Author: agentinsure

Should You Provide Your Insurance Information After a Collision?

Posted on by agentinsure

Nobody wants to get into an auto collision, but sometimes it happens. When it does, what are you supposed to do? Do you have to provide your insurance information to the other parties? Should you call the cops?

In any collision, the first and most important thing is to ensure that everyone involved is ok. Check for any type of injuries, and call 911 if anyone is hurt. 

If no one is hurt, then you have a little less stress, and you might ponder the right thing to do. You might wonder if it’s even best to give up your insurance information, especially if you’re confident that you aren’t at fault.

Should you give your insurance information to the other party?

Yes, If you get into a car accident, no matter how major or minor, it’s often a good idea to exchange insurance information with the other individuals involved. That info should also include names, license plate numbers, and driver’s license numbers.

So, when in doubt, exchange information. Also, when in doubt, contact your insurance provider and the police to ensure you take the proper action. In Saint Paul, MN, you must legally report an accident to the police if a person is injured or killed in the collision.

Aside from that, you want to exchange insurance information if any of the following is true:

  • A police report is filed
  • There was an injury
  • There was any amount of property damage
  • You are unsure as to whether or not you should

In general, it’s always ok to provide your insurance information. Still, there are circumstances when it might not feel necessary. So, here’s the one time when you can leave the collision without providing insurance information.

If everyone involved agrees that there are no injuries and that there was no damage, everyone agrees not to file a police report, and everyone agrees that you don’t need to exchange information, that is legal. Even then, it’s ok to exchange information, take pictures, and even file a police report. At the very least, you can still contact your insurance provider to ask for their advice, and they’ll walk you through everything necessary.

On the other hand, if you don’t have vehicle insurance, you need legal coverage immediately. For drivers in Saint Paul, MN, Rising Star Insurance is a great option.

Should You Provide Your Insurance Information After a Collision?

Posted on by agentinsure

Nobody wants to get into an auto collision, but sometimes it happens. When it does, what are you supposed to do? Do you have to provide your insurance information to the other parties? Should you call the cops?

In any collision, the first and most important thing is to ensure that everyone involved is ok. Check for any type of injuries, and call 911 if anyone is hurt. 

If no one is hurt, then you have a little less stress, and you might ponder the right thing to do. You might wonder if it’s even best to give up your insurance information, especially if you’re confident that you aren’t at fault.

Should you give your insurance information to the other party?

Yes, If you get into a car accident, no matter how major or minor, it’s often a good idea to exchange insurance information with the other individuals involved. That info should also include names, license plate numbers, and driver’s license numbers.

So, when in doubt, exchange information. Also, when in doubt, contact your insurance provider and the police to ensure you take the proper action. In Saint Paul, MN, you must legally report an accident to the police if a person is injured or killed in the collision.

Aside from that, you want to exchange insurance information if any of the following is true:

  • A police report is filed
  • There was an injury
  • There was any amount of property damage
  • You are unsure as to whether or not you should

In general, it’s always ok to provide your insurance information. Still, there are circumstances when it might not feel necessary. So, here’s the one time when you can leave the collision without providing insurance information.

If everyone involved agrees that there are no injuries and that there was no damage, everyone agrees not to file a police report, and everyone agrees that you don’t need to exchange information, that is legal. Even then, it’s ok to exchange information, take pictures, and even file a police report. At the very least, you can still contact your insurance provider to ask for their advice, and they’ll walk you through everything necessary.

On the other hand, if you don’t have vehicle insurance, you need legal coverage immediately. For drivers in Saint Paul, MN, Rising Star Insurance is a great option.

The Best Ways to Protect Yourself While Riding a Motorcycle

Posted on by agentinsure

Riding a motorcycle is inherently more dangerous than driving in a car, truck, or similar vehicle. This doesn’t mean riding a motorcycle is especially dangerous, however. You can mitigate many risks with proper driving practices and taking steps to safeguard your well-being. One of the best steps is to ensure the right motorcycle insurance policy covers you. Contact Rising Star Insurance, serving greater Saint Paul, MN, to discuss motorcycle safety and insurance options.

Let’s take a gander at some things riders can do to make riding a motorcycle safer.

The Proper Gear is a Must

When you ride a motorcycle, you can’t take advantage of much of the safety equipment found in automobiles. Cars and trucks have crumple zones that deflect forces away from passengers in the cabins. The pillar supports can provide protection during a rollover, and airbags can ensure softer landings even with the hardest of stops.

Motorcycles lack many of these safety features. The best piece of safety equipment with a motorcycle is a helmet. With both drivers and passengers, helmets are about 40 percent effective at preventing death. The right jackets, pants, and other gear designed for the road can also prevent or reduce road rash and other injuries.

Not every state requires that riders wear helmets and other gear. However, if you spend a lot of time riding motorcycles, there’s a relatively high risk that you will eventually be involved in an accident. If and when that day comes, a motorcycle helmet and other gear could save your life or prevent serious injuries.

Have the Right Motorcycle Insurance Policy

If you get in an accident, medical bills can quickly skyrocket. You may also be liable for other people’s medical bills, such as other drivers and also passengers. The right motorcycle insurance program can protect you from financial risks. Contact Rising Star Insurance, serving greater Saint Paul, MN, to discuss motorcycle insurance options.

Should I invest in boating insurance?

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Many states don’t require boat owners to carry insurance. However, this doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t or might not be required to carry boat insurance for other reasons. Our team at Rising Star Insurance is dedicated to helping Saint Paul, MN boat owners get the coverage they need.

What is Boat Insurance? 

Boat insurance is similar to car insurance because it provides liability coverage for personal injury and property damage to others. Boat insurance will also cover the repair or replacement of your boat as well. If the damage is covered under your insurance policy, your repairs or replacement will be covered up to the policy’s limits. Liability coverage will pay for any damage or injuries while you’re boating. Your boat is covered for theft, vandalism, damage, and loss or damage of personal belongings. However, some things may not be covered by your boat insurance policy. Towing may be one of those uncovered items. 

Boat insurance isn’t Legally required where I live, but I go Boating all the time. Should I invest in Boat insurance?

Minnesota doesn’t require boat owners to carry boat insurance. However, it’s probably still a good idea to invest in it anyway. Some marinas may require boat owners to carry liability insurance. Also, if you have a boat loan, your lender will probably require you to carry boat insurance until your boat is paid in full. Typically, a lender will require you to carry both comprehensive and collision coverage on your boat until it’s paid off. If you have questions about boat insurance and its benefits, call us. We’d be happy to answer your questions. 

Three Ways Life Insurance Makes Dealing with a Death Easier

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If you’re like most people, you have loved ones in your life who count on you a lot. They could be children, a spouse, aging parents, or other relatives. And ideally, you’ll be around for a long, long time to ensure their lives stay secure, but it’s also essential to prepare for the worst.

You never know what life might bring your way, but the right Saint Paul, MN life insurance policy can help make a loved one’s untimely passing easier for those left behind. Before calling a Rising Star Insurance agent for more information, here are some benefits to consider.

1. It can make a funeral easier to pay for

Like many significant events in life, funerals can cost a pretty penny, even when they’re kept relatively simple. A good life insurance policy can help take the edge off of the associated expenses for your family – something that can be a great relief for those who are grieving.

2. It can help make up for lost income

Life is hard (and expensive) enough these days under the best of circumstances. And anyone who’s ever lost a job or other line of income unexpectedly already knows how devastating that can be – especially if it accompanies other hardships like losing a loved one. Life insurance can help take the edge off any issues caused by income loss, if not dissolve them altogether.

3. It can safeguard your family’s future

Naturally, you’ve got big plans for your family’s future. You want your kids to go to good colleges and for your spouse not to have to spend their old age worrying about money, especially if you happen to pass away first. The right Saint Paul, MN life insurance policy can help keep that future viable, regardless of what might ever happen to you.

Taking out a life insurance policy is hands down one of the best things you can do for your family. Call a Rising Star Insurance agent today to discuss your options!

What Does Covered Peril Mean?

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Business owners in Saint Paul, MN are required by law to obtain workers’ compensation coverage, and they are mandated to carry commercial automobile insurance. Commercial liability is optional but is a choice many invest in to guard against financial loss. 

Covered Perils

Also known as named perils, this is a list of scenarios against which you are covered, and you can usually find these in your policy contract. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with these provisions, as you may need to carefully review the types of insurance you purchase.

For example, if your area is prone to vandalism and your standard property indemnification does not extend to these types of events, you will need to investigate which coverage does. 

Minnesota entrepreneurs can also speak to their Rising Star Insurance agent about adding riders that address certain contingencies. There is also another type of policy known as open perils coverage. With this type of protection, everything is covered except that which is excluded by name.

Named perils coverage is narrower than an open perils policy. You will be financially responsible for anything that falls outside particular parameters, and your business could suffer loss. It’s vital to ensure your indemnities align with the types of exposure you risk in your chosen field of work. 

It’s also often necessary for the business owner to provide proof their loss was due to one of the named perils in the policy. Open perils coverage typically requires that the insurance company prove the incident was of a category on the excluded list before they can deny a claim. 

Rising Star Insurance Can Help

Let Rising Star Insurance put together a tailored insurance package to suit your needs. You can reach us by phone or the internet or stop by our office in Maplewood, MN. We can answer any questions you may have. 

Protect Your Home and Possessions With Home Insurance

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When you are the owner of your home, it is essential that you have a home insurance policy for it. If you don’t have a home insurance policy, you are vulnerable to a number of very expensive risks that are common. It’s highly likely that your mortgage lender requires you to have this insurance so that their investment in your home is protected as well. Homeowners associations also require this insurance. If you don’t have your policy yet, call us at Rising Star Insurance in Saint Paul, MN now.

Why Home Insurance?

Protect Your Home

One of the most important reasons to have this insurance is that it provides coverage for your home. If something happens to your home that damages it, and that incident is covered by your policy, your insurance can pay for the damages to your home. Without home insurance, the costs of those damages would be up to you to pay. This is something that can be extremely costly, and you might be unable to pay for all the repairs yourself. It’s important to always have this insurance for this reason alone. However, the policy comes with other coverages as well. 

Protect Your Possessions

Another type of coverage in this policy is protection for your belongings that are in your home. Like home protection, this type of protection protects a significant investment that you’ve made. It also saves you from extremely high costs that could be yours to pay if something happened to your items and you were uninsured. There are many incidents that can ruin your belongings, and you need this coverage to protect you from these risks. 

Get Your Home Policy

If you are about to buy a home, you need insurance from day one. Give us a call at Rising Star Insurance in Saint Paul, MN.

Common Auto Insurance Exclusions

Posted on by agentinsure

Your car insurance offers excellent protection when involved in an accident — it covers the vehicle and the occupants. While auto insurance offers superb coverage, it doesn’t cover you against all the risks. Like all insurance coverages, your car insurance has limitations and exclusions.

Since Rising Star Insurance wouldn’t want to see you caught flat-footed when filing auto insurance claims, here is what your car insurance doesn’t cover.

Mechanical breakdowns

Is your transmission acting up? Has your engine seized? Your typical car insurance doesn’t cover mechanical failures. You will have to cover these repairs from your pocket.

Commercial use

Are you delivering pizzas for your business? You must purchase commercial auto insurance for your vehicle; otherwise, your car insurance won’t compensate you when accidents happen.

Personal possessions

Car insurance won’t cover the damage or loss of personal stuff in your car. You will have to rely on your home or renters insurance when such losses occur.

Driving outside America

Your car insurance protects you when within the borders of the US. Crossing to another country voids your coverage, but you can consider a “rider” or “endorsement” to cover you in a foreign country.

Unapproved vehicle modifications

If you are customizing your car, it’s important to notify your insurance company. Your insurer assesses your vehicle by assuming its standard equipment, so if you have modifications, they may not be covered when losses occur.

Illegal activities

If your car is damaged when carrying out criminal activities, your insurer won’t come to your rescue. Similarly, if you try to defraud your insurer, your claim will not only be voided, but you can face criminal charges.

Car insurance in Saint Paul, MN

Want to learn more about car insurance? Please get in touch with Rising Star Insurance. We will help you know the basics of car insurance to help you get the most out of your coverage.

Common Auto Insurance Exclusions

Posted on by agentinsure

Your car insurance offers excellent protection when involved in an accident — it covers the vehicle and the occupants. While auto insurance offers superb coverage, it doesn’t cover you against all the risks. Like all insurance coverages, your car insurance has limitations and exclusions.

Since Rising Star Insurance wouldn’t want to see you caught flat-footed when filing auto insurance claims, here is what your car insurance doesn’t cover.

Mechanical breakdowns

Is your transmission acting up? Has your engine seized? Your typical car insurance doesn’t cover mechanical failures. You will have to cover these repairs from your pocket.

Commercial use

Are you delivering pizzas for your business? You must purchase commercial auto insurance for your vehicle; otherwise, your car insurance won’t compensate you when accidents happen.

Personal possessions

Car insurance won’t cover the damage or loss of personal stuff in your car. You will have to rely on your home or renters insurance when such losses occur.

Driving outside America

Your car insurance protects you when within the borders of the US. Crossing to another country voids your coverage, but you can consider a “rider” or “endorsement” to cover you in a foreign country.

Unapproved vehicle modifications

If you are customizing your car, it’s important to notify your insurance company. Your insurer assesses your vehicle by assuming its standard equipment, so if you have modifications, they may not be covered when losses occur.

Illegal activities

If your car is damaged when carrying out criminal activities, your insurer won’t come to your rescue. Similarly, if you try to defraud your insurer, your claim will not only be voided, but you can face criminal charges.

Car insurance in Saint Paul, MN

Want to learn more about car insurance? Please get in touch with Rising Star Insurance. We will help you know the basics of car insurance to help you get the most out of your coverage.

Preparing Your Home for Cooler Weather

Posted on by agentinsure

When the thermometer starts to drop, there are some "to-do" items you can do to prepare your home for cooler weather. This is especially important in a frigid place like the Midwest and Minnesota. Keep the following in mind. These tips are courtesy of Rising Star Insurance serving Saint Paul, MN.

Check and service the HVAC systems.

You should have your HVAC system professionally checked and serviced by a reputable company. That company can tell you if you need any maintenance completed and what to do to get your system into tip-top shape. The reason you should have your HVAC system working correctly is that this leads to greater energy efficiency and overall effectiveness of the system.

Change your home’s filters.

It would be best if you also changed filters around your home before autumn arrives or as soon as possible. That includes the air filters for your HVAC system. That way, your HVAC system will work most efficiently during cold weather.

Check smoke detectors and change batteries.

The change of seasons provides an excellent reminder to check your smoke detectors and change the batteries in them. You want to ensure everything is working correctly throughout autumn and winter. This is extremely important as you work to make your home as safe as possible.

Have supplies like blankets on hand for power outages

You never know when a winter storm or any other reason might cause a power outage in your area. Be prepared by having supplies on hand. That includes blankets, batteries, flashlights, water, and nonperishable food. There are many other ways to prepare for power outages, such as a generator.

Don’t hesitate to contact us at Rising Star Insurance, serving Saint Paul, MN, to get more information about how we can meet your individual insurance needs.