Can I Deduct My Auto Insurance from My Taxes?

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!

Surprising Benefits of Health Insurance

Most of us understand that health insurance helps cover our most common physical health concerns. But did you know that your insurance could assist with so much more? At Colling Insurance Services Inc., we’re dedicated to providing our Lakewood, CO customers with the most up-to-date information about all your insurance coverage needs. That’s why we’ve assembled this fascinating list of surprising health insurance benefits!

Psychiatric Coverage

Not many people know that health insurance isn’t just for physical health concerns. It can also provide coverage and assistance for mental health services! Most plans provide for certain categories of treatment, such as psychiatric counseling and prescriptions. Substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation may also be covered. Some even help out with in-patient hospitalization or at-home therapy services!

Smoking Cessation Assistance

Smoking is incredibly damaging to your health, so it makes perfect sense why insurance providers want to help you quit for good! As part of their preventative services, most insurance plans provide coverage to help you quit smoking. These services include counseling sessions and FDA-approved medications by prescription.

Obesity Treatments

A national crisis, obesity is a leading cause of health-related problems and death in the US. States across the country have stepped up their effort to combat this deadly epidemic, and so too have most insurance providers. Your health insurance could have coverage for preventative screenings, assessments, and even obesity treatments such as diet counseling, weight management services, or even medical procedures.

These are just some of the surprising benefits hidden within health insurance. If you’re a resident of Lakewood, CO searching for the right insurance, let our agents at Colling Insurance Services Inc. help you discover the right policy for your personal needs!

Will I need separate insurance for dental and vision?

Colling Insurance Services Inc. serving Lakewood, CO helps individuals and families get the health care they need. There have been several changes in health care plans in the last several years, leading to different kinds of choices. Employers are required to offer insurance more than before, but they are not required to offer dental or vision policies except for pediatric policies. If they do offer dental or vision packages, they can offer any plan they find suitable, and require employees to buy the health insurance and treat the dental or vision insurance as an add-on.

Fortunately, Many Stand-Alone Plans are Available

Maintaining current dental and vision plans and making use of them helps keep you healthy. Luckily, you currently have several choices as to which dental and vision plan you can choose. If you cannot obtain a dental or vision package with your health insurance package, for whatever reason, you can choose a policy that is separate, even from a completely separate carrier.

Two Types of Dental Plans

Traditional insurance plans have the insured pay a monthly premium with a possible deductible and copayments. An HMO plan will tell you which providers are in your network, a PPO will give you more freedom, and an indemnity plan will repay you after you receive services.

The alternative plan lets you pay a monthly or yearly fee, but then instead of specific benefits you are eligible to receive certain discounts. 

Vision Insurance

People with vision insurance tend to use it. Regular eye exams don’t just monitor your ability to see close or far away; they look for other health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes and brain tumors.

If you are need help finding a plan, call Colling Insurance Services Inc. serving Lakewood, CO today.

Do You Need Workers Compensation Insurance for a Family Business?

At Colling Insurance Services Inc. serving the greater Lakewood, CO area, we are often asked questions about workers compensation insurance and family owned businesses. Many small businesses wonder if they need this type of insurance if they are a family owned and run a business. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself when determining if you need workers comp insurance. 

Do You Have Employees? 

If you have any employees who are not family, even if it is just one person, you need workers compensation insurance. Many family-owned businesses have outside help from non-family members.  If you do not have any employees, you may not need workers compensation insurance. 

Are Your Family Members Helping or Employees? 

The next question to ask yourself is whether your family members are helping you out or are employees. Do your grown kids stop by your shop and help you out for a couple hours a week in their free time, or do they have a set schedule they have to work? If they have a set schedule and you rely on them, they are likely considered employees and you should cover them under a workers compensation policy. 

Do You Pay Your Family Members as Employees? 

The last question to ask is whether you pay your family members as employees. If you slide them $20 here or there for helping you out with a project, they may not be employees. But if you pay them weekly or bi-weekly for their work, they are an employee and you need to cover them with workers compensation insurance. 

If you still are not sure if you need workers compensation insurance in the Lakewood, CO area, let Colling Insurance Services Inc. help. Call us today and one of our agents can answer your questions and determine whether you need this insurance coverage or not. 

Renting An RV? You Need Insurance!

Do you want to get away from it all while still having all the comforts of your Lakewood, CO home? If so, you’re like the millions of Americans each year who take their vacations in a recreational vehicle (RV). Before you set out on the open road, check to make sure you have proper insurance coverage for your RV.

Does My Auto Insurance Cover My Rental RV?

Some insurance companies will issue a certificate of insurance for motor home coverage. If you already have an insurance package with rental car coverage it will cover a recreational vehicle, with an increase of physical damage limits. According to Bert Alanko, chairman of the Recreational Vehicle Renters Association (RVRA), insurers treat recreational vehicles differently than SUVs or passenger cars. Because RVs are an expensive investment, and their potential for extensive physical damage in the event of a collision means that the regular coverage minimums for passenger cars are too low. In addition, often many RVs are operated by people who aren’t used to navigating with the extra size and length, insurers believe they are at more of a risk for accidents. Remember that getting into a minor fender-bender in a recreational vehicle could cost upwards of $5,000, instead of $500 or $600 for a similar accident in a passenger car, and towing is more expensive as well. .

Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover My Rental RV?

While it is true to some degree that your personal property in your motor home is covered under their home insurance policy, typically your home insurance coverage is limited if the property is being kept somewhere other than your Lakewood CO "residence premises," such as in a vehicle. Your auto and homeowners policy may not cover such items as plumbing, appliances or personal accessories. If you don’t have RV insurance, you may have to pay out of pocket for any damage to the vehicle or loss of the contents.

For more information about securing proper RV rental insurance to cover theft, fire, vandalism, natural disasters and collision, talk to Colling Insurance Services, Inc. today. At Colling Insurance Services, Inc., we offer RV-specific insurance policies that will cover your rental RV, its contents and the unique risks specific to motor homes.

Optional Insurance Coverage on Motorcyle in Lakewood, CO from Colling Insurance Services

Colorado state law requires the owners of all registered vehicles, including motorcycles, to comply with the financial responsibility law. This law ensures that if an insured individual causes an accident, they have the means to pay for any damages or injuries that occur. Maintaining motorcycle insurance is one-way people to do this.

Colorado Motorcycle Insurance Requirements

Every motorcyclist must carry the following coverage types:     

  • bodily injury
  • property damage

Call your Colling Insurance Services agent today to find out more about basic coverage in Lakewood, CO.

Optional Coverages

When shopping for motorcycle insurance coverage, you may wonder about events that aren’t included. For example, basic liability coverage covers bodily injury and damages for other people, but may not cover you or your bike. What would you do if an uninsured motorist hit you? Would you be able to afford repairs caused by a fire or act of nature?

You should know what optional motorcycle insurance is available.

  •     Collision insurance pays for motorcycle repairs following an accident.
  •     Comprehensive coverage covers motorcycle damages as a result of theft, fire, vandalism or natural disasters.
  •     Medical coverage helps to pay for injuries caused by an accident.
  •     Towing and labor coverage provides emergency road side assistance and towing.
  •     Uninsured/Underinsured motorist insurance covers you when the person who caused the accident doesn’t have insurance.

At a minimum, you should make sure that your insurance covers you in case of an injury. Due to the vulnerable nature of motorcycle riding, you are much more likely to be critically hurt. Consider medical and uninsured motorist insurance to make sure you can pay for the care you need.

In you use your bike as your main source of transportation, an accident can impact your livelihood. In this case, or if you have a very valuable bike, you should consider comprehensive and collision coverage. Consult your Colling Insurance Agency, Inc. represents to determine the coverage best suited to your needs.

Contact Colling Insurance Services

Call us today at 303-987-3331 for more information on how optional insurance in Lakewood, CO can help you protect yourself and your family against potential losses. You can also visit us online at Collinginsurance.com.

 

Common Mistakes People Make When Buying Boat Insurance

Colling Insurance Services Inc. helps citizens of Lakewood, CO get the insurance coverage they need to protect all their investments. However, people in this great city often make coverage mistakes when insuring their boats. These mistakes can end up costing you thousands of dollars if your boat gets damaged.

Canceling Coverage During Off-Season

When people aren’t using their boats, they operate under the assumption that they don’t need insurance. That isn’t always the case! What happens if your boat storage shed gets hit by lightning and your uninsured boat burns up? Then you are really up the creek with no paddle. Always get year-round coverage or else you run the risk of this serious problem.

Dropping Or Limiting Insurance After Paying Off The Boat

Another common mistake is dropping coverage or limiting it after paying off the boat. Many people only get boat insurance to help protect themselves from angry lenders if the boat gets damaged. However, your boat may still be the center of various problems, such as personal injury lawsuits. Keep your insurance to avoid serious lawsuits.

Being Cheap

Trying to save money by buying limited liability insurance or the lowest possible policy will only cause your heartache if your boat gets damaged. These policies will do very little to replace a boat if it is totaled, meaning that you will end up losing all your money. While you don’t have to buy the most expensive insurance package available, don’t be cheap.

Contact Us Today

If your Lakewood, CO boats need high-quality insurance and you are afraid of making coverage mistakes, please contact us at Colling Insurance Services Inc. We will work with you to find a policy that covers your boat, doesn’t cost you too much, and helps repair or restore your boat in case of damage.

4 Things nobody told you About Umbrella Insurance

In general terms, umbrella insurance will offer an extra layer of protection against liabilities. With umbrella insurance, you will have a peace of mind even if you are responsible for an accident. Unfortunately, umbrella insurance is more beneficial to certain individuals as compared to others due to certain exclusions. These exclusions are discussed below. 

1. There are some risk factors which could impact your coverage.
The most attractive aspect of the umbrella policy is liability coverage. However, there are some risk  factors which could influence your coverage, these includes: 

  • Traveling for long hours
  • Commuting during rush hours
  • Having dogs
  • Owning swimming pools

2. The Insurance will not cover all Lawsuits
When you commit an intentional crime such as property damage, bodily harm, discrimination, and sexual harassment, your Umbrella policy will not cater for the liabilities. The role of an umbrella policy is to help you in the case of unintentional accidents, but not malicious acts.

3. Your Coverage can be influenced by "Attractive Nuisance." 
Attractive Nuisances can be described as the equipment or features on your property that could cause harm. They include sports equipment, jungle gyms, swing sets, hot tubs, and swimming pool. Your Umbrella insurance will cater for property and personal liabilities caused by these attractive nuisances.

4. Some Dog Breeds will not be covered by Umbrella Insurance
Your primary insurance may cover dog bites, but some injuries might require reconstructive surgery and compensation due to the wages lost. Umbrella insurance will help you out in the case of such situations. However, there are dangerous dog breeds which are at times excluded from the coverage, which is why you should check whether your dog breed is covered.
Umbrella insurance will help you out in the case of liabilities regardless of whether you are at fault or not. You should, however, stay informed about the type liabilities that your policy covers and those that it doesn’t. For more information contact Lakewood, CO, Colling Insurance Services, Inc.

Understanding the Benefits of Life Insurance

If you’ve never considered taking out a life insurance policy before, now would be a good time to evaluate your options. Life insurance can contribute to your family’s financial security once you pass on. By discussing life insurance options with a representative from Colling Insurance Services Inc. in Lakewood, CO you can get a better understanding of all that life insurance has to offer.

Debt and Final Expenses

The benefits from a life insurance policy can help pay off outstanding debts you may leave behind upon your demise. This could include unpaid medical bills, credit card debts, estate fees, and funeral costs. Life insurance benefits can even go towards paying off the mortgage on your Lakewood, CO home. Your family will not have to assume the financial burden of paying for these expenses after you’re gone.

Replacement Income

Life insurance benefits can serve as replacement income to sustain your family once you are gone. If you’re the main source of income in your family, you understand the importance of securing your family’s financial future. By obtaining life insurance, you can have greater peace of mind that your family will be taken care of after you’re gone. The funds from your policy will reduce financial pressure, giving your family the time they need to plan their future and move on.

Inheritance

A life insurance policy can serve as an inheritance to your spouse or children after you die. Depending on your policy, your loved ones could receive a substantial sum of money to improve the quality of their lives.

Life insurance offers a number of financial perks and possibilities that are worth exploring for the benefit of your family. For greater insight into all that life insurance has to offer, give us a call at Colling Insurance Services Inc. in Lakewood, CO. 

Reasons Why You Might Need Commercial Insurance and Not Know It

The experts at Colling Insurance Services Inc. in Lakewood, CO can answer any of your questions about commercial insurance.

If you have a home office, your home insurance is adequate coverage, right? Not necessarily. If you regularly sell at public events, like art fairs, farmer’s markets, or at flea market do you need commercial insurance? Probably. Here are the reasons why having commercial insurance is important.

Innovative Business Models

Entrepreneurial efforts, especially by the age group of millennials are creating a massive expansion in business efforts that are not tied to a specific location. They may work from home-based offices or from shared workspaces.

Just because the work is done in a virtual way, does not necessarily mean that there is no need for commercial insurance.

Let’s take the example of a small manufacturer that sells products on the Internet and display items at the local flea market or farmer’s market to sell them directly to consumers. The order fulfillment for Internet orders is done in the garage of the home of the business owner and one part-time worker is hired to help out. Having a single worker who is not an owner of the company and is paid wages, triggers the need to have worker’s compensation insurance.

The home-based business could also benefit from having product liability insurance and commercial property insurance to cover the equipment and supplies used in the garage for packing and shipping, plus any inventory stored on the property.

Most home insurance policies have exclusions for business uses of the property, so without commercial insurance, if the house burns down and the entire valuable inventory is lost, the insurance would probably cover the home and the personal property, but not cover the cost of the inventory used for commercial purposes. Every policy is different, so check with your insurance agent to understand the specifics.

Any type of commercial operation, even a very small home-based business can benefit from having commercial insurance. Contact the helpful agents at Colling Insurance Services Inc. in Lakewood, CO, to learn more about commercial insurance for your small business.