Can I add a teen driver to my auto insurance?

It is possible to add your teen to your auto insurance. However, many parents in Rochester, MN are not sure how their auto insurance rates can be affected and the right time to add their teenagers to their policies. Here are some of the commonly asked questions regarding the issue of adding your teen to your auto insurance.

When do I add my teen to my auto insurance?

Most insurance companies in Rochester, MN may want to know the names of all licensed drivers in your home. A teenager who is a licensed driver can either carry his or her own insurance or can be added to your auto insurance policy. When your teen graduates to a full-fledged driver’s license, he or she qualifies to carry a car insurance policy.

Will my insurance rates go up after adding my teenager?

Your insurance rates are likely to go up when you add your teenager to your auto insurance. This is mainly because teens are more likely to cause car accidents than experienced drivers. The type of coverage levels you choose for your teenager and vehicle will also have an impact on your auto insurance premiums. However, your son or daughter may qualify for certain discounts for taking a driver’s education course. Safechoice Insurance Agency considers all these factors in ensuring that you get the best discount in the market.

Is it cheaper to get my teen his auto insurance policy?

It is advisable to look for stand-alone plans just for your teen, apart from the available options of adding your teen to your current auto insurance policy. However, your teen may not qualify for other discounts that you qualify for, such as multi-plan, driving experience, or multi-car insurance coverages.

How can my teen get better rates?

Typically, teenagers have higher rates because of their inexperience and their age. However, your teen can save on insurance by completing an approved driver’s education course or by having a higher grade average. In general, insurance rates will start dropping at the age of 25 until the age of 70 years.

Some types of vehicles such as sports cars, trucks, and SUVs may attract higher insurance rates for teens. If you have been thinking of adding your teen to your auto insurance, contact Safechoice Insurance Agency for the best rates. Our auto insurance agents will help you find the cheapest way to add your teen to your auto insurance policy.

Are All Your Valuables Covered by Your Home Insurance?

With basic home insurance, you can protect your home and personal belongings against such threats as fire, hail, windstorm, theft, vandalism and water damage due to a leaky roof or plumbing problems. The amount of protection you receive will depend on the limits of your policy. As part of your personal goods, valuables also receive a measure of protection under a standard home insurance policy. This protection, however, may not cover the entire worth of your valuables due to limits on your policy, leaving you with no choice but to pay the rest out of pocket. At Safechoice Insurance Agency, we can help you determine insurance coverage that will fully protect all the valuables in your Rochester, MN home.

What Valuables May Not be Fully Covered by a Standard Home Insurance Policy?

Depending on their worth, such items as pricey jewelry, furs, works of art, antiques, heirlooms and rare coin collections may not be fully covered by basic home insurance. You can, however, obtain additional coverage to protect these items. This coverage known as a "floater," comes with higher limits to cover the repair or replacement cost of expensive valuables. By having your valuables professionally appraised, you can determine their current value. This gives you a better idea of how much coverage you need to protect them against damage or loss.  

Importance of Protecting Valuables

You can’t predict when a disaster will strike but you can be prepared for the outcome with insurance coverage. Protecting valuables with a floater enables you to recoup your losses if these goods were to be stolen or damaged in an unforeseen disaster.  When it comes to treasured goods, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

To learn more about insurance protection for your home, personal goods and valuables, contact us at Safechoice Insurance Agency in Rochester, MN.  

What Does Toy Insurance Cover?

Toy insurance is insurance for an asset that you have that isn’t a typical car or home. This may be for a jet ski or some other similar asset. If you were to lose your item then you could be set back financially. An agent at Safechoice Insurance Agency can help set you up with the right toy insurance policy for your specific needs.

It can be difficult to determine exactly what toy insurance will cover in Rochester, MN, because it will depend on the item. If your toy is something that can be driven, such as a motorhome, golf cart, dune buggy, various boats or personal watercraft, its insurance policy will generally include liability insurance for both bodily injury and property damage, as well as collision and comprehensive coverage. Liability insurance will protect you if your watercraft or other vehicle gets into an accident with someone else who is also operating a vehicle similar to yours. Liability will help pay for any injuries or damages caused by the accident, but it will not pay for damage to your own toy. This is where collision coverage and comprehensive coverage come in. If you are in an accident and have damage to your own toy, then collision coverage will help pay for the damage. If your toy is damaged by an event unrelated to an accident, then comprehensive coverage will pay for these costs.

If your toys are on the collectible side and don’t need liability, comprehensive or collision coverage, you can get additional insurance that helps pays for damages above what your homeowner’s insurance would already pay for. This can cover damages beyond wear and tear and any property theft, even if your toys are outside your home.

Contact an agent at Safechoice Insurance Agency, serving Rochester, MN, to get a quote for toy insurance.

How to Choose Health Insurance with a Pre-Existing Condition

Navigating today’s health insurance landscape can feel stressful and overwhelming. The team at Safechoice Insurance Agency in Rochester, MN is here to help you find the appropriate policy to meet the needs of your family. There have been many recent changes to the ACA as well as private insurance policies, and it is likely that there are more to come. While finding an appropriate insurance family for yourself and your family is already challenging, it becomes even more so when a member of your family has a pre-existing condition.

Health Insurance Options for Clients with a Pre-Existing Medical Condition

Many Americans receive their health insurance from their employer or that of their spouse. However, if you are self-employed or own a business you are likely insured through a policy that you found in the open marketplace. While many Americans qualify for policies through the ACA program, there are certain situations when private insurance is a better option. There are certain protections in place that can help you to find the coverage that you need, even when you currently have an ongoing medical condition. Working with a professional insurance agent can help you to learn more about the different policies that are available to people with a pre-existing condition that do not have employer-supplied health insurance.

We Can Help You Find Health Insurance Coverage

The team at Safechoice Insurance Agency is here to help guide you through the sometimes complicated process of choosing health insurance. If you or a member of your family have a pre-existing medical condition, the task can become even more involved. Call or stop by today and meet with one of our knowledgeable agents that are here to provide your insurance needs in the greater Rochester, MN area.

Should I Buy Life Insurance for My Baby?

Life insurance is often advertised as being for those who support their families. Take for example a person who is the sole income earner and takes care of his spouse and five children. This type of person would definitely want to buy a life insurance policy. By having this type of policy, the guy can rest easy at night knowing his family will be financially protected in the event something was to happen to him. 

But what about babies? Do they need life insurance? Since they do not work and provide money to anyone, why would they need a life insurance policy? Here’s the truth, though. Buying life insurance for your baby is one of the smartest investments you can ever make. Here at Safechoice Insurance Agency serving the Rochester, MN area, we would like to explain why buying life insurance for a baby is a wise decision. 

You Can Lock In Cheap Rates

The younger a person is and the healthier he or she is, the cheaper life insurance is going to be. For babies, it is incredibly easy to lock in a very low rate. If you buy a policy now for a baby, they can then grow up with a life insurance policy that has a high payout and a very low premium. This allows them to rest easy knowing they have something to leave behind to their children. 

The Payout can be Maximized

Many life insurance policies come with the ability to be doubled several times throughout the life of the policy. When a small life insurance policy is bought for a baby at a low rate, it is not uncommon for there to be an option to double the payout multiple times.

If you would like to learn more about buying life insurance for a baby, please contact Safechoice Insurance Agency serving the Rochester, MN area. 

What Should an Ecommerce Business Consider for Commercial Insurance?

Ecommerce businesses have a different set of needs than traditional brick and mortar businesses, and their insurance policy needs to reflect this. Insurance is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and an agent at Safechoice Insurance Agency serving Rochester, MN can help you determine the best policy for you.

Many businesses in today’s world could benefit from cyber liability and data breach insurance, but for online businesses it’s even more important. Ecommerce businesses usually get a lot of information about their customers in regards to their shopping habits and it’s not just their credit card information. A cyber liability insurance policy will help cover the costs if you do experience a data breach.

Consider different types of business interruption insurance as well. There is a standalone policy that will provide income for a set period of time if your business has to shut down. There is also a policy that is packaged into cyber liability insurance and will help provide income if your computer systems are compromised. 

Workers compensation insurance is still necessary if you have employees working for you. Even if they are just answering phones and emails, they could still be at risk for injury and you will have to pay out of pocket for any associated costs.

Ecommerce businesses either sell products or provide services, so there are a number of polices that protect against product and service failure and it’s important to find one to protect your business.

A general liability policy is still important for ecommerce businesses. It goes just beyond if someone slips and falls in your store, because it also protects your products. Any ecommerce business that sells products could be liable to their products causing problems, whether that’s a skin condition from clothes or a small child choking on a small plastic piece. An umbrella policy can also be useful to give extra liability coverage.

Contact Safechoice Insurance Agency serving Rochester, MN to get a quote on commercial insurance.

When Can You Claim Your Commercial Insurance?

Safechoice Insurance Agency in Rochester, MN offers quotes for various insurance covers including commercial insurance.

Commercial insurance covers your business against claims resulting from loss, damage, and employee claims and in some cases, death. There are different types of commercial insurance that are claimed in different situations depending on the needs of a business. They include;

Public Liability Insurance

This insurance plan covers your business in case of public claims as a result of damage or loss of property, death or injury that is caused by your business. Public liability insurance covers compensation claims, medical charges, repair cost and legal charges.

Buildings and Content Insurance

The same way you ensure your home and property, you should also insure the buildings and content of your business in case of damage. Depending on your business’ type, you may decide to insure only the building, only the content or both. Building insurance covers your business in case of fires, theft, malicious damage, storms or floods. Content insurance may cover your furniture, trading stock or whatever else your business has. You may even insure your electronics.

Employers’ Liability Insurance

This insurance plan is a legal requirement for all employers. It covers you from financial loss as a result of any claims an employee may make regarding injury or illness incurred during or because of work. It typically covers lost wages and medical expenses for the employee or their beneficiaries.

At Safechoice Insurance Agency in Rochester, MN, we allow you to access quotes from a half a dozen top-rated insurance companies without having to spend too much time and effort on it. We have experienced professional and knowledgeable agents to help you answer any questions. Contact us now and get solutions for your personal or business insurance needs.

Does ATV Insurance Cover Flooded Engines?

At Safechoice Insurance Agency, we have seen many people damage their ATV by running it improperly. While going off-road in an ATV is fun, it can cause issues if you get submerged and flood your engine with water. Does your insurance for your ATV cover this type of damage?

Issues Caused By Floods In The Engine

When you drive your ATV into a pond or lake, you are likely to flood it. Water in your engine is never a good thing. That’s because that extra water could cause difficulties with your engine compression. This situation is likely to cause severe strain on your ATV.

In some situations, it could even cause a hole to pop out of the engine cylinder. When this occurs, your ATV will be out of commission and will require specialized repair to get back on the road. Will your ATV insurance help to cover water removal or engine repair caused by this situation?

Your Policy Should Cover You

Your insurance policy for your ATV should cover this kind of damage to your engine. These kinds of policies take into account that you are likely to take this vehicle in an off-roading situation. As a result, most usually have language that helps to repair damage caused by its use.

However, they may not go into effect if you did something to contribute to the accident. For example, driving inappropriately or purposefully riding into a lake or pond could invalidate your policy. A true accident, such as losing control and ending up in a lake, will be covered by most types of ATV insurance.

Protecting Your ATV

If you are worried about your off-roading in Rochester, MN and want high-quality ATV insurance, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Safechoice Insurance Agency. We serve Rochester, MN and the surrounding area and will provide many benefits for your ATV.

What is the Importance of Motorcycle Insurance?

Buying a motorcycle can be a very exciting time.  While you may be dreaming about cruising on the open road, you also need to make sure that your new motorcycle is properly covered by insurance.  There are several important reasons why you need to have a quality motorcycle insurance policy in place. 

Protects Your Asset

One of the main reasons why you need to have insurance coverage on your motorcycle is that it will be able to protect your asset.  A motorcycle can be a very big and expensive asset to purchase.  If you are in an accident or if it is stolen or vandalized, you will want to have an insurance policy in place that can cover the repairs or replacements of the motorcycle.  This collision and comprehensive coverage will be required if you have a loan on your motorcycle. 

Protects Others

Another reason why you will need to have motorcycle insurance is that it will protect other people on the road as well.  For those that live in the Rochester, MN area, having liability insurance on your motorcycle is required by law.  This type of insurance coverage will provide coverage for repairs to the other party’s vehicles or medical bills if you are found to be liable for an accident.  In the state of Minnesota you will be required to carry minimum coverage levels of $15,000 for property damage and $25,000 for bodily injury coverage. 

Since motorcycle insurance is so important, speaking with a professional before you purchase a policy would be very beneficial.  For those that are in the Safechoice Insurance Agency area, speaking with Safechoice Insurance Agency would be a great option. Safechoice Insurance Agency is a leading insurance agency that can help you to better understand your insurance needs and can help you get into a great policy. 

Getting Ready for West Coast Adventures

As springtime finally arrives in Rochester, MN, residents can start to prepare for their summer adventures. A popular way to see the beauty of the American West is to take an excursion in a recreational vehicle (RV). With the many national forests and parks in Idaho and neighboring states, travel by RV offers a great way to enjoy the beauty of our region while bringing a little piece of home with us. Safechoice Insurance Agency offers insurance coverage for Idahoans ready to hit the road in their RVs.

RV Preparation Checklist

For those planning long-distance trips, here are some helpful hints:

  • Carefully inspect tires, windows, doors, vents, and the RV’s exterior for cracks, dents, or other damage. 
  • Remove dirt and mildew from the exterior of the vehicle and thoroughly clean and refresh the interior.
  • Inspect bulbs and check outlets to make sure that electrical service is reliable.
  • Clean out water storage systems, inspect the propane system, and check the water heater.
  • Ensure that you have a road hazard kit, first aid supplies, a fire extinguisher, and ample provisions, such as fresh water. 
  • Inspect under the hood to make sure batteries and wiring are corrosion-free and that there is no evidence that small animals built nests during the cold winter months. 
  • If you plan to travel as a tourist into Canada, be sure to get a non-resident inter-provincial insurance card that assures your motor vehicle liability meets minimum standards.

A Full-Service Insurance Agency in Idaho

In addition to RV insurance, Safechoice Insurance Agency offers those living in and around Rochester, MN a variety of coverage options for auto, commercial, home, and life insurance, as well as other specialized coverage. Contact us today to learn about the policies we have available to meet your needs.