Safe Biking In Saint Paul, MN

People in other states think they’ve seen serious winters. In Saint Paul, MN, we’ll take out the beach balls, parasols, and sunbathe by frozen lakes when March rolls around. So the winters here are serious business, and we’re pretty sure Rising Star Insurance and a dozen other providers will back us up on that. So here’s how you don’t become a statistic biking on Minnesota’s frozen roads:

More Space!

When riding on frozen roads, the golden rule is always "more space!" More space to stop your bike, more space between vehicles, more space in every situation. The more space you have, the safer you’ll be out on the road.

Pull Over

You’re used to snowy roads, we get it, but there’s snow, and then there’s snow. If you’re dealing with blizzard conditions and low visibility, the best option may be to pull over the next time you get a chance and wait for the worst part of the storm to blow over before continuing on your trip. Hunker down in a diner or gas station, and stay warm and safe until you can make the rest of the trip.

Consider Skipping The Trip

Snowy roads are dangerous enough for drivers. It goes double for bike riders. If you’re looking at serious storm conditions, ask yourself if you really need to ride up the road for a pack of beef jerky right now.

Beyond that, experience on icy roads goes a long way. The more time you spend riding in Saint Paul, MN, the better you’ll be at it. Rising Star Insurance can cover you should something happen, but best case scenario is that nothing happens in the first place.

Am I required to get boat insurance in Minnesota?

After purchasing a new boat to use on the lake, you probably don’t even want to think about issues like legal liability or government red tape. Although having liability insurance is not mandated by Minnesota’s government, you should always have insurance to cover possible accidents that disrupt your fun. Keep in mind that it is obligatory to have your boat titled. You can find great deals on boat insurance with Rising Star Insurance if you live in the Saint Paul, MN area.

Homeowner’s Insurance Will Not Cover Your Boat

If you are like most boat owners, you will leave your boat parked in your driveway or garage for most of the year. You may also assume that it will be covered in the event of a disaster by your home’s insurance policy since it is on the property. For most boats and insurance policies, this is not the case since policies will cover a very minimal amount. If you have a boat that is worth upwards of $10,000 or more, you will need to take out a separate boat insurance policy.

Take Boating Classes

Not only will boating classes teach good habits and keep you much safer on the water, but it will also reduce the amount you have to pay for your insurance plan. Even the DMV of Minnesota highly recommends that boat owners take safety courses so that they will save money on insurance.

In many other states, boat insurance is required, and that may be the case in the future in Minnesota. Apart from legal responsibility, it is a good idea to have your legal liability covered so that you don’t end up in hot water. You may save big bucks on your insurance plan by consulting with Rising Star Insurance if you live in the Saint Paul, MN area.

Three Reasons Umbrella Insurance Is Essential for Homeowners

Saint Paul, MN residents who currently have a homeowners insurance policy that does not feature umbrella insurance may think that umbrella insurance is simply not for them. After all, it’s a common misconception that only the wealthy can purchase umbrella insurance as it is supplementary and not mandatory.

However, this is indeed a misconception. Here are three reasons why umbrella insurance is essential for all homeowners — regardless of your income.

1. It provides liability coverage for your home.

Someone can actually sue you if they are injured on your property and claim that your negligence caused their injury. Umbrella insurance provides coverage for medical bills in these cases and can also provide financial aid for your legal defense.

2. It provides liability coverage for car accidents.

In addition to providing liability coverage for your home and accidents that may occur there and result in lawsuits, umbrella insurance also offers coverage for auto accidents. For example, if you are at-fault in an auto accident and someone sues you, medical bills and legal coverage could be provided by your umbrella insurance.

3. It’s not expensive.

The last reason you should consider umbrella insurance for your homeowner’s insurance policy is that it’s not generally that expensive. Most of any claims you make will be covered by your first-tier homeowner’s insurance plan, so premiums for umbrella insurance are usually not expensive.

Contact Rising Star Insurance Today

If you are a Saint Paul, MN resident, Rising Star Insurance can help you find an umbrella insurance policy that meets your needs. We serve residents of White Bear Lake and the St. Paul area. Speak with one of our agents today about your umbrella plan options by giving us a call or stopping by our nearest location. We look forward to working with you!

Are There Different Types of Life Insurance?

Life insurance is something that we have all thought about at one time or another, but it is also something that very few of us fully understand. Though it would take far too long to explain it in detail, knowing what basic types of coverage are out there can help make the entire process of understanding a bit simpler. The agents with Rising Star Insurance, in the Saint Paul, MN area, can help you find the perfect coverage for your situation.

Term Life Insurance

There are two basic types of life insurance; the first is term. This means that the insurance policy is good for a specific term. This means that the policyholder can only use the coverage during a specified term. The term can be anywhere from 5 to 30 years and is ideal for younger individuals and those in certain situations. If you pass during this time, your beneficiaries will receive compensation for your death.

Whole Life Insurance

There is also something called whole life insurance. With this type of insurance, the insured can receive benefits from their passing at any point in their life. This is the type of insurance that most people want to have as there are no limits on when coverage can be used. The issue with this kind of coverage, however, is that this is going to cost more than term life insurance, but if you can to pay this sort of premium, it is more inclusive than term coverage.

If you have any questions about what type of coverage you might need or if you want to learn more, you can always talk to an agent about what is available and have your questions answered. The agents with Rising Star Insurance Brokers in the Saint Paul, MN area can help you get started with a life insurance policy right away.

Should All Businesses Get Commercial Insurance?

If you own a business in Saint Paul, MN, you are likely to have an insurance policy to cover functions of your business. Companies come in different sizes, yet almost all of them sign up for insurance policies to cover their assets. The real question is if every business needs to get commercial insurance versus simply personal insurance plans. Regardless of the type of insurance you need, Rising Star Insurance will keep you covered.

The Need For Commercial Auto Insurance

If your business needs a large fleet of vehicles that are regularly used, commercial auto insurance would be the clear winner. If you have just one or a few cars that are used for occasional or non-essential tasks, you are probably better off with standard personal car insurance. Keep in mind; personal insurance typically won’t cover damage to products or personal injuries when transporting goods for business purposes.

Property Insurance

Property insurance is a class of commercial insurance that every small or large business should get. Not only would it cover damage done to your building in the event of a disaster, there are other more specific insurance policies for certain aspects of your business. For example, you can take out a policy to cover your boiler system, insurance to cover the windows in front of your store, or even builder’s risk insurance to cover damage during the construction of your new office.

Malpractice Insurance

Everybody has heard of malpractice insurance used for doctors, but it can also be applied to other professionals that are accused of making grave mistakes. High-class professionals like dentists, accountants, real estate agents, and others should consider malpractice insurance to cover lawsuits.

In reality, most businesses should have some kind of commercial insurance if your company is worth a significant amount. If your business operates in the Saint Paul, MN area, you may find what you need with Rising Star Insurance. Reach out to our agents to have all your questions answered.