The south metro’s home team for insurance.

Lakeville55044Since 1986

Independent and family-owned since 1986. Pat runs the Lakeville office and covers the south metro and greater Minnesota from here — and still answers the phone himself.

Pat Bernauer · Founder, since 1986

Who we are

Bernauer Insurance Agency is an independent agency based in Lakeville, serving the south metro and greater Minnesota. Pat Bernauer started it in 1986 and still answers the phone himself. We're family-owned, and because we're independent we compare across multiple carriers instead of selling one company's products. Appointments by arrangement — call and we'll find a time.

Since

1986

Carriers

Independent

Licensed in

All 87 counties

Where we work

Lakeville
Apple Valley
Burnsville
Eagan
Rosemount
Farmington
Prior Lake
Savage
Shakopee
Elko New Market

And from here, the rest of the state

Lakeville is home. From here Pat covers the south metro, and the licence covers all 87 Minnesota counties.

Dakota County

Lakeville · Apple Valley · Burnsville · Eagan · Rosemount · Farmington · Inver Grove Heights

Scott County

Prior Lake · Savage · Shakopee · Credit River · Elko New Market · Jordan · Belle Plaine

Greater Minnesota

Northfield · New Prague · Rochester · St. Cloud · Duluth · Moorhead

Every south metro city we cover

Apple Valley · Belle Plaine · Bloomington · Burnsville · Credit River · Eagan · Elko New Market · Farmington · Inver Grove Heights · Jordan · Lakeville · New Prague · Northfield · Prior Lake · Rosemount · Savage · Shakopee · Sunfish Lake

Not the same as anywhere else

What the south metro actually needs

Homeowners

Big roofs, and the hail that finds them

Much of the south metro is newer construction, and the first thing a carrier asks about a house here is the roof: how old it is, and whether the policy replaces it or pays only what it was worth after depreciation. After a hailstorm that difference is most of the claim. Wind and hail deductibles are often separate from the main deductible too, and they vary widely by carrier. Home and auto are Spencer's lines — call either office and you'll end up with him for those.

Home insurance in Lakeville

Auto

Commuting up 35 and Cedar

A lot of the south metro drives to work, and mileage is one of the first things a carrier prices. A car that lives in a garage costs less to insure for comprehensive than one on a city street, and a newly licensed teenager changes a household's rate more than most people expect. Both are reasons to compare rather than renew on autopilot.

Auto insurance in Lakeville

MNsure

Retiring before 65

Plenty of people in the south metro leave work before Medicare starts. Until 65, MNsure is usually the answer, and the premium tax credit is figured on your income in retirement rather than what you earned while working — so early retirees often qualify for help they didn't expect. We'll run the numbers with you before you decide.

MNsure plans in Lakeville

Medicare

Turning 65

We work Advantage, Supplement and Part D, and reviewing every year matters more than people expect: formularies and networks change annually, and the plan that was right last year often isn't. Pat has been walking people through it for years. Nothing about the review costs you anything.

Medicare plans in Lakeville

Life

Young families

A mortgage, two cars and kids is the moment life insurance stops being abstract. Term coverage sized to the years the family would need it is usually the right answer, and it costs less than most people guess. We'll show you the numbers and tell you if you don't need it.

Life insurance in Lakeville

Commercial

Small businesses and the trades

Contractors, shops, and home-based businesses across Dakota and Scott counties. General liability, business owners policies, workers comp, commercial auto and property — and group health for the small employer who wants to offer it. If a client or a general contractor is asking you for a certificate, we handle that too.

Commercial insurance in Lakeville

MNsure — 2027 coverage

Enroll between:: November 1, 2026 and January 15, 2027
For coverage starting January 1:: enroll by December 15, 2026
Enroll after that:: coverage starts February 1

A lot of people here buy their own health coverage — the self-employed, anyone between jobs, and everyone who retired before 65. These are the dates that matter to them.

All Minnesota enrollment dates →

4.9 stars, 22 reviews

People who called this number.

Read them on Google

We have been working with the Bernauer Agency for over 20 years. Pat has always been just a phone call away and able to help with anything that I need answers to.

Diane Rechtzigel

Pat Bernauer is a great insurance agent. He is caring, helpful and checks in yearly to see if we need to discuss or change anything.

dean ekegren

Bernauer Insurance Agency is by far the best insurance agency I've ever done business with. They have helped us with all of our insurance needs, both personal and business. No question is ever too small and they are quick to respond to calls. I could not be happier with their service. Great Company!

Evone Greene

Asked on the phone, most weeks

Questions we actually get

Does my homeowners policy replace my roof after a hailstorm?

It depends on how the policy settles roof claims. Replacement cost pays to put on a new roof; actual cash value subtracts depreciation for the roof's age, which on an older roof can be most of the bill. Many policies also carry a separate wind-and-hail deductible. We'll tell you which you have before the storm, not after.

I'm retiring before 65 — what do I do for health insurance?

Until Medicare starts, MNsure is usually the answer. The premium tax credit is based on your income in retirement, not what you earned while working, so many early retirees qualify for help they didn't expect. We'll run the numbers with you.

When should I review my Medicare plan?

Every year, during the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7. Plan formularies and networks change annually, so the plan that fit last year may not fit this year. The review is free and usually takes one conversation.

When can I sign up for health insurance through MNsure?

Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1. Outside that window you need a qualifying life event, and you generally have 60 days from it.

Do you write insurance for small businesses in Lakeville?

Yes. General liability, business owners policies, workers comp, commercial auto and property, and group health for small employers. We also issue certificates of insurance when a client or general contractor asks for one.

Do I have to come to an office?

No. Most of what we do happens by phone, email, or video. If you'd rather meet in person we'll arrange it.

How is an independent agency different from a State Farm or Allstate agent?

A captive agent sells one company's products. We're independent, so we compare across carriers and can move you when your current carrier's rates go the wrong direction. Nothing changes on your end when we do.

What areas do you cover?

The whole Twin Cities metro. We're one agency with two home bases — Northeast Minneapolis and Lakeville — and we work out of both. That covers Minneapolis, St. Paul, Columbia Heights, St. Anthony, Roseville, Fridley and New Brighton in the north, and Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley, Savage, Prior Lake and Lakeville in the south. We're licensed across Minnesota, so if you move within the state nothing has to change. Pat and Spencer both travel. Where you are doesn't decide who you work with.

Lakeville · by appointment

Talk to Pat.

Pat Bernauer started the agency in 1986 and still answers the phone himself. No charge for the conversation.

Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday by appointment

952-457-5894 Get a quote

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