Before calling Safechoice Insurance Agency about a commercial insurance plan, it’s a good idea to figure out exactly what the risks are that you face in your line of work with your Rochester MN business.

For instance, you might not think that you need general liability as part of your plan because you don’t own an office or a factory or anything, but consider what might happen if a courier is injured delivering a new prototype to your home.

If you use your personal vehicle to make business runs, dropping off deliveries or picking up product, then you might want to consider the advantages of covering your auto under a commercial policy.

Those people you have working for you, are they freelancers, or are they employees? Remember that just writing down "freelancer" might not make it so in the eyes of a court (or in the eyes of the IRS). These are all things that need to be considered before you buy your policy.

It all varies by industry and by business. A delivery service obviously needs to cover their vehicles and drivers, where a garage-based startup that only employees freelance labor doesn’t have to worry about worker’s compensation at all.

Before you call Safechoice Insurance Agency, it’s worth making a list of worst-case scenarios. It can be a bit grim, but it’s the only way to prepare yourself: What’s the worst thing that can possibly happen at your business? If you can write a top ten list covering all of those possibilities, then you’ll have a good idea of what you need to discuss when you call your insurance agency to create your commercial insurance plan.

Taking a vacation in an RV can be a budget-friendly option and a great way to make memories. As such, more and more people are choosing to rent RVs when they travel. One of the questions that we at Safechoice Insurance Agency, serving the Rochester, MN area, are asked is whether someone can take out an RV insurance policy for an RV that they are renting. Here is the answer to that question. 

Can You Buy RV Insurance for a Rental?

If you are renting an RV, you will not be looking to purchase standard RV insurance. Instead, you will be looking to buy a temporary RV insurance policy. A temporary policy covers you temporarily while you are renting an RV from someone else or from an RV rental company. Temporary RV insurance also covers you if you are borrowing an RV from a friend or family member, as their RV insurance typically does excludes anyone aside from those named on the policy. 

How Long Can I Carry Temporary RV Insurance? 

Most companies do not put a length of time on how long you can carry temporary RV insurance. If the RV is registered and insured in someone else’s name, you are unable to carry traditional RV insurance on it. As long as this is the case, you can continue to carry temporary RV insurance. Some people rent RVs for a year to travel the country, while other people rent them for a week for a short camping trip. Either way, there is a policy to fit your needs. 

If you have purchased an RV and need an RV insurance policy, or you are renting an RV and need temporary RV insurance in the greater Rochester, MN area, Safechoice Insurance Agency can help you get the coverage you need. Call us today to get started. 

Operating an ATV in Rochester, MN can be a fun activity and an exciting way to spend time or run errands for business. Especially in the winter, people take to the outdoors to enjoy the many trails and other outdoor locations that can be found in Minnesota. However, it can also lead to accidents, which can be confusing because ATV drivers aren’t licensed and they don’t have the same legal requirements as drivers do to carry a license and insurance. 

Many ATV drivers and riders are also underage. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recommends everyone take a safety course, but there are always risks involved in these kinds of activity.  If you are in an ATV accident without insurance, you may still be liable for all the damages that occurred during the accident. From broken equipment to injured people, the damages can be very expensive.    

Every year, there are hundreds of ATV accidents in Minnesota that result in injury. Many of those involve young people and children, especially those under the age of 16, who particularly enjoy the thrill of ATV riding. At Safechoice Insurance Agency, we want to make sure you are protected when those accidents occur. If you are injured, you will want your injuries to be taken care of. If another person was injured, you need for their injuries to be taken care of so that you will not have to pay out of your own pocket. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, over 10.5 million Americans owned ATV’s in 2009, up from 400,000 in the 1970’s. This is a trend that is growing, and which offers legitimate uses. If you want to talk about a policy for our ATV riding, call  Safechoice Insurance Agency to obtain a policy in Rochester, MN today.

 

Riding the trails with friends is a given right of passage for many residents around Rochester, MN. The last thing anyone expects is to be held liable in the event of an ATV accident, especially when friends or family members are involved. Unfortunately, waiting until an accident happens before purchasing ATV insurance can be an expensive lesson to learn.

When is Insurance Necessary?

Liability insurance becomes vital when other people will drive or ride your ATVs, whether on your property or public lands. Don’t assume your homeowner’s insurance policy covers accidents that happen on your property. This is one of the times you want to talk to the experts at Safechoice Insurance Agency for clarification since you will be held liable for accidents that occur on your property. 

If your ATV is financed, you will likely be required to carry liability and collision coverage until the loan is paid in full. This protects you and the financial institution should the ATV be damaged. It also provides coverage for any medical needs that are a direct result of an ATV accident.

What if I Only Plan to Ride on my Property?

Registration type is more impacted by where you plan to ride that is insurance. MN DNR has an extensive guide available. You will find information on legal age requirements and who must take an ATV safety course before operating an ATV. Making sure that anyone operating one of your ATVs is in compliance with state regulations is important.   

Safechoice Insurance Agency can help you determine which ATV insurance plan will cover you, your family, and your friends near Rochester, MN who will likely operate your ATV with permission. We are here to answer questions about how ATV insurance can provide peace of mind before you head out for a ride with friends.

 

Although it’s not a subject most people want to discuss, it’s a very vital one–who your life insurance beneficiary will be. For people with a spouse and no other relations or who have only one child, the answer might be simple. For everyone else, it’s vital to take the time to compare your options because this is the most important decisions you’ll make when opening your policy with Safechoice Insurance Agency, serving Rochester, MN and the surrounding area.

Circumstances of Prospective Beneficiaries

Before you deem someone as your beneficiary, make sure you consider their financial situation. Depending on what they owe, it’s possible the government could seize the money, and your beneficiary won’t receive any of the money. If your potential beneficiary collects social security or any government assistance, your beneficiary may no longer qualify for benefits because of the money they inherit from you. This could harm them in the long run financially. 

Who it Benefits

When you’re deciding on a beneficiary, think about who gets the money and how they would probably use it. Do you really want to appoint someone as your beneficiary if they’re just going to blow the money? Or would you rather deem someone as your beneficiary who will use it to pay off their home, take care of their children or expand their business?

Your Children

If you have underage children, you automatically think of them first when it comes to after you pass. While making sure they’re financially taken care of is vital when planning, the money may not be able to go to them until they’re 18. Therefore, you should make sure the money goes to someone who you know will put your children’s best interest first and see they receive the money. 

To get a quote for life insurance or open a policy with Safechoice Insurance Agency, serving Rochester, MN and the surrounding area, contact us today at 507-280-9282.

A motorcycle is a great way to get around or to go out and have fun but without the proper insurance, it can also be a terrible risk. For those that have motorcycles, it is important that you take the time to really figure out what type of insurance you need and to find out how long you need to keep the policy effective. For those that live in the Rochester, MN area, the agents with Safechoice Insurance Agency can help you tailor a policy to your needs so that you can be safe whenever you ride.

For those that are wondering should you keep motorcycle insurance all year, the answer is simple, any time that there is a chance you are going to ride it, you should have insurance in place. For those that live in a climate where winters are cold and the bike is not going to be ridden, you could get away without insurance during the colder months. For those where the climate is accommodating to riding all year, you need to make sure you keep a policy all year.

Most motorcycle policies are less than a hundred dollars for the entire year and as such you should go ahead and keep a policy all the time. Policies do not only cover accidents, most cover vandalism and other damages that might be done to the bike as well. Keeping insurance is inexpensive enough and you do get a discount for buying an entire year of insurance at once. If you have a motorcycle and are wondering about insurance contact an agent to see what policy you might benefit from. For those in the Rochester, MN area, the agents with Safechoice Insurance Agency can help you find the perfect policy for your bike and for your particular situation.  

Life insurance is one of the most important, yet misunderstood forms of insurance. Don’t let myths get in the way of you securing an important type of protection for you and your family. Here are some of the more popular myths about life insurance in Rochester, MN. At the Safechoice Insurance Agency, we want you to know why you should disregard these myths.

Myth: Life Insurance Becomes More Expensive as You Age

This myth often comes up because of a misunderstanding. It’s true that premiums can become more expensive if you wait too long to start a life insurance policy. For example, it’s more cost feasible to start at 30 than it is to start at 50. Once you actually have your policy, this no longer applies. Your rates don’t increase as you age.

Myth: If You Have Life Insurance Through an Employer, You Don’t Need Your Own Policy

Many employers offer some form of life insurance as a part of their benefits package. These types of offerings can help, and you should definitely take advantage of them if they’re free or absurdly low cost. However, there’s no guarantee your employer’s plan will have the adequate amount of insurance for your needs.

In addition, that life insurance may only last for as long as you work for that employer. Don’t think of it as a full policy, just a perk. You still should have your own life insurance policy.

Myth: You Don’t Need Life Insurance if You’re Young or Have No Children

You don’t have to wait until you’re older, more financially secure, or a parent. You can lock in good rates when you’re younger. It’s an excellent idea to have coverage before your life starts to change. Life insurance is also a good idea if you have any debt that may remain with someone else, such as co-signed student loan debt.

There are many other life insurance myths in Rochester, MN besides these. At the Safechoice Insurance Agency, we want to help you get beyond the myths so you can pick up the coverage you need. Contact us today to learn more.

As the owner of a recreational vehicle you know that it is not a standard vehicle; therefore a standard auto insurance policy is not enough to adequately protect your RV. It is important to ask the right questions about your policy to be properly insured.

What are the use limitations in my RV insurance policy?

This is a critical question to ask, because if you go outside your limits, you may find yourself without coverage. Some plans may only cover a certain amount of days, typically 150 days on the road, for RV use while providing all year coverage for mobile home use. You will want to speak with your Safechoice Insurance Agency representative and make sure your policy will cover you for your usage.

What type of add-on coverage does my policy provide?

Because you and your RV can find yourself in various situations, there are many practical add-on coverages available in the marketplace. If you do not want to find yourself stranded, one of the most popular add-ons is 24-hour roadside assistance. This coverage will give you the comfort of knowing your vacation will not be cut short.

Does my policy cover my personal property in the RV?

Unlike a standard auto policy, you can purchase coverage for your personal property through your RV insurance policy. You will want to come up with a list of inventory to provide to your insurance agent. You may also want to discuss covering custom features that you have added to the RV. If you purchase new equipment for your next trip outside Rochester, MN, make sure to update your policy, so it is covered.

If you have additional questions about RV insurance, reach out to an agent at Safechoice Insurance Agency, we proudly serve the Rochester, MN area.