With summer in full swing, you may be planning a vacation for you and your family. Before taking off on holiday, prep your home for security and safety while you’re gone. The following tips from CO Insurance Specialist can be helpful in protecting your Wheat Ridge, CO property during your absence.

Install a Home Security System

A home security system that includes alarm, window sensors, security cameras and security lights is sure to deter prospective thieves from targeting your property. By investing in a monitored security system, your company will notify the police immediately if there’s a security breach on your property while you’re gone.

Lock Up and Remove Spare keys

Lock all windows and doors before leaving and close curtains and blinds. If you have timers on one or two lights, make sure these lights are visible from the outside at night. Collect spare keys you’ve hidden on the property to reduce the risk of intruders finding them and gaining access to your home.

Stop Deliveries

If you’ll be gone for a week or more, put a stop on mail and newspaper deliveries until your return or ask a neighbor to pick these up, so they don’t pile up in your driveway or mailbox. Piled up newspapers and mail are a sure sign no one is home, making your home more susceptible to theft.

Programmable Thermostat

Invest in a programmable thermostat to control the temperature in your home during your absence. A smart thermostat will keep your home cool and dry during hot, humid weather so you don’t develop problems with mold or mildew.  

Update Home Insurance

Update your home insurance coverage to ensure your home and goods are well protected against unforeseen disasters while you’re gone.

For quality home insurance coverage to safeguard your Wheat Ridge, CO abode, contact CO Insurance Specialist today.

Colorado residents face a lot of potentially damaging weather conditions, from hail storms to flooding and excessive snowfall. If you are a homeowner in the greater Wheat Ridge, CO area, it’s time to meet with the team at CO Insurance Specialist to find out more about your coverage options. There are many different types of home insurance available in Colorado which can sometimes make the policy selection process overwhelming. 

There are a Variety of Home Insurance Options Available

Finding the right insurance policy to protect your home is an important decision for many different reasons. Your home is likely your largest financial investment and where your family feels safe and secure. Don’t leave the protection of this important part of your life to chance. A comprehensive home insurance policy can protect your home and belongings and help you make it through many catastrophes. Life can be unpredictable and knowing that you have protection in place can help to give you the peace of mind that you need to live a stress-free life. 

Whether you have a workshop or other outbuilding that needs to be included in your policy, or you have a lot of expensive personal items that need coverage, there is a policy that is appropriate for your needs. Working with a professional agent can help you make the selection process more streamlined and efficient and help you get the coverage that you and your family need. With the correct home insurance policy, you can meet all of your coverage needs.

Call or stop by CO Insurance Specialist today and meet with our helpful team to learn more about your home insurance options. We are proud to serve the Wheat Ridge, CO area and look forward to working with you soon!

Need to give your home a quick dust-off for spring? There are a few ideas that can get your home ready for the upcoming season. In Wheat Ridge, CO, you’re invited to visit the CO Insurance Specialist place to talk with an independent agent about acquiring homeowners insurance.

Start with Your Carpets and Upholstery

Over the last few months, you probably didn’t worry about the carpets or upholstery too much. Now that the curtains are drawn back, it’s easier to see the dust, dirt, and pet care buildup in the natural light.

Start your spring cleaning process with a deep clean of your carpets. You can either rent a deep clean vacuum or hire a company to clean the carpets for you. Many companies will also clean your fabric-covered sofas, chairs, and couches.

Do-It-Yourself All-Purpose Cleaners

For a general-purpose cleaning, you can use a non-abrasive cleanser that is easy to use and you can make right at home. You probably already have many of these items on hand.

• Baking soda and water – mix the two to the consistency of a paste. This is good for tubs, tile, and grout. Leave the paste on the surface for a few minutes and then rub with a scrub brush.
• White vinegar, water, and a lemon rind – place in a spray bottle to use on glass showers, mirrors, and wall smudges. It can also deodorize your trash cans.
• Add a little salt to white vinegar – this is good for cleaning items that are made of brass.

To take care of your home, the first thing you will need is homeowners insurance. Stop into the CO Insurance Specialist in Wheat Ridge, CO to purchase insurance. The expert independent insurance agents will also be able to guide you for your auto, commercial, and life insurance needs.

In Wheat Ridge, CO, home insurance policies don’t have specific coverage for carport but it is usually covered under “other structure” coverage. This coverage is for detached structures like garage, fence, carport, shed, and others. 

A lot of homeowners look for ways to remove it from their coverage since they don’t own any of these. Unfortunately, it is a complete package. You cannot exclude it. What you can do is to look for a home insurance company that does not include other structures in the basics of their home insurance policy. CO Insurance Specialist is one of the insurance companies that does not include other structure in their package.

However, it is still important to find out the basics of a home insurance policy as offered by most insurance companies in CO.

It covers the repair or rebuilds of your home

When your home is damaged by natural disasters like wildfire and hurricane, this policy will repair or rebuild it. However, there are exceptions. Damages caused by routine wear and tear, earthquake, or flood are usually not covered. However, you could pay for additional coverage for any of them.

It covers your furniture and fittings

It is not likely that your home will be damaged without affecting your furniture, fittings, clothes, and other belongings. This is why most home insurance policies cover the damage done on them but it is often to an extent. Most companies will pay you about 50 to 70 percent of the total amount of insurance for your belongings.

It covers your liability

If you or any member of your family hurts someone, a lawsuit may be filed against you. Your home insurance policy will pay your legal fees and the medical bills incurred by the injured party. You are also liable if someone gets injured in your property. Your home insurance covers that too.

It covers your additional living expenses

You have to put up in a hotel if your home is being repaired. In this situation, your home insurance policy will cover all the hotel bills albeit for a limited amount of time. It is a good idea to ensure that your insurance policy covers this as it usually pushes your insurance company to fix your home sooner to avoid paying more hotel bills. 

If you don’t have any “other structure” and you don’t want it covered in your home insurance policy, contact CO Insurance Specialist. 

Hail can cause a lot of damage to your home. It can leave dents or dings on your roof, siding or even break windows. At CO Insurance Specialist, serving the greater Wheat Ridge, CO area, we are often asked if hail damage is covered by your home insurance policy. Here is what you need to know. 

Does Home Insurance Cover Hail Damage?

Home insurance policies do typically cover hail damage that is caused by storms. However, it is important to carefully read through your policy to ensure that it is not excluded. As long as it is not specifically excluded, hail damage may be covered. 

When Does Home Insurance Cover Hail Damage?

Home insurance will typically cover hail damage as long as your property is well-kept and cared for. If the hail left behind dents or dings, they the repairs will typically be covered by home insurance. 

When Does Home Insurance Not Cover Hail Damage?

Home insurance will not cover hail damage is the damaged item was in poor condition. For example, if your roof is already at the end of its lifespan, hail damage may not be covered because you need to replace your roof anyhow, or because the damage would not have been as severe if the roof was in good condition. 

Having the right home insurance policy is important, as it helps to protect your home against various types of incidents. It is recommended that you take a look at your home insurance policy every couple of years to make sure the policy still works for you. If you haven’t looked at your policy in some time, now would be a great time to take a look. Bring it with you to CO Insurance Specialist, serving the greater Wheat Ridge, CO area and let us help you determine whether your policy still meets your needs or whether a new policy would be a better fit for you. 

If you have a home in Wheat Ridge, CO, you need the right home insurance to protect it. Most homeowners do not understand how home insurance works. It is wise to understand your home insurance to prevent unpleasant surprises. Contact an insurance agency with enough knowledge to explain things. CO Insurance Specialist is a great option. They will help you understand the coverage of your policy. The following are some basic facts about home insurance.

It Does Not Cover Everything

Do not assume that your home insurance covers all damages. A standard policy protects the structures of your home, its contents, and liability. Home insurance covers accidents that are unforeseen and unintentional. If an accident happens due to your negligence, it won’t be covered. Home insurance does not cover natural disasters, but you can purchase special covers that do. If you run a business from home, your home insurance does not cover the business equipment and property.

Your Dog May Affect Your Home Insurance

Insurance providers do not like your dogs as much as you do. Some insurance providers do not insure certain breeds of dogs. The costs of a dog bite can be high. If your dog is large or aggressive, you may have to pay higher premium rates than you expected. You may, however, buy a separate insurance policy for our dogs. Some of the dogs that most insurance providers blacklist include Akita, Cane Corso, and German shepherd.

You Need to Make a Claim Fast

There is usually a deadline for when you can make a claim. In case of damages, make a claim as soon as possible. If you miss the deadline, your insurance provider may not offer you compensation. Most home damages get worse with time.

Contact CO Insurance Specialist for your home insurance needs in Wheat Ridge, CO.

Many people only dream about building a brand new home in Wheat Ridge, CO. What a lot of them don’t realize is that building a new home is often much less expensive than purchasing one that has already been built. Building a home is especially cost-efficient if you are able to perform some of the work yourself, such as framing it, painting the walls, hanging the drywall, etc. For now, let’s take a quick look at when a new construction needs to have insurance on it. 

When Does a New Construction Need to Have Home Insurance?

You may think that you need to wait until you move into a new home before putting insurance on it. What happens, though, if something was to cause damage to it during the construction process? This is why you need to speak with an insurance specialist about the types of insurance you can put on a home while it is being built. 

Take for example your new home is almost completely done and a windstorm takes place and rips off the roof that was just installed. Who is responsible for paying for the removal, repair, and replacement of a new roof? You are, and if you don’t have proper insurance in place, you are going to find yourself reaching far into your pockets to pay for the accompanying expenses. 

From the very first day that you decide you want to build a new home, you should contact CO Insurance Specialist to see what types of insurance you need to invest in. You may find that you are able to protect your home while it’s being constructed for only a few dollars a month. 

Contact CO Insurance Specialist today serving the Wheat Ridge, CO area to learn more about protecting your new construction with insurance. 

Home insurance policies protect the most important things in your life. Some subscribers, however, are confused by what exactly is covered by their policies. CO Insurance Specialist want to ensure that all homeowners in the Wheat Ridge, CO area understand their risks. What is covered by a typical homeowner’s insurance policy? What isn’t?

• Your home’s structure is protected by your policy from various threats. This includes repairing or replacing the walls, floors, roof, and other necessary components of the dwelling. By default, most policies cover damage from natural disasters like fire, hurricane, and lightning. Damage from floods, earthquakes, and normal wear-and-tear are generally not included. You may be able to obtain coverage, however, with a customized policy. Your insurance agent can give you more details.
• Personal belongings like clothing, artwork, and electronics are also covered by your primary homeowner’s policy. Keep in mind, these policies have a payout limit. If something happens and you lose everything, your insurance may not give you enough to replace everything. Those with expensive collections should purchase additional coverage to ensure they will be reimbursed for the loss of their property.
• If someone hurts themselves while on your property or has their belongings damaged, your liability coverage will pay medical bills, court fees, and any other costs associated with the case. It does not cover damage to your own property or injury to members of your household. Additional policies can cover these gaps.

Each insurance is different. Agents customize coverages to suit each individual case. Do you have enough homeowner’s insurance for your home in the Wheat Ridge, CO area? Contact the experts at CO Insurance Specialist for a customized analysis of your insurance needs.

 

Natural disasters are devastating and often unexpected. It’s a horrible feeling to find out that your home insurance policy won’t help you rebuild after a disaster, which is why it’s a good idea to know what your policy covers in advance. Insurance policies can vary greatly in what they cover, so if you already have home insurance, it’s a good idea to contact your insurance company. If you don’t have a policy yet, get in contact with CO Insurance Specialist, which serves Wheat Ridge, CO, to find out what most policies cover and to learn if you can get special coverage for specific circumstances.

Is Fire Covered?

Most policies will pay out to repair or replace anything that’s been damaged inside your residence by smoke, flames, ash, soot, and water, according to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. Your insurance company will likely ask for an inventory of items, as they’re only required to pay for personal property that you can prove you owned at the time of the disaster. This is why it’s a good idea to make an inventory of your belongings, and this advice applies to any type of natural disaster preparation.

Are Floods Covered?

If there’s water damage from a broken pipe, your policy will likely pay for the damages. However, homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flood losses. For protection against flood damage, you need to get flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.

Are Natural Disasters Such as Tornados, Earthquakes, and Hail Covered?

Earthquake damage is usually not covered under a standard policy; you’ll have to add on earthquake coverage separately. Tornado damage is usually covered by a standard home insurance policy. Damage from hail storms and windstorms are usually also covered under a standard policy, so you probably don’t have to purchase additional coverage.

There are many other scenarios that could occur, such as landslides, nuclear accidents, war, sinkholes, and drone crashes. If you have specific concerns you want to address, call CO Insurance Specialist, which serves Wheat Ridge, CO, for more information.

Lying just five miles outside Denver, it’s hard to imagine Wheat Ridge, CO use to be a popular area for Gold Rush travelers to stop and rest. Today, it is primarily a residential city where families love to spend lots of time outdoors. If you live in Wheat Ridge, CO and are about to buy a new home, here are three reasons to get home insurance, even if you don’t have a bank loan.

1.  You Have To

If you have a mortgage, you have to have home insurance. The bank wants to protect the asset it is making money from and will require you to purchase home insurance prior to closing on your new house. But don’t worry, home insurance isn’t as expensive as you might think.  

2.  It Protects Your Home

If something were to happen to your home, such as a devastating fire, an out-of-nowhere tornado, or some other disaster that befalls your property and you didn’t have insurance, the truth is you could find yourself homeless and/or financially devastated.  Considering that home insurance is a yearly fee that you can afford, isn’t it worth protecting the roof over your head and having peace of mind?

3.  Provides Temporary Housing – Just in Case

If your home is destroyed, temporarily unlivable due to a disaster, or every single piece of furniture is stolen while you’re away on vacation, home insurance will typically set you up with a temporary place to live and hook you up with living expenses during this trying time. Staying in a hotel, helping with food, laundry expenses, storage expenses, and internet expenses are something most insurance companies will help cover.  

To learn more about the benefits of having home owner’s insurance, contact CO Insurance Specialist. We have all the answers to your questions and we understand that many new home owners have lots of questions. To speak with a friendly agent at CO Insurance Specialist call us today at 720-638-0850.