the Wayzata, MN area? Pizano Insurance can provide the insurance coverage that is so important.

Why is it important? In 48 out of 50 states, personal auto insurance is required and provides financial protection if you are involved in an accident.

Car insurance is a binding contract between the policyholder and the insurer that guards against financial loss if theft or accident occurs. In exchange for the premium payment, the insurance company will pay for your losses as stated in the policy.

The coverage is as follows:

  • Property – damage or theft to your car
  • Liability – the legal responsibility to others for bodily injury or property damage
  • Medical – the cost of treating injuries and rehabilitation, lost wages, and funeral expenses

Policies are typically issued for a six-month or one-year period and are renewable. The insurance company will let you know when the policy is up for renewal.

Your policy will cover you and other family members listed on the policy. The policy will also provide coverage if a driver not on your policy is driving your car with consent.

Auto insurance requirements are different from state to state. When financing a car, the lender may have additional requirements. Every state requires by law for car owners to have the following:

  • Bodily injury liability will cover costs associated with an injury or death
  • Property damage liability will reimburse others for damage you cause to another driver’s car or property, such as a fence, utility pole, or building.

Many states also require the following:

  • Medical payments or PIP, which provides reimbursement for medical costs for any injuries to you or anyone in your car. It will also cover lost income and other expenses.
  • Uninsured motorist coverage will reimburse you if a driver causes an accident without auto insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage is also available.

Pizano Insurance can provide you with a quote or answers to your questions. Contact our team today.

Why should someone get home insurance in Minnesota?

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Buying a home in the Wayzata, MN area is often an excellent long-term option. If you decide to buy a home here, it is necessary to get insurance for it. There are various reasons to get this coverage when here. 

Receive Financial Protection

One reason to get home insurance is that it provides financial protection for unexpected losses from fire, natural disasters, or other covered risks. This insurance can help you repair or replace your home and personal items. This will ensure that your financial setback is limited if you incur a covered loss. 

Liability Support 

Property owners should not take their personal liability risks lightly. If there is ever an accident on your property, you can be liable for damages. In some cases, these damages can be significant. A great way to reduce this risk is by getting home coverage. When you have this insurance, it will provide the support you need to reduce your personal financial damage. 

Insurance is a Requirement

You also may find that home insurance is a requirement. If you have decided to take out a mortgage to buy the home, your lender will likely require that you carry insurance. In many cases, they will also require you to escrow payments. Those in a home association will also have specific insurance needs. With home insurance, you will remain in good standing with such requirements. 

If you are looking to protect yourself and your home better and you are in the Wayzata, MN area, it would be a great idea to call our team at Pizano Insurance. At Pizano Insurance, we pride ourselves on helping clients understand their needs and options for insurance. This will ensure you can build an ideal plan for your situation. 

Don’t Leave Your Home Unprotected – Get Homeowners Insurance

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Are you thinking of becoming a homeowner? Do you live in or near the Wayzata, MN area? If so, Pizano Insurance can help you with the coverage you need for your home.

Why is homeowners insurance important? First of all, if the homeowner carries a mortgage on the property, all lenders will require the home to be insured to protect their interests.

A typical policy will protect the homeowner against a lawsuit if someone is injured while on your property. If Fido bites someone, the insurance will cover it. Liability coverage pays the injured party’s medical bills and any property damage. The insurance will also pay attorney expenses if necessary.

Homeowners insurance will pay to replace or repair your home if it is destroyed or damaged by a weather event or other natural disaster, except floods. Always remember to purchase enough insurance to replace your home and its contents. Approximately 75% of homeowners do not have enough insurance coverage.

Insurance will reimburse you for the value of your property inside the home, including furniture, appliances, clothing, and other personal possessions.

Medical costs such as surgery, x-rays, ambulance rides, and hospital stays are covered if a visitor is injured on your property.

For most people, our home is the biggest single investment we will ever make. Homeowners insurance will protect the equity in your home, which is the difference between the value of the property and what is owed. As improvements are made to the home, the equity increases.

Make sure this investment is protected. Don’t risk losing your home to a weather event or someone becoming injured on your property. The peace of mind this coverage offers is worth the cost.

Pizano Insurance, serving the Wayzata, MN area, can provide answers to any questions you may have. Contact our team today. You will be glad you did.

When should I add my teen driver to my auto insurance policy?

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As a parent, you are likely aware that adding your teen driver to your auto insurance policy can be a costly experience in Wayzata, MN. But when? In this blog post, Pizano Insurance looks into this question.

When Should I Add My Teen Driver? 

If you plan on allowing your teen access to one or more vehicles, it will be important for them to be listed on the family’s policy as soon as possible. 

What Are My Options? 

Once you have decided that it’s time for your teen driver to join the family auto insurance policy, several options are available. Some standard options include non-owner liability coverage, which covers only liability; comprehensive/collision coverage, which covers personal property damage; and full coverage, which includes both property damage and bodily injury protection. You may also want to consider adding rental car reimbursement coverage or uninsured motorist protection if applicable. 

How Can I Lower Costs? 

Adding a teen driver does not necessarily mean that premiums will skyrocket overnight—there are plenty of ways for parents to keep costs down. Many insurance companies offer discounts for young drivers who take specific safety courses or get good grades in school. Additionally, many companies will offer multi-car discounts if multiple vehicles in the household are insured under the same policy.

Ultimately, when it comes time to add a teen driver onto an auto insurance policy, it’s important for parents in Wayzata, MN to understand their options and look into any potential discounts that might apply before deciding what type of coverage is best for their family’s needs. Do you still have questions? Contact Pizano Insurance today – we are here for you.

Safe driving tips for new drivers

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New drivers face several unique challenges on the road, from dealing with heavy traffic and confusing signs to learning how to adjust their driving habits for inclement weather. Whether you’re just starting out behind the wheel or are an experienced driver new to a different area, it’s essential to be aware of some basic safety tips that will help keep you and your passengers safe on the roads.

New drivers should first focus on practicing good defensive driving habits. Always stay alert when you’re behind the wheel and watch for any potential hazards in front of, beside, and behind your vehicle. Often, other drivers may not follow all the rules of the road or may be distracted, so it’s important always to expect the unexpected.

Another critical factor in safe driving is proper vehicle maintenance. This includes keeping your tires properly inflated, addressing any mechanical issues as soon as you notice them, and staying up-to-date with routine oil changes and other scheduled maintenance. Driving under or overinflated tires can be dangerous for new and experienced drivers, especially during inclement weather when roads are slick.

Finally, never drive impaired – this means avoiding alcohol or drugs before getting behind the wheel; even a tiny amount of alcohol can negatively impact your driving skills and reaction times. It’s also vital to ensure you get enough sleep before getting behind the wheel, as driving while overtired is just as dangerous as driving under the influence.

For more tips to keep new drivers safe, call Pizano Insurance today. We proudly serve new and experienced drivers in the Wayzata, MN area. 

Homeowners’ Insurance Protects Your Most Valuable Asset

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Are you a homeowner living in or around the Wayzata, MN area? If so, the professionals at Pizano Insurance can help you with all your homeowners’ insurance needs.

Did you know that lenders would require your property to be protected with homeowners insurance before providing a loan? Why? They want to ensure that their interests are protected in the event of a total loss.

This coverage will be the primary source of the funds needed to rebuild. It will also provide coverage for any legal action resulting from an injury to a guest. In the worst possible scenario, your entire investment could be lost. Make sure you can cover the costs of rebuilding or repairing your home in case of a covered loss.

The standard homeowners’ insurance policy will include coverage for your home or dwelling, other structures, such as a garage or storage shed, personal liability, and liability for the protection of visitors or guests,

The most common causes of insurance claims are both weather-related and non-weather-related water damage, wind, and theft. These causes make up 77% of all homeowners’ claims submitted. Don’t leave yourself open to this kind of financial disaster.

But there are some things that a homeowners’ policy will not cover. Coverage for valuable artwork, jewelry, collectibles, damage from a flood or earthquake, and identity theft protection are not covered.

If you have no homeowners’ insurance, it could violate the terms of your mortgage agreement. Your lender could force you into a lender-placed insurance policy, which is much more expensive, or send your loan to default. This will lower your credit score and increase your risk of losing your home to foreclosure.

Make sure you protect your home. Contact Pizano Insurance today. You will be glad you did.

Why All Homeowners Needs Home Insurance

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When you own your own home, you need to protect that home in several ways. One of these is to have a solid home insurance policy that will give you several different types of protection. When you are buying a home, you must have your home insurance policy in place when you sign. Today, lenders virtually all require you to have it to buy the property. When it’s time to get your home policy, you can call us at Pizano Insurance in Wayzata, MN.

Dwelling Coverage

The dwelling needs coverage, and it gets it with a home policy. The building is vulnerable to several events, such as calamities and certain disasters, and home insurance protects against a wide range of them. This is coverage you need to have just in case a serious event damages your home. Without a home policy, you would have to pay those expensive repair bills yourself after such an incident, which may be unaffordable. 

Item Coverage

Your items inside your house are also expensive, and they need protection as well. Home insurance covers all of these items against destruction or damage during a severe event. After one of these incidents, replacing everything can be extremely expensive and unaffordable without home insurance. It’s important to have this coverage in place so that things can be replaced if the worst should happen. 

Liability Coverage

This coverage pays the medical bills of people who have an accident in your home. If someone came over and became injured on your property, you would be liable for their medical bills and certain other costs. Home insurance will pay that obligation for you.

Get Home Insurance Now

Call us at Pizano Insurance in Wayzata, MN when you need home insurance.

Tips to Help You When Driving in Frightful Winter Weather

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During the winter, the weather outside can be frightening. If you are planning on driving home for the holidays or using winter vacation to take a road trip, you need to be careful when driving. At Pizano Insurance, serving the greater Wayzata, MN area, we want to provide tips to help you stay safe as you drive in less-than-ideal winter weather. 

Avoid Driving in the Dark or In Inclement Weather

When possible, avoid driving after dark or during periods of inclement weather, especially if you are driving on unfamiliar roads that you are not used to traveling on. This can help you avoid black ice or other dangerous conditions. 

Always Map Out Your Route and Ensure You Know Where You Are Going

Another tip that can help you stay safe when driving on unfamiliar roads in poor weather is to map out your route ahead of time and try to memorize it. Creating a route ahead of time and familiarizing yourself with it can help you avoid getting lost, missing your turn-off, or having to swerve at the last second to avoid missing a turn. 

Drive Slower Than Posted Speed Limits

Lastly, if the weather is less than ideal, always drive slower than the posted speed limit. The posted speed limits are meant to be followed in clear weather and when visibility is clear. When you are driving in the rain, snow, or icy conditions, you need to slow down. Take your time and drive safely. 

Taking the above steps can help to decrease your chances of being involved in an accident, but you cannot prevent that from happening altogether. This is why it is so important that you have auto insurance and a policy that best meets your needs. The team at Pizano Insurance, serving the greater Wayzata, MN area, can help. Call us now to learn more about obtaining a new auto insurance policy. 

Common Risks Not Covered by Standard Home Insurance

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For homeowners, home insurance is the real deal. It comes to our aid when disasters strike. Think about the thousands of dollars it would cost you when your home got destroyed, or someone got injured in your compound. Luckily, standard home insurance protects you from such expenses. However, your standard home insurance will not cover all the possible risks your home might be exposed to — there are some exclusions. Let’s look at common risks not covered by standard home insurance purchased from Pizano Insurance.

Ground movement

Your standard home insurance will not cover landslides, sinkholes, earthquakes, and other earth movements. You’ll need separate coverage for these kinds of disasters. Your insurer can help you find the policy that suits you, depending on your area.

Flood damage

Your standard insurance does not cover floods caused by external conditions. Your insurance only covers floods caused by leaking pipes or overflowing toilets. Floods due to sewer systems, flash floods, or burst dams require you to buy a separate flood insurance policy.

War and terrorism

Home destructions or damage caused by political risks like uprisings, war, mutiny, or any war-like situation are excluded from your standard home insurance. Similarly, you can’t claim damages resulting from any act of terrorism. However, there are insurance policies that provide cover for vandalism, strikes, riots, and much more.

Maintenance issues

Your standard home insurance will not cover damage resulting from negligence or failure to maintain your home. For example, damage from termites, rodents, mold, rust, and wear and tear are not covered. Also, damage resulting from hidden defects or something that was poorly made is excluded.

Home insurance in Wayzata, MN

Reading your insurance policy can help you discover what’s not covered rather than learn when the unfortunate situation strikes. Once you identify the gaps, talk to your insurer for "add-ons" or "riders." If you live in Wayzata, MN looking for home insurance, look no further than Pizano Insurance. Contact us today for an affordable quote.

The Safest Vehicles for First-Time Drivers

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At Pizano Insurance, we know driving is a rite of passage for most. It brings independence, freedom, responsibility, and new challenges for newly licensed drivers. The best cars for first-timers have plenty of safety features that protect your child and help keep them safe as they learn to drive. In addition to a vehicle with the latest safety technology, proper car insurance is crucial for a new driver in Wayzata, MN.

Best Vehicles for Safety 

It’s essential to ensure your child has a safe vehicle that can protect them as they learn to drive. To do this, you’ll want to look for cars with plenty of safety features. Most importantly, look for seat belts and airbags. You should also consider anti-lock brakes (ABS), stability control, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), and automatic headlights.

These Vehicles Top the List in Wayzata, MN 

Safety features are essential for any vehicle, from airbags to seatbelts and anti-lock brakes. First-time drivers need to be as protected as possible when they start driving, so it’s essential to look into which cars have the best safety ratings.

You will want a vehicle that is easy for your child or teen driver to handle yet still offers plenty of protection in case of an accident. The safest vehicles also tend to be smaller cars with good fuel economy and high crash test scores. Examples would be a Mazda3, Honda Civic, Chevrolet Volt, or Toyota Corolla.

Contact Us

The best way to keep your child safe on the road is by choosing a vehicle with all the latest safety features and proper car insurance. Call one of our auto experts today to discuss your up-and-coming driver! Pizano Insurance understands the best ways to ensure your family is adequately covered and you get the best rates on your auto insurance.