Most people in the Little Falls, MN area are very aware that they need to have auto insurance in place at all times. However, the process of researching and picking a policy can be a complicated process. There are several things that you need to know about auto insurance to ensure you get into a great policy. 

Coverage that is Required 

When you are shopping for auto insurance, the first thing that you need to understand is what type of coverage is required for your situation. All drivers in Minnesota will need to have liability insurance at all times. While it may not be required by law, many drivers will also need to have collision and comprehensive insurance if they have a loan out against their car. It is important that you know what your personal requirements are. 

Responsibilities

You should also fully understand your policy and responsibilities when you are shopping for insurance. This can include understanding how your deductible will work. The deductible is the amount of money that you will have to pay out of pocket before you can file a claim. Knowing this information will come in handy if you are ever in an accident. 

It is very important that you choose the right auto insurance policy for your Little Falls, MN car. When you are trying to find the right policy for your current or next car, the best place to turn to is the Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. When you contact the team at Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. you will receive the expert advice that you need to get into the best auto insurance policy possible for your situation. This will ensure that you are covered with the right amount and from a good provider. 

Life happens, and when it does your car insurance rates could go up as a result. There are things you can do to make them go down as well. The Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. of  Little Falls, MN can help you sort out your rates, and help you find ways to make your cost lower.

Insurance companies often check your driving record when it is time to renew. If there are speeding tickets or other moving violations, your rates could go up. More serious matters like a DWI will certainly make your rates increase. Minor incidents will go away eventually, but repeated offenses, like repeated speeding tickets, will only make matter worse. Other criminal activity, non-driving related, could also increase your rates.

If you are at fault in an automobile accident, that could also make your rates go up. Filing any kind of claim can increase your rates. Also buying a more expensive car, or a more high-performance car could also make your rates go up. As people get older their rates may go up.  If your credit score declines, or if you move, are also factors.

On the other side, a good driving record can help keep your rates down. If you have teenagers, their rates may go down if they complete a safe driving course. Adding safety features to your car also helps and choosing a car that is not a sports or luxury vehicle will also help. Generally avoiding things that make your rates go up is the best strategy for keeping rates as low as possible.

Call or visit the Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. today in Little Falls, MN to get the best insurance rates on your car. We are here to answer your questions and help you get the best policy for your situation.

Many people in Little Falls, MN, and surrounding areas approach auto insurance by considering the minimum required amounts of coverage. At Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. we want you to know why you should consider the opposite approach. Minimums get you on the road, but having more insurance is far more beneficial.

The Problem with Too Little Insurance

As a no-fault insurance state, Minnesota requires all drivers to carry PIP car insurance. Unfortunately, a single accident can cause damages far beyond the minimum coverage amounts.

If there’s an accident, you can make a claim against your PIP coverage. If that’s not enough to cover all proven damages, you can then press a claim against the other driver’s insurance. Here is where things can go wrong. A single car accident can lead to expenses that skyrocket far beyond what you and the other driver’s insurance coverage can deal with.

The Problem with Too Much Insurance

The danger of too much is insurance comes with costs. True, your policy can probably cover literally any eventuality, but you’re likely overpaying for it. You can increase your liability coverage, add on additional packages of all types, and increase their coverage limits as well.

You probably don’t need extreme amounts of coverage. In addition, having that much coverage can make you a target for people who want to try to sue you for as much money as possible.

The Reason You Need the Right Amount of Insurance

You need to find a balance that fits your budget and your needs. No two people have the same insurance needs. Your coverage options will depend on your lifestyle, vehicle, risks, and whether you own the car or not. To figure it out:

• Start with the minimums
• Underinsured / Uninsured motorist
• Collision / Comprehensive

Look at umbrella options and other insurance policies that you can benefit from. Generally, you should consider having as much auto insurance coverage in Little Falls, MN as you can comfortably afford. At Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. we can help you find the right amount of insurance for your needs.

There are many different factors that can affect your car insurance rates. Here at Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. serving Little Falls, MN. we are often asked if the value of your car will affect your rates. Here is what you need to know about this topic. 

Does the Value of Your Car Affect Car Insurance Rates?

Many people are worried that if they buy an expensive car, their car insurance rate will increase. They worry about how the value of their car will affect the rate, if at all. The value of your car can affect your car insurance rates. However, the value of your car is not the only factor that affects your rates. Two people with the same driving record, and with two different cars with the same value may still have two very different car insurance rates. 

What Other Factors Affect Car Insurance Rates? 

Aside from your driving record and the value of your car, there are a few other factors that can affect the price you are quoted for car insurance rates. One such factor is the theft rate for the type of vehicle you have. Another factor is how much repairs are, on average, for the make and model of car you have if it is involved in an accident. The number of miles you drive and the address where the vehicle is housed can also affect how much your auto insurance rates are. 

The value of your car can affect your auto insurance rates, but many other factors can as well. If you are in the market for a new auto insurance rate, Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. serving the greater Little Falls, MN. area can help. Contact us today to inquire about a quote and to learn what factors can affect your car insurance rates.  

For many parents in Little Falls MN, having a new teen driver in the house can be an exciting, yet stressful event. It’s only natural that you worry about their safety. As the parent of a teen driver, it is your responsibility to teach them how to be responsible and safe drivers. One of the most important things to do to ensure your teen is a responsible driver is to maintain auto insurance on their vehicle. To make sure you get the best coverage for your teen, here are 3 common mistakes to avoid when it comes to insurance for your teen driver.

Carrying a Low Deductible

The deductible is the amount paid before a claim with the insurance company will kick in. In most situations, carrying a higher deductible lowers your premium costs. The rates for teen drivers are generally higher, so having a high deductible also means high savings on the cost of your teen’s auto insurance premium.

Carrying a Policy Separate From Parents

One of the first options you will have when insuring your teen is whether or not to get a policy that is separate from yours. Many parents think that if they purchase a separate policy for their teen, the rates for their vehicles will not go up. While this is partially true, the rate for a teenager’s policy will be significantly higher for several reasons. First, they will have single policy coverage, which means there will not be a discount for multiply cars on the policy and in many situations; you will have to buy a high risk policy. In the long-run, it will cost more to purchase a separate policy than to include your teen on your policy.

Not Taking Advantage of Discounts for Teen Drivers

One of the most costly mistakes to avoid is by not doing your homework. By simply talking with your insurance provider about the discounts your teen may qualify for, you can have a significant amount of savings on the premium. Some of the discounts your teen may qualify for include:

• Good student discount (for getting good grades)
• Driving a vehicle with both driver and passenger air bags
• Automatic seatbelts discount
• Safe driver (no violations for a specific period of time)
• Take a driver’s education class

When it’s time to insure your teen’s vehicle, be sure to take your time and compare your options. Talk with your current insurance provider about optional policies. Along with ensuring your teen is properly insured, it is also important to talk with your teen about the rules of road and being a safe driver.

Residents of Little Falls, MN who want to review or upgrade their current insurance policy should contact Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc.

 

Folks in Little Falls, MN who are really watching their dollars can be forgiven for being a bit reactive to costs. After all, if there is a way to squeeze a bit more out of an expense, it should be a followup. However, in the world of auto insurance, cheapest is not always best. In fact, it works the opposite. A low-cost policy more often than not means low coverage, and that could be a big financial mistake overall. The problem has to do with liability. Just because one has a low-cost policy doesn’t mean that liability goes away and gets taken care of entirely by an insurance provider. Where a party is responsible for an accident and his policy doesn’t cover all the costs of recovery, the party can still personally be held responsible for the outstanding difference. And that can translate into wage garnishments, liens and more ugly tools of the collection after a judgment is awarded in a Little Falls, MN court.

No surprise then, a more comprehensive policy that provides greater coverage overall actually can save a person money if liability is found and has to be addressed, according to Hanneken Insurance Agency, Inc. A larger policy may cost a bit more in premium, but if it fully addresses the costs of a recovery, than it actually helped a party avoid more out of pocket expenses from auto accident risk. To find out more about how comprehensive insurance helps solve accident problems better, given the expert staff at Hanneken Insurance Agency, Inc. a call. They can walk you through examples, showing why just focusing on cost isn’t the best approach overall with auto insurance.

Anytime you are away traveling, your home becomes a target for burglars and thieves. But this is especially more common during the holiday season, when thieves are looking to hit homes that may have gifts inside of them. Here are a few tips for Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. serving the Little Falls, MN area, on how to keep your home safe when you are traveling for the holidays. 

Avoid Announcing Plans on Social Media

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when it comes to holiday traveling is announcing your plans over social media. Thieves and burglars may read these posts and you become an easy target. And you may think the post is hidden or secured, but this is not always the case. 

Keep Gifts Out of Sight

Another tip for protecting your home is to keep your gifts out of sight. Don’t place a slew of gifts right under the window. Also, be mindful of throwing out boxes and packages. If a thief sees you bought a 65 inch television or expensive laptop or tablet due to the box in the trash, your home may be targeted. 

Put Your Lights on a Timer

The last tip for keeping your home safe when traveling for the holidays is to put your lights on a timer. This ensures your home is not constantly dark and black, which are tell-tale signs that you are away on a trip. This can throw a thief home and prevent you from becoming a victim. 

Protecting your home helps to provide you with peace of mind and helps to prevent you from filing a home insurance claim for theft. If it has been awhile since you last looked at your home insurance coverage amount, now is a great time to ensure your home is still properly valued and your coverages do not need to be increased or decreased. Contact Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. serving the Little Falls, MN area today to have a professional look over your home insurance policy or write you a new one. 

One of the biggest purchases that most people will ever make is a new or used car. Since a car is such a valuable investment, it is very important that you keep it properly insured. For those that are from the Little Falls, MN area, there are several types of auto insurance coverage that they made need with their auto insurance policy.

State Requirements

In the state of Minnesota, all drivers will need to have two types of liability coverage on their insurance policy. The minimum requirements include coverage for property damage and bodily injury. The property damage minimum requirements are $10,000 per incident. The bodily injury minimum coverage requirements are $30,000 per person with a total of $60,000 in coverage per auto accident.

Other Requirements

While there are basic levels of insurance coverage required in the state of Minnesota, these levels of requirement often are not enough for drivers. The basic requirements only provide coverage for liability and do not provide the driver with any coverage for themselves or for their vehicle. In many situations, a driver will also be required to have collision and comprehensive insurance coverage on their insurance policies to stay compliant with an auto loan or lease requirements.

Collision coverage will provide coverage for your vehicle in the event you are at fault in an accident or in an accident with an uninsured driver. comprehensive coverage will provide you with a range of other types of Auto coverage that will cover for theft, vandalism, storm damage, fire, or an accident with an animal.

When looking for coverage in the Little Falls, MN area, meeting with Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. could be a great option. Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. is a leading consumer insurance agency that will be able to provide you with more insight into your auto insurance needs and provide you with an insurance quote.  

 

When you suffer from a serious car accident in Little Falls, MN, it is possible that you may need to get your car totaled. When that happens, your insurance company may either refuse to pay the cost or cover only part of it. We at Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. are here to help you understand why this happens and how to avoid it.

Coverage Is Affected By What You Owe

When your car is totaled in a car accident, the insurance company will pay the actual cash value for your vehicle. This amount is the market value of your vehicle before the crash. As a result, it is possible to end up getting less than you owe on the vehicle. For example, if you owe $10,000 on a vehicle that is worth only $7,000, your insurance company won’t make up the $3,000 difference.

Car Value Can Vary

The value of a car will change very quickly over the years. The longer that you own the car, the more quickly the value you will drop. It will also decrease as other types of damage occur on the vehicle. For example, if you suffer from a front-end collision that requires you to put in a new engine, the value of your car will decrease. As a result, you may end up either getting denied for totaled coverage or get caught picking up the slack.

How Gap Insurance Can Help

Gap insurance is designed to fill in the gaps when your insurance company won’t or can’t cover your totaled car. It will kick in to pay the rest of the money you owe on a totaled car and help you get the high-quality replacement that you deserve.

Covering Your Vehicle Successfully

If you are worried about the potential of a serious accident totaling your car, please contact us at Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. to learn more. We can help Little Falls, MN get the gap insurance they need to keep their car fully insured.