Residents of Saint Paul, MN count on Rising Star Insurance when they need an independent insurance agency that can meet all their insurance needs. Our team is knowledgeable and can answer any questions that you may have about life insurance.  

Can I get life insurance without a physical exam?

Yes, you can. Whole life insurance policies don’t require a physical exam. This is insurance for the long haul and is usually more costly than term life insurance, but it also earns dividends. Some companies advertise term life without a physical, but it will be more expensive, and it is usually for smaller amounts of life insurance. 

Do I need my own life insurance if I get life insurance at work?

Life insurance from an employer is a great benefit. But letting your employer be in control of something as important to your financial future is not the best option. You should purchase your own life insurance in the amount that you know you will need and consider the work insurance as a bonus. 

How do I know how much life insurance I need?

Having an independent insurance agent who knows you and your needs is helpful. The purpose of life insurance is to provide for your dependents if your income is taken away. You need to multiply your income by the number of years you think you will need to provide for. If you have a large mortgage, that is a consideration as well. 

Do I need life insurance if I have no dependents?

If you have enough money in your checking account or savings to pay off any debt you have and pay for your final expenses, then no, you don’t. 

If you live in or near Saint Paul, MN, Rising Star Insurance can help with all of your life insurance needs. We are available to help with any questions you may have. 

The storm season here in the Saint Paul, MN area can be problematic for boat owners. Preparing your vessel for an incoming storm is essential to protect it from the strong winds and heavy rains that can accompany it. Here are some tips from us at Rising Star Insurance to help you get your boat ready: 

1. Secure all loose objects on board – Anything not tied down should be securely stowed away in a dry location, such as an enclosed cabin or storage locker. Be sure to secure any items that could become hazardous during rough conditions, including large sails, fishing tackle, and boating supplies. 

2. Disconnect the battery – Unplugging the battery is always a good idea before a storm arrives so your electronics won’t be damaged by a power surge caused by lightning strikes or strong winds. 

3. Remove covers and tarps – These items are designed to protect your boat from the elements, but they can also act as sails when faced with gale-force winds, potentially damaging your vessel or other nearby boats in the marina. 

4. Inspect the hull – Make sure there are no cracks or gaps in the hull that could let in water during bad weather. If necessary, patch up any areas of concern before heading out on the water again after the storm passes. 

5. Invest in insurance – While you can take steps to minimize damage from storms, it’s best to have adequate coverage for your boat so you don’t want to worry about expensive repairs or replacements if something goes wrong during bad weather conditions.  

For more tips, call us at Rising Star Insurance today. We are proud to serve the Saint Paul, MN area.

Despite our best intentions, accidents happen, and that is why you buy insurance. However, some people don’t have the right insurance or the right combination of insurance and coverage. The team at Rising Star Insurance serves Saint Paul, MN, so we want to ensure you are familiar with umbrella insurance and how it can protect you and your family.

Minnesotans experience severe weather, so consider what might happen if someone fell on your property or you were at fault in an auto accident involving serious injuries. In either situation, the liability for those injuries could exceed the amount covered by your home or auto policies, leaving you responsible for the remainder. In the worst case, that could mean the loss of your savings, home, or other assets.

That is where umbrella insurance kicks in by covering amounts over your standard policies’ limits. Of course, most policyholders never need to use their umbrella insurance, which makes these policies relatively inexpensive. In addition, umbrella insurance covers the "What Ifs" and provides peace of mind knowing your family is fully protected.

Besides your home and auto liabilities, umbrella policies can cover legal and court costs. Umbrella insurance doesn’t cover your personal property, business losses, fraudulent actions, or contractual obligations, but it provides an extra layer of protection by covering amounts over your standard policies.

Knowing you and your family are protected is comforting in a world where anything can happen. So, if you live in Saint Paul, MN, and want to discuss how umbrella or other insurance offers protection, the team at Rising Star Insurance stands ready to help. Call us today to look at the options that make the most sense for you.

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.

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. 

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!

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. 

When loved ones depend on you, it’s always important to have life insurance. These policies have two main types, each with pros and cons. If you don’t yet have life insurance or want more than you have, please give us a call at Rising Star Insurance in Saint Paul, MN to find out more and to get started. 

Whole Life Insurance

This is a popular type of policy as one of the main types of life insurance. It gets its name because a policy lasts for your whole life. It can’t be canceled as you get older if you keep paying the premiums as agreed. Even the issuing company can’t cancel your policy if you keep paying. This type of policy is more expensive, but many people appreciate that it doesn’t expire and can keep it even into their old age. A whole life policy also builds up a cash value. Policyholders can borrow against this sum if they need to. 

Term Life Insurance

A term life policy works much differently. It is suitable for only a set period, often about 20 years, and expires after that term. It does not build up a cash value but is less expensive. Many people find this an affordable way to keep a life insurance policy. Once the policy expires, it will be up to the former policyholder to apply for a new policy to keep life insurance. 

Choosing Your Life Insurance Policy

When you choose between a whole life and a term life policy, it can be helpful to talk to an insurance agent. If you need life insurance, call Rising Star Insurance in Saint Paul, MN to get started with a policy.

 

When you own a boat, you probably also own other watercraft. You might own a jet ski or two, a Seadoo, and athletic gear like water skis. You probably also own a canoe or kayak. They all need insurance, but did you know that you can insure them under your boat insurance policy from Rising Star Insurance?

The same boat insurance protects you while you navigate the waters of the lakes near Saint Paul, MN. While you don’t need a separate policy to protect all of the items you own, you need to list them all in your insurance policy. The list of property you provide to our insurance agent and the cost of your purchase of each of those items forms the foundation of our calculations for your premiums. Still, it also includes the basis for the property amount that your policy covers.

What That Means to You

Let’s say you buy a boat, a Seadoo, and a Kawasaki Jet Ski. You insure the boat for its purchase price of $150,000, but you leave off the Seadoo and jet ski. Even if you transport the three items on the same trailer and an accident damage them all simultaneously, your policy only covers the items named in it so that it wouldn’t cover the other watercraft. That means you’d lose about $14,000 that you would have to pay out of pocket to replace it.

Contact Us

Contact Rising Star Insurance serving the Saint Paul, MN area, for a boat insurance policy that covers all of your watercraft. We can help you obtain coverage for every watercraft you own, so you can avoid an expensive out-of-pocket cost if you have an accident.

Motorcycle insurance is a must for all riders. But with so many policies to choose from, which one is the right one for you? Here are tips to help you choose the right policy.

1. Get to Know Your State Requirements

All states have minimum requirements for motorcycle insurance, but you should know what they are so that you can make sure your policy meets them. If it doesn’t, you could be found uninsured if pulled over or involved in an accident with another vehicle. In MN, the state requires at least bodily injury liability up to $30,000/$60,000 and property damage liability of at least $10,000. Liability covers another person’s medical expenses if you are deemed responsible for an accident.

2. Understand the Coverage Type

There are many different types of coverage, and it’s important to understand the differences. Bodily injury liability covers another person’s medical expenses if you are deemed responsible for an accident. Personal injury protection (PIP) will pay for your own injuries or that of your passengers regardless of who is at fault. Property damage pays for repairs to another vehicle in an accident you caused. Collision pays for repairs to your own bike after a collision, and Comprehensive covers the cost of stolen or damaged parts on your motorcycle not involved in an accident.

3. Look at the Deductibles

Deductibles are the amount you pay before insurance kicks in. The higher your deductible, the lower your cost, but if you choose a high deductible and an accident occurs, it could be quite costly out of pocket. You may also want to consider who your motorcycle policy covers as well as your policy.

There are plenty of options when it comes to motorcycle insurance. Make sure you understand your state requirements and choose a policy that fits your needs and budget. Looking for motorcycle insurance in Saint Paul, MN? Rising Star Insurance is here to help. Call us today for a free quote.