When you move out of your parents’ house and start your college or professional career, the world seems to open up. The independence that comes with that move is both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. But newfound freedom comes with a couple caveats. One of the biggest? The financial obligation.

From groceries and rent to clothing and apartment decor, you have many bills to account for once you live on your own. If you drive a car, your auto insurance rates add to this increasing list. But there are ways to decrease that bill if you know a few tricks.

Compare Companies

The first step you must take toward finding your best auto rate is to shop around. Many people ignore this step and simply renew with their current company or sign with the most popular establishment. That quick choice could hurt your bottom line. But it is difficult to compare auto insurance quotes on your own because you aren’t familiar with the process.

Work with an independent agency that will find the best rate for you. Professional agents use their skills to access the policy that gives you the coverage you need at the price you want.

Take Care on the Road

You should already do your best to drive safely. There are inherent benefits that come from safe driving practices, but lower auto insurance rates is an added bonus.

Whenever you get into a fender bender or receive a speeding ticket, the state notes the incident on your driving record. Most states use a points system to track your violations (and their severity). Some minor infractions like forgetting your proof of insurance or driving with a broken taillight do not incur points. Instead, you will likely just pay a fine. However, larger violations accrue points, and those points increase your rates.

At its most basic, insurance is a gamble. You bet that you might have an accident one day, so you choose to pay premiums. Insurance companies gamble that its customer base will pay more premiums than the company must pay out.

So, if you show insurance carriers that you are a high-risk gamble by speeding or causing accidents, they charge a higher premium to offset the risk. But the other side is true as well. If you display a clean driving record and continue to drive safely, insurance premiums decrease.

Study Hard

In School

Your classroom performance affects your transcripts-and your insurance rates. Young drivers often pay higher rates because they have less experience behind the wheel, and that inexperience creates a higher accident risk. Good grades can reduce some of that cost. Insurers give many reasons for this policy, but the most common is that the high GPA shows you are attentive in school, which could translate to caution on the road.

In Defensive Driving Courses

In addition to standard school classes, consider taking a supplemental driving course. Many insurance companies offer discounts if you complete a defensive driving class, but make sure that you speak with your agent before you sign up. He or she will inform you about the discount rates and accredited classes in your area.

Recover (or Build) Your Credit

Many insurance companies review your credit before they offer a rate. Why? Like their school comparison, they believe that if you are careful with your credit, you will be more careful with your car. If your credit is on the low side, don’t worry. There are many things you can do to improve it:

• Get a low-interest or secured line of credit.
• Make all payments in full every month.
• Keep credit accounts open as long as possible.
• Maintain a low balance on all credit accounts.
• Review your credit report, and dispute any mistakes.

Your higher credit score may translate into lower auto insurance rates, so inform your agent when that important number raises.

Choose Age Before Beauty

Sleek, new cars may look great in the driveway. They may even make you feel great when you cruise around town. But they won’t make you feel great when you see your insurance bill every month. Top-of-the-line vehicles tempt thieves, and their repairs tend to be expensive.

To cut down on insurance costs, choose an earlier model. However, always choose a vehicle that you will feel safe in and that will survive your commute. It’s not worth finding a car that has low insurance potential if it has to visit the repair shop once a month.

Install Security Features

If you already have a late-model vehicle and need a way to decrease your current insurance, install a few anti-theft features.

Speak to an agent about discounts for car alarms, hood and tire locks, tracking systems, and kill switches. Some of these devices are pricey, so weigh them against the discount amount before you make an investment.

Now that you know a few ways to decrease your insurance rates, get started. This is an important step for any driver, so don’t wait to get your affordable coverage today.

Whether you're a sales office worker in Wheat Ridge, CO or a stay-at-home mom, there's a good chance that you want or need your own form of transportation. As an independent insurance agency in Wheat Ridge, we are here to help make sure you are adequately covered with the auto protection you need.

You never know when a quick trip to the Dolce Sicilia Italian Bakery or local grocery store might turn out badly. Take for instance that you're almost home after picking up a bite to eat at Thai Green and Sushi, and on your way home a deer runs out in front of you. Try as you may, you swerve and hit your brakes but still yet, you hit the deer. And although the damage may seem minimal, once you get the car into a shop, your mechanic and body work specialist tell you the damage is totaling more than $2,500.

Do you have $2,500 on hand for car repair expenses? Probably not, but with a comprehensive insurance policy, you don't have to fret about hitting a deer or any animal because the repair costs will likely be covered.

Additional Benefits of Comprehensive Coverage

Living in Wheat Ridge means you know firsthand how extreme the weather can get in the 80033 zip code area. If your car becomes the victim of flood or hail damage, a basic liability insurance policy won't be sufficient. But with a comprehensive policy, once you pay your deductible, the additional repair costs will probably be covered.

Most comprehensive policies also cover claims relating to:

• Vandalism
• Theft
• Fire
• Falling objects

It's also with a comprehensive policy that you will likely have access to a rental car in the event that your car has to be put into the shop. Knowing that your transportation needs will always be met gives you great peace of mind, and this is just another reason why you need to get quotes for a comprehensive auto policy.

If you want to drive in Applewood, CO, you need auto insurance. It’s against the law to drive without the proper insurance anywhere in Colorado. And if you ignore this rule? You could face heavy fines and the suspension of your driving privileges.

Unfortunately, auto insurance is not inexpensive. There is good news, though; today it is easier than ever for Applewood motorists to shop for low-cost insurance coverage.

You can thank the Internet for this. We at Colling Insurance Services offer our own online rate-comparison tool on our home page. By entering basic information about yourself and your vehicle, you can instantly pull live quotes from insurance companies serving Colorado. These quotes will come with price and coverage information, so that you can decide which best fit your need.

Once you’ve done this research, you can call us. We’re an independent insurance agency. This means that we have access to insurance policies from the largest companies in the industry. We can work with our partners to find you the insurance coverage that will keep you on the road without breaking your budget.

Be aware, though, that every driver is different. A policy that works well for one motorist might not provide sufficient coverage for another. That’s why it’s important to talk with one our independent insurance agents. Our agents are experienced professionals, and they can recommend the right insurance package for your vehicles.

Remember, the cheapest option isn’t always the best. If you get into a serious accident, you want your insurance policy to provide the financial protection you need. Those low monthly premiums won’t seem like such a bargain should one major accident send you into a deep financial hole.

Try our rate-comparison tool today. Then call us. We’d be happy to discuss your vehicle insurance needs and goals.

Think back on your teenage years when you excitedly (and nervously) prepared for your driving test. Perhaps you studied harder for the driving exam than any other test you took in high school. Those hours of study ensured that you walked out of the DMV with a license in hand and the freedom to drive around town without parental supervision.

Now you have a teenager approaching that milestone. Suddenly, you understand your parents’ reluctance to hand you the keys to the family car. The key to navigating this rite of passage is open communication and an agreed-upon set of rules. Before you take your teen to the DMV to get a learner’s permit, sit down for a frank discussion about your house’s driving rules.

Review Colorado’s Teen Driver Laws

Statistics show that teen drivers are more likely to be in an accident than older, more experienced drivers. In fact, the CDC reports (http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html) that more US teens die from car crashes than any other cause. Teens are especially prone to accidents when they are driving at night or while distracted.
These grim statistics concerned Colorado residents, so the state passed extra driving rules that apply to teen drivers. Intended to keep young drivers safe, these laws:
• Make seatbelt use mandatory for the driver and all passengers.
• Prohibit any cell phone use while driving, including texting and talking.
• Establish a curfew. Teens aren’t allowed to drive between midnight and 5 a.m. without a parent or other legally responsible adult in the car.
• Set limits on the age and number of passengers allowed in the vehicle during the first year of driving. (There are some exceptions if family members are in the car.)
Though your teen might be familiar with some of these rules, you should still take the time to review them carefully one-on-one. You can also set a good example by following applicable rules when you drive. Always wear your seatbelt, and limit cell phone use when you’re behind the wheel.
Agree When You Can Withdraw Driving Privileges
Some teenagers feel that a license in their wallet entitles them to drive wherever and whenever they want. You can avoid this mentality by making it clear that driving is a privilege in your house. If you attach penalties or rewards to driving, your teen is more likely to recognize that driving involves responsibility. The more they know about this responsibility, the more they will respect it while operating a vehicle.
As a parent, you have the right to take away your teen’s driving privileges if they don’t follow the rules. To ensure fairness, involve your teen in establishing the ground rules. Teens who help parents establish driving rules have a stronger incentive to abide by those rules.
Here’s an example of how you can motivate your teen to abide by driving rules: Imagine you and your teen agree that you’ll pay the extra car insurance premium for a teen driver as long as your teen remains eligible for a good student discount. If your daughter’s grades then drop after she gets her license, she must either pay the extra amount or lose driving privileges until she pulls her grades back up.

Determine How to Track Your Teen’s Driving Behavior

After you discuss state laws and family rules, you might still have concerns about your teen’s behavior behind the wheel. With your teen’s permission, you can enlist the help of some electronic allies to track their driving habits.
You can install various apps on your teen’s smartphone to monitor different driving behaviors. These apps are divided in two primary categories:
• Driving watchdogs. Apps in this category keep track of top speeds, excessive braking, and driving time. Some even send parents text alerts when the driver violates a speed limit.
• Distraction minimizers. These apps use a variety of methods to discourage teens (or any driver) from checking cell phone alerts while driving. Some disable the phone from functioning when it senses movement faster than 5 miles per hour.
Others read the alerts aloud so drivers don’t have to take their eyes off the road.
It’s usually worth paying for the full version of any driving app so you use all of its features. Test out the free versions on your phone first, and check reviews before you settle on your favorites.
It’s important to discuss smartphone driving apps with teens so they don’t feel like you are invading their privacy. If your teen isn’t too ecstatic about the idea, try to agree on some rewards your teen can receive after driving safely for a set amount of time.

Drive to the DMV

Once you discuss these topics with your teen, it’s time to head to the DMV. You’ll feel safer about your teen getting behind the wheel once you’ve established the ground rules. Even when they follow driving rules perfectly, teens still need extra protection as new drivers. Remember to call your auto insurance agent and add your teen driver to your policy.

When you or a family member is classified as a high risk driver in Wheat Ridge, CO, it can have an impact on your auto insurance policy. In many cases, your car insurance rates will increase, even when you have limited coverage. Fortunately, there are ways to help reduce the rates and enjoy affordable coverage.

Compare Your Options

A high risk driver can range from an individual who has recently been given a speeding ticket or who has been in an accident to an individual who has driven while under the influence of alcohol or a medication. Depending on the severity of the situation, the costs that can be offered to a driver can vary.

Even though an accident or a recent ticket can be a sign of reckless driving, different insurance providers will evaluate the situation in a different way. Comparing several options can help you find the most affordable policy for your current situation.

Reduce Coverage

Although you are required to maintain some liability protection, it is not always necessary to purchase full coverage for your vehicle. Focus on coverage that addresses your personal concerns. For example, reduce the coverage for theft if you live in an area that has a low risk or eliminate any coverage that is already available on another policy. By cleaning up the coverage that you have purchased, you can ensure that your concerns are addressed without paying for additional protection that you do not need.

There are several ways to reduce your car insurance rates, but the best option is to improve your driving record and take measures to reduce the risks associated with driving. To learn more about getting a fair rate for your car, contact us to talk to an agent today.

Having commercial auto insurance is a must for any business owner that has one or more vehicles used in the day to day business of operating his or her company. For those looking at Colorado commercial insurance, realize that auto insurance is not something to over look even if you do not use your vehicle much. There are several key reasons not to forgo it.

Liability insurance for your vehicle is important. It can help to prevent losses suffered by your company should you or your other employee driver is hurt in an accident. With liability insurance in place, you may be able to reduce some of the risk associated with lawsuits placed on your business as the result of your accident. This could even include lawsuits from lost property, medical bills, or wrongful death. Without coverage, you could find your business is at risk of paying for these costs out of pocket.

Additionally, commercial auto insurance is also the ideal way to protect not just the vehicle itself, but the inventory or equipment you have in it. If you use your vehicle for deliveries and items are stolen or your vehicle with your business's equipment in it is damaged in a fire, you may have protecting with this type of property coverage.

Colorado commercial insurance is available at an affordable rate for your commercial vehicle. Unless your business is able to withstand these risks, it is often best to seek out a Colorado independent agency like ourselves to help you to find affordable rates on top-quality plans. This could help you to see significant improvement in your business's bottom line simply by helping you to reduce financial risks associated with operating a car. Our Colorado commercial insurance agents are happy to help you.

Obtaining car insurance in Wheat Ridge, CO can seem complicated because there are a variety of options available. The coverage that you need may vary based on several factors, but there are some basic plans that can help you identify the plan that is best for your goals.

Minimum Coverage

A basic policy provides the minimum state standards so that you can drive without facing legal consequences. The minimum standards protect against liability for property damage if you cause an accident and it pays for bodily injuries that you cause in an accident.

Generally, the minimum coverage will not offer protection for your personal vehicle. If you worry that another driver will not have the coverage to pay for damages to your vehicle in an accident, then you may want to purchase additional protection for under-insured drivers.

Comprehensive Plans

A comprehensive policy will pay for damages to your personal vehicle if something beyond your control occurs. For example, the plan may pay for damages to your vehicle after a hail storm or when a tree branch falls on the vehicle.

The plan does not usually provide protection against collisions, but you can add the coverage to your policy if you feel that it is required.

Additional Coverage

Additional coverage can take many forms, such as collision protection or protection against theft. It is the protection that you add to a basic or comprehensive plan to address specific concerns or to protect your vehicle from further damages.

There are several plans available to address your goals and concerns. Depending on the vehicle and your preferences, you can add or remove coverage from a policy so that it addresses your personal goals. Contact us to talk to an agent to learn more about policy options.

When you are riding a motorcycle in Colorado, the weather conditions may not always be appropriate for your bike. Using your motorcycle for part of the year may mean that it does not always make sense to maintain full coverage for your insurance policy.

Minimum Standards

Even though it may not make sense to maintain full coverage, the state does have a minimum standard that you are required to maintain. The state requires some coverage for liability and injuries, so you need to make sure that your insurance complies with state laws, even if you decide that you do not want to carry coverage for additional concerns.

The minimum standards are only the foundation, so you can build on that policy to address specific concerns and problems as well.

Maintaining Full Coverage

Comprehensive coverage is not necessary for every individual, but it can be useful if you have a high-cost motorcycle or if you want to address very specific concerns. Many insurers will provide protection against theft, damage from storms and unexpected damage from situations that are not related to your driving.

Polices that provide full coverage address more than just the driving, so it may be useful if you want to protect your bike from unexpected situations like theft. Otherwise, you can opt to maintain the minimum coverage and purchase additional protection for specific concerns if you do not want to cover every situation that is addressed in a comprehensive plan.

The coverage that you must maintain is not always a comprehensive plan. In some cases, you can reduce your coverage so that it addresses your specific concerns. Contact us to talk to an agent for more details about your coverage options.

When you are considering an umbrella insurance policy for your car, it is important to understand the limits and options that may be available. Your auto insurance and the vehicle that you own may play a role in the coverage that you need.

Limits on Your Auto Policy

Umbrella coverage may be useful, but the amount that you need can depend on your current auto insurance. For example, if you have taken your policy to the maximum limit that your insurer will allow, then you may not need a large umbrella policy. On the other hand, if you have limited coverage and worry that you may be sued if an accident occurs, then you may want to consider an umbrella policy that covers the amount that you may expect to pay in a lawsuit.

Expected Payments

You can get an umbrella policy for a variety of different amounts. For example, if you have an expensive car, then you may need a large policy to address potential legal issues if an accident occurs. An expensive car increases the risk that other drivers will assume that you can pay a larger amount. In that case, you may need more than $500,000 to $1,000,000 in protection because of potential lawsuits.

The situations that you can expect may vary, so the amount that you need depends on your assets and liabilities. The greater number of assets that you own, the more protection you need on your insurance policy.

Auto insurance is not always enough to address liability, especially if you have significant assets or own an expensive vehicle. Umbrella policies are designed to address those situations and the limits may vary based on your situation. Contact us to talk to an agent for more details.

After an auto accident, you may discover that your insurance coverage in Colorado can make the claims process a little complicated. Before your insurer will pay for the damages, the cost of repairs must be evaluated. The appraisal process may vary between insurers, but it usually involves a claims adjuster.

Appraisal by an Adjuster

A claims adjuster is a professional from the insurance company that looks at the damage to your vehicle and then determines the amount that is appropriate for the repairs. Depending on the extent of the damages and the situation, the adjuster may or may not offer an appraisal.

Some adjusters are trained to handle appraisals, which can speed up the process of getting your car repaired. On the other hand, the company may not offer funds in a complicated situation until you have multiple opinions.

Auto Repair Shops

In the case of major damage to the body or even the engine, the appraiser may require several estimates from a variety of repair and auto body shops. The estimated cost of repairs can help an appraiser determine a fair amount to pay for the damages.

Estimates can vary widely based on the shop and the location, so the actual appraisal may be an average of the different estimates. In some cases, the appraiser may determine that the car is a total loss based on the estimated cost of repairs so you will be given funds to replace your vehicle with a similar car of the same year.

The appraisal process is a necessary step of getting the funds that you need to repair your vehicle. Your insurer will determine the appropriate method to appraise the damages. Contact us to learn more about your options and speak to an agent.