Blog
Fireworks
According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than twice the average number of fires are reported on the 4th of July than on any other day of the year. Fireworks are at fault for two out of every five of those holiday fires. Fireworks are legal in Minnesota, but the law is specific about…
Insuring Empty Property
People often forget to insure empty lots, whether they be hunting camps, land you plan to build on in the future, or property etc. Does your policy cover you? Empty property can mean large exposure to risk. People may use your land without your knowledge or permission. Unoccupied land is at risk of people using…
Insuring a Travel Agency- The Importance of Errors and Omissions Coverage
If you run a travel agency, it is very important to have Professional Liability insurance – what, in the industry, we call “E&O,” or Errors and Omissions. Now, we know you’re a professional, and that you do your absolute best to make sure every one of your clients gets the very best service possible.…
Why “Hope and Assume” may not be enough
Often, people wonder whether an item or situation is covered under their current insurance policy. “Hmmm, I wonder if my wife’s heirloom engagement ring is covered.” “Gee, I wonder if my collection is covered.” Whether it is a collection of antique firearms, a coin collection, or any group of items that holds value for you,…
Jewelry and Collectibles
A standard homeowner’s policy includes coverage for jewelry and other valuables like cameras and electronics, collectibles and firearms. These items are covered for losses caused by all the perils included in your policy such as fire, windstorm, theft and vandalism. However, there are special limits of liability for certain items, meaning that the insurer will…
Swimming Pool Safety Tips
A backyard swimming pool is the perfect escape from summer’s often hot, humid weather. But having a pool means you should also have a conversation with your insurance agent about the kind of coverage you need. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were, on average, an estimated 4,900 pool-or spa-related hospital emergency department…
Title Trouble: Does the name on your title of ownership agree with the name on your insurance policy?
If there’s one thing you can always find in the insurance industry, it’s … lawyers. Didn’t expect to see that, did you? But it’s true – lawyers can sniff out loopholes like a beagle can sniff out a dead deer to roll in. Those loopholes – the kind that allow an insurance company to deny…
Land of 10,000 Lakes
The sun is shining, temps are getting warmer, and you’re itching to get that boat out of storage and into the water. We are so lucky here in Minnesota to have an abundance of places to enjoy water recreation. We protect your family with insurance, but we want to remind you that the protection you…
Bad News: 9 Things to do in a parking lot fender-bender
“Will the owner of a white Nissan, license plate number ABC 000 please come to the customer service desk?” Hear this and you KNOW your day isn’t going to be getting any better. It’s safe to assume you haven’t won a prize, anyway. So what should you do if your car is involved in a…
Beware of the “Storm Chasers”
No, not the adrenaline junkies who follow, collect data, and get photographs of giant tornadoes. These are the guys who show up on your doorstep AFTER the storm. As we enter storm season here in the upper Midwest, we thought we’d offer a little advice. After a storm, the first thing many homeowners do is…
Suddenly…a light went on
Today, at Fortress Insurance, we’re going to talk about LIGHT BULBS for the home. We talked a few weeks ago about how useful outdoor lights can be to help keep bad guys away from the house. But this week, we want to just talk about light bulbs, period. You see, as of January 1st, the…
Does Your Insurance Agent Ask the Right Questions?
One of the reasons to have a real live insurance agent, rather than just do business with a computer, is that an agent can help you find coverage that actually covers you. Because your agent will (should) take the time to get to know you, she can spot gaps that you may not find just…
