Are My Teenage Kids and Friends Covered On My Auto Policy? What You Need To Know

Understanding the ins and outs of auto insurance can be challenging. The language and terminology can sometimes be difficult to interpret. But don’t worry. The experienced team at Rising Star Insurance, serving the Saint Paul, MN area, is here to help you understand what your policy covers and what it doesn’t.

Our customers often ask, “Does my auto policy cover my teenage kids and their friends?”

According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, if you lend your car to a relative or a friend, and they have an accident and get injured, their injuries will be covered by their policy if they carry an automobile insurance policy. If they don’t have coverage, the benefits will be covered by your policy.

Secondly, if your vehicle is damaged, your damages are covered as long as you have comprehensive and collision insurance coverage. The details can become more complicated depending on who caused the accident. We are always available to help you work through such information.

What is Comprehensive and Collision Insurance?

Required auto insurance in Minnesota includes Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Liability, Uninsured, and Underinsured coverage. Collision and Comprehensive are two optional types of coverage that provide additional protection.

  • Collision: This is insurance coverage that pays for damages to your vehicle if you are in an accident with another vehicle or object.
  • Comprehensive insurance covers everything not covered by accident or collision coverage, including fire, theft, and falling objects.

Get The Right Saint Paul Auto Insurance Today

Auto insurance offers excellent coverage when you, a family member, or a friend are driving your vehicle. Contact Rising Star Insurance, serving the Saint Paul, MN, area, today.

The Insider’s Guide to Saint Paul Auto Insurance

Comprehensive Insurance: A Shield Against Local Perils for Minnesota Drivers

Traversing Saint Paul, MN’s traffic can be daunting, with our area’s seasonal weather changes ranging from endless summer road construction to icy winters causing cars to skid off-road. The good news is that comprehensive auto insurance from Rising Star Insurance in Saint Paul, MN, can provide local drivers protection against numerous local risks. This blog post will outline the importance of safeguarding your vehicle with this type of insurance.

The Perks of Auto Insurance in Minnesota

Many Minnesota drivers initiate their auto insurance with a liability-only policy, just sufficient to meet basic state requirements. However, investing in comprehensive auto insurance is paramount to secure enduring peace of mind. This policy provides coverage for collisions, thefts, and natural disasters, including local or seasonal flooding from the Mississippi River, whether you’re at fault or not.

A Community Centric-Approach

Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your Minnesota auto against natural disasters, thefts, collisions, and flooding. At Rising Star Insurance, we understand the unique requirements of Saint Paul Area’s drivers and are here to help! Our key to success is offering a community-centric approach that focuses on meeting local drivers’ specific needs.

Speak with a licensed insurance professional at Rising Star Insurance today to learn more about your options for liability insurance, comprehensive and collision insurance, and other policy enhancements like emergency roadside assistance.

Do You Need to Change Your Auto Insurance When You Move to St. Paul, MN?

As a new St. Paul, MN resident and car owner, it’s a good idea to determine whether you should add "switching car insurance" to your to-do list. Whether you’re a long-term resident of St. Paul, MN, or a new one, our team of insurance professionals at Rising Star Insurance in Saint Paul, MN is happy to help you navigate the auto insurance field. You might not need to change it depending on where you initially held your auto insurance policy. We’ve compiled some useful information below to show you whether it’s time to change auto insurance in the middle of your move.

Do I Need to Switch Auto Insurance Policies When Moving to St. Paul, MN?

If you were already a Minnesota state resident, you can keep your auto insurance the same if you’d like. Of course, if you moved across the state, switching to an auto insurance option with an office closer to your new residence may be more convenient. What’s more, you’ll have local help if you run into an issue with your auto insurance or need to file a claim. This can give you extra peace of mind and comfort. 

You only need to change your car insurance policy if you move to Minnesota from out-of-state. Even if you’re coming from a nearby neighboring state, you’ll need to switch to a local insurance carrier. Although this can feel like a hassle, our team has helped many out-of-state residents obtain local car insurance. We do our best to make finding the right auto insurance policy a breeze.

For a quote or more information, call our office at Rising Star Insurance in Saint Paul, MN!

Should You Provide Your Insurance Information After a Collision?

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?

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.

Common Auto Insurance Exclusions

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

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.

Does your auto policy provide the features you need?

If you are a resident in the greater Saint Paul, MN metro area, it’s time to get to know the team at Rising Star Insurance. We are proud to serve the insurance needs of our community and would welcome the opportunity to work with you. Auto insurance policies’ features have changed significantly over the years, and now is a perfect time to double-check that you have the coverage you need!

Choosing the right features for your auto policy

If it’s been a while since you’ve looked at the features available with auto policies, you may be surprised by all of the benefits that currently come with car insurance. 

One of the more exciting features you may be interested in is the Declining Premium. With this feature, you can have the cost of your premium reduced over time as long as you maintain a safe driving record. 

Another popular feature is Roadside Assistance. This allows you to take to the road knowing that you have a backup if you experience a breakdown or another similar type of mishap. 

In most cases, both of these features can be added to your policy. And if it’s time for you to review your current auto policy, it makes sense to take a look at the available features simultaneously. 

There are many great ways that your auto policy can protect you, and not all of them have to do with damage or collision protection.

Find out more today!

Call us if you are in the Saint Paul, MN area and are looking for help with your insurance needs. Rising Star Insurance is here to help you find the right insurance for your needs. Call or stop by today!

It’s time to review your Minnesota auto insurance policy

Saint Paul, MN area residents can rest assured that the team at Rising Star Insurance is here to meet all of their insurance needs! We encourage all of our clients to review their policies regularly to ensure that they still provide the necessary coverage. If, after your review, you find that it’s time to make some changes to your auto policy, give us a call!

Now is a perfect time to review your auto insurance policy

Many folks automatically review their auto insurance policies year after year without giving it much thought. While this might be an okay thing to do for a while, if a significant amount of time has passed since you’ve taken a close look at your policy, now is the time for a full review!

Don’t let complacency cause future problems that can be easily avoided! And, if, when you sit down for that review, you’re not sure what you’re looking for, don’t give up. Call us today if you can’t make heads or tails of your policy or would just like a bit of help. A local agent who understands our community and the insurance needs of our residents can be a fantastic resource for you.

Don’t procrastinate until your coverage is completely outdated! Review your policy regularly and ensure that your protection is in-line with your needs. You may be surprised at how much those needs have changed.

Find out more today!

Rising Star Insurance is here to serve all of the insurance needs of the metro Saint Paul, MN area. If it’s been a while since you have taken a close look at your auto policy, give us a call today! We are here to help you.

How to Avoid Auto Insurance Scams and Be Safe

Buying auto insurance is paramount in protecting you from the uncertainty of accidents. However, you should also be careful to avoid sales scams because fraudulent agents, real and fake, take this opportunity to scam unsuspecting drivers. If you reside in Saint Paul, MN, Rising Star Insurance is a reputable and trustworthy insurance agency to help with all your auto insurance needs.

The following is how to be safe from auto insurance scams in 2021.

Look Out for Accident Scams

Scammers sometimes stage an accident scene very carefully with fake witnesses and legal advisors for made-up testimonies. It will be hard for an innocent driver to tell the truth about what happened with the combined effort of the scammers. In case of an accident, immediately request an official report to ensure the scammers don’t exaggerate the damage on their cars for a bigger claim.

Referral Frauds

Never provide personal information to anyone without verifying their credibility. Research the agent and the agency as there are many rising cases of auto insurance scams from referrals and other unsolicited sources. The state’s insurance department has a website where you can find licensed and reputable agencies.

At Rising Star Insurance, our agents are ethical, licensed, and legally permitted to provide auto insurance services to our clients.

Insurer Tricks

Sometimes cheap can turn out to be very expensive in the future. There are some fake agents who put ads online claiming to sell cheap auto insurance policies. If you invest in them without doing proper research, you might not realize the missing premiums till time to claim. Some unethical insurance agents may also add things you didn’t ask for to your premiums or coverages to get an extra commission, and it ends up costing you.

Car accidents are very stressful, especially if you don’t have a good insurer. That’s why you should always conduct in-depth research about a potential insurance agency before buying an auto policy. At Rising Star Insurance serving Saint Paul, MN, we value our clients, and that’s why we go above and beyond to ensure they get exactly what they need. Call us for quality auto insurance services and don’t fall victim to a fake agent’s scam.