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Local Independent Agency Selected to Offer the Hartford’s AARP Auto Insurance Program

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We’ve all been there: stranded on the side of the road, waiting for a tow truck to get us on our way again. It’s not a fun experience. But the speed and quality of the service we receive goes a long way toward how we look back on those moments, and how we feel about that service provider.
Based on this voicemail, Anita Hamilton in California is very happy she recently added Safeco’s Roadside Assistance to her Auto policy.
A six-year Safeco policyholder, Hamilton was more than impressed, according to her agent.
“She said that Safeco really put [her previous carrier] to shame,” Stewart said. “In all of her years with them, she says they were not even close to the service that Safeco provided.”
Roadside Assistance: High-value, low-cost
These days, everyone is looking for ways to save money. But your clients want to know they are protected in case of emergency, too. Safeco’s Roadside Assistance is a high-value, low-cost endorsement for your Auto policyholders.
This program provides a toll-free line for our customers to call and request assistance for issues such as vehicle breakdown, running out of gas, flat tires, locking keys in the car, etc. The toll-free line is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
As a “sign and drive” program, all the customer has to do is call the toll-free number for a service provider, sign their name and get on with their day. There is no hassle in having to find a service provider to assist them.
For more information and quotes on auto or home insurance in Colorado, contact us at 303-423-1498.

You can also visit us aw www.coautorates.com.

If you plan to drive on snowy, icy roads, follow these tips to stay in control behind the wheel:
Clear ice and snow from your car.
Turn on your defroster; then, brush or scrape as many surfaces as you can, including your windshield, windows, mirrors, headlights and taillights, as well as the top of your car, the trunk and hood. This prevents snow and ice from blocking your view.
Increase your following distance.
Give the car in front of you six seconds of lead time — versus the three seconds recommended in good driving conditions — to help prevent accidents.
Avoid sudden starts, stops and turns.
Your car may take longer to react when the road surface is slippery. Pump your brakes to slow down or stop, or if you have anti-lock brakes, keep steady pressure on your brake pedal.
Take your time.
Drive slower than posted speed limits, which are set for ideal road conditions, so you can stay in control and change lanes quickly if another car spins out.
Remember to bring your mobile phone.
Then, if you do get stuck in the snow or have an accident, you can call for emergency assistance immediately.

How to winterize your car

Fill your windshield washing fluid reservoir, so you can clear salt and slush sprayed by passing cars.
Keep your gas tank full, so you’ll be prepared if you get stuck in traffic. This also helps prevent gas line freeze and supports your fuel injection systems.
Check your tire treads and consider buying all-season or winter tires. Check the spare tire and its pressure, too.
Keep up-to-date on your car maintenance. Change your oil and consider using synthetic oil; petroleum-based oils can thicken in cold weather. Also, check your battery and your windshield wiper blades, and top off all fluids, especially the antifreeze.

Be prepared for emergencies.
As part of your emergency kit, keep these items in your trunk:

For more information and quotes on auto or home insurance in Colorado, contact us at 303-423-1498. You can also visit us aw www.coautorates.com.

Presenting “Car Insurance 101,” your (quiz-free) refresher course on what it all means and how it all works.
First up — the two main coverages that protect your car:
Collision: With Collision coverage, we pay to repair damage to your car when you hit, or are hit by, another vehicle or object, regardless of who is at fault. When you buy Collision, you choose a deductible, typically $250 or $500. This is the portion you pay if you have an accident.

We then pay for the remaining costs to bring your vehicle back to pre-accident condition.
Comprehensive: With Comprehensive coverage, we pay to repair damage to your car that’s caused by something other than a collision, such as fire, theft, vandalism, hail, or flood. We also pay for damage caused by hitting an animal, and we pay for a rental vehicle if your car is stolen. Like Collision, when you buy Comprehensive, you choose a deductible.
Next time: Liability coverage and what it pays for when an accident’s (gulp) your fault.
For more information and quotes on auto or home insurance in Colorado, contact us at 303-423-1498. You can also visit us aw www.coautorates.com.

 
Originally printed at http://www.wltz.com/news/local/10-Tips-for-Safe-Holiday-Driving-112307144.html
December 22, 2010
Here are a few useful tips for safe holiday Driving.
1. Reduce your Chances of Dangerous Drowsy Driving. Get at least seven to nine hours sleep the night before your trip. If you become fatigued, stopping every two hours and stretching or walking around can recharge and revitalize your inactive body.
2. Stay on the Road Rather Than On the Side of It. Check your vehicle’s tire pressure, oil level, battery, windshield wipers, etc. before traveling any great distance. While on the road, be sure your vehicle always has plenty of gas especially as some service stations my have limited holiday hours. Your holiday memory should be of you schussing the slopes, not schlepping the gas can!
3. Be A Defensive Driver. This applies to both longer trips where you might be traveling to a holiday destination as well as shorter trips to the mall. Safety technologies in certain vehicles can help drivers avoid potentially dangerous crash situations by using radar to detect other vehicles. Ford is now equipping its vehicles with technology that warns the driver with a combination of visual and audio alerts on both highways and in parking lots.
4. Pack Emergency Equipment. Whether heading to the mall or the slopes, don’t forget to pack an emergency kit that includes first aid items, flashlights, water, warm blankets, etc.
5. Don’t be Caught off Guard By Bad Weather. If you’re traveling to higher elevations where sudden snow storms can occur, or to the coastline where fog can quickly set it, be sure to check the weather before heading out. In snowier areas where roads can get slick, newer vehicles, such as the 2011 Ford Explorer, are actually equipped with terrain management systems that provide appropriate traction for any driving conditions. Some Ford vehicles also feature SIRIUS TravelLink, which allows people to check real-time weather data, five-day forecasts, detailed storm cell information as well as local wind speeds and even ski resort conditions!
6. Avoid Distractions. If you need to communicate with family and friends while driving, use a hands-free headset. Even better, if your vehicle is equipped with a built-in hands-free mobile phone system, use it. Some manufacturers, like Ford, have even equipped their vehicles with smart technology features that allow you to use voice commands to make calls, check the weather, change your music selection, and more.
7. Make it a “Green” Roadtrip. If you’ll be away for a few days, don’t forget to turn off your home thermostat and if you need to leave some lights on, be sure to put them on a timer. Bring reusable water bottles for the trip so you don’t have to buy bottles of water when enroute. To save fuel, accelerate gradually and use cruise control when possible.

Of course, driving a fuel-efficient vehicle is your best defense for maintaining your “green” while on the road. Ford has developed one of the most fuel-friendly fleets in the industry and has incorporated many green elements into interiors such as soy foam seats and recycled materials.
8. Heading to Snow Country? Carrying a bag of cat litter in your trunk provides great traction when sprinkled in the path of a spinning tire. If you find yourself caught without an ice scraper, a plastic card, like a credit card, can be used to do the work. Plan ahead and if an ice storm is imminent, cover your windshield with an old blanket or some trash bags that you can peel off in the morning.
9. Keep the Carpet Clean and Dry. If you’re in an area with lots of snow, place disposable diapers or puppy mats under the floor mats of your car to absorb melting snow and ice.
10. The Anti-Boredom Kit. Traveling with youngsters is always a challenge. Being in a car for hours on end can seem like emprisonment – for adults and kids alike. If you’re sick of hearing the “are we there yet?” chorus, then be prepared with plenty of games, MP3 players, movies, and more. In fact, today’s vehicles offer a variety of options for keeping your sanity when traveling with kids. Ford’s smart technology even includes daily horoscopes, sports, and news delivered via voice command! Safe and smart. That’s the best way to travel this holiday season.
(SOURCE: FORD MOTORS)
For more information and quotes on auto or home insurance in Colorado, contact us at 303-423-1498. You can also visit us aw www.coautorates.com.

Choosing auto insurance that fits your needs and the needs of your family is important, so get to know the basics. Here you’ll find information about auto insurance and answers to some common questions. If after reviewing this material, you still have questions, use our handy “What’s Your Question” button on the right.
What is auto insurance?
Auto insurance is meant to protect you if you cause injuries to others or damage their property in an auto accident.

It can also provide protection if your car is damaged in an accident or is stolen. What protection you have is spelled out in your auto insurance policy.
An auto insurance policy is a contract between you and an insurance company. You, the customer, pay a certain amount (“premium”) to the insurance company in exchange for a set of coverages you selected. Your policy sets forth what the insurance company will or will not cover.
What does auto insurance cover?
At a high level, auto insurance typically provides four basic things—liability coverages (for injuries to others and damage to their property), coverage for damage to your car or cars, coverage for medical expenses and uninsured motorist coverages (for situations where someone without enough insurance injures you or a family member). There are a variety of coverage options available; they may vary by state and company.
What are the common auto insurance coverages?
Below are some simplified descriptions of common auto insurance coverages. All coverages are subject to the limits, terms and conditions of the actual policy you purchase.
Bodily injury liability coverage generally pays damages for bodily injuries to the driver and passengers of the other vehicle when you are responsible for an accident. It also provides coverage to defend you if you are sued because of an auto accident.
Property damage liability coverage generally pays for damages to another person’s property (e.g. their car) when you are responsible for an accident. It also provides coverage to defend you if you are sued because of an auto accident.
Medical payments coverage generally covers you, household relatives and your passengers for medical expenses that result from injuries sustained in an auto accident. It also covers you as a pedestrian if you are hit by a vehicle.
Some states have personal injury protection (PIP) in place of, or in addition to, medical payments coverage. This is also known as no-fault coverage. PIP can generally pay for medical expenses, funeral expenses, loss of income and other expenses for injuries or death due to bodily injury sustained as the result of a car accident.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage generally pays for damages for bodily injury to you and your passengers when caused by another in an auto accident and the person legally responsible either has inadequate or no insurance. This coverage varies greatly by state. In some states it may be a combined coverage, while other states may offer it as two separate coverages (e.g. one for uninsured motorists and one for underinsured motorists).
Collision coverage generally pays for damage to your car if it hits another car, object, or overturns. A deductible applies to this coverage.
Comprehensive coverage generally pays for damage to your car if it is stolen or damaged by certain causes other than collision, such as fire, theft, hail or vandalism. A deductible applies to this coverage.
What should I consider when purchasing auto insurance?
When purchasing auto insurance, make sure you find coverage that fits your needs. Think about you and your family’s specific circumstances, including your risk tolerance and your budget. If you aren’t sure what type of things you should consider, read below. Or, get help by working with an insurance agent or by calling an insurance company directly. You could also use our Better Coverage Basics tool. Below are a few simple questions to help you start evaluating your needs.

1. What is my household salary? What are my assets? How much in savings and equity do I have? Generally, the higher your salary and net worth, the more you stand to lose if you are ever found liable for an accident. The more assets you have, the more coverage you might want to consider.
2. How old is my car and how much is it worth? Do I own my car outright or is it leased or financed? The model year and original cost of your car helps determine the approximate value of your car today. If the value of the car is low and you own it outright (i.e. no loan or lease), you may want to think about whether you really want comprehensive or collision coverages. On the other hand, if you lease or finance your car, your lender or car dealership probably requires comprehensive and/or collision coverage.
3. How much am I willing to pay out-of-pocket? Deductibles are applicable to certain coverages, such as comprehensive and collision coverages. In the event of a loss, a deductible is the amount that you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance kicks in. A higher deductible could lower your premium.
4. Do I have health insurance? Auto insurance can include medical payments coverage for you and your passengers. If you don’t have your own health insurance, you should consider purchasing some type of medical payments coverage on your policy.
5. Do I have children of driving age? Children are generally more inexperienced drivers and can present a greater risk on the road. If you have children of driving age, you might want to consider purchasing higher limits of liability coverage.

What does an auto insurance policy consist of?
An auto policy generally consists of three main parts, which together, form your auto policy:

1. Declaration page – the declarations page (or “declarations” or “dec page”) displays information specific to you and your policy. This will usually include the name of the policyholder, your policy number, the policy term, limits of liability and deductibles you selected and the policy premium. It can also display other items such as discounts applicable to your policy, other drivers on your policy and specific vehicles insured. In addition, it will show the other documents that form your policy (in other words, it will tell you what base policy and endorsements make up your policy). The declarations page is usually longer than just one page.
2. Base Policy – this document spells out the basic provisions of the insurance coverage and the responsibilities of the insurance company. It also sets forth your responsibilities, which include paying your premium and telling the company when you are in an accident.
3. Endorsements – endorsements alter the base policy, just like an amendment alters a contract. Endorsements can add, broaden, limit or delete coverage or change the base policy in any other way.

It is important to read your declaration page, base policy and any applicable endorsements together, as they collectively form your insurance policy.
Note, auto ID cards, which generally arrive with your policy, do not actually form part of the policy. Rather, they provide a convenient way to show that you have insurance. They contain some basic details about your policy, such as your policy number, policy effective date and the specific vehicle insured. Some states require that you keep these in your car as proof of insurance.
Group Insurance Analysts Inc., GIA Risk Management LLC, 9195 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge, Co. 80033.  PO Box 1246, Arvada, Co.  80001. 303-423-0162, 888-423-3232 ext 100. 
Serving clients in Wheat Ridge, Arvada, Lakewood, Denver and throughout Colorado for auto and car insurance, homeowners, life, dental business, health and Medicare insurance plans.

Drive slowly, and don’t pass stopped vehicles. The driver might be dropping off children.
Park your mobile phone.

Avoid distractions by waiting until you’ve stopped to call, text, or surf.
Watch for children darting into the street. Kids can cross the street anywhere, and most young pedestrian deaths happen at spots other than intersections.
Yield to young pedestrians. Children might not stop, either because they don’t see your vehicle approaching or don’t know how to safely cross the street.
Communicate with other drivers. Always use your turn signals. And if you have to pull over to drop off or pick up your kids, turn on your hazard lights.

And, to keep your own trick-or-treaters safe:
Teach them how to safely cross streets. They should look both ways and cross only at corners and crosswalks.
Consider indoor community Halloween programs for younger kids. Some communities also offer to help you inspect your kids’ treats to make sure they’re safe to eat.
Brighten them up. Give them flashlights and glow sticks, and/or use reflective tape on their costumes, so drivers can see them.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 
Group Insurance Analysts Inc., GIA Risk Management LLC, 9195 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge, Co. 80033.  PO Box 1246, Arvada, Co.  80001. 303-423-0162, 888-423-3232 ext 100. 
Serving clients in Wheat Ridge, Arvada, Lakewood, Denver and throughout Colorado. 

Best Drivers Save Even More with Simplified Program from Progressive Insurance
We’ve modified our existing MyRate program and made it even better as Snapshot. It’s now easier to help customers in Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Denver and Lakewood, Colorado save on their insurance based on how they drive.
Under the new Snapshot Discount, customers can earn a discount of up to 30 percent per vehicle based on when, how, and how much they drive.

Here’s how the new discount works:

1. Designed for those with the best driving record.
2. After purchasing a policy with Snapshot, the customer plugs a device into the appropriate vehicle. The device will track when, how, and how much the customer drives.
3. After 30 days, your customer receives an initial “snapshot” discount of up to 30 percent based on his or her driving data.
4. At the end of the first policy term, we calculate a final discount, and the customer unplugs and returns the device to Progressive.
5. The customer keeps the final discount for the life of the policy.

For more information regarding these changes, please contact GIA Risk Management at 303-423-1498.

GIA Risk Mangement, LLC. is pleased to announce their new partenrship with Safeco, a premier underwriter of competetive auto and home insurance polices. Safeco is a member of the Liberty Mutual Group and is noted for its superior claims and customer service.
Safeco offers significant discounts when policyholders combine more than one coverage, such as auto and home combinations, reaching as much as 30 percent or more. Safeco underwrites auto, home, renters, umbrellas, ATV’s, motorcycles and

motor homes.
For more information or a cometetive insurance quote contact GIA Risk Managment, LLC at 303-423-1498, or visit us at www.coautorates.com.