Reducing Claims through Better RV Maintenance

Posted on by admin

The agents at Johnsen Insurance want our Baraboo, WI, customers to enjoy their motorhomes for many years to come. That’s why we put together this short guide on seasonal RV maintenance. A little extra care for your recreational vehicle helps it last longer and operate at optimum capacity.

Semi-annual Maintenance

Conducting semi-annual maintenance, also called seasonal maintenance, on an RV improves performance. That can mean the difference between brakes that fail and brakes that screech the RV to a halt in tough conditions.

Mechanical Maintenance

Let’s review the basic seasonal mechanical maintenance your RV needs before you store it for winter or first use it in spring:

  • Check the air conditioning and heating.
  • Check and top up all fluids, especially engine oil and brake fluids.
  • Examine the engine, hoses, and clamps.

More than the mechanical components of your RV need maintenance, though. The structural integrity of the motorhome matters, too.

Structural Maintenance

Your RV needs thorough washing and detailing. Start at the top of the motorhome and work your way down. Here’s a full list of tasks:

  • Clean the roof by sweeping it and then washing it with mild cleaner and water.
  • Coat the RV’s roof with UV protectant after it dries.
  • Wash the RV.
  • Repair any roof or siding cracks.
  • Wax the RV or use a protective seal on it to create a heartier finish.

Completing these tasks every six months before storing your RV and before using it again will help maintain its optimum operation.

Contact Johnsen Insurance Today

Don’t wait until the unexpected becomes reality, and it is too late to get umbrella insurance to offset the cost of medical, legal liability, and property damage claims. Contact the professionals at Johnsen Insurance in Baraboo, WI, to get a free quote and protect your most prized investments today!

Is it important for me to have motorcycle insurance when I am purchasing a new one?

Posted on by admin

Being a motorcycle owner can be a good idea if you live in the Baraboo, WI, area. This part of the state offers a fun and reliable way to get around. If you buy a motorcycle, you need to get the right coverage for it, and motorcycle insurance will help ensure your support.

Cover Motorcycle

A top reason for you to get motorcycle insurance when purchasing a new one is to make sure that your asset is covered. If you buy a motorcycle, you will want to know you have the ability to replace or repair it if it is stolen or damaged. When you have a full policy with comprehensive coverage, you will have support in these situations. This can help to protect the asset and your investment in it.

Meet Obligations for Coverage

It is also very important to get motorcycle insurance to ensure you meet your coverage obligations. When you are going to operate a motorcycle in the state, you need to have liability insurance to meet state law. Further, if you have taken out any loan, you need insurance to meet the lender’s standard. If you are fully covered with a motorcycle insurance plan, you will be in good standing with such requirements.

Owning a motorcycle can be an excellent idea for people in the Baraboo, WI area. If you own a bike, you will want to speak with our professionals at Johnsen Insurance to discuss your needs. Our helpful team of professionals at Johnsen Insurance understands the value of motorcycle insurance and will give you any suggestions for choosing a new policy.

How to Protect Your Boat This Winter

Posted on by admin

Ready Your Boat for Winter Storage: A Few Tips

Before you tuck your boat away for the winter, there are a few essential steps to ensure its optimal condition when it resurfaces in the warming months.

Wax Your Boat

Once you’ve thoroughly washed your boat one last time for the season, make sure to add a coat of wax to defend its exterior. In winter, as temperatures dip low, the risk of damage through cracking increases. Waxing provides a protective layer, protecting your boat’s exterior from cracks and rust.

Keep Your Boat Covered

Even if you’re storing your boat in an indoor facility, it’s still crucial to cover it. This protection prevents dust and debris from accumulating over the winter. Additionally, using a high-pitched tarp ensures that any incidental water drains off, keeping your boat safe and dry during winter.

Clean the Interior

Prior to winter storage, thoroughly clean your boat’s interior. Failing to do so could invite pests, leading to potentially significant damage that might only be discovered in spring.

Store in a Garage

Store your boat in a garage or at an off-site storage center if possible. Always choose enclosed spaces to protect your boat from climatic conditions and damage, vandalism, or theft. If the space is climate-controlled, all the better. Still, even an unheated garage provides better protection compared to leaving your boat out in the open.

For boat/watercraft insurance quotes in the Baraboo, WI area, reach out to us at Johnsen Insurance today for further details.

{blog 2}:

Top Reasons To Winterize Your RV at a Storage Center

If you own an RV, it’s unlikely you’ll be going on many winter trips. However, if you’ve been considering sending your RV to a storage center this winter, these reasons might tip the balance.

Prevent Damage From Winter Weather

Prolonged exposure to winter elements such as snow, ice, sleet, and bitterly cold temperatures can cause cosmetic damage to your RV. Small cracks can develop and worsen in the harsh winter weather. Winter also accelerates the process of rusting, especially if there’s an unnoticed leak from the snow and ice accumulation.

Keep Pests Out

Storing your RV, especially in a climate-controlled facility, can prevent pest invasions. Skiffs of RV owners have opened their RVs after the winter only to find pests and rodents have used them as a refuge from the cold, causing extensive damage to the interior. This results in time-consuming maintenance and repairs before you can hit the road again.

Prevent Theft

Proper storage can offer protection against vandalism or theft. Storing in a secure facility with surveillance systems allows for better monitoring and control in case of damage or theft. It always pays to be secure compared to leaving your RV out in the open through the winter.

If you’re looking for RV insurance in the Spring Grove, IL, area or surrounding communities, contact Spring Grove Insurance. We’d be happy to provide a quote.

Who Should Be The Beneficiary of Your Life Insurance Policy?

Posted on by admin

If you are contemplating purchasing life insurance, you must make numerous decisions. The most crucial is determining where to buy it. If you reside in the Baraboo, WI, area, we recommend you choose Johnsen Insurance.

Other elements to consider include the type of life insurance you should opt for, whether term or permanent life. How much coverage will you need? A paramount decision is setting your beneficiary.

What’s a Beneficiary?

In terms of a life insurance policy, the beneficiary is the person who will be allocated the benefits upon your death.

Factors in Selecting a Beneficiary

Your beneficiary should ideally be a trusted, long-term friend or relative. They could receive a substantial sum following your death, with few restrictions in place. As such, your faith in their judgment and decision-making abilities should be strong.

Examples of Potential Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries can and should be modified over time. Initially, parents may serve as beneficiaries. Later, this could shift to a long-term partner or spouse. Yet, this may change once again if a divorce or death occurs. Hence, beneficiaries can vary throughout the years, implying the need to review and update as needed routinely.

The Significance of Secondary Beneficiaries

It’s also sensible to nominate a secondary beneficiary as a safety measure if the primary one passes away. This serves as a safeguard in case the process of updating your beneficiaries is overlooked.

Schedule a Life Insurance Review and Get a Quote Today

Residents of the Baraboo, WI area can obtain a no-obligation life insurance review and price quote by reaching out to Johnsen Insurance. Secure peace of mind for yourself and your family today.

Auto Insurance for Teen Drivers: What Parents Need to Know in Wisconsin

Posted on by admin

For teenagers in the Baraboo, WI area, obtaining a driver’s license and beginning to drive signifies a monumental achievement. As a parent of a teen driver, it’s critical to ensure their safety and proper coverage. This includes acquiring insurance. There’s a lot a parent should know about teen driver auto insurance in Wisconsin.

Requirements

All teen drivers are required to have auto insurance. These minimum requirements are identical to those for all other drivers and mandate the teen to have liability coverage for both property damage and medical expenses. Failure to possess this coverage can lead to penalties and blemish the teen’s driving record.

Ways to Cut Costs

As teen drivers are typically less experienced and more prone to accidents, they could be subject to higher premiums for coverage. Fortunately, there are strategies that a teen and their parent can employ to reduce auto insurance costs. Some of these methods include purchasing a safer vehicle, leveraging good-student discounts offered by many insurance companies, and ensuring the teen enrolls in a certified driver’s education course. These tactics can result in more favorable rates from local auto insurance companies for your teen driver in Wisconsin.

Obtaining a driver’s license is always an exciting milestone for a teenager. However, it’s equally important for those in the Baraboo, WI area to evaluate their insurance needs and options. When you get in touch with our team at Johnsen Insurance, you will receive the help you need to understand more about teen auto insurance. Our professionals at Johnsen Insurance will answer any inquiries and assist you in crafting a new policy.

Commercial Insurance for Online Businesses

Posted on by admin

Online businesses require commercial insurance. E-commerce provides opportunities for entrepreneurs around the world, including Baraboo, WI. At Johnsen Insurance, we specialize in commercial insurance policies that many online business owners unexpectedly need.

Here are a few examples:

General Business Liability

General liability insurance for your online business safeguards you against claims of property damage or bodily injury caused by the products you sell. These types of claims can occur in unexpected situations. For example, you could be held responsible if a delivery driver slips and falls on your front porch while delivering a package for your home business. This insurance also defends you against claims for damages due to your advertising tactics.

Business liability insurance is crucial for interacting with customers or selling any product online.

Product Liability

You could be liable if your customers harm themselves using a product they purchased from you. Although product manufacturers carry this type of insurance (for products made in the United States), you might also be legally accountable for any claims.

Commercial Insurance for Your Vehicle

Most auto policies stipulate coverage only for the driver or vehicle when the vehicle is used for personal purposes. This means that if you use your personal vehicle for business errands like dropping off packages at the FedEx office, acquiring office supplies, or taking a customer out to lunch, and an accident occurs, you won’t be covered unless you’ve insured your car for both commercial and personal use.

At Johnsen Insurance, we can also help you with cyber insurance, errors and omissions insurance, employment practices insurance, and workers’ compensation. Whether your operations are in Baraboo, WI, or anywhere in Wisconsin, contact us today to ensure you have the insurance coverage you need.

Loss of Use and Home Insurance

Posted on by admin

Loss of use coverage offers vital financial protection for homeowners facing uninhabitable properties due to covered perils like fire, vandalism, or natural disasters around Baraboo, WI. Understanding this coverage, also called additional living expenses (ALE) coverage, is key to ensuring homeowners have the necessary support during displacement.

Coverage Essentials

Loss of use coverage reimburses homeowners for additional expenses incurred due to displacement following a covered loss. These expenses typically include temporary living arrangements such as hotel stays, rental accommodations, meals, and other related costs while the home undergoes repair or reconstruction.

Financial Reimbursement

When a covered event renders a home uninhabitable, loss-of-use coverage provides financial assistance for homeowners’ temporary living expenses. This reimbursement may encompass rent for temporary housing, utility bills, storage fees for belongings, and transportation costs to and from the temporary residence.

Coverage Limits and Considerations

Loss of use coverage usually has predefined limits, often based on a percentage of the home’s insured value, such as 20% or 30%. Homeowners can opt for higher coverage limits if necessary, ensuring sufficient protection in a disaster. Homeowners must review their policy limits and understand the extent of their loss of use coverage to prepare for potential displacement adequately.

Policy Conditions and Limitations

While loss-of-use coverage provides valuable assistance, it is subject to certain conditions and limitations outlined in the home insurance policy. For instance, there may be a time limit for the coverage, typically 12 to 24 months. Homeowners should thoroughly review their policy documents and address any queries or concerns with their insurance agent or provider.

Let Johnsen Insurance Give You the Information

Johnsen Insurance is here to assist you with all your home insurance queries and requirements. We’re dedicated to serving the Baraboo, WI, region. Contact us today.

My RV doesn’t have a motor. Do I need insurance?

Posted on by admin

RV insurance is like any other insurance, providing liability and loss coverage. However, depending on the type of recreational vehicle you own, the insurance requirements vary. The world of RVs is wide and varied. There’s a lot to choose from. Our Johnsen Insurance agents are committed to helping Baraboo, WI residents understand their insurance options as RV owners.

What is RV insurance?

In short, RV insurance protects your RV regardless of whether it’s being driven regularly or stored most of the time. The key determinant when it comes to insurance rests on whether your RV is motorized or not. If your RV is motorized, you are required by law to carry insurance. In essence, think of your RV as a car on wheels. As a result, it’s subject to the same laws as cars. Liability coverage is a requirement. However, depending on your situation, you may have to carry more than just liability coverage. Conversely, if you own a fifth wheel that doesn’t have a motor, insurance isn’t required unless you’re financing your fifth wheel. In this situation, your lender usually requires you to carry full coverage insurance until your RV is paid in full.

My RV doesn’t have a motor. Do I need insurance?

Probably not. You’re not legally obligated to carry insurance if your RV isn’t motorized. However, as mentioned above, your lender usually requires full coverage insurance if you don’t own a non-motorized RV. Insurance isn’t legally required for RV owners unless your RV is motorized. Like auto insurance, RV owners have various insurance options in addition to what’s required. Our insurance agents can help answer any questions and clear any confusion that you may have regarding RV insurance. 

When does someone in Wisconsin need motorcycle insurance?

Posted on by admin

When residing in Baraboo, WI, having reliable transportation is crucial. Despite the prolonged cold winters, owning a motorcycle can be a practical choice for the rest of the year. However, like any other vehicle, a bike also requires adequate insurance. Here are situations when motorcycle insurance is essential in Baraboo, WI.

Public Road Usage

If you plan to use your motorcycle on public roads, you must meet state legal standards by procuring the necessary liability coverage. A comprehensive motorcycle insurance plan will provide this essential coverage, protecting you in case of any accidents or damages.

Vehicle Financing

If you’ve financed your motorcycle, your lender usually requires you to have insurance. This safeguards their investment if your bike gets stolen or damaged. An appropriate motorcycle insurance plan covers these potential risks, ensuring you comply with the lender’s terms.

Trust Johnsen Insurance with Your Motorcycle Insurance Needs

When shopping for motorcycle insurance in Baraboo, WI, contact our Johnsen Insurance experts. Our team is dedicated to guiding you through your decision, ensuring you remain appropriately covered no matter where your ride takes you.

What boat insurance covers and what it doesn’t

Posted on by admin

Understanding the Importance of Boat Insurance in Wisconsin

Boating is incredibly popular in Wisconsin, with the beautiful Lake Michigan and extensive Mississippi River offering ample opportunities for water-based fun. At Johnsen Insurance in Baraboo, WI, we’ve provided personalized insurance services for six decades, helping boating enthusiasts make informed decisions about their specific insurance needs.

Why You Need Boat Insurance in Wisconsin

While Wisconsin does not require boat insurance by law, it’s critical to consider the risks involved in boating. If you’re a boat owner with significant assets, having boat insurance makes sense. Also, if you’ve taken a boat loan or use a marina, you may be required to have boat insurance.

What Does Boat Insurance Cover?

A typical boat insurance policy covers several risks and eventualities:

  • Liability Coverage: This covers damages you cause to others, their property, and medical expenses.
  • Collision and Comprehensive Coverage: This covers damage to your boat due to an accident, theft, vandalism, or uncontrolled events. This may also include coverage for fishing or diving equipment on your boat.
  • Uninsured Boaters’ Coverage: Provides protection if an uninsured boater damages your boat or injures you or your passengers.
  • Breakdown Coverage: Helps with towing and repairs if your boat breaks down. Some policies may also cover engine replacement.

What Boat Insurance Doesn’t Cover

It’s also crucial to be aware that boat insurance typically doesn’t cover wear and tear, which is an expected part of owning a boat.

Why take the risk? Contact our team at Johnsen Insurance in Baraboo, WI today to discuss your boat insurance needs.