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CO Insurance Specialist

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

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Buying a New Home? Here are Three Reasons to Get Home Insurance

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.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting Your Home Ready for Fall

You have to prepare your home for every season. During the fall season, you have to conduct a thorough inspection. The leaves that fall and the fact that winter is just around the corner, means you have plenty to do to your home during fall to keep it safe. 

1. Gutters

Your gutters are bound to fill up with leaves. This prevents them from draining water like they’re supposed to, which could lead to roof or foundation damage. Additionally, if the gutters become too heavy, you could find them falling, potentially becoming hazardous to anyone standing under them. And if you’re gutter should happen to fall, it could do extensive damage to your home. 

2. Roof

Get on top of your roof and inspect it for missing or damaged shingles. Check for corroded flashing or leaky vents. Damage to your roof could cause water to leak into your home and cause an extensive amount of damage. 

3. Furnace 

Inspect your furnace. Make sure you change the filter on the furnace before you start using it again. You’ll prevent it from catching flame, and it’ll make it more energy efficient. You should have a professional come and inspect your furnace before you start using it again for the winter.

4. Steps and Driveway

You never want to have steps or a driveway that is dangerous, especially considering you’re held accountable if someone should happen to get hurt on your property. That’s why CO Insurance Specialist, serving Wheat Ridge, CO and the surrounding area, advises homeowners to always keep their steps and driveway maintained. However, it’s especially important during winter. Any problems will worsen when snow and ice pile up.

To get a quote for homeowner’s insurance or to learn more ways to get ready for fall, contact CO Insurance Specialist, serving Wheat Ridge, CO and the surrounding area, by calling 720-638-0850.

Summer Car Buying Guide

If you want to buy a car this summer, you should put some thought into it. Rushing into a purchase could lead to wasted money and a ruined summer. With this buying guide provide by CO Insurance Specialist, serving Wheat Ridge, CO and the surrounding area, you can purchase a car that’s worth it and will enhance your summertime fun. 

1. Do Your Homework 

Purchasing a car requires you to do some research to determine which makes and models have what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for safety, research cars that have the highest safety ratings. If you’ve always wanted a luxury car, create a budget and decide if new or used is best for you. Try reading reviews on sites and see how much other consumers like the cars you’re interested in.  

2. Test Drive 

Make sure you test drive whatever car you want to buy before you make a purchase. Get a feel for the car, so you know if you like it or not, even if it’s a new car.   

3. Buy Something For All-Year 

Make sure when you purchase a car, you don’t just think about the summer months. When the warm weather is over, you don’t want to be stuck with an impractical car. An SUV might be great because of all the space for luggage, but keep in mind, it comes with the high price of gas all of the year.  

4. Don’t Think You Can’t Afford a New Car This Summer 

With so many finance options, you might be able to afford a new car, even if you don’t have the best credit. Shop around at different dealerships and take into consideration loan options from your bank or credit union.  

5. Insurance Cost 

Make sure you take into consideration the cost of insurance when you determine your budget, especially if you plan on purchasing several months at a time.  

At CO Insurance Specialist, serving Wheat Ridge, CO and the surrounding area, we want to help you purchase a car this summer. Contact us today at 720-638-0850 to get a quote. 

3 Ways Commercial Insurance Protects Your Business

If you own a small business, commercial insurance is a must to protect your assets. Commercial insurance coverage from CO Insurance Specialist in Wheat Ridge, CO, can protect you against unforeseen catastrophes such as fire, theft, vandalism and natural disasters that can hinder you from building a successful enterprise. Here are three ways commercial insurance can protect your small business.

Commercial Liability

Commercial general liability coverage protects you against accidents that may cause property damage or injuries to others while on your business property. This same coverage provides protection against lawsuits that may arise as a result of an accident, so you don’t suffer financial loss.

Business Property Insurance

You can’t keep disasters from happening to your business but you can be prepared to handle the fallout with business property insurance. This coverage protects your building, inventory, and equipment against the risk of theft, damage or loss due to fire, storms and other natural disasters. If you have a large inventory or own your place of business, business property coverage is a good way to protect your assets. This coverage enables you to get back on your feet quickly after disaster strikes so you don’t lose momentum in growing your enterprise.

Business Interruption

Business interruption coverage can be a lifesaver if you have to close your business temporarily due to an unforeseen event that causes extensive damage or loss. Business interruption helps cover the loss of income, employee wages, rent payments (if you rent your building) and even the cost of relocating your business temporarily while you are recovering from a disaster. Business interruption provides much-needed funds to keep your business alive during the interim period of repairs.    

For more information on commercial insurance and how it can benefit your small business, contact us at CO Insurance Specialist, Wheat Ridge, CO.

The Top 4 Most Important Figures to Know When Choosing Home Insurance

As a Wheat Ridge, CO homeowner, you probably have multiple questions and concerns when it comes to finding the perfect home insurance plan. Well, you’re not alone. Many homeowners are frustrated by a lack of home insurance understanding.

Fortunately, it’s not as complicated as you may think. To get you oriented, here are 4 important figures that you should always know when choosing a home insurance plan.

Your homeowners premium

After discounts are applied, your homeowners premium is the complete total that you’ll be expected to pay each month for your home insurance plan.

Home insurance deductible

Your home insurance deductible is the cost that you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket for help from your insurance plan will become active.

The value of your personal items

If an unexpected accident or natural disaster occurs, you’ll need to have a record of the costs of your personal items in order to get reimbursed and buy replacement items. The individual values of your belongings should be recorded by you and kept somewhere safe.

Supplemental policy costs

In some cases, homeowners opt to purchase supplemental insurance plans to protect addition items and aspects of their home life.

CO Insurance Specialist Can Help

If you are interested in home insurance for your dwelling in Colorado, look no further than CO Insurance Specialist. We serve the residents of Wheat Ridge, CO and the surrounding areas, and we’d be glad to help you find an insurance plan that will work for you.

To start a dialogue with one of our experienced and knowledgeable insurance agents, contact us at your earliest convenience. You can get in touch with us by phone, visit our website, or visit our nearest location in Colorado. We look forward to working with you and finding you a great coverage plan for your home. 

Rules to Register Classic Car Insurance in Wheat Ridge CO

Owing a classic car that you have purchased or rebuilt is reward enough for all the work and love you put into keeping it in great driving and show condition. If you are registering a classic car for the first time in Wheat Ridge, CO, the CO Insurance Specialist can help you with your registration and insurance questions. Make sure you know the value of your car so that you can cover it effectively.

What is a Classic Car?

In Colorado, an antique car is any vehicle manufactured at least 25 years ago. A street rod is any vehicle made before 1948. These are considered collector cars and additional information is needed to register them at the DMV. A custom-built car is one made from scratch to resemble this type of vehicle.

Registering a Classic Vehicle

Before you head out to register your pride and job at the Wheat Ridge CO Department of Motor Vehicles, make sure you have all the information you need to be prepared ahead of time. The first step is getting an inspection and having a VIN assigned by a certified Colorado law enforcement officer. Go to the county DMV to register a verification of the VIN. This takes some time, but once it’s complete, a Colorado State Police officer will contact you about an inspection. Here are the required registration documents.

  • Title and Registration application
  • Bill of sale for parts used in reconstruction
  • Certificate of Title or manufacturer’s certificate of origin (if the car has a title already)
  • Before and After photos of back and passenger side than the front and driver’s side
  • Colorado Assigned VIN Declaration of Facts
  • Appraisal
  • Emissions test pass report

Take all the paperwork to the county motor vehicle office to apply for a title. Contact a CO Insurance Specialist for questions and quotes on insurance for your titled classic or re-built car. Don’t wait to get the paperwork done. Cars were made to drive and yours will look great on the highways and byways of Wheat Ridge, CO.

 

Do You Need Insurance on An Unlicensed Car?

For those that might have an unlicensed car sitting around, the question is, do you have to hold an insurance policy on it? For those living in the Wheat Ridge, CO area, the agents with CO Insurance Specialist can help answer all your questions.

Long story short, you are only required by law to have an insurance policy on cars that are licensed and on the road. This means that if you have a car that has been totaled, that is not running, or that you are simply not driving, you do not have to have insurance on it by law. This means that if you have a car that has stopped running for instance and it is going to take you a great deal of time to get it road worthy again, you can take off the license plates and remove the insurance from the car.

If you do intend to drive it again however, you will need to make sure it is both licensed and insured properly. This is one way that people that work on cars or that have a car collection that is not driven can get away without having road insurance. You may want to wait a moment before you remove the car from your policy however. It is still going to cover things like some damage and even theft and vandalism.

It is always a difficult decision to determine if your car does or does not need insurance. If you are having trouble and need help, it is suggested that you take the time to talk with an agent to find out if your car needs insurance. For those in the Wheat Ridge, CO area, the agents with CO Insurance Specialist are ready and waiting to help you find the right policy for you.  

The Difference Between Commercial Insurance and Umbrella Insurance

Commercial Insurance Vs. Umbrella Insurance

Commercial insurance is taken out to protect a business, business property or business automobiles or other tangible business items. In the state of Colorado commercial insurance products include: professional liability, business liability, property, lender required, commercial umbrella, and excess liability insurance,  

The main differences between the two insurances is that umbrella insurance comes into play where other insurances leave off while commercial insurance basically insures your business. In Colorado a business owner would procure commercial umbrella insurance to cover those  areas beyond commercial insurance.

Umbrella insurance is a very specific insurance and is usually for individuals who have assets above the ordinary. These individuals are at a higher risk for being sued due to their personal and business assets. That is not to say that persons of less wealth are not at risk to be personally sued it is just not as likely. When people and/or their business are sued typically their insurance commercial or business insurance will cover the liability that is incurred.  Umbrella insurance covers amounts that extend beyond the covered amounts.

Umbrella insurance can also cover liability if someone is sued as a result of an item that is usually covered by home owners insurance. Again, umbrella insurance covers areas of liability that exceed the amount protected by home owner policy limits. 

It is recommended that you contact an insurance agent at  CO Insurance Specialist in Wheat Ridge, CO in order to ascertain exactly what kind of insurance product will best meet your business needs. When you call feel free to ask about other insurance products as well as it is always best to one-stop shop when it comes to insurance. Call today at (720) 638-0850, we will be right here when you call.     

Renovating Your Home This Spring? Don’t Forget to Update Your Insurance

Home renovations can not only make your home a more useful and pleasant environment but can add value to your Wheat Ridge, CO property. Adding a backyard patio or enlarging a bedroom will increase living space, making your home a more comfortable environment. Renovating a bathroom or kitchen can greatly enhance your home’s appearance and function.

Before beginning any renovation projects, however, talk to your CO Insurance Specialist agent to see how they will affect your insurance coverage. You may need to update your policy to protect these projects against damage or loss. Here are a few reasons why you may need to alter your coverage when making major improvements to your home.

Insurance Limits

The limits on your current insurance policy may be insufficient to cover the repair or replacement costs of major renovations in the event of fire, flood or storm damage. By extending your current limits or obtaining additional insurance coverage, you can ensure these investments are protected against any eventuality.

If you’ve purchased new furniture or equipment to go with your renovations, such as new kitchen appliances or patio furniture, you may need to raise your property damage limits to protect these items from unforeseen damage or loss.

Increase in Property Value

Major home renovations such as kitchen or bathroom remodeling could increase the value of your property, making your current policy insufficient to cover the replacement cost of your home. You may need to update your policy to offset this increase in value. As one of your most valuable investments, your home deserves to be well protected against any eventuality.   

By discussing your insurance options with a CO Insurance Specialist agent in Wheat Ridge, CO, you can get a better idea of the coverage you need to fully protect your home and personal assets.  

Ways Autonomous Vehicles Will Impact the Auto Insurance Industry

What was once a dream, may soon be a reality. Several autonomous vehicles are already available to purchase, and much more are expected to be rolled out in the coming years. Self-driving cars will have a major impact on all of our lives, whether you live in Wheat Ridge, CO or New York City, and they will forever change the automobile insurance industry. 

Here are a few of the ways these vehicles will alter automobile insurance: 

  • More automakers, fewer drivers will need insurance. When you’re involved in a car accident, one of the first things you’re told to do is to obtain the other driver’s insurance information. Today, drivers’ insurance policies pay for vehicle repairs and medical care for the occupants of both vehicles. In the future, this may not be the case. If the drivers aren’t driving, the accidents likely will be the result of a computer error. The car manufacturers, not the drivers, will need insurance. Drivers may reduce the amount of coverage they have, or they may opt out of the market altogether. 
  •  The auto insurance industry may shrink. While it’s not certain that this will happen, auto insurance companies may struggle to stay afloat as traditional cars are replaced with autonomous vehicles. 
  • Liability will be more difficult to determine. Many self-driving vehicles can be driven manually or autonomously. Determining whether a car, person or combination of the two is responsible for the accident won’t be easy. 

If you need automobile insurance near Wheat Ridge, CO, call CO Insurance Specialist at 720-638-0850. Don’t wait, contact an insurance company you can trust. Reach out to CO Insurance Specialist today!

 

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