Small Business Health Insurance: Understanding Health Insurance Categories

Small business health insurance is vital for the well-being of you and your employees. Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. can help you navigate this process and make the right choice for your Little Falls, MN team.

Categories of Healthcare Plans

Choosing the right plan can be daunting, but understanding the basic categories can simplify the process. Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) offer great flexibility in choosing healthcare providers, while Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) can be more cost-effective but limit choice. Other options like Point of Service (POS) and Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) plans sit in between.

  • Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs): These plans offer significant flexibility when choosing healthcare providers. They do not require referrals from primary care physicians to see specialists; they provide coverage both in and out of their network. However, the coverage is usually greater when using in-network providers.
  • Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs): These are typically more cost-effective than PPOs but limit the choice of healthcare providers to those within the HMO network. They require referrals from a primary care doctor to see a specialist. Out-of-network care is usually not covered, except in emergencies.
  • Point of Service (POS): These plans are a hybrid of HMO and PPO plans. They require you to choose a primary care provider within the network but also provide some coverage for out-of-network care. Referrals are typically needed to see specialists.
  • Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO): These plans provide a network of providers to choose from, like PPOs. However, they do not cover out-of-network care (unless in an emergency), similar to HMOs. They also do not require referrals to see specialists.

Navigating the complexities of small business health insurance in Little Falls, MN can be challenging. Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. is here to help.

 

Four key steps when you buy farm insurance

Farm owners in Little Falls, MN should understand the importance of insuring their property. Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. offers farm insurance coverage and can meet your insurance needs. 

There are a few steps that consumers should go through before purchasing a farm insurance policy. Here are four key steps when you buy farm insurance. 

Identify the risks of your farm operation.

Before buying farm insurance, you need to identify all the significant financial risks you should be insured against. In addition to considering risks, you should also identify any types of insurance coverage that your farm operation is required by law to carry.

Determine which types of coverage you need.

Farm insurance differs from other types of insurance because of its various coverage types. For example, farm insurance can include coverage for livestock and crop damage. Farm insurance can also include machinery coverage and outbuilding coverage.

Explore your options so that you know about all the different types of coverage that you can have included on your policy.   

Figure out how much coverage you need.

If you want to purchase adequate coverage for your farm, you may want to insure your property for its full value. You also need to determine how much liability coverage to buy. Farm owners should carry enough liability coverage to protect their assets if they face a lawsuit. 

Get quotes on farm insurance policies.

Find farm insurance providers in your area and get several policy quotes that you can compare. 

We’re here to help you with all your farm insurance needs in Little Falls, MN. Call us at Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. if you’d like to get a quote on an insurance policy for your farm property. 

What Categories of People Should Have Life Insurance?

Life insurance is the type of insurance that many people do not want to think about. However, getting life insurance is an intelligent choice. Anyone can benefit from life insurance, but specific categories of people need it most. If you fall under any of the following categories, consider buying a life insurance policy today:

The Categories of People That Will Benefit From Life Insurance:

  • People with financial dependents. For example, do you have a spouse who does not work and lives off your income? You do not want to leave them financially insecure if something happens to you. The best thing you can do for your dependents today is to purchase life insurance. 
  • You are a parent of young children. According to a Brookings study, the average cost of raising a child from birth to age 17 is about $300,000. If you have children who need food, clothes, healthcare, and education, you should consider having life insurance. It is one of the best ways to protect them. 
  • People with risky occupations. If you are a police officer, firefighter, or emergency responder, you are probably underinsured. The chance of you not coming home at the end of your shift is relatively high. For this reason, you should consider getting life insurance that will financially protect your family and dependents. 
  • Business owners. If you run a business, you will also benefit from having life insurance. If you pass away, a life insurance policy will help you continue your business operations. For example, your business partners can use it to cover immediate financial obligations, pay off business debts, and other ongoing expenses. 

Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. – Trustworthy Insurance Company in Little Falls, MN

If you live in the state of Minnesota and thinking of buying life insurance to protect the future of people you care about, Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. is ready to help you. We will help you find a perfect policy based on your individual needs and budget. We serve clients in Little Falls, MN, and other nearby towns. Please get in touch with us for more information, and we will be glad to provide you with the information you need. 

What You Have to Know About Farm Insurance

On the surface, homeowner’s and farm insurance policies seem the same. Although they are similar in a lot of respects, there are some remarkable differences you should keep in mind. Whether you grow your own veggies for the local farmers’ market or are looking for a full-time job working on your farm, it’s vital to have the right coverage.

At Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc, we understand how important farms are to residents of Little Falls, MN. That’s why we put together a brief look into the basics of farm insurance.

How Farm Insurance Differs From Homeowner’s Insurance

Your home insurance policy may cover some aspects of hobby farming. However, if you want to profit on your farm, you’ll likely need a different type of policy. Farm insurance is designed to cover both personal and commercial risks to your property. This ensures that if a disaster strikes your equipment, structures, harvested goods, and other things, you have a policy in place that will help cover the costs of replacement or repair.

Special Insurance Coverage Considerations

One thing you have to keep in mind is that, like other types of insurance coverage, farm insurance is not a one-size-fits-all solution. By working with a Little Falls, MN insurance agent, you can ensure you get the coverage you need for things like livestock, fencing, vineyards, chemical drift, and more.

Do You Have the Right Coverage for Your Farm?

At Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc, we pride ourselves on providing the best farm insurance coverage options to those in central Minnesota. With a history of farming behind us, we can provide unique insight into the coverage you need, tailoring policies to fit your farm. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.

Invest in Your Health by Insuring it Today!

Health insurance has been at the forefront of everyone’s minds over the last few years. With so many different coverage options, providers, and terminology, it can be easy to find yourself lost in the weeds when choosing your health insurance. Because of this, it’s not uncommon for individuals to get so overwhelmed by it all that they sign up for whatever plan they can find or even skip health insurance altogether.

At Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. in Little Falls, MN, we’re looking to change that.

Why You Need Health Insurance

The bottom line is that a health emergency can happen anytime to anyone. It’s no secret that medical expenses can wipe out even the best savings account. A health insurance policy can save you from a significant blow to your finances and remove barriers between you and the care you need. 

What to Consider When Choosing a Policy

When shopping for coverage, there are a few things to keep in mind. Exactly what you are looking for your plan to cover may differ vastly from what someone else values. You’ll want to determine how much you can pay monthly for your premium, what doctors or services you want covered, what your copay will be (if any), and more. An experienced Little Falls, MN insurance agent can help you look at all your options and find the best plan for you.

Find the Right Coverage for You With Help From Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc.

Finding health insurance doesn’t have to be a hassle. With over 30 years behind us, our team will work with you to provide the best insurance options for your family, designed with your needs in mind. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you.

The difference between whole and term life policies

Whole life and term life policies are two of the most common types of life insurance at Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. They provide individuals in the Little Falls, MN area with financial protection in the event of their death. While both types of policies offer coverage for individuals, there are several significant differences between them that you should consider when deciding which is best for you. 

The main difference between whole and term life insurance is the length of time that the policy remains in effect. Whole life insurance covers your entire lifetime, while term life policies only last for a predetermined amount of time (usually 10-30 years). Whole life policies also typically have a fixed premium rate, meaning your payments remain constant throughout the duration of the policy. On the other hand, premiums on term life policies are often lower because they expire after a certain period. 

Another way these two types of policies differ is how they handle cash value accumulation. Whole life policies accumulate cash value over time, meaning you can borrow against it if needed and receive dividends from the insurer if premiums exceed costs. Term life policies do not accumulate any cash value and therefore do not offer this feature to policyholders. 

When deciding between whole and term life insurance, it’s important to consider your budget and long-term financial goals. Both types offer valuable protection but come with different advantages and disadvantages depending on your circumstances. It’s important to speak with an insurance professional who can help guide you in making an informed decision about what type of policy best fits your needs.

For more information, call us at Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. today. We serve the Little Falls, MN area.

Benefits of Business Interruption Insurance

Unexpected road construction, natural disasters, and pandemics can interrupt your business, forcing you to close your shop. How can you protect your assets, pay your overhead costs, and preserve your company? Business interruption (BI) insurance protects your business against financial disaster due to events listed in the policy. Ask your insurance agent at Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. how you can use this coverage to stay afloat when a covered event causes physical damage to your property in Little Falls, MN.

Pay for Fixed Expenses

If you have to open up at a temporary location while you make repairs, some of the costs incurred may be covered by business interruption insurance. This gives you time to restore and pay fixed expenses without draining your bank account. Many policies also reimburse you for lost revenue due to a business interruption. Typically, this policy is bundled with other coverage, including liability and property damage insurance.

General Liability

This coverage protects your business from liability claims such as property damage, bodily injury, slander, and libel. For example, this coverage would handle the medical expenses if someone is hurt on your commercial property. In other cases, it may handle legal fees if someone sues the business.

Commercial Property

Business property insurance protects the building and items such as furniture, inventory, and equipment. It may help you pay for replacement costs in case of a lightning strike or fire. It covers the physical structure and items inside the business location. Civil commotion and vandalism are usually covered by commercial property insurance.

Business Interruption

Business interruption works in conjunction with commercial property and general liability to provide complete coverage for your business. BI handles income loss if you have to close your doors while making repairs. It also can cover relocation costs, lease payments, taxes, employee wages, and loan payments, where applicable and covered by your individual policy. It doesn’t usually cover losses due to earthquakes, flooding, or other events requiring separate peril insurance.

Contact an Experienced Insurance Agency in Little Falls, MN

Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. has knowledgeable agents that can guide you through the different types of insurance needed to protect your business. Reach out to our team today to discuss your business interruption insurance needs.

Health Insurance Pays For Your Medical Visits – Don’t Be Without It

Everyone must have health insurance to pay for their medical care. The Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc., serving Little Falls, MN, and the surrounding area, can provide this vital coverage.

Why is it so important? Health insurance offers protection from high, unexpected medical expenses. No one plans to get hurt or sick, but all people need medical care at some point. Health insurance will cover these costs, plus offers other important benefits.

  • Health insurance covers essential health benefits for preserving your health and treating accidents or illnesses.
  • You pay less for those services in the network before meeting your deductible.
  • Health insurance protects you from rising medical costs.
  • Health insurance provides free preventive care, such as vaccines, screenings, and check-ups, before meeting your deductible.

This coverage provides important financial protection if you have a severe illness or are in an accident. Without it, all costs resulting from an event would need to be paid out-of-pocket by you. This can result in people going deep into debt or possibly facing bankruptcy.

Consider this:

  • A broken leg can cost up to $7500 to fix.
  • The average 3-day hospital stay can cost approximately $30,000.
  • Comprehensive cancer treatment can run into thousands of dollars.

Having health insurance will protect you from these costs in three ways:

  • Reduced costs after you meet the deductible. For example, if your plan has a $1,000 deductible, the policyholder pays the first $1,000 in covered services. Then the plan will pay between 60% and 90% of covered costs, depending on your plan. You will pay between 10% and 40% of the expenses through coinsurance or copayments.
  • The out-of-pocket maximum is the total amount you pay, no matter how much care you receive in the plan year.
  • There are no yearly or lifetime limits for essential health benefits.

If you are in need of health insurance, contact the Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. to receive a no-obligation quote or answers to any questions you may have.

The Single Most Important Way to Keep Farm Workers Safe in Central Minnesota

Farming is one of the most dangerous professions in the USA today.

Farmers are twice as likely to die on the job as police officers. They are five times more likely to die on the job than firefighters. They are 73 times more likely to suffer a job-related injury than bankers. And the single biggest hazard on farms in central Minnesota is grain bin accidents.

During harvest time, farm workers work fast. They recognize that failing to get the crop in the bin in time can result in huge losses, especially when winter comes early. Conscientious farm workers sacrifice their breaks and forget safety procedures, sometimes with tragic results. 

Since 1975, there have been 900 cases of grain engulfment in the United States, 558 of them resulting in a fatality. The average age of workers trapped in grain bins is 22. Sadly, this kind of accident is almost entirely preventable. Here’s what Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. in Little Falls, MN recommends to prevent it.

  • Ensure no one is working on top of the grain before activating the auger at the bottom of the bin. The auger can create a vacuum from which it is impossible to escape.
  • When grain stinks, stay away from it. Spoiled grain releases foul-smelling gasses. These gasses can accumulate just beneath what appears to be a solid surface. Never step into a grain bin if the grain smells terrible.
  • Take care when cleaning the inside of a silo. Loosening spoiled grain can trigger an avalanche of spoiled and fresh grain on workers below.

Take time to be safe! Make sure no worker enters a grain bin without a permit. Make sure every worker—as well as the owner—wears a safety harness before working on top of the grain. Turn off and lock the controls of the auger before entering the bin. Test for toxic gasses. Never walk down grain.

Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. in Little Falls, MN represents over 60 insurance companies. We help farmers find the coverage they need at an affordable price. Email an agent for more information today!

How to Protect Multiple Businesses with Commercial Insurance Policies

As a business owner, you know how important it is to protect your assets. But what if you own more than one business? Can you cover all of them with a single commercial insurance policy? The answer is yes! In this blog post, Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. explores ways to use a commercial insurance policy to protect multiple businesses in Little Falls, MN. 

What Does a Commercial Insurance Policy Cover? 

A commercial insurance policy typically covers property damage, liability claims, and other losses related to your business operations. It also provides coverage for employee injuries and illnesses and legal expenses in case you are sued. Some policies may even protect against cyber-attacks and data breaches. Make sure to read through your policy carefully to understand exactly what is covered and what isn’t.  

How Much Does It Cost to Protect Multiple Businesses? 

The cost of protecting multiple businesses with a single commercial insurance policy depends on the type of coverage you choose and the size of your business. Generally speaking, larger companies will pay higher premiums than smaller ones because they tend to face greater risks due to their increased presence in the market. However, certain discounts are available for companies that purchase multiple policies at once or bundle their policies together for further savings.  

Whether you own one business or many, having adequate commercial insurance coverage is essential for protecting yourself from potential losses due to property damage, liability claims, cyber-attacks, and other risks associated with running a business in Little Falls, MN. To get started on finding the right coverage for your needs at an affordable price, contact Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. today.