Is having a motorcycle insurance policy a necessity for me?

Riding a motorcycle in the Saint Paul, MN area on a nice sunny day can be a lot of fun. While a motorcycle is often considered a recreational mode of transportation, it is also an important asset that you need to have fully covered by insurance. There are a variety of reasons why having motorcycle insurance in place could be a necessity for you. 

Meet State Requirements

One of the reasons why you need to get insurance coverage for your motorcycle is because it will help you to meet state requirements. Those that operate a motorcycle are required to carry liability insurance at all times. For owners of a motorcycle in the Saint Paul MN area, this type of coverage will provide protection if you are found liable in an accident. Not carrying this insurance could lead to financial penalties or loss of your license. 

Lender Requirements

In many different situations, you will need to take out a loan to purchase a motorcycle. Lenders that provide these types of loans are used to creating loan agreements that will dictate the type of insurance that they have. These requirements will normally require that you meet the state insurance requirements while also making sure that you have a full insurance policy in place to protect against any type of loss. For a lender, this will make sure that they have adequate insurance protection in place to cover their collateral. 

If you have a motorcycle and want to make sure that it is properly covered by insurance, you should speak with the team at Rising Star Insurance. the professionals at Rising Star Insurance will help you better understand your motorcycle insurance needs and make sure that you get the coverage that you need to have. 

What is a state-commissioned, commercial insurance underwriter?

What is a Commercial Insurance Underwriter? How do You Find One in Your State?

Insurance underwriters work in quite a similar function to mortgage or even equity or credit underwriters, for instance, their job being no less thorough and their tasks no less rigorous. Their overall mission is to review multiple applications for insurance coverage and then use risk analysis as the main means by which they can then finalize their decision on rejecting or accepting each applicant, one by one. In any day or week, these professionals can expect to see the data of hundreds of applicants. 

What Kind of Training or Other Credentials Do These Professionals Hold?

Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter, otherwise known as CPCU, is one major professional designation and field of service that many have followed in order to become licensed as insurance underwriters. Another is the Chartered Life Underwriter title, also called the CLU. The Insurance Institute of America offers training for the latter, providing its rigorous program of study to all interested. The American College offers schooling for the CLU.

Other Details to Note

Median annual salaries of appx. $70,000 are what professional certified, locally licensed insurance underwriters tend to make, on average. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics continually updates these statistics. But these figures are from its most recent 2017 findings. Reviewing current clients for continuing coverage is another one of their main tasks. Those insured must continue to qualify or "re-qualify". 

Rising Star Insurance – Great Commercial Insurance in Saint Paul MN

Rising Star Insurance, joyfully serving Saint Paul, MN and beyond, is here for you at any time. Reach out to them directly via web or phone. They’d love to service your needs for commercial insurance, clarifying any doubts you may have as well. Bring your questions or concerns! 

Home Accidents and How to Prevent Them

Rising Star Insurance serving Maplewood, MN would like to discuss home accidents and how to prevent them.

What to do?

Sadly you can hurt yourself in many ways at home, from slips and falls, to sudden fires, to mishaps with cleaning supplies or medicines, especially with small children. The WikiHow site has comprehensive instructions describing how to prevent accidents in the home.  Some of the more important ones are:

  • Keep your living space uncluttered. A toy left on the floor or a loose rug could cause you to slip and fall with harmful results. A wet kitchen or bathroom floor can also be a danger. Keep all areas well lit.
  • Practice sound fire safety. Don’t keep flammable objects near fireplaces or space heaters. Check your electrical system for frayed wires. Install smoke detectors, and have a fire extinguisher ready, just in case. Don’t smoke and have a fire escape plan.
  • Practice kitchen safety. Do not let food go unattended when it is cooking on the stove. Keep knives and other sharp objects out of reach of children.
  • Keep all medicines and cleaning supplies under lock and key.

Be sure to take other safety measures, such as installing carbon monoxide alarms and keeping your sidewalks and driveway clear of leaves and fallen sticks. If you have a backyard pool, put a fence around it. Make sure your back yard is well lit. Keep your porch light on at night, and have important telephone numbers for your primary care doctor, poison control, and numbers of friends and family posted and on the contact list of your smartphone.

For more information on preventing home accidents, feel free to contact Rising Star Insurance serving Maplewood, MN.

What are the Benefits of Classic Car Insurance?

Owning a classic car is a dream for many people in the Saint Paul, MN area. Like any other type of vehicle, you will need to make sure that you have the standard liability insurance coverage in place if you are to take a classic car out on the road. However, you should also have classic car insurance coverage for your vehicle. This is a unique type of auto insurance that will provide you with a variety of benefits.

Coverage Designed for Classic Cars

One advantage of classic car insurance is that it can provide you with additional vehicle coverage. Most auto insurance providers traditionally use an actual cash value or stated value policy to determine coverage levels. This is often not enough coverage given the underlying value of a classic car. With classic car insurance, you can negotiate a much higher coverage level based on the market value of the collector’s item. 

Specialized Services

If you have a classic car, you can also get specialized services that are designed for these older and valuable vehicles. For example, you can get roadside assistance from services that guarantee flatbed towing, coverage for the expensive replacement parts to retain the classic status, and even the ability to pick the repair shop of choice. This will help to ensure your classic car stays in great shape and retains its value. 

If you have a classic car in the Saint Paul, MN area, you should speak to the team at Rising Star Insurance. The professionals at Rising Star Insurance will be able to better explain to you all of the benefits that come with this specialized insurance. We will then help you to get into a classic car insurance policy that provides you and your vehicle with the right type and level of coverage. Contact our offices to receive a quote.

What about taking my RV to another country, like Mexico or Canada?

Traveling to another country is a fun and enriching experience, and RV owners can get the best of both worlds as they bring the comfort of their home away from home. But before you leave Saint Paul, MN, check with Rising Star Insurance to make sure you are protected in case of an accident. 

Especially when you are in a different country with different rules, you want to make sure you have the protection you need and that you know what to do if there should be an accident. 

Some factors to take into account 

It’s better to know your plans in advance for several reasons. One reason is that identification requirements have changed in the last several years and you want to make sure you won’t be turned away for not having the proper credentials. Another reason is that you will base your conversation about insurance on some important variables. 

Among those are questions like:

  • How many days will you be in the other country? 
  • What is the value of your RV?
  • What areas of the other country are you visiting?  
  • Do you want to take advantage of additional coverage for vandalism, theft, and roadside assistance? 

Other country’s requirements 

For instance, in Mexico, you will be required to show proof that your policy complies with Mexican law. Often, this will mean partnering with an insurance company based in Mexico. 

Don’t let the details drag you down and keep you in Saint Paul, MN. If you want to take the trip of your dreams, call Rising Star Insurance so we can help you get the protection you need for your trip. 

What are my motorcycle insurance requirements?

One of the most exciting forms of transportation that someone can own is a motorcycle. When most people own a motorcycle, they envision themselves on the open road driving at high speeds and enjoying the nice weather. However, a motorcycle is also a very valuable asset that needs to be adequately insured. For those that are in the Saint Paul, MN area, many factors should be considered when trying to figure out their motorcycle insurance requirements. 

State Laws

Similar to most other states, people who operate motorcycles in the state of Minnesota are required by law to carry a minimum level of liability insurance. In this state, you will be required by law to carry bodily injury liability coverage of at least $60,000 per incident with a $30,000 per person cap. Additionally, you also need to have property damage liability coverage of at least $10,000 per incident. It should be noted that this coverage only provides protection to the other party when you are deemed to be at fault in an accident. 

Lender Requirements

If you have taken out a loan to purchase a motorcycle, there are additional lender requirements that you need to think about when you are looking for a motorcycle insurance policy. Since lenders want to make sure that they are secured by their collateral, you will want to make sure that you have a full collision and comprehensive policy in place. This will provide you and your lender with a variety of types of coverage losses. 

If you are in the Saint Paul, MN area and are in need of insurance for your motorcycle, you should speak with the team at Rising Star Insurance. The professionals at Rising Star Insurance will be able to work with you to make sure that you get the right insurance for your situation. 

Should You Keep Boat Insurance All Year Long?

Seasonal Boat Coverage in Minnesota

As summer comes to a close, if you are a boat owner, you may already be thinking about canceling your boat insurance in Saint Paul, MN. While this is a common thing to consider around this time of year, it is not the best thing to do. In fact, here at Rising Star Insurance, we recommend you keep your boat insurance all year long for a variety of reasons. These are just a few of them:

  • Damage can happen even when your boat is in storage. Even if you take your boat out of the water for winter and winterize it, there is still a potential for damage occurring to it over the course of the winter. If you do not have insurance on it during this time and you find the damage when the weather gets warmer, you will be stuck with the bill for the repair.
  • Someone can steal your boat any time of the year. Stranger things have happened and the last thing that you want to happen while you are not focused on your boat is for it to be stolen right out from under you with no way of paying for its replacement. During the winter, you may not even notice it is gone and it could be long gone by summer.

Now that you know why you should keep your boat insurance, you are more likely to think twice about canceling it as soon as the weather starts to get colder. If you already have it in place, we can take a look at your current policy to make sure there are no gaps in coverage. If you do not have it in place, be sure to reach out to us here at Rising Star Insurance, serving Saint Paul, MN, today so we can get you a free quote.

Protect Your Legacy with Umbrella Insurance in Saint Paul, MN

What would you do if you lost a court decision for slander, libel, or anything else? Depending on your lifestyle and your occupation, this might not be an outlandish scenario. There are hundreds of ways an outside actor could put your assets at risk. Unfortunately, your commercial or home insurance may not cover all of these events. Ask your Rising Star Insurance agent how you can protect your Saint Paul, MN home and business with umbrella insurance today.

How it Works

Umbrella insurance covers you if you have to pay damages due to a legal judgment. If someone sues, umbrella insurance can pay for your legal costs or court costs you are ordered to pay, thus protecting your assets. When you protect your wealth, you’re ensuring the future for your spouse and children who still depend on you or protecting your legacy for future generations.

Umbrella Insurance Coverage

Once your basic liability insurance is exhausted or if it’s an event that’s not covered by your basic liability insurance, the umbrella policy kicks in. A claim is made against you as a policyholder, then your insurance will pay a settlement not exceeding your total coverage. You’re responsible for paying the rest.

Without umbrella insurance coverage, you could lose your house, car, investments, and retirement accounts. If your business is subject to this risk, umbrella insurance provides protection for your family against the loss of your business, home, and other assets.

Contact Us

Feel free to call your Rising Start Insurance agent at 651-379-2788 for your umbrella coverage and other insurance needs in Saint Paul, MN. Feel free to ask any questions you may have and make an appointment for a quote. Your agent can help you with questions on other types of insurance as well.

 

Is Your Life Insurance Policy Really Enough?

Having life insurance can give you peace of mind and help provide security for your family. But is the policy you have providing enough coverage? Is it the right one for you? Those are important questions, and working with a knowledgeable agent at Rising Star Insurance can help you get answers you can count on. With the opportunity to get information and quotes from multiple companies, you can choose the policy that’s going to be the best fit for your needs. Some people need more coverage than others, and some have special situations or requirements they want to meet. No matter where in the Maplewood, MN area you live, you want to make sure you work with a company that will protect you the right way.

Whether your life insurance policy is enough often depends on your family situation, but there are additional considerations to address. A lot of people get life insurance when they start a career or a family, and then they just keep that policy. They don’t make any changes to it, meaning the policy doesn’t grow and change as their family grows and their life changes. What was enough for them at a young age with a spouse may not be enough for them at an older age with a spouse and two or three children.

It’s important to update and review a policy when things change in life to make sure the current coverage is still the best option. At Rising Star Insurance, we serve the Maplewood, MN area and are ready to help you get a life insurance policy that meets your needs or make changes to the existing one you have so it’s a better fit for your current life situation. Reach out to us today, and make sure your family is protected financially when your time comes.

Insuring Your Vintage Automobile

An antique vehicle requires specific insurance, especially if it is a collectible. An antique car is usually over 45 years old. When repairs are made, it is essential to keep all the parts in alignment with the specifications of the original manufacturer. There are many things about insuring an antique vehicle that differs from insuring a newer automobile, which includes:

  • Insurance values for antique vehicles usually increase, rather than decrease, over time.
  • Antique collectible vehicles are rarely driven because they have greater value with low mileage.
  • Some insurance policies for antique vehicles place restrictions on where the vehicle can be driven, such as only in car shows, at parades, or other special events.
  • Because they are not driven very much, if they are put on display, they need to be transported by truck and be insured during transport.
  • The insurance company underwriter and the antique car owner need to agree on the replacement value price. This can sometimes be determined from a price achieved by a recent auction of a similar vehicle.

Antique cars are different than vintage cars and classic cars. Vintage cars are usually ones that were made during the 1920’s and 1930’s. Classic cars are at least 20 years old and not more than 40 years old. Vintage vehicles can also be antique cars; however, not all antique cars are vintage cars. Ask your agent at Rising Star Insurance in Saint Paul, MN if you have any questions.

The good news is that even if an antique car has a high replacement value, the fact that it is infrequently driven can keep the insurance premiums at a very modest level. Antique vehicles are typically stored in a garage and continued to be restored, rather than spending much time on the road.

If you own an antique car or are planning to buy one, contact your agent Rising Star Insurance, serving Saint Paul, MN, and the surrounding area, to get a quote for new coverage or to upgrade existing coverage. Our agents are waiting to help you get started.