Living in Blaine provides a quiet, hometown experience with the world waiting at your doorstep. Whether you are taking a day trip to White Bear Lake or commuting into the Twin Cities for work, chances are your car sees plenty of miles each year. Make sure you are protected every mile along the way with Minnesota car insurance.
At Patriot Insurance, we can help you find the coverage you need and the savings you want. Our policies include all of the protection you are required to carry by the state, as well as added coverage that protects your financial interests. Accidents can happen to anyone, anytime. Make sure you are prepared.
Imagine a driver taking a scenic Sunday drive to one of Minnesota’s beautiful parks. He treats his family to a picnic lunch, only to look back and see his vehicle rolling backward down the hill he parked on. The car hits a fence and sideswipes another vehicle on the way down before hitting a tree in the field below. His car insurance contains liability and personal injury protection, but he opted out of collision and comprehensive coverage. While the damages to the fence and other vehicle are covered, the damages to his own car are his personal responsibility. If he had purchased the additional insurance protection offered to him, his out-of-pocket expenses would have been minimal compared to the thousands of dollars it will cost to repair his vehicle.
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.
Car Insurance in Minnesota
As a Minnesota driver, you need a car insurance policy that protects you in any scenario. We recommend you purchase coverage with limits that protect your financial interests regardless of who – or what – is at-fault for your or a victim’s loss. Some of the insurance protection we offer includes:
Liability Insurance
All motorists are responsible for the losses and injuries they cause to other drivers and their passengers in a collision. If you are at-fault for an accident, your liability insurance helps minimize your out-of-pocket losses for claims against you. Most drivers need more than the state minimum liability coverage of $10,000 for property damage, $30,000 for an individual’s bodily injury, and $60,000 for two or more people injured in an accident.
Collision Insurance
Collision insurance reimburses you for damages to your own vehicle when you are at-fault for an accident. Whether you hit another vehicle or an object, collision insurance can help cover repair costs or replacement of your vehicle if it is deemed a total loss.
Comprehensive Insurance
Sometimes, damages to your vehicle are not your fault or the fault of another driver. Sometimes it is Mother Nature who causes wind or hail damage to your car. In other cases, it might be a falling object or even a thief who leaves your windows shattered. Whatever the cause, comprehensive insurance can help pick up the pieces.
Personal Injury Protection
In a no-fault state like Minnesota, your own car insurance pays for the first $20,000 of your medical bills and $20,000 of lost income when you are injured in an accident – regardless of who was at-fault. This is known as personal injury protection (PIP), and the coverage generally extends to all members of your household – even if you are injured as the passenger in another person’s car.
Uninsured Motorist/Underinsured Motorist Protection
Being uninsured is against the law, yet many Minnesota drivers still do not maintain car insurance coverage. Uninsured motorist protection is required in Minnesota, and it provides you with back-up payment for your medical expenses exceeding the limits on your PIP if you are injured by a motorist who does not have liability coverage. Likewise, underinsured motorist insurance protects you above the limits of your PIP and that at-fault driver’s liability insurance when you are injured by a driver with inadequate coverage.
Other Minnesota Car Insurance Options
When you run out of gas, need help changing a flat, or get locked out of your car, roadside assistance protection ensures you get the help you need, 24-hours a day. It also helps knowing your insurance company has you covered if you need to have your vehicle towed or find yourself stranded and without lodging far away from home. You can even include reimbursement for a rental car if a covered event leaves you without transportation.
See How Much Money You Can Save on Minnesota Car Insurance
At Patriot Insurance, our number one goal is to provide customers with affordable rates on premium coverage. From low mileage and bundling discounts to raising your deductible, we can help find ways to reduce the costs on the coverage you want. Let us put our knowledge and experience to work to find you a policy that protects your future. Call us today to request your free quote and find out how much we can save you on Minnesota car insurance. We look forward to serving you soon.
