Stuck Inside? 4 Fun Winter Activities for Children

Posted on September 27, 2015December 19, 2016 by agentinsure

Keeping the kids occupied when you are stuck inside due to winter weather can be tough. Thankfully, there are a few super fun activities you can do to help the time pass more quickly. Here are four to consider.

#1: Board Games

Board games are a great way to fill up the day when you’re stuck inside. But what about having your kids create their own versions? Give them construction paper, crayons, markers, and other art supplies. Have them work together to come up with game rules, draw the board, and make tiles, tokens, and other small pieces. Play the finished game together as a group.

#2: Get Dancing

Another easy way to beat winter break boredom is by having your very own dance party. All you have to do is turn on a few of your favorite tunes and get moving. Whether your kids have professional dance lessons to thank for their awesome groove ability or take a more abstract approach, they will have tons of fun. (And burn off some of that pent up energy!)

#3: Cook a Favorite Meal

It is no secret that kids love helping out in the kitchen. On a winter day, why not have your children help you cook a favorite meal? Not only will they learn by watching you work through the recipe, they’ll enjoy trying their finished creation. Even something as simple as homemade macaroni and cheese is fun to prepare for little ones, so getting fancy is purely optional. However, remember to supervise any activities that involve sharp objects, a stove, the oven, etc. for added safety.

#4: Dress Up

Beat winter day boredom by playing dress up. Break out any leftover Halloween costumes, silly hats, or other clothing apparel pieces. Transform your child’s look into something fun with cosmetics. Or even make your own masks out of construction paper. The possibilities and fun are nearly endless!

Make Sure Your Family is Prepared for the Unexpected

While keeping your kids occupied on a winter day is important, making sure you have adequate homeowner’s insurance coverage is even more vital. Please contact our team at CO Insurance Specialist today for more information.

Make Sure Everything in Your Wheat Ridge, CO Apartment is Insured

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

Many tenants who have renters insurance get it in order to protect their precious possessions. While renters insurance can’t prevent a tragedy from happening, it can help you recover from an accident by reimbursing you for the loss of your belongings in a covered incident. If you’re expecting your renters insurance policy to help you purchase items after a covered incident, though, you should make sure that all of your belongings are covered by your policy.

Renters Insurance Policies Have Exclusions

The portion of a renters insurance policy that covers personal belongings is called personal property coverage. Every policy’s personal property coverage, like all coverage, has exclusions. Exclusions are policy-specific, but some examples of potentially excluded items include:

electronics
jewelry
weapons
collectibles
artwork

Some policies either don’t provide coverage for these items, thus excluding them, or only provide limited protection. If you own anything of these things, you should confirm that your policy provides coverage for them.

Ask an Insurance Agent to Check

Understanding the jargon that determines a personal property coverage’s exclusions and limitations can be challenging. If you need help understanding the language of your insurance policy, contact one of our renters insurance agents.

At CO Insurance Specialist, LLC we have independent insurance agents who are able to review any renters insurance policy in Colorado. They can help you determine whether your belongings are fully insured by your renters insurance policy’s personal property coverage. If you aren’t, they can also look for a policy that doesn’t exclude the items you own.

You can speak with an agent over the phone or contact us through email. If you’d prefer to reach an agent via email, simply send them a message through our website. At CO Insurance Specialist, LLC, we’ve served many renters ins Wheat Ridge, CO, and we’re looking forward to serving you, too.

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.

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Author: agentinsure