Homeowners Insurance Agency: MN Residents Have Choices

December 17, 2009 by  
Filed under Home Insurance, Insurance Blog

When selecting a homeowners insurance agency, MN residents have to weigh the benefits of using a local agency against finding one online.  Billions of advertising dollars each year are poured into promoting the convenience of buying almost everything online, and the ads are very effective for the corporations that sponsor them. So it’s important to evaluate whether or not buying homeowners insurance on the internet or through a Minnesota insurance agency is the right choice for you and your family.  Here are a few points to consider.

Is it really as convenient as it seems?

The image of being able to sit in front of your home computer and compare homeowners’ policies while lounging in your sweat suit has advertising appeal.  But what happens when you really need to use the policy?  It’s annoying enough to shuffle through an endless maze of automated menus or wait on hold for hours when you just want basic information.  But suffering through that when the roof has just collapsed during a 100-year snow storm is more than anyone should have to bear. At times like that, real convenience means being able to call your local insurance agent to recommend the best contractors.

Are you getting the best possible coverage for your family?

Computers are wonderful resources and they excel at processing information quickly.  They’re very good at compiling personal data and returning a recommendation based on statistical averages.  That’s fine if your insurance needs are a cookie-cutter match with their statistical models. But what if they’re not?  And when you’re not an insurance professional yourself, how do you get answers to the questions that you don’t know you should be asking?  By working with a local insurance agency, MN homeowners get the benefit of professionals with years of experience in assessing each family’s individual needs and tailoring homeowners’ insurance policies for a custom fit.

Are you getting the best price for your coverage?

The answer to this question is related to whether or not you’re getting the best coverage.  If you purchase a homeowners’ policy online for a “bargain” price, the policy may not deliver the coverage you need.  Or you may pay for coverage that you don’t really need. You may also be able to reduce the cost of your homeowner’s insurance by combining it with other policies.  Unless you truly enjoy reading and evaluating fine print, you’ll be much better off delegating that chore to a qualified Minnesota insurance agency professional.

Faribo Insurance is at your service in 3 convenient locations: Faribault, MN Hastings, MN… and Lakeville, MN.  Call us with your questions at 888-923-0430.  You can also email us or use the Quick Quote Insurance form.  We’ll be glad to prepare a quote for your homeowners’ insurance that is a custom fit for your needs.

Business Insurance Agency: MN Companies Choose Local Options

December 13, 2009 by  
Filed under Business Insurance, Insurance Blog

When deciding to work with a business insurance agency, MN business owners should consider the value of having access to experienced, local insurance professionals.  While it’s obvious that every healthy business needs adequate coverage in order to mitigate risk and control costs, local pros can bring additional assets into the equation.  Local knowledge, accessibility, a personal relationship and the value of your time are also important to consider when buying or renewing insurance policies for your business.

Mitigating Risks and Controlling Costs

These factors are interrelated.  Cost cutting that results in inadequate coverage ends up to be expensive in the long run.  And buying unnecessary coverage is expensive, too.  Balancing risk and cost involves accurately assessing business needs and matching them with optimal coverage from the most suitable insurance vendors.

Local Insurance Knowledge

Retailers, manufacturers, contractors, legal and medical professionals, restaurant owners and other businesses all have different insurance needs.  And some of these needs are defined by local geography.  While it’s popular to consider the possibility of saving money by buying insurance online, a mistake in assessing your business coverage needs can end up costing much more than was saved.

Minnesota Insurance Agency Professionals

Doing business with Minnesota insurance agency professionals that know the potential liabilities arising from snow and ice makes more sense than asking someone sitting among palm trees half a world away to recommend the best coverage.

Accessibility – When there’s a question about business insurance, owners and managers need an insurance professional who will take the call and answer questions.  They don’t need to wait on hold for hours, or waste time shuffling through an endless maze of automated menus.

Personal relationship – As businesses grow or contract, their insurance needs change. It’s natural for owners and managers to be preoccupied with daily operations, so it’s easy for a company to become over or under insured.  But a good insurance agent becomes part of the risk management team, monitors business needs and provides continuity.  There is no need to recreate the business history and circumstances to a new person each time there’s a question, as must be done when calling a remote help desk.  And in the event that a claim is necessary, a local agent can answer questions and help smooth the process.

Time – It’s valuable.  And by working with a local business insurance agency, MN companies can focus on their profit centers knowing that their insurance needs are covered.  There’s no wasting time online or on the phone trying to reach someone who has the knowledge and authority to solve problems, because answers are just an easy – and local – phone call away.

And speaking of local phone calls, you can call Faribo Insurance at 888-923-0430 with your Minnesota insurance questions.  Or if you prefer, email us, visit one of our local offices in Faribault, MNHastings, MN…or Lakeville, MN…or use the Quick Quote Insurance form to receive a custom proposal.

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