Category Archives: Insurance

Offering Health Insurance Benefits for Employees

No law in the state of Colorado requires an employer to provide health insurance for the employees of the business; however, most employers do provide this insurance coverage.

However, under Colorado law, most people, with some exceptions, are required to have health insurance if they live in the state of Colorado as a resident. This means if they do not have health insurance from their employer, they must get their own coverage unless they are exempt.

The exemptions in Colorado are:

  • Short-Term Visitors: Anyone in the state for less than three months is not required to have health insurance.
  • Low Income: People below the limit required for filing federal taxes and those who would have to pay more than 8% of their income for health insurance do not have to buy it. They get Medicaid coverage for free instead.
  • Other Exemptions: People who are not legally in the United States, those who are incarcerated, members of federally-recognized tribes, certain religious members, and those with hardships who apply for an exemption.

Health Insurance Consultation

For business owners who desire to provide health insurance for their employees and for those who are looking on their own for health insurance coverage for themselves and their families, consult with an agent at Colling Insurance Services Inc. serving Lakewood, CO, and the surrounding area.

Your agent will help you explore the options and bring some clarity to the variety of health insurance program choices for you to consider. The agents keep up with all the constant, ongoing changes, so you do not have to be concerned that you are making a bad decision when you work with an expert in health insurance.

To get help with all of your health insurance needs, contact your agent at Colling Insurance Services Inc. in Lakewood, CO for a health insurance review and to get a quote.

Can I purchase dental insurance by itself in Lakewood, CO or does it have to go with a health insurance policy?

If you or a family member isn’t getting dental insurance through an employer you have to go to the marketplace to find a policy. If you already have a health insurance policy, will that interfere with your purchase of dental insurance? Do you have to purchase dental with regular health insurance, or can you purchase a dental plan by itself?

If you live in Lakewood, CO and need dental insurance, you actually have a choice as to how you decide to purchase it. At Colling Insurance Services Inc., we can help you find a plan that works with what you already have, or we can help you find a whole new plan. 

If your health plan includes dental, you will pay one premium to get all the services offered by your comprehensive plan. If you choose a stand-alone policy, you will have two different premiums. You can even choose dental coverage at a completely different company than the one one that services your health insurance.

Dental insurance is an essential benefit for children, but not adults, so health insurance plans must offer coverage to minors either as part of a comprehensive plan or as a stand-alone plan. Sadly, dental insurance isn’t considered essential for adults.

When choosing your plan, you will probably have to choose a higher premium with lower copayments and deductibles or a lower premium with higher copayments and deductibles. Think about whether you want to pay less every month and then pay more for services.

If you live in Lakewood, CO, you have choices when it comes to dental insurance. Call Colling Insurance Services Inc. today so we can help you explore your options.

Do You Need Toy Insurance?

If you own “grownup” toys like snowmobiles, ATVs, watercraft vehicles and others, you’d do well to consider toy insurance to protect your valuable investment. Toy insurance from Colling Insurance Services Inc. in Lakewood, CO can protect your pricey toy from theft, accidental damage or total loss in a serious accident or disaster. What kind of protection can you obtain for your recreational toy?

Liability: If you cause an accident that hurts other drivers or damages other people’s vehicles while riding your recreational toy, liability insurance can help pay for damages. Liability will also protect you if the injured party sues for damages.

Collision: Collision coverage covers repairs to your toy if you crash into the side of a mountain, hit a tree or collide with another vehicle during your joy rides. With toys, there’s always the risk of accidents. Better to be safe with adequate coverage than being found lacking and have to pay for costly repairs out-of-pocket.

Comprehensive: Comprehensive insurance compensates you if your toy is stolen, vandalized or damaged by fire or inclement weather. It also covers damage to your ATV if you accidentally strike an animal.  

Uninsured/underinsured Motorist: If a situation arises where your ATV is hit by another driver who has insufficient or no insurance coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance will help for your damages.

Although ATV insurance isn’t mandatory in Colorado, consider what you stand to lose without it. Recreational toys like ATVs pose a high risk of accidents. Lack of coverage puts you at risk of financial loss whether you’re responsible for or the victim of a serious accident. Protecting your toys with toy insurance keeps you and your toys safe from the worst of circumstances.

For customized toy insurance coverage at affordable costs, contact Colling Insurance Services Inc. in Lakewood, CO today.

Why do you need RV insurance?

Your hard work is evidenced through the possessions you have managed to accumulate over the years. One big investment that proves beneficial for you and the family is your RV. What would happen, though, if the motor home that you worked hard to acquire in Lakewood, CO was involved in an auto accident or completely destroyed by other means? These possibilities and more are why you need an RV indemnity plan offered by Colling Insurance Services Inc. 

What is RV insurance?

RV insurance is similar to traditional car insurance. The central difference between the two indemnity policies, however, is the type of assets they protect. Traditional car insurance is designed to protect owners who drive motor vehicles on the highways and in the city. RV insurance, on the other hand, is meant to protect motor homeowners who may cross state lines during family road trips.

Is RV insurance required?

Contrary to what some may believe, RV insurance is required if you drive your vessel in Lakewood, CO. The state of Colorado requires all drivers to show proof of liability insurance that includes at least $25,000 worth of coverage for bodily injury per person, or $50,000 per accident, along with $15,000 for property damage. You may consider purchasing more than the minimum if you operate an RV. 

How much RV insurance do you need?

The amount of RV insurance you need heavily depends on your lifestyle. Those who do not drive their vessels often may find less coverage more ideal. Meanwhile, families who travel several times throughout the year may need more RV coverage. 

It is best to contact an agent at Colling Insurance Services Inc. if you have questions about RV insurance. Call today to get started with a quote! 

What Lakewood, CO Boat Owners Know About Insurance

Boat ownership is often considered when it comes to family outings and certain tourism locations.  Prospective buyers might want more information about boat insurance and the planning that goes into the process.  Having an experienced team at an agency is important and Colling Insurance Services, Inc. is proud to be there to answer your questions about boat insurance.  Serving the Lakewood, CO area, the agency offers numerous other types of insurance and our friendly staff is available to walk you through some options.

Colling Insurance Services, Inc. has an experienced staff that is available to discuss your new boat purchase for insurance planning purposes.  Other considerations could include the following:

  • Storage and winterizing may be a few considerations with boat ownership.
  • Options for storage areas have been improving and many new places are now available at the site location or near the more common boating areas.
  • Insurance planning can be helpful with the process of determining the size and options of a boat that may be best for you.
  • The trailer size is something you will want to know for storage rentals.  It can be helpful to have an experienced insurance agency available to discuss some of these options with boat ownership, storage, and insurance.

Lakewood, CO is a wonderful place to own a boat and enjoy the tourism areas available to people who want to be out on the water.  Colling Insurance Services, Inc. offers insurance for owners and is experienced going through the process with those purchasing a new boat.  You can call us once you decide on the make and model of your new boat or correspond with us when reviewing your options.  Contact our staff with any questions or visit our office to discuss your new amazing purchase.

 

When should someone get umbrella insurance?

To ensure that you will be able to withstand any type of accident that you are responsible for, having liability insurance is very important. Most people in the Lakewood, CO area will have some level of liability coverage through their home and auto policies. However, there are situations when someone should also get an additional umbrella insurance policy, which will give additional liability coverage.

You Want More Coverage

One situation in which someone in the Lakewood, CO area may want to have umbrella insurance coverage is if they want additional liability coverage. While you can get a good amount of coverage through your home and auto policies, it may not be enough to cover you for all accidents. If you are concerned about being involved in an accident that could cause even more damage, you should get umbrella insurance as it will give you additional coverage on top of the base policy.

Other Liability Risks

Getting umbrella insurance is also a good idea if you are at risk for liability claims that fall outside of home and auto insurance. If you work in a profession or have a hobby that comes with some liability risk, getting the umbrella insurance policy will be helpful. This type of insurance will give you coverage for situations that may not be covered by your home and auto policies.

If you believe that getting more liability protection through an umbrella insurance policy is right for you and your situation, you should contact the insurance professionals at Colling Insurance Services Inc. When you reach out to the insurance professionals at Colling Insurance Services Inc. you will learn more about how this type of liability coverage can protect you. They can then help you figure out how much coverage you need to make sure that you have an appropriate level of coverage for your situation. 

Understanding the Different Types of Life Insurance

The main advantage of a life insurance policy is, of course, its death benefit. This feature protects our families in the event that a breadwinner or caretaker dies unexpectedly leaving a family behind. But did you know that there are also life insurance policy types that provide living benefits as well? If you are looking for a way to meet major financial obligations than it’s time to take a look at whole life, universal, and variable life. Term life is a good option for families and individuals looking to cover their estate and funeral costs and is the appropriate choice in many situations. The team at Colling Insurance Services Inc. wants the greater Lakewood, CO community to know about all of the different types of life insurance in order to help them determine which is the right fit for their needs.

Different Types of Life Insurance

  • Term – this is the most basic type of life insurance and offers a death benefit equal to the policy level typically over a term of up to 30 years. There are no additional benefits.
  • Whole life – offers a death benefit as well as a cash value that can be accessed during life. Earns interest over the life of the policy at a rate established at the time of the policy purchase.
  • Variable life – can increase at a rate determined by the insurance company, however, there is no guaranteed policy cash value.

Is it time for you to consider life insurance with more features than just a death benefit? The helpful agents at Colling Insurance Services Inc. are here to guide residents in the greater Lakewood, CO area in their quest to find the right policy for their needs. Call or stop by today!

When is the best time to buy long term care insurance?

If you plan on retiring in Lakewood, CO, you may be looking at your options already. Many people have heard of long term care insurance, but don’t know a lot about it. If you have questions, our agents at Colling Insurance Services Inc. can help.

Why Get Long Term Care Insurance? 

You may be hoping to leave some of your assets to loved ones or continue to use the money yourself. Long term care insurance provides a way to protect those assets. You can get care where you want without risking all of your own money. 

When Should I Purchase My Long Term Care Policy? 

As with other kinds of insurance, you can save money by getting a policy as early as possible. Your premiums will be less every month if you take advantage as soon as possible. 

Another important consideration is that about two out of five individuals who need long term care are working adults between the ages of 18 and 64. Long term care doesn’t just help older people; it can help in other situations when you end up needing long term care. Most people think they won’t need help until they are older, but due to illness or accidents, sometimes they need help earlier. 

It’s Never Too Early 

When you purchase your long term care insurance through Colling Insurance Services Inc., we will help you choose the best features to fit your needs and help you look for any eligible discounts. If you live around Lakewood, CO and are thinking about purchasing long term care insurance for yourself or a loved one, please feel free to call today. 

Does Health Insurance Cover Prescriptions?

Health insurance does a great deal to make sure you are healthy and that you are able to pay for medical expenses. Health insurance pays a part of most medical procedures and even pays in full for a range of visits as well. It is important that you know what your health insurance coverage is. For those in the Lakewood, CO area, the agents with Colling Insurance Services Inc. can help you find the best insurance coverage possible.

Health insurance covers a huge range of things, including prescriptions in some cases. Though your insurance might not cover your prescriptions fully, there is a huge range of policies that do help reduce the cost of your prescriptions. In most cases, insurance will cover a portion of your prescription cost and it may pay fully for some prescriptions. It is always helpful to take the time to speak with an agent to find out what your policy covers, and what you might need to change about your coverage. You can get some insurance plans that are specifically made to help cover more on prescriptions and to help make prescriptions even more affordable.

Health insurance is vital and you do have to be covered under law but it also does help to make taking your medications a bit more affordable. Insurance can make a big difference in how easy it is for you to afford your medications and to start to get better or healthier. Insurance can make a big difference in the cost of your medical treatment and knowing what your coverage is going to do for you. For those that live in the Lakewood, CO area, the agents with Colling Insurance Services Inc. can help you to get the best prescription coverage for your needs.

 

Dental Insurance FAQ

Everyone wants to have a beautiful smile with bright teeth, and the best way to get and maintain that smile is to visit your Lakewood, CO dentist regularly. Before you go, you may have some questions about your Colling Insurance Services, Inc. Dental insurance policy. Here are the three most common questions about dental insurance. 

Is a dental discount plan the same as a dental insurance plan? No. A dental discount plan is like a membership club where you pay a fee and receive a discount. The plan does not reimburse your Lakewood, CO dentist. A dental insurance plan is an actual insurance – after meeting any deductibles and co-pays, the insurance company reimburses the dentist for their costs. 

Are routine checkups and cleanings covered by dental insurance? Yes. Most dental insurance plans cover routine exams, cleanings, X-rays, and any other preventive dental care you will need in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Some may cover everything without going out-of-pocket, but others may require a copay for the services. One of the main perks of having dental insurance is that by getting regular checkups and cleanings you can reduce the risk of having more serious problems later.  

Does dental insurance cover more serious dental needs? Yes. Most dental insurance policies cover fillings, extractions, and root canals if needed. Which services are or aren’t covered as well as how much your insurance policy will pay can vary a lot from plan to plan. In order to ensure your dental needs are covered, check the fine print in your policy before you purchase a dental insurance plan. 

Not sure which dental insurance plan is right for you? Call Colling Insurance Services, Inc. today for help getting the perfect policy for your unique needs.