When you are in an accident in the Lakewood, Colorado area, you will want to know about the way your home insurance policy works. The problem that you might face is determining how much you are actually likely to obtain after the accident and processing of your claim. Although the exact process and method of determining the value will vary based on the policy and coverage on your home or car, you can calculate an estimate of the value you can expect.

Current Value of the Item

A key part of determining the replacement value or repair cost starts with evaluating the value of the item. A home insurance company will often use that determining factor to start evaluating how much you should receive in your claim.

Depreciation

In some cases, the home insurance company will consider the depreciation on the item before giving any funds. When a home insurance policy does not completely replace the full value of replacement costs or the exact repair expenses, it is likely that the company will consider giving the value minus the depreciation on the item.

Estimate Repairs or Medical Costs

Depending on the accident, the home insurance policy and the specifics of the situation, the worth of the claim might be determined by a medical professional or a repair professional. Professionals will be able to give an estimate to the insurance company, which is then used to establish the amount that the company owes to the insured individual after a deductible.

Every company will have a different method of calculating the actual worth of a claim, which can make it seem like a complicated process. Although the exact figures will vary, the details of coverage are provided in the paperwork. If you want to know more about your specific coverage or coverage you are considering, contact us today to talk to an independent agent.

Glass doors, windows, and fixtures are easy to break yet expensive to replace. While glass structures are technically covered by homeowners insurance, regular policies are often inadequate for covering the total loss. When you are insuring your Lakewood, Colorado home, it is a good idea to determine the level of coverage you need for the glass on your property.

When Glass Objects are Covered

If you encounter a disaster, such as a hail storm or thunderstorm, that damages your glass windows or sliding glass doors, your regular homeowners insurance policy should cover the damage. However, when just the glass structures are damaged, you might not meet your deductible and will likely have have to pay out of pocket. Filing small claims can be counterproductive because it will generally trigger a higher premium when you renew your homeowners insurance.

However, if you incur significant damage from natural disasters or vandalism, your home insurance will kick in to cover the replacement or repair costs. However, keep in mind that if you cause the damage, your claim will be denied by the homeowners insurance company.

Advantages of Glass Insurance

If glass is a prominent structural element in your home, it may be worthwhile for you to purchase glass insurance. Glass insurance is a rider that can be added to your policy and that specifically covers damage to glass as the result of natural disaster and acts of vandalism.

How an Independent Agent Can Help

An independent agent can help you determine the best way to protect the glass structures on your property. If adding glass insurance is your best bet, we can help you find the best rates on a glass insurance rider for your homeowners policy. Contact us today to keep your home sound and properly insured.

When you have a home insurance policy in a place like Lakewood, Colorado, you think of that policy as covering everything that’s inside your home, along with the actual structure. However, it’s very important that you look carefully at the coverage you have. It may not be what you think it is, and there could be strict limits on how much reimbursement you can receive for damage or loss of valuables, jewelry, and computers. You don’t want to end up losing out on something you can’t afford to replace.

Rather than take that risk, come see us. As an independent agent, we can provide you with quotes from multiple insurance companies. That will allow you to choose the coverage you like and avoid anything that isn’t going to benefit you. It’s not necessary to pay too much to get a good insurance policy, and it helps to have an agent on your side. Let us find what works for you. Be sure you’re up front about your computers, jewelry, or other valuables, in case the standard protection for them is not enough. Often, extra coverage can be added.

Increasing your home insurance policy amounts will raise your premiums, but usually not by a large amount. It’s much better to pay a few extra dollars a year to cover everything you have than realize you don’t have enough coverage when you need it. Each insurance company can set its own standard limits, so you may be able to find the right home insurance policy without needing extra coverage for certain items in your house. We’ll help you compare prices and amounts, so you can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have the right insurance for a good price.

Filing an insurance claim in Lakewood, Colorado can be a complicated and time-consuming logistical process, but it’s the first step to making sure you get the compensation you deserve. To take the most hassle-free approach to this process, simple follow these three steps.

1. Assess the Damage

Make sure to fully examine the damage done to your property right after it occurs. Make records of the damage by taking pictures, recording videos and jotting down relevant notes. If the damage is especially serious, consider hiring a professional to attest that it was in fact caused by a natural disaster, falling branch or other qualifying incident.

2. Review Your Policy

You’ll want to make sure that your insurance policy explicitly offers coverage for the damage to your Lakewood home. Carefully read through your policy and call your insurance provider to determine whether or not you’re covered. You want to be as sure as possible before filing a claim, since rejected claims can negatively impact your record.

3. Have a Plan B

Your insurance company can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to fully resolve your claim depending on your loss and a number of additional factors. These factors might include: limits in your policy, the procedure of your insurance provider, the amount of damage, type of damage, the time it takes to gather all necessary documents, and so on. Basically, this means that you’ll want to have a Plan B in case your Colorado insurance provider doesn’t respond to your claims as quickly as you’d like.

When dealing with the demands of filing an insurance claim, remember that the bright side of this situation is that you have insurance coverage at all. Many Lakewood homeowners are left to foot the bill for unexpected damages, so having the ability to file claims for property damage makes your situation as ideal as possible. To discuss your options for insurance coverage, be sure to contact one of our independent agents for day for expert, personalized advice.

So, you’re just getting ready to settle into your new Lakewood, Colorado home. The next step is to start looking at insurance coverage options to protect your investment. Your previous home insurance plan might not be the best fit for this new residence, so be sure to keep the following in mind when choosing the right coverage policy for your needs.

1. The Requirements of Your Loan Provider

Although Colorado law doesn’t technically require homeowners to purchase home insurance, mortgage companies likely will require you to purchase some sort of insurance to protect their investment. Talk to your loan provider before looking through coverage plans to make sure you meet at least the minimum of their requirements.

2. The Weather

Lakewood, Colorado frequently experiences snow storms, but this area isn’t really at risk for hurricanes and tropical storms. Make sure to carefully read the property damage policy of your insurance provider to be sure it covers damage caused by natural disasters that are relevant to your new location. Remember that many homeowner policies will not insure you in the event of a flood, so talk to your insurance provider about flood insurance if this is a concern.

3. Coverage for Others

Do you plan on frequently entertaining guests in your home or inviting clients over to conduct business? If so, you might want to look into liability coverage as well. Liability insurance would protect you from a lawsuit or any kind of financial responsibility in the event that someone is injured on your property.

Our independent insurance agents are dedicated to finding a plan for Lakewood residents that fits their needs and exceeds their expectations. To talk to one of our trusted and knowledgeable representatives, contact us today.

If you’re moving or remodeling, or if you just have too many things in and around your home, you might want to put some of your things in storage. One of the items the storage company may offer you is insurance. Do you need it? Well, that depends. Instead of automatically taking that storage insurance (and paying extra for it), make sure you stop in and talk to us. We can help you determine if your homeowners coverage is enough to protect your stored belongings, or if your policy isn’t designed for that.

Whether you’re putting them in storage in Lakewood, Colorado or somewhere else might also matter, and you don’t want to end up with unprotected furniture and other items because of limits on your homeowners policy. Finding out what kind of coverage you have ahead of time is a much better way to protect anything you own, since you’ll know whether you need the storage company’s insurance before you arrive with your belongings. You may also be able to get a temporary rider on your insurance policy that covers items that are stored off-site.

Some policies have restrictions as to how things can be stored, so make sure you choose your Lakewood facility wisely. You’ll want a storage company that is secure, and that protects your belongings properly. We can help you answer any questions about what your policy covers and how your belongings must be secured, so you’ll have peace of mind. Short-term or long-term storage issues can be addressed, and it’s very important that you get the type of coverage that will protect you and your belongings, no matter where they are. Let us help you locate the perfect policy. As an independent agent, we handle multiple companies and know what questions to ask to make sure the policy you get is the right one for you.

No matter where you live, natural disaster can occur without warning. Your Lakewood, Colorado homeowner’s insurance should cover most disaster damage to your home. However, there may be some events that are not covered by your policy. You should also ensure that you have enough insurance to meet your current needs.

Normal coverage

Damage to your property due to storms, tornados, wildfires and hurricanes is normally covered. The important issue to keep in mind is the amount of coverage your policy provides. If your home has been increasing in value, or you have made improvements, you may need to increase the dollar amount of your coverage. If you are a renter, you need your own renter’s policy. While the owner’s insurance covers their property, it will not cover your possessions.

Floods

Water damage to your home will be covered for roofing leaks, broken windows and most plumbing problems. You should check your policy to determine if damage from breaks in sewer or main lines outside your home is covered.

Water damage that is cause by a flood is not. Flood coverage must be purchased separately. You need to determine if you are in an area considered a flood zone. Keep in mind that these zones can change; you should check the information yearly.

Earthquakes

If your home is damaged from an earthquake, the event is not normally covered under a basic policy. If you live in an area that could be affected by earth movement, consider purchasing a separate policy or add an endorsement to your current insurance.

We are your independent agent for the Lakewood, Colorado area. Contact us today; we can go over your homeowner’s insurance with you to make sure you are fully covered for any natural disaster. We will also make sure that the amount of coverage you have meets your current value needs.

If you live in Lakewood, Colorado, it’s a safe assumption that you actually use that gas fireplace that came with your home. Chilly nights and snowy days can be great times to have a fire going in the background. It helps to keep the room warmer, but it also provides a great, cozy feel to the house. While you’re using that fireplace, though, you need to think about the safety measures you’ve got in place. Without the ability to be safe and careful, you could be risking your home. Fortunately, gas fireplace safety is not terribly complicated.

First, make sure you don’t use the fireplace when no one’s around. In other words, it should be attended, and people should be in the room. It’s one thing to leave the room to get a drink of water, but another thing entirely to go out for a few hours and leave the fireplace running. You should also be aware of any strange smells coming from your fireplace. While gas is odorless, many companies add a chemical to it that you can smell. If you suspect a leak of any kind, turn off your fireplace, leave the house, and call the gas company.

If you’re not sure how much that gas fireplace will cost you on your home insurance, come in and talk with us about the policy you have or want. It’s possible that you won’t be paying very much extra, depending on the age of the fireplace, how it was installed, and other factors. We can provide you with quotes from several different companies, but we’ll also be able to help you with safety tips if your fireplace isn’t up to the current code. The best thing to do is to have your gas fireplace checked thoroughly when you move in, and to periodically have it checked over its lifetime, just to have peace of mind.

The Rocky Mountain State is no stranger to snow storms. Although Colorado residents all probably have a good idea of how and when to stock up on food and blankets before a big winter storm is scheduled to hit, it’s less certain how we should respond when the storm results in damage beyond weight gain and a high heating bill. If you’re not sure what actions to take to protect your Lakewood home or vehicle, consider the following helpful tips.

1. Record the Damage

Thanks to modern technology, essentially everyone can make a substantial record of any home or car damage right after it happens. These records can act as evidence for your insurance company in the event that you will need to file a claim to receive compensation for the damage. Make sure to take multiple pictures of your home and car– remembering to account for the roof, engine and other less obvious areas as well.

2. Immediately Contact Your Insurance Provider

There are probably a million other things you’d rather do instead of sorting out the logistics with your insurance provider, but it’s important that you get this out of the way as soon as possible. The sooner you file your claim, the more likely you are to be approved and the quicker you’ll receive your compensation.

3. Take Precautions for Next Time

When you file a claim, your insurance rate will go up, but you can still cut costs by taking precautions for next time. For example, you can prepare your Colorado home by repairing roof leaks, installing new insulation and cutting away tree branches that could potentially fall on your home during a storm. You can protect your vehicle by having a covered port or garage installed or simply investing in a full body cover.

Our Lakewood independent insurance agents are here to help you acquire the best price for your coverage needs, so feel free to contact us for a personalized quote and professional advice today.

Any homeowner needs to make sure that they have adequate coverage on their home insurance policy, but how does that change if your home is paid off? If you are a Lakewood Colorado home owner and you have finally made that last payment on your house or condo — or if you are getting very close to paying it off and being debt free — it is definitely time to reconsider your home insurance needs. Here are some tips about dealing with home insurance when you own your home outright.

How Owning a Paid Off Home Changes Insurance Needs

When you own your home outright, you are more invested in it than you have ever been before. For most people, their home is the biggest asset that they have, and when the house or condo is paid off that asset needs to be protected more than it ever has before.

When you still owed money on your home, the focus of your insurance policy may have been to make sure that your coverage was sufficient to pay off your mortgage, and to rebuild a new home, in case the home was destroyed. However, once you own your home outright you will no longer have the concern about paying off the mortgage. This means that you could potentially lower the amount of home insurance that you carry — but it is vital that you discuss amounts with your independent agent before making any changes.

Now that you do own your home, it is especially important to be prepared for disaster, just in case. Carrying an insurance policy large enough to rebuild your home — or to buy a comparable new home for cash — should now be your top priority when it comes to home insurance. If something happens and your home is destroyed, or even if you suffer from a serious loss of property, you want to be able to pay for the problem to be rectified, and to remain debt free.

When you are ready to buy insurance for your paid off home, be sure to get comparison quotes from an independent agent that gives you all the info you need in one single place online. This gives you the opportunity to get the best price, while still having the coverage level you need!