Category: Home Insurance

Homes can be very expensive, and most families simply don’t have enough cash to buy a house outright. Fortunately, you can take out a mortgage from a bank or another lender. Then, you can buy a property and make monthly mortgage payments. One thing some folks are surprised to learn with mortgages is that the lender(s) will often require that the home be covered by home insurance. We’ll dig into why, but if you’re looking for home insurance and an agency that serves Cloquet, MN, get in touch with Brittany Olson Insurance Agency LLC.

Why Home Insurance is a Must

Risk is probably the biggest consideration for most lenders. This is why folks with high credit scores often enjoy lower interest rates. The lenders know that these individuals are likely to repay all their loans. Unfortunately, someone with bad credit may be less likely to pay back a loan, so the lender will want to charge higher interest rates because the risks are higher.

Another way to lower risks is to use collateral. This is how mortgages typically work. Banks will have a lot of money on the line, but because the property being bought can be used as collateral, they can often charge lower interest rates even if someone’s credit score is not ideal. Should the home buyer fail to make their mortgage payments, the bank will be able to take control of the property and can then sell it to raise the funds needed to cover the loan, or at least a large part of it.

Consult With Us

From the lender’s point of view, the more valuable the property, the better. However, if a home is destroyed, say in a fire, the property will be worth much less. For the lender, this leads to increased risks. For this reason, lenders often require home insurance because that insurance provides them with protection too. If you need home insurance, contact Brittany Olson Insurance Agency LLC. We serve Cloquet, MN and other communities.

If you have just purchased a new home in Cloquet, MN, you need to properly insure it. In most instances, your mortgage lender requires you to have a certain level of homeowner’s insurance. There is a litany of different options available to you on the home insurance market, and you are bound to make mistakes as a first-time shopper.

We want to help you shop here at Brittany Olson Insurance Agency LLC, so here are three of the most common mistakes made by those shopping for homeowner’s insurance to avoid. 

Three Mistakes To Avoid

1. Getting Lured In By the Lowest Price

No one would fault you for going with the lowest price when shopping for insurance for your Cloquet, MN home. Beware that it may be the cheapest for a reason. To put it simply, things are cheap because they are cheap. Make sure you read the contract to see what exactly is covered in the policy. This doesn’t mean you should automatically take the most expensive policy either. 

2. Underinsuring the Replacement Value

 A common mistake people make is insuring their home to the value of the home on the mortgage. This is a mistake because the home’s value will increase over time. If you have an issue down the road and your home has gone up in value by 20%, it won’t be properly covered. Try to account for future gains in value when calculating the replacement value on your homeowner’s policy. 

3. Insure Yourself Against All Risks

Even if you don’t live in California, you could be at risk of damage from an earthquake. You’d also be surprised how many areas get hail or wind damage that aren’t in high-risk areas. Don’t skimp on covering these things to keep your premiums low. 

Consult With Us

At Brittany Olson Insurance Agency LLC, we help our customers insure their homes properly at a great price. Contact us today if you have questions about your homeowner’s policy and what it should include. 

As you consider buying your first home here in the Cloquet, MN area, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is deciding which neighborhood to live in. From the type of neighborhood to its location and amenities, there are many factors that you should keep in mind when selecting a neighborhood. Here are some tips from us at Brittany Olson Insurance Agency LLC to help you choose the right neighborhood for your first home: 

Choosing The Right Neighborhood For Your First Home

1. Consider the type of environment you want.

Think about what type of lifestyle you’d like to have and determine what kind of environment suits your needs. Are you looking for a suburban atmosphere or an urban setting? Do you need access to great schools and outdoor activities? Or do you prefer a more secluded atmosphere with plenty of quiet time? 

2. Look into commute times.

Your commute plays a major role in determining where your ideal neighborhood would be located. If possible, try to find a home that is close enough to work or school so that it won’t take too long for you to get there every day. 

3. Explore safety ratings and crime rates.

As much as possible, look into the safety rating and crime rate statistics of your potential neighborhoods before settling on one. This will give you peace of mind knowing that your family will be living in a safe area with low crime levels. 

4. Examine local amenities and attractions nearby.

Consider if there are any local attractions or amenities nearby such as parks, shopping centers, restaurants, etc., which may add value to your lifestyle in this new area. 

Reach Out To Us

For information on a homeowners policy, give us at Brittany Olson Insurance Agency LLC a call today. We serve the greater Cloquet, MN area.

Liability is a form of legal responsibility, often for a business or a person obligated to pay a sum of money through court. When you own a home, you might end up facing a legal situation over something that happens on your property. At Brittany Olson Insurance Agency LLC, we provide home liability insurance to the people of Cloquet, MN.

What Would Lead to a Home Liability Lawsuit?

If a person experiences an accident or a form of physical harm while visiting your property, that person might decide to take you to court in a lawsuit. The situation could be anything from a personal injury to a loss of personal belongings. If you’re a homeowner being taken to court over an injury or over property damage, then you’ll need to find financial coverage for this type of situation. Having a decent insurance plan beforehand can help, and it will give you peace of mind during the lawsuit’s proceedings. 

What Does Home Liability Insurance Cover?

Usually, liability insurance will cover the medical costs of a person’s bodily injuries. This could be anything from a slip down a set of stairs to a fall from a balcony. Liability insurance will also pay for property damages. If you’re wondering about what other situations a home liability plan will cover, feel free to ask one of our agents at Brittany Olsen Insurance Agency LLC.

Getting Home Liability Insurance in Cloquet, MN

If you’re interested in learning more, feel free to contact the Brittany Olsen Insurance Agency. Our team would be happy to book you an appointment or answer any of your insurance-related questions. 

As a Cloquet, MN homeowner, it’s essential to understand the type of coverage your home insurance provides. If you’re concerned about roof collapses because of inclement weather, natural disasters, or other causes, read on for everything you need to know about roof collapse coverage and how Brittany Olson Insurance Agency LLC can help you.

What Causes a Roof Collapse? 

A roof collapse can have several causes, from snow and ice buildup to structural issues caused by aging or poor maintenance. Sometimes, a storm may cause enough wind and rain damage to cause the roof to give out. In other cases, a tree limb may fall onto the roof and create an opening that allows water inside. With all these potential causes, it’s important to understand what your home insurance policy covers.

What Is Covered by Home Insurance? 

Most home insurance policies will cover damages caused by a collapsed roof as long as neglect or lack of maintenance did not cause the collapse by the homeowner. If your roof collapses because of heavy snowfall or high winds, your insurance policy should pay for repairs up to a specific limit. However, if the collapse was caused by an issue like rot or faulty construction, it is likely not covered under your policy. So it’s essential to be aware of what type of coverage you have before disaster strikes. 

How Can I Find Out More? 

If you are looking for more information about home insurance and how it applies to roof collapses in Cloquet, MN, contact Brittany Olson Insurance Agency LLC today! We can answer your questions and provide customized quotes based on your needs. Don’t wait until disaster strikes—get informed today! 

Brittany Olson Insurance Agency LLC, serving residents in the greater Cloquet, MN area, knows how important home insurance is, as it helps to protect the investment that you have made in your home. However, many people do not fully understand what is covered by and what is excluded by their home insurance policy.

We want to help answer any and all questions you have about home insurance. One of the things that people often wonder about is the siding on their homes. Read on to learn more about whether home insurance covers siding problems. 

Does Home Insurance Cover Siding Issues?

Home insurance may or may not cover siding issues, depending on what caused the damage to your home’s siding. If the damage to your siding was covered by an included event, such as a large hail storm or a pipe suddenly and unexpectedly bursting in your home, any damage to the siding caused by that event will be covered.

If the siding damage was caused by an excluded event, such as a river bank spilling over its banks and flooding your home, the damage to your siding will not be covered by your home insurance policy.

Lastly, if your siding is damaged by wear and tear, age, or improper maintenance or upkeep, the siding damage will not be covered by your home insurance policy. 

Contact Us Today

At Brittany Olson Insurance Agency LLC, serving residents in the greater Cloquet, MN area, we know just how important it is to have a home insurance policy that offers you the protection and coverage you need. Our team can sit down with you, answer any questions you have, and help you to find the policy that is ideal for your needs. Get in touch with us now to schedule an appointment. 

In a world with very uncertain weather, emergencies related to that weather are quite common. Being prepared for them is important to the safety of you and your family. At Brittany Olson Insurance Agency LLC in Cloquet, MN, you will be working with a third-generation independent insurance agent. We will make sure you get the personalized service you desire. 

Tips for preparing your home and family for an emergency

When an emergency happens, whether it is in the summer or in the winter, the fact that you will most likely lose power is the first emergency preparation that needs to be done. Having a generator is pretty much a must if you don’t want to lose all your food or have your pipes freeze. Generators can be operated with gasoline or with propane. If you have a whole house automatic generator, they usually use propane. With a large generator, you can run your whole house as if no emergency is happening.

Without a generator, or with a smaller one, you need to have a supply of battery-operated lights, bottled water, and other supplies. You may be able to operate a furnace or air conditioner and maybe your refrigerator, but not everything in your home. You should also have a battery-operated radio and something like a Halo which can charge your phones and electronics. In a pinch, your vehicle has a charger and a radio. 

Having an evacuation plan for your family is vital to your safety. Not only do you need a plan to evacuate the area, you need a plan to evacuate your home in the event of a fire. Every member of the family needs to know where they are to meet, and you should do rehearsals.  

Get Home Insurance Today

Contact Brittany Olson Insurance Agency LLC in Cloquet, MN to get a review of your home insurance policy or to have any questions answered. 

When you have your own home, it’s always necessary to keep a home insurance policy for it. Your lender will require you to have it, and if you have a homeowner’s association, it will as well. But even if you have neither of these things, it’s smart to have home insurance to protect what is your largest investment. Contact us at Brittany Olson Insurance Agency LLC in Cloquet, MN to get started.

Protection for Your Home

Your home is a major investment, and it can cost an enormous amount to repair if a damaging incident happens to it. When an accident, disaster, or calamity happens to your home and there is damage to it, your home policy will pay for the repairs that are needed to fix it. If the home needs to be rebuilt after it is destroyed, your policy will also pay for this. 

Possessions Protection

Another large investment that you have in your possessions. When your belongings are in your home, they are protected by your home insurance policy. It’s vital to have this coverage so that you have protection after a serious incident happens. A damaging incident that ruins your belongings can be highly expensive, and your home insurance will pay for them to be replaced. It’s hard to go without this coverage because it is so important to keep. 

Liability Protection

When you have home insurance, it pays for the liability that you carry as a homeowner. If a third party came to your house and have an accident there, you could be held responsible for the lost wages and medical bills of the person injured. With this insurance, you can help pay for those expenses. 

Get Your Home Covered

When you are a homeowner, it’s important to protect yourself and what you own. You can do that with home insurance. Call us at Brittany Olson Insurance Agency LLC in Cloquet, MN.

 

Protecting your home in Cloquet, MN, means protecting one of your largest investments. At Brittany Olson Insurance Agency LLC, we want you to understand your home insurance options thoroughly to obtain the coverage you need.

Protecting Your Home

When you purchase a house as your home, you get more choices for your home insurance than if you bought a condo or RV for your home. You can choose one of the three different policies for a house – dwelling, standard, or all-perils. The main difference between those relates to the named perils they cover.

The term peril refers to a natural or man-made hazard that could damage the home or its contents. Dwelling policies cover ten named perils. A standard home policy covers 16 named perils. An all-perils policy does just what it sounds like and covers all possible perils.

You can increase the number of coverages within the liability or personal property coverage amounts up to the maximum allowed by the underwriter. You can also add coverage to any of the types of home policies.

Add-ons and Secondary Insurance

You can add on a jewelry policy or an umbrella policy. You can also include a rider in the policy that increases coverage to include business liability. A jewelry policy provides replacement value coverage for your fine jewelry, such as a diamond engagement ring. The typical home policy automatically includes about $1,000 of coverage for jewelry.

An umbrella policy covers your liability over and above the home policy. The typical home policy covers your liability to between 10 and 20 percent of the home’s value. An umbrella policy lets you increase that coverage by adding a secondary policy to your primary policy, which refers to your home policy. You can add up to $1 million in coverage for just a few dollars per month.

Protect your Cloquet MN  home with insurance from Brittany Olson Insurance Agency LLC. Contact us today to get a policy that protects your home investment.