Author Archives: AgentInsure

Fall Home Checklist, Getting Ready for Winter

As winter approaches it becomes necessary to get figure out just what your home needs to be prepared. There are tons of different things you can do to protect your home and get it ready for winter. For those in the Lakewood, CO area, Colling Insurance Services Inc. can help you answer all your insurance questions when getting ready for winter.

The first thing that any homeowner should do is to winterize their home. This means sealing off rarely used doors and windows to help reduce energy bills and to keep out the cold. You can also cover plants, garden areas, and even seal driveways and sidewalks to help prevent cracking and breakage due to the expansion of water. 

Though physical preparation of your home is necessary, you may also need to look at your insurance policies and update, change, or entirely replace them. Winter is one of the busiest times when it comes to homeowner’s policy claims because of wintery weather and having the right policy in place can make a huge difference.

If you are unsure about what coverage you already have or what coverage you need, talking with an insurance agent can really help to dispel any fears and answer your questions. A skilled agent can help you determine what amount of coverage you need, what types of policies you may need, and can help you change or get new policies entirely so that you are covered when winter arrives.

Fall is a wonderful time to take a look at your policies and reevaluate the coverage that you have to make sure you are fully covered in the event of winter weather.

For all your insurance needs in the Lakewood, CO area, contact Colling Insurance Services Inc. today.  

Tips on Driving Safely With a Pet in the Car

With the holiday season just around the corner, many people are starting to plan road trips. While traveling during the holidays can be a lot of fun, there are a number of stressful situations that can arise. If you are going to be traveling the roadways in and around the Lakewood, CO with your pet, there are some things that you will need to do to make this commute a bit safer. Read below to find out how to avoid being distracted when trying to navigate the highways this holiday season with your furry family member.

Invest in a Quality Crate

One of the best ways to reduce the amount of distraction that comes with traveling with your pet is by investing in a crash tested crate. With all of the different pet crate options out there, you will need to invest some time into finding the right one. Generally, crates that are built from materials like aluminum and plastic are preferred due to the durability they have to offer. Make sure the crate you purchase has a good bit of insulation to help keep your pet comfortable during the commute.

Bring Along the Essentials

When traveling with your pet, you will need to plan on bringing the essential items they need for a smooth trip. Things like a collapsible dog bowl and plenty of toys can help you get through this trip with ease. The last thing any Lakewood, CO pet owner wants is to have their dog or cat unhappy during a trip due to negligence on their part. There are several pet travel products, like ramps that make it easier for your dog or cat to get in and out of the vehicle, which can be purchased from local pet suppliers.

Are you in need of a higher degree of car insurance coverage? Contact Colling Insurance Services to find out about what they can offer. Colling Insurance Services employs some of the most knowledgeable and friendly insurance agents servicing the Lakewood, CO area.
 

3 Reasons You Should Never Be Without Home Insurance

For homeowners from all walks of life, acquiring home insurance should be of the utmost importance. Nevertheless, given the propensity to receive misinformation it is quite possible to be living under the assumption that this type of insurance is unimportant. With that said, the following is an overview of 3 reasons you should never, ever be without home insurance. 

Protect Your Belongings

Given the unpredictability of accidents, you should have a policy in place to protect your belongings at all times. Mother Nature, careless children, and other potentially damaging factors typically do not give advanced notice. Be mindful. 

It Might be required

Depending on how you acquired your home, it may be mandatory to always maintain home insurance. For instance, your bank may have mentioned the necessity of maintaining home insurance within the terms of your agreements. 

Robberies and More 

Lastly, although many never want to think about the possibility of being robbed or burglarized, this is the risk that every homeowner needs to be prepared for. Given that burglars are typically not the tidiest people, many of your belongings will likely be ruined in addition to the ones they may have gotten already with. By purchasing a home insurance policy, you are helping to ensure that your home and belongings are protected from all of these associated damages. 

Overall, if you are a homeowner without home insurance, you might want to reconsider. Moreover, if you reside in Lakewood, CO and are seeking a high-quality home insurance policy, Colling Insurance is the way to go. Simply call, stop by, or email us today and to speak to one of our independent representative to find out how you can start your home insurance policy today and hopefully save some money in the process! 

What is Boat Insurance?

Boat insurance is an investment that gives you coverage if anything were to happen to your boat. It usually involves vessels that have motors, such as yachts, fishing boats, or speedboats. Kayaks, catamarans, and other personal watercrafts are not normally covered.

Homeowner’s Policy and Boat Coverage

Homeowner’s policies provide limited coverage for your water vehicle. If you think you are completely covered under your homeowner’s insurance, you are probably underinsured. Having boat insurance will give you security whether you are docked or at shore. In addition, the dock or marina where your boat is kept may require you to carry additional boat insurance.

Items That May Be Covered

There are a few things to consider before purchasing boat insurance. Knowing what kind of coverage you will need may make a difference in the type of policy you choose. Depending on the type of water vessel you own, you may need:

  • Property Damage Liability – is available if you cause damage to another boater’s vessel or other property.
  • Collision – is used if there is damage to your boat. You may receive actual cash value or replacement value of your boat depending on your policy.
  • Comprehensive Coverage – is for those who are at risk of having their property vandalized or stolen.
  • Bodily Injury Liability – can offer relief if another person is injured as a result of your negligence while on your boat.
  • Optional Plans – can cover salvage removal, towing, medical payments, wear and tear, roadside assistance, and damage caused by a boater that is uninsured.

Colling Insurance Services Inc. maintains independent insurance agents in Lakewood, Colorado who understand the importance of having boat insurance. These agents are also available to research options for you if you are thinking about starting a new plan or making changes to your current policy.

Does My Small Business Require Commercial Insurance?

“I have a small business, basically I work from home, make just enough to pay the bills and have a little left over. Do I need a commercial insurance policy?”

“I have a property that I own. I have five employees including myself and a small cargo van we use for deliveries. Do I need to purchase commercial insurance to protect my business and my personal wealth?”

In either of the above scenarios if you were to ask one of the talented insurance agents at Colling Insurance Services Inc. the answer will be a resounding “Yes!”

You can never be too careful in protecting your assets and your financial stability.  As a small business owner you are liable for your employees welfare while on the property and when travelling for the purposes of the benefit of the company. With all that liability you would do well to be covered in the event of an unfortunate incident.

Colling Insurance Services Inc. has expertise in the area of commercial insurance and would be able to serve you and your commercial insurance needs. Commercial insurance encompasses different facets.

  • Business auto insurance which would cover your employees and your business vehicles in the event of an accident adequately.
  • Serving the state of Colorado, Colling Insurance Services Inc. will assess your companies need for Colorado Liability Insurance Plans which covers against damages that occur on your property or if medical bills need to be paid. It is that added extra insurance for the extenuating liability that may occur when you own a business and something goes wrong.
  • Property Insurance may also be conducive for your business protection needs. This insurance covers problematic issues that may arise concerning an employee, consumer or client while on your business property.

RV Storage and Insurance Coverage

RV storage is a regular part of owning and RV. Unless and RV owner has a big spread of property and a sizable driveway, or a back barn area as some do on a rancher type plot, storage of an RV in a rental facility is going to be the more likely solution. Some neighborhoods are very picky with their HOA rules and restrictions, so owners have no choice but to utilize a storage place for parking and RV when not in use. That in turn raises a number of risks.

Parking an RV for an extended period of time in a remote location makes it a target, especially if not registered. Local thieves are well aware that RVs often travel with an assortment of appliances to make it a "home away from home." Those appliances then become valuable for a thief to help himself to, and parked RV theft is unlikely to be reported right away. So it’s an ideal situation for a thief.

The extent of coverage that will be provided by an RV insurance policy depends heavily on whether the RV owner chose an option that included personal damage and loss. Not every insurance policy does so, and lower cost plans tend to leave out personal loss and focus more on just liability. So it’s important for an RV owner to read his current plan carefully before storage and, if additional protection is needed, get the current plan amended or initiate a new, replacement policy. Trying to solve this issue after an RV has been stripped is going to end up being an out-of-pocket loss.

RV owners in the Lakewood, CO area can easily get good advice on storage risk and other issues specific to RVs from Colling Insurance Services Inc. Our agents are well versed on RV property loss issues, storage resources, and how property insurance works for an RV owner. Call us to find out more.

What Umbrella Insurance Can do for You

If you are wondering about umbrella insurance and are in the Lakewood, CO area, come on into Colling Insurance Services, Inc. and you will find friendly and knowledgeable agents ready to answer all of your questions. 

In the meantime, here is a quick look at some of the things that it might do for you.

  • Bodily Injury – If you happen to cause injuries in a vehicular accident and their medical bills go over the limits of your vehicle insurance, having an umbrella policy can ensure that you don’t pick up the tab.  Also, say you have an electrician doing some work in your home and they fall and injure themselves on your property.  Your homeowner’s insurance should take care of their medical bills but in the event that their bills exceed the limits of your policy, an umbrella policy can step in here and pick up the difference.  Even if you are out for a walk with your dog and he bites someone, the umbrella insurance policy is good for that too.
  • Property Damage – If there is a car accident involving property that gets damaged, your umbrella policy will pick up what the auto insurance policy doesn’t.  It also covers other things that might not be covered by an auto or homeowner’s insurance policy.
  • Legal Damages – If you happen to be sued for slander or libel, this type of policy can protect you.  It can also be helpful in instances of violation of privacy, false arrest, or even malicious prosecution as well as a few other civil issues.  It can also take care of legal fees if you are involved in a lawsuit. 

For these reasons and more, it is essential that you have a great umbrella insurance policy.  Stop by Collin Insurance Services, Inc. today to find out more.

3 Reasons Why You Should Consider Umbrella Insurance

At Colling Insurance Services, Inc. we understand that purchasing insurance is a little complicated for the average person. They aren’t familiar with the industry lingo that governs the policy. If you are like the average person, when it comes to purchasing insurance, you may purchase the least expensive insurance possible, and not understand the risks you expose yourself to as a result of focusing solely on costs. If you’ve done this in the past, umbrella insurance may be able to help you cover deficits.

Umbrella Insurance Is Portable

One of the many benefits of purchasing a personal umbrella policy is the fact that it’s portable. In fact, you get more than portability with umbrella insurance. You can use umbrella insurance with any type of policy. In essence, your umbrella insurance may help you cover the costs of fending off lawsuits.

Umbrella Insurance Offer Flexible Coverage Options

Another feature your traditional insurance and umbrella insurance share is coverage flexibility. You can choose the amount of your policy based on the risks you want to insure against. Umbrella insurance places you in the driver seat because you can choose to have the amount of coverage you need, when you need it.

Umbrella Insurance Saves You Money

Lawsuits payouts are growing each year. With hundreds of people getting millions in lawsuit settlement, the cost of an umbrella insurance lawsuit could result in you losing everything you own. Instead of paying hefty lawsuit settlements, with the financial backing of your insurance provider, you may find that you aren’t alone when you have umbrella insurance.

At Colling Insurance Services, Inc. our team of licensed insurance agents can pair umbrella insurance with your auto insurance, professional liability insurance, or homeowner’s insurance to ensure you have enough just in case you get sued. If you are in and around the Lakewood, CO area, we are happy to help you understand the ins and outs of umbrella insurance.

Why Motorcycle Insurance in Lakewood, CO is critical

Colorado is one of the most beautiful states in the country to travel around and there may be no better way to do it than on a motorcycle. So if you live in a place like Lakewood, Colorado and own a motorcycle, you will probably be using it to see the sights on a regular basis. Which means you will need some kind of motorcycle insurance, usually as much as possible. Consider setting up a policy with a local agent like Colling Insurance Services, Inc. for the following reasons.

PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY

In the event you have an accident on a motorcycle, you will probably end up in the hospital and could be dealing with some very serious and expensive medical care. You will need a well rounded insurance policy to cover all of this so that you and your family don’t end up spending a small fortune on medical bills. You should also have some coverage for damage the accident may do to another motorist, as you and your family could be sued in the event of an accident, which can also be incredibly costly in the long run.

PROTECT YOUR BIKE

To most motorcyclists, their motorcycle is like another family member. So you will want to take care of it and have some sort of policy in place to protect it and pay for any damage that may occur when there is an accident, whether it’s a big or small one. This works much the same way car insurance does, in that the motorcycle will pay for anything over the deductible you establish on your policy.

PROTECT FROM FINES

Also, not having any form of motorcycle insurance is punishable by a ticket from the police. So since you’re basically going to have to get it anyway, make sure you get the right amount of it.

Do You Need Life Insurance?

Life insurance is something that most people consider at some point in their life. However, it can be difficult to really determine if you need it and if you do, how much you actually need. It is also something that many people do not want to think about very often but it can be necessary. Before you go out and purchase life insurance, use these questions to help determine how much you need and if you should purchase it right now.

  • Do you have debt? If you have a substantial amount of debt to pay for, then you may want to get enough life insurance to cover the costs so that someone in your family does not have to take on the burden after you pass. 
  • Do you have family members who rely on your salary to survive? If you are responsible for taking care of someone, whether it is a spouse, a child, or a parent, then you will want to make sure you have enough life insurance to take care of them in the case that you were no longer there. Make sure you have enough to take care of them until they can get back on their feet. 
  • Do you have money to take care of funeral arrangements? After you die, if you are wanting a funeral, to be buried, or even be cremated, then you should make sure you have enough money in your life insurance policy to pay for those expenses so someone doesn’t have to do it for you. 

If you would like to look at your options for your life insurance, you should contact us at Colling Insurance Services, Inc. It can be difficult to figure out the right amount and we would be happy to explore all of your options with you.