Does auto insurance cover the car or the driver?

If you are going to borrow someone’s car in Lansing, IA, or if you are lending your car to a friend, you still need to know if the driver will be insured.

Is someone who is covered under one policy still covered when driving different vehicles?

At Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency, we collect information from insurance applicants such as driving history, household members, and automobile information. This is so the company insuring the family knows the patterns of the family being insured. Someone with a poor driving history may make the policy more expensive, for example.

Other drivers can still use the vehicles under the policy as long as it isn’t a regular thing. You should always inform your insurance agent if someone else is using your vehicle a lot or if other driving patterns change. During the peak of the pandemic, many drivers were able to get a break by reporting that they were no longer spending as much time driving every day because of the temporary work-from-home policies.

If a friend borrows your vehicle and there is an accident, your liability insurance will pay for property damage and for injuries to the other driver and passengers. If the amount owed goes over your policy limits, the other driver is responsible but may be able to use their own liability coverage to make up the difference. That secondary coverage would only kick in once your policy maxes out.

Schedule A Consultation Today

Even if you trust your friend, you are still taking a risk when lending your vehicle to someone in Lansing, IA. If there is an accident, you will have to report it to your insurance. If your friend is at fault, your insurance will probably have to pay. For any questions about auto insurance, please call Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency today.

How to Save for Retirement with Life Insurance

Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency may specialize in insurance in the Lansing, IA area, but we want to see your finances grow, too. That’s why we search for insurance products that will serve you in multiple ways, like cash-value life insurance policies.

Build Savings with Cash Value Policies

When you buy a life insurance policy with a cash value savings account attached, you can save for your Lansing, IA, retirement while you ensure that your loved ones will receive a death benefit.

Each month, you pay premiums for your whole life policy, but a portion of the premium goes into a savings account pre-tax. That means that you do not pay federal or state income taxes on it until you access it years down the line.

Dual Benefit Life Insurance

While it does require a few years for the account to vest, so you can borrow against it or make withdrawals, you build savings while paying for a necessary financial tool. Your net worth grows – tax-free.

When you do withdraw money or use the savings for a loan, you will need to repay the amount with interest. If you die without doing so, the money withdrawn comes out of the death benefit.

Accessing All of Your Money

Some cash value accounts let you cash out the policy. That means you can close the policy and withdraw all of the savings you built. This also means you would need new life insurance, and you would pay taxes on the savings account balance at tax time.

Contact Us Today

Email or call Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency serving the Lansing, IA area. Let us help you set up a life insurance policy that provides for your family now and later.

Would it be helpful for someone in Iowa to get home insurance?

For people residing in the Lansing, IA area, real estate ownership can be a great long-term housing option. When you are looking to buy a home in this area, you do need to ensure that you are careful about protecting it. One of the ways you can protect your assets is by getting a home insurance plan.

There are situations when this coverage will be helpful to have:

When Property is Damaged

A situation when having a home insurance plan will be helpful will come when your property is damaged. There are many risks that come with owning a home, such as if it is damaged in a fire, there is a bad storm, or you are a victim of vandalism. When you do have a home insurance plan, you will have the support necessary to replace or repair parts of your home. 

When Named Liable in an Accident

You also will want to have home insurance when you are named liable in an accident. If an accident does occur on your property, there is a chance you could be held liable and need to cover such damages. With home insurance, you will get the support you need to offset this risk. 

Reach Out To Us

Anyone that does live in the Lansing, IA area needs to ensure they have a home insurance plan in place at all times. When you are ready to start looking for coverage in this area, you can begin your search by calling our team with the Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency.

Our professionals at the Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency know how important this coverage is and they can offer any guidance you need to select your next policy. This can give you comfort that you are selecting the right plan for your situation. 

Electric Powered Personal WaterCraft and Why Insurance Is Needed

There are many lakes, rivers, and beaches near Lansing, IA, where you can enjoy personal watercraft devices called PCW. Personal watercraft are small electric boats for one or two people, electric surfboards, electric sea scooters, electric surfboards, and electric jet skis.

Although insurance is not required, Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency has power toy insurance that covers medical expenses, collisions, and repairs to personal watercraft. Why take the chance of accidents or damage? Like a boat, PCWs should be insured.

Boating Safety and Personal Watercrafts  

In Iowa, children 12-17 years old must complete a boating safety course to operate a PCW alone. They can operate a PCW without being certified when a responsible adult over 18 is on board. In some cases, the boating course is necessary because some PCWs only have room for one person. PCWs should not be operated between sunset and sunrise. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has an online boating safety course that gives a boater education card at completion to kids 12-17. 

Types of Personal Watercrafts 

A one or two-person small electric-powered boat is fun on the water and relaxing. Some boats with low-powered motors are designed for drifting and relaxing. An electric lounger scooter boat lets you lay on two sunbeds, has a ladder on the side, and has a Bluetooth system that warns you when the battery is getting low. Some PCW boats are high-speed and fit one to three people. These boats come with a supercharged engine, audio systems, special controls for speed and turns, and comfortable seats. They are sometimes called water jet skis. 

Electric surfboards are popular, reaching speeds of up to 37 miles per hour.  They have distinctive designs for the beginner to the experienced surfer. Sea scooters are designed for snorkelers and scuba diving and help you explore underwater sites with ease. All these PCWs are pricey and provide hours of enjoyment in the water. Accidents happen on the water and power toy insurance can protect you and your family. 

Contact Us About Power Toy Insurance

If you own a personal watercraft or plan to buy one, contact us at Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency in Lansing, IA to learn more about power toy insurance for your watercraft. 

Insurance Coverage For Your Classic and Collector Cars

Classic cars need more than the same basic insurance as your daily commuter. They also need protection as valuable assets that increase in value over time. Serving the Lansing, IA area, Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency offers bumper-to-bumper coverage for your special ride.

Did you know?

  • Iowans enjoy some of the lowest automobile insurance premiums in the country.
  • The state minimums for coverage start at $20,000/$40,000 toward bodily injury, plus $15,000 per accident.

With such reasonable terms, this makes the additional coverage you need for your antique or collector vehicle affordable!

Whether you are going to auto shows or taking the occasional pleasure cruise, choose from customized policy options including full liability with medical, under- and uninsured motorist coverage, collision and comprehensive–for life’s little accidents–plus emergency roadside assistance, towing, and rental fees.

For your classic car, we also offer Spare Parts coverage for the classic car parts in your garage and Evacuation Expense coverage in the event of an imminent natural disaster. All automobile policies offered by Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency are overseen by the Iowa Insurance Division to offer the best consumer protection possible to our clients.

Reach Out To Us Today!

Call our Lansing, IA office and start protecting your classic car for today and the next generation. Our agents will guide you through all the "insurance speak" and offer easy-to-follow policy points that you can count on.

Whether you like the tight handling of a vintage sports car or the power of ’70s muscle, no matter the road you’re on, classic car insurance from Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency will let you ride easy.

Do You Have Adequate Renter’s Insurance?

Everyone who rents an apartment, house, townhouse, condo, or any other dwelling should have renter’s insurance. Beyond that, it is important to have adequate renter’s insurance. Do you have adequate renter’s insurance? Here are some ways to know the answer to that important question. These tips are coming to you from Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency serving Lansing, IA.

Amount of property

When determining whether you have enough renter’s insurance coverage, one of the key issues to evaluate is how much property you have and how much it is worth. Look at what the policy you are considering specifies related to that. And make sure you have plenty of coverage if you have a renter’s insurance claim in the future.

Particular belongings

If you have particular types of belongings, you should probably have even more renter’s insurance. For example, some renter’s insurance policies include extra coverage for items like jewelry, art, and electronics. If you have any of those, especially if they are worth a lot of money, you should pay close attention to whether you have adequate renter’s insurance for those.

Specific circumstances

Your renter’s insurance might or might not be adequate to cover certain specific circumstances. For example, many policies do not cover floods and mold. So it is extremely important that you find out whether you have adequate coverage for those. You never know when you might be faced with specific circumstances that can be very costly to handle without enough renter’s insurance coverage.

You probably have many questions about renter’s insurance, including how much coverage you need. Feel free to contact Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency serving Lansing, IA.

Tips for taking your RV on a long distance trip

If you’re planning to take your RV on a long-distance trip from here in the Lansing, IA area, there are some important things to keep in mind. To make sure your journey is a success, here are some tips from us at Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency to follow.

Tips for taking your RV on a long-distance trip

1. Plan out your route ahead of time

Before embarking on your trip, be sure to map out your route and plan any overnight stops along the way. Make sure to check whether there are any road closures or construction that could cause delays or detours.

2. Pack an emergency kit

Be prepared for anything while on the road by packing an emergency kit with essentials such as water, snacks, first aid supplies and basic tools like flashlights and wrenches. You never know when you may need them! 

3. Stock up on food and drinks 

Make sure you’ve got enough food and drinks stocked up in the RV so you don’t have to worry about making frequent grocery store stops during your trip. It’s also a good idea to bring along cooler bags filled with ice packs to help keep items fresh for longer periods of time. 

4. Keep track of maintenance needs

As with any vehicle, it’s important to make sure that all its moving parts are functioning properly for the duration of the trip. Regularly check oil levels, brakes, and tire pressure — this can help avoid unexpected breakdowns while away from home! 

5. Have fun!

Most importantly, remember that taking an RV on a long-distance trip is all about having fun! Leave plenty of time during each stop over so that you can explore what each destination has to offer.

Reach Out To Us!

For more tips, give us at Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency a call. We are proud to serve the Lansing, IA area.

Frequently asked questions about motorcycle insurance

Many people ride motorcycles, but not all of them carry insurance. It could be a matter of trying to save money, but it also could be a lack of understanding or unanswered questions.Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency is happy to serve Lansing, IA area bikers with all their insurance needs and queries.

Here are some common questions people ask about motorcycle insurance.

Frequently asked questions about motorcycle insurance

Is my motorcycle trailer covered?

It depends on your insurance policy. Most motorcycle insurance policies do not cover trailers. You might have to talk with your insurance agent about whether or not your policy includes a trailer. In most cases, you need a separate insurance policy for your motorcycle and trailer.

What is comprehensive and collision coverage?

Comprehensive coverage covers damage from anything that isn’t a collision. This damage can include fires, weather-related damage, natural disasters, etc. Collision coverage provides compensation for damage done to your motorcycle in an accident. Collision coverage is for when the accident was your fault, and your motorcycle got damaged. If the other party is responsible, their liability insurance will cover the damages.

What is liability coverage?

When you are responsible for causing an accident, liability insurance takes care of the damage and medical costs for the other party. It also takes care of any legal bills you incur if you end up with a lawsuit for the accident.

Are my friends covered if I let them ride my motorcycle?

If your friend is licensed and has permission to ride, your liability should cover them if they were to cause an accident.

Are there motorcycle insurance discounts?

Many insurance companies have different guidelines in place for discounts, such as paying in full upfront, bundling, and safe driving.

Reach Out To Us Today

If you have more questions, contact us at Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency in Lansing, IA.

Three signs you should update your boat insurance coverage

It’s important for you to update your boat insurance coverage over time if you want to make sure that you’re carrying the coverage that you need. When it’s time to update your coverage, we can help you at Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency. We offer insurance to boat owners in Lansing, IA. 

Here are three signs that you should update your boat insurance coverage:

You’d like to be able to navigate in a larger area.

Boat insurance policies are limited in terms of the navigational areas in which they offer coverage. It’s important to be aware of this as a boat owner.

If you want to be able to use your boat over a larger navigational area, you should update your boat insurance policy to make sure that you’ll be covered in all the waters you navigate. 

You were disappointed with how a past claim was handled.

It’s important that your boat insurance provider meets your expectations when you have to file a claim. Otherwise, you should shop around and find another boat insurance provider. 

Good customer service and a straightforward claims process are both essential for a good boat insurance provider. You can always switch policies and providers if you’re not happy about a past claim. 

You bought another boat.

If you get rid of your old boat and buy a new one, you need to update your policy. You also need to update your policy if you want to add coverage for a second or additional boat. 

Contact Us Today

Give us a call at Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency if you have questions about our boat insurance options. If you’re a boat owner in Lansing, IA, we’ll be happy to give you a quote on a boat insurance policy. 

I already have insurance. Why do I need an umbrella policy?

The purpose of an umbrella policy is to provide you and your family with protection in the event that you are found liable for something like bodily injury, property damage, or financial loss. An umbrella policy will help protect your assets and income from being used to pay damages that result from a lawsuit. Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency is happy to assist Lansing, IA area residents with this important coverage. 

Why Umbrella Insurance?

There are many reasons why someone might be sued. Some common ones include accidents caused by reckless driving, injuries sustained during a physical altercation, or even financial losses related to real estate or business activities. Because people can be held liable for such events even if they’re not at fault, it’s important to have an umbrella policy so that you don’t have to worry about losing everything if you become involved in a costly legal case.

When choosing an umbrella policy, it’s important to make sure that the coverage limits are high enough to protect you from any potential liabilities. Depending on your income and assets, you might need millions of dollars worth of protection to keep yourself protected. Additionally, you should work with an insurance agent who is experienced and can advise you on which types of liability claims are likely for someone with your specific occupation or activities.

Contact Us Today

If you’re wondering whether an umbrella policy makes sense for your situation, talk to an insurance agent today about getting one in place. With proper protection from an umbrella policy, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your family will be taken care of financially in case the worst happens. At Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency, we have been proudly serving the Lansing, IA area for many years. Give us a call today!