Deductibles directly influence the cost of coverage and the amount you pay in the event of an accident claim. A deductible is the upfront cost to cover the repairs before the insurance agency pays anything. Understanding how deductibles work can help you make informed decisions about your auto insurance around Lakewood, CO, and manage potential expenses more effectively. It delivers a better budget plan.

How Deductibles Affect Premiums

One of the key reasons why deductibles matter is the impact they have on your auto insurance premiums. Generally, choosing a high-rate deductible lowers your monthly or annual premium. In the underwriting process, the policyholder signs an agreement to pay the upfront cost should something happen, reducing the insurer’s financial exposure. A low deductible rate means your premium is more and the insurance company will pay more should an accident occur.

Balancing the cost of premiums and deductibles is essential for finding the right policy. A high deductible may seem appealing due to the lower premiums, but it can leave you with significant expenses if you need to file a claim.

Deductibles and Claims

When you file a claim for damage to your vehicle, your deductible determines how much you will need to pay before the insurance covers the remainder. For example, if your deductible is $1,000 and your repair costs are $2,000, you pay $1,000, and the insurer covers the balance of $1,000.

Choosing the right deductible depends on your financial situation. A higher deductible might be the right choice if you can afford higher out-of-pocket costs.

Colling Insurance Services Inc. For Better Understanding of Insurance

Colling Insurance Services Inc. offers all of the information you need to get insurance. Our agency serves the locations in and near Lakewood, CO. Contact us today.

If you are like many people in and around the beautiful Lakewood, CO area, the majority of your travels in a vehicle typically occur during the warmer months. During these seasons, many people and families take spring break trips, go on summer vacation adventures, and spend more time traveling to outdoor events. That also means more miles, more driving, and an even greater need for auto insurance to keep you safe during the time of year when it seems everyone is on the road. If you live in or around Lakewood, CO, and have questions about auto insurance, then the professional and friendly team at Colling Insurance Services Inc. can help.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Summer

When the colder weather settles in and winter looms, we typically winterize our vehicles. In the same way, with the extra travel, more time running the AC, and the hotter weather, it is also a good idea to "summerize" your vehicle before heading out when the weather breaks. Here are a few quick tips to ensure your vehicle is summer-ready and ready to go.

• Tune-Ups: After the colder conditions, salt, snow, and slush on the roads, it is a good idea to get a tune-up and have your vehicle inspected.
• Tire Pressure: Warmer weather can also deflate tires. So, before putting all those extra miles on your vehicle, ensure your tires are well-treaded, aired up, and ready to roll.
• Insurance: 500 miles from home on vacation is no time to realize your insurance lapsed or you didn’t update your policy. Make sure you have the right coverage plans and that your policy is up-to-date before embarking on your next road trip.

If you live in the Lakewood, CO, area and want to learn more about auto insurance solutions or need coverage, we can help. Contact us today and let our Colling Insurance Services Inc. team help with the protection you and your vehicle need this summer.

Understanding auto insurance coverage isn’t always easy. But if you’re in the Lakewood, CO area and looking at updating your policy or getting a new one, Colling Insurance Services, Inc. can help you find the proper protection for your vehicle. You want to make an informed decision about protecting your car, truck, or SUV, and that’s much easier to do when you have an agent to answer your questions.

Liability insurance is a requirement, so that’s the first coverage you want to look at. There are minimum amounts you’ll need to have, and many people choose to get coverage amounts that are higher than the minimums required. While you don’t have to do that, you may feel more secure and have additional peace of mind if you do.

Another type of coverage is comprehensive, which covers things like fire and theft. If your vehicle is financed, your lienholder will probably require that you have this. If you own your vehicle, you aren’t legally required to have comprehensive insurance coverage. Many people choose to include it because it adds valuable protection to their vehicle.

Additionally, you may want to consider collision insurance. Financed vehicles generally require it, but it’s also an excellent way to protect other vehicles. If you’re involved in a single-car accident or one where the other driver doesn’t have adequate insurance coverage, having a collision policy as part of your policy can help you get your vehicle repaired or replaced.

If you’re in the Lakewood, CO area, Colling Insurance Services, Inc. can answer your questions about the different kinds of auto insurance coverage, so you can find the right policy that meets your needs and protects your vehicle. Contact us today, and let our trusted agents help you with your insurance questions.

Getting the right amount of auto insurance coverage protects you from financial losses in case of a car accident. It helps you to pay for liability claims and the costs of repairing or replacing your car after an accident. Protect your vehicle in Lakewood, CO by getting the help of Colling Insurance Services, Inc. The trained and experienced agents will help you to find the right type and amount of auto insurance based on your needs. The following are some of the coverage options and how much you need.

Liability Coverage

Colorado drivers must have a minimum of $25, 000 per person for bodily injury liability, $15,000 for property damage liability, and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. You should, however, try to carry liability coverage that is above the state’s minimum requirement. The amount of liability coverage you take depends on your assets and how much you have to lose in case of an accident. If you do not have enough liability coverage, you may have to sell your assets to settle payments when you are held liable for an accident

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage compensates you for the cost of repairing or replacing your car after an accident. Consider the amount of money it takes to repair or replace your vehicle and get the appropriate amount of insurance coverage. If you have a new or expensive, you should get as much collision coverage as possible. The same applies to comprehensive coverage.

Extended Coverage

Some people need more than the basic auto insurance coverage options. Extended coverage options such as umbrella insurance offer supplemental protection.

Speak to your insurance agent to find out how much auto insurance is enough for your needs.

Contact Colling Insurance Services, Inc. for your auto insurance needs in Lakewood, CO.

Are you a driver with a bad driving record in the Lakewood, CO area? Past mistakes should not prevent you from securing the adequate car insurance that you need to protect yourself and your family. The team at Colling Insurance Services, Inc. are here to help you secure appropriate insurance and move forward with your life!

A Less than Perfect Driving Record Should Not Hold You Back from a Bright Future

One of the most helpful actions that you can take to improve the quality of auto insurance options that are available to you is to enroll in a Safe Driving Course. Whenever possible, take the necessary steps to reduce the "points" associated with your driving record as they can have a negative impact on you during your quest to obtain insurance. In the worst case scenario, you may be placed into a high-risk pool that will provide coverage but is less than ideal position to be in. If this happens to you, we recommend that you meet with one of our qualified agents to learn more about the steps that you can take to improve your driving record and secure appropriate auto insurance outside of the high-risk pool.

We all make mistakes, and while there must be accountability, there is no reason for a bad driving record to hold you back from a bright future. Our team is knowledgeable about the options available to clients with a less than a stellar driving record, and they can also help you to improve your overall profile. A proactive approach that includes a plan for the future is highly recommended.

Don’t let a bad driving record hold you back, contact Colling Insurance Services, Inc. today to learn more about your insurance options in the greater Lakewood, CO area.

This common question is one that most people in Lakewood, CO forget to ask until tax time rolls around. In honor of being prepared though, Colling Insurance Services Inc. wants you to get everything together before April 15. The more you know about how auto insurance is seen by the government, the more you may end up getting back in a refund. 

How It Usually Works

Your auto insurance, just like your actual auto and its various expenses, is usually not eligible as a deduction from your taxes. Technically, these are expenses that the owner has willingly chosen for themselves, and thus don’t need to be accounted for when the government is trying to decide who gets what. 

The Exception to the Rule 

The exception to this rule is if you use a vehicle for work. Normally if you use a vehicle provided by your company, your boss or the powers that be are the ones who take care of the paperwork when it comes to that vehicle. You just drive it and expense the gas or maintenance costs that have to be done. However, if you’re self-employed then you may be able to deduct your auto insurance from your taxes.

Find Out More

It can get a little complicated if you use your automobile for both work and personal use though. In the case where you use the car for both in Lakewood, CO, you’ll need to calculate just how much you use your car for work. If it’s about half the time, then you can deduct half of the total cost of your insurance. If it’s only a few times a year, it may not be worth claiming at all. For more details, call Colling Insurance Services Inc. to find out more!

If your car has ever broken down in Lakewood, CO and you’ve gotten a tow, you may be wondering if it affects your insurance. This is an understandable concern and one that we at Colling Insurance Services, Inc. take very seriously. In this article, we’ll take a look at how towing affects your premiums.

Getting A Few Tows Is Not A Problem

If you get one or two tows in a year, you’re not likely looking at increased insurance premiums. Most insurance companies are forgiving here and understand that things can happen from time to time. So don’t be afraid to claim an occasional tow on your insurance when necessary. That said, you need to make sure you don’t over do it.

Too Many Tows Can Affect Your Insurance

If you’ve ever heard of somebody’s insurance increasing because of tows, it is probably because they made too many claims. As mentioned above, one or two tows isn’t going to be a problem. An excessive number of tows (think five or six) will alert the insurance company that there is something wrong with your car. As a result, they will raise your premiums.

Illegal Actions Are The Biggest Problem Here

While getting your car towed too many times due to mechanical problems will eventually affect your insurance, tows because of illegal activity will increase it right away. What kind of illegal activities lead to tows?

Parking in a tow zone, failure to pay parking tickets, parking next to a fire hydrant, driving with expired paperwork, or driving while intoxicated all count as illegal activities. Claiming these tows on your insurance will immediately affect your insurance heavily.

As you can see, towing doesn’t automatically or immediately affect your insurance. However, those in Lakewood, CO need to understand that the situations that lead to a tow can be Howevr, those in Lakewood CO need to understand that the situations that lead to a tow can be problematic for their insurance. Please contact us at Colling Insurance Services Inc. to get a better understanding of how to avoid this problem.

Driving in the Lakewood, CO area can be tricky at times, and it does not matter if you’re driving with passengers or alone, safe driving should always be on your mind.  In today’s world, there are more distractions when driving than ever before, so it’s critical to be aware of the top driving tips to avoid accidents. 

• Keep your focus on driving at all times and do not be tempted into multi-tasking.  If you need to use your cell phone or other electronic devise, take a minute to pull over. 
• Resist the temptation to speed because the faster you’re diving, the less reaction time you have and the increased chance of having a more severe accident.
• Drive defensively by keeping your eye on what other drivers are doing and assume other drivers will do something unpredictable.  It helps you be prepared to avoid the situation.
• Keep some space between you and the care in front of you.  A 2-second cushion if the weather is nice and at least 4-seconds if you’re in bad weather.
• Plan ahead for heavy traffic and stops for gas, food, and calls, texts, or emails so you’re not rushing to your destination.  Take a few minutes to eat or manage business before getting back on the road.
• Move items you need within easy reach and don’t attempt to retrieve items on the floor.
• Avoid taking medication that may make you drowsy and pull over if you are extra tired.
• Make sure everyone stays buckled up in a safety belt.
• Be on the lookout for animals on the road.

Colling Insurance Services, Inc.

Colling Insurance Services, Inc. provides auto insurance to those in the Lakewood, CO area.  Our mission is to provide the auto insurance you need with honesty and integrity. 

Auto insurance is something that is absolutely necessary not only to protect you but to protect other drivers as well. It is important to make sure that your auto insurance policy has you covered fully before you ever set out to drive. For those in the Lakewood, CO area, the agents with Colling Insurance Services Inc. can help you to find the right coverage each and every time.

The first thing to keep in mind is that if you need to have the right coverage for the car that you are driving, if you have a loan out on the car for instance, you need a full coverage policy. Similarly, the area in which you live might dictate the need for more insurance. If you live in an area where there are a lot of car break ins, where you have to park on the street, or where there is damage done to cars often, you might need more coverage.

Also, you need to keep in mind who is going to be driving that you are going to insure on your policy. Young males require a larger insurance coverage and those under the age of 25 also are going to require more insurance. It is important to also remember that adding things to your car like upgraded stereos, televisions and more can all increase the amount of insurance coverage you need to be fully covered. You may also need to adjust coverage from time to time and a great agent can help you do that easily.

With the right agent you can get the perfect coverage for you every time. For those in the Lakewood, CO area, the agents with Colling Insurance Services Inc. can help you find the policy that fits your needs.