Category Archives: Insurance

4 Ways To Keep Your Dog Safe In The Summer Months

When you live in Lakewood, there are many ways for you to keep your dog safe during the summer months. You are dealing with more heat and more bugs than any other times of the year. By knowing the best ways to keep your dog safe, you can keep him healthier and happier as well.

Protect the Paws

The paws of your dog need to be protected at all times, particularly when you are walking your dog along hot concrete or pavement. Just as you don’t want to walk around outside on the hot concrete, your dog doesn’t either! Protect the paws using adhesive paw pads or specially fitted booties based on the breed you have.

Provide Lots of Water

Your dog needs to have lots of water, especially during the summer. If you leave your dog outside, be sure that he has access to water. Even indoors, your dog needs water – and throwing in some ice cubes can help as well.

Prevention Medication

Talk to your vet and get your dog on prevention medication for heartworm, fleas, and ticks. The summer is when the bugs are out and you want to make sure your dog does not get sick.

Life Vest

Your dog can be the best swimmer in the world, but when you are boating, you never know what is going to happen. It is best to put a life vest on your dog, and make sure that it is going to fit properly. Be conscious of your dog’s weight and girth when choosing a life vest. Especially if you are in the ocean, waves and other details can prevent your dog from swimming as well as he can in a pool or lake.

At Colling Insurance services Inc. we look forward to helping you protect your home and everything and everyone inside of it. Call today and learn more about how to get affordable home insurance in Lakewood.

 

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.

Unusual Things Covered in Home Insurance Policies

Do you have home insurance? If you do, you’ve protect yourself against all kinds of dangers, even a house fire that could leave you homeless. If a tree falls into your home, you won’t have to pay out of pocket for repairs. If a burglar breaks in, you’ll have a financial safety net to replace what you’ve lost.

Not only does home insurance give homeowners peace of mind about their property and belongings, it ensures devastating damages won’t take a financial toll on individuals and families. Homeowners should understand exactly what their insurance policies covers-both the obvious and unique-to get compensation and keep their home in tip-top shape.

The Obvious

Basic home insurance coverage covers much more than damage to your house. Most policies base coverage off of a certain percentage of the entire coverage amount you pay-discuss coverage with your insurance broker before purchasing insurance. The most basic coverage generally includes:

  • Belongings – If someone burglarizes your home, your policy should replace most belongings.
  • Perils – If your home experiences extensive damage (fire, lightening, explosion, smoke, vandalism, falling objects), your policy should cover it completely.
  • Loss of use – If your home gets damaged and you can’t live in your house, most insurance companies cover living expenses (laundry costs, restaurant meals, hotel bills) for a time.

Depending on your insurance agency, you may have the opportunity to purchase more specialized coverage. In these cases, your home insurance policy might also cover:

  • Debris removal
  • Landscaping replacement
  • Power outages
  • Spoiled food storage
  • Glass structures (doors and windows)

Some home insurance policies require you to add on certain items, including:

  • Antiques
  • Jewelry
  • Electronic equipment

Most home insurance policy basics depend on your particular agency, but you can count on most agencies to provide you with enough coverage to suit your needs. The benefits of home insurance extend far beyond structural damages to your house.

If, for example, you run into a sticky situation with liability or fraud involving your home’s property, your home insurance might just cover those damages as well. Read on to learn about some of the more unique aspects of home insurance coverage.

The Unique

Most homeowners don’t know about these unique coverage benefits. When out-of-the-ordinary events happen, you can trust your policy to cover the emotional and financial costs of the following:

  • Liability and/or medical bills – If an injury takes place on your property, home insurance usually covers medical bills. Whether a dog bites a visitor or a neighbor slips and falls on your driveway, home insurance should cover all medical costs. Insurance companies sometimes pay for legal defense along with medical bills. If a neighbor sues you over a dog bite, call your insurance broker to discuss specifics.
  • Structures – If your fence, garden, or garage gets damaged, home insurance should cover repair and renovation. When a tree falls and destroys your fence or garden, get in contact with your home insurance specialist to discuss compensation and repair.
  • Fraud – If someone uses your personal checks or credit cards without your permission, home insurance might cover it. While this may seem like a random aspect of coverage, insurance agencies aim to keep you and your family secure against all sorts of fraudsters.
  • Grave markers – If someone vandalizes or steals your loved one’s grave marker, your insurance policy might cover most replacement costs.
  • Student property – If your child moves away to college and someone steals his or her belongings, contact an insurance agent to discuss coverage and replacement options. Keep in mind: most student property coverage is limited to 10 percent of the property limit.

Apart from liability, structural damage, and fraud coverage, some insurance agencies take coverage a step further. Whether a dog ate your necklace, or you lost our favorite candlestick, your home insurance might cover reimbursement costs. Read on to learn about certain cases of very unique home insurance coverage.

  • Eaten belongings – One family received insurance money after their dog ate an expensive piece of jewelry.
  • Interior design fees – A number of insurance agencies cover interior design fees for home repair and renovation (resulting from previous damage).
  • Spoiled food and wine – After a sewage pipe overflow, an insurance company reimbursed a family for the spoiled goods in the home’s basement.
  • Security – Because they don’t want further damage and/or vandalism to occur, some insurance companies pay for security at damaged homes during repair.
  • Pair and sets – When one family lost a candlestick in a set, the insurance company replaced the entire set.
  • Bug-repellent services -To ensure a home stays in pristine condition throughout the year, many insurance policies cover bug-repellent services.

Whether someone burglarizes your home, or a storm damages your house, you deserve a fair amount of reimbursement from your insurance company. You never know what’s covered until you ask-make sure to discuss all coverage options with your insurance agency.

Arvada, CO insurance agents at your door steps

Obtaining insurance that will protect your family and your lifestyle can seem challenging. There are a variety of factors to consider and so many plans are available that you may find it confusing to select a policy. Fortunately, you can hire insurance agents in Arvada, CO to help you find the plan that is best for your goals.

Benefits of an Agent

There are several advantages associated with hiring an agent, including the option to compare a variety of plans without wasting your time or calling several different companies. The agent handles the comparison aspect and provides you with the best plans based on your goals and situation.

Along with the benefit of comparing your options, an agent can answer any questions that arise. You do not need to waste time looking up information, terminology or details when you can ask an agent directly and get an answer in a timely manner.

Selecting a Professional

The decision to hire an agent can seem simple, but you always want to focus on hiring an individual who is knowledgeable, capable and willing to help you reach your particular goals. Talk to an agent before making a decision to ensure that the agent understands your goals and concerns. You want to feel comfortable with the agent before you hire so that you can feel confident in the advice and information that you are provided. Do not work with an agent who makes you feel uncomfortable or who does not seem to recognize your concerns.

Working with an agent is beneficial for any individual, regardless of your goals and preferences. The key is finding an agent who is professional and puts your mind at ease. To learn more, contact us to talk to an agent today.

Compare motorbike insurance coverage options

When you are not sure about the motorbike insurance that is appropriate for your vehicle in Lakewood, CO, you may need to compare a variety of options. Comparing the plans that are available can help you find a policy that addresses all of your concerns and has a reasonable cost.

Meeting the Minimum Standards

Regardless of the insurance provider, you can expect to have several options that offer coverage that meets or exceeds the minimum state standards. The state requires that you purchase liability protection when you ride a motorcycle.

Although the minimum standards are an option, you can add to the coverage if you have specific concerns to address, such as the theft of your motorbike. Many insurers offer the option to add a specific type of coverage to your plan, even if you just want to add one type of coverage to the minimum standards.

Collision and Comprehensive Coverage

If you want to cover a variety of situations, then a comprehensive policy may be a better choice for your situation. Comprehensive plans will usually offer coverage against common concerns, such as damage from a storm, theft or medical bills after an accident.

You may also want to consider a collision policy, which specifically addresses problems that can arise if you are in an accident while riding your motorbike. The coverage is not usually included in a basic or a comprehensive policy, so it may be necessary to add it to your plan if you want to address the risk of an accident on the road.

There are a variety of situations that can arise when you ride a motorcycle. Your motorbike insurance can help protect you from the financial challenges that can arise after an accident. Contact us to learn more about your policy options today.

Discounts available for boat insurance in Wheat Ridge, CO

Finding ways to save money on your boat insurance in Wheat Ridge, CO can be a useful way to get the coverage that you want for an affordable price. In many cases, discounts can help you reduce the cost of your coverage so that you can enjoy your boat throughout the spring and summer seasons.

Safety Course Reductions

Many insurance providers will offer discounted rates for individuals who take a safety course and provide proof that the safety course was completed. You should receive a certificate of completion after the course is finished.

A safety course means that you are less likely to get into an accident on the water. When you take the course, you will learn safety precautions and get reminders about the appropriate solutions when an accident takes place so that you can limit the damages and the number of injuries that occur.

Putting in a Fire Suppression System

A fire suppression system is a way to help reduce the risk of fires that take place on the boat. When your boat has the system in place, it is less likely to suffer from severe damages if a fire occurs. That can help reduce your rates and may result in a discount, but every insurer is different and some may not offer discounted rates for the system, so you will need to ask if a discount is available and how much you can expect to save if you are thinking of putting in the system.

There are a variety of ways to save money on your boat insurance. Depending on the actions that you take, the cost of your coverage can dramatically reduce over time. Call today to speak to an agent and learn more about saving on your insurance.

On what grounds can an insurance company deny your claim?

When you file a legitimate claim with your insurance company you should have a reasonable expectation that your claim will be approved. In most situations, your claim will be reviewed and you will receive a fair amount to cover your loss. However, if certain circumstances are present, you may receive a notice telling you that your claim has been denied.

Whether you are talking about auto, home, life, or any other type of insurance policy, your claim can be denied if you made a material misrepresentation on your application when you were trying to get coverage. Fraud, deception and an outright lie are all legitimate reasons for denying a claim. For instance, saying that you are a non-smoker when you have been smoking two packs of cigarettes a day for the last 10 years, is a deliberate act of deception. If you die of lung cancer a few years later, your beneficiaries may have a very difficult time trying to collect on your life insurance policy.

Your claim may also be denied if you commit an intentional act that causes damage to your property. Your insurance company will deny your claim if the cause of the big dent in your car door was the result of you getting angry and kicking the door.

Another possible reason you may be told that your claim is being denied is that you fail to report the loss in a timely manner. If you back into a pole in January and wait until November to notify your insurance carrier of the damage to your bumper, chances are slim that your claim will be approved.

Sometimes a claim can be denied because the loss is determined to be outside the included coverage of the policy. If your house is flooded due to storm surge, you can only file a claim under a flood insurance policy. If you do not have such insurance and try to collect on your home insurance policy, your claim will be denied.

When you buy any type of insurance policy, be sure you understand what the policy does and does not cover. Insurance companies are highly regulated and honor legitimate claims that are covered under the terms of your policy.

Are accessories covered under RV insurance in Englewood, CO

When you purchase an insurance policy for your RV in Englewood, CO, you may be concerned about the total coverage that is available. Depending on the plan that you purchased, you may or may not be covered for damaged to your accessories. RV coverage can vary between policies based on the amount of coverage that you have purchased.

Basic Plans

The basic policy will protect your RV from common threats. The threats that are common depend on several factors, including the amount of driving and the amount of time that you spend in the RV. If you live in your RV full-time, then your coverage requirements will differ from an individual who only uses the RV during a vacation.

Even if you only use the RV occasionally, a basic plan will provide coverage against liability concerns that meet or exceed state minimum standards.

Additional protection may include liability against accidents when guests visit your RV and some basic coverage for personal belongings.

Additional Coverage

If you are concerned that your RV coverage may not include all of the necessities, then you can add to the basic policy with additional protection. You can specifically add accessories if the coverage is limited or you are not covered against damages to your RV. Other additions depend on your personal concerns and preferences when you are looking at plans. The best policies will cover the basic necessities as well as your personal belongings and accessories, but the details can vary.

Every policy that you consider can differ, which means that the details of any plan that you purchase depend on the policy and the insurance provider. Contact us to speak to an agent to learn more about finding the right plan for your RV and your concerns.

Does renters insurance cover roof damage from wind in CO?

If you are renting a house or apartment in Colorado you can buy renters insurance that will cover loss or damage to your personal property inside of the home or apartment that you are renting. Your landlord is only responsible for the care and upkeep of the dwelling and can buy insurance to cover loss or damage to the dwelling.

As a renter you are not financially responsible for costs associated with any systems that may fail. Making sure that electrical wiring, plumbing and the HVAC system are all in proper working condition is the responsibility of your landlord. If a tree falls on the house you are renting, your landlord can file a claim with his insurance company. If part of the roof is damaged by a storm with 70 mile per hour winds, your landlord is responsible and has the option of seeking reimbursement for the loss by filing an insurance claim.

While renters insurance does not cover the costs of repairs to a damaged roof, if the damaged roof results in damage or loss to your personal property, it will pay to repair or replace the items that were damaged or destroyed.

If you live in Colorado, you know that a blizzard in the middle of the winter can cause a great deal of damage to a home. The high winds and heavy snow could cause a roof to be compromised and fail. In a worst case scenario, a part of the roof could be gone with the wind and leave a gaping hole. Snow and rain, and who knows what else, could go through the opening and cause damage to your big screen TV or your computer. In such a case, you could file a claim with your renters insurance and collect for the amount of the loss to your property.