Safe driving tips for new drivers

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New drivers can often be nervous about getting behind the wheel here in the Baraboo, WI area for the first time, but it’s important to follow safety tips and drive responsibly to ensure everyone on the road stays safe.

Here are some safe driving tips for new drivers from us at Johnsen Insurance: 

1. Always buckle up

Always make sure you and your passengers fasten your seatbelts before starting the car. 

2. Stay focused

Avoid talking or texting while driving and keep your eyes on the road at all times. 

3. Follow speed limits

Adhere to posted speed limits or lower as needed due to weather or traffic conditions. 

4. Obey traffic laws

Follow all signs and signals when driving and never run a red light or stop sign. 

5. Be aware of other drivers

Pay attention to other vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians who may be sharing the road with you. 

6. Leave a safe distance

Maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles in front of you so that you have enough space if you need to brake suddenly. 

7. Don’t drink & drive

Don’t get behind the wheel after consuming any amount of alcohol, as this puts everyone in danger on the roads.. 

Reach Out To Us!

By following these basic safety tips, new drivers can stay confident behind the wheel while helping keep everyone on the roads safe! For more safe driving tips or to find an auto policy that meets both your needs and your budget, give us at Johnsen Insurance a call today. We are proud to serve the Baraboo, WI area.

Difference Between Commercial And Business Insurance

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The insurance professionals at Johnsen Insurance in Baraboo, WI can help explain that commercial insurance differs from business insurance mainly due to the presence of a fleet. A business such as a mobile pet grooming service might carry only such insurance as pertains to that business. 

Commercial business insurance covers different types of vehicles such as gravel trucks and delivery trucks using more than six wheels (picture a grocery store home delivery truck.) The requirements for each type of insurance differ – we can assist you with each of these. 

The Basics Of Commercial/Business Insurance

Since they both cover the same things, most people use the terms interchangeably. The goal is to cover injuries and defective products, along with fire, flood, and the vagaries of weather. Both offer liability, workers’ compensation, and property insurance. Where do they differ?

Business Vehicles Insurance

If you operate a business with a sales team, that would fall under business insurance. Perhaps you own a carpet cleaning company with specialized equipment on your trucks. You’d need commercial insurance. Which type is right for you?

Business Insurance

A fleet of cars or a fleet of pickup trucks or vans constitutes “regular traffic” users. As such, they require simple business insurance in order to protect the company from accidents and injuries. A sole operator using a car for his company can still be covered by business vehicle insurance. 

Commercial Insurance

This is more expensive due to the vehicles being bigger and the possibility of bigger accidents. Your vehicles might transport people, equipment, or tools for a variety of reasons and businesses. Your vehicles will be larger than those needed for a business fleet. Commercial insurance was designed to protect the vehicle as well as the people.

Call Johnsen Insurance in Baraboo, WI to learn more – we are happy to help. 

Protect Your Home and Your Wallet

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Protecting your home is an important step in protecting your budget. After all, accidents happen. At Johnsen Insurance, we understand that the people of Baraboo, WI want to ensure their homes and their belongings are safe from harm. That’s why we offer comprehensive home insurance plans to protect you from several types of financial loss due to theft, damage, or natural disasters.

Factors that Affect Home Insurance

When it comes to your home insurance plan, premium rates are determined by a variety of factors. These factors include the age and condition of your home, the type of construction materials used, any additional features such as a pool or hot tub, and even the location of your home.

For example, protecting your home from natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes will require additional coverage, which may increase your premiums. But with the help of our experienced agents at Johnsen Insurance, you can determine which coverage options are right for you and develop a plan that best fits your budget.

Making a Claim: Navigating the Process

If you ever need to make a claim in Baraboo WI, navigating the process can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to have a knowledgeable team of insurance professionals on your side. To file a claim, you’ll need to provide your insurance provider with details related to the incident or loss. The right home insurance policy should offer protection for any kind of damage or financial losses you experience as a result.

At Johnsen Insurance in Baraboo, WI, we understand how important it is to protect your home and your wallet from any unexpected events. We offer a variety of flexible insurance plans designed to meet your specific needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help protect you and your home.

Do You Need Both RV Insurance and Home Insurance?

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Investing in an RV is a big decision, whether you plan to live in it long-term or make it the ultimate vacation vehicle. Before you get settled or hit the road though, it’s crucial that you take measures to protect your RV properly. But what kind of insurance coverage does your RV actually need? For example, do you need separate RV protection if you already have homeowners insurance?

At Johnsen Insurance in Baraboo, WI, we’re here to help answer all of your questions!

What is RV Insurance?

RV insurance is just what it sounds like — insurance protection for your recreational vehicle. Like auto insurance, RV insurance is required in Wisconsin if it is a motorized vehicle. That means that if you are driving your RV at all, you need to carry minimum liability coverage in case of an accident. If you have a camper or trailer that you are towing, however, RV insurance is not required as long as your auto insurance on the towing vehicle is valid.

It’s also worth out that you may require insurance by certain campgrounds or trailer parks. If you are leasing or renting your RV short-term, you may also be required to carry insurance coverage for the duration of your time with it.

Why You May Also Want Home Insurance with Your RV

RV insurance functions very similarly to auto insurance, which means it covers the vehicle itself rather than all of your possessions within. Therefore, you may also want to add home insurance to your RV for extra protection. This can be a particularly shrewd decision if you are living in your RV for an extended period of time or simply are bringing a lot of valuables on a long trip.

If you already have a home policy on your other property, you may be able to extend it to cover your RV as well. This will not be possible in every case, so it’s important to discuss your options with an insurance agent.

Learn More About RV Insurance Today

It’s always a good idea to speak with an experienced insurance agent before making any decisions. If you have an RV in the Baraboo, WI area, give our team at Johnsen Insurance a call! We’re ready to help you learn everything you need to know about RV insurance and help you find coverage that works for you.

Why Insurance is Especially Important For Bikers

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Motorcycles can be a lot of fun, fulfilling desires for an open road and a need for speed. They can also make for great general modes of transportation. That said, motorcycle drivers would do well to respect both the bike and the road because serious mishaps can happen. Further, in some ways, motorcycles are more dangerous to drive than cars. To learn more about motorbike insurance, contact Johnsen Insurance, serving Baraboo, WI and other areas.

Data Drives Home How Dangerous Motorcycles Are

Over 80,000 motorcyclists end up injured each year, many of whom require medical care. Digging deeper, there are 992 injuries per 100,000 registered motorcycles. If someone is injured while on a motorcycle, motorcycle insurance will often cover some or all of the medical bills. Of course, bike owners need to read the fine print of any given plan to understand what is and is not covered.

Sadly, injuries on motorcycles are more likely to be severe (meaning higher medical bills). Modern cars provide extensive safety equipment that motorcycles lack, such as airbags and seatbelts.

Motorcycles are also prime targets for theft. Thieves can load bikes into trucks rather than hotwiring them. Later, bikes can quickly be stripped down and sold for parts, which can command a lot of money.

Why Motorcyclists Need Insurance Coverage

Quite simply, driving or riding in a car is safer than using a motorcycle. While motorcycle safety has improved and wearing the appropriate safety gear, like helmets, reduces risks, there’s still a considerable chance that a motorcyclist will end up hurt. As such, it’s important to have insurance coverage that will cover medical bills not just for the driver but also passengers and other folks on the road.

Give Us A Call

It’s also wise to take out theft insurance for a motorbike given that they are prime targets for thieves. If you want to explore insurance plans, contact Johnsen Insurance, which serves Baraboo, WI and other areas.

Do You Have to Carry Boat Insurance Year-Round?

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At Johnsen Insurance, serving the greater Baraboo, WI region, we sell boat insurance. Since boats are primarily used during the spring and summer months, one of the questions that our customers often ask is whether you have to carry boat insurance on your boat year-round. 

Do You Have to Carry Boat Insurance Year-Round?

Legally speaking, you are not required to carry boat insurance year-round. You are only required to carry boat insurance when your boat is actively on the waterway. Because of this, many people freeze their boat insurance policies during the fall and winter months, when their boats are not likely to be used. 

Should You Carry Boat Insurance Year-Round? 

While you are not legally required to carry boat insurance year-round, there are many benefits to doing so. First, if you have a loan on your boat, the lender may require you to carry insurance at all times. Secondly, your boat can be damaged, even if it is not on the water. A tree can fall on your boat, your boat can be vandalized, or your boat can be stolen. Having full boat coverage and carrying that coverage year-round helps to protect your boat both in the water and when it is being stored during the winter months.  

Contact Us Today

If you have a loan on your boat or want to cover your boat when it is in storage, you will need boat insurance year-round. If you are looking to purchase a new boat insurance policy in the greater Baraboo, WI area, Johnsen Insurance is here to help you. Call or email us today and let’s sit down and talk about finding you the best boat insurance policy for your needs. 

Life Insurance for the Protection of Your Family’s Future

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Do you wonder about the financial security of your family after you pass? Make sure they can continue to live as they always have. A life insurance policy from Johnsen Insurance, serving the Baraboo, WI area, will provide the security you desire for your family.

Unless you have enough wealth for them to maintain their current standard of living, life insurance is a necessity. It protects them from disastrous financial losses if something happens to you. Not only does it provide financial stability, but it also pays off debts, and helps with day-to-day living expenses, medical bills, and final expenses.

There are three common types of life insurance:

Term life insurance is the simplest form of life insurance. You pay a premium for a designated period of time, usually 10 to 30 years. If you pass during that time, a cash benefit is paid to your family or your designated beneficiary.

Whole life insurance is sometimes called “straight life”, or “ordinary life” and it remains in force for the insured’s entire life as long as the premiums are paid, or to the maturity date of the policy.

Universal life insurance is a type of permanent insurance. With a universal policy, the insured is covered for the duration of their life as long as any requirements of the policy are maintained, and the premiums paid. The policyholder can only use the cash value of the policy while they are alive. Unlike term insurance, it can accumulate interest-bearing funds like a savings account. Premiums and death benefits can be adjusted, and policyholders can pay additional toward their premiums and receive interest payments on the excess.

Contact Us Today

Make sure your loved ones are financially secure in the event of your passing. Contact the professionals at Johnsen Insurance in Baraboo, WI today for a quote. You will be glad you did.

Minimum Wisconsin Auto Insurance Requirements

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Wisconsin auto owners are required to have insurance, but how do you know what kind of insurance is needed and why? Auto insurance provides protection far beyond simple crash and dent coverage to help protect you against liability, lawsuits, and more. Our team at Johnsen Insurance in Baraboo, WI wants to help you understand state insurance laws, and get you the right coverage for your needs.

Here is what you need to know about Wisconsin insurance law:

Proof of Insurance

Wisconsin law requires proof of insurance for auto owners and operators. You don’t need proof of insurance simply to obtain a license or register a vehicle, but will be required to show this should you get stopped by an officer or involved in an accident — even if it’s not your fault. Failure to provide proof of this insurance can result in $10 for simply failing to show insurance, but it rises to $500 if you are not able to provide that proof later. Showing fraudulent insurance can result in a $5000 fine.

And that’s not counting any damages you may be liable for in an accident.

Liability Insurance

And while proof of insurance is required, you must only prove that you have qualifying liability insurance — not full accident and damage coverage. This distinction is helpful to many older car owners who don’t mind an extra scratch or dent. Wisconsin auto liability must simply cover $10,000 towards property damage and at least $25,000 per person injured or in the case of accidental death. Additional coverage is by choice and not state law.

Contact Us Today

Don’t risk your auto, instead check with the experts at Johnsen Insurance in Baraboo, WI. We’re ready to get you on the road.

What Are The Risks Of Not having Commercial Insurance?

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Running a business is always expensive, so the last thing you want to do is to add more expenses, such as commercial insurance. Therefore, many business owners prefer to operate their businesses without insurance to save money. If you are one of them, it is important to know about possible risks you may face. Consult with Johnsen Insurance in Baraboo, WI for expert insurance advice.

What Are The Risks Of Not Having Commercial Insurance

Not having commercial insurance is always a risky experience, and here is why: 

  • You leave your employees unprotected. One of the purposes of business insurance is to protect your employees in case something happens. For example, if you do not have workers’ compensation and one of your employees is injured at work, you could be liable for a lawsuit. 
  • Your business will not be protected. Anything can happen to your business and your commercial property. If it does and you do not have proper insurance, you will be left with financial consequences of interrupted business operations and repairs that you will have to pay for. 
  • You break the state’s laws. In the state of Wisconsin, for example, it is mandatory to carry workers’ compensation if you own a business. Running a business without it is illegal. Therefore, if you decide not to purchase commercial insurance, you should understand that you break the state laws. 

Get Commercial Insurance Today

Are you a business owner operating your business in Baraboo, WI, or any other nearby area? Are you currently shopping for business insurance that would protect you, your commercial property, and your employees?  Do not hesitate to contact us at Johnsen Insurance – we are an experienced insurance agency specializing in different types of insurance, including commercial insurance as well. We will help you find a perfect insurance plan and answer all of your questions. 

How Home Insurance Protects Your Finances

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When you have made the investment into a home of your own, that investment needs to be protected with a good home insurance policy. You need to have all of the coverage you need to protect yourself and your finances if a serious event should occur there. When you need a home insurance policy, call us at Johnsen Insurance in Baraboo, WI.

Protecting Your Home

When a damaging event happens to your house, it can cause an extreme amount of damage that is highly expensive to repair. If you don’t have home insurance when it happens, you could owe tens of thousands in repair costs or even more. When you have home insurance, it covers a wide range of events that can damage your home. When one of them happens, the policy will pay for the repairs that the home needs to get it back into good condition. 

Coverage for What You Own

Like your home, what you own inside your house is also valuable. And, they can be damaged or destroyed by a covered event. When this happens, you need home insurance to pay for your items to be replaced. Without this coverage, you would have to pay for replacing all of your items by yourself, and this would be a serious economic hardship. 

Liability Protection

Another part of your home insurance policy is coverage for your liability. This coverage protects you financially in case someone were to come into your house and become injured in an accident there. If that were to happen, you would likely be judged liable for the person’s medical bills. With home insurance, those bills are paid by the policy. 

Protect Yourself With Home Insurance

When you own a home and don’t have a home insurance policy, don’t wait to get one. Call us now at Johnsen Insurance in Baraboo, WI to get started.