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.

How to Cover Common Gaps in Home Insurance

As a homeowner in Little Falls, MN, you have a lot to appreciate. At the same time, your home comes with several responsibilities. If you want to protect your home and ensure it’s covered in the case of the worst scenarios, then you need good home insurance. You likely already have some coverage, but it’s important to recognize common gaps in insurance coverage and how to deal with them. Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. has a few tips to help with that.

Floods

Notoriously, floods are not covered by standard home insurance policies. If you live somewhere with significant flood risk, you might be eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which FEMA manages. Otherwise, you can add a flood policy to your insurance bundle. Do you need flood insurance in Little Falls? That depends on a few things, but you can get coverage that insures you against busted water pipes and other issues that are universal.

Valuables

Your personal belongings and valuables are often not covered by home policies either. Generally, a home policy will insure a fixed amount for all of your belongings, and in the case of catastrophic damage, that set amount is the payout. If you have jewelry or other valuables of note, you want to add coverage.

Some insurers will allow you to add valuables coverage to the home policy. Others will separate that coverage into an additional policy, but you can check for bundled rates to save money.

Liability

Home insurance comes with some liability coverage, but if you run a business from your home or have a lot to lose, that coverage might not be sufficient. You can add business liability insurance (if you’re running a business) or umbrella insurance to make up the difference. This ensures that you have sufficient coverage in the case of a legal contest.

There are plenty of different ways to construct policies that protect your home in Little Falls, MN. The easiest solution is to talk to Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. and get professional help perfecting your coverage.

Should I get an auto insurance policy for my car in Minnesota?

If you are in the Little Falls, MN area, you will want to know that you are always adequately covered by insurance. One necessary type of insurance you need is an auto policy, which will provide you with coverage for your vehicle and driving risks. You need to have an auto plan for multiple reasons. 

Be in Compliance

You will want to have an auto insurance policy for your car in this state so you can remain in compliance with your obligations. All drivers in this state will be required to carry liability insurance, which can result in penalization. Further, if you have a loan outstanding, you must carry a fully comprehensive plan until it has been paid off in full. 

Financial Protection

Getting an auto insurance policy is also essential to ensure you receive financial protection. People who purchase a car will make a significant investment, and the best way to protect it is with a full auto insurance policy. Further, having an auto insurance policy will provide you with liability protection that will ensure you have financial support if you are required to pay damages you may have caused in an accident.

Those who will buy a car in the Little Falls, MN area clearly need to have an auto insurance policy at all times. When looking for insurance here, it would be wise to call our team with Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. There are a lot of choices you need to make when looking for coverage, and our professionals at Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. can ensure you remain appropriately supported at all times. 

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.

What types of life insurance are available in Minnesota?

In the Little Falls, MN area, you will want the proper insurance to protect your assets and provide other forms of protection. Life insurance is a critical form of insurance everyone here will need. When looking for this coverage, you will find different options. Two of the most common are term and whole life insurance.

Term Coverage

A popular form of life insurance for many people here is term life insurance. When you have a term life plan, it offers you life insurance for a defined period. This term and policy limit can be customized based on your needs. An added benefit of this coverage is that it tends to have more affordable premiums, so you can afford to pay for more coverage than you would with other types of insurance.

Permanent Life Coverage

A permanent or whole life insurance plan is another excellent option. With this type of insurance, you can have coverage for as long as you want, as there is no set end to the policy. Further, it is an excellent addition to your investment plan. Each month, a portion of your payment will go into an investment account that can grow at a conservative rate of return. However, monthly premiums tend to be more expensive.

It is vital that people in the Little Falls, MN area spend the time they need to assess all of their insurance options carefully. When you want to start looking at your coverage options, calling Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. is a good idea. There are many choices to make when evaluating options, and Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. can give any guidance necessary to build your next plan. 

Preparing for Blizzards

In 1991, Minnesota experienced the most catastrophic blizzard in its history, dubbed the Halloween Blizzard. The storm began on October 31st and raged for four days, ending on November 3rd. It dumped about two and a half feet of snow on MSP and more than three feet of snow on Duluth. Roads closed, and people became trapped in their homes.

Although that marks the worst blizzard in Minnesota’s history, every winter promises at least one major snow event, and proper preparation can prevent damage to your home and person. Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. can explain how to prepare your Little Falls, MN home for heavy snow.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Purchase a ready-made emergency kit from a local hardware or home improvement store. These kits provide a first aid kit, emergency blanket, a few meals-ready-to-eat (MREs), a flashlight, and batteries, and may include emergency flares.

Add to this kit your own medications and those of family members, plus added canned food and water.

Get Ready for Power Outages

Have on hand a few high-powered flashlights with rechargeable batteries or fresh batteries. Purchase a backup generator to keep the heat going while a storm continues. While most homes in Minnesota feature buck stoves or fireplaces, those heat sources can’t battle a four-day blizzard alone.

Small generators that can provide about 1200 watts of power cost less than $500. These devices come in solar, gas, and propane versions. Keep it outside; the gas and propane versions require an individual to replenish their fuel every few hours. You can keep the solar-type indoors and let its solar panels recharge by placing them in the window. The panels may sit on the roof with a permanently installed solar backup.

Contact Us

Let us help you protect your Little Falls, MN home. Contact Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. for home insurance, so you can repair your home after the blizzard without spending too much of your own money.

Tips to keep your car running smoothly

Owning a car is an investment that requires care and attention. Regular maintenance can help keep your vehicle operating smoothly and avoid costly repairs later. In this post, we’ll share some tips for keeping your car in good shape, including:

Choosing the right oil and filter

Choosing the right oil and filter is essential for keeping your car running smoothly. Not all oils are created equal, so it’s necessary to choose one designed for your vehicle’s make and model. Likewise, not all filters are created equal either – you want to choose one specific to your car’s engine.

Scheduling regular tune-ups and fluid changes

Scheduling regular tune-ups and fluid changes is one of the best ways to keep your car running smoothly. Tune-ups help ensure that your car’s engine runs efficiently, while fluid changes help keep your car’s brakes and other systems in good working order. You can help prevent expensive repairs down the road by routinely scheduling these services.

Inspecting brakes regularly to ensure they are functioning properly

Inspecting your car’s brakes periodically is one of the most important things you can do to keep it running smoothly. Brakes that aren’t functioning properly can lead to dangerous accidents, so it’s important to inspect them regularly and make any necessary repairs.

These simple steps will help you take care of your car so it can continue serving as your reliable transportation! If you have any questions about keeping your car safe, give Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. a call today. We are proud to serve the Little Falls, MN area. 

Do You Farm? Protect Your Livelihood with Farm Insurance

If you make your living by farming, make sure it is protected. Farm insurance provides liability protection for bodily injury, medical expenses, and property damage like home insurance. The Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. provides the insurance needs of those in and around Little Falls, MN.

Farm insurance is a hybrid form of coverage for commercial and personal protection. Farm insurance covers personal property related directly to the farming operation. The three categories of coverage are:

  • Farm equipment and machinery
  • Livestock
  • Farming products such as seed, silage, fertilizers, pesticides, and animal feed

In addition to the liability protection it offers, it will pay legal fees if you are sued for any injury or damage that is farm related. This is important if you have people employed to work on your farm.

The difference between homeowners insurance and farm insurance is that farm insurance is designed to provide wider coverage for outbuildings, such as barns, equipment, and vehicles used for farm operations.

Like a standard homeowners policy, farm insurance will cover your home and possessions and provide personal liability coverage. But it also provides coverage for livestock and machinery but does not provide coverage for your crops.

Farm insurance is a highly customized policy. You start with basic coverage, then add additional options based on your business and home needs. Because each farm is unique, it is not unusual for an agent to visit the farm to ensure the property is adequately covered.

To ensure your livelihood is protected from loss, contact Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. insurance professionals to meet with one of their experts. Don’t allow your means of income to be put at risk. You will be glad you did.