Annual Insurance Review Checklist for Rosemount & South Metro Families

by | Sep 24, 2026 | auto insurance, boat insurance, home insurance, Jewelry Insurance, Sentinel Assurance, umbrella insurance

Your Annual Insurance Review Checklist: What’s Changed This Year?

A lot can happen in twelve months. Your teenager got their license. You finished the basement. You traded in the minivan, started a side business, or finally bought that boat you’ve been eyeing at the lake.

Your insurance policy doesn’t know about any of it unless you tell us.

Most home and auto policies renew automatically, which is convenient. But it also means the policy on renewal day is built on information from last year, or the year before. A quick annual review helps make sure your policy details are still accurate and that your coverage still fits the way you live now.

Here’s the checklist we use with clients across Rosemount, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Eagan and Farmington. Take ten minutes before your renewal date, jot down anything that’s changed, and bring it to your next conversation with us.

Why an Annual Review Matters

Insurance is priced and written based on the details you’ve given us: who drives, where vehicles are kept, what your home looks like, and what you own. When those details change and the policy doesn’t, a few things can happen:

  • You might be paying for something you no longer need.
  • You might have a gap you don’t know about until you file a claim.
  • Your bills or documents might go to an old address or a lender you no longer use.

An annual review isn’t about selling you more coverage. It’s about keeping your policy accurate. Sometimes that means adding something, and sometimes it means removing something.

Your Renewal Review Checklist

1. Contact, Billing and Payment Preferences

Let’s start with the easy ones:

  • Has your phone number, email or mailing address changed?
  • Do you have a new bank account or card for payments?
  • Would you like to switch to paperless billing, autopay or a different payment schedule?

These seem small, but a missed bill or an outdated email can create headaches no one needs.

2. Vehicles and How You Use Them

  • Did you buy, sell, trade or lease a vehicle this year?
  • Has the place where a vehicle is parked overnight changed? (For example, a car now kept at a college apartment or a second home.)
  • Is anyone commuting farther? Maybe a new job means more time on Highway 3 or Cedar Avenue.
  • Is any vehicle used for business, deliveries or rideshare?

That last question is an important one. Coverage for business or rideshare use varies from policy to policy and carrier to carrier, so it’s worth a conversation with your agent before you start driving for work or an app.

3. Household Members and Drivers

This is where the biggest changes often happen, especially for South Metro families with teens.

  • Has anyone moved in or out of your home?
  • Has there been a marriage, divorce or new dependent?
  • Is there a new driver in the house, or a teen about to get their permit or license?
  • Do you have a student away at college?

Students living away from home, new drivers, and changes in who lives with you can all affect how your policy is set up. Your agent can walk through the options available with your carrier.

4. Your Home and Property

  • Did you move, refinance or change mortgage lenders?
  • Have you finished any renovations, additions or major updates? Think finished basements, kitchen remodels, a new roof, or updated electrical, plumbing or HVAC.
  • Did you add a new feature like a pool, deck, fence, detached garage, trampoline or solar panels?
  • Are you renting out any part of your home, even occasionally?

Renovations and upgrades can change what it would cost to rebuild your home. It’s worth reviewing whether your dwelling coverage still reflects your home as it is today. Some updates, like a newer roof or updated systems, may also be worth mentioning when your policy is reviewed.

If you’re renting out space, including short-term rentals, talk with us first. Rental use can change how a homeowners policy applies.

5. Valuables and Recreational Items

  • Did you make any large purchases this year, like jewelry, art, collectibles or high-end electronics?
  • Did you buy a boat, ATV, snowmobile, golf cart or camper?
  • Do you have updated appraisals, receipts or photos of valuable items?

Standard homeowners policies often have limits for certain types of personal property, such as jewelry. If you’ve added something valuable, it’s worth asking whether it should be listed separately on your policy. Recreational vehicles and watercraft usually need their own coverage too, so check before you head up north for the season.

6. Work, Business and Liability

  • Has your job changed, or are you working from home more often?
  • Did you start a business or side hustle, whether that’s from home or out of a truck?
  • Did you get a new pet?
  • Have you taken on anything that might increase your liability, like a rental property, a pool, or hosting more gatherings?

Home-based businesses and side gigs are common, and many people assume their homeowners policy covers business equipment or business-related liability. That isn’t always the case. If you’ve started something new, let’s talk it through.

This is also a good time to ask about umbrella coverage. An umbrella policy can add a layer of liability protection above your home and auto policies. It’s especially worth discussing for families with teen drivers, rental properties or growing assets.

What to Have Ready for Your Review

To make your review quick and productive, gather what applies to you:

  • Household info: Updates on who lives with you, new or upcoming drivers, and any major life changes
  • Billing info: New payment method, bank details, or mortgage lender information
  • Vehicle and property info: VINs, loan or lease details, and a list of home updates with approximate dates
  • Valuables and liability info: Appraisals, receipts or photos of valuable items; rental details; business details; pet information; and any questions about umbrella coverage

You don’t need everything on this list. Just bring what’s changed. We’ll take it from there.

The Advantage of Reviewing with an Independent Agent

When you work with an independent agency, your review isn’t limited to one company’s options. Sentinel works with several carriers, so if your needs have changed, we can look at what fits best, not just what’s easiest to renew.

And because we’re right here in Rosemount, off County Road 42, we know the South Metro. We know what it’s like to add a new driver in Lakeville, finish a basement in Apple Valley, or start a small business in Farmington. We’re your neighbors, and we’re here to help you understand your options so you can make the decision that’s right for your family.

Schedule Your Annual Review

Your renewal is a natural checkpoint. Instead of letting your policy roll over on autopilot, take a few minutes to walk through this checklist, then reach out.

Contact Sentinel Assurance Group to schedule your annual review. We’ll go through what’s changed, answer your questions, and help make sure your policy still reflects your life today.

Call: 651.237.5180| Email: info@mysentinels.com | Online: www.mysentinels.com/contact

This article is for general educational purposes and doesn’t change or replace the terms of any insurance policy. Coverage depends on your specific policy, carrier and circumstances. Please review your options with a licensed Sentinel agent.

Summer Travel: Does Your Auto Policy Cover Rental Cars?

by | Jun 16, 2026 | auto insurance, Sentinel Assurance

For drivers in Rosemount, Eagan, Apple Valley, and the South Metro heading out this summer

Summer is here, and if you’re like a lot of Minnesota families, that means road trips, weekend getaways, and maybe a flight somewhere warm with a rental car waiting at the other end. But before you pull out of the lot, it’s worth knowing exactly what your auto insurance actually covers — and where you might be left exposed.

The short answer: it depends

Your personal auto insurance policy often extends to rental cars — but not always, and not always completely. Here’s what typically carries over:

  • Liability coverage usually transfers to a rental, meaning if you cause an accident, your policy helps cover damage to the other driver and their vehicle
  • Collision and comprehensive also typically extend to rentals if you carry them on your own policy — so if you’re liability-only back home in Rosemount, you won’t have collision or comp coverage on that rental in Chicago or Denver either

The key word throughout all of this is typically. Every policy is different, and the details matter.

What your policy probably won’t cover

Even if your auto insurance extends to a rental, there are common gaps that catch people off guard:

Loss of Damage Waiver (LDW) costs — Rental companies charge a daily fee for what they call a “loss damage waiver.” Your personal policy may cover the actual damage to the car, but it usually won’t reimburse you for the LDW fee itself.

Loss of use charges — If you damage the rental and it’s out of service for repairs, the rental company can bill you for every day that car isn’t earning them money. Many personal auto policies don’t cover this.

Administrative fees — Rental companies often tack on fees when they file a claim. Again, not always covered by your personal policy.

Business travel — Using a rental for work purposes? Your personal auto policy likely excludes that entirely.

What about credit cards?

Many travel credit cards offer rental car coverage as a perk — but read the fine print carefully. Most card coverage is secondary, meaning it only kicks in after your personal auto insurance pays first. Coverage limits, excluded vehicle types (large SUVs, luxury cars, trucks), and international restrictions vary widely by card.

If you’re relying on your credit card as a backup, call the number on the back before your trip and confirm exactly what’s covered for your specific rental.

So should you buy the rental company’s coverage?

Not necessarily — but it’s not always a bad idea either. Here’s a quick way to decide:

  • Skip it if you carry full coverage on your personal policy and your credit card offers solid secondary coverage
  • Consider it if you’re liability-only, traveling internationally, renting a larger or specialty vehicle, or simply want zero hassle if something goes wrong
  • Buy it if you’re on a business trip, your personal policy excludes rentals, or you just want complete peace of mind on vacation

The rental counter is not the place to figure this out. Make the call before you leave.

Heading out this summer from the Twin Cities?

Before your next trip, take five minutes to call your Rosemount insurance agent and ask two simple questions: Does my policy extend to rental cars? And are there any gaps I should know about? At Sentinel Assurance Group, we’re happy to walk through your coverage so you can hit the road — or the airport — with confidence.

Serving drivers in Rosemount, Eagan, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Farmington, and the greater South Metro area.

What Does “Liability Only” vs. “Full Coverage” Actually Mean?

by | Jun 2, 2026 | auto insurance, Sentinel Assurance

What Does “Liability Only” vs. “Full Coverage” Actually Mean?

For drivers in Rosemount, Eagan, Apple Valley, and the surrounding Twin Cities area

If you’ve ever shopped for car insurance in Rosemount or the Twin Cities metro, you’ve probably heard the terms “liability only” and “full coverage” — but what do they actually mean for you and your wallet? Let’s break it down in plain English.

Liability only: the basics

Liability insurance covers damage or injuries you cause to other people in an accident. That means if you rear-end someone on Highway 3 or Cedar Avenue, your liability coverage helps pay for their car repairs and any medical bills — but it doesn’t pay a single dollar toward your own vehicle or your own injuries.

In Minnesota, liability coverage is legally required to drive. The state sets minimum limits, but many drivers in our area choose higher limits for better protection.

What liability doesn’t cover:

  • Repairs to your own car after an at-fault accident
  • Theft of your vehicle
  • Damage from weather, fire, or hitting an animal
  • Your own medical expenses

Full coverage: what’s actually included

“Full coverage” isn’t an official insurance term — it’s shorthand for a policy that combines liability with two additional coverages:

Collision pays to repair or replace your car after an accident, regardless of who’s at fault. Hit a guardrail on 42? Backed into something in a parking lot? Collision has you covered.

Comprehensive covers the stuff that isn’t a collision — theft, vandalism, hail, flood, fire, and yes, the deer that ran out on County Road 38. Minnesota drivers know comprehensive coverage earns its keep every single winter.

Together, collision and comprehensive protect your vehicle. Liability protects everyone else.

Full Coverage Add-ons worth knowing about

Here’s where a lot of drivers leave money — or protection — on the table. Beyond the core coverages above, there are several optional add-ons that can make a real difference in your day-to-day experience as a driver:

Glass coverage A cracked or chipped windshield is one of the most common auto insurance claims in Minnesota — gravel roads, temperature swings, and highway debris all take their toll. Depending on your policy, glass coverage may come bundled with comprehensive or be available as a separate endorsement. Some policies even cover glass with no deductible, meaning a windshield replacement costs you nothing out of pocket. If you drive regularly on Highway 3, County Road 42, or any gravel roads around the Rosemount area, this one is worth asking about.

Rental reimbursement If your car is in the shop after a covered claim, rental reimbursement coverage pays for a rental car while yours is being repaired. Without it, you’re paying out of pocket — and repairs can take days or even weeks depending on parts availability and shop backlogs. Coverage limits vary (typically a daily cap and a total cap per claim), so it’s worth understanding what your policy actually covers before you need it.

Roadside assistance Flat tire on the way to work. Dead battery in a parking lot. Run out of gas on 35W. Roadside assistance coverage adds towing, jump starts, lockout service, and fuel delivery for a small addition to your premium. If you don’t already have it through a membership like AAA, adding it to your auto policy is usually one of the most affordable ways to get that peace of mind — especially heading into a Minnesota winter.

So which one do you need?

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

Liability only may make sense if:

  • Your car is older and has low market value
  • You could comfortably pay out of pocket to replace it
  • You’re looking for affordable car insurance in Rosemount or the surrounding area

Full coverage may make sense if:

  • You have a newer or financed vehicle (lenders often require it)
  • You couldn’t easily replace your car without insurance proceeds
  • You want full protection from Minnesota winters, hail season, and everything in between

One thing most people overlook

Even “full coverage” has gaps. It typically doesn’t include roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, or coverage for custom parts. If those things matter to you, they’re usually easy add-ons — just ask your local insurance agent.

Looking for auto insurance in Rosemount, MN?

At Sentinel Assurance Group, we help drivers across Rosemount, Eagan, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Farmington and beyond find auto coverage that actually fits their needs — not just the cheapest option that checks a box. Give us a call or send us a message and we’ll take a look at your current coverages and provide you a free quote.

Neighbors Name Sentinel Assurance Group a “2024 Nextdoor Neighborhood Faves” in Nextdoor’s 8th Annual Local Business Awards

by | Oct 9, 2024 | auto insurance, business insurance, home insurance, Rosemount, MN, Sentinel Assurance, specialty insurance

Rosemount, MN, October 2024 — Sentinel Assurance Group has been named a 2024 Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave business, the annual awards program that recognizes local businesses loved by neighbors. Neighborhood Fave winners like Sentinel Assurance Group will receive greater visibility and ranking on the Nextdoor app, a Neighborhood Fave badge on their Nextdoor Business Page, and a “2024 Neighborhood Faves Winner” sticker to showcase their win in the real world.

“This year’s Neighborhood Fave businesses represent the outstanding service providers, local spots and eateries that are an essential part of our everyday lives,” said Nirav Tolia, Chief Executive Officer of Nextdoor. “We’re thrilled to celebrate these important members of the community, but more importantly, being a Neighborhood Fave is good for business. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners.”

Selected by volume of neighbor ‘Faves’ and recommendations on the platform from the past year, the Neighborhood Faves awards recognizes the most beloved local businesses on Nextdoor. Used by one in three households in the US, Nextdoor is the essential neighborhood network where neighbors, public agencies, and businesses connect around local information that matters.  In a May 2023 Nextdoor survey, 94% of Nextdoor neighbors report valuing recommendations for products, services, and businesses from their Nextdoor neighbors and Neighborhood Faves winners receive six times more recommendations on their respective Business Pages.

The complete list of winning businesses is available at nextdoor.com/favorites. Join the neighborhood network by downloading the Nextdoor app in your favorite  app store  or visiting nextdoor.com.

10 ways to honor Veterans for Veterans Day 🇺🇸

by | Nov 11, 2022 | Rosemount, MN, Sentinel Assurance

Top 10 ways to honor a veteran on Veterans Day

Americans celebrate Memorial Day in the spring and Veterans Day in the fall. While it can be easy to confuse the two holidays, Memorial Day is set aside to honor American’s war dead; Veterans Day is intended to honor the service of all U.S. veterans, both living and dead.

In fact, celebrations surrounding Veterans Day often place a special emphasis on thanking all living U.S. military veterans who have or are currently serving in any U.S. armed service. And it’s the perfect time for all Americans to show appreciation for their service.

The best way to thank a military U.S. veteran for his or her service depends on the individual and his or her needs. But the most important thing is to do something to show your gratitude.

Here are 10 ideas to get you thinking about how to be grateful for veterans on November 11.

  1. Raise. Display the American flag in your yard to demonstrate your support of veterans everywhere.
  2. Listen. Strike up a conversation with a disabled or homeless veteran and be an active listener as you hear about their experience.
  3. Speak. Simply say, “Thank you” to veterans you see.
  4. Reach out. Contact a disabled or homeless veteran whom you know and spend some quality time together.
  5. Support. Send a donation to organizations that support the special needs of veterans.
  6. Find. Trace your ancestry and identify how many veterans are in your family.
  7. Write. Send a letter to someone who’s currently serving in the military.
  8. Visit. Visit a disabled veteran in his or her home or a homeless veteran on the street.
  9. Learn. Educate yourself on the challenges veterans face when retiring from service to rejoin civilian life.
  10. Share. Use your social media to help celebrate Veteran’s Day and acknowledge the service of all veterans.

To learn more ways to honor a veteran on November 11, visit http://www.wallawalla.va.gov/Misc/Honor_Veteran.asp.

To all our American heroes, we at Sentinel Assurance Group thank you for your service to our country.

Did you know? Veteran’s Day is always celebrated on November 11, regardless of the day of the week. It’s also a federal holiday, so federal government employees take the day off on Monday if the 11th falls on a Sunday, and they take the day off on Friday if the 11th falls on a Saturday.

Contact Us!

At Sentinel Assurance Group, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 651.237.5180 or send us a note at info@mysentinels.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!

Content provided by Safeco Insurance

7 Reasons to Choose an Independent Insurance Agent

by | Sep 29, 2021 | auto insurance, business insurance, farm insurance, home insurance, Sentinel Assurance, specialty insurance, umbrella insurance

Insurance can be complicated.  How do you know you’re making the right decision when it comes to protecting the most important things in your life?  Find out how an Independent Insurance Agent is a simple solution to this!

    We give you more choices and options

    The beauty of working with an independent insurance agent is that we represent many different insurance carriers that offer a wide variety of coverages at varying price points.  We do the work of shopping your quotes around with those different companies to determine which one is the best fit for the types of coverage you need with the best rates for that coverage.  We shop, you save!

    We are industry experts

    Insurance is complicated, let’s be real!  We are licensed and trained in industry verbiage and terminology and are equipped to be able to explain to you, in simple terms, which help you to make informed decisions.  Why go to google and confuser yourself on the different kinds of insurance that are available, when we are just a phone call away?

    We are your advocate

    Since we work for YOU and not the insurance company, we are your advocate!  We will assist with claims, billing or changes your coverage directly with the insurance company.

    We are your neighbor

    We are a small, local business that shares your passion for our community and famillies.  We are woman-owned and have a pusle on the local community and its benefits and challenges.  You won’t sit on hold in a quete, but can walk right into our quaint office in Rosemount.

    We are a one-stop-shop

    With the ability to write with so many different insurance companies, we are able to meet all of your insurance needs.  Everything from Home, Auto, Life & Business coverages, we work with tons of companies that offer a variety of coverages.

    We are your personal advisor

    Insurance isn’t just about finding the cheapest prices.  It’s about making sure that you aren’t suprised by unexpected expenses if a loss were to happen.  Through working one-on-one with you, we listen to meet your specific, unique insurance needs.  

    We are your lifelong advisor

    We love building life long relationships with our customers and often times, they become good friends.  We know that life is ever-evolving and we work with you throughout those stsages.  Everything from buying a home, getting married, growing your family, teen drivers and getting ready for that retirement home.