Author: agentinsure

Ways To Prep Your Boat For Summer Fun

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For many people, summer is the best part of the year and there are so many things that you can do to have fun. A really popular way to have fun throughout the summer is with a boat, especially if you live near a body of water such as a lake or the ocean. With the weather heating up and the days getting longer, you probably cannot wait to actually get out on the water this summer. Before you do, though, there are a few things you should do to your boat to make sure it is as ready for all the fun as you are. Use these tips to get started.

  • Get a tune up for your boat. You should make it a habit to get a tune up every single year on your boat and this is the perfect time of year to do it so you always remember. 
  • Since you likely did not get your boat out at all in the winter, you will want to check your battery to make sure it is still strong. If it isn’t, make sure you get a new one so you can actually get on the water.
  • De-winterize your boat. If you winterized it before the cold weather, be sure to de-winterize it for the summer.
  • Make sure you have life jackets and a working fire extinguisher on board just in case you need it.

Even by doing all of these things, if you do not have a good boat insurance policy for your protection, then you are still not ready to get out on the water. Contact us at Front Range Insurance Services today for take a look at some options for you or even take a look at your current policy.

5 Techniques to Avoid Road Rage

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Managing your anger may not be easy with all of the aggressive drivers on the road. Road rage can lead to accidents, physical violence, and even death. Taming road rage is the first step to resolving conflicts. With the following techniques, your ride can be a much safer one.

1. Plan Your Drive In Advance

Leave your home or office a few minutes earlier or later to miss rush hour traffic. Standing in bumper-to-bumper traffic can cause tempers to rise. This could lead to aggressive driving and road rage.

2. Handle Tailgaters with Caution

When someone is following you too closely, resist the urge to slow down even further. This will aggravate the other driver and possibly start a conflict. You should move over into an adjacent lane when you notice a tailgater and let them pass.

3. Ignore Erratic Behavior

Don’t assume another person’s driving is about you. Just because they cut you off, does not mean that they knew what they were doing. They may be distracted or oblivious. Slow down, take a breath, and proceed with caution. If they are flying down the highway, allow them to get in front of you and reduce your speed until they are out of sight.

4. Following Behind Slow-Pokes

Even if you are not in a hurry, there always tends to be a slower driver that gets right in front of you. You should keep at least one car length in front of you in case they stop suddenly. Try moving into another lane or take an alternative route.

5. Parking Space Fights

You got there first, but another driver swoops in and takes your spot. It’s okay to let them have it. There is probably a parking space a few feet away. Take a deep breath and don’t confront the driver. They may have a weapon.

The Littleton, Colorado agents at Front Range Insurance Services are available to help you understand how you can avoid road rage. The agents can also provide quotes for new policies and offer information for those with existing coverage.

Littleton, CO: Protect Your Home From Emergencies

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Living in Littleton, CO can be a beautiful thing. There are gorgeous waters and sandy beaches, along with swaying palm trees, warm weather, and that brilliantly sunny, blue sky. It’s a picture-perfect, postcard kind of place. Still, even the best places can have bad weather from time to time, and Littleton is no exception. With the risk of tornadoes, hurricanes, and severe thunderstorms, it’s a good idea to make sure your house is ready for any kind of emergency that could occur.

One of the ways you can do that is to make sure you and your loved ones can see to get around safely in an emergency where the power goes out. Flashlights, battery operated lanterns, and flameless candles all work as guides to move around safely in the dark. By keeping these items and extra batteries stored within easy reach in each room, you can quickly find what you need. You may also want to have a battery operated or hand-crank radio, to get news and information about what might have caused the power outage.

Another thing you can do to protect your home from emergencies is make sure your homeowners’ policy is up to date. While that won’t stop a problem from happening, it can keep you from experiencing too much financial harm when you have to make repairs to your home after a hurricane, fire, or other type of event. When you get a home insurance policy from Front Range Insurance Services, you also get the peace of mind and personal service that comes from working with a local agent and company. That can be the best choice for any Littleton homeowner who wants to make sure they’re protected and that their home is ready for any emergency that may come their way.

Front Range Insurance Services Celebrates Those Who Give Back

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Front Range Insurance Services has been serving the Littleton, Colorado community for over ten years. Jessica Ceriani with her father Donald J. Striplin started the company in 2004. He always taught her the importance of giving back to the community. Donald is a frequent volunteer. Jessica is following along in his footsteps. This father/daughter team is amazing in what they have accomplished together.

Here are some ways to participate in community involvement in Littleton, Colorado:

Volunteer to Help – Volunteermatch.org shows hundreds of volunteer opportunities in Littleton, including fun things like helping the Colorado Wind Ensemble or helping out at the Carson Nature Center.

Help the Littleton City Government – The Bemis Library and Littleton Museum always need some volunteer help. There is also the unique program called the “Snow Squad,” which helps Littleton citizens over the age of sixty by shoveling the snow from their sidewalks when they are not able to do the task themselves.

Help at the Hospital – Littleton Adventist Hospital has plenty of volunteer opportunities. These are especially good for those going into the healthcare field.

Help a Horse in Need – For those who love horses, the place to help by donating money or by volunteering is the Zumas Rescue Ranch. They rescue abused and neglected horses. They bring them back to good health. They have a wonderful program working the horses with children that have learning disabilities and other problems.

Help Pandas – Littleton is the home of Pandas International, an organization dedicated to help preserve Pandas.

Therapy Animals – Denver Pet Partners takes therapy animals into hospitals to improve patients’ emotional well-being and speed recovery.

Summary
There are so many wonderful opportunities to get involved in community service in Littleton. Front Range Insurance Services has a great deal of admiration for those doing volunteer work. We feel that helping others with kindness, including with their insurance coverage, is our mission. Please contact us for any insurance needs.

Get a Winter Emergency Kit Ready for Your Car

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Few places in the United States see winters as harsh as Littleton, CO. If you’ll be driving in the area during the coldest months of the year, make sure you’re prepared for the snow and ice. Most people in Colorado know to put together an emergency kit for their car in the winter, but few stop to think about how they should adjust their auto insurance coverage for the season. At Front Range Insurance Services, we recommend doing both.

Put Together an Emergency Kit

In Colorado, drivers not only need to deal with bitter cold, but also heavy snowfall and slippery ice. Your emergency kit should have stuff to keep you warm and equipment to help you out of a ditch. You may want to include the following in it:

  • winter boots
  • a winter hat and gloves
  • a blanket
  • a shovel
  • cat litter

If your car’s wheels can’t get traction in a slippery spot, putting some litter down may provide enough grip to get your car moving. If you don’t need the litter during the winter, you can either use it for your cats or donate it to a shelter once spring arrives.

Adjust Your Insurance Coverages

Because driving conditions are often difficult during winter, the likelihood of being in an accident increases during the season. You might want to adjust your auto insurance coverage to compensate for the increased risk. For instance, even if you don’t normally carry comprehensive and collision coverage, they may provide valuable protection during the winter.

If you’d like to discuss which insurance coverages you should have during winter with an insurance agent, contact us at Front Range Insurance Services. Our experienced agents will ask about your car and your driving habits with you, which will help you decide what coverages to include in a policy. To get in touch with them, contact us through our website.

 

Be Prepared To Drive Outside Of The US

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When you decide to drive abroad, you want to make sure that you are following all of the rules – and preparing for everything you may encounter. The road signs may be different, and you may even be driving on the other side of the road. There are some ways to prepare so that it is not such a frightening experience.

You may need more than just a US driver’s license. Many countries require a translation, which comes in the form of an International Driving Permit. These are often available from National Auto Club and AAA for a small fee.

You have to be at least 18 years of age to get an IDP – and there may be other driving requirements by age based upon the country you are visiting as well as the rental car company you are using.

Just as insurance is a must in the United States, you want to make sure that you have coverage for your rental car abroad as well. This can be obtained independently or from the rental car company. Know your coverage options before you go and make some cost comparisons.

There are a few other things you want to prepare for, which can include:

  • Driving a stick
  • The steering wheel being on the “wrong” side
  • Traffic within city centers

Do as much as you can to practice for these scenarios.

It can be advantageous to rent a GPS, which will ensure you have adequate driving directions. It also ensures you don’t have to depend on a cellular signal and paying roaming rates for using your smartphone.

You want to be the safest on the road as possible. Call today and our agents at Front Range Insurance Services can discuss various levels of insurance coverage for you in Colorado.

 

Hit & Run Coverage: What You Need To Know

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There is a lot you need to know about hit and run coverage. Colorado requires you to maintain a minimum level of auto insurance. However, there is additional coverage that you will want to consider so that you can reduce what you would have to pay out-of-pocket if you are involved in any kind of hit and run.

Collision coverage may be required of you, regardless. If you have a lien holder for an auto loan or a lease, they may require collision coverage of a certain level. Regardless of fault, this will help you to get the car repairs necessary so that you can get your car back on the road.

Medical payments coverage protection is going to provide medical bill coverage regardless of fault. This will include protection for you and your passengers for medical bills, lost wages, as well as child care services if you are currently unable to care for your children because of injuries.

Uninsured motorist coverage will provide property damage and bodily injury coverage. Since the other party didn’t stop to provide you with insurance, it’s as if they don’t have insurance – and therefore you will want this coverage to minimize how much you would otherwise pay out-of-pocket.

Finally, you will want to look at medical payments coverage as well. This can help to pay for all of the medical bills that you and your passengers may encounter after being involved in a hit-and-run. Even if everyone has health insurance, the medical bills can be very high and depending upon the extent of injuries, it could be enough to bankrupt you.

It’s important to have auto insurance that you can rely on. Contact one of our agents at Front Range Insurance Services today where we can work with you on a customized policy to help you enjoy peace of mind.

 

Get Your Furnace and Fireplace Ready for Winter

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With fall here, winter will soon come. Few places see a longer or harsher winter than Colorado, which makes getting your home ready for winter especially important if you live here. We at Front Range Insurance Services have compiled a short list of things you can do to get your house ready for the coming cold.

Servicing Your Home

Before winter comes, and you start turning on the heat regularly, every part of your home’s heating system should be serviced. Specifically, you ought to have a professional:

  • inspect your home’s furnace to ensure it’s suited for another season of use
  • clean out your home’s air ducts, so your furnace can work efficiently
  • clean your home’s chimney if it has one, to reduce the risk of chimney fires

Many homeowners overlook these things. Taking care of them now will help ensure you’re home will be safe and warm all winter long, though.

Insuring Your Home

In addition to servicing your home’s heating system, it’s also a good idea to review your homeowners insurance policy in the fall. If you’ve installed a new wood stove or had a wood-burning fireplace changed to a gas one, you might need to adjust your insurance coverage.

For help seeing whether any new furnace, wood stove or fireplace is covered under your homeowners insurance policy, contact us at Front Range Insurance Services. Even if we didn’t initially help you purchase the policy, our independent insurance agents can review its coverages for you. If it no longer provides the protection you need, they can also help you shop around for a new policy. To reach agents at our office, contact us through our website.