Monthly Archives: May 2025

Does Home Insurance Cover Damage From Rodents and Other Pests?

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Imagine a scenario where a pair of raccoons has caused chaos in your attic, or a group of rats has infiltrated your home in Wayzata, MN, gnawing on the beams of supporting walls and compromising the structural integrity. Your home has suffered significant damage, but will your homeowner’s insurance cover it? The agents at Pizano Insurance can help you understand what animal-related risks your policy may cover.

Typical Policies Do Not Cover Pest Damage

Generally, homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover damage caused by rats, insects, and other pests. This is because pest damage is considered a maintenance issue and is, therefore, preventable. However, there may be exceptions. For instance, the resulting damage would likely be covered if rats chew through electrical wiring and cause a fire.

While damage from pests and animals that invade your home is typically not covered, if a wild animal causes damage to your main structure or any outlying buildings, that risk will most likely be covered. Potential hazards include a deer crashing through a window or a bear entering your garage, knocking things over, and damaging items. In this case, the damage must have occurred suddenly. Note that some policies may not cover damage to personal items in these instances.

Proactive Measures to Protect Your Home

Proactive home maintenance is the best defense against damage from pests and animals. Although your homeowner’s policy won’t cover exterminator treatments, the cost of regular appointments is significantly less than the potential cost of damages. Similarly, sealing entry points and securing doors and outbuildings can significantly reduce the likelihood of wild animals causing problems.

The agents at Pizano Insurance, serving residents of Wayzata, MN, can guide you on how to protect your home through insurance best. Contact our office to get started on a policy.

How Do Insurance Companies Assess My Auto Insurance Risk?

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Insurance providers utilize a variety of data sources when assessing the risk involved in insuring an individual or a family. Factors such as your geographical location, driving history, number of vehicles in the household, demographic details of the drivers, and other relevant aspects are taken into account. These elements collectively influence the premiums charged to each individual or others with similar characteristics. If you have queries related to insurance, the Pizano Insurance team in Wayzata, MN, is here to assist. We’ll guide you in securing the most suitable auto insurance coverage for you and your family.

Factors Influencing Auto Insurance Risk

Insurance providers have access to extensive data about auto accidents, the drivers involved, and the subsequent payments for repairs and medical care. This information is categorized based on location, age, gender, marital status, and other characteristics to estimate the risk associated with each applicant. For instance, while it’s impossible to predict the safety level of a specific 16-year-old driver, historical data suggests that new drivers are more prone to accidents, leading to higher premiums for this age group.

In addition to a driver’s profile, their accident history and traffic violation record also influence the risk assessment. The type of vehicle insured also plays a role due to variations in safety ratings, repair costs, and accident frequency.

Your choice of coverage limits and deductibles also impacts your premiums.

Insurance providers also offer usage-based insurance (UBI). UBI employs vehicle telematics to monitor your driving habits, enabling them to adjust your premiums based on factors like your driving speed, frequency of hard braking, and miles and locations driven.

Collaborating with Pizano Insurance

The Pizano Insurance team, serving the Wayzata, MN, area, is ready to answer all your insurance-related queries. Visit our office or call us today at (952) 473-1880 in Wayzata or (763) 447-4977 in Albertville to formulate the insurance plan that best suits your needs.