When it comes to shopping for car insurance, Krog Insurance and the experienced teams at both of our Minnesota locations makes the process as simple and hassle-free as possible. We know what our customers expect: quality coverage from reputable Minnesota insurance companies at competitive, budget-friendly rates. When you choose us, you are choosing a team of people who will work on your behalf to find the policy and protection you want and deserve.
Car Insurance FAQs
How much auto insurance do I need in Minnesota?
The Minnesota minimum auto insurance requirements are designed to provide a small level of protection in the event you damage someone else’s property, or you cause harm to another person. In Minnesota, drivers need a minimum of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for Bodily Injury Liability Coverage and $10,000 per accident for Property Damage Liability Coverage, along with $40,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. The minimum for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage it $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
What is the best deductible?
The best deductible is what you can afford to pay out of pocket when you file an auto insurance claim. The higher the deductible, the lower your premium will be, and vice versa. A higher deductible means your accepting a more significant portion of the risk yourself. It is best not to take on more risk than you can afford.
What is “full coverage?”
There is no such thing as “full coverage” insurance. Full coverage auto insurance is a term that is used to suggest you have chosen protection that goes beyond the minimum coverage required by your State. It typically includes collision and comprehensive coverage, personal injury protection or medical payment coverage, and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
How can I save money on my car insurance?
You can save money on your car insurance by avoiding moving violations, crashes, DUIs, and other incidents. By having a clean driving record, you may also qualify for a safe driver discount. Students may qualify for good student and student-away-at-school discounts. Your vehicle’s anti-theft devices and safety features may also provide more discounts. Paid-in-full, multi-car, and prior carrier discounts are also common.
How long does an auto accident affect my insurance?
A crash won’t impact your car insurance premiums forever. After about three to five years, your rates should recover. Exactly how long this takes will depend on the type of accident as well as the company you are insured with.
Is buying direct cheaper than buying through an agent?
Buying direct is not always cheaper than buying through an agent. You might think that cutting out the middleman would result in cheaper car insurance rates, but when it comes to insurance, this isn’t the case. In fact, an independent agent, one that represents many insurance companies, can often save you money.
What is the best auto insurance company?
The best auto insurance company differs per individual. No insurance company is objectively the best. It all depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want the best customer service, the broadest coverage, or the lowest rates? Or maybe you have unique coverage or underwriting needs? An agent can help you compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies and find the right policy for your situation.
What is the best or cheapest auto insurance rate?
The best or cheapest auto insurance rate can be found by comparison shopping. Compare premiums as well as differences in coverage. An independent insurance agent can help. They can provide options from multiple carriers, along with the expert guidance you need to make a smart choice.
How do I switch to a new auto insurance company?
You can switch to a new auto insurance company at any time, but to avoid overpaying or violating state law, you do need to watch out for a couple of things. Car insurance policies are often sold for coverage periods of six months or one year. In some cases, you may be charged a fee if you decide to cancel your insurance policy early. You may also be entitled to a refund for the unused portion of the premium. You also want to make sure you have continuous coverage to avoid a coverage gap.
Minnesota Car Insurance Requirements
The state of Minnesota requires that all drivers carry minimum car insurance coverage. This includes:
- Bodily Injury Liability
- Property Damage Liability
- Uninsured and Uninsured Coverage
- Personal Injury Protection
These coverages are required for all Minnesota drivers, but additional coverage types are also available and recommended. To determine how much car insurance you need, it is important to work closely with an independent agent who can help you assess your risk exposures, determine your coverage needs, and assure you are compliant with state requirements.
Types of Minnesota Car Insurance Coverage
A typical Minnesota car insurance policy contains multiple coverage types, each of which plays an important role in protecting you and other drivers against financial losses. Although some types of coverage are required by law, other types may be required by lenders if you have financed or leased your vehicle. Even if your vehicle is paid for, however, adding ‘optional’ coverage types can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs in the event of an accident or other covered event.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
As a no-fault state, Minnesota requires drivers to carry basic economic loss benefits known as personal injury protection (PIP). This coverage means that the insurance company compensates you and members of your household through your own policy first for medical bills and lost wages due to injuries sustained in an accident no matter who is at fault for the injuries. You can pursue the at-fault driver (or your own uninsured or underinsured motorist protection when applicable) for any remaining damages that exceed the limits of your PIP.
Liability
This part of your car insurance policy helps pay for damages to another person’s vehicle or personal property when you are the party responsible. It also covers claims against your policy for losses related to injuries you cause in an accident. In Minnesota, you are required to carry a minimum amount of liability protection, but we typically recommend increasing your coverage above state requirements to better protect your income and assets against a potential lawsuit.
Uninsured Motorist
If you are injured by an uninsured driver, this part of your policy helps pay for any medical expenses that exceed the limits of your personal injury protection.
Underinsured Motorist
When your medical expenses exceed the limits of your personal injury protection, you can pursue the at-fault driver’s insurance for remaining damages. If the other driver’s insurance limits are too low to cover your expenses, you can continue your claim against your underinsured motorist protection. This coverage pays for medical expenses when an at-fault driver has too little liability protection to cover your injuries after an accident.
Collision
Collision coverage compensates you for damages to your car when you are involved in a collision with another vehicle or object. It can pay for repairs or reimburse you for your car’s value in the event of a total loss. Collision insurance is optional coverage unless you have financed or leased your vehicle. In that case, the terms of your financial agreement may require you to carry collision protection until you pay your note in full or complete your lease.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive coverage helps pay for damages to your vehicle when they are caused by events other than collision. This typically includes things like theft, vandalism, hail damage, and fallen objects. Like collision coverage, comprehensive protection is typically required by financing and lease agreements.
Note that both types of coverage are subject to a deductible, which is the amount you agree to pay out-of-pocket toward the cost of your claim. If you choose a low deductible, you may spend less money restoring your vehicle after an accident. If you choose a high deductible, you will spend more for your claims, but you may enjoy a lower policy premium.
Roadside Assistance and Towing
Roadside assistance and towing coverage are available from many Minnesota insurance companies. This optional protection can provide valuable peace of mind knowing that you and the other drivers on your policy can have access to the professional assistance you need – often at any time of the day or night.
Temporary Transportation
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident or other covered event, temporary transportation coverage can help pay for the cost of a rental car or other temporary transportation until your vehicle is repaired or you find a permanent replacement. Note that this type of coverage varies from insurer to insurer and may have limitations on the amount of daily coverage and the number of days the coverage is available per incident.
Using an Independent Agent for Car Insurance
If you’ve never used an independent agent to shop and compare car insurance, you may be paying too much money for too little coverage. At our offices, we are driven by our goal to meet the needs of our clients. That means going the extra mile to find quality coverage, as well as shopping around for competitive rates and discounts.
Are You Getting the Discounts You Deserve?
In the same way, your coverage needs can change over time, so can the number of discounts you qualify for as a Minnesota driver. We never want you to miss out on the savings you deserve. By getting to know you and your driving habits, we can better match you with discounts that could drive down the cost of your auto insurance premiums. Examples include discounts for:
- safe driving
- good grades
- driving fewer miles than average
- purchasing multiple types of insurance policies
- insuring multiple vehicles
- owning a vehicle with enhanced safety features
- and more
To find out more about how Krog Insurance can provide savings and enhanced auto insurance protection, contact our office to request a free quote today. We look forward to serving you soon.
