MARKUSON-BAER INSURANCE

08/27/2026

Did you know most colleges or universities are not responsible for damage or theft to personal belongings? Don't let a mishap derail your student's semester.

Contact us today to cover their belongings with a renters policy from Auto-Owners Insurance.

Markuson Baer Insurance
211 Holmes Street W
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
218-846-1304
www.markusonbaerins.com

08/24/2026

🚗 Don’t Wait Until You’re Stranded!

Road trouble has a way of happening when you least expect it. A dead battery, flat tire, lockout, or empty gas tank can turn a simple trip into a stressful situation.

That’s where Road Trouble Service (RTS) can help! 🙌

For a low cost, RTS provides coverage for common roadside problems, including:

🛞 Flat tires
🔋 Dead batteries
🔑 Lockouts
⛽ Fuel delivery
🚙 Towing

And the best part? Unlimited eligible usage!

You can request service through the A-O mobile app or by calling the service number. You can also contact your preferred tow company and receive reimbursement of up to $200 for vehicles, $250 for motor homes, or $75 for trailers.

👉 Don’t wait until you’re sitting on the side of the road to wish you had coverage. Ask us about Road Trouble Service today!

📞 Give our agency a call or stop in—we’d be happy to explain how RTS can help keep you moving.

08/13/2026

Before you fall in love with the house… 🏡

There’s more to buying a home than the number of bedrooms and how beautiful the kitchen looks!

Before making an offer, take a closer look at some of the things that could become costly surprises later:

✔️ Condition of the roof
✔️ Potential water damage
✔️ Hazards in the yard
✔️ Age and condition of appliances

A little due diligence today can help protect your investment tomorrow. 🔍

08/10/2026

Keep your Hay Safe - Protect Your Farm, Family and Livestock
Safe hay starts with proper drying, careful storage, and regular monitoring. Preventing spontaneous
combustion protects lives, livestock, equipment, and your operation.

Prevent Hay Fires
• Bale hay only after it has dried to a safe moisture level.
• Check moisture before bailing:
- Small square bales: 20% moisture or less
- Large Round or square bales: 18% moisture or less
• Never stack hay that is excessively wet.

Store Hay Correctly
• Keep hay in a dry, well-ventilated building.
• Stack hay to allow airflow between rows when possible.
• Store hay away from heat sources, electrical equipment, and fuel.
• Remove old, moldy or damaged hay promptly.
• Maintain good housekeeping around the storage area.
• Elevate the bottom layer on wooden pallets or gravel.
• Leave a 12-inch gap between stacks and barn walls.
• Alternate square bale patterns by layer to ensure vertical stability.
• Maintain ventilation pathways between large lots of hay.
• Leave at least 2 feet of clearance below roof rafters.

Monitor Stored Hay
• Check hay temperature daily for the first 4-6 weeks after storage.
• Use a hay temperature probe if available.
• Watch for:
- Steam rising from the stack
- Musty or caramel-like odors
- Condensation on the roof
- Hot spots within the stack

Hay Temperature Guide

Above 175°F: Extreme danger
Do not enter the stack. Call the fire
department immediately.

Above 160°F: High fire risk
Contact the fire department before
disturbing the hay.

150-160°F: Dangerous
Increase inspections and prepare to
move hay if safe.

125-150°F: Increased risk
Check daily.
Below 125°F: Normal
Continue Monitoring.
Emergency Preparedness
• Keep fire extinguishers accessible
• Ensure emergency vehicle access
• Post emergency contact numbers
• Develop a fire response plan

08/03/2026

We-fest week!! Some great campfire tips. :)

07/07/2026

Last night's storm was a powerful reminder that when our community hurts, we all feel it.

At Markuson Baer Insurance, we're more than your local, independent insurance agency. Detroit Lakes is our home, and you're more than our clients—you are our neighbors.

Serving this community has always been part of who we are. In fact, our team shares more than 45 years of combined service as retired members of the Detroit Lakes Fire Department. While our roles may have changed, our commitment to helping our community has not.

Today we're taking a high volume of calls from families and business owners affected by last night's storm. If you have questions about storm damage, your property, filing a claim, or what your coverage includes, please reach out. We're here to help guide you through it.

If our phone lines are busy, we sincerely apologize. Please keep trying—we're assisting as many people as we can as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your patience, and thank you for trusting us to be here when you need us most. That's what neighbors do.

Markuson Baer Insurance
Your Local Independent Trusted Insurance Agency

07/04/2026

We’re here when you need us most.

06/29/2026

We are beyond honored to be nominated for THREE Lakes Area Best of the Best awards! 🎉

⭐ Best Insurance – Health Care (Under Business & Services)
⭐ Best Insurance – Home, Auto & Other (Under Business & Services)
⭐ Best Insurance Agent (Under Locals & Professionals)

We truly love serving this incredible community and are so grateful for the trust you've placed in us over the years. Being nominated is an honor in itself, and we're proud to be YOUR local insurance agency.

If you'd like to support us, voting is now open, and you can vote once every day through the end of voting! We'd be incredibly thankful for your vote in all three categories.

🗳️ Vote here: https://www.bestofthemidwest.com/detroit-lakes/best-of-the-best-detroit-lakes #//

(Under Business & Services AND Locals and Professionals)

Thank you for your continued support, your referrals, and for allowing us to help protect what matters most. We appreciate each and every one of you!

The nomination phase kicks off the competition, giving you the power to nominate the businesses or individuals you believe are the most deserving of the "Best of the Best" title. Select a category below to nominate a business or individual.

06/03/2026

Confidence that lets you focus on your next opportunity.

05/22/2026

When was the last time you shopped rates on auto, life, and homeowner’s insurance? If you’re like most people, it’s probably been awhile. But if you shop around using an independent agent like us, you could save a huge amount of money each year.

Contact us today and find out how much you could be saving!