Welcome to the Mark Quinnell Agency - State Farm Insurance in Northfield, MN 👋
Since 1962, our agency has helped families and businesses in Northfield, Dundas, Lonsdale, Nerstrand, and the rest of Rice County protect what matters most — auto, home, renters, life, health, and business coverage — through personal, needs-based conversations. Mark Quinnell has led the agency since October 1986, continuing the work his father started, right here in downtown Northfield. Walk-ins are welcome, and you'll be greeted by name.
🍂 November in Northfield: Deer Season, Winter Roads & Looking Out for Our Neighbors
November is when southern Minnesota starts making the transition from fall to winter, bringing earlier darkness, increased deer activity along rural roads like Highway 19 and Highway 246, and the possibility of our first slippery commutes. It's also a good time to review your auto and homeowners coverage, especially comprehensive and collision coverage, deductibles, and protection for unexpected water damage as freezing temperatures settle in.
🚗 Deer Season & Winter Driving: Whether you're commuting on Highway 3 or traveling rural Rice County roads, take a few minutes to understand how your auto policy addresses animal collisions, icy-road accidents, and roadside assistance.
🏡 Getting Your Home Winter-Ready: Frozen pipes, snow, and ice can create unexpected problems. Review your homeowners coverage, deductibles, and any additional water-related protection before the cold weather becomes routine.
👨👩👧 Holiday Travel & Family Protection: With college students returning home and families gathering for Thanksgiving, November is a natural time to review household changes, drivers, and financial protection for the people who depend on you.
November also gives us plenty of reasons to appreciate our Northfield community, from the Riverwalk Market Fair's transition to its winter market to the Northfield Rotary Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, a longtime local tradition that brings neighbors and families together. These gatherings, along with Small Business Saturday and the start of holiday shopping downtown, remind us how much our local businesses and community connections mean throughout the season.
🍁 Before winter gets into full swing, give us a call, send a text, or stop by our downtown office. We're happy to review your coverage, answer your questions, and help you understand what you have in place for the colder months ahead.
About Mark
I'm Mark Quinnell, a lifelong Northfield resident and second generation State Farm agent. My dad, Elden “Hunts” Quinnell, opened this agency in 1962, and I've carried it forward since October 1986 — nearly 40 years now of helping our neighbors manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. I graduated from Northfield High School and St. Olaf College, I'm a past president of Northfield Rotary, and you'll find me at Defeat of Jesse James Days, the Riverwalk Market Fair, and just about everything else this town does. I'm proudly a townie — I even wear my Dundas hat on the Northfield side of the river. 😄
The problem our office solves is simple: when something goes wrong — a fender bender on Highway 3, hail on a 12-year-old roof, a pipe burst in one of our beautiful century-old homes near downtown — you don't want a 1-800 number. You want a real person, in a real office, in your town, who answers quickly and already knows your family. That's us.
How we can help: 🚗
🏡 Auto, home, renters, condo, life, health, and business insurance
📦 Just moved to Northfield? We make out-of-state and Twin Cities transfers painless and can coordinate with your lender before closing
🎓 Renters insurance for Carleton and St. Olaf students (yes, it covers the stolen bike and the laptop)
👨👩👧 New home in Harvest Hills, Gracewin, or Cedar Meadows? Let's set up coverage that actually fits it
☂️ Needs-based reviews — coffee and a check-in, in plain English, no pressure
Whether you're a lifelong Northfielder, new to town, or a student on your first policy — don't hesitate to call or stop by. Like a good neighbor, we're right here. 📍
Frequently Asked Questions:
If I hit a deer on Highway 19, Highway 246, or a rural Rice County road, what part of my auto policy may apply? If your auto policy includes comprehensive coverage, damage from hitting a deer is generally handled under that coverage, subject to your deductible and policy terms. Move to a safe location if possible, check for injuries, do not approach an injured animal, and contact us so we can help you review the next steps.
Why is November a good time to check my auto coverage if I drive around Northfield, Dundas, Lonsdale, or Nerstrand? November brings earlier darkness, deer activity, and the possibility of snow and ice on southern Minnesota roads. It is a practical time to review your deductibles, comprehensive and collision coverage, roadside assistance, and rental car coverage so you understand what your policy includes before winter driving settles in.
What should I know about driving on black ice around Northfield and Rice County? Black ice can be difficult to see and may form on bridges, overpasses, and other cold road surfaces. Slow down for conditions, allow extra stopping distance, avoid cruise control when roads are slippery, and make sure you understand the collision and roadside assistance coverage included in your auto policy.
My college student is driving home from Carleton or St. Olaf for Thanksgiving. Should we check anything on our auto policy first? It is worth confirming where the vehicle is normally kept, who regularly drives it, and whether anything has changed since the school year began. If a vehicle has been sitting at home while a student is away, contact us before changing drivers or coverage so we can review the actual situation.
Does renters coverage protect my belongings if something is stolen from my car or away from my Northfield apartment? A renters policy may provide coverage for personal belongings after a covered loss away from the rental, subject to policy limits, deductibles, and exclusions. Because the circumstances matter, we can help you review how your policy addresses items such as a laptop, bike, clothing, or other belongings.
My roommate and I rent together in Northfield. Can we share one renters policy? Do not assume one policy automatically protects everyone living in the rental. How residents are listed matters, and roommates may need separate policies depending on the situation. We can review who lives in the rental and explain how each person should be listed.
What should I check on my homeowners policy before the first hard freeze in Northfield? Start with the parts of your policy that could matter during winter, including your deductible, dwelling and personal property limits, and any coverage related to water backup. It is also a good time to make sure recent renovations, additions, or other changes to the property are reflected accurately.
If a pipe freezes and bursts in my Northfield home, does homeowners coverage apply? Coverage depends on what happened, the terms of your policy, and any applicable exclusions or conditions. Because frozen-pipe situations can vary, contact us to review your policy rather than assuming a particular loss will or will not be covered.
Does homeowners coverage include damage from water backing up through a sewer or sump pump? Do not assume it does. Sewer or sump-pump backup may require additional coverage, and the details vary by policy. If your Northfield-area home has a basement or sump pump, we can show you where to find this coverage on your policy and explain the applicable limits and deductible.
We bought an older home in Northfield. What should we review before winter? Older homes can have different roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating, and rebuilding considerations than newer construction. Review your dwelling limit, roof coverage details, deductibles, water-related coverage, and any updates you have made to the property so you understand how your current policy is set up.
Does my homeowners policy cover damage caused by the weight of snow or ice? Some policies may provide coverage for certain damage caused by the weight of snow, ice, or sleet, but the circumstances and policy terms matter. We can review your policy with you and explain what it says rather than assuming every type of winter damage is handled the same way.
We recently moved to Northfield or Rice County. What should we review before our first Minnesota winter? Start with your auto and homeowners or renters policies and make sure the address, vehicles, drivers, property details, deductibles, and coverage limits are current. If you transferred from another state or the Twin Cities, we can review the policies side by side and explain the Minnesota-specific details in plain English.
I have coverage through work. How do I know if my family should consider additional protection? Employer-provided coverage can be one part of a family's overall protection. Check the amount provided, who is listed to receive it, whether it continues if you change jobs, and how long your household might depend on your income. We can help you review those questions and explain available options without assuming one approach fits every family.
We recently had a baby or added someone who depends on our income. What should we review? A growing family can change how much financial protection a household may want to consider. A needs-based review can look at income support, debts, existing coverage, savings, care for dependents, and future family needs, then help you understand the available options.
I asked ChatGPT or another AI assistant a question about my auto, home, renters, or family protection coverage. Can your Northfield office check the answer? Yes. AI can be useful for organizing questions, but it may not know your policy terms, exclusions, deductibles, drivers, property details, or family situation. Bring or send us the answer, and we can compare it with your actual policy and explain what applies to your situation.
