The Basics of ATV insurance

According to the American National Standards Institute, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) is a single operating vehicle that possesses handlebars for steering, operator straddles and utilizes tires of low-pressure. ATVs operate similarly to motorcycles, but these vehicles have more than two wheels and are slower than motorcycles. These vehicles come in either three wheels which are called three-wheelers or four wheels which are typically called four-wheelers, quads, or ATVs. 

ATVs are usually used for recreation driving over uneven and rough terrain. Families and friends will typically spend hours together driving through more challenging areas and exploring new places. Others use these vehicles for camping and hunting for easier transporting of supplies in the woods and difficult areas that are hard for regular vehicles to drive on. Other practical uses for ATV include snowplowing, material hauling, and so forth.

Since ATVs are vehicles, each state has its own requirements concerning these vehicles. And when it comes to insurance, the state of Minnesota requires you to have ATV liability insurance just like many states do.  

ATV insurance in general covers the following: 

  • Liabilities from an accident or damage to another person’s property

  • Any replacements or repairs to your vehicle

  • Your vehicle needing repairs due to vandalism or theft of your vehicle

However, ATV Liability insurance offers protection from legal liability of ATV ownership or operation. It covers the third party’s injury, including death, and/or property damaged you caused.

When it comes to ATV insurance, do not get caught without it or risk getting in an accident without it. Contact Safechoice Insurance Agency today. Located in Rochester, MN, Safechoice Insurance Agency has licensed and experienced insurance agents who have been serving the Rochester MN and surrounding areas for several years. They can do the same for you- contact them today!

When to update your life insurance

Life insurance is something few people know much about but everyone needs to consider buying. It offers valuable savings options as well as providing protection for those who depend on you. Life insurance goes up in price depending on your age and health, it is something best purchase as soon as possible. Your need for life insurance will change over your lifetime and at times you will want to update your life insurance. Having an insurance agent you trust makes that easy. Safechoice Insurance Agency in Rochester, MN has been in business for 16 years and aims to provide first-class service and the best possible prices. 

Assuming you have purchased your life insurance right after college or when you get your first job, update your insurance when you purchase a home. You want to increase the amount of insurance you have so you won’t leave your family with the debt of your mortgage. 

Marriage is a good time to take a look at your life insurance. It is time to change your beneficiary so your spouse is the recipient and to adjust the amount of insurance you have. If your spouse is employed you may not need to increase the amount have. 

Children are the future and you want to make sure yours have guaranteed security in the event you should pass away while they are still young. You may want to save for their college and even to take out a small policy on them. 

When your children move on with their own life and if you retire, you should examine your life insurance needs as you enter this new phase in your life. 

Life insurance needs do not remain the same throughout your life. The knowledgeable agents at Safechoice Insurance Agency in Rochester, MN are here to help you to have the coverage you need through all the times of your life. Call our office or stop by to get a no-obligation quote. 

What kinds of work vehicles are covered by commercial auto insurance?

Rochester, MN is big enough to give you all the big city benefits without feeling overwhelming, especially with its university, parks, and great music scene. This makes it a great place to own a small business, and at Safechoice Insurance Agency, we want to help you protect your investment.

One of the most important things you can do for your small business is to make sure you have the right insurance. It can be confusing when it comes to making choices about the best way to make sure you are covered if there is ever an accident or other event that causes damage to your property, employees, or customers. Commercial auto insurance can seem really tricky, especially if you have vehicles that you use for both personal and business reasons.

When it comes right down to it, you can insure pretty much any kind of motor vehicle that you use for your business. That includes:

  • passenger cars that you may use to transport people or run errands;
  • trucks or vans that you may use to deliver flowers, food, furniture, or other kinds of goods;
  • farm vehicles, such as pick-up trucks or livestock trucks;
  • dump trucks used for construction and other similar jobs;
  • snow plow vehicles;
  • and work vans used to transport crews and equipment.

It is important to remember that an insurance policy for a personal vehicle will not provide coverage in an accident if the vehicle is used mainly for business or if the vehicle is owned by the business. Even if your personal policy covers the accident, it may not be enough coverage for a business-related accident. If your small business is in Rochester, MN, call Safechoice Insurance Agency today so we can help you make sure you have the protection you need.

Do I need home insurance in Minnesota?

When you live in the Rochester MN area, you likely know that there are many local factors that can make it a great place to own and purchase a home. While there is a lot of great opportunities provided to property owners here, there are also some risks. One way that you can mitigate these risks is by getting a quality home insurance policy. In fact, there are several reasons why someone may need to have home insurance in Minnesota.

When Financing Purchase with a Mortgage

While it is always a good idea to carry insurance, one situation when having home insurance will be an actual requirement that comes when you finance the purchase of your home with a mortgage. Most people that buy properties today need to take out mortgages to do so. As long as you have your mortgage outstanding, the lender will continue to require you to carry an insurance policy. This is often administered with an escrow account where you pay into it monthly.

When Living in an Association

You could also be required to carry home insurance if you live in an association. Those that own condos, townhomes, and other types of properties that are located within an association are often required to carry home insurance. This is often a basic rule as it ensures the rest of the association that you have the capacity to repair or rebuild your home and that you are covered by liability protection. 

As you are searching for a new home insurance policy in the Rochester, MN area, you should also speak with the team at the Safechoice Insurance Agency. When you reach out to the Safechoice Insurance Agency, you are going to learn a lot more about how insurance can protect you and your property. 

What Are Minnesota’s Auto Insurance Minimums?

Many Rochester, MN drivers who buy the legal minimum of insurance don’t put much thought into it. You simply go to Safechoice Insurance Agency, ask them for liability, and assume that they can work it out from there. But what does that liability protection actually cover? Let’s break it down simply:

  • $30,000 in bodily injury per person per accident
  • $60,000 in bodily injury total per accident
  • $40,000 in PIP, Personal Injury Protection
  • $25,000 in uninsured motorist coverage per person per accident
  • $50,000 in uninsured motorist coverage total per accident
  • $25,000 in underinsured motorist coverage per person per accident
  • $50,000 in underinsured motorist coverage total per accident

Roughly half of all US states require uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. It’s sort of ironic that the law states that those of us who buy insurance have to cover for those of us who do not, but so it goes.

The legal minimum is a good starting point, but it’s not really the best idea to settle for that. You would rather not settle for minimum wage, minimum portions, minimum effort, so why settle for the minimum mandatory insurance? The least amount of insurance legally possible will help you to keep from being bankrupted in the event of an accident that was your fault, but you will at least need comprehensive and collision if you want to protect your car, and you may want to consider gap insurance and replacement cost coverage if you’re still paying a new vehicle off.

If you’re still shopping around for auto insurance in Rochester, MN, get in touch with Safechoice Insurance Agency. Call us up or visit the Safechoice Insurance Agency website and we’ll connect you with the coverage you need.

Health Insurance for Rochester, MN Residents

Let’s face it – understanding health insurance is hard. From providers to plans, there’s so much information that it can be difficult to figure out where to start. That’s where the agents at Safechoice Insurance Agency in Rochester, MN come in. The agents at Safechoice Insurance Agency have more than fifteen years of experience helping clients select and customize insurance plans. With their guidance and expertise, deciphering health insurance policies will be a smooth and simple process for you. Ready to get started? Just pick up the phone or stop by Safechoice Insurance Agency in Rochester, MN today!

Why choose Safechoice Insurance Agency? When you choose Safechoice Insurance Agency, you will be working with agents who are dedicated professionals. Not only are they are committed to providing superior customer service to every client, but they genuinely have your best interests in mind. The agents at Safechoice Insurance Agency understand how important it is to have health insurance, and the peace of mind it brings should anything unexpected happen. That’s why they take the time to listen to your concerns and answer your questions. No matter what age or stage you’re at in life, you can rest assured the agents at Safechoice Insurance Agency in Rochester, MN will aid you in selecting or customizing a health insurance plan that meets your unique needs.

Why purchase health insurance? Just like home insurance, health insurance protects you. Even if you only go to the doctor once a year, having health insurance can save you a substantial amount of money in the event of an accident, emergency, or other unforeseen circumstance. Choose from policies that provide limited to comprehensive coverage. Contact the agents at Safechoice Insurance Agency in Rochester, MN today to learn your options and find your ideal health insurance policy!

Everything You Need To Know About Recreational Toy Insurance

During the long winter months, many people spend their time dreaming of their summer activities. Taking the RV out on the road with the family, riding their ATV down adventurous trails, or cruising their boat on the water. While you are making preparations for these fun activities, don’t forget that your recreational toy insurance is a vital part of enjoying these activities safely. At Safechoice Insurance Agency, serving Rochester, MN, we are here to educate you on these important insurance topics.  

Why You Need Rec Toy Insurance

Recreational vehicles such as RVs, jet skis, boats, bikes, and ATVs can be a whole lot of fun, but they can be dangerous too. In order to operate these vehicles in a safe and responsible way, it is important that owners have proper training and education in operating the vehicle as well as maintaining insurance in case something goes wrong. Even the safest operator can run into trouble. When that happens, your insurance policy is there to keep your out of pocket expenses low.

You have invested in these vehicles and you want to know that if they are damaged or stolen you can repair or replace the vehicle. In addition to this, insurance also protects you in the event that you injure someone else or cause damage to someone else’s property.

What Does Rec Toy Insurance Cover?

Policies can be customized to suit your specific needs, but in general, recreational toy insurance will cover a few different things.

Collison- This protects against loss or damage to the vehicle.

Liability- This protects against the event that your vehicle causes injury or property damage.

Emergency roadside or waterside assistance- This type of coverage kicks in if you have problems with your vehicle while you are out. It can include things such as repairs and towing.

If you would like to learn more about recreational toy insurance, please contact our friendly staff at Safechoice Insurance Agency, serving Rochester, MN today.  

Common Myths About The Significance Of Life Insurance

Safechoice Insurance Agency’s primary goal is to provide excellent customer service to all of our clients in the Rochester, MN area. We are an independent insurance agency that is committed to helping our clients find the best coverage at an affordable price.

Common Life Insurance Myths

Safechoice Insurance Agency understands the importance of life insurance. Life insurance can help families heal as they deal with the aftermath of losing a loved one. While many people understand the importance of purchasing a life insurance policy, inaccurate information has caused some people to underestimate the significance of having life insurance. Here is a look at some common myths regarding the significance of life insurance.

If You Are Healthy, You Don’t Need Life Insurance  

While you may be healthy at the moment, you have no idea how your health may change as you age. That’s why it is important to purchase life insurance so that you’ll be protected in the event that something happens. Plus, the price of a life insurance policy changes as you age.

If You Don’t Have A Family, Life Insurance Doesn’t Have To Be A Priority

Many single people believe that they don’t need life insurance. While life insurance is certainly beneficial to people who are married and have children, life insurance can be an asset if you are single as well. Having a life insurance policy can help pay for your burial costs and also prevent your loved ones from having to possibly manage any debt that you may have.

It’s Better To Simply Save Your Money

While it’s very important to save money to secure your financial future in the long run, that should not come at the expense of life insurance. Life insurance is relatively inexpensive, so ideally, you can purchase a policy while still saving money for the future.

Safechoice Insurance Agency Can Help You

Safechoice Insurance Agency assists residents throughout Rochester, MN by helping them find the best life insurance policy. Head to our website to learn how we can assist you.

Does A Company With No Physical Building Require Commercial Insurance?

The truth is that the building your company is situated inside is one of the smallest concerns for a commercial insurer. In fact, it might not even be on your policy in your first place if you’re renting. These days we’re seeing more and more businesses with no physical location. Stores that exist entirely online. Software developers comprised of work-at-home freelancers from around the world. It’s very easy to run a business without ever meeting a client, colleague, or customer face to face. But it’s very hard to run a business with no liability whatsoever.

Liability is the Big Concern

It’s good to have insurance on business equipment, but if you’re running a successful enterprise, chances are you can cover most minor to moderate damages out of company funds. Liability is where you start facing the kind of expenses that can bankrupt you, and liability doesn’t care if you have a physical location or not.

If someone is injured using one of your products and they sue you, or if your spreadsheet software glitches up and they lose thousands of dollars over it, you’ll be glad that you had an insurer like Safechoice Insurance Agency backing you up. Liability costs can total hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars, and those of us who run a brick-and-mortar business in Rochester, MN are no more or less at risk than those of us who work entirely from the home office.

If you run any kind of business in Rochester, MN, chances are you’re inviting some form of liability. Get in touch with Safechoice Insurance Agency, let us know what kind of risks you need covered, and they’ll get you set up with the protection you need.

3 ways to prepare for a home insurance claim

We all wish to live happily in safe homes free of fires, burglaries, storms, and other natural disasters. But when the dreaded happens, it is crucial to understand what to do and how to file a claim successfully. At Safechoice Insurance Agency serving Rochester, MN, we recommend reviewing your policy with a professional insurance agent to ensure that it is up to date with your present situation.

1. Ask as many questions as possible to have the correct information

 Your claim preparation involves contacting your insurance company as soon as possible. If the peril is a fire that hinders you from entering the house, you can search online for Nationwide numbers to help you reach your insurer. In the initial call, confirm your deductible and ask as many questions as possible. You should also notify your insurer whether you will need to relocate or not.

2. Document the damage

Your insurance provider may not get to you right away, use this time to document the damage. Take pictures and videos and match your losses with your inventory (you should have your inventory ready before any accident). This acts as proof that you owned the items.

3. Make the necessary replacement and repair arrangements.

Depending on the damage, do what you need to do to save the situation and notify your insurer. If it was a broken pipe that led to the accident, you can fix it or find someone to do it for you before the insurance company gets to you.

The home insurance claim process can be stressful, mentally-draining, and lengthy. However, knowing what to do, acting promptly, and handling the situation like a pro helps get your home back into shape faster. To get more tips on how to prepare for a home insurance claim, contact Safechoice Insurance Agency in Rochester, MN, and we will help be happy to assist you.