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When it comes to your business premises, safety is paramount. Protecting you and your workers, as well as keeping your business safe if disaster strikes, is an important task. Fire prevention and safety should always be a top priority. Not only might it save lives, but also help you avoid claims on your Colorado business insurance policy.


Fire prevention and safety strategies include:
• Holding regular fire drills with your workers.
• Appointing a properly trained person from your workforce to be in charge of fire safety.
• Checking electrical sockets to make sure they are not overloaded.
• Replacing any frayed or cracked electrical cords.
• Get your electrical wiring checked by a professional tradesperson, especially for an older building.
• Get furnaces and heaters regularly cleaned and maintained.
• Keep combustible materials away from heating sources.
• Make sure exits are clearly marked and not obstructed in any way.
• Ensure smoke detectors and sprinklers are in good working order.
• Make sure your fire extinguishers are the right ones for the section of the building they are used for.
• Clear the outside area of dried vegetation, and keep plants well-pruned, especially those close to the building.
• Consider retrofits to improve the fire-resistance of your building; however if you are undergoing renovations, make sure fire safety is practiced – fires sometimes start as a result of rags or debris igniting from blowtorches or other equipment.

Finally, make sure your Colorado business insurance is adequate to enable you to rebuild if required. Contact one of our agents for more details on this!


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While CO auto insurance provides some financial protection when you are out on the road, naturally, it’s best to minimize the likelihood of accidents from occurring in the first place. In the winter, special care should be taken not only while driving, but also with vehicle maintenance.


Tips include:
• Get the brakes checked to ensure equal braking.
• Keep the car battery well-charged.
• Ensure brake and headlights are functioning and properly aimed.
• Check antifreeze levels.
• Check that the defrosters and thermostat are in working order.
• Make sure the tires have adequate tread and are properly inflated.
• Avoid allowing the fuel tank to run down to empty as this could freeze the fuel line.
• Carry chains for use on icy or snow-covered roads if necessary.
• Always check the weather conditions and forecast and plan your route in advance.
• Use a de-icer to remove ice from the vehicle, but not warm water, which could crack the windshield.
• Remove snow from your vehicle’s lights.
• Brake and accelerate gently to avoid wheel spin.
• In a skid, do not brake or accelerate but steer the vehicle in the direction you want it to go.
• Carry a winter emergency kit in the vehicle in case you get stranded.

Good vehicle maintenance, planning ahead, and safe driving should help to make your winter driving a better experience and increase your safety on the road. Hopefully this will reduce your accident risk and minimize the chances you’ll be making a claim on your CO auto insurance this winter!


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Winter snow and blizzards may make it unwise for Coloradans to travel far this holiday season. Those who have to travel should check their CO auto insurance to make sure their coverage is appropriate to the risks of driving in winter conditions.

In any case, the spectacular Coloradan natural landscape may well tempt people outside when conditions improve. Families looking for something different to keep children occupied may want to consider a picnic in the snow.


You’ll need to be sure the weather is not going to suddenly deteriorate. A day that is forecast to be clear and sunny is likely to be your best option. Naturally, you’ll be warmly dressed and children might be more comfortable if they are dressed in several layers. That way they can take something off if they get hot running around in the snow sledding or having snowball fights.

Hot or warm food and drink is important on a winter picnic. Insulated containers are readily available to keep the food warm. Hot chocolate, soup, chili, or casseroles are likely to be well received. Those planning to travel as a large group might consider taking along a barbecue grill.

You may want to make sure everyone arrives safely. It is easy for a car to slide on packed snow and ice with the risk of collisions. No one wants to start the year with a claim on their CO auto insurance, so be sure to allow more time for journeys to help you manage winter conditions safely!


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In Colorado, business insurance is important to have in place for financial protection in case of natural disasters, such as tornadoes. It’s also important to know what to do if a tornado strikes. The Insurance Information Institute gives the following advice:

How to prepare in the event of a pre-warning:
• Move vehicles to a sheltered area
• Move outside items into a shed or other storage area
• Make sure you have an up-to-date inventory list

What to do when a tornado occurs:
• Find shelter and wait for the storm to pass if you are outdoors
• For those indoors, if no designated shelter is available, move to the center of the workplace building away from windows, or into the basement if there is one. At home, wait in the middle of the house or basement, or alternatively, in a closet, hallway, or bathroom until the storm passes.


How to react in the aftermath of a tornado:
• Check for injuries and apply first aid if necessary
• Be careful of fallen power lines if you go outside
• Turn off the gas and/or power if you smell a gas leak or if wires are shorting out
• Keep receipts for temporary repairs and any extra business expenses for reimbursement later
• Write down a list of damages or losses and take photographs of damage
• Contact your insurer as soon as possible
• Arrange for repairs to be done but make sure to use reputable, certified trade professionals

Next time you are reviewing your Colorado business insurance, make sure that you have enough coverage to rebuild, repair, or replace your property. In case of a tornado or other disaster such as a fire, lightning, or hail, remember to contact one of our agents for more advice!


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Tourism is big business in Colorado, but it can be seasonal. Therefore, some businesses may not operate all year round. The insurance industry recognizes this issue and it might be possible to reduce your overall Colorado business insurance premium as a result.

What if you operate a winter business that is only open during snow season? Do you need the same level of insurance coverage when equipment that you use or hire out is lying idle in your store during the summer? Of course you will still need insurance. Equipment in store can still be damaged. Premises that are closed during summer can still suffer from leaks and general damage or theft.


Similarly, perhaps your business focuses on organizing festivals. You might not be running a steady stream of events. Do you know whether you need the same level of insurance cover all the time? Profit margins go up and down and businesses that depend on visitors can be particularly vulnerable in times of economic downturn, when people may decide not to go on vacation.

Whether there is a steady flow of tourists or simply a trickle, to create and maintain the best cash flow for your business, it’s important to understand where and when to spend. Why not contact one of our Colorado business insurance agents today? Then you can see if you can reduce your premium payments!


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There are a number of reasons why drivers may experience some difficulty finding CO auto insurance coverage. These reasons may include residing in a high-risk area, having a poor credit rating or driving record, being a very young new driver or driving a higher-risk vehicle.

Whatever the reason for your difficulty, it’s important to have some auto insurance and there are options available for those who are refused coverage. One option is through what is known as a State assigned risk pool, which, while usually more costly than a private insurer, at least provides the driver with some protection. Some auto insurance companies also offer coverage to high-risk drivers. The range of insurance offered will generally be broader than that from State pools. It will probably cost more than a standard policy would but it would be worth the expense to have some protection while you are on the road. Look for an insurer who specializes in high-risk coverage.  

Having adequate CO auto insurance is very important for your own financial protection, as well as that of other drivers. The Colorado Government website should be able to provide more information, or speak to an insurance agent about finding coverage before you go out on the road.  
 

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Construction organizations need Colorado business insurance that covers them for the same risks as all businesses, alongside various types of specialized insurance for the building industry. Standard property insurance provides coverage for the office building and contents, while liability insurance covers the business for lawsuits, including legal costs and damages. In addition, workers compensation insurance is essential for employers in case of worker injury or death.

Other types of coverage that a construction company may require include:

-    Builders’ risk insurance - to cover the value of buildings as they are being constructed. Coverage is proportional to the extent to which the building is completed.

-    Installers’ floater – for equipment, machinery and building materials while they are being both transported and installed on the building site.

-    Tools and Equipment floater - to provide coverage for equipment owned by the business.

-    Contractor Equipment floater - for cranes and other movable equipment.

-    Owners and Contractors Protective Liability coverage – this coverage should be held by subcontractors who do work on behalf of the business on a contract basis.

Construction businesses carry quite a bit of risk due to the nature of the work involved, so it is important that these organizations have adequate and comprehensive Colorado business insurance to provide protection for all facets of the business.
 

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After an automobile accident, it’s important to contact your insurance agent or company as soon as possible, to file a claim against your CO auto insurance policy for repairs. Sometimes various issues can arise in the process of getting your claim fully settled, some of which are discussed below.

• It’s important to get more than one written quote for repairs. Your insurance company will also provide an estimate of their own through a claims adjuster. It’s a good idea at this stage to negotiate with your insurance provider regarding which quote to accept, and not to just agree to the cheapest one if you feel the repairs for the price will be inadequate.  
• In the event that the cost of repairs will be greater than the value of the vehicle, the insurance company may refuse to cover the repairs, in which case you may be paid for the car’s “book value” instead or “agreed value” if this is the type of policy you have .
• When you file a claim, your premium may increase when your policy is renewed, especially if the insurance provider considers the accident to be your fault.
• Should you have trouble settling your claim, contact your insurance company’s complaints department. You may be referred to an independent arbiter, to help you settle the matter and if all else fails you have the option of seeking legal advice.

To help avoid claim problems in the first place, it’s important to always ensure your CO auto insurance provides adequate coverage for bodily injury liability and property damage, and that you fully understand your policy and what is covered by it. When it comes to filing claims, having a good insurance agent at hand can be helpful too.
 

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When it comes to recruitment, it’s only natural that as a Colorado employer or business owner, you want the best workers you can find. Attracting the right candidates for your business involves a bit more skill these days than just putting an advertisement in the paper. In addition, the importance of good recruitment practices cannot be overstated, especially since businesses with less staff turnover generally have lower rates of sickness and absenteeism and may even save money on Colorado business insurance costs.

When employees come and go, it means training someone new all over again and disrupting the flow of the work environment. It may also mean that other employees become overworked in the meantime, leading to costly errors and other problems. It’s far better to attract the right people in the first place and retain them if you can.  

To attract suitable workers, it is essential to analyze your business and know it inside-out, to accurately determine the characteristics you want in your new employee. Additionally, make sure you understand the position available and have it accurately written up and checked. You also need to think clearly about remuneration and benefits including health insurance which may help encourage people to apply. This should all be done thoroughly before placing an advertisement.  

It’s also important to create a healthy environment not only in a physical sense but in terms of morale and staff development. Healthy businesses saves money in the long run and a well run operation can reduce the risk of a range of claims that might otherwise be made on their Colorado business insurance.
 

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According to the Insurance Information Institute the best and least expensive way for a small business to buy liability coverage is as part of a business owners' policy or BOP. This means as a small business operator in Colorado, business insurance is probably best purchased in this packaged form. BOPs generally include property, liability, and income loss and business interruption insurances.  

With regard to liability coverage, a BOP covers a small business for damages as a result of property damage, bodily injury, and personal and advertising injury – including copyright infringements and defamatory material. The insurance provider pays for legal costs and covers damages up to the policy limit. The exception is medical payments coverage which pays for the medical costs of a person injured on the business premises regardless of who is at fault.  

Naturally it is best to reduce the likelihood of injury or damage happening in the first place. Ways to do this could include:

• Maintaining a safe building in terms of physical layout, steps, uneven surfaces, lighting and so forth.  
• Providing instructions for safe handling of products.
• Taking care in advertising with regard to copyright, privacy, false claims and slander.

When buying Colorado business insurance, make sure to work closely with your agent. It is important to fully understand everything within your BOP and to have all bases covered especially with regard to liability insurance so that your assets are fully protected.
 

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