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CO Insurance Specialist

6990 W. 38th Ave. #200
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

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Discover the Benefits of Insurance Policies for Homeowners in Wheat Ridge, CO

You’ve purchased a new home and want to protect it.  Colorado Insurance Commissioner Marguerite Salazar says, “Don’t make any assumptions.  Take the time now to learn about your homeowner’s insurance.  Don’t wait for disaster to strike.”  That’s good advice that every Wheat Ridge, CO homeowner should follow.  While you may not be legally mandated to carry homeowner’s insurance, many lenders will require you to purchase insurance to protect their interests in the property.  The lender will specify the coverage amounts that they deem appropriate and how they prefer for proof of coverage to be submitted to them. 

Another recommendation is to make a list of the contents of your home.  According to a survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, more than half of American homeowners do not have an inventory of the home’s contents.  Without this inventory, homeowners cannot be sure that they have the best coverage for their home and its contents.

Homeowners insurance is designed to protect the owner from damaging events.  It can also protect the homeowner from liability if someone is hurt while on the property.  It’s important for homeowners to fully review their policy so that they understand what it covers and what it doesn’t.  If there are any questions, it’s important to discuss them with the agent.   If gaps are discovered, additional coverage may be needed.  This is particularly important for items such as jewelry or antiques.  The agent will be able to discuss what is most appropriate for your situation. 

Today is the perfect day to come by and visit with your local CO Insurance Specialist.  To get started, you can visit our website and use our online quoting tools.  Then call a CO Insurance Specialist to get covered.

Getting the Best Auto Insurance Rates AND Coverage

Buying auto insurance can be challenging without an experienced insurance agent, especially if you are a new driver or have just purchased a new car. Unfortunately, far too many drivers without adequate knowledge of motor vehicle laws and insurance requirements purchase their automobile coverage online and simply take their chances that they are covering all their bases.

There is a better way! Did you realize that it does not cost a single dollar to speak with a CO Insurance Specialist and get their recommendations for your coverage? Knowing that you bought the right types of coverage in the right amounts will give you peace of mind. And, if the worst happens and your car is stolen in the middle of the night, or you’re involved in a vehicle accident, you’ll know that things are going to be alright. 

In Colorado, auto insurance liability coverage requirements are $25,000/$50,000/$15,000. These coverage limits mean that your insurance company would pay up to $25,000 per person for injuries as the result of a crash, and $50,000 total for bodily injury for an accident, as well $15,000 for damage that you do to someone else’s property. 

We’d like to point out the minimum required limits are pretty low. If you are involved in an accident and total another driver’s new vehicle, it will probably cost more than $15,000. Additionally, even though the state does not require uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, it helps by covering medical and other expenses if you are hit by someone without good insurance coverage. 

For expert advice and guidance on automobile insurance in Wheat Ridge, CO, we recommend contacting CO Insurance Specialist, LLC at 720-638-0850.  

 
 

 

Home Plumbing Disaster and Coverage

Plumbing leaks and related disasters typically don’t happen out of the blue. A typical home plumbing system in Wheat Ridge, CO is under pressure with forced water fed by a city or county water municipal system. As a result, when a leak occurs, the pressure continues to work at it constantly, making what would normally be the passing of a few drops far more within a bit of time. Eventually, the pressure overcomes the joint or leak break, and bursts through as the leak becomes weaker than the rest of the pipe line.

Fortunately, plumbing systems are considered internal to a home and part of its inherent structure. So an original plumbing system for a home that has a bad leak burst flooding a room would likely be covered or addressed under most homeowner’s insurance plans and their language.

However, a home with a modified plumbing system, such as a water treatment or filtration system connected would change the nature of the home’s original plumbing. And changing the nature of the water mineral content can have significant effect on the lines. Unless the policy provider was updated with the change, a claim denial could occur when it’s found that a modified system had a disastrous leak. So any major plumbing changes need to be noticed and updated after installation, not after the line break and repair.

For those in the Wheat Ridge, CO region who have questions about bad water leaks, internal flooding, and plumbing, expert answers can be obtained from the CO Insurance Specialist. Their team of agents and staff have experience with a variety of plumbing issues as well as how different homeowner’s insurance package work and what they cover. Don’t wait for a plumbing accident to be your learning experience about home leaks and coverage. Find out by calling the CO Insurance Specialist today.

Upgrade Your Home Security and Lower Insurance Costs

Many insurance companies offer discounts to homeowners who take proactive measures to improve their home security. By upgrading your home security, you can discourage thieves and burglars from targeting your property in the first place, much less gain entry into your abode.

Before instituting security measures on your property, talk to a CO Insurance Specialist in Wheat Ridge, CO, to determine what measures qualify you for discounted insurance prices. Here are just a few ideas to help you get started:

Security System

A home security system comprised of sensors on windows and doors, security cameras, and a high pitched alarm can be a great deterrent against thieves. Many homeowners utilize a system that connects sensors around windows and doors with an alarm that is triggered when someone tries unlawfully to enter the home. Surveillance cameras in the entryway as well as in the front and back of your property will make thieves think twice before targeting your home.

Motion Sensor Lights

A dark house at night gives the impression that no one is home, making it an easy target for thieves and vandals. By installing motion sensor lights around your property, you can be alerted when people are approaching at night so as not to be caught off guard. Once lights come on, would be thieves are more likely to leave than risk being caught on camera or detected by you or neighbors. 

Security System Advertising

Placing a sign on a window or in your yard advertising that your home is protected by a security system is yet another deterrent that can discourage thieves from targeting your home.

To learn more about home security upgrades that can make you eligible for a discount on your home insurance, contact one of our agents at CO Insurance Specialist in Wheat Ridge, CO.

 

 

How a Speeding Ticket Affects Your Auto Insurance

Maybe you were in a hurry to pick your kids up from school, maybe you were running late for an appointment or maybe you just did not realize how fast you were driving. Regardless of why you were speeding, when the red and blue lights flash behind you and the officer writes you a ticket, you may immediately wonder how this will affect your auto insurance. Here is some information you should know if you are facing this situation.

A First Ticket May Not Affect You That Much

In some states, you can participate in driving school every two to five years to have one traffic ticket erased from your record. While Colorado is not one of these states, many insurers may overlook your ticket or reduce the amount of a ticket increase if you participate in traffic school after you get a ticket. This may limit the effects that a rare speeding ticket has on you.

When You Will See an Increase in Your Policy Amount

If your insurer will not allow you to take traffic school to reduce your rates, or you have multiple traffic tickets, you can expect your rates to rise when your current policy period ends. The amount of the increase will vary from company to company and depends on your record. Someone with two tickets will not see as big an increase as someone with an accident and two tickets, for example.

If you have a speeding ticket and your insurance rates have increased, you may be looking to price out insurance policies without companies. Call CO Insurance Specialist serving Wheat Ridge, CO today for a free price quote today. We offer affordable rates, even if you have an accident or ticket on your driving record.

What You Need to Know When Filing a Homeowner’s Insurance Claim for a Home Burglary

If you walk into your home and realize your home has been burglarized, your heart will likely sink in your chest and you will feel upset and violated. However, once these feelings begin to subside, you will need to contact your homeowner’s insurance company. They can cover the value of the items that were stolen so you can move on with your life. Here is some information you should know as you prepare to file a homeowner’s insurance claim for a home burglary.

You Will Have to Cover Your Deductible

When you file a claim for burglary, you will likely have to cover the deductible before your policy kicks in. If the value of your items stolen was $2,000 and your deductible is $500, you will only receive $1,500 as your claim is adjusted to compensate for the deductible.

You Receive the Value of the Items, Not What You Paid for Them

Another important factor to keep in mind is that you will only receive the value of the items, not what you paid for them. For example, you may have paid $1000 for a laptop two years ago. But that is not what the laptop is worth today. It may only be worth half of that, or less. You will receive the amount it will cost to purchase a two year old used laptop, or the fair market value of the item, not the amount you paid for the item when it was new.

There Are Limits to What You Can Claim

Lastly, you need to keep in mind that there are limits to how much you can claim. Your policy typically will say that items over a certain amount, such as jewelry or art, need to be carried under a separate policy or be appraised before they can be insured. Your policy will also have a limit to the value of the items you can claim, such as $50,000 or $100,000. Always read over your policy carefully to find out about the limits and restrictions of your policy.

When you are getting a homeowner’s insurance policy, it is important that your coverage is set to a value that is high enough to cover your belongings in the event of a home burglary. If you are not sure if you have the right coverage, or are looking for a new policy and need to know how much coverage you need, contact CO Insurance Specialist, serving the greater Wheat Ridge, CO area. We would love to help you determine what your coverage needs are and then draw up a policy that best fulfills your needs.

Tips to Survive Being Stranded in Your Car During a Snow Storm

Every winter there are news stories about folks who were trapped in the car during a snow storm. Whether you live in Wheat Ridge CO or another part of the country, would you know how to survive being stranded in your car during a snow storm? Preparation is one of the main sources for survival, but you should also know what to do while you are in the vehicle. Here are a few tips to help you survive being stranded.

Be Prepared

There are several things you can do now that will be extremely helpful should you find yourself stranded during a snow storm. How to be prepared:

  • You should always have a minimum of ¾ of a tank of gas when driving during the winter. If there is an emergency, you will need gas for heat.
  • Pack an emergency bag for the car that includes a fleece blanket or sleeping bag, a first aid kit, non-perishable snacks and water. You should also have a container, such as a bucket that can be used to collect snow in case you run out of water.
  • Before Traveling don’t forget to check with CO Insurance Specialist to make sure your automobile policy is up to date.

How to Survive Being Stranded

Should you become stranded, the first thing to do is to remain calm, do not panic. You should also be prepared to not rely on technology, such as a GPS or cell phone because these devices often lose service in this type of situation. Do not leave your car. If people are looking for you, it will be for them to find your car than you. You also have a better chance of survival when you stay in your car as opposed to trying to walk to safety. However, if you are familiar with your surroundings, your can is in an unsafe spot and you can safely walk to a building, then it would be safer to exit the car. While in the car:

  • Wear your seat belt at all times. When the roads are snow covered, it is easy for another driver to slide into a stranded car.
  • Make sure to slightly crack the window to prevent carbon monoxide fumes from getting in the vehicle while it is running. Make sure to check the tailpipe occasionally to remove any snow that may have blown around it (this will help prevent carbon monoxide from entering the car).
  • Only run the motor for 10 minutes every hour. This will give you an opportunity to heat the car up and melt the snow as well as help to conserve your gas.

If you are certain you are stuck and can’t be freed, turn the car off right away. The car has most likely warmed up while you were driving, so turning the motor off first thing will allow you to conserve the battery and gas. Try your cell phone, if it doesn’t work, keep it on in case someone trying to call you is able to get through. Remember to stay calm, bundle up and know that help will be along soon.

Residents of Wheat Ridge, CO should contact CO Insurance Specialist to review their current automobile insurance policy or to upgrade their current policy.

 

Safe Driving On Snowy Colorado Roads

Here’s your most important tip for driving on snowy roads in Wheat Ridge, CO: When it’s coming down so hard you can’t see fifty feet in front of you, turn around and go back home if you can.

If you can stay out of the icy, snowy roads, then that’s really for the best, but if that’s not an option, here are some tips:

  • Slow down!

This is especially important in limited visibility.

  • Give yourself twice as much time to brake.

If you’re one of those people that slams on your brakes right at the stop sign, that’s going to send you skidding out into the intersection on an icy Colorado road.

  • Give your car time to warm up.

If you start gunning it the second you turn your key, you’re going to damage frigid, frozen parts that are not ready to be moving just yet. Metal isn’t as hard as it looks, it has a little bit of give to it that makes it flexible and allows it to run safely without fracturing, but it has to warm up for that to work.

  • Do not take unnecessary trips.

Do you really need a Mountain Dew and a bag of potato chips right now, or can it wait until the sun comes out? The less time you spend on the road, the less likely you are to get into an accident.

  • Pack blankets.

You never know when you’re going to wind up stuck on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck. Make sure you have the means to stay warm if the heat goes out.

And of course, make sure that you have adequate insurance. Contact CO Insurance Specialist for free quotes and stay safe.

 

3 Reasons to Review Your Home Insurance Annually

Your home insurance annual review isn’t a ploy to get you to increase your policy. It’s an important component to ensuring that you have enough home insurance at any given moment. The following are on a few of the reasons why you shouldn’t avoid an annual insurance review in Wheat Ridge, CO.

You’ve Gotten Married

Getting married is a big milestone in life. Not only are you showing the world your undying love for another person, you are also living together. Living together is a big deal when it comes to home insurance in Wheat Ridge, CO. By combining your personal belongings, your home insurance policy may not be enough to cover both of your items. If you’ve gotten married, then you should have an annual review to ensure you have enough home insurance coverage.

You’ve Bought More Creature Comforts

Throughout the year, we purchase a lot of things. From new computers to boats to fancy jewelry, we want our lives to reflect our lifestyles. If you are like many people who accumulate a lot of creature comforts throughout the year, then it’s imperative that you get your home insurance policy reviewed. A review can uncover that you need additional specialty insurance as well as more home insurance.

You’ve Renovated

When you renovate, you do so to improve the comfort level in your home. You want to make sure that you can get the most benefit of your home. However, many renovations increase the value of your home. As such, you must make sure that your home’s insurance policy reflects the increase; otherwise, you may have to cover damages to the addition without the help of your insurance company.

Your life changes on a regular basis. To accommodate those changes, it is of the utmost importance that you get your home insurance policy reviewed each year. Contact an agent a CO Insurance Specialist today for a free homeowners quote.

 

 

 

Why It’s Important To Add-On To Home Insurance

Living in Wheat Ridge can be absolutely beautiful. However, you want to take the time to explore add-ons to your home insurance. This will allow you to have more coverage and greater peace of mind throughout the year.

Have More Coverage

Insurance company generally provide minimal coverage on a standard policy. This includes coverage for the dwelling, the belongings, liability, as well as loss of use. However, various add-ons can help to include additional coverage for various scenarios that could occur as well as to provide you with more financial coverage against your belongings and your home.

Avoid Claim Denials

One of the best reasons to spend more money and add onto your homeowner’s insurance policy is to avoid claim denials. The insurance company will only pay for a claim if you have the necessary coverage. Without the coverage, your claim would be denied, and you may have to spend thousands of dollars to make a repair or replacement.

It’s Not a Lot of Additional Money

Many people avoid adding on to their home insurance policy because they assume it’s going to be a lot of extra money. The reality is that it may only be a few extra dollars a month. This can make it a very sensible option to ensure that you are covered against anything that may take place in your home. After all, is going to be more affordable to spend a few dollars a month for additional coverage than to have to spend a significant amount of money out-of-pocket in the event that something does happen and the claim is denied.

Many people add onto a policy, though it’s important to know where you want to add.

To learn more about the various add-ons and to shop for home insurance policies, contact a CO Insurance Specialist today.

 

Insurance Partners
  • Allied
  • Auto Owners
  • Bristol West
  • CNA
  • Hagerty
  • Hartford
  • Infinity
  • Progressive
  • Safeco
  • Secura
  • State Auto
  • Travelers