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CO Insurance Specialist

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

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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!

 

Growing Family Equals Growing Home Insurance Policy?

While there is no question that a homeowner’s health insurance policy and life insurance coverage for a family should be updated immediately with the birth of a new child, the same can’t quite be said for a Wheat Ridge, CO homeowner’s insurance policy. The general position on the matter tends to be that a homeowner’s policy is focused on the home and its structure as well as associated property risks, not necessarily the addition of a new house-member. The above said, a growing family can impact the amount of personal property covered by a home policy as well as trigger renovations and changes to make accommodations for children or moving in relatives.

When any kind of a construction-type change is being made to a home, even for a family addition, the homeowner’s policy should be updated. Additionally, the expansion of family is going to increase the amount of personal property that needs to be protected, according to the experts at the CO Insurance Specialist. While clothing may not necessarily be a big issue to cover, furniture, electronics and additional appliances definitely should be addressed. Homeowners need to think in terms of what the additional material means to the total dollar figure needed for a disaster recovery, and then they should compare that with the figure that covers personal property loss in the current policy. More than likely, the figure will need to be increased as some point to fully address a larger family’s needs. And remember, flood insurance is separate from home insurance, but it’s the same situation in terms of adjustments.

To find out more about how a growing family indirectly affects a homeowner’s policy in the Wheat Ridge, CO area, the CO Insurance Specialist team is available both by email and phone or even in person to answer questions.

What is a Safe Driver Discount?

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.  

How To Manage Auto Insurance For Those Who Live In Two States

Snow Birds And The Like Living In Two States Can Get Tricky

We all know someone who lives in a colder weather state, like Wheat Ridge, CO during the spring and summer seasons only to hightail it to Florida when it gets too cold for their exotic feathers. Aside from keeping warmer, there are financial and accountability items that you have to ponder if you make two states your permanent domicile.   

The first thing you would consider if you live in two states simultaneously would concern your tax accountability. It matters how many months you reside in either state. Another factor is where your business is primarily conducted if you are self-employed. While your accountant is the best person to speak with when it comes to your tax questions, your agent at CO Insurance Specialist will be able to assist you with the queries you may have regarding your insurance liability and other insurance questions.

Where Do You Park Your Car? 

Managing your car insurance if you live in two states begins the same way a normal one state dweller would approach their policy. What do you do with your car? Do you use it for work? How many miles are you driving in a normal day? Are you using your car for work in both states or is one domicile primarily used for recreation?   

If you are located in the Wheat Ridge, CO area, please feel free to stop in to discuss this insurance issue or any other questions you may have regarding your insurance policy. The insurance specialists at CO Insurance Specialist agency will set your mind at ease so that you can enjoy your double dwelling status or simply have clarity in your insurance matters.       

Discover the Benefits of Insurance Policies for Homeowners in Wheat Ridge, CO

You’ve purchased a new home and want to protect it.  Colorado Insurance Commissioner Marguerite Salazar says, “Don’t make any assumptions.  Take the time now to learn about your homeowner’s insurance.  Don’t wait for disaster to strike.”  That’s good advice that every Wheat Ridge, CO homeowner should follow.  While you may not be legally mandated to carry homeowner’s insurance, many lenders will require you to purchase insurance to protect their interests in the property.  The lender will specify the coverage amounts that they deem appropriate and how they prefer for proof of coverage to be submitted to them. 

Another recommendation is to make a list of the contents of your home.  According to a survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, more than half of American homeowners do not have an inventory of the home’s contents.  Without this inventory, homeowners cannot be sure that they have the best coverage for their home and its contents.

Homeowners insurance is designed to protect the owner from damaging events.  It can also protect the homeowner from liability if someone is hurt while on the property.  It’s important for homeowners to fully review their policy so that they understand what it covers and what it doesn’t.  If there are any questions, it’s important to discuss them with the agent.   If gaps are discovered, additional coverage may be needed.  This is particularly important for items such as jewelry or antiques.  The agent will be able to discuss what is most appropriate for your situation. 

Today is the perfect day to come by and visit with your local CO Insurance Specialist.  To get started, you can visit our website and use our online quoting tools.  Then call a CO Insurance Specialist to get covered.

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