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Denver Homeowners Insurance: How to Winter Proof Your House

By ICA Insurance | Published November 22, 2013

shutterstock 2363433 300x225 Denver Homeowners Insurance: How to Winter Proof Your HouseDenver Homeowners Insurance: How to Winter Proof Your House

Is your house ready for winter? Following a maintenance schedule throughout the year can definitely benefit you in the winter, but it’s also important to be aware of the hazards that the cold conditions can bring during the season. Here’s a basic checklist to prep your house for the colder weather.

  • Clean, de-rust, and wash your patio furniture. If the patio furniture has cushions, wash them and store them for the season. If you can, store the furniture itself in a warm and dry location. If storage is not an option, cover your hardwood furniture with a tarp or weatherproof cover.
  • Find the indoor water shutoff for all outside water lines and turn it off. Turn on the spigots and empty them. Empty out your hoses and store them indoors as well.
  • Aerate and seed your lawn. This allows the grass to get more water and grow more going into fall and winter.
  • Clean your gutters. You may want to consider getting gutter guards to use year-round to block out gunk. Also, while you are up there be sure to glance around the gutters and roof for moss and algae. It grows at a very slow pace, but can do a lot of damage by keeping the roof below permanently wet and causing rot.
  • If it’s been 5 years or more since you’ve done so, seal your chimney. This will prevent costly, damaging leaks to your brick, block, or cement chimney.

These are just a few of the steps you can take to winter proof your house. Other factors you will want to consider are replacing HVAC filters indoors, weatherizing your windows and doors with draft stoppers and/or caulking, and insulating your water heater.

At Insurance Centers of America, we understand how important an asset your home is to you. It’s imperative that you have just the right Denver Homeowners Insurance coverage to protect your investment. Please contact us at (719) 528-5400 today and let us put together the best possible policy for you, no matter where you live in Colorado.

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Recent Events Open Eyes to the Need for Colorado Flood Insurance

By ICA Insurance | Published October 17, 2013

shutterstock 120401779 300x200 Recent Events Open Eyes to the Need for Colorado Flood InsuranceRecent Events Open Eyes to the Need for Colorado Flood Insurance

The floods that tore through much of Colorado from mid to late- September were significantly longer than floods in the past, damaging buildings, roads, houses, and entire towns and costing the state an estimated $2 Billion in damages.

For some families, these devastating floods have left them either temporarily or permanently homeless. Sadly, many of these families were not covered by flood insurance because they did not believe they needed it.

According to FEMA spokesman Jerry DeFelice, only about 22,000 homeowners in Colorado have flood insurance policies. This may seem like a lot, however Census figures show that there are 2.2 million housing units in Colorado, which may mean only 1% of the state’s residences had comprehensive flood insurance coverage.

Unfortunately, many homeowners either have the attitude that “it won’t ever happen to them”, or they mistakenly believe that their basic homeowners insurance policy will cover the damages from a flood. One Boulder resident reported that even though he works in the insurance business, he did not have a flood policy for his affected home because he lives just outside of a flood plain.

Colorado homeowners aren’t required to have flood insurance unless they have a federally backed mortgage and live in a 100-year flood plain, or an area that could be inundated by a flood so large there is only a 1% chance of it occurring in a given year.

DeFelice warns that this 100-year flood plain is more of a concept than a definable geographic area, and advises that all Coloradans sign up for flood insurance. No matter where you live in Colorado, and even if your home was not affected by the recent floods, it always pays to be prepared.

At the Insurance Centers of America, we will put together the best possible Colorado Springs homeowners insurance and flood insurance policies for you. Let our specialists set you up with the coverage you need, regardless to where in the state you reside. Please call us today for more information at (719) 528-5400.

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Colorado Business Insurance: Driving Traffic into Your Retail Store

By ICA Insurance | Published September 30, 2013

Colorado Business Insurance: Driving Traffic into Your Retail Store shutterstock 60069385 200x300 Colorado Business Insurance: Driving Traffic into Your Retail Store

There are many steps you can take to ensure the success of your retail establishment, including making sure your store is protected with the right type of Colorado business insurance. The #1 thing you need for success is customers. Although online business is becoming more and more prevalent, there is still a huge need for driving traffic into brick-and-mortar stores. Here are some ways you can get that foot traffic.

Have a Grand Opening. If your business is new, or even if it’s just been moved to a different location, make a big deal out of the day you open. Offer promotions, door-buster deals, have events, offer food, etc.

Host Regular Promotions. Whether it’s monthly or weekly, regular promotions will keep customers coming back. They are also more likely to share their shopping experiences with their friends.

Make Your Business Newsworthy. Whenever possible, leverage local media channels to get your name to the masses. This could be in the form of a newspaper ad, or a radio ad. The key here is to grab the attention of potential customers.

Have a Sale. Everybody loves a good deal, and because most retail stores get their seasonal products months in advance, the items you’re placing on sell will still be current and more likely to sell if it has a reduced price.

Host a Seminar or Workshop. This is especially easy in some stores, such as craft and hobby stores or an outdoor store that could host classes.

Follow-up with your Contacts. Maintain a clientele list, and if possible, follow up with each customer to ask them if they were satisfied with their purchase. Of course this isn’t feasible if it’s a large corporation with hundreds of customers, but in that case you can send out mass emails about sales and promotions you are hosting.

Emphasize Customer Service. This is probably the most important piece of advice for retail establishments. Customers want to shop somewhere that they feel welcomed and valued. Encourage your employees to always be focused on the customer experience, as this is a great way to drive in repeat traffic.

At Insurance Centers of America, our agents are trained specialists in all types of commercial insurance. We have the expertise to understand your needs and can design a program that allows you to get the most for your insurance dollar. Call us today at (719) 528-5400.

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Colorado Springs Insurance for College Students

By ICA Insurance | Published August 15, 2013

Colorado Springs Insurance for College Students 300x162 Colorado Springs Insurance for College StudentsColorado Springs Insurance for College Students

Although the sun is still shining, August is coming to an end. For most young children, this transition only affects the overall family schedule. But, if a child goes off to a university, tears start flow and goodbyes are exchanged.  It’s a large transition that can directly or indirectly impact finances, relationships, etc.

Are your kids college-bound this fall?

Many parents make the mistake of overlooking insurance and consequently, it costs them more money. With summer nearing its end, it’s time for parents to review their current policies and apply any necessary changes.

Colorado Springs Health Insurance

Although some schools do not require students to have health insurance, it’s encouraged.  Before your child goes off to college, check if health insurance coverage is mandated.  Ask yourself;

  • Are there additional risks my child may be exposed to while at college?
  • Have they outgrown their current plan?
  • Do you have an HMO?
  • Does your policy meet school requirements?

Colorado Springs Auto Insurance

Talk with an insurance agent and check;

  • State’s auto insurance requirements (if you’re child attend a college outside of Colorado)
  • Additional costs (premiums increase or decrease depending on the situation)
    • Will your child remain on your auto insurance policy or will you be purchasing a separate policy?
    • Some insurance companies offer discounts with students who have maintained good grades.
    • Many companies also offer student-away rates. This is perfect for those who do not take their car to school, but still wants to drive it while at home.

Additional Colorado Springs Insurance considerations

  • Do you need to purchase a floater for additional items such as, jewelry and laptops?
  • If they live off campus, renters insurance may be required.
  • Create an inventory of all their personal belongings.

Nobody covers Colorado for auto, home or life insurance like we do at ICA Insurance. We specialize in helping our clients cover themselves, their families and their homes against unforeseen damages and injuries. As independent agents, we seek out the best plans from dozens of insurers and set you up with the most affordable rates and coverages.

Contact us today, (719) 528-5400

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Colorado Springs Homeowners Insurance: 2013 Wildfire Season

By ICA Insurance | Published July 16, 2013

Colorado Springs Homeowners Insurance 2013 Wildfire Season 300x201 Colorado Springs Homeowners Insurance: 2013 Wildfire Season

Colorado Springs Homeowners Insurance: 2013 Wildfire Season

As we’ve seen in recent months, thousands of residents throughout Colorado were forced to evacuate their homes.

Over one million homes are located in high risk areas, which is approximately one quarter of all residential properties in the states. The presence of drought, continual rise in temperatures and inconsistent gust are prolonging 2013′s wildfire season. According to the United States’ forest service chief, this season is lasting two months longer than it did 40 years ago. Moreover, Colorado is expected to have more large wildfires in the upcoming months.

Last month, the Black Forest Fire (northeast of Colorado Springs) burned over 14 thousand acres and is responsible for 511 destroyed homes, 41,000 evacuees, and 2 deaths. Consequently, it is considered as Colorado’s most destructive wildfire in history. And in addition to this destruction are hundred thousands of acres charred by neighboring major wildfires, such as the West Fork Complex and Trinidad Complex.

Earlier this year, Governor John Hickenlooper responded to 2012’s catastrophic wildfire season by signing three Executive Orders, creating a Task Force on Wildfire Insurance and Forest Health. The purpose of these Executive orders “along with a proposed fuels reduction grant program, detail actions that can help reduce the loss from wild land fires and increase protection for communities, first responders and property investments.” However, 2013 is proving to be very tough for residents living in high risks areas, government and firefighters/EMTs.

So, what does this mean for Colorado homeowners insurance?

In May, the Governor Hickenlooper signed off on the Homeowners Insurance Reform Act of 2013. Essentially, its purpose is to allocate more time for homeowners to file a claim (ie. addresses rising insurance rates and tighter underwriting standard in place by insurers).

According to Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association (RMIIA), the Black Forest Fire estimates to incur 100 million dollars in losses. Due to the severity and high occurrence of wildfires, insurance agents are making substantial changes such increasing homeowners insurance rates (upwards of 25 percent). Many insurance companies have implemented mitigation and prevention strategies; requiring residents to cut down trees within 100 feet of their house.

ICA Insurance encourages Colorado residents to devise an evacuation plan, decipher an alternative place to live and thoroughly review your current homeowners insurance. It’s indisputably devastating to come back to a damaged or destroyed home; imagine if you were unable to rebuild your home.

Let us put together the best possible homeowners insurance policy for you, no matter where you live in Colorado, at the cheapest rates and best coverages we can find. We work with some of the most respected carriers in the country, and once we have your information and the features you want, we can start putting together the right plan for you. Call us today (719) 528-5400

Additional Sources: Colorado’s Main Web Portal and NBC News

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