Unfortunately accidents in Rochester, MN happen. They happen in cars, airplanes on motorcycles, even an ATV, which is considered to be one of the safest vehicles to ride. An ATV has four wheels, isn’t typically ridden on a busy road, so yes they are safe, but only when the appropriate safety measures are used. Most ATV accidents happen as a result of rider negligence, substance use and indiscipline. To ensure you are a safe rider, here are 3 ATV safety tips to keep in mind before riding.

No Paved Roads

ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) are made for off-road riding and paved roads are not made for ATVs. Even experienced riders can have difficulty controlling an ATV on a paved road. There are automobiles, buses, motorcycles and pedestrian crossings on paved roads, which mean there is a higher possibility of a collision occurring. Many of the fatalities that insurance agencies, such as Safechoice Insurance Agency encounter is from those that occur from ATV riding happen while on paved roads, so never ride on a paved road.

Do Not Drink and Drive

One of the most important rules of the road is to never drive while intoxicated and the same rule applies to ATV riding. Whether you are riding in an open field or through the woods, riding an ATV while intoxicated can be fatal. Alcohol and/or drugs impair your perception and judgment, both of which can result in fatal injuries when trying to maneuver a vehicle, especially an ATV.

Wear the Right Gear

Proper ATV gear is critical, especially when you are riding on rough terrain or through the woods. To ensure you protect your body while riding, you should wear a helmet, goggles, gloves, knee and elbow pads, long pants and a long-sleeve shirt or jacket.

If you are new to riding ATVs, it is extremely beneficial to take a training course. A training course can teach you how to ride correctly as well as how to avoid unnecessary accidents. ATVs are typically designed for one rider, so stay safe by never carrying passengers.

Residents of Rochester, MN who want to learn more information about ATV safety and reviewing their current insurance coverage should contact Safechoice Insurance Agency.

 

When you hear the term toy insurance, your first thought might be of toy trains, classic Barbies or a collection of Beanie Babies. Toy insurance does not cover that kind of toys. In this case, toys refer to motorsports equipment, off-road and recreational vehicles and various watercraft that Safechoice Insurance Agency of Rochester, MN can help you insure.

Most people think of jet skis or snowmobiles as items they’d insure with toy insurance. It applies to many other types of vehicles, too.

Land Vehicles

With respect to land vehicles, toys include all sizes of campers, motorhomes, and trailers. Insurance for antique, classic and collector vehicles, also falls under this category. All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), dune buggies, golf carts qualify, as well as the aforementioned snowmobiles.

Watercraft Vehicles

Under the designation of watercraft, jet skis and sailboats qualify, too. More specifically, you can insure water toys meeting the following criteria:

• any personal watercraft,
• watercraft up to 26 feet in length,
• sailboats up to 40 feet in length and 200 horsepower.

What It Covers

You can obtain both liability and/or physical damage coverage for most vehicles. The exceptions are campers and trailers. For these two categories, you can only obtain physical damage coverage only.

Even adults want toys, but grown-up toys like ATVs, jet skis and boats require to insure since they carry a measure of danger with their use. Contact Safechoice Insurance Agency of Rochester, MN to learn more about how toy insurance can provide you with both the property damage and liability coverage you need. We can help you ensure you can repair any damage to your grownup toys.

Every business owner knows that in order to protect their business they need to have commercial insurance. Commercial insurance is a broad category that includes many types of coverage. Some types of commercial insurance, such as worker’s compensation to protect employees for on-the-job injuries, may be required by law. Other types of insurance are needed to protect commercial property and vehicles. All businesses need general liability. Some need product or professional liability coverage.

By working with your agent at Safechoice Insurance Agency, serving Rochester MN and nearby communities, business owners learn about other forms of coverage that most businesses need.

Here are a few insurance types to consider:

• Coverage for Defamation Lawsuits: Defamation is the legal term for damage caused to a person’s or organization’s reputation. This damage may be caused by slander, which is by public speech or by libel, which is by print or media publication. America is very litigious. Lawsuits are filed against businesses for all kinds of things. A lawsuit for damages caused by defamation may seem to come out of nowhere. In America, anybody can sue anybody for anything. Even when a business has done nothing wrong, the legal expenses to defend against lawsuits can be very substantial.
• Coverage for Terrorism and Mass Shootings: This has become a serious risk for many businesses in America that interface with the general public. Think about the mass shooting that happened in Las Vegas. The hotel used by the shooter for the attack is potentially liable for the deaths and injuries of so many people. That incident is still under litigation and the lawsuit will continue for years.
• Coverage for Cyber Attacks: Cyber attacks are on the rise. Almost all businesses need to use the Internet and therefore they benefit from insurance coverage for damages caused by cyber attacks, which can be in the many millions for each business.

Make an appointment to discuss any special insurance needs for your business with your agent at Safechoice Insurance Agency in Rochester, MN, to get a commercial insurance evaluation and recommendations for adequate coverage.

Life insurance offers an effective way to minimize the effects of an untimely death on your family. In addition to this significant benefit, are the many ways that it can work as an investment instrument to help you save for retirement or prepare for college expenses. If you are now changing your focus from the immediate needs of your family to your future financial requirements, the team at Safechoice Insurance Agency, serving the greater Rochester, MN area, can help you navigate the sometimes choppy waters that can occur as you build your financial portfolio. 

Now Is a Great Time To Learn About the Many Financial Benefits of Life Insurance

As you grow older your life insurance and financial needs can change. While you are in your peak earning years, especially if you have a young family, your main financial goal is likely providing for your family in the event of an early death or other tragedy. As your children grow older and you plan for their college years while also looking ahead to your own retirement, you may wonder just how much life insurance you now need. While the purpose that your life insurance may serve may change, its importance to your overall financial health will remain strong. With a whole life policy, you have a number of different options for financial growth within the life insurance policy itself and the payout. Variable rate policies are another great way to further enhance your portfolio while keeping pace with inflation and the growing cost of living rates.

Is it time to take a more active role in building your financial portfolio? Call the team at Safechoice Insurance Agency today to learn more about your financial options in the greater Rochester, MN area.

Toy insurance is insurance for an asset that you have that isn’t a typical car or home. This may be for a jet ski or some other similar asset. If you were to lose your item then you could be set back financially. An agent at Safechoice Insurance Agency can help set you up with the right toy insurance policy for your specific needs.

It can be difficult to determine exactly what toy insurance will cover in Rochester, MN, because it will depend on the item. If your toy is something that can be driven, such as a motorhome, golf cart, dune buggy, various boats or personal watercraft, its insurance policy will generally include liability insurance for both bodily injury and property damage, as well as collision and comprehensive coverage. Liability insurance will protect you if your watercraft or other vehicle gets into an accident with someone else who is also operating a vehicle similar to yours. Liability will help pay for any injuries or damages caused by the accident, but it will not pay for damage to your own toy. This is where collision coverage and comprehensive coverage come in. If you are in an accident and have damage to your own toy, then collision coverage will help pay for the damage. If your toy is damaged by an event unrelated to an accident, then comprehensive coverage will pay for these costs.

If your toys are on the collectible side and don’t need liability, comprehensive or collision coverage, you can get additional insurance that helps pays for damages above what your homeowner’s insurance would already pay for. This can cover damages beyond wear and tear and any property theft, even if your toys are outside your home.

Contact an agent at Safechoice Insurance Agency, serving Rochester, MN, to get a quote for toy insurance.

Navigating today’s health insurance landscape can feel stressful and overwhelming. The team at Safechoice Insurance Agency in Rochester, MN is here to help you find the appropriate policy to meet the needs of your family. There have been many recent changes to the ACA as well as private insurance policies, and it is likely that there are more to come. While finding an appropriate insurance family for yourself and your family is already challenging, it becomes even more so when a member of your family has a pre-existing condition.

Health Insurance Options for Clients with a Pre-Existing Medical Condition

Many Americans receive their health insurance from their employer or that of their spouse. However, if you are self-employed or own a business you are likely insured through a policy that you found in the open marketplace. While many Americans qualify for policies through the ACA program, there are certain situations when private insurance is a better option. There are certain protections in place that can help you to find the coverage that you need, even when you currently have an ongoing medical condition. Working with a professional insurance agent can help you to learn more about the different policies that are available to people with a pre-existing condition that do not have employer-supplied health insurance.

We Can Help You Find Health Insurance Coverage

The team at Safechoice Insurance Agency is here to help guide you through the sometimes complicated process of choosing health insurance. If you or a member of your family have a pre-existing medical condition, the task can become even more involved. Call or stop by today and meet with one of our knowledgeable agents that are here to provide your insurance needs in the greater Rochester, MN area.

Life insurance is often advertised as being for those who support their families. Take for example a person who is the sole income earner and takes care of his spouse and five children. This type of person would definitely want to buy a life insurance policy. By having this type of policy, the guy can rest easy at night knowing his family will be financially protected in the event something was to happen to him. 

But what about babies? Do they need life insurance? Since they do not work and provide money to anyone, why would they need a life insurance policy? Here’s the truth, though. Buying life insurance for your baby is one of the smartest investments you can ever make. Here at Safechoice Insurance Agency serving the Rochester, MN area, we would like to explain why buying life insurance for a baby is a wise decision. 

You Can Lock In Cheap Rates

The younger a person is and the healthier he or she is, the cheaper life insurance is going to be. For babies, it is incredibly easy to lock in a very low rate. If you buy a policy now for a baby, they can then grow up with a life insurance policy that has a high payout and a very low premium. This allows them to rest easy knowing they have something to leave behind to their children. 

The Payout can be Maximized

Many life insurance policies come with the ability to be doubled several times throughout the life of the policy. When a small life insurance policy is bought for a baby at a low rate, it is not uncommon for there to be an option to double the payout multiple times.

If you would like to learn more about buying life insurance for a baby, please contact Safechoice Insurance Agency serving the Rochester, MN area. 

Ecommerce businesses have a different set of needs than traditional brick and mortar businesses, and their insurance policy needs to reflect this. Insurance is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and an agent at Safechoice Insurance Agency serving Rochester, MN can help you determine the best policy for you.

Many businesses in today’s world could benefit from cyber liability and data breach insurance, but for online businesses it’s even more important. Ecommerce businesses usually get a lot of information about their customers in regards to their shopping habits and it’s not just their credit card information. A cyber liability insurance policy will help cover the costs if you do experience a data breach.

Consider different types of business interruption insurance as well. There is a standalone policy that will provide income for a set period of time if your business has to shut down. There is also a policy that is packaged into cyber liability insurance and will help provide income if your computer systems are compromised. 

Workers compensation insurance is still necessary if you have employees working for you. Even if they are just answering phones and emails, they could still be at risk for injury and you will have to pay out of pocket for any associated costs.

Ecommerce businesses either sell products or provide services, so there are a number of polices that protect against product and service failure and it’s important to find one to protect your business.

A general liability policy is still important for ecommerce businesses. It goes just beyond if someone slips and falls in your store, because it also protects your products. Any ecommerce business that sells products could be liable to their products causing problems, whether that’s a skin condition from clothes or a small child choking on a small plastic piece. An umbrella policy can also be useful to give extra liability coverage.

Contact Safechoice Insurance Agency serving Rochester, MN to get a quote on commercial insurance.