Author Archives: AgentInsure

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. 

Top 3 Ways to Prepare for Summer Boating

With summer right around the corner, many are eager to get outside and enjoy some of their favorite past times. For those who live near waterfronts of all kinds, boating has remained a popular method of recreation for quite some time now. Before you start heading towards the beach, please take the following tips under consideration.  

Documentation Ready?

First and foremost, make sure that all of your documents in relation to the boat are up-to-date and readily available. Things change and expire all the time, to avoid any unnecessary complications, make sure that everything is is either current or that you renew it as soon as possible. 

Servicing the Boat

In addition to that, there are few things more important than having your boat serviced and making sure that it is fully operational. This can be quite a task depending on the size and model of your boat. Therefore, it may be your best bet to contact a professional to have them inspect your boat annually. This can be a bit costly, depending on which company you use. Nevertheless, you cannot put a price on safety. 

Get it Insured 

Lastly, make sure your boat is properly insured. Accidents happen. Given the grand nature of most boats and the propensity to cause massive damage, it is vital to ensure your boat is covered for any and all types of potential accidents. Contact Colling Insurance Services, Inc. today to speak with one of our independent agents. Proudly serving the Lakewood, CO area, call, email, or stop in to discuss the type of boat you have, your coverage concerns, and pick the policy that is most suitable for you. 

 

Stay Safe from Fender Bender Fraud in Lakewood, Colorado

If you happen to get into a fender bender in Lakewood, Colorado, the process of dealing with it is the same as it would be anywhere. Those involved should exchange insurance company information and turn it over to brokers like Colling Insurance Services, Inc. who serves the greater Lakewood, Colorado area, to handle. However, sometimes these fender benders turn into very costly lawsuits, better known as fender bender fraud, where people involved pretend to be more injured than they really are and sue the other driver or insurance company. To help prevent this from occurring in the first place, you should do the following things if you are in a fender bender in Lakewood, or anywhere else.

ASK THE OTHER DRIVER IF THEY ARE OK

By doing this you will usually get an honest response that will hold up in court. So if that driver says they are OK and then later claims to have been injured, there’s a good chance that they are lying and it won’t hold up in court.

TAKE PICTURES AND VIDEO OF THE SCENE

Take as many photos and videos as you can of the scene right after it happens, so that you can present them in court if necessary. As you and the other driver will be biased if you are facing off in a lawsuit, these images will speak the truth more than either of you ever could and it will be pretty clear that the other person is lying.

CALL THE POLICE

While this may not seem necessary for a very small accident, having the police there will create a number of people who are impartial third parties who will be able to testify in court. They will also be able to draw up a report that will represent what they saw happened, not just what one driver says happened.

Why Home Insurance Is Necessary

When it comes to your home, you work diligently to protect it. Whether you have a leak, a broken window, or a problem with your electrical system, you make sure that it’s fixed as soon as possible. With all the hard work you put into keeping your home in good condition, wouldn’t it be nice to know someone else could cover the big problems your home could face?

Understanding Home Insurance

Like many types of insurance, home insurance helps you protect your home from loss. In the face of qualified losses, Colling Insurance Services Inc. will help you cover the costs of getting your home back to the way it was before the loss. The following are a few things your home insurance could cover:

  • Accidents
  • In-home flooding
  • Weather-related damage
  • Homeowner’s negligence

You get a many different protections by setting up one policy with Colling Insurance Services Inc.

Is Home Insurance Necessary?

Whether you have a mortgage on your home or not, home insurance is necessary. Although it isn’t required by law, home insurance protects you financially. Can you imagine losing your home to severe weather, yet still having to pay for the home as if it still existed? It’s possible without home insurance. However, with home insurance, you don’t have to worry about this because your home insurance provider can help you rebuild.

How to Protect Your Home

The first step required to ensure that your home has the proper protections is to speak with one of our qualified agents. When you talk to one of our agents, it’s important to have information about your home handy, so that you can get a great quote for you home. After that, the process is simple. Our expert home insurance agents will walk you through the process of getting the coverage you need for your home.

Premium Gas vs Regular: Understanding the Difference and Its Value to Your Car

When it comes to saving money on car expenses, many people overlook the advantage of using premium gas. Unfortunately, a large number of these people drive vehicles that give the manufacturer recommendation to use higher premium fuel, which can lead to costly repairs. Here’s a quick look at three tips you can follow to help ensure you’re doing the right thing at the pump.

Does your car recommend the use of premium gas?

Have a car that doesn’t recommend premium gas? If so, you can go ahead and use regular gas. Even if you use premium, it’s not going to do your car any favors. In fact, all it’s going to do is put a dent in your fuel funds. However, for those cars that do recommend premium gas, it is essential that you follow this suggestion. If you don’t, the car’s engine won’t run at its optimal capability of performance.

Did you invest in a premium engine?

If your car has an engine with a turbo charger and/or other high performance products added to it, you will need to fill it with premium fuel. These products don’t necessarily need premium fuel to function properly, but they do need it to function at their highest level of performance.

How old is the car?

Have an older car that is experiencing engine knock? If so, fill it up with premium for about a week or two and see if it helps. This is an excellent way to clear up engine knocking without investing in unnecessary repairs.

To learn more about premium gas vs. regular, contact Colling Insurance Services Inc. today.

Don’t Be a Victim! How to Avoid Fender Bender Fraud

Getting into an auto accident can be frightening. However, there are many people out there who make it their business to target certain drivers and coerce them into being involved in a fender bender. They are highly financially motivated and often target certain vehicles, the young, or seniors. Here are a few things to know to help protect yourself from becoming a victim.

Don’t Immediately Claim Responsibility

In the heat of the moment after an accident, it can be very easy to blurt out that you may have been responsible. Be very careful not to do this. Some individuals may see this as a payday, claiming overinflated damages simply because you’ve immediately taken the blame. Sometimes, what seems like an accident that you caused may not even fully be your fault. Watch what you say and let the insurance company determine who is at fault.

Write Down Account of Your Side Immediately After It Happened

Another method to help avoid getting wrapped up in fender bender fraud is to write down a statement of what happened in the crash as soon as you can after it is over. The truth never changes, and by having a firm written account of what took place, you can easily prove your innocence if a fraudulent or over-inflated claim arises. Also, if the police are willing to come out to take a report, be sure to get a physical copy for your records.

Remember to Exchange Information and Take Photos

One of the easiest ways to become a victim of a fraudster is by either forgetting to exchange information or just downright failing to do so. People often believe that because there is no damage or the incident was small, there’s no need to find out about the other driver. This is false!

It some cases, failure to do so can lead to a bigger incident down the road if the other party got your tag number, files a large claim, and then tries to blame the damage on you. Thus, it is important to be extra cautious and get as much information about everyone in the other vehicle anytime a collision occurs—including to take any photos of their vehicle to prove there was no damage.

For more information about auto insurance or to receive a no-obligation quote, please contact Colling Insurance Services, Inc. today.

Quick Tips to Boosting Fuel Economy

Boosting your vehicle’s fuel economy doesn’t need to be a long, drawn-out process. There are body modifications you can make, but this takes time and money. At Colling Insurance Services Inc. we believe some of the best service should occur quickly. So, whether shopping for auto insurance in Lakewood, CO or you want to boost your fuel economy before a big road trip, we are here to help. 

Tire Pressure

Quickly boosting your fuel economy often starts with your tires. Over time, your tires will lose air pressure, especially as the temperatures start to fluctuate. Check your tire pressure every few weeks and before a long road trip, then fill the tires back up accordingly. This will help boost your fuel efficiency while keeping you safe as well. 

Don’t Fill All The Way Up

When you stop for gas, chances are you fill the tank all the way up. Did you know this actually reduces your fuel economy? The heavier your vehicle, the lower the fuel economy. Most vehicles have a larger tank, so if you have a 20-gallon tank, filling it up to 10 gallons will save you 60 pounds in weight. This will stretch your price per gallon further. It also gives you a nice chance to stretch and stop if you are on a road trip. 

AC vs. Window

This is a debate many people look at when it comes to fuel economy. Which is better and how can it boost your fuel dollar. In general, rolling your window down in the city is the best course of action. Depending on the kind of vehicle you have, rolling the window down causes some drag, which burns up more fuel. Due to this, use windows in the city and switch to AC while on the highway.

Giving Makes Your Community a Better Place

At times everyone needs a little help. Problems beset even those who seem to have so much. Colorado residents with no financial resources, family members or friends, face even more difficulties when bad times strike. Yet, there is always hope.

One reason people in this great state rarely quit is the knowledge that there are others willing to give of their time to help. Society, as a whole, benefits when volunteers give back to their communities.

Following are some ways to make the Lakewood, CO, area a better place through charitable work.

Give to a Food Bank

There are many in Colorado who go to sleep each night without having had a decent meal. A way to help this problem is to gather non-perishable foodstuffs and take them to a food bank. Families and individuals in need will then have enough to sustain them.

Donate Old Clothes

Clothes that may prove too small or a bit worn might be what another needs to wear during a cold winter or hot summer. Take these items to a clothes recycling facility, non-profit thrift store or shelter.

Give Blood

Accident victims and others in need of blood transfusions count on there being an adequate supply on hand. Give blood to ensure that there is always enough available to help those in need.

Adopt a Pet

Buying a pet from a store is a legitimate personal choice; however, there are animals that, for a variety of reasons, have no homes. Help provide them with a loving living environment by adopting from a local animal shelter.

Consider Giving a Form of Insurance and Talk with an Agent

Those who give of their time always feel better about life. They know that just as they help others, someone out there will do the same for them. This sense of security is also possible by purchasing adequate insurance to cover home, family and business.

Speak with the compassionate agents at Colling Insurance Services, Inc. serving Lakewood, CO, or visit the website to find a useful insurance quote feature.