Road Trip Ideas for Minnesota

Minnesota was the 32nd state to be admitted to the union on May 11, 1858. Its history has been shaped by the Native Americans, European settlements, as well as the industries of farming, logging, trading, iron mining, and the railroad. Today, those industries have shifted to healthcare, computers, and finance.

Minnesota also benefited from many New Deal programs and was known for its advances in technology after WWII. Technology continues to grow in this state and it is also well-known for its affinity for culture and the arts.

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The Pros and Cons of Using a Rental

Planning a road trip involves many details and questions. Who’s driving? Which route do you want — fast or scenic? What type of clothing will you need? How much money should you allocate for food and other travel expenses?

If you are planning a road trip within this amazing state, you may want to consider renting a car. There are pros and cons to choosing to rent a vehicle for your Minnesota adventure.

Pros:

• Avoiding additional mileage and wear and tear on your own vehicle
• The opportunity to choose a rental vehicle that is more fuel efficient, larger, or more luxurious
• The opportunity to choose a rental vehicle that has more features than your own car or one that is better suited to handle Minnesota’s snowy and icy winter roads
• No risk of damage to your own vehicle

Cons:

• Added expense of renting
• Potential to be more time-consuming (need to make reservations and pick-up)
• Moving your own or renting car seats if you have children
• Extra worry about damaging the rental vehicle
• Potential for extra hassle and expenses for parking (as compared to taking a chartered tour bus)

Rental Car Consideration

Minnesota is known not only for its lakes but also for severe winter storms, making the roads difficult to drive on in the winter. If you have found that the pros of renting a car outweigh the cons, you will want to find out what your current coverages are and possibly check into getting renter’s insurance.

First, call your own auto insurance company and find out if you are covered for driving a rental car.

If you find out that you are and opt out of the insurance provided by the car rental company, be sure you have collision and comprehensive coverage. If you plan to rely on your own car insurance policy, pack your insurance card along for the trip in case you need it.

You can also check with your credit card company to see if they offer coverage for rental cars. While coverage will vary between banks and card levels, some may cover your deductible if you have to file a claim for an accident that happened while driving your rental car.

By law, Minnesota drivers must carry a minimum of:

• Personal Injury Protection – 40/20
• Liability – 30/60/10
• Uninsured – 25/50
• Underinsured – 25/50

You can also elect coverage from the rental car company in the following different forms:

– Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)

This type of insurance is also known as collision damage waiver. Technically, LDW is not a type of insurance it is actually a waiver of your responsibility as a rental car driver if the car happens to be stolen or otherwise damaged while in your care.

It may also provide for loss of use if you are charged for the time that the vehicle was unusable.

In some cases, it may cover other costs such as towing. However, as a renter, you should know that an LDW can be made void if you did something to cause the accident such as speeding, drinking, and driving, or taking the vehicle on unpaved roads.

– Liability Coverage

In accordance with Minnesota law, car rental companies must provide liability insurance coverage for each vehicle they rent. Your own standard insurance policy will also cover liability and can be relied upon when you are renting a car or borrowing a vehicle that belongs to someone else.

– Personal Accident Insurance

This coverage is similar to that of personal injury protection. It provides for medical bills that are incurred due to an accident in a rental vehicle. You should also be able to use your own personal injury protection policy and health insurance if you or your passengers are injured.

– Personal Effects Coverage

If you are the victim of theft and your personal items are stolen from a rental vehicle, this type of coverage will help provide replacement items.

– Minnesota Rental Car Insurance Laws

In fact, under Minnesota state law, every rental car company must provide insurance in the amount of $35,000 for property damage liability coverage without a deductible. The renters of a vehicle must be notified of this coverage via a notice that is attached to the rental contract.

Additionally, the notice must inform consumers that it is not necessary to purchase a collision damage waiver or a similar insurance coverage type if their policy was issued in the state of Minnesota.

In order to purchase such a waiver, the consumer must acknowledge in writing that this notice has been received and that they understand it.

The Mall of America

https://youtube.com/watch?v=h4HTpduDiDQ

When most Americans think of this state, they might think of it as the home of more than 10,000 lakes. However, America’s largest shopping mall, the Mall of America, also calls Minnesota home.

Developed on what used to be the Metropolitan Stadium where the Twins and the Vikings played, the Mall of America opened its doors to shoppers on August 11, 1992.

Over 10,000 employees were a part of history that day. This mall was also innovative in combining a shopping experience with entertainment. Here you can ride a roller coaster, see a movie, indulge your taste buds, and shop all under one roof.

Twin Cities Road Trip Ideas

There are many different and interesting places to visit in the Twin Cities while on a road trip. The Walker Art Center features contemporary art and media.

Next door is the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, noted as being one of the biggest urban sculpture parks in our nation.

If you prefer natural outdoor beauty, take a drive to Minnehaha Falls Park. This park has 193 acres of nature located in the middle of the Twin Cities and is a popular destination for bike riding, walking, and picnics.

For a unique experience on your road trip, try the Mill City Museum where the old-school production of flour is recreated complete with a freight elevator and railroad cars. If fauna and flora are more your style, you won’t want to miss the Cosmo Park Zoo and Conservatory.

Here you can view seasonal flower shows and a variety of animals such as sea lions, polar bears, and giraffes.

– North Shore

The North Shore scenic driver begins at Canal Park located in Duluth. This drive will lead you along the shoreline of the world’s largest freshwater lake.

Here you can also view the Sawtooth Mountains, waterfalls, and lighthouses. There are also many opportunities for shopping, dining, hiking, and other excursions along the way.

– Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

After several shipwrecks in November of 1905, the Split Rock Lighthouse came to fruition in 1910. It has grown to become one of Minnesota’s most popular landmarks and is also a National Historic Landmark. The Split Rock Lighthouse has been restored to its 1920s grandeur.

– Taylors Falls

Located approximately 45 minutes from the Twin Cities, Taylors Falls offers dramatic cliff face views, trail hikes, and even ice cream shops. This area is perfect for a fall day trip as it was voted the best place in the state to view fall foliage.

– Lutsen Mountains

This area is the ideal place for a winter road trip. Whether it is shopping the galleries filled by local artisans or feeling the snow crunch beneath your skis, you can truly embrace the winter in Lutsen.

Shopping Around for Auto Insurance in Minnesota

If you are shopping for auto insurance in the beautiful state of Minnesota, be sure to take the time to compare rates. The best way to comparison shop is to utilize an auto insurance online price comparison tool.

Here you can view several different policies and premiums all in one platform which makes it easy to choose the one that works best for you. However, selecting a car insurance company should involve more than just price. You may also want to consider convenience and customer service as well as other factors.

If you are planning a Minnesota road trip soon, check that your auto insurance policy will cover a rental car so that you can be free from worry and enjoy your trip. Then you can be confident that you are protected if anything happens and focus on the sights you would like to see.

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