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.

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.

Commercial Insurance: Benefits, Coverage and Options

Posted on March 9, 2015January 16, 2015 by agentinsure

In Colorado, the air is crisp and the opportunities are limitless. Seasonal arrivals deliver farmers’ markets, organic grocery stores and harvest farm activities. The Rocky Mountain National Park is always available for hikes, and the Breckenridge international Snow Sculpture Championships exemplify state culture while providing fantastic artwork collections.

Business Investment and Opportunities

Such a lush, evocative area is home to a thriving business market, and many industry leaders maintain high-quality insurance coverage when navigating business options. Often, commercial investment requires sustainability and scale; becoming a commercial real estate professional, or a corporate manager, requires intensive protection within the following areas provided through commercial insurance agents:

Employee protection
Property damage
Liability
Property extensions

Coverage Benefits

Mitigating risk while protecting investments is vital, and it promotes long-term growth. Risk, like many expenses and liabilities, is a constant factor, and many business insurance options protect investments while sheltering a thriving company. Small, medium and large-sized companies benefit from commercial insurance, and they often obtain the following benefits:

Customizable coverage for highly specialized industries
Dedicated underwriting services
Claim control services
Risk control services

Quote Comparisons for Commercial Professionals

Our wide array of insurance coverage quotes guarantees multiple avenues for aspiring professionals. While state regulations may differ depending upon specific spheres, most commercial coverage spans across, and accommodates for, the following areas:

Commercial automobile insurance
Commercial general liability insurance
Commercial property insurance
Commercial umbrella insurance

The above coverage areas contain a wide array of amenities for industry decision makers, and many reimburse insured parties suffering financial loss. When property is damaged or destroyed, coverage absorbs expenses—relieving a business from undue harm. While many coverage types are expandable and customizable, different providers offer alternative quotes—and maintaining industry knowledge is important. Our services guarantee wide breadth when seeking commercial solutions—so visitors always know their options.

Dealing With Roof Damage In Colorado

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

When you have a home in Colorado, whether it’s up in the mountains of Aspen or in the populated area of Colorado Springs, it’s important that you have a good homeowner’s insurance policy. This will ensure that if something happens during a storm, you will be able to file a claim and get your roof repaired as needed.

Whether it is snow, hail or even strong winds, Mother Nature is capable of causing a significant amount of roof damage in a storm. Your homeowners insurance should protect against these different things and make it easy to get the repairs quickly – without you paying out of pocket more than the deductible.

We want to make it easy for you to get a homeowner’s policy that you can rely on. We take the time to make sure you have the necessary coverage at a price that you can afford. This gives you peace of mind that your home is protected throughout storms as well as various other things.

There are all sorts of “extra” coverage options that you can explore. These will protect you against floods, storms, earthquakes and even protect additional items like expensive jewelry, fine art and much more. With all this protection, you never have to worry about the “what if” scenarios.

Your home in Colorado should always be protected and while you require a homeowner’s insurance policy for as long as you have a mortgage, there are many options for you to choose from. We want to make sure you don’t make any haste decisions and that’s why we’ll sit down and explain everything, answer questions, and guide you through the process.

An affordable, customized policy is out there and when you call today, we can begin finding quotes for you!

Colorado: The 3 Levels of Learning Permits for Teen Drivers

Posted on January 12, 2015January 16, 2015 by agentinsure

Colorado is a beautiful state with plenty to see and do in it. From the staggeringly gorgeous Rocky Mountains to the famous mile high city of Denver, you will never run out of things to entertain you in this great western state. If you love the outdoors, you will find miles of hiking, mountain biking, and snowshoeing trails available year round. There is a lot of wilderness here, so you have plenty of chances to see wildlife of all kinds. The air is clean, the people are progressive-minded, and there are lots of "green" businesses to patronize. It was also listed as among the top 3 states in the nation for business by CNBC in 2010, meaning there are lots of job and entrepreneurial opportunities here.

If you’re moving to Colorado, or have recently moved there, you’re going to need some time to become accustomed to the state’s driving laws. They may be different from the state you’re leaving. This is particularly true when it comes to a teen getting a learners permit to drive, and the car insurance requirements for both teen and adult drivers.

There are three stages of licensing for beginning drivers under the age of 21 in Colorado (if you’re over 21, these stages do not apply to you, and you can just test for your regular license). The stages are:

Driver Education Permit–Teens between 15 and 15 1/2 years old can apply.

Driver Awareness Permit–Teens between 15 1/2 and 16 years old can apply.

Minor Learner’s Permit–Young people between 16 and 21 years old can apply.

Each type of permit comes with its own set of requirements for obtaining and using it. Permits are good for three years each, but the next permit may be applied for prior to that, once the teen reaches the correct age.

If you have any questions about adding a teen driver to your car insurance in Colorado, or what the coverage requirements are for adult drivers, contact one of your local CO Insurance Specialist agents to discuss it. You can also get instant auto insurance quotes online on the CO Insurance Specialist website whenever you need one.

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