Among the questions we are asked as independent insurance agents in Albertville, MN is what policy holders should do with their auto insurance while they are out of the country for an extended period of time.

In most cases, no matter how long you plan to be out of the country, it is a good idea to retain auto insurance. Even though you will not be driving your car while you’re away, life can still happen. Imagine if your car is stolen from a parking lot or garage, a tree falls on it, or the structure in which it is parked burns to the ground. You have zero coverage on that automobile if you have canceled insurance prior to leaving.

The thing about accidents is that we never seem to believe they are going to happen to us. Maybe that is a human’s way of remaining optimistic. It is the odd circumstance though, like kids breaking into your car while you are gone, that come as the biggest surprise. And let’s face it; surprises are why insurance exists in the first place.

When you are planning to be out of the US, give us a call. We can tell you more about your options, like insurance that fully covers a car that is going to be parked for months at a time. Insurers know that some cars will simply be in a garage and have developed policies to cover anything that can happen to them under those circumstance.

It is important not to ignore the issue, believing that it is something you can deal with upon your return to the country. A lapse in insurance coverage can result in the suspension of your vehicle registration, making it that much more difficult to get back on the road.

As a single parent, it is likely that you have several concerns about your finances and managing all of the expenses. You want to ensure the safety of your family while you are on the road, but you may also struggle to pay for full coverag. Fortunately, it is possible to lower auto insurance cost with the right tools and steps.

Increase the Deductible Amount

When you want to save money on your policy, you can ask about the deductible on your plan. Some insurers may reduce your monthly payment if you increase your deductible. Depending on your insurer, the impact on your premium and the changes to your policy may vary, so you will want to ask questions and make sure that the changes are appropriate for your needs and goals.

Drive Carefully

Follow the speed limit and take a defensive driving course to learn different ways to prevent accidents. A good driving record is a key part of obtaining a low rate on your coverage.

If you take a defensive driving course, then you may also ask about discounts. Some insurance providers will offer reduced rates for the course because your risk of an accident is reduced.

Select a Safe Car

A single parent can take advantage of safety features on vehicles for several reasons. You can feel confident that your children are as safe as possible in the vehicle and you may be qualified for discounted rates if you select a car that has several safety features because the risk of severe injuries and damages is limited.

There are a variety of ways that you can lower auto insurance cost and maintain a strict budget, even if you are a single parent. The key is taking advantage of the discounts that insurance providers offer. Contact us to speak to an agent to learn more about lowering your rates.

Although a recent study found that Americans own an average of 2.28 vehicles per household, there are plenty of families throughout Wayzata, Minnesota who choose to own just one car for various reasons. Nationwide, approximately 33.8 percent of households in the U.S. own just one vehicle. Whether it’s to save money on car-related expenses or dramatically reducing their environmental footprint, many one-car families are making do with sharing a single vehicle among the entire household.

So how does car rental reimbursement come into play? If you’ve recently been in an auto accident in Wayzata and you only own one vehicle, chances are you’ll need a way to get to work and back while your vehicle is undergoing repairs or, in the case of a total loss, while your insurance provider arranges for a replacement. Car rental reimbursement coverage is an optional auto insurance benefit that can help cover the cost of a rental vehicle under the circumstances.

Car rental reimbursement coverage usually works one of two ways:

• You rent a vehicle from the rental car company of your choice and pay the upfront costs. These costs are later reimbursed after submitting receipts and a claim form to your insurance provider.
• You rent a vehicle from a rental car company approved by your insurance provider. Instead of paying upfront costs, the rental company bills your insurance provider directly.

Most forms of car rental reimbursement coverage feature a “per-day” or “per-accident” limit that varies depending on the insurance company’s own policies. Also keep in mind that this coverage does not cover car rentals that are needed while your vehicle is in the shop undergoing ordinary maintenance or repairs.

You can always turn to your Pizano Insurance for more information on rental reimbursements and other optional insurance coverage for your vehicle. As your independent agent, we can help you build the best auto insurance plan that covers all of the bases.

Allowing a friend, relative or even the babysitter to borrow your car in Albertville, Minnesota does not necessarily mean that you are taking unnecessary risks. In many cases, insurers will still cover your vehicle while a loved one or a friend is driving the car. Even though you may still be covered, certain situations may impact your auto coverage and might limit the funds that you are provided.

Lending to Individuals in the Same House

If you live with the individual who is borrowing your vehicle, then you may not be covered for the damages unless the person is mentioned under your policy. The reason is that the individual may drive the vehicle more often and has a higher risk of getting into an accident as a result.

When a loved one lives in the same house, it may be wise to put them under your current account to avoid complications if an accident occurs.

Lending to Others

Offering your car to a friend, relative or acquaintance who does not live in the same house means that you are still covered under most policies. Keep in mind that every insurer is different, so it is important to evaluate your particular policy before you allow a loved one to drive your car.

Read your policy to find out what situations may be classified as an exception to the basic rules. If there are times when you are not covered, then identify those situations to avoid problems if you must make a claim.

In most cases, you are covered if you lend your car to another individual. Contact Pizano Insurance to talk to an independent agent about your coverage options and the situations that may not be covered by a basic policy.

Court cases related to auto accidents can cause a variety of complications for drivers and the court system, which is why insurers offer limited tort and full tort coverage in Wayzata, Minnesota. By understanding the differences between the policies, it is easier to determine the best option for your goals and needs.

Full Tort

A full tort policy means that you have the right to sue a negligent driver when he or she crashes into your vehicle. Regardless of the coverage that you select, the driver of another vehicle who crashes into your car and causes injuries is responsible for your medical bills and the repairs to your vehicle.

In the case of major injuries, you may decide that you want to sue the driver for your pain and suffering rather than just the medical bills. If you have a full tort insurance policy, then you have the right to sue in this situation.

Limited Tort

A limited tort policy means that you are not allowed to sue for pain and suffering in an auto accident. Your coverage allows you to submit your medical bills and the cost of your repairs to the other driver’s insurance company for compensation.

The insurer will usually pay the full amount of your bills up to a certain amount, which will vary based on the other driver’s liability plan. When you opt for a limited tort policy, you cannot sue for your pain and suffering, regardless of the extent of your injuries.

Limited and full tort auto policies are not the same. If you opt for a limited tort plan, then you are giving up the right to take the other driver to court for additional compensation after an accident. Contact Pizano Insurance to talk to an independent agent for more details.

Asking for a quote from an auto insurance company will require that you provide certain details and information about your car and your personal driving history. Depending on the insurance company, the exact information that you are required to provide may vary.

License

In many cases, a customer service representative or the company providing a quote will require the use of a driving license to obtain a quote. You will not need to send a copy of your license, but you may be asked to provide the driver’s license number on the card to verify your driving history.

A license is used for identification and accurate estimates. Since a quote is an estimate of the price you will pay, your driving history is a necessary part of obtaining accurate figures.

The VIN

Even though an insurance company may ask for the Vehicle Identification Number before providing the coverage on your car in Albertville, Minnesota, it may not be necessary to provide the information when you are asking for a quote.

In most cases, insurers will provide a quote if you provide the make and model of the car. The VIN is only necessary after you have purchased the vehicle and are applying the policy to the account. The make and model of the car, as well as the year it was built, are the key factors that determine the appropriate estimate.

Providing a large amount of information to an insurance company can help you obtain the most accurate estimate for your coverage. Depending on the insurer, the details you will need to provide can vary. Contact Pizano Insurance to talk to an independent agent for more information about the details you need to provide for an accurate estimate.

When you go to buy auto insurance, one of the questions you must answer before your application can be processed is whether you are the only person who will be driving the car. If you are married and your spouse also drives, he or she will be added to the policy. That may be a good thing and actually result in a lower premium than if you were a single driver.

Premiums on auto insurance in Wayzata, Minnesota are based on risk. Auto insurance companies know from past experience that individuals who are married are generally more cautious and take fewer risks when driving. Thus, because you are not in the higher single-driver risk group, your policy premiums might be less.

If you are single, you may still qualify for a number of different discounts, but not usually based on the fact that you are single. Anyone can get a safe driver discount or a discount for having several policies with the same insurance company. You may be single and get a discount because you are over 25, but not because you are the only driver of the car.

Discounts are based on such things as age, driving record and the number of years you have driven without filing a claim. There may be some auto insurance companies that market to single drivers in order to get more clients. They may target a group such as college students. College students are typically single drivers and may get student rates.

Premiums and discounts are based on statistical probability and risk assessment. Anyone can park under a tree and suffer windshield damage when the branch falls. Anyone can get into a car accident. Being a single driver may not qualify you for a special discount, but, you can still get a favorable rate if you fall into a preferred risk group.

As your independent agent, we will work with you to find out all of the different discounts you may be eligible to receive. Some auto insurance companies offer more discounts than others. Please give us a call and an independent agent will be happy to contact a numberr of different carriers and get you the best possible quote on auto insurance.

Regardless of whether you live in a big city or if you happen to live in a small town like Albertville, Minnesota, it pays to have auto insurance coverage that protects you in the event of a potential loss. Although the town boasts a property crime rate that’s 62 percent lower than the state average according to recent statistics, it’s no reason not to have your vehicle covered in case it’s stolen. After all, statistics also show that one motor vehicle theft occurs every 44.1 seconds in the U.S.

Don’t bother looking at your liability coverage – it does not handle car theft, contrary to popular belief. Instead, the same coverage that takes care of windshield damage is what covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle in the event it is stolen. Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle under a wide variety of scenarios that don’t involve a collision with another vehicle, including fire, natural disasters, vandalism and of course, theft.

If you’re looking for car theft coverage, you won’t have to look far. Practically every insurance agency offers protection against theft under the comprehensive coverage. However, it’s up to you to add optional comprehensive coverage to your auto insurance policy. There are plenty of other steps you can take to protect your vehicle from thieves and vandals, from installing an immobilizer to etching your VIN number on your window glass. You may even receive discounts just for making your car safer and less attractive to thieves.

As your independent agent, we’re happy to lend our assistance if you have any questions about your current insurance coverage. We can also help you at comprehensive coverage to your current insurance policy. Don’t forget that we can also help you find discounts that can help lower your annual insurance premiums.

If you have a family member who drives your car on a regular basis in Wayzata, Minnesota, it’s generally a good idea to have them listed on your auto insurance policy. This helps protect your vehicle in the event of an accident and makes it easier to cover incidents such as windshield damage, plus it also protects those behind the wheel. However, you might be wondering whether adding an additional driver or two will have any effect on your premium.

Placing additional drivers on your policy can potentially have an effect on your premiums, based on the number of drivers added and their driving records. For example, adding a driver who has received several speeding tickets in the previous year will likely cost your premium to increase, whereas adding an older driver with a spotless record may trigger a reduction in your premiums.

Each insurance provider has its own method of calculating a premium for each auto insurance policy. In addition to driving records, the provider may also take into account the type of vehicle to which additional drivers are added and average annual mileage, just to name a few additional factors.

Don’t forget that if a family member has their own auto insurance, their policy is likely to cover them if they occasionally drive your vehicle. By talking to an independent agent, you can find out more about how adding family members to your car’s coverage affects your policy. It’s important to get in touch with us for more details on your specific policy.

When driving past the seemingly peaceful forests surrounding Albertville, Minnesota, it pays to keep an eye out for the unexpected, such as a run-in with a deer or any other wild animal. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, over 20,000 deer-vehicle accidents occur on a yearly basis. Hitting a wild animal can do more than just give you a scare – it can also result in significant damage to your car, depending on the size of the animal. Windshield damage, broken headlights and crunched fenders aren’t uncommon when dealing with animal collisions.

You might assume that any accident involving a wild animal will be covered by your policy’s collision coverage. However, your insurer will likely cover such an accident under your comprehensive coverage. This coverage also covers damage caused by vandalism, theft, natural disasters and falling objects.

Some companies may even consider an animal strike as an “act of God,” which means you won’t have to pay a deductible and your rates remain the same. If you do have to pay a deductible, it’s important to have an estimate of the damage caused during the accident. If the repairs cost less than the deductible amount, you’re better off paying for the damage out-of-pocket.

If you’re not sure about your coverage, it pays to read the fine print before making a claim. As your independent agent, we can help you better understand your auto insurance policy and how it best protects you from life’s uncertainties. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you need more information about your policy.

Disclaimer: The content of these blogs do not represent any type of specific coverage’s offered by the agency.