5 Winter Driving Tips to Stay Safe

Winter driving, for experienced northerners and inexperienced southerners alike, can be a tricky and dangerous task. Driving in snowy/icy conditions should be avoided when possible, or at least postponed until after the snow plows and sand trucks have treated the roads. For those times when driving cannot be avoided, try these safety tips for winter weather driving:

1. Decrease your speed by 50 percent to increase your reaction time. Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you, as stopping can take longer in the snow.
2. Use your headlights to increase your visibility to other drivers. Keep you lights and windshield clean.
3. Practice driving in an empty parking lot to learn how your car handles in the snow.
4. Drive cautiously on bridges and overpasses, as they freeze first.
5. Plan your route ahead of time, including current weather and road conditions. 

Get 5 more safety tips for winter driving, then call us at 720-457-1101 to get a Colorado car insurance quote.

Warm Weather Employee Safety

The arrival of the summer sun is a welcome relief for people in some regions of the USA, but that relief can often turn to despair when temperatures get out of control. While the vast majority of office buildings and retail environments have air conditioning, some systems are more effective than others. What about employees who work outside? Where will they get some respite from the intensity of the sun’s rays? By adopting a few practical changes to the workplace, business owners can make it a far more comfortable and productive place to be.

Display Advice for Employees

Employees might neglect their own health if they are conscientious and hard-working, so it’s always a good idea to point them in the right direction. Business owners should advise their workforce to switch off unnecessary lighting and electrical equipment around their workstations. Employees should also drink fluids throughout the day and use blinds to block out as much of the sun as possible. If they work outside, they should be taking regular breaks in the shade and have access to water at all times. Employees suffering from the effects of heat exhaustion or increased irritability will probably be far less productive, so looking after their welfare is also in a business owner’s best interests.

Click to learn about modifying working practices and attending to any maintenance issues immediately.

If you need clarification or guidance on business insurance and what it covers, call us now at 877-430-0092, and one of our experienced insurance agents will answer any questions you may have. You can also fill in our online Colorado business insurance quote form for expedited service.

Avoid Cheap Home Insurance

Standard insurance policies only pay a percentage of the value of a home's contents. The contents are assessed at a cash value, which takes depreciation into consideration. As such, the policy will only reimburse what the items were worth at the time of the incident that led to a covered loss. If you have some fairly recent furniture, electronics and appliances, it may be in your best interest to purchase additional replacement cost coverage. This coverage offers reimbursement amounts to fully replace items.

How Cash Value Compares to Replacement Costs

A five-year-old television that cost $800 new may be valued at half of its life, or $400, under a typical homeowner's policy. If it is under replacement cost coverage, though, the full $800 will be reimbursed. However, you need to be careful and read all of your policy documents concerning coverage and have a clear understanding of how the process works. Some replacement policies may only cover four times the current cash value of an item. An item valued at $100 may only be covered for $400, even if it would cost more to replace it.

Making Sure That Your Claim Is Fair

After a covered loss, an adjuster will inspect the property and review the documents concerning your damaged or destroyed contents. An assessment will be prepared that details the goods that need replacement, along with replacement cost estimates. It is a common practice for adjusters to use computer programs to calculate these figures. Once the claims supervisor has this report and approves it, a check will be issued to you. Before you accept this check, be sure to look over everything in the report and make note of any disagreements.

Seek a Second Offer

Over the years, you should have been keeping records of your major purchases and saving the receipts as proof of purchase. This information is your arsenal when the claims adjuster seems to think that big box retailer prices are good enough to replace your solid oak bedroom set. If the claims adjuster doesn't give a fair assessment, you can compose a politely written complaint that details:

• Your specific objections
• Your preferred resolution
• When you expect a response

The insurer may ask for additional details, so be ready to provide any requested documentation or statements.

If you have any questions about claims or Colorado home insurance, then feel free to contact us at 877-430-0092.

How does Summer Weather affect my Home Insurance Claim?

When most people think of weather-related home insurance claims, they think of violent hurricanes, tornadoes and flash flooding. However, a prolonged period of hot weather can also wreak havoc on a building.  High temperatures are often welcomed after a long and cold winter, but many homes are put at risk of structural damage unless proper precautions and maintenance routines are followed.  Home insurance is based on risk, and policy-holders who make regular claims will be considered a high risk.  The result -- higher insurance costs, and in some cases, the refusal of coverage altogether.  Although precautions cannot guarantee the avoidance of structural damage, they will reduce the risk significantly.

Wildfire

States such as California are susceptible to the risk of wildfire throughout the year.  Fire damage does not have to be complete for an insurance claim to be necessary, but a few precautions should reduce the likelihood of having to make a claim to a minimum.  The use of fire-resistant roof shingles and concrete tiles can protect a home from the flying embers that often trigger secondary fires.  The fitting of specialized, fire-proof air vents will allow the free flow of air while stopping embers from entering a property.  Any shrubs and plant-life can be a fire hazard when located close to a property; however, surrounding your home with a 'circle' of trees and foliage could act as a buffer.  The fitting of dual-paneled glazing made with tempered glass will delay a fire's progress into a home.     

Click for two more weather-related items that may affect your home insurance claims.

Buying a home is often the single biggest investment a person will make during a lifetime, so protecting that investment is incredibly important. Give us a call today at 877-430-0092 to discuss ways of protecting your home from the cost of prolonged periods of hot weather.  You can also get an online quote for Colorado home insurance on this website.

8 Car Insurance Tips for Drivers

People are often unaware that there are ways to reduce their auto insurance premium. There are certain habits you can practice, things you can add to your car and things you can avoid in order to keep your insurance premium affordable. Below are eight basic tips that every driver should know about their auto insurance policy.

1. Safety devices lower your premium - Safety devices such as a steering wheel lock or car alarm can reduce the risk of your car being stolen. A stolen car is a nightmare scenario for both the policyholder and the policy provider. Not only will the insurance company have to pay out the entire policy to cover the car, but because you made a claim, they may be inclined to increase your premium. The less money an insurance provider is likely to pay out for a claim, the lower your premium will be.
2. Read the exclusions carefully - During the next super storm, you may want to be well versed about your insurance policy. Some insurance policies specifically exclude damage to a vehicle due to an act of nature such as a branch falling on the car or hail damage. 
3. Obey the law - This goes without saying, because you'll want to avoid getting points on your license, but obeying the law can also help decrease your insurance premium. People who get multiple tickets for even minor things such as failing to yield the right-of-way will see their insurance premium go up. Bad driving habits show an insurance company that you are more likely to make a claim because you're more likely to get into a car accident.
4. Get familiar with gap insurance - If you just bought a brand-new car, there's something you should know about your insurance provider. It depreciates the value of your car faster than you can pay off the car loan. What this means is that you may not receive enough insurance money to replace your new car if it is totaled in an accident. Instead, you will have to use gap insurance to cover what your insurance provider doesn't.
5. Do not let uninsured drivers drive your vehicle - Uninsured drivers are not just a nuisance on the road, but they're also a nuisance to your insurance policy. If you let an uninsured or unlicensed driver -- or one that is otherwise excluded from driving or from being covered -- drive your car, your insurance coverage could be canceled out completely. This is a nightmare scenario that you don't want to find yourself in. Having no coverage means having to take an SR-22 or limited liability policy that won't likely give you adequate coverage.
6. Keep your car locked and secure - Keeping your car adequately locked and parked in a place that is not highly visible will make your car less likely to be stolen. If your insurance company finds that your car was stolen due to your own negligence, don't be surprised if they completely refuse to pay out your claim.
7. Take your iPod with you - iPods, iPads and other electronic equipment are not a part of your car and therefore, are not covered on your car insurance policy. If you leave an iPad or a similar device in your car and it's stolen, you will not be able to make a claim for it.
8. Decide on commercial or personal auto insurance - If you use your car for transporting goods, to run errands for your home business, or to taxi people around, you need commercial auto insurance. If you make a claim for any accident or damage to your car during the time you were using it for business, your personal auto insurance will not pay out the claim.

For more information on ways that you can stay on your insurance company's good side and therefore, reduce your premium, or even to get a Colorado car insurance quote, give us a call at 720-457-1101.

Paying too much for Colorado Commercial Insurance?

While insurance is a necessity for any large or small business, the amount of coverage needed can vary. When someone owns a business, it is important to take the time to determine if the premiums are as low as possible and that the coverage is not more than is needed. There are a few things that a businessman can do to ensure that he has the perfect amount of coverage to allow his company to be protected without overpaying.

A Business Owner Needs to Talk to a Professional Who Is Certified in the Insurance Industry

A professional consultant will have taken insurance certification education classes and will have learned everything there is to know about business insurance. Such an agent is able to advise the business owner about all options that are available. It is important for a business owner to understand that insurance options change often, and knowing what is available is essential if the business is going to have the right coverage.

A Business Owner Needs to Understand What the Policy Covers

Many business owners simply gloss over the insurance information without taking the time to read what is truly covered in the policy. It is important to take the time to read each and every sentence to ensure that the business has the best possible coverage. It is essential for the owner to know that the business is covered for what is happening currently and for what is going to happen in the near future.

Businesses Need to Trim Insurance Policies from Time to Time

As things change in a business, certain insurance options can be trimmed to help the business save money. If a vehicle is removed from a fleet of vehicles, security systems are installed within the business, or employees are given specific training, there is a chance that the business could get a discounted rate on insurance, or have an option removed altogether. There is no need for a business to pay more than necessary for an insurance policy.

Insurance Premiums Should be Compared between Multiple Insurance Companies

It is important for a business owner to get quotes from multiple insurance companies to ensure that he is paying the lowest rate possible for the coverage that is needed. Even if a company has an insurance policy currently, it is often possible to transfer the policy to a different company. More information on Colorado business insurance coverage is available by calling 877-430-0092.

Kemper Specialty awards PGI Agent

One of our agents just won $10,000 from Kemper Specialty! George Gonzalez and his staff from PGI after winning $10,000 from Kemper Specialty.