The Ins and Outs of Umbrella Insurance: Tips and Tricks

Rising Star Insurance is a trusted insurance team serving the Saint Paul, MN area with various policies. For example, we can provide strong umbrella insurance policies for businesses like yours. If you’re not sure what they include, here’s what you need to know.

How Umbrella Insurance Helps You

Umbrella insurance is a type of extra liability coverage that extends your payments beyond your basic limitations. For example, if you get sued for more than your policy can cover, umbrella protection will kick in, and you will pay the rest (up to your policy limits). That makes this an excellent investment for just about every Minnesota business, including high-risk companies.

What Your Policy Likely Covers 

An umbrella insurance policy typically extends your liability to provide even better protection. It will cover multiple things, which will keep you safe from various risks and issues. These include problems as diverse as:

  • Customer or employee injuries 
  • Property damage caused by your business 
  • Lawsuits experienced by your company 
  • Other types of personal liability issues 

Things It Might Not Cover 

While an umbrella policy is diverse and covers many issues, they don’t protect you in every way. That’s natural because all policies have limitations, and umbrella insurance won’t cover the following:

  • Intentional actions that result in losses or damages, such as a fistfight 
  • Criminal actions (such as committing fraud and getting caught)
  • Liabilities assumed in a signed contract (the contract negates your policy)
  • Any personal liabilities that you experience in your personal life 
  • Liabilities caused by war or armed conflicts – obviously quite rare

We’re Here for You!

Our team at Rising Star Insurance can help Saint Paul, MN businesses get the umbrella insurance that makes the most sense for their needs. Over the years, we’ve built a strong reputation and will do whatever we can to ensure you get protection.

Adding Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage to Your Motorcycle Policy

Driving in Saint Paul, MN, offers gorgeous views, especially after a winter snowfall. It also means you need auto insurance to protect yourself on the road, and Rising Star Insurance can help. 

Minnesota Insurance Options Other States Don’t Offer 

Minnesota allows its drivers to add a type of coverage that some other states do not – underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. Adding this to your motorcycle policy protects you from loss when the party who damages your bike or injures you does not carry enough insurance to cover your medical and repair bills. Here’s how it works. 

Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Every driver on the Minnesota roads carries auto insurance, but sometimes, a person’s policy lapses. Other drivers might only purchase the minimum auto policy. Either way, if they hit you or another driver and cause injury or vehicle damage, their insurance won’t cover all the damage. 

Underinsured motorists don’t have enough insurance to pay for damages in an accident they cause. Uninsured motorists either let their policy lapse or do not purchase insurance. You can buy underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage, though. It pays for our medical bills and vehicle damages or replacement when an accident occurs, regardless of whether the underinsured motorist’s insurance pays. 

Contact Our Office Today

Contact Rising Star Insurance, serving the Saint Paul, MN area, for more information on upgrading your auto insurance. If you have minimum coverage, enhance it with underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. Also, consider comprehensive and collision coverage. Call or email us today for an insurance review so you can carry the insurance that will keep you safer on Minnesota’s roads. 

Four ways your boat insurance policy can make your life easier

Owning a boat involves some financial risks that boat owners need to address by purchasing the right insurance policy. At Rising Star Insurance, we offer insurance coverage to boat owners in Saint Paul, MN. 

A boat insurance policy can cover the costs of legal representation in the event of a lawsuit.

If you get in an accident in your boat, you could face a costly lawsuit. In such a situation, the costs of legal representation could be extremely high.

With boat insurance, you can get legal costs covered to maximize your chances of a favorable outcome in a lawsuit. 

A boat insurance policy can pay for wreck removal costs.

You might not realize how expensive it can be to remove a damaged watercraft from the water after a bad boating accident.

Boat owners are typically held liable for the costs of removing their damaged vessel from a body of water if it becomes destroyed. Fortunately, boat insurance policies typically include wreck removal coverage that pays for such an expense. 

A boat insurance policy can make it easier for boat owners to find a marina where they can store their boats. 

It might be impossible to find a marina where you can store your boat if you don’t have insurance coverage. Marinas typically require insurance coverage, so you’ll find it much easier to dock your boat if insured. 

A boat insurance policy can make boating less stressful.

When you insure your boat, you can enjoy boating without worrying about the financial consequences of getting involved in an accident. This makes it less stressful to spend time out on the water in your watercraft. 

Insure your boat in Saint Paul, MN, with our help at Rising Star Insurance. Call us or visit our website to learn about our policy offerings and to get a quote on a boat insurance policy. 

Why Should You Update Your Life Insurance Policy After Having a New Baby?

Welcoming a new baby into your family is a joyous and life-changing event. However, it is important to consider changing your life insurance. Rising Star Insurance is here to help highlight the crucial reasons why you should take this vital step after your bundle of joy arrives.

  1. Increased Financial Responsibility: The birth of a child brings an increased financial responsibility. From diapers to education and everything in between, the costs add up. Updating your life insurance policy ensures that your family is financially secure if something happens to you or your spouse.

  2. Protecting Your Child’s Future: Life insurance isn’t just about covering immediate expenses. It’s also about securing your child’s future. By updating your policy, you can ensure there’s enough coverage to pay for their education and other needs, even if you’re not there to provide for them.

  3. Adjusting Beneficiaries: With the addition of a new family member, you may want to adjust your beneficiaries to include your child, ensuring they are taken care of should the unexpected occur.

  4. Reviewing Coverage Amounts: Your existing life insurance coverage may have been adequate before, but with a growing family, it’s essential to reevaluate the coverage amount to meet the new financial obligations and goals.

  5. Estate Planning: If you haven’t already, having a will in place is crucial when you have children. Coordinating your life insurance with your estate planning can help ensure your child is protected and provided for as you wish.

Rising Star Insurance, serving the greater Saint Paul, MN area, can assist you in making the necessary adjustments to your policy, ensuring that your growing family is protected. Don’t delay; take this essential step to secure your child’s future today.

What advantages come when I carry a commercial insurance plan?

Being a business owner is a goal for many people in the Saint Paul, MN area. When you start a business here, you must do your best to protect the organization. A way that all people can do this is by getting the right insurance for the company. Insurance policies provide a lot of benefits to the property owner, your company inventory, and your employees.

Cover Business Assets

A reason to ensure you have a commercial insurance plan when building a business is to protect your assets. When you create a business, you will have assets to acquire. This can range from inventory to office equipment to major capital equipment. In any situation, you need a commercial insurance plan to ensure you have support to repair or replace the items if you incur a loss due to a covered risk. 

Manage Liability Risks

Getting a commercial insurance plan to manage your liability risks is also a good idea. A business owner is going to take on many liability risks if they serve clients. A great way to manage these risks is by getting a commercial insurance plan, including liability coverage. This will provide great financial support if you are found liable for an accident. 

Those in the Saint Paul, MN area who want to get insurance will need to ensure they speak with someone they can trust. Our insurance team with Rising Star Insurance knows the value of commercial coverage and can help you create a new plan. When you call our professionals with Rising Star Insurance, we can give you the support you need to build your next policy.

Life insurance FAQs

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. 

Tips to prepare your boat for a storm

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.

How umbrella insurance supplements your home and auto policies

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.

The Best Ways to Protect Yourself While Riding a Motorcycle

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.

Should I invest in boating insurance?

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.