Category Archives: Home Insurance

Three Types of Protection in Your Home Insurance

When you have a home insurance policy, it gives you several different types of protection. You need all of them to make sure that you’re covered against the major risks that are out there. If you’re buying a home and need home insurance, or you want to change to a new policy, give us a call today at Colling Insurance Services, Inc. in Lakewood, CO. 

House Protection

When you have this insurance, it protects the house from a broad range of risks. These can include events like disasters, accidents, and more. This coverage can pay for the repairs you’ll need after a covered event happens. This coverage can save you thousands of dollars on necessary repairs. Without this coverage, a calamity or disaster could cause so much damage that you aren’t able to fix it all. With home insurance, those bills get paid by the policy. 

Item Protection

Everything inside your home is also covered by your home insurance. Your possessions are all covered in case of a covered event. There are countless things that can cause your belongings to become damaged or destroyed. When you think about what everything in your home would cost if it needed to be replaced, you soon see why this coverage is so necessary. When you have this coverage, you can get replacements instead of being left with nothing. 

Liability Protection

People have accidents in homes, and if someone has one in yours, you could owe big for their medical bills. When you have home insurance, it will pay for these bills as well as other costs that come with an accident on your property. 

Get Your Home Policy

When you have a home insurance policy, you have a lot of protection against risks. To get your policy, call us at Colling Insurance Services, Inc., in Lakewood, CO.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Not Cover?

A homeowner’s insurance policy provides coverage for a broad range of risks or perils that can potentially impact your home and its occupants. If you live in the greater Lakewood, CO, the insurance professionals at Colling Insurance Services Inc. are available to help you understand what a homeowner’s policy may cover and what it excludes.

Common Scenarios Typically Not Covered By Standard Homeowners Insurance

These events are typically excluded from a standard homeowners policy:

Flood damage

Most home policies exclude flooding – defined as excess water on land that is typically dry. According to the insurance industry, flooding is not the same as water-related damage (i.e., damage from a leaky roof). To protect against flood damage, homeowners can buy a separate flood insurance policy.

Maintenance-Related Issues

Homeowners insurance is not designed to provide coverage for your home’s routine maintenance or normal wear and tear. Damage from a lack of maintenance/pre-existing conditions will typically be excluded.

Sewer Backups

Damage caused by a sump pump failure/sewer backup may not be covered; however, a rider or endorsement is typically available. 

Intentional Acts

An intentional or illegal act that causes damage is typically not covered.

Earthquakes

A standard policy for homeowners doesn’t typically cover earthquake damage. A separate policy or endorsement may be available for those in an area prone to earthquakes.

Home-Based Business Liability

A home business may need an additional policy (a Business Owners Policy) to protect business-related liabilities.

Acts of War/Nuclear Hazards

Damage resulting from nuclear hazards, acts of war, or will typically be excluded.

Contact a Leading Insurance Company Today

To speak with an insurance professional at Colling Insurance Services Inc. in Lakewood, CO about available homeowners insurance coverage options, contact a staff member at 303-987-3331 or reach out online.

What Does a Homeowners Insurance Policy Cover?

Homeowners insurance is a policy that not only protects your home, the structures on your property and their contents, it can also provide liability protection for accidents that occur on the property or damages to someone else’s property.  Most policies will carry coverage for a broad spectrum of threats such as from fire, weather, theft and damage from falling objects.  While this list of known perils is extensive, you need to understand the realm of what is covered and what isn’t.  For instance, while the policy may cover damage from failing plumbing, it won’t cover flooding from a weather event.  The agents at Colling Insurance Services, Inc. know the Lakewood, CO area well and are able to help you understand the policy’s protections.

While the homeowner’s policy will cover the house, it will also cover other structures on the property such as a garage or toolshed.  The policy also covers your personal belongings such as clothing, furniture, computer equipment, jewelry, etc.  The personal belongings category also includes plants that are damaged on the property with the exception of disease or high winds.  If you have collections of valuables such as firearms, jewelry or artwork, you should discuss this with your agent to ensure that you have enough coverage.  If your home is deemed uninhabitable because of a disaster, the policy will provide you funds for additional living expenses such as hotels and restaurants while your home is being repaired.  Lastly, it should be noted that the policy will provide liability coverage.  This covers medical expenses and legal fees should someone have an accident on the property and decide to sue.

Following a disaster, the right insurance helps you recover quickly.  In the Lakewood, CO area, visit Colling Insurance Services for all of your home insurance needs. 

My Neighbors Tree Fell on My House: Whose Home Insurance Policy Should the Claim Be Filed With?

At Colling Insurance Services Inc. serving the greater Lakewood, CO area, we realize that there is a lot of confusion over filing certain types of homeowners insurance claims. One scenario is when a tree falls from one person’s property onto another person’s property and causes damage, such as hitting their home. The parties may be unsure as to whose homeowners insurance policy the claim should be filed with. 

Unfortunately, though, there is not a one size fits all answer to this question and the answer as to which insurance company the claim should be filed with varies. 

As a general rule of thumb, if the tree fell because of strong wind gusts or floods, the neighbor whose home was damaged would file a claim with their insurance company. Their insurance company covers random acts, such as wind gusts, and is designed to cover these events. On the other hand, if the tree toppled over because it was not properly cared for and maintained, and the tree owner was negligent, the claim should be filed with their homeowner’s insurance company. 

If your home was damaged due to a neighbor’s tree hitting it, you may be unsure as to which company to file a claim with. When in doubt, file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance. if the other party has liability for the damage, your insurance company can go after them or their insurance company to recoup the money. 

Having the right amount of homeowners insurance is key in the event something unexpected like this occurs. Do you have the right amount of coverage? Contact Colling Insurance Services Inc. serving the greater Lakewood, CO area today to discuss your insurance needs with us. 

Is Now the Right Time to Buy a Home?

Deciding to purchase a home can be very exciting but can also be stressful. Before you start searching for the perfect home, you need to make sure that now is the right time to make a purchase in Lakewood, CO. Use this checklist from Colling Insurance Services, Inc. to ensure that you are ready to buy a home right now. 

  • Take a look at your debts. You should list out all of your debts as well as how much you have to pay for them every month. Factor this into your budget to ensure that you have enough to cover everything. 
  • Make sure you have enough saved. You already know that you will need to save for a down payment on a home but you also need to account for closing costs. On average, this can cost up to 3% of the mortgage amount so you need to make sure you can cover that as well. 
  • Get preapproved. Before you start looking at homes, you should get preapproved to see exactly how much you can afford to buy. You do not want to start looking outside of your price range only to find you cannot afford that dream home you found. This can also help because many real estate agents will not even show you a home without showing your preapproval. Take this step so that when you do find the perfect house, you are ready to make the purchase.

Buying a home is a big decision so before you jump in, it is important to ensure you are ready. Once you do buy your home, you will need a great home insurance policy to protect your investment. Reach out to Colling Insurance Services, Inc. serving Lakewood, CO to get some quotes that will work with your new budget. 

Considering Dropping Home Insurance? Think Again

For many, the cost of home insurance is enough to make them reconsider holding a policy at all. Though we are not all required to hold home insurance, dropping coverage is a terrible idea. For those in the Lakewood, CO area, the agents with Colling Insurance Services Inc. can help you find a policy that covers your home but that does not break the bank.

For those that have paid for their home in full, there is no legal requirement to hold home insurance. Rather, home insurance is only required if you have a lien, loan, or mortgage out against the value of your home. Even then it is not required by law but rather required by the lender in an effort to protect investments and make sure that no money is lost if the home is destroyed.

So why would you keep home insurance if you are not required to by law? The answer is far simpler than you might imagine. Though not everyone is required by law to carry home insurance, having a policy is going to help protect you from any event that you cannot control. We never know when wiring is going to cause a fire, if a tree is going to fall on our home, or if a wind storm is going to pull your roof all the way off your home. It is for that reason, the element of uncertainty, the keeping a home insurance policy is a good idea no matter what.

It is always a good idea to hold at the very least a basic policy to help you recover if there is a disaster. For those that live in the Lakewood, CO area, the agents with Colling Insurance Services Inc. can help you find the right policy that is going to protect your home no matter what.

Understanding Premium Costs for Home Insurance in Lakewood

Most Lakewood, CO residents likely don’t get excited when they pay their home insurance premiums, and it’s easy to see why. Without a direct benefit, it may just seem like you’re giving your money away. Understanding more about your purchase can not only calm your blood pressure down when you get the bill but also help you appreciate what the money is going towards. 

Values and Fees 

Colling Insurance Services Inc. has seen the value of home insurance when it comes to taking care of the residents in Lakewood, both regarding finances and regarding mental health. Without home insurance, people are often forced to pay for hotels or put repairs off until the last second. Eventually, the weather or your circumstances will take a nasty turn for the worse, and pretend that it won’t only come back to haunt you. Your policy is based on what’s important to you, and the time to consider what you want to protect is before anything awful happens to it. Your premium is affected by your lifestyle, your possessions and the value of your home. 

Case by Case 

Homes that are filled with your Aunt’s old furniture don’t necessarily need to have full coverage. If you’re prepared to replace that furniture should something go wrong, you can keep your premium costs lower. But it might not be so easy to replace your television or your desktop. There are so many questions like this consider, though. Colling Insurance Services Inc. can help the residents of Lakewood, CO navigate these topics and more. If you’re wondering the best route to take when it comes to your home insurance, call us today for a quote or to find out more about our services. 

 

Looking Under the Hood: Maintenance Tips for Your Truck

When it comes to keeping your truck on the road for as long as possible, it is paramount that you perform regular maintenance on it. The better you take care of your truck, the longer it will last, meaning the less money and stress you will have to invest toward buying a new truck. Fortunately, there are three simple tips you can follow to help make sure your truck lasts for as long as possible. 

Tip #1: Get the oil changed on schedule

The owner’s manual in the glove box of your truck will have a recommended oil change schedule in it. You need to follow this schedule to the best of your ability. If you can’t find your owner’s manual, you can always call the dealership where you bought the truck and ask for one. Or if you prefer, you can go online and order one and have it sent straight to your home. 

Tip #2: Check the coolant levels

If your truck gets too hot, it can cause the engine to blow up. This is not something you want to happen because it can cost thousands of dollars to replace the engine. Fortunately, you can avoid this by making sure the oil is changed according to schedule and by checking your coolant levels on a regular basis. If the coolant levels are low, make sure you fill them back to their recommended amounts. 

Tip #3: Check the spark plugs

If your truck feels like it is losing power, it could be that the spark plugs need to be changed. If you change the spark plugs and it doesn’t help, the plugs may have coils on them that need to be replaced. 

To learn about properly insuring your truck, call Colling Insurance Services Inc. serving the Lakewood, CO area. 

What is the USA Federal Requirement for Home Insurance?

Home insurance is something that every homeowner needs to have, even if they have paid off their home entirely. For those in the Lakewood, CO area, the agents with Colling Insurance Services can help you find out just what coverage you need.

There is no real federal agency that monitors insurance on homes, but there is a requirement that if you owe money on your home, regarding a loan or a mortgage, you are required to hold home insurance to help protect the interest of the lender. In most cases, this requirement is not regulated by any laws but rather by the individual lender and their stipulations.

It is important that with any home insurance policy it is tailored to your home and the specific value of your home. The biggest issue is making sure that your policy covers your home adequately and that it covers your home fully as well. The main issue when it comes to your home is making sure that you have enough coverage for both your actual home and for the contents of your home as well. Having home insurance is wonderful but if you do not have the right amount it can become virtually useless.

Your agents can help you decide what coverage, what policy and what type of insurance you need to be fully covered and to be sure that your home meets the requirement s of your lender. Since homes are so different, there is no way to make a regulated amount that should be paid, or that should be covered. Rather, lenders simply require that you have the appropriate coverage before they allow you to take out a loan on your home. The agents with Colling Insurance Services Inc. can help those in the Lakewood, CO area find the right policy for you.  

3 Reasons to Purchase Home Insurance Today

Purchasing a home insurance policy is a large undertaking and something that certainly should not be taken lightly. For those who may be in the process of purchasing a home, taking some time to research home insurance companies today can save you tons of time and trouble later. That said, the following is a closer look at three reasons residents of Lakewood, CO should purchase home insurance today. 

Mandatory

As aforementioned, purchasing a home insurance policy is essentially mandatory in most states. Rather than waiting until your mortgage company demands to see proof of insurance before purchasing a policy, purchase the policy beforehand and save yourself some much-need time. 

Theft/Burglary Protection

In addition to that, purchasing a policy also protects your home against theft and burglary related damages. For instance, if a burglar breaks into your home, causes damage to the door or other areas of your home in the process, as well as breaks and/or steals some of your belongings, you can potentially be paid for everything that was damaged from the time the burglar step onto your premises. 

Peace of Mind

Lastly, one of the top benefits of purchasing a high-quality home insurance policy is the peace of mind that comes along with knowing your home is protected. With the ability to protect your home against natural disasters, burglaries, thefts, and much more, purchasing a home insurance policy is the best way to protect your home for the long haul. 

Let Colling Insurance Services Inc. assist you! A premier company in Lakewood, CO, Colling Insurance Services Inc. has everything you need to protect your home from today forward. Contact us today and find out how to start your policy and save!