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CO Insurance Specialist

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

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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.

 

Should You Hire a Company to do a Home Inventory?

When homeowners in Wheat Ridge, CO review their home insurance coverage, they are often unsure of they have properly accounted to the full value of the items within their home. We all accumulate things over the course of the years, and many items of value are sold, given away or otherwise removed from the home, as well. Having a comprehensive record of the personal possessions within a home can make it easier to file a claim if there is damage or loss. The team at CO Insurance Specialist field numerous questions concerning the best way to create a home inventory.

There are two basic approaches: homeowners can do the inventory themselves, or hire a professional to complete the process on their behalf. Taking the DIY approach requires that homeowners have the time and equipment needed to create the inventory. Many people choose to use a video camera or digital camera to record images of specific items of value, such as artwork, jewelry or major appliances and electronics. It is also important to scan any receipts or other documents. A list of model and serial numbers, manufacturer names and the initial purchase costs are also great details to include.

In terms of using a professional company to create a home inventory, the primary benefits lie in the time saved, as well as the peace of mind that comes with handing the task off to trained professionals. Once the process is complete, the homeowner is given a digital file, disk or other storage option that contains the full inventory. This convenience may come at a cost, but the expense could be well worth it in the event that a sizable claim must be made.

Please feel free to contact an agent with CO Insurance Specialist in Wheat Ridge with any additional questions about the value of a home inventory.

3 Reasons to Purchase Auto Insurance in Colorado

For motorists who reside within the state of Colorado, obtaining quality auto insurance coverage should be a top priority. Regardless of skill level or even the value of your vehicle, every motorist should always maintain auto insurance coverage. For those who are of the belief that auto insurance isn’t a vital component of operating a functional vehicle, keep reading. 

Colorado State Law 

First and foremost, obtaining sufficient auto insurance coverage is literally the law. In order to operate a vehicle within the state of Colorado, you must have coverage that complies with state regulations. No matter if you select the bare minimum or opt for full coverage, you must have some sort of coverage to legally operate your vehicle. 

Protection against Natural Disasters 

Moreover, a state routinely stricken by tornadoes, flooding, and more, acquiring quality auto insurance can help protect your car in the event that sustains sizable damages due to unforeseen/ uncontrollable weather events. Rather than leaving it to chance, by acquiring quality auto coverage, you will ensure that your car is protected against even the most horrific of circumstances.

Avoid Lawsuits

Lastly, without sufficient auto insurance, you could end up on the receiving end of a costly lawsuit. By acquiring quality coverage, you are protecting your vehicle against costs incurred due to accidents. Without sufficient coverage, individuals or businesses will be able to come after you and your assets directly. 

Overall, for those seeking quality auto coverage in Wheat Ridge, CO Insurance Specialist is the way to go. Offering friendly service, quick quotes, and discounted prices, contact us today to find out how you can begin your auto policy today! 

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