Ways To Extend The Life Of Your Car

Posted on August 31, 2015September 1, 2015 by agentinsure

There are many ways for you to extend the life of your car when you live in Wheat Ridge. Don’t assume that your car is going to last forever. However, with the right kind of care, it can last longer – and won’t cost you as much in repairs.

One of the easiest ways to extend the life of your car is to not run of the air-conditioning as often. It is important to know that the air conditioner is powered by the engine and therefore you don’t want to use it too frequently. If you can call your car down when it is parked, it will prevent you from having to use the air-conditioning nonstop when you are driving.

You should also clear out the junk in your trunk periodically. Too much weight in the trunk of your car can result in alignment issues and add unnecessary weight in the back, which can also cause issue with tires and brakes.

Another way to extend the life of your car as you drive in Wheat Ridge is to be conscious about the way you brake and accelerate. Erratic driving is going to cost you more money in fuel. This means it’s a good idea to focus on driving in a smoother way so that you can cut down on wind resistance as well.

Keep your car tuned, follow the maintenance schedule that is in the owner’s manual, and do what it takes to take care of your car. This will ensure it is around for many years to come and not sitting in the mechanic’s garage.

CO Insurance Specialist LLC is here to help you with all aspects of being a car owner. Call us today to learn more about auto insurance. Our agents can get quotes from multiple carriers to benefit you.

Tips To Stay Awake On The Roads

Posted on July 31, 2015July 30, 2015 by agentinsure

When you live in Wheat Ridge, there is a lot of traffic. In some instances, you may be driving in the snow, the rain, and various other weather elements. You need to make sure that your reaction time is as fast as possible, and you cannot do this if you all asleep at the wheel.

You may think it’s impossible to fall asleep while driving, but approximately 37% of drivers have done it. 60% have driven while they are drowsy, and these are very high percentages.

Some tips to help you stay awake while driving include:

Getting a good night’s sleep
Taking breaks when driving long distances
Split driving duties with someone else
Pull off and take a nap at a rest area

Any time that you are driving long-distance, it can be easy to fall asleep. This is because you are pushing yourself to drive more miles, and the long spans of road can lull you to sleep. Try to have someone in the car who can talk to you and keep you alert. Better yet, have a licensed driver in the car so that the two of you can trade driving responsibilities from time to time.

If you simply cannot stay awake on the road, the best tip is to not drive at all. Avoid getting behind the wheel because you never know when you could potentially fall asleep. Falling asleep is not an option. You could kill yourself or others, and it can all be avoided. Ask someone to drive you home or call a taxi – and it will lead to a safer time on the roads.

Call us at CIS today to learn about auto insurance and ensure you are well protected with an affordable policy in Wheat Ridge.

Grill Safely At Your Wheat Ridge Home

Posted on July 30, 2015July 30, 2015 by agentinsure

When you want to grill at your home in Wheat Ridge, it is important that you do so safely. You want to protect your home, your family, and even the homes within your neighborhood.

One of the first things that you need to do is follow all of the rules within your community. There may be regulations as to where your grill needs to be placed. As a best practice, it should be outside of your garage or screened in patio, and at least 20 feet away from the actual structure of your home.

Know the rules about your specific type of grill. For example, if you are cooking with gas always inspected the tank for rust and for leaks. You also want to make sure to turn the gas tank off once you are done grilling. If you are cooking with charcoal, understand how to light the briquettes properly and how to discard them.

Cleaning your grill is one of the most important things to do. Grease fires can easily start if there is too much caked on grease on the grates, or you have not emptied the grease trap at the bottom in a while.

If you’re grilling, safety precautions should also be taken. Be sure that there is nothing flammable in downwind of your grill. Fiery embers can easily blow and catch something on fire, such as furniture, clothing, and more. Have a fire extinguisher nearby so that you can address a fire quickly so that it doesn’t get out of control and spread to your home or anywhere else.

Always stay close to your grill once it has been lit so you can manage any issues if they arise.

Call us at CIS today to learn about how to keep your home safe and let us find quotes to get an affordable home insurance policy in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

Driverless Cars Are a Risk. What do Businesses do Now?

Posted on June 16, 2015April 3, 2015 by agentinsure

Just when you thought Namaste India and Goombas Pizza Grinder in Arvada, Colorado, in zip code 80002, would benefit from driverless cars, some insurance companies have categorized driverless cars as a risk. As such, businesses that were interested in using the service may have to take a second look prior to incorporating driverless cars into their business strategy.

Understanding Driverless Cars
Driverless cars is a technology introduced by Google. These cars operate by the push of a button from passengers. For many businesses, the technology would have transformed their business model. Construction companies and delivery services are two of the businesses that could save money by utilizing Google’s driverless cars.

Risks Equal Higher Costs in Insurance
Commercial insurance, much like consumer insurance, is rated based on risks. When companies are a higher risk to insurance companies, their insurance costs increase. Industries, driver safety, and past accidents are all risk factors that companies are rated on to determine the cost of their insurance annually. However, driverless cars aren’t a risk because they are unsafe. They are a risk because they may affect the cost of insurance overall, which is a risk to the insurance industry.

If your fleet manager is interested in adding driverless cars to your fleet in the future, you should get quotes for insurance from one of your local insurance agents beforehand. Although driverless cars seem safe, they could effectively increase your bottom line since they are considered a risk. Your local insurance agent can help you determine whether driverless cars will help you by considering a lot of factors, including how many cars you will employ and your current risk factors. For businesses suffering from multiple at-fault accidents, driverless cars may help alleviate some risks, which may ultimately make the technology cost efficient.

Is Usage-Based Auto Insurance Right for You?

Posted on June 1, 2015April 3, 2015 by agentinsure

Wheat Ridge, Colorado is a great place to hike and explore nature. From the mountains to the lakes, there is so much to see, which is why a lot of residents like to call Wheat Ridge home. Wheat Ridge’s appeal doesn’t stop at residents, but many businesses call Wheat Ridge home as well.

Increasing costs of operations have many businesses looking for ways to cut costs, especially when it comes to insurance costs. In fact, many managers may be contemplating purchasing user-based insurance products in order to reduce the amount of money that’s paid out each month.

What is user-based insurance?

Promoted as a safety and cost-efficient tool, user-based insurance allows consumers and businesses, especially businesses with fleets, to receive discounts on their auto insurance based on their driving, which is measured using telematics. With user-based insurance, insurance agencies and businesses can monitor driver’s behaviors and how much they actually drive, in real-time.

Is user-based insurance right for you?

The best way to determine whether user-based insurance is right for your business is to speak with an insurance agent. Insurance agents are aware of the risks their agencies take into consideration when rating insurance. Based on this information, your local insurance agent will be able to determine whether your business can save money by measuring driver’s behaviors.

In truth, user-based insurance is a win-win for all involved. Companies that hire safe drivers are rewarded for reducing risks, insurance companies do not have to pay out large claims, and drivers are safe on the road. For companies with bad drivers, their insurance companies can keep them informed about driver’s behaviors so that they can correct the problems that persist. If you are in the market for commercial insurance, contact our local office to inquire about usage-based technologies that can save your business money and reduce the number of accidents your business has each year.

“MY Friends Wouldn’t File a Personal Injury Claim”

Posted on May 19, 2015April 3, 2015 by agentinsure

Arvada, Colorado is a popular place to socialize. There always seem to be activities, and house parties are common. We are a social community and we appreciate having friends over to visit, have dinner or share a sporting event on television. Have you ever considered what would happen if something as simple as a loose piece of carpeting caused a guest to fall and get significantly injured? Have you ever thought about a neighbor’s child getting hurt on your swing set or playhouse?

It may be easy to respond “My friends wouldn’t file a personal injury claim against me” but that may not be accurate. Even if it was, wouldn’t you want to make sure you had the appropriate home owners insurance coverage to take care of their personal injury claim? Personal injury insurance is about making people whole. You will especially want to have enough liability coverage in case negligence is involved.

If you live in or near the 80002 zip code, CO Insurance specialists are here to help. As an independent agency, we are capable of reviewing the policies of any provider, no matter where you purchased your policy. If your policy comes up short, our status as independent agents can help you again. We can get quotes from a variety of companies to get you improved coverage at a similar, or even a more attractive, price than what you are currently paying.

Get started with a comparative online quote from our website. With just a bit of information we can get you a quote on your home or auto insurance. We believe you will like what you see. Visit our website and see for yourself.

If you prefer a homeowners insurance review, contact us and let’s discuss your coverage. Make sure you and your friends are properly covered while on your property with a home insurance review from Pinnacle Insurance.

Getting Your Wheat Ridge, Colorado Home Ready for Spring

Posted on May 4, 2015April 3, 2015 by agentinsure

Spring has officially arrived in Wheat Ridge, Colorado and soon you and your neighbors will be out enjoying the great outdoors. You are likely ready for the warmer temperatures but is your home? Here are some tips for getting your home ready for spring.

Your gutters and downspouts play an important role in getting water away from your home. Now is the time to clean them from the debris of last fall and winter and get them running smoothly.
Check the area around your outdoor air conditioning unit. Make sure your AC unit is clean and free from grass and shrubbery.
Take a walk around your home and visually inspect your roof. Look for missing or loose shingles and uneven spots in the surface.
Take a good look at your foundation. Look for signs that it may be sinking. Stair-step cracks in bricks or cinder blocks are a good indication that you may have foundation issues. Make sure your porch isn’t sinking.
Test any outdoor play equipment before letting your children play on it. Wooden play and swing sets can suffer deterioration during the cold weather.
Check your outdoor grill carefully before you use it.
If you have a fireplace, clean it out. You will thank yourself in the fall.

This is the perfect time to get a homeowners insurance review. Your CO Insurance specialist can review your policy, making sure you have sufficient coverage. We are an independent agency serving Wheat Ridge and we would be glad to assist you. Visit our website for a comparative quote on your homeowners or auto insurance. You can also contact us requesting a homeowners insurance review. Get the peace of mind you deserve by making sure your home is ready for spring. Contact your CO Insurance agent today.

Classic Car Insurance in Wheat Ridge Colorado

Posted on April 20, 2015April 3, 2015 by agentinsure

In and around Wheat Ridge, CO you’ll see some beauties hidden under tarps in garages, sheds and barns. They’re the classic collectible cars and trucks that have been owned and maintained from father to son or daughter. You don’t want minimum liability insurance on that classic Corvette. Its a collector car, and it needs to be insured all the way around. Minimum liability coverage isn’t going to cover you if you hit a deer, or a jealous kid keys the paint. Don’t forget about uninsured or underinsured drivers either. Anything can happen once you’re out of your driveway.

We’re independent insurance agents, and we live and work in or around Wheat Ridge. We’re respected and trusted members of our communities. We’re tied in with multiple insurance companies that insure antique and classic vehicles. They can insure you by the year, by miles per year or months our of the year. We’ll even help you establish a firm value that an insurer will pay you if your classic vehicle is destroyed. Those are choices we can offer you that other agents just can’t give you. They’re not permitted to do that.

As opposed to agents from the "big three," the classic car insurance information that you get from us is objective, unbiased and free from influence from any one insurer. We want to give you choices and have you make the selections that you’re happy with so that you and that timeless classic are covered all the way around. We’ll work with you on customizing that coverage package.

Whether you’re looking at buying that 1966 GTO or already have a 1968 396 Chevelle SS, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to talk with you and put together a coverage package with you.

Hail Damage: What Can Really Happen

Posted on April 6, 2015April 3, 2015 by agentinsure

Wheat Ridge is on the western corner of Denver, Colorado. Winters can be very cold and accompanied by a lot of snow. Summers are mild. Everywhere you look, there is a lot of recreation to be had. The city has a population of around 30,000 and is growing on an annual basis.

It’s important to look at hail damage in terms of car insurance because you want to have the necessary protection. The state of Colorado mandates that all drivers have liability insurance. This covers property damage and personal injuries, but nothing having to do with the damage that stems from hail. This would require comprehensive insurance – and it’s a coverage option that can easily be added to your policy.

Hail can range in size from the size of grains of rice to the size of golf balls and larger. As these fall from the sky and land on your vehicle, it can cause a significant amount of damage including:

– Dings in car body

– Cracked windshields

– Damage to clear coat

The damage to the clear coat can have the greatest impact because it may not be seen right away. However, it is this coat that seals in the paint and prevents it from chipping away. If the paint starts to chip, the body of the car can rust, causing problems to the overall construction as well as the aesthetics.

Insurance agents can talk to you about the number of hail damage claims in Wheat Ridge over recent years. This will help you to understand the sheer extent of damage that can occur so you can get the needed protection.

Policies can be affordable, even with this coverage. Call and talk to one of our agents today and we will talk to you about hail and how to get the best policy.

What You Need to Have Before Getting a Commercial Insurance Quote

Posted on March 24, 2015January 16, 2015 by agentinsure

If you have ever owned a business and suffered a financial loss caused by an unforeseen disaster, then you know the benefits that a commercial insurance policy can have. This kind of policy has many parts to it that work to protect your business from financial losses. To help you get the commercial insurance quotes in Arvada, CO, here are some things that you will want to have before starting the process.

Getting Organized for an Insurance Quote

If you currently have an insurance policy, you will want to have a copy of it when getting a new quote. This allows you to compare the old policy with the new quote. It also gives you the information that you need to match up each coverage benefit for an accurate quote.
You will also want to have driver information if you have a fleet of cars that service your company. You can add auto coverage to protect your cars and each driver that works for you by adding this type of coverage.
You will also want to know how much merchandise protection you need. This means that you will need to know what your inventory is worth. This way you can be sure that your policy coverage limits are high enough to cover everything.

If you live in zip code 80002 and are looking for a quote for commercial insurance, then our agents can help you. Give us a call today and let us provide you with the information you need in order to make an informed decision regarding your insurance needs. As your agent we can answer all your questions and provide you with a policy to meet your insurance needs.

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