10 Ways Arvada and Denver Metro Residents Can Save on Home Insuranc

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Over the past few weeks we have been providing tips and tricks for saving on auto insurance.   So this week we thought we would provide the top ways you can save money on your home insurance.

1. Ask for discounts

The quickest way to save money on your home insurance is to take advantage of the discounts available to you.   For example you may be able to add the following discounts to your policy:

  • Multi-policy discounts
  • Senior citizen discounts
  • Nonsmoker discounts
  • Claim-free discounts
  • Marital status discounts

Every insurance company offers different discounts, so we recommend working with an independent insurance agent to find out the what discounts are available to you.

2. Install security features

In 2009, burglary victims (in all structures, including homes) lost an estimated $4.6 billion to property damage and theft, according to the FBI.
Your insurance provider may offer discounts if you install safety features. For example, security features like deadbolts, fire extinguishers, and security alarms can add discounts anywhere from 5 percent to 20 percent.
3. Raise your deductible

Raising your deductible is one surefire way to lower your monthly homeowners insurance premium.  If you can afford to go slightly more out of pocket in the event of a claim, then you could potentially save another 10 to 15 percent.

4. Disaster-proof your property

Adding stronger weather-resistant features to your home like storm shutters or better roofing material can lead to dramatic savings on your insurance premiums, especially in areas that are prone to disasters like high winds or flooding.

5. Review your insurance policy

We recommend reviewing your insurance policy every year to ensure that you not only have the right insurance coverage, but that you also aren’t purchasing unnecessary coverage as well.

6. Double check your property limits

This may sound obvious, but if you paid $200,000 for your house, you don’t need to have $200,000 worth of coverage, because part of the purchase price included the lot your house sits on. You should carry insurance coverage equal to the cost of rebuilding the structure.

7. Inventory your possessions 

Understanding the right limit to use for your stuff can save you money on premiums and help you tremendously in the event of a claim.

Final Note
While it’s always nice to save money on your insurance, we don’t ever recommend purchasing liability and property limits  at lower amounts than what will sufficiently protect you and your family.   It’s never a good idea to put your personal assets in jeopardy to save $50 on your premiums.

If you would like to see where you can save more on your insurance premiums, or if you would like some insurance quotes on your home, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

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Infographic: Types of Auto Insurance

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Customers often ask us exactly what each coverage on their auto insurance policy does.  As policy language can be complicated and confusing, it can be difficult to understand how your policy is supposed to react in the event of a claim.

The Insurance Information Institute put together a nice infographic that outlines what each coverage is on an auto insurance policy and how it is designed to react in the event of a claim.  As always, if you have any coverage questions at all, please feel free to give our office a call.

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7 Unusual Claims Covered by Homeowners Insurance

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We know that homeowners insurance is designed to cover your home and it contents.  Additionally, it provides liability protection for bodily injury and property damage for claims against you or members of your family.   It may also provide coverage for the loss of use of your home in the event of a claim.

However, there are some unusual items that you may not realize might also be covered by your homeowners policy.   The following seven claims are the most interesting claims we have seen successfully reimbursed by insurance companies.

It’s important to note, though, that every policy is different in coverage and the claims below may or may not be covered by your specific policy.  If you have a question or concern in regards to your coverages, limits, etc., please feel free to give our office a call.

1. Eaten Jewelry
Although animals are typically excluded from coverage, there was a case where a dog allegedly ate a piece of jewelry and the insurance company offered to buy the dog at an unbelievably high price in an effort to salvage the jewelry.

After the owner refused, the insurance company finally relented and paid for the lost jewelry, which may or may not have been sitting in the dog’s stomach.

2. Bug-Repellent Basement
A homeowner had pesticide stored in the basement of his home. After a fire at the home, the homeowner noticed that swarms of flies would come in to the basement die almost immediately. After experts from Cornell University were brought in to assess the damage, it was determined that the chemical, when heated by fire, actually dissolved into the concrete and became even more potent. As the pesticide was also toxic to humans, the house had to be demolished and rebuilt from the basement up.

3. A Dump Truck
A homeowner owned a full-size dump truck that he used for nothing else but to move firewood to and from his wood-burning stove. As the vehicle was not registered for the road and used for property maintenance, the vehicle was covered by the homeowners policy as personal property after it was destroyed.

4. A Wedding Relocation
A homeowner was supposed to have a wedding in his backyard for his daughter. However, a fire forced them to relocate the wedding to a hotel. The homeowner was able to claim the increased cost of the wedding under the ‘loss of use’ coverage on his policy.

5. Bad Wine
After a backup of a sewage pipe caused flooding to home, the repair crew used heat to speed up the drying process. The homeowners’ wine cellar was heated to approximately 85 degrees for almost 10 days while the repairs were done.

The effect of the heat destroyed all of the wine and the insurance company reimbursed the homeowner.

6. Expensive Ingredients
Expensive cooking ingredients such as imported olive oil are covered at full value, as long as the homeowner is not running a business out of the home.

So if you’re doing a lot of shopping at Whole Foods, we recommend you keep your receipts.

7. Animal Stampede
A homeowner lived next door to an individual that owned cows, horses, and goats. One day something spooked the animals so bad that they ran through the neighbors fence and actually destroyed part of the insured’s home.

As the animals were not the homeowners, his insurance policy paid for the damage caused by the animals.

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Infographic: New Year's Resolutions

New Year’s Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It’s a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes.
Unfortunately, while most New Year’s resolutions are made with vigor and hope, most people don’t make it past the first month with their resolutions.
With the following infographic, we wanted to take a look at the most common New Year’s resolutions, how likely they are to be abandoned, and what you can do to stick to your goals.
For example, did you know that happiness affects your ability to keep your resolutions?  Or that smaller, more manageable resolutions have a much higher chance for success?
Please take a few moments to explore the attached infographic to hopefully find a little insight and/or inspiration as you are setting your own goals for the New Year.

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Inforgraphic: A Visual History of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of the biggest holidays of the year in the United States. It’s an opportunity to gather with family and friends to celebrate, give thanks, and even watch a little football.
The Thanksgiving holiday has an interesting history and several intriguing facts surrounding it. For example, did you know that the government officials tried to make Thanksgiving an official holiday in both 1630 and 1789, but that it didn’t catch on as a holiday until President Lincoln officially made it one in 1863?
Please take a look at the attached infographic that provides a great breakdown on the history of this holiday, including food consumption, parade attendance, and the real reason why we play so much football on Thanksgiving.
We hope that you have a fantastic Thanksgiving with friends and family.

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Infographic: Top 5 Travel Nightmares

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As the summer comes to a close, many families use August for planned vacations.  However, lost luggage, a stolen cell phone, or a misplaced wallet or purse can quickly turn your dream vacation into a nightmare.
For example, did you know that over 3,000 luggage bags are lost every MINUTE or that cell phone thefts now account for 40% of all theft in every major U.S. city?
It is with these items in mind that we have compiled an infographic of the 5 most common vacation nightmares and tips on how you and your family can avoid them.
Have a great summer!
Click on the image below to view the full size version.

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Denver Metro's Most Trusted Insurance Agent

The Holste agency takes pride in being the most trusted insurance agent for the Denver Metro area. We value you as a customer. Our goal is to find you the best insurance to suit your individual needs at the most competitive price. We can provide you with personal insurance coverage, life insurance coverage, and commercial insurance coverage. Contact us today for a free quote. We look forward to working with you soon!

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Preparing for Winter

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Winter Driving

Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for automobile travel. Here are some great tips for driving in the snow and dealing with winter road emergencies.
Tips for driving in the snow:

  • Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
  • Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
  • The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
  • Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
  • Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
  • Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible.
  • Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

Additional Information
AAA has put together a great brochure that includes tips for driving in the snow among other winter preparation tips.  To read the brochure, you can go to the following link: http://exchange.aaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/AAA-How-to-Go-Ice-Snow.pdf

Avoiding Frozen Pipes

Before the Cold Hits:

  • Check for small holes or cracks in the exterior of your home and ensure they are insulated.
  • Cover around any water pipes that are on the inside of exterior walls.

If Your House is Occupied During the Winter:

  • Maintain temperature settings at 3-4 degrees higher than normal.
  • Turn on any faucets and allow a constant trickle.
  • Open any cabinet doors under sinks to allow heat to warm the pipes.
  • Insulate your pipes.
  • Shut off exterior faucets used for garden hoses from inside your basement and leave the exterior faucets open outside.

If Your House is Unoccupied During the Winter:

  • Set the thermostat no lower than 60 degrees and install a low heat alarm.
  • Have a plumber install a low water cutoff switch on a forced hot water boiler.
  • Have the water service shut off all to your house.
  • Drain all waterlines leaving drain valves open.
  • Shut off gas to the home.
  • Have the house checked weekly.


 

Winterize Your Car

Before it’s starts snowing, it’s recommended that you have a mechanic check the following items on your car:

  • Antifreeze levels – ensure they are sufficient to avoid freezing.
  • Battery and ignition system – should be in top condition and battery terminals should be clean.
  • Brakes – check for wear and fluid levels.
  • Exhaust system – check for leaks and crimped pipes and repair or replace as necessary. Carbon monoxide is deadly and usually gives no warning.
  • Fuel and air filters – replace and keep water out of the system by using additives and maintaining a full tank of gas. A full tank will keep the fuel line from freezing.
  • Heater and defroster – ensure they work properly.
  • Lights and flashing hazard lights – check for serviceability.
  • Oil – check for level and weight. Heavier oils congeal more at low temperatures and do not lubricate as well.
  • Thermostat – ensure it works properly.
  • Windshield wiper equipment – repair any problems and maintain proper washer fluid level.
  • Install good winter tires – Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. However, some jurisdictions require that to drive on their roads, vehicles must be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs.
  • Update the emergency kits in your vehicles with:
    • a shovel
    • windshield scraper and small broom
    • flashlight
    • battery powered radio
    • extra batteries
    • water
    • snack food
    • matches
    • extra hats, socks and mittens
    • first aid kit with pocket knife
    • necessary medications
    • blanket(s)
    • tow chain or rope
    • road salt and sand
    • booster cables
    • emergency flares
    • fluorescent distress flag

Winterize Your Home

  • Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic.
  • Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock or equipment. Clear rain gutters; repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm.
  • Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year.
  • Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing. Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.
  • All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside and kept clear.
  • Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.
  • Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).
  • Insulate your home by installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic from the inside to keep cold air out.
  • Hire a contractor to check the structural ability of the roof to sustain unusually heavy weight from the accumulation of snow – or water, if drains on flat roofs do not work.
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Thanksgiving Safety Tips

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Thanksgiving is all about food and family – turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie and family time. However, preparing holiday goodies can lead to disaster – the kitchen is the setting of more fires than any other room in the house, and cooking is the leading cause of fires in the home.

The following safety list was prepared by the American Red Cross to ensure a safe and happy Thanksgiving:

The cooks should start by not wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking. Never leave cooking food unattended – stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If someone must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, they should turn off the stove. Other safety steps include:

  • Check food regularly while cooking and remain in the home while cooking. Use a timer as a reminder that the stove or oven is on.
  • Keep the kids away from the cooking area. Enforce a “kid-free zone” and make them stay at least three feet away from the stove.
  • Keep anything that can catch fire – pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains—away from the stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.
  • Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
  • Purchase a fire extinguisher to keep in the kitchen. Contact the local fire department to take training on the proper use of extinguishers.
  • Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are turned off.
  • Install a smoke alarm near the kitchen, on each level of the home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year.

We hope you have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

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A Laudable Arvada Insurance Agent

My staff and I have over 20 years of combined experience in the insurance industry and we have become very reliable to so many people in the Arvada area. We are natives to the Denver metro area and have an outstanding knowledge about insurance in the region. We can cover auto insurance, home insurance, motorcycle insurance, boat insurance etc. Let one of our laudable Arvada insurance agents take over and we bet you’ll be impressed!

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