Boat insurance is an investment that gives you coverage if anything were to happen to your boat. It usually involves vessels that have motors, such as yachts, fishing boats, or speedboats. Kayaks, catamarans, and other personal watercrafts are not normally covered.

Homeowner’s Policy and Boat Coverage

Homeowner’s policies provide limited coverage for your water vehicle. If you think you are completely covered under your homeowner’s insurance, you are probably underinsured. Having boat insurance will give you security whether you are docked or at shore. In addition, the dock or marina where your boat is kept may require you to carry additional boat insurance.

Items That May Be Covered

There are a few things to consider before purchasing boat insurance. Knowing what kind of coverage you will need may make a difference in the type of policy you choose. Depending on the type of water vessel you own, you may need:

• Property Damage Liability – is available if you cause damage to another boater’s vessel or other property.
• Collision – is used if there is damage to your boat. You may receive actual cash value or replacement value of your boat depending on your policy.
• Comprehensive Coverage – is for those who are at risk of having their property vandalized or stolen.
• Bodily Injury Liability – can offer relief if another person is injured as a result of your negligence while on your boat.
• Optional Plans – can cover salvage removal, towing, medical payments, wear and tear, roadside assistance, and damage caused by a boater that is uninsured.

Colling Insurance Services Inc. maintains independent insurance agents in Lakewood, Colorado who understand the importance of having boat insurance. These agents are also available to research options for you if you are thinking about starting a new plan or making changes to your current policy.

RV storage is a regular part of owning and RV. Unless and RV owner has a big spread of property and a sizable driveway, or a back barn area as some do on a rancher type plot, storage of an RV in a rental facility is going to be the more likely solution. Some neighborhoods are very picky with their HOA rules and restrictions, so owners have no choice but to utilize a storage place for parking and RV when not in use. That in turn raises a number of risks.

Parking an RV for an extended period of time in a remote location makes it a target, especially if not registered. Local thieves are well aware that RVs often travel with an assortment of appliances to make it a "home away from home." Those appliances then become valuable for a thief to help himself to, and parked RV theft is unlikely to be reported right away. So it’s an ideal situation for a thief.

The extent of coverage that will be provided by an RV insurance policy depends heavily on whether the RV owner chose an option that included personal damage and loss. Not every insurance policy does so, and lower cost plans tend to leave out personal loss and focus more on just liability. So it’s important for an RV owner to read his current plan carefully before storage and, if additional protection is needed, get the current plan amended or initiate a new, replacement policy. Trying to solve this issue after an RV has been stripped is going to end up being an out-of-pocket loss.

RV owners in the Lakewood, CO area can easily get good advice on storage risk and other issues specific to RVs from Colling Insurance Services Inc. Our agents are well versed on RV property loss issues, storage resources, and how property insurance works for an RV owner. Call us to find out more.

If you are wondering about umbrella insurance and are in the Lakewood, CO area, come on into Colling Insurance Services, Inc. and you will find friendly and knowledgeable agents ready to answer all of your questions. 

In the meantime, here is a quick look at some of the things that it might do for you.

• Bodily Injury – If you happen to cause injuries in a vehicular accident and their medical bills go over the limits of your vehicle insurance, having an umbrella policy can ensure that you don’t pick up the tab.  Also, say you have an electrician doing some work in your home and they fall and injure themselves on your property.  Your homeowner’s insurance should take care of their medical bills but in the event that their bills exceed the limits of your policy, an umbrella policy can step in here and pick up the difference.  Even if you are out for a walk with your dog and he bites someone, the umbrella insurance policy is good for that too.
• Property Damage – If there is a car accident involving property that gets damaged, your umbrella policy will pick up what the auto insurance policy doesn’t.  It also covers other things that might not be covered by an auto or homeowner’s insurance policy.
• Legal Damages – If you happen to be sued for slander or libel, this type of policy can protect you.  It can also be helpful in instances of violation of privacy, false arrest, or even malicious prosecution as well as a few other civil issues.  It can also take care of legal fees if you are involved in a lawsuit. 

For these reasons and more, it is essential that you have a great umbrella insurance policy.  Stop by Collin Insurance Services, Inc. today to find out more.

At Colling Insurance Services, Inc. we understand that purchasing insurance is a little complicated for the average person. They aren’t familiar with the industry lingo that governs the policy. If you are like the average person, when it comes to purchasing insurance, you may purchase the least expensive insurance possible, and not understand the risks you expose yourself to as a result of focusing solely on costs. If you’ve done this in the past, umbrella insurance may be able to help you cover deficits.

Umbrella Insurance Is Portable

One of the many benefits of purchasing a personal umbrella policy is the fact that it’s portable. In fact, you get more than portability with umbrella insurance. You can use umbrella insurance with any type of policy. In essence, your umbrella insurance may help you cover the costs of fending off lawsuits.

Umbrella Insurance Offer Flexible Coverage Options

Another feature your traditional insurance and umbrella insurance share is coverage flexibility. You can choose the amount of your policy based on the risks you want to insure against. Umbrella insurance places you in the driver seat because you can choose to have the amount of coverage you need, when you need it.

Umbrella Insurance Saves You Money

Lawsuits payouts are growing each year. With hundreds of people getting millions in lawsuit settlement, the cost of an umbrella insurance lawsuit could result in you losing everything you own. Instead of paying hefty lawsuit settlements, with the financial backing of your insurance provider, you may find that you aren’t alone when you have umbrella insurance.

At Colling Insurance Services, Inc. our team of licensed insurance agents can pair umbrella insurance with your auto insurance, professional liability insurance, or homeowner’s insurance to ensure you have enough just in case you get sued. If you are in and around the Lakewood, CO area, we are happy to help you understand the ins and outs of umbrella insurance.

Colorado is one of the most beautiful states in the country to travel around and there may be no better way to do it than on a motorcycle. So if you live in a place like Lakewood, Colorado and own a motorcycle, you will probably be using it to see the sights on a regular basis. Which means you will need some kind of motorcycle insurance, usually as much as possible. Consider setting up a policy with a local agent like Colling Insurance Services, Inc. for the following reasons.

PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY

In the event you have an accident on a motorcycle, you will probably end up in the hospital and could be dealing with some very serious and expensive medical care. You will need a well rounded insurance policy to cover all of this so that you and your family don’t end up spending a small fortune on medical bills. You should also have some coverage for damage the accident may do to another motorist, as you and your family could be sued in the event of an accident, which can also be incredibly costly in the long run.

PROTECT YOUR BIKE

To most motorcyclists, their motorcycle is like another family member. So you will want to take care of it and have some sort of policy in place to protect it and pay for any damage that may occur when there is an accident, whether it’s a big or small one. This works much the same way car insurance does, in that the motorcycle will pay for anything over the deductible you establish on your policy.

PROTECT FROM FINES

Also, not having any form of motorcycle insurance is punishable by a ticket from the police. So since you’re basically going to have to get it anyway, make sure you get the right amount of it.

Life insurance is something that most people consider at some point in their life. However, it can be difficult to really determine if you need it and if you do, how much you actually need. It is also something that many people do not want to think about very often but it can be necessary. Before you go out and purchase life insurance, use these questions to help determine how much you need and if you should purchase it right now.

• Do you have debt? If you have a substantial amount of debt to pay for, then you may want to get enough life insurance to cover the costs so that someone in your family does not have to take on the burden after you pass. 
• Do you have family members who rely on your salary to survive? If you are responsible for taking care of someone, whether it is a spouse, a child, or a parent, then you will want to make sure you have enough life insurance to take care of them in the case that you were no longer there. Make sure you have enough to take care of them until they can get back on their feet. 
• Do you have money to take care of funeral arrangements? After you die, if you are wanting a funeral, to be buried, or even be cremated, then you should make sure you have enough money in your life insurance policy to pay for those expenses so someone doesn’t have to do it for you. 

If you would like to look at your options for your life insurance, you should contact us at Colling Insurance Services, Inc. It can be difficult to figure out the right amount and we would be happy to explore all of your options with you. 

With summer right around the corner, many are eager to get outside and enjoy some of their favorite past times. For those who live near waterfronts of all kinds, boating has remained a popular method of recreation for quite some time now. Before you start heading towards the beach, please take the following tips under consideration.  

Documentation Ready?

First and foremost, make sure that all of your documents in relation to the boat are up-to-date and readily available. Things change and expire all the time, to avoid any unnecessary complications, make sure that everything is is either current or that you renew it as soon as possible. 

Servicing the Boat

In addition to that, there are few things more important than having your boat serviced and making sure that it is fully operational. This can be quite a task depending on the size and model of your boat. Therefore, it may be your best bet to contact a professional to have them inspect your boat annually. This can be a bit costly, depending on which company you use. Nevertheless, you cannot put a price on safety. 

Get it Insured 

Lastly, make sure your boat is properly insured. Accidents happen. Given the grand nature of most boats and the propensity to cause massive damage, it is vital to ensure your boat is covered for any and all types of potential accidents. Contact Colling Insurance Services, Inc. today to speak with one of our independent agents. Proudly serving the Lakewood, CO area, call, email, or stop in to discuss the type of boat you have, your coverage concerns, and pick the policy that is most suitable for you. 

At times everyone needs a little help. Problems beset even those who seem to have so much. Colorado residents with no financial resources, family members or friends, face even more difficulties when bad times strike. Yet, there is always hope.

One reason people in this great state rarely quit is the knowledge that there are others willing to give of their time to help. Society, as a whole, benefits when volunteers give back to their communities.

Following are some ways to make the Lakewood, CO, area a better place through charitable work.

Give to a Food Bank

There are many in Colorado who go to sleep each night without having had a decent meal. A way to help this problem is to gather non-perishable foodstuffs and take them to a food bank. Families and individuals in need will then have enough to sustain them.

Donate Old Clothes

Clothes that may prove too small or a bit worn might be what another needs to wear during a cold winter or hot summer. Take these items to a clothes recycling facility, non-profit thrift store or shelter.

Give Blood

Accident victims and others in need of blood transfusions count on there being an adequate supply on hand. Give blood to ensure that there is always enough available to help those in need.

Adopt a Pet

Buying a pet from a store is a legitimate personal choice; however, there are animals that, for a variety of reasons, have no homes. Help provide them with a loving living environment by adopting from a local animal shelter.

Consider Giving a Form of Insurance and Talk with an Agent

Those who give of their time always feel better about life. They know that just as they help others, someone out there will do the same for them. This sense of security is also possible by purchasing adequate insurance to cover home, family and business.

Speak with the compassionate agents at Colling Insurance Services, Inc. serving Lakewood, CO, or visit the website to find a useful insurance quote feature.

You can be well read and still not know everything, so you go to the specialists. Even in a particular industry like the law, you go to someone who specializes in a particular area such as criminal versus family law. Insurance has its specialists, too, and even licenses follow lines like health versus casualty and fire. Another area of difference in insurance is a captive agent versus an independent. 

Insurance has a broad spectrum of coverage including automotive, life, homeowners, renters, commercial, small business, and long-term care.  Just as daunting can be the question of what kind of an agent do you want — independent or captive.  The definitions of each word tell you everything you need to know as one is not requiring or relying on others, and the alternate means to be held under the control of another but having the appearance of independence.

A captive agent represents only one carrier. Whatever the parent entity offers, including pricing, structure, products are what the captive agent has to offer you. So your costs are whatever the company makes available whereas an independent agent has a vast field of carriers to find the coverage you need at the rate you can live with.

Captive is about branding because that’s what you will buy, that and the relationship with the agent. The independent agency has to have a deeper well of knowledge to go to, and be quick and clever in finding the best coverage and pricing for their client. The independent agent can evaluate and develop a risk profile designed to protect the client.

When you deal with a captive agent, your costs are set by the company, and only go up or down based on the procedures and profiles from the corporation.  An independent isn’t tied to one carrier, so they represent different companies and offer more choices.

If you want the freedom to choose from your best options, then come to Colling Insurance Services, Inc. and talk to one of our independent insurance agents serving Denver.