Colorado Alcohol and Impaired Driving Rules

Posted on by agentinsure

For some reason, people continue to drink and get behind the wheel of their cars. Even if you think you are sober enough to drive, after 1 drink you can become impaired. In Colorado, at least 77 impaired drivers are caught daily by the police. Because it is such a dangerous issue, the independent agents in Littleton, CO at Front Range Insurance Services would like you to know the rules before you drink and drive.

The Colorado DUI Law

The Colorado DUI Law stipulates that if you are convicted of a DUI for the fourth time, it will be considered a felony. First-time offenders receive a misdemeanor, but repeated offenders could be labeled habitual traffic offenders and have their license revoked permanently.

The Penalties for Impaired Driving

When you are caught driving while intoxicated, you can suffer criminal penalties as well as administrative and financial obligations. Depending on whether it is your first or fourth offense, you could spend 2 days in jail to up to 6 years in prison. The administrative penalties start with your license being suspended for 9-12 months. There are also fines to consider. You may be saddled with tremendous court fees that could reach up to $1500.

Of course, fines and a short jail sentence is just the tip of the iceberg if your carelessness results in an accident where another person is injured or killed.

What You Can Do

  • Before you decide to drive after a night of drinking, you should call a cab or use a service app that will drive you home at night.
  • Take turns having a designated driver for the evening.
  • Stay at a nearby hotel where you can walk to from the bar or club.

In Littleton, CO, Front Range Insurance Services wants to help keep you and others safe on the road. Visit or call our offices if you want to establish a new auto insurance policy or adjust your current one.

How to Spring Clean This Year

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Every year, spring comes around and with it comes the idea of spring cleaning. Whether you have always done some form of spring cleaning or you have always had it on your list to do for your home in Littleton, CO, this is the year you are going to master it. Be sure to use these tips from Front Range Insurance Services for your spring cleaning. 

  • Dust everything. You will be surprised by how much dust builds up over the course of just a few months and if you have not done it in longer, it will be even worse. Spring is a great time to get rid of all of that dust and you will be able to breathe easier inside as a result.
  • Choose one or two projects to focus on. You do not want to overwhelm yourself with too many things on your list. Choose one or two things that are most important to you and make those a focus. If you finish them and want to do more, you can certainly do so but don’t overwhelm yourself at first. 
  • Get some help. You do not have to do all of this alone. You can ask family and friends for help. The tasks will be completed much faster and you will have a lot more fun doing it. Just be sure to offer the same in return.

Once you have made your plan for spring cleaning, you also need to make sure you have a plan to make sure your home is well protected. The best way to do that is with a home insurance policy. If you do not already have one, you can contact Front Range Insurance Services, serving Littleton, CO, for a free quote that meets your needs and budget. 

Understanding the Increase in Auto Insurance Rates

Posted on by Jessica Ceriani

For the last three years I’ve spent spring break week enjoying a road trip with my family. This vacation always seems to happen right before my auto insurance renewal generates. This year was no different and like many of you I grumbled when I saw my premium. After all, I’ve had no accidents, tickets, or claims of any kind. Sigh.

For over 5 years Colorado has been experiencing increases on home insurance. Given our catastrophic hail losses and wildfires, most people understand these increases. However, we are just starting to see the beginning of industry-wide auto insurance rate increases. This is a national concern, but has significantly impacted Colorado for a number of reasons. I’d like to thank Safeco Insurance for sharing some of these reasons with their sales force.

MORE MILES: One reason is that we are driving more miles. Turns out I wasn’t alone on my spring break road trip. Encouraged by lower gas prices and higher employment rates, U.S. drivers drove 3.1 trillion miles in 2015 according to the Federal Highway Administration. That’s a record.

MORE NEW CARS: New car sales hit a record in 2015, just under 17.5 million vehicles sold, up 5.7 percent from 2014. The safety, technology, and convenience features are great – however the cost to repair or replace them isn’t cheap.

MEDICAL COSTS RISING: Along with the increase in severity and frequency of accidents, we are also seeing an increase in medical costs. From 2005 to 2013, the average cost for a bodily injury claim rose 32.1 percent, according to the Insurance Research Council.

MORE DISTRACTED DRIVING: I know this one doesn’t come as a surprise, but the number of distracted drivers on the road is on the rise. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how many accidents are caused by distracted driving because accident reports don’t always cite if a cell phone or other distraction was a contributing factor. I’m sure that most of you can personally attest to witnessing all of the distracted drivers out there.

As I enjoyed my road trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park, I made an effort to be a focused driver. Between my two children (occasionally bickering in the back seat), my cell phone (alerting me for every email and text), my GPS, and the DVD player entertaining the children — let’s face it — there are plenty of distractions.

OUR RESPONSE: We take customer service seriously and many of our clients have told us that this is what sets us apart. We’ve implemented a new system that allows us to better monitor all client renewals. We are double checking and looking for any new discounts that might apply and we are taking advantage of our companies that offer usage based insurance programs. Our goal is always to find the right coverages at a competitive price.

Winter driving tips to keep your auto insurance down in Littleton, CO

Posted on by agentinsure

Located just outside of Denver, Littleton, CO is a small suburb which pretty much requires its residents to have a car to get around. And if you have a car, then you will need some form of auto insurance to protect yourself and others on the road. However, since Littleton is at the base of the Rocky Mountains, it experiences all types of extreme weather, especially in winter, which can make auto insurance policies all the more necessary and expensive. Below are some winter driving tips for protecting yourself during these times of year in Littleton CO, so you can keep your auto insurance policy premium with a local broker like Front Range Insurance Services lower.

GET CHAINS

Chains on your wheels will do a couple of things. It will allow you to have more traction on the road and have less chance of sliding off the road and having an accident. Chains break up ice as well. It will also keep you from driving too fast, which is one of the main reasons accidents occur in the first place.

HAVE A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE

Having a four wheel drive vehicle in the winter in Littleton CO will give you more traction and control on slick roads during winter months, making you less likely to have an accident. So if you have a four-wheel drive vehicle or are considering getting one, you will be much better suited for these winter months.

GOOD TREAD ON YOUR TIRES

Having some good tread on your tires will help you to have more traction on the roads and not slide off when you brake or take a sharp turn in a place like Littleton in the winter. Bald tires offer no traction and cause you to slide, which could lead to an accident.

Ways to Prevent Water Damage

Posted on by agentinsure

Water damage in a home is something you always want to prevent in Littleton, CO. Not only is it something that can really put you in a bind financially, it is something that must be taken care of as soon as possible. You need to stop the water from running and then get it fixed soon so you do not have mold. Instead of just hoping that it will not happen to you, you should take some precautions and use these tips from Front Range Insurance Services to prevent it from happening.

  • Watch your water bill. One of the first signs of a water leak can be an increase in your water bill. As long as you do not have a valid reason for the increase, you should get everything checked out. You could already have a small water leak and need to fix it before it becomes something bigger.
  • Be careful where you plant. It isn’t an issue now but if you have pipes underground, you need to make sure you plant where root growth will not cause you trouble later.
  • Never pour grease down your sink. Even if you use hot or cold water to pour it down, you should avoid doing it because you could still end up with buildup and a blockage that can result in a burst pipe.

These tips can really help you prevent water damage but there is no way to 100 percent prevent it. Another thing that you should do to help protect yourself, your home, and your finances is by getting a good home insurance policy that includes a clause about water damage. If you do not have one yet or simply want someone to ensure you are protected, be sure to contact Front Range Insurance Services serving Littleton, CO today.

What Does Home Insurance Cover Besides the Home Itslef

Posted on by agentinsure

Home insurance covers any residence from a wide range of instances. It does not however only cover the home, there are a wide range of other coverage that your home insurance can help cover. For those in the Littleton, CO area, the agents with Front Range Insurance Services can help you find out just what your policy covers.

For starters, your home insurance policy also covers medical bills of those that are injured on your property. Say for instance someone is on your property and your dog bites them. Your home insurance can help pay for medical bills associated with the incident.

On top of all of that, your home insurance also covers the items inside of your home. Televisions, jewelry, any cash you have on hand, and more are all covered under the contents part of your policy. This can be altered as you acquire or get rid of items. Your home insurance also covers damage that is associated with break-ins.

Your home insurance covers so much more than just your home and your agent can help explain exactly what your insurance policy is going to cover. You can talk with your agent about what your policy covers and about what extra coverage you might need in order to be fully covered from all incidents. For those in the Littleton, CO area, the agents with Front Range Insurance Services can help you find out just what your policy covers and can help you understand that your home insurance does more than just protect your home.

Winter Storm Checklist

Posted on by agentinsure

As the temperatures continue to drop, the chances of a strong winter storm increase.  Are you and your family prepared?  At Front Range Insurance Services of Littleton, CO, we want our clients to and their homes to stay warm and well-protected all season long.  Use this checklist to ensure that you and your home are ready for the next blast of cold weather.

Protecting Yourself During a Storm

While it may not be possible to avoid a winter storm, you can prepare yourself for it in advance with an emergency kit including:

  • One gallon of water and non-perishable food per person for at least three days.
  • Flashlight, radio, and cell-phone charger.
  • Medical supplies and prescription medications.
  • Sanitation items including hand sanitizer, paper towels, and plastic bags.
  • Warm clothing, blankets, and sleeping bags to use should you lose power.

Protecting Your Home During a Storm

You can also prepare your home in advance of a winter storm:

  • Check smoke alarm batteries and ensure that everyone in the family knows how to use the fire extinguisher.
  • Insulate water pipes and allow faucets to drip to avoid freezing pipes.
  • Have a contractor check your roof’s structural ability to withstand the accumulation of heavy ice and snow.
  • Winterize your home by replacing weather stripping under doors, insulating walls and attics, and caulking windows.
  • Have the heating system and chimney professionally cleaned and inspected.
  • Clear the roof and gutters of debris, leaves, and branches.

By keeping an emergency supply kit handy and performing regular winter maintenance on your home, you will have peace of mind knowing your home is ready for the next winter storm.  In the event that your home is damaged during a winter storm, the professional agents at Front Range Insurance Services of Littleton, CO are here to help.

What Does Your Home Need in the Fall?

Posted on by agentinsure

Here at Front Range Insurance Services in Littleton, CO, we know the importance of getting your home ready for the winter.  As such, we have devised a short checklist of things that you need to do to keep your home protected in the colder months.

You might not think about this, but caring for your shrubs and trees is an important aspect of winterizing your home.  They need to be properly pruned to avoid any limbs or entire trees from falling during winter storms.

Rake the leaves and get them off the ground.  While they might appear to be beautiful, they can inhibit growth in the spring.

Clean your down spouts and gutters.  DO this after most of the leaves have hit the ground.  During rain or snow storms, gutters that are clogged can lead to water and/or snow piling up and this can damage your siding and/or roof.

Make any necessary exterior repairs.  Walk around your home and look for signs of damage to things like the foundation, siding and roof.  If you spot any issues, make sure to get these taken care of before the cold weather hits.

Check outside your home for even the tiniest of gaps.  Mice are tiny critters and they get cold too.  They will take advantage of any accessible gaps to create a nice, warm place for themselves.  If you find any gaps, make sure to fill them before it gets cold.

Check your driveway and any stairs, railings and walkways for winter safety.  When everything is snow covered, just walking from the car to the door can be a challenge.  Make sure the drive is in good shape for easier shoveling and any stairs or walkways are even and the railways are sturdy enough to get a good grip on in case of a slip.

Important Safety Tips for Your RV

Posted on by agentinsure

RV’s are a pleasure to own. They are a great way to get up and down the nation’s beautiful highways. However, unlike traditional automobiles, there are several things you need to do to make sure they are road-ready and safe to travel.

Inspect Everything

Before you hit the road on that summer tour, make sure you inspect all of the essential systems, such as the exhaust, fuel tanks, and the propane tank system. Make sure all houses and connections are clean and not damaged. Make sure nothing is worn down and make sure all safety valves are properly functioning.

Practice Driving

Even if you are an experienced driver, make sure you know how to handle an RV. They are very top heavy, and drive more akin to a bus or an 18-wheeler. Learn how to go easy on the brakes and how to do S.A.F.E. cornering.  Also, take a look at your route, and make sure you know what kind of traffic you will be dealing with. Finally, make sure that you know your height clearance to avoid running into any low hanging overpasses or tunnels.

Get Good Coverage

Depending on if you treat your RV as your full time home, or as a pure recreational vehicle, you will need the proper insurance coverage. This is when it is a good time to contact an experienced, licensed insurance agent to find out your options and to get a quote.

Front Range Insurance Services, serving the Littleton, CO area, can help you get the right coverage for your RV. Contact them today with any questions you might have and let them get you into the right insurance policy.

Save money by packing yourself

Posted on by agentinsure

When you’re moving, packing can be a huge expense.  Even if you choose not to hire help, there are a lot of costs involved in buying boxes, packing tape, and securing everything in a truck.  If you’re planning a big move, then read through this list of ways to save money.

 

  1. Avoid buying boxes.  If you’re moving locally, it might make more sense to move items in multiple trips instead of moving them in one big move.  Not only will this unpacking more manageable, it will also let you reuse boxes and other moving supplies.  Also consider using other containers, such as large buckets, plastic storage boxes, and laundry baskets to avoid buying cardboard boxes.
  2. Sell your stuff.  If you’re moving across the country, then you’ll probably pay per pound to move your stuff.  Consider if the cost of every item in your house to move it.  If you wouldn’t pay that much to keep the item, or if it’s cheaper to buy a new one when you arrive, sell or donate it.  Purging your home in this fashion can shave thousands of pounds off of your move.
  3. Use your towels and washcloths.  Instead of packing these separately, place a washcloth between your plates and bowls instead of packing paper.  Use bath towels as small moving blankets for lamps and photo frames.  Sheets and blankets can be used to protect large items of furniture.

Of course, make sure you remember to give the agents at Front Range Insurance Services a call before your big move.  They can help you update your policy so that it’s ready as soon as you move in.