Fall Hazards: Risks and Safety Tips for Homes and Businesses

Fall weather can create new hazards around homes and businesses, from wet leaves and slippery walkways to ladders, poor lighting, and early frost. Learn practical ways to reduce seasonal risks and prepare your property for the changing conditions ahead.

Kids Going Away To College: Insurance Changes Parents Should Consider

Sending a child away to college is exciting, but it can also create new insurance questions for parents. Before move-in day, it is a good idea to review auto, homeowners, renters, health, and liability policies to see what may need to change.

Understanding General Liability vs. Professional Liability

Whether you're just starting your business or have been running it for years, understanding the types of insurance your business may need is critical to managing risk. Two of the most common forms of business insurance are general liability and professional liability. While they may sound similar, they address different types of exposures and serve distinct purposes.
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Umbrella Liability Insurance

Back-to-School Insurance: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

High school aged kids walking into a school As the back-to-school season approaches, the excitement of a new academic year fills the air. Parents are busy shopping for supplies, students are anticipating meeting new friends and teachers, and everyone is settling into the routine that comes with the school year. However, amid all this excitement, there's an important aspect of preparation that often gets overlooked-insurance.

Contractor or Full-Time Employee?

Whether you specialize in carpentry, web design, or accounting, the availability of online resources and professional networks enables almost anyone to engage with potential clients and manage essential day-to-day business tasks independently. This growing pool of freelancers and self-employed professionals has simplified the process for employers, making it easier than ever to hire independent contractors to fulfill specific business needs.
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RV Insurance Basics

Having adequate RV insurance is essential to protect your investment and peace of mind while traveling. As with auto insurance, your rates are based on the make and model of your RV, your driving history, and other factors. You may have the option to add RV coverage to your regular auto insurance, but this isn't always recommended. Because your RV is both a home and a vehicle, it may require specialized insurance to provide the right kind of coverage. Each person's RV insurance needs are unique, so choose a policy tailored to your specific requirements and budget.
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Personal Umbrella Policy Basics

person at laptop with umbrella Personal Umbrella Policies are liability insurance policies with very high limits of protection, typically starting at $1,000,000. They are designed to add a layer of protection above other kinds of personal liability coverage such as the liability protection found in a personal auto, homeowner or boat insurance policy. These kinds of policies are meant to protect you should you be deemed legally responsible for injury to persons or property. Personal injury can include non-physical injury like libel or slander.

Renters Insurance: Necessary and Affordable!

Whether you're living in a rental temporarily or over the long term, renter's insurance is a vital coverage for you and your family. Here are two key ways this type of insurance protects you:

Medium Sized Business Insurance Basics

We've said it before: the distinction between a small and large business is somewhat arbitrary. At what point in the business growth life cycle do you cross over? One way to answer the question is when your business no longer qualifies for a Business Owners Package Policy. The BOP bundles up several kinds of insurance protection in one policy. But as business become larger the risks they pose become more varied and difficult to address in one policy.
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What's the difference between a Homeowner's and a Condo Owner's policy?

There are several types of structures that people call home. Houses have always been popular, but condos are attracting the attention of more people in recent years. Both can provide a home, but the two have different characteristics and require different coverage.

Think renters insurance is only for your "stuff"? Think again!

Clients often think they don't need renters insurance — "Nothing I have is worth that much," they'll say, or "I don't have a lot of stuff."

Homeowner's Insurance, Part 1: Back to Basics

Homeowner's Insurance, Part 1: Back to Basics For any homeowner, a robust insurance policy is a must. But if you're new to homeownership, or if you're thinking about updating your policy, you may not know much about what it does and doesn't cover, along with how to find the best policy for you and your family.

Auto Liability Insurance: How Much Should I Have?

A common question when considering the auto insurance purchase is "How much liability coverage should I have?"

Liability insurance? How this investment can protect your family from the unexpected

umbrella

Self-Driving Car? Someday...But Not Today

13 Essential Auto Insurance Tips for Human Drivers

Flying Drones Safely: Some Clarity amidst the Buzz

A growing colony of recreational drones is taking over our skies. There are millions of them. Literally, millions.

Checklist for Home Insurance

Did you know that one in 15 insured homes has a claim each year?

Yard Sales Can Be Fun and Profitable, but Make Sure You Have Enough Insurance Coverage

A yard sale is a great way to clean out your home, make a little money, and do some good for the environment by providing a second life for your possessions. But your enterprise could get expensive if someone gets hurt on your property and decides to sue, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

Swimming Pool Season

Insurance for Pools So you're thinking of buying a pool and imagining those lazy, hot summer days when you'll get to slip into the cool water, sunbathe, play with the kids, and invite friends and neighbors to share in your good fortune. But there's more to owning a pool than just the fun stuff. Make sure that it's truly something you want and are willing to put in the work to maintain. Here are a few things to consider before you "dive in" -no pun intended.

If Someone Slips on an Icy Sidewalk in Front of My Home or My Business, Am I Liable?

This winter, it's important to shovel and salt your sidewalk to make sure you don't fall into a lawsuit. Depending on the circumstances, you could be held liable if someone slips and falls on snow or ice in front of your home or your business.

Fall Proofing: Preventing Falls Inside and Outside of the Home

According to the World Health Organization, falls are the second leading cause of accidental injury deaths worldwide. Falling disproportionately impacts adults age 65 and older, and can lead to serious injury, further health problems, decreased quality of life, and a loss of independence.
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Does a Liability Only Personal Auto Policy Provide Enough Coverage?

Almost all states require drivers to carry Personal Auto Liability insurance, but does liability insurance provide enough coverage for every driver? Not necessarily. Liability insurance is designed to cover the damages caused to other people and their property due to an auto accident with your vehicle. Liability coverage doesn't pay to repair damages to your own vehicle.

Liability Insurance: Do you have enough?

Do you have enough liability insurance?

Drone Safety

5 Dos and Don'ts of Flying a Drone

Auto Insurance Part One: Mandatory Coverage

Eric Rongstad

The Bouncy Castle Conundrum

Enormous inflatable bouncy castles also known as bounce houses are often seen at kids' birthday parties and the like. They're colorful, bulbous enclosures where cake and ice cream filled youngsters can jump to their hearts' content, burn off some of the manic sugar buzz, and one would presume stay out of harm's way. In recent months, however, what once seemed to be a benign source of entertainment for the young and young and heart has come to be regarded as a menacing, potentially injurious if not deadly choice for party-day entertainment.
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Holiday Party Hullabaloos: Are You Prepared?

The invitations have been sent, the hors d'oeuvres ordered, the house decorated, and the liquor cabinet replenished. You're ready to host a fabulous holiday party! Before you open the front door to a flurry of friends and family, however, make sure that you have the necessary insurance in place.
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Home Improvement Projects: Are You Properly Insured?

Summer in Minnesota is prime time for home improvement projects. Whether you're repainting your home's exterior, replacing the roof, adding on, or constructing a new patio, a home improvement project can not only beautify your home and add to its overall comfort, but also significantly increase its value. Don't undermine your considerable efforts by failing to get the proper insurance, or you may end up having to fork out much more than you planned in the event of an accident.
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