Author Archives: AgentInsure

Keys to Saving on Your Applewood, Colorado Home Insurance

Applewood, Colorado is a beautiful place to live. We love our Broncos, Rockies and enjoy where we live. We appreciate the outdoors and our fresh air. Even here though, we don’t want to overpay for our insurance, especially for home insurance. For those in Applewood, we have some suggestions.

There are some ways you can save on your homeowners insurance, but it starts with knowing how much you are actually paying for your home insurance. Many don’t really know because their insurance payments are rolled into their mortgages and they pay them along with their taxes. Our first tip is to find out exactly what you are paying.

You then need to discover exactly how much coverage you do have. How much is your property insured for? What about the contents of your home and outbuildings? How much liability insurance do you have and is it enough? Getting a homeowners insurance review will get you those answers.

We can help walk you through the process. As independent agents in the area, we have the ability to get quotes from many individual companies. Since we are not limited to a single company, our options give you a wider choice of coverage and premiums.

There are also other ways to save on your home insurance. Some companies offer discounts for alarm systems and fire protection. You can also save by increasing your deductibles. In addition others offer discounts by “bundling” policies with one company.

The point is an independent insurance agency can help you discover these discounts and help you take advantage of them. You can see for yourself by getting comparative quotes on homeowners insurance right from our website. You can also compare your auto insurance rates online.

Contact us to get great rates on your homeowners insurance today. We will be glad to help you reduce the premiums you pay on your Applewood home insurance.

The Benefits To Getting Quotes From A Home Insurance Agency

Wheat Ridge has a lot of pioneer history. The city, just outside of Denver, was only incorporated in 1970, but it has grown considerably since then. Various events and festivals take place throughout the city all year long and this brings in a considerable amount of tourism.

Working with a home insurance agency is a great idea when you want to get quotes. This way, you don’t have to do all of the work on your own. It’s simply a matter of working with an agent to tell them what you want and letting them do a majority of the work for you.

One of the primary benefits to working with a home insurance agency in Wheat Ridge is that you have someone to talk to about coverage options. You can learn how to protect your home and all of your belongings against such things as fire, flood, storms, break-ins, sinking foundation, personal injury claims, and more.

Another benefit is that you can be confident that you’re getting the best price on a premium. Our agents will get quotes for you throughout Colorado. We work with multiple insurance companies and this ensures you get a good overview of what companies are offering so you don’t pay more than what’s necessary.

It’s important to have someone who knows what they are doing helping you with insurance. If you don’t want to do all of the work on your own, you can simply rely on a home insurance agency to do the majority of the work. They know what companies have the best deals and know about the top claims being made throughout Colorado. This allows the independent agents to guide you through the process and provide considerable amounts of advice.

Contact us today and learn how we can get you quotes.

Best Wheat Ridge Car Insurance Quotes

If you’re going to operate a motor vehicle on a Colorado roadway, you’ll have to be financially responsible. That means you’re required to have liability insurance with minimum coverage of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per occurrence, and $15,000 for property damage. That includes underinsured/uninsured coverage along with $5,000 in medical payments coverage.

Although Colorado’s mandatory minimum liability coverage law is one of the best in the country, it’s still just not enough. It doesn’t take much to exceed $25,000 in damages in a personal injury claim. That’s probably an emergency room visit and a couple of days in the hospital. If a jury comes back with a $100,000 verdict and you were driving on a $25,000 policy, you’re personally on the hook for the $75,000 excess.

As independent insurance agents, we don’t want to see you put in an excess liability situation. We’re respected and established business people that live and work around the Wheat Ridge community. We want to see you well protected on the road, but we also don’t want you to be paying too much for car insurance.

Because we’re independent agents, we work with multiple car insurers and give you choices of your insurer, your coverage amounts and how much you’ll pay. That’s the unbiased and objective information that we’ll give you. Since we’re not married to one of the "big three" insurers, we’ll give you the best quotes available from a range of well established car insurers that you can choose from.

Whether you’re looking to insure a vehicle you just bought, or you’re tired of paying high premiums for the same coverage we can provide you with, call us for the best quotes in and around Zip Code 80034 . Our agents are happy to talk with you.

Should I Increase Liability With A Learner’s Permit?

Lakewood, Colorado is a growing metropolitan and has a number of high-end real estate communities. The economy is strong and the city promotes small businesses. Recreational facilities are located throughout and there is also a considerable amount of tourism that comes through the city, both during the summer and winter months.

When there’s a learners permit in your home, you have to look at the coverage on your car insurance. If you used to have the minimum for the state of Colorado, you may want to consider increasing the liability for both personal injury as well as property damage.

A new driver is still learning. They may know the rules of the road, but they are inexperienced and they haven’t developed fast reaction times yet. They are at a greater risk for being involved in an accident. There is a good chance that the accident is going to cost a lot of money.

By increasing the liability coverage on car insurance, the insurance company would pay for the damages and hospital bills instead of coming back to you. If you’re only covered for $25,000 worth of property damage and the accident results in $50,000, you would be responsible for the remainder – and that’s a lot of money.

By working with agents, you can make sure your learner’s permit in Lakewood is properly protected. If there is an accident, the coverage is in place so it doesn’t end up costing you a lot of money. You should be able to pay just the deductible and let the insurance company take care of the rest.

Determining how much to increase the liability to can depend on the driver as well as your budget. Call and talk to one of our agents today and let us help you get a policy you can rely on.

Little-Known Ways to Decrease Your Auto Insurance Rates

When you move out of your parents’ house and start your college or professional career, the world seems to open up. The independence that comes with that move is both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. But newfound freedom comes with a couple caveats. One of the biggest? The financial obligation.

From groceries and rent to clothing and apartment decor, you have many bills to account for once you live on your own. If you drive a car, your auto insurance rates add to this increasing list. But there are ways to decrease that bill if you know a few tricks.

Compare Companies

The first step you must take toward finding your best auto rate is to shop around. Many people ignore this step and simply renew with their current company or sign with the most popular establishment. That quick choice could hurt your bottom line. But it is difficult to compare auto insurance quotes on your own because you aren’t familiar with the process.

Work with an independent agency that will find the best rate for you. Professional agents use their skills to access the policy that gives you the coverage you need at the price you want.

Take Care on the Road

You should already do your best to drive safely. There are inherent benefits that come from safe driving practices, but lower auto insurance rates is an added bonus.

Whenever you get into a fender bender or receive a speeding ticket, the state notes the incident on your driving record. Most states use a points system to track your violations (and their severity). Some minor infractions like forgetting your proof of insurance or driving with a broken taillight do not incur points. Instead, you will likely just pay a fine. However, larger violations accrue points, and those points increase your rates.

At its most basic, insurance is a gamble. You bet that you might have an accident one day, so you choose to pay premiums. Insurance companies gamble that its customer base will pay more premiums than the company must pay out.

So, if you show insurance carriers that you are a high-risk gamble by speeding or causing accidents, they charge a higher premium to offset the risk. But the other side is true as well. If you display a clean driving record and continue to drive safely, insurance premiums decrease.

Study Hard

In School

Your classroom performance affects your transcripts-and your insurance rates. Young drivers often pay higher rates because they have less experience behind the wheel, and that inexperience creates a higher accident risk. Good grades can reduce some of that cost. Insurers give many reasons for this policy, but the most common is that the high GPA shows you are attentive in school, which could translate to caution on the road.

In Defensive Driving Courses

In addition to standard school classes, consider taking a supplemental driving course. Many insurance companies offer discounts if you complete a defensive driving class, but make sure that you speak with your agent before you sign up. He or she will inform you about the discount rates and accredited classes in your area.

Recover (or Build) Your Credit

Many insurance companies review your credit before they offer a rate. Why? Like their school comparison, they believe that if you are careful with your credit, you will be more careful with your car. If your credit is on the low side, don’t worry. There are many things you can do to improve it:

  • Get a low-interest or secured line of credit.
  • Make all payments in full every month.
  • Keep credit accounts open as long as possible.
  • Maintain a low balance on all credit accounts.
  • Review your credit report, and dispute any mistakes.

Your higher credit score may translate into lower auto insurance rates, so inform your agent when that important number raises.

Choose Age Before Beauty

Sleek, new cars may look great in the driveway. They may even make you feel great when you cruise around town. But they won’t make you feel great when you see your insurance bill every month. Top-of-the-line vehicles tempt thieves, and their repairs tend to be expensive.

To cut down on insurance costs, choose an earlier model. However, always choose a vehicle that you will feel safe in and that will survive your commute. It’s not worth finding a car that has low insurance potential if it has to visit the repair shop once a month.

Install Security Features

If you already have a late-model vehicle and need a way to decrease your current insurance, install a few anti-theft features.

Speak to an agent about discounts for car alarms, hood and tire locks, tracking systems, and kill switches. Some of these devices are pricey, so weigh them against the discount amount before you make an investment.

Now that you know a few ways to decrease your insurance rates, get started. This is an important step for any driver, so don’t wait to get your affordable coverage today.

Understanding Your Auto Insurance Options

Whether you're a sales office worker in Wheat Ridge, CO or a stay-at-home mom, there's a good chance that you want or need your own form of transportation. As an independent insurance agency in Wheat Ridge, we are here to help make sure you are adequately covered with the auto protection you need.

You never know when a quick trip to the Dolce Sicilia Italian Bakery or local grocery store might turn out badly. Take for instance that you're almost home after picking up a bite to eat at Thai Green and Sushi, and on your way home a deer runs out in front of you. Try as you may, you swerve and hit your brakes but still yet, you hit the deer. And although the damage may seem minimal, once you get the car into a shop, your mechanic and body work specialist tell you the damage is totaling more than $2,500.

Do you have $2,500 on hand for car repair expenses? Probably not, but with a comprehensive insurance policy, you don't have to fret about hitting a deer or any animal because the repair costs will likely be covered.

Additional Benefits of Comprehensive Coverage

Living in Wheat Ridge means you know firsthand how extreme the weather can get in the 80033 zip code area. If your car becomes the victim of flood or hail damage, a basic liability insurance policy won't be sufficient. But with a comprehensive policy, once you pay your deductible, the additional repair costs will probably be covered.

Most comprehensive policies also cover claims relating to:

  • Vandalism
  • Theft
  • Fire
  • Falling objects

It's also with a comprehensive policy that you will likely have access to a rental car in the event that your car has to be put into the shop. Knowing that your transportation needs will always be met gives you great peace of mind, and this is just another reason why you need to get quotes for a comprehensive auto policy.

 

Wheat Ridge CO: Does My Commercial Insurance Cover My Drivers?

Wheat Ridge is a small suburban city less than five miles from Denver, located in the 80033 zip code. Wheat Ridge may be small, but there is plenty to do from our 20 parks for the outdoor lovers to our shopping lovers with our numerous antique shops and our other local shops and stores.

If you own one of those quaint little shops or restaurants or thinking about opening your own, you will need commercial insurance and if you plan to have, your employees do errands for you. You will need a commercial auto policy because your commercial business insurance does not cover drivers.

Business Auto Coverage

  • Liability
  • Physical damage

Categories of Insureds

  • You, the person who’s name is on the policy.
  • Anyone who is driving a vehicle you own and that is covered by your auto insurance, that you give permission to drive the vehicle, called a permissive driver or user.

The insured (named insured being you, because your name is on the policy and you pay the insurance) has the most insurance coverage. This includes the vehicles you have chosen to insure including:

  • All vehicles you own
  • Hired vehicles
  • Rented vehicles

You, the insured have more coverage even if you are not driving the auto, but are a passenger at the time of an accident. You are also protected from your employee suing you because of the accident, even if it was or was not caused by their negligence.

Employees Covered as Permissive Drivers

The majority of permissive drivers are employees driving company owned vehicles. These employees are covered while driving vehicles you own, borrow, or hire. If you rent a car and you’re, name is the only one on the lease and an employee drives that car they are not covered. When renting vehicles you must list everyone who will be or may drive the vehicle while it is in your possession.

If you have any questions about who is covered and who is not in different situations asks your insurance agents at Colling Insurance Services while you are getting your commercial insurance quotes.

Colorado: What Type of Business Insurance Do Ski Resorts Have?

If you live in Colorado, or visit often, then the chances are you love to ski. Colorado has some of the best ski resorts in the US. Unfortunately, accidents do happen and the ski resorts are prepared.

The general rule while skiing – is ski at your own risk. Ski resorts would go out of business if everyone who fell on the slopes and broke a bone, sued them. And, there is no such thing as a tree jumping out in front of you.

Ski Resort Insurance

  • Premises
  • Lift
  • Skiing

Primary General Liability

Primary general liability covers claims of property damage, injury (not caused by your doing), and negligence related to the ski resorts activities.

The insurance provides a wide-ranging, flexible type of coverage for all normal operations of US ski resorts including:

  • Ski schools
  • Ski shops
  • Ski rentals shops
  • Lodging
  • Food and beverage
  • Resort daycare centers

* The policy also includes coverage for daycare and ski school related incidents such as abuse (verbal, physical, mental, and emotional.) As well as unwanted physical advances and attacks.

Additional Ski Resort Coverages

  • Commercial Automobile Insurance – Shuttle buses, cars and trucks used by employees, and rescue vehicles
  • Employers Liability – If an employee is injured they will receive workers compensation, employer liability protects the ski resort from any liability.
  • Liquor Liability Coverage – If the lodge or restaurant serves alcohol, most states require liquor liability insurance. If you live in a state that does not require this type of coverage, you may want to seriously consider adding it to your commercial policy. It provides protection for you, if a patron drinks too much and gets hurt or hurts someone else.
  • Property and Crime – If type of insurance provides coverage if your property (ski’s for example are stolen.)
  • Electronic Data Processing – Covers the ski resort in the event of a computer systems failure – where credit card information could be stolen from a hacker and even if reservations are lost and overbooking results. The resort can comp rooms/cabins and file a claim and be reimbursed for lost income.

Owning a ski resort requires all types of insurance coverage. It’s easy to find the best coverage for your ski resort business by contacting commercial insuranceagents and requesting insurance quotes from Colling Insurance Services.

Keeping Yourself Healthy: Importance of Health Insurance in Wheat Ridge

There are more than a few ways to stay in tip-top shape in Wheat Ridge, CO. From the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center to a slew of local gyms, you can enjoy weight lifting, running and much more. And don’t forget the Active Adult Center, which is perfect for those who are 50 and up. This unique center offers exercise classes and general interest courses, which make it easy to master basic technical and computer skills.

Another great way to keep yourself healthy in Wheat Ridge is by visiting your doctor on a regular basis. In order to do this, you will likely need a policy through a health insurance agency. In fact, health insurance is one of the most important types of coverage that you can have. From ordinary checkups at the doctor’s office to emergency room visits, health insurance lifts the burden of having to pay for medical costs out of pocket.

Depending on the policy that you have, you may or may not have to visit doctors in the 80033 zip code area. Your specific wants and preferences should be discussed with insurance agents to determine the best policy for your needs.

You might think that paying for health insurance is too expensive, but when you factor in how much money you might be out with just one trip to the hospital, then it becomes clear to see that health insurance should be thought of as a necessity. And in all actuality, due to federal changes that have recently been made, it is now a requirement that you have health insurance. If you don’t, you may face having to pay a penalty.

How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

Regardless, of where you live in the great state of Colorado whether it is the metropolitan city of Colorado Springs or the quaint little town of Bark Ranch, life insurance is something everyone should have.

The amount of life insurance an individual needs depends on several factors including:

  • Your funeral costs
  • Amount of debt
  • Number of surviving immediate family members (spouse and children)
  • The age of your children
  • Your spouse’s ability to support any children
  • Your spouse’s ability to support themselves
  • How long it will take your surviving spouse to return to work
  • Whether or not you have a large savings, 401K or pension

Everyone’s situation is different, if your single and debt free then the minimum amount of life insurance you should have is enough to cover your funeral costs.

If you’re a a spouse and with children, mortgage, car payments, credit card and other debt then you’re likely going to want a significant amount of life insurance.

The following things will help you determine a rough estimate of how much life insurance you may need.

  • Funeral Costs – If you want a simple funeral, according to the Federal Trade Commission it will cost you roughly $3,000 to $7,000.
  • How much you owe on your home, cars, credit cards and other debt.
  • How many children you have and their ages, if you have young children you’ll want to make sure there is enough money to raise them and possibly even pay for their college education.
  • Your spouse’s income and whether or not they can provide a good life and college education for your children on their own income.

Once you sit down and figure out all of the above, you’ll have a much better idea of how much life insurance you need. However, you’re in luck, it’s easy to find the best coverage for your budget by talking to agents with Colling Insurance Services.