FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions about Auto Insurance
Stewartville, MN
Minnesota Auto Insurance Facts
- The car in the rear in the accident is not automatically at fault
- Independent witnesses are the best resources to determine liability
- MN law does not require comp or collision coverage, but your lienholder will
- There is no “grace period” beyond the premium due date
- Your agent is not required to call you to remind you that your premium is due
- Your MN policy provides coverage outside the state, any where in the US and Canada, but not Mexico
Auto Insurance
What is auto insurance?
Auto insurance is a way of sharing the risks of driving between you & your insurance company. The way it works is simple. You pay a set premium to an insurance company for coverage and in return, the company promises to pay for specific financial losses that might occur during the term of the policy. Most people rely on auto insurance to protect themselves against loss in the event of an accident. In MN you must carry basic insurance to cover the cost of losses you cause to others in an accident. If the unexpected happens, insurance will give you the peace of mind in knowing you are protected.
What are the major factors that affect auto insurance rates?
Age and gender of driver, driving record, use of car, garaging address, number of vehicles, coverages & limits, deductibles and the type of car
Does my auto insurance cover other drivers?
While policy language varies from company to company, auto policies generally cover anyone given permission to drive your auto. Normally all coverages remain in effect, regardless of the driver. Permission is automatically granted to all members of your household unless a driver is specifically excluded from your policy.
What is No-Fault Coverage?
No Fault coverage is a very misunderstood term. The No Fault law is a MN law. It was created to help ease the burden of courts and to ensure prompt treatment for accident victims. No Fault covers your medical costs, wage loss, replacement services such as housekeeping and in the event of death $2000 in funeral expenses. Minimum coverage is $40,000-$20,000 Medical and $20,000 non-medical. Higher coverages can be purchased. No Fault coverage does not apply to motorcycle or snowmobile policies.
What are Uninsured motorists and Underinsured motorists insurance?
Uninsured motorists (UM) coverage applies to bodily injury to you, your family and other occupants of your vehicle when hit by an uninsured motorist or a hit and run driver. It also covers you and your family if injured as a pedestrian when struck by an uninsured motorist or a hit and run driver.
Underinsured motorists (UIM) coverage increases the bodily injury protection you and the people in your car up to the amount of coverage you purchase. It becomes effective when the party causing an accident has lower bodily injury limits than your UIM limits. The maximum paid is the difference between the two limits.
What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage on an auto policy?
Comprehensive losses or other than collision pays for damage to your auto resulting from fire, vandalism, water, hail, glass breakage, falling objects, civic commotion or hitting a bird or animal.
Collision coverage pays for physical damage to your auto caused by your auto colliding with an object, another vehicle or an overturn. Collision coverage will pay to repair your vehicle up to the amount equal to the value of the vehicle before the accident.
Homeowners Insurance
What is homeowners insurance?
Property insurance that covers private homes. It provides protection against most risks to your property, such as, fire, theft and some weather related damages.
Who is the insured?
The insured is the person, group, or property for which an insurance policy is issued.
What is replacement cost?
Coverage A, also known as dwelling coverage is the estimation of the replacement cost of the physical structure of your home.
What is coverage B, Other structures coverage?
This is the portion of your home insurance policy that covers the cost of rebuilding/repairing the additional structures on your property. Includes, detached garages, sheds and other detached buildings on your property.
What is coverage C, personal property coverage?
This is the limit that the insurance company will pay out in the event of a covered loss involving personal property.
What is coverage D, loss of use coverage used for?
The loss of use coverage reimburses you for additional living expenses while you are living away from your home because your home is unfit for living due to a covered reason of loss.
What do medical payments, coverage F, cover?
Medical payments, pay the medical bills for people accidentally hurt in your home. It also pays for people hurt away from your home by you, your household members or by your pets. Covers the cost of minor injuries without the need for a third party to sue for reimbursement.
Why does my homeowners policy include personal liability coverage, also known as coverage E?
Accidents happen…liability coverage pays when you are legally obligated for damages that occurred as the result of something that happened on your property. Unlike other coverages included in the homeowners policy, personal liability does not have a deductible.
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?
No, your homeowners policy does not cover protection related to flooding. You need to purchase a separate flood policy to cover flooding.
What is a deductible?
A deductible is the amount of money in which the insured party must pay before the insurance company’s own coverage plan begins.
What is Total Replacement Cost of a homeowner’s policy?
This is defined as the cost to replace an entire dwelling of equal quality and utility. This square foot valuation method generates a total replacement cost for the residence. The prices use labor, materials, overhead, profit and fees that are currently in effect prior to the incidence of loss. Companies vary from 100-140% of the insured value.