How to Ensure Boating is Safe for The Whole Family

Boating is a lot of fun but can be dangerous. Fortunately, taking the proper safety precautions may significantly mitigate risks and ensure a safe experience for your family. Having adequate safety gear, carrying the right boat insurance, and safe driving practices, among other things, can help. Need boating insurance? Contact Front Range Insurance Services, serving Littleton, CO, and other areas nearby.

Life Jackets Are a Must

Even the best human swimmers are nowhere near as good at swimming as a dolphin or your average fish. We’re land-based animals; our bodies are built for life on land. As a result, it’s also relatively easy for people to drown or end up injured while on the water.

Life jackets can prevent drowning. In worst-case scenarios, a life jacket will keep you afloat until emergency services can respond. If an injury does occur, boating insurance may cover the medical bills.

Ensure Stable Communication

If a medical event or accident occurs, you’ll want to contact the authorities immediately. Having a waterproof smartphone is a great idea. If you use your boat in areas with poor reception, you should consider picking up a satellite phone. These phones communicate directly with satellites. After contacting authorities and rescue services, you may also want to contact your boating insurance provider.

Carry Boaters Insurance

Unfortunately, accidents and other emergencies can happen. You might not be at fault and may have done everything right. Still, if an accident or similar event occurs, you and your family could face significant medical costs, repair bills, legal cases, and more. It’s even possible that your family will end up in dire financial straits.

You can protect your family and mitigate risks by carrying the right boating insurance. Insurance is crucial for ensuring your family’s well-being.

Operating Your Boat Safely

Boats are, in many ways, more challenging to drive than cars. Waves, wind, and other hazards can sink boats and cause severe issues. The typical boat also needs more time to slow down than your average car. Exercising safe driving habits is crucial to reduce the risk of accidents.

You’ll want to ensure you’re covered by boating insurance if an accident occurs. Contact Front Range Insurance Services in Littleton, CO, and other nearby areas to learn more about insurance.

What You should know about personal injury protection (PIP) insurance

Known as No-Fault Insurance, Personal Injury Protection Insurance (PIP) helps cover certain expenses after a car crash. We at Front Range Insurance Services want our Littleton, CO clients to understand it and how it changes for Colorado residents.

What Does PIP Cover?

Personal Injury Protection coverage helps pay medical bills, compensates for work loss, helps with funeral costs, essential services, and replaces income for surviving dependents after a car accident. For some states, it is voluntary; for others, it is mandatory. Some states have no-fault conditions that apply.

What Doesn’t PIP Cover?

Personal Injury Protection insurance will not cover the other driver’s medical bills, property damage, accident injuries where you were paid to drive the vehicle, or injuries that happened while you committed a crime.

Current Role of PIP in Colorado

Up until 2003, Colorado was classified as a no-fault insurance state and could receive benefits from their insurance if they suffered an accident with injuries. Today, there is a shift to a tort-based system, which means that the victims are now required to get benefits from the driver at fault.

PIP insurance is no longer required in Colorado as it once was. While this means a decrease in some policy charges, it also means more paperwork should you be making a claim.

Med Pay in Colorado is close to what PIP insurance was and will help victims with limited expenses no matter who is at fault. Med Pay is Colorado’s answer to PIP.

Colorado Minimum Requirements

  • $25,000 per person/ $50,000 per accident bodily injury
  • $15,000 property damage liability
  • $5,000 MEDPAY (medical payment) coverage

Front Range Insurance Services are here for you if you have other questions on insurance services in the Littleton, CO area. Give us a call or come by the office today!

Minimizing Risks, Maximizing Fun With Recreation Insurance

Recreation, especially outdoor recreation, entails risks even if you play it safe. Here’s how to manage liability risks outdoors and still have fun.

No one wants to think about things like liability when they’re having fun in the great outdoors of Colorado. But trips can be dangerous and fun, and those dangers can bite the unwary. Front Range Insurance Services, serving Littleton, CO, can help you get the most out of your vacation while avoiding pitfalls.

Remember to be aware of your surroundings.

This is always one of the most important ways to take care of your responsibilities in the great outdoors and indoors. Awareness is good liability sense and ensures that your vacation won’t be interrupted by a dangerous and frightening trip to the hospital.

Safe tenting and vehicle parking is a must.

A parked vehicle in an unstable place can lead to dangerous situations and a talk with your insurance agent in a place that might have spotty cell reception. You want to avoid that. Park motorcycles and cars on hard-packed, level ground. In wild country, please choose an area to park with minimal brush, especially when it’s dry out, as it is so often.

Carry documentation of your insurance.

If you have recreation insurance covering your trip, ensure you have documentation of it in a safe, easy-to-find, waterproof pouch so that you always have it on hand. Don’t assume that you’ll be able to find it when you need it in an emergency – adrenaline has a way of blanking memory when it’s the least convenient.

Talk to Front Range Insurance Services in Littleton, CO today about affordable recreation insurance for your next trip.

Don’t Let Your Boat Remain Unprotected – Purchase Boat Insurance

Do you enjoy boating in the summer? Do you live in or around the Littleton, CO area? Front Range Insurance Services can provide the boat insurance you need to ensure your fun continues all summer.

Boat insurance can provide coverage for the unexpected. It can include coverage for damage to your boat and its equipment, in addition to injuries to others and damage to their property or other boats.

Boat insurance will cover most crafts with sails or engines, but not all boat insurance will cover boating toys, such as Jet Skis.

Similar to car insurance, boat insurance can be customized to fit your needs and budget restrictions. The boat’s type, size, value, and age can determine the best coverage for you.

Even in states where boat insurance is not required, it is a good idea to have it. Why? Financial security. If an incident occurs, you will be responsible for the deductible. Insurance covers the remainder. Without insurance coverage, you will be responsible for paying out of pocket for the full cost of the repairs to your boat or someone else’s, any legal costs, or other individuals’ medical expenses.

Most boat insurance policies will cover the following:

  • Bodily injury to you or someone else
  • Property damage to your boat resulting from vandalism or theft
  • Property damage by your boat to another boat if you are at fault

While your boat is stored during the winter months, it is a good idea to keep it insured. It is protected in the event of a fire, theft, or other damage that can occur. Make sure your investment is protected year-round.

The insurance professionals at Front Range Insurance Services can provide a no-obligation quote or answer any questions you may have. Contact our office today.

Why Do I Need Motorcycle Insurance?

Motorcycle insurance is like any other insurance that protects you against loss after an unfortunate event. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand the need for motorcycle insurance until an accident occurs — and the results are dire. If you are a bike rider, it’s essential to know that motorcycle insurance is something you are not only required to carry but is beneficial to you. We want to shed some light on why you need motorcycle insurance at Front Range Insurance Services.

Compliance with the law

The Colorado law requires you to carry at least a minimum of liability coverage before you ride on your motorbike. Failure to have motorcycle insurance means you risk hefty penalties, including fines or license suspension. Mandatory requirement is probably the obvious reason why most people have motorcycle insurance.

Protects you from liabilities

Riding a bike is fun but has its fair share of risks. No matter how careful you may be, accidents are likely to happen, especially if you ride often. The damage and injuries to a third party may be dire and attract thousands of dollars. That’s why you need motorcycle insurance to handle these expenses.

Property damage

Your bike is an investment that does not come cheap. In the case of an accident, repairs may cost thousands of dollars, which may take time to fix if you don’t have finances. However, motorcycle insurance gets your bike repaired quickly.

Covers your injuries

With the right coverage, your medical insurance covers your hospital expenses regardless of who is at fault. Medical expenses can pile up so quickly and could cost you a pretty significant amount.

Motorcycle insurance in Littleton, CO

There are so many reasons why you need motorcycle insurance. Even for your peace of mind is enough reason to purchase one. Are you looking for motorcycle insurance in the Littleton, CO, area? Contact Front Range Insurance Services for a quote.

Important life insurance information for Littleton families

Littleton, CO families have a great insurance resource in Front Range Insurance Services. Our team is dedicated to helping our community with its insurance needs. If you have questions about life insurance, we are here to answer them. Give us a call or swing by our office today.

Life insurance information for area families

If you have a young family, life insurance is essential to have. There are many benefits to carrying a policy to protect your family. Some of the main benefits that people cite when discussing how life insurance helped them are:

  • Fewer disruptions to their children’s lives – if a parent dies unexpectedly, a family is thrown into upheaval. The stress and confusion can be lessened when the family has the financial security that life insurance can provide.
  • Being able to stay in the family home – when a parent dies, especially if they were the sole or primary earner, financial hardship can become a reality. Life insurance can help children maintain some stability during a tough time in their lives. 
  • The ability to help with significant life expenses like college tuition or a down payment for a first home – with a whole life policy, there are living benefits that can benefit families throughout their lives. The cash value accumulated with a life policy can help with major expenses. 

We are here to help!

Front Range Insurance Services is the insurance agency that families in the Littleton, CO area can rely on. Life insurance is an effective tool that can help protect your family. If you’d like to learn more, call our office or stop by today and meet with one of our team members

We look forward to seeing you soon!

What kinds of businesses need commercial insurance?

Having commercial insurance is always a good idea for any business. There is always the possibility of accidents, lawsuits, theft, damaged goods or products, and other losses based on the specific line of work and industry. A commercial insurance policy is sometimes the only way for a business to receive the kind of financial protection it needs to handle these problems and continue operations. Here are a few types of businesses that can benefit from a policy provided by Front Range Insurance Services in the Littleton, CO area.  

Businesses that have vehicles and drivers

Companies with workers who drive cars or trucks should have commercial insurance. Motor vehicle accidents are a common problem, and this is why general liability insurance is always required for drivers. If the company deals with shipping large orders in semi trucks or other large vehicles, these accidents can be especially devastating. 

Any business that has a property or retail space

Businesses are generally liable for any accidents or injuries in the spaces they own and operate. This includes warehouses where workers can sustain injuries or retail spaces where customers can potentially get hurt. A commercial insurance policy can help pay for the person’s injuries if a lawsuit arises. 

Professional services

Professionals, from lawyers to accountants to doctors, are all exposed to liability. This can be due to mistakes, malpractice, or other types of harm sustained by anyone who has used the services of the individual or firm. 

Getting started with a commercial insurance policy

People in the Littleton, CO area who need more information about commercial insurance can contact Front Range Insurance Services through this website or by phone. Our agents are available to answer any additional questions and set up a policy that is right for any business.

Do I need to be a business owner to purchase umbrella insurance?

Our team at Front Range Insurance Services is committed to helping our Littleton, CO customers understand how various types of insurance work. This includes umbrella insurance. Many customers may not fully understand this type of insurance. Fortunately, umbrella insurance is available to non-business owners and business owners and can provide an extra layer of coverage. 

What is Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance is backup or extra insurance that provides coverage beyond your primary insurance. In short, it covers incidents that go beyond the scope of your primary insurance and incidents that aren’t covered by your primary insurance. This type of insurance also provides coverage for property damage, injuries, personal liability situations, and lawsuits. Coverage for umbrella insurance typically starts at one million dollars.

What’s Required to Obtain Umbrella Insurance?

You don’t have to be a business owner to qualify for umbrella insurance. However, you do have to carry liability insurance in general, employer, or commercial auto insurance. These types of coverage are required to qualify for umbrella insurance. In short, you must carry a minimum amount of auto/property liability insurance before you’re eligible for umbrella insurance. Carrying homeowners insurance can also qualify you for umbrella insurance. 

However, keep in mind that having all the qualifying coverage from your primary insurance policy or policies doesn’t automatically give you access to umbrella insurance. If an insurance company considers you a risk, they can deny you umbrella insurance. If you have questions about umbrella insurance, give us a call. Our Front Range Insurance Services team would be happy to answer all of your questions. We’re standing by.

When are you legally required to buy flood insurance?

When you buy a home in Littleton, CO that lies within a flood zone marked A or V, you legally must purchase flood insurance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maps flood risk throughout the US and identifies properties as falling within one of 18 flood zones.

You don’t have to study a map to determine which zone your property lies within. Your home purchase documents identify the property as a flood risk if it sits in zone A or V.

Your bank will typically require you to purchase a flood insurance policy before moving into your new home. Although legally, once you pay off your mortgage, you could drop your flood coverage, Front Range Insurance Services encourages you not to do so.

Floods happen every day throughout the US. The average flood cost per homeowner is $43,000. That’s what it costs to repair the water damage, rebuild and replace furniture, clothes, and other home contents. If you don’t want to spend $43,000 to replace nearly everything you own, keeping the flood insurance after paying off your mortgage makes good sense.

As long as your bank or other lending institution holds Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) coverage, you must carry a flood insurance policy if your property falls within a high-risk flood zone, just as it will require homeowners’ insurance.

Contact Front Range Insurance Services in Littleton, CO, about getting flood insurance for your home or business. Ask us about contents only or structure only coverage if you rent your domicile or offer your home for rent. Let us help you get the coverage you need to meet the law’s requirements and protect your financial investment.

Types of recreational insurance in Littleton, CO

Recreational vehicles are not "one size fits all." Your insurance shouldn’t be either.

Front Range Insurance Services knows that recreational insurance should be as personalized as your ride itself. Serving Littleton, CO, the agency can create a policy that best meets your needs and keeps you protected.

Below, Front Range Insurance Services and their experts explain three different types of motorhomes in order to find the right coverage for you.

Fifth Wheels & Trailers

"Pull behind" recreational vehicles don’t have motors. For this reason, towable campers, trailers, and RVs are usually less expensive to insure. But this means that protection is limited too. Even if you choose full coverage, most accidents and other on-the-road incidents are excluded. These would be included under the towing vehicle’s insurance policy instead.

Motorhomes

Not all recreational vehicles are created equal. Motorhomes are usually placed into one of three categories, depending on size, cost, and amenities. Yet it doesn’t matter whether your RV is Class A, B, or C, motorhomes require the same coverage as any other vehicle on the road. In Colorado, this includes liability and property damage insurance at a minimum.

Full-timers

Anyone that lives in a recreational vehicle is considered a "full-timer." This classification calls for a specific type of insurance. These insurance plans are more comparable to renters’ or homeowners’ policies. If your belongings are damaged, lost, or stolen, these protections kick in. Loss of use is equally important. If you are forced to temporarily relocate, this may reimburse some of the added expenses you incur.

Consult an agent serving Littleton, CO

Front Range Insurance Services know that you need the right coverage before you hit the open road. Luckily, their professional agents can find a policy to ensure you’re protected. Schedule an appointment today.