The agents at your local CO Insurance Specialist are here to help you keep your classic car protected, whether you have it at home, on the road, or in a storage facility. We are dedicated to meeting all of the insurance needs of our clients in the greater Wheat Ridge, CO area, whether they require coverage for their home, boat, recreational vehicle or classic car. Owning a classic car can take a lot of commitment and investment, especially if you opt to restore a car to its original condition. In many ways, classic cars are a lot more than just a hobby, but also an investment of both time and money. 

Having your classic car stored at a facility rather than at your home might change some of the coverage that you may otherwise have in place with your homeowner’s policy. It is important that the proper coverage is in place, ideally before you relocate that automobile to the offsite storage facility. Classic cars generally require additional insurance coverage, even when kept at the owner’s primary residence, and it is important that your classic car has the adequate level of insurance coverage in place.

Classic cars are often irreplaceable due to the scarcity of older cars, and their value often exceeds the limit of single-item coverage levels that are associated with primary homeowners’ policies. Do not let an incident at your storage facility destroy your classic car and all of its value!

If you are considering adding a classic car to your collection or would like to review the coverage of your current fleet to ensure that is adequate, the agents at CO Insurance Specialist are available to meet the needs of classic car collectors in the greater Wheat Ridge, CO area.

When it comes to putting insurance on your car, there are many things to think about. First and foremost, you need to take into consideration the level of coverage that you need based on local laws and regulations. For example, some states require by law for you to have a certain level of coverage. On the other hand, some states don’t have this requirement in place. And while you might think that it will cost more to insure a new car, there are actually several other factors that will influence that amount of money that you pay for coverage. 

Do you have traffic violations?

The more traffic violations you have on your record, the more you are going to pay for insurance coverage, and this especially applies if you have violations related to driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Having speeding tickets on your driving record will also negatively impact the amount you pay for insurance. This is why it is so important for you to be careful and cautious while driving and do your best to avoid getting any traffic violations. 

Do you have a lien on your new car?

Another factor that will impact the level of coverage you need on your new car is whether or not the car is financed. If it is financed through a lender, then the lender will likely mandate that you keep full coverage insurance on the car. If it is not financed, then you may be able to get away with only a minimal amount of coverage. Still yet, a new car deserves to be properly protected with full coverage. 

To learn more about putting insurance on a new car, please don’t hesitate to reach out to CO Insurance Specialist serving the Wheat Ridge, CO area. 

If you’re deciding to buy a new used car, you have a lot to consider. A representative from CO Insurance Specialist, serving Wheat Ridge, CO, and the surrounding area, will discuss with you what you should consider with your insurance policy. We also have advice regarding the selection process.

1. Get an Accident History

The vehicle might have been in a major accident but never received an "R" title because the damage wasn’t that extensive. Do you want a vehicle that has been in an accident? Those repairs may not have been done by a reliable restoration company, and you could experience problems with the car for years to come. Check the car’s history, which you can do online through a few reliable sites. 

2. Be Suspicious 

If the vehicle is making a noise, don’t let the dealership or previous owner tell you it’s a minor repair. Unless you know for sure what the issue could be, remain leery of anyone who is selling a car and tells you it’s not a big deal. At this point, you should have a mechanic look over the vehicle before you take the risk, as long as the previous owner approves. If the owner doesn’t approve, walk away from the deal because it’s a sign they’re hiding something. 

3. Test Drive

Don’t think because a vehicle is newer or looks nice and sounds nice when it starts that it doesn’t have any problems. Looks and startup noises can be deceiving. Take the vehicle for a test drive and make sure you listen for weird noises and take into consideration how the vehicle handles and feels when you’re driving. 

Once you decide on the vehicle for you, get insurance on it immediately and keep that insurance policy. CO Insurance Specialist, serving Wheat Ridge, CO, and the surrounding area, offers you options for car insurance for your used vehicle. Contact us at 720-638-0850 for a quote. 

You paid a great sum to buy that precious car of yours. Maybe you even built it from the ground up with care. Here in Wheat Ridge, CO especially, you’ll want to check below for some ways to improve your car’s performance and safety this winter. Here are the top 5 tips from CO Insurance Specialist.

1. Make Sure You Have Emergency Supplies

If you happen to have an emergency in the winter, you will want to have a few key items in your possession. Be prepared by keeping jumper cables, a cell phone, a flashlight, snacks, warm blankets, water, reflective triangles, a tow strap, and a first-aid kit in your car at all times.

2. Check Up On Your 4WD

A properly-working 4WD is a winter essential here in Wheat Ridge, CO. You’ll want to have it examined by a mechanic well before the snow falls to ensure that it’s working properly. Also, if you need to brush up on exactly how to use your 4WD, now is the time to do it.

3. Check Your Battery

Cold weather takes a toll on car batteries. Ensure that your car will start on cold winter mornings by taking it to get checked by a mechanic.

4. Think About Snow Tires

To reduce slippage on an icy road, snow tires will do the trick. Trade your all-seasons for these winter wheels which are specially-designed to grip snow and ice.

5. Take A Look At Your Belts and Hoses

In cold weather, belts and hoses can become weak. Get them checked out to ensure that your engine will run smoothly during winter storms.

If you have any questions about insurance this winter, contact our friendly agents at CO Insurance Specialist today.

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. 

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.

 

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.  

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!

 

In the world of auto insurance, there are dozens upon dozens of discounts for things that are very obvious like not having an accident, to more policy specific discounts. It is important that when you set out to find your perfect policy, you understand some of the discounts you might be eligible for. For those in the Wheat Ridge, CO area, the agents with CO Insurance Specialist can help you determine which discounts you qualify for.

One of the most common discounts is going to be safe driver discounts. This means that you get a discounted rate on your policy premiums for not getting into an accident. So why would a company offer this type of discount? The longer you go without an accident the more money they save. It is the goal of the insurance company to have insured drivers that do not file accident claims.

In many cases, the discount only takes place after a specified amount of time without an accident. The space of time might be as short as a few months or as long as a year. Some call this a loyalty discount but for the most part they are simply rewarding you for not filing claims against your insurance. So who qualifies? Any driver that has had the policy for the specified amount of time with no accident can qualify for the discount to help save money each month.

For those that live in the Wheat Ridge, CO area, the agents with CO Insurance Specialist can help you determine which discounts you are eligible for and can help you go through a wide range of options when it comes to your policy and how you are covered. No matter what discount you ultimately get, your agent can help clear up any questions.