When there’s a catastrophe, like a fire or hail storm, the likelihood of contractor fraud increases immensely. Here are some tips for picking a reputable contractor and avoiding fraud.
1. Only work with contractors that are licensed
Colorado doesn’t require contractors to be licensed on the state level, so don’t assume that every contractor you encounter has a license. Many counties and cities have specific requirements, but not all local governments require contractors to be licensed.
Licensed contractors are required to have a certain amount of experience and pass an exam. That helps ensure they are qualified in their field.
If your contractor isn’t insured, you could be responsible for any injuries that occur while they’re working on your property. Request a Certificate of Insurance from any contractors you’re considering to verify their coverage.
3. Work with local contractors when you can
Local contractors have a better idea of the rules and regulations in your area. Not only does that help ensure work is done to code, but it also speeds up the process. If you hire a contractor from another state, there’s a chance you could be waiting longer for them to get permits pulled and inspections done.
A contractor that is local is also less likely to take payment and leave town without completing the work. If you have any issues with the work done, you can often get a local contractor to come back and fix it whereas someone from out of town might leave you high and dry.
4. Check references and reviews
If multiple people have complaints about their experience with a specific contractor, there’s a good chance you’ll also have issues with them. But if you find glowing reviews online and get good references for them, you’ll likely have a better experience.
5. Don’t get pressured into making a hasty decision
You don’t have to sign a contract immediately. Take your time, gets bids from multiple contractors, and make sure you understand the contract before you sign it. If you’re being pressured to sign something on the spot, that might not be a contractor you want to work with.
6. Get everything in writing
According to Travelers, the contract should include:
A detailed description of the work to be completed and the price of each item.
A payment schedule – for example: one-half down and one-third when work is partially completed, and the balance due upon completion of repairs.
The estimated start date and completion date on larger projects.
Any applicable guarantees, which should be written into the contract and clearly state what is guaranteed, who is responsible for the guarantee, and how long the guarantee is valid.
Signatures from both parties. You should never sign a contract containing blank sections.
7. Don’t pay in full for incomplete work up-front
Paying up-front increases the risk of a fraudulent contractor taking your money without completing the work. It also opens the door to poor workmanship and cutting corners because they don’t have to meet certain expectations in order to get paid.
When paying a contractor, pay by check rather than cash. Make the check out to the company rather than an individual.
8. Keep all records together in a safe place
Any paperwork you receive regarding the job should be kept together. Then if you need to reference anything you can find it. It also helps your case if there are any disputes.
This can include anything from the contract, any changes to the contract, estimates, invoices, certificates of insurance, correspondence, etc.
9. If you’re filing a home claim, file it and talk to your adjuster before starting on any work
If you’re repairing your home because of a loss that might be covered by insurance, make sure you file a claim before starting any work.
The insurance company needs to verify coverage before they can approve a claim. If you begin the repairs before an adjuster reviews the damage, your claim could be declined.
10. Report any suspected fraud
You can call local law enforcement, the National Insurance Crime Bureau 1-800-TEL-NICB, or FEMA disaster fraud hotline 1-866-720-5721 to report any suspected fraud.
Hiring a contractor checklist and tips. Travelers Insurance. (n.d.). Retrieved April 28, 2022, from https://www.travelers.com/resources/home/renovation/checklist-for-hiring-the-right-contractor
Colorado general contractor license and Insurance Requirements. Next Insurance. (2021, December 15). Retrieved April 28, 2022, from https://www.nextinsurance.com/blog/colorado-general-contractor-license-and-insurance-requirements/
In the insurance industry, a “catastrophe” is a disaster that is unusually severe and meets or exceeds a loss threshold. As of December, 2021, the current dollar threshold to declare an event a catastrophe is $25 Million, according to Insurance Information Institute. Some examples of catastrophic events include tornadoes, hailstorms, high wind, flooding, hurricanes and wildfires.
Colorado does see some flooding and tornadoes, but the largest losses come from wildfires and hailstorms. Colorado has the 3rd highest wildfire risk in the US and had the 2nd most hail claims filed between 2018-2020.
Wildfire
Insurance Information Institute reported that as of October, 2021, Colorado has 373,900 properties with “high to extreme wildfire risk.” That makes up 17% of the properties in the state. With so many properties at risk of being damaged or destroyed by wildfire, insurance companies have to plan accordingly.
Colorado’s highest catastrophic payouts since 2017:
May 8, 2017 Denver Metro Hailstorm: $2.3 Billion
2018 Front Range & CO Springs Top 3 Hailstorms: $276.4 Million, $169 Million, $172.8 Million
2020 East Troublesome Fire: $543 Million
2021 Marshall Fire: Over 1000 structures destroyed and estimated $1 Billion in damages
The high wildfire risk in Colorado means higher rates across the state. But insurance companies charge more for insurance on homes that have the highest risk. They do this by assigning each property a Protection Class (PC) or Brushfire Score, which determines the risk of fire and the responding fire department’s ease of access and resources. The higher the PC or Brushfire Score, the higher the premium charged to insure that property.
Colorado has the 3rd highest wildfire risk in the US and had the 2nd most hail claims filed between 2018-2020.
Hail
Hail has been a problem in Colorado for as long as I can remember, but the number and severity of claims have increased significantly over the past decade. Part of that is due to the increasing population in the state. The more homes that are built on the Front Range, the more targets there are for hail to hit.
Between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019, Denver and Colorado Springs were in the top 5 cities for hail losses, with Denver at #2 and Colorado Springs at #3, according to an Insurance Journal article. Insurance companies in Colorado pay out hundreds of millions, if not over a billion dollars for hail damage every single year. Most companies have higher deductibles for wind and hail losses to help mitigate the risk. They also have to charge an adequate amount for both auto and home insurance.
2. Traffic Accidents
There are three major factors causing the number and severity of traffic accidents to rise in Colorado: Booming Population, Impaired Driving, and Distracted Driving.
Population Growth
It’s no secret that the population in Colorado is increasing at a rapid rate. According to U.S. News, the 2020 Census showed that Colorado was 6th fastest-growing state from 2010-2020, with a 14.8% growth. Unfortunately, traffic infrastructure has not kept pace with the population growth, leaving many roads on the front range gridlocked more frequently than not. More cars on the road directly correlates with accident frequency.
Distracted Driving
In addition to the heavier traffic, dangerous driving activities are becoming more common. Nearly everyone has a smart phone, and most people don’t put their phone on “Do Not Disturb” when they get behind the wheel. Distracted driving can include anything that takes focus away from the road, including texting, talking on the phone, eating, reading, and more.
91% of participants reported driving distracted in the past seven days. 54% admitted to reading a message on their phones. Nearly 50% talked on a cell phone while driving. 41% sent a message while driving.
CDOT also reported that in 2020, 10,166 crashes in Colorado involved distracted drivers. Those accidents caused 1,476 injuries and 68 deaths.
Impaired Driving
Impaired driving is also contributing to more severe and frequent accidents. The total number of fatal crashes has increased by 37% from 2011 to 2021. Fatalities involving drivers that tested positive for drugs increased by 39.3% from 2015 to 2019. Drivers with a BAC over the legal limit were involved in 8.6% more fatal accidents during that same time.
From 2020 to 2021, the number of DUIs involving marijuana went up by 48%. While not all DUI incidents end in an accident, the increase in risky driving behavior certainly impacts the frequency of crashes.
With impaired and distracted driving causing more crashes, injuries and fatalities, insurance companies are paying out more for auto claims in Colorado. Higher medical costs are also impacting the higher payouts for auto accidents. Berkley Accident and Health reported that treatment costs increased by 6% in 2020 and another 7% in 2021.
Unfortunately when accident frequency and severity increases, we all pay the price. The more insurance companies pay out in claims, the more rate increases they are forced to take in order to remain solvent in the state.
3. Supply Shortages
There have been worldwide supply shortages since the pandemic started in 2020, which have led to inflated prices across most industries. Since the materials for home construction and auto parts are more expensive, insurance payouts are also inflated.
Auto Part Shortages
According to the Consumer Price Index, the cost of auto parts have increased by 14.2% from March 2021-March 2022. Insurance companies generally consider a vehicle a total loss if it will cost more than 70% of the vehicles value to repair the damage. That means more cars are being totaled because of the inflated repair costs.
Both new and used cars are also much more expensive than they were a few years ago. Supply chain disruptions have made it harder for manufacturers to produce enough new vehicles. There were 7.7 Million fewer vehicles produced in 2021, largely due to the microchip shortages. The shortfall of new vehicles directly impacts the price of used vehicles.
As the values of used vehicles increase, the payouts for total losses get higher. With insurance companies paying out more, the cost of insurance also goes up.
Building Material Shortages
On top of the rising costs impacting auto insurance, the costs of building materials have also soared because of supply chain shortages. Lumber prices jumped 42% in the first year of the pandemic, and steel mill products rose 81% in the first three quarters of 2021. Throughout 2021, the price of materials for new construction increased by over 18%.
The inflated cost of materials alone has led to much higher prices for rebuilding homes that have been damaged. Just like with auto insurance, higher home claim payouts leads to home premium increases.
On home policies, insurance companies are increasing rates to keep up with the amount they are paying out for claims but premiums are also rising due to higher coverage amounts. Since it costs more to rebuild a home, the amount of coverage you have on your home policy is likely also increasing.
There’s a good chance that if your policy was written more than a year ago, you don’t have enough coverage to rebuild your whole home.
You may have been able to rebuild your home for $150/square foot 4 or 5 years ago, but now it might cost closer to $275/square foot. As a result, your dwelling coverage (Coverage A) needs to increase to ensure your home is properly insured.
Many homeowners found out they were underinsured after the Marshall Fire, which is largely due to the rapid inflation seen in the past several years. If you haven’t review your home coverage with a licensed agent recently, I highly recommend you do. There’s a good chance that if your policy was written more than a year ago, you don’t have enough coverage to rebuild your whole home.
You can walk into almost any business and see a “Help Wanted” sign on the door. It’s no secret that there are labor shortages across most industries. The shortage of workers has directly impacted the supply shortages, but even when the supplies are available many industries don’t have enough people to actually do the work.
Auto Technician Shortages
There’s currently a deficit of trained auto technicians to work on repairing damaged vehicles. To keep up with demand, there needs to be 3 times as many qualified technicians. The shortfall of auto technicians is causing higher auto repair costs and longer repair times.
When it takes longer to repair a vehicle, the insurance companies end up paying for a rental car for longer which also increases the claim payout amount.
Skilled Construction Labor Shortages
When it comes to home construction, there’s a shortfall of at least 200,000 skilled trade workers. That has led to more expensive bids for both home repairs and new construction. Not only are skilled workers charging more for their labor, but the amount insurance companies are paying for Additional Living Expenses is much higher.
Most home policies come with coverage for Additional Living Expenses, so if you can’t live in your home due to a covered loss they will pay for the additional expenses you incur as a result. That includes a hotel or long-term rental, restaurant expenses if you don’t have a kitchen to cook in, dry cleaning bills if you don’t have access to a washer and dryer, and more. If takes 6 months longer to rebuilt your home after a loss, the insurance company is paying those expenses for longer.
At the end of the day, the amount insurance companies pay out for claims directly impacts the amount they charge for insurance. All of the reasons listed above are causing insurance companies to pay out more than they have in the past. As a result, the cost of auto and home insurance are increasing accordingly.
Boyd, S. (2021, January 29). Marijuana Dui Arrests Up 48% In Last Year Across Colorado. CBS Denver. Retrieved April 13, 2022, from https://denver.cbslocal.com/2021/01/29/marijuana-dui-colorado-arrests-alcohol/
Catastrophe Facts & Statistics. RMIIA. (n.d.). Retrieved April 13, 2022, from http://www.rmiia.org/catastrophes_and_statistics/catastrophes.asp#:~:text=The%20most%20destructive%20wildfire%20in,and%20auto%20insurance%20claims%20filed
Davis Jr., E. (2021, April 28). 2020 census shows America’s fastest-growing states | best … U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved April 13, 2022, from https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/slideshows/these-are-the-10-fastest-growing-states-in-america
Distracted driving. Colorado Department of Transportation. (2022, April 4). Retrieved April 13, 2022, from https://www.codot.gov/safety/distracteddriving
Facts + Statistics: Wildfires. Insurance Information Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved April 13, 2022, from https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-wildfires
Spotlight on: Catastrophes – Insurance Issues. Insurance Information Institute. (2021, December 13). Retrieved April 13, 2022, from https://www.iii.org/article/spotlight-on-catastrophes-insurance-issues
Top states, cities for insurance claims for hail damage. Insurance Journal. (2020, April 28). Retrieved April 13, 2022, from https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2020/04/28/566579.htm
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, April 12). Table 7. consumer price index for all urban consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, by expenditure category, 12-month analysis table – 2022 M03 results. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved April 13, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.t07.htm
Unni, C. (2021, November 29). The Pandemic’s Lasting Effects: Medical Costs Projected to Rise 6.5% in 2022. Berkley Accident and Health. Retrieved April 13, 2022, from https://www.berkleyah.com/the-pandemics-lasting-effects-medical-costs-projected-to-rise-6-5-in-2022/
After the Marshall Fire tore through entire neighborhoods in Superior and Louisville, many people are worried about their home insurance. There have been countless reports of families whose home insurance was too low to rebuild their home. Not only did they lose their home, their belongings, and their sense of normalcy, now they are frantically trying to figure out how they will afford to rebuild.
That raises the question, how do you know if you have enough coverage? After all, you pay for insurance so you can be made whole again if disaster strikes. And what good is a policy that leaves you with only half a home after a fire?
How much home insurance is enough?
Many homeowners are concerned when the dwelling limit is lower than the amount they could sell their home for. Remember, an insurance company is never going to sell your home, just rebuild it. You should insure your home for the amount it would cost to rebuild your home. Not what the real estate market estimates it is worth.
How do you know if you have enough home insurance?
Insurance companies use a Replacement Cost Estimator (RCE) to determine the estimated cost to rebuild a home in the event of a total loss. When filling out the RCE, we can get very specific with the details in the home.
The RCE will factor in things like square footage, the foundation (basement, slab, etc.), the number of bathrooms, and the finishes in the home, like flooring, counters and cabinets. For homes with higher end finishes, we can go even more in-depth. We can input the light fixtures, crown or base molding, and special features like theatre rooms, built-in speakers, wet bars, and wine cellars.
That being said, the RCE is only an estimate and the costs of labor and materials are constantly changing. The actual cost to rebuild your home may even change over an annual policy term. For example, when COVID-19 hit, the cost of lumber skyrocketed. So it now costs more to rebuild a home than it did before the pandemic.
To account for inflation and increasing construction costs, we recommend Extended Dwelling Coverage. Extended Dwelling Coverage provides an additional percentage of your dwelling limit. It’s usually either an extra 25% or 50% (some carriers even offer 100%), which can extend if there is a loss.
Example: Your dwelling limit is $300,000 and you have 50% of Extended Dwelling Coverage. If there was a significant loss to your home you’d have up to an extra $150,000 to cover any costs that exceed your $300,000 dwelling limit.
Your home has to be correctly insured for the Extended Dwelling Coverage to extend. You can’t underinsure your home and then count on the additional percentage of coverage to fill that gap. That’s why it’s important to notify your agent if you make any significant changes to the home. If you finish the basement or upgrade your kitchen or bathroom, you need to update the RCE.
Debris removal is a cost that people often overlook.
Most policies include coverage to remove the debris after a loss. The cost of debris removal can be significant.
Many counties have an ordinance that requires demolition when a certain percentage of the home is damaged, usually 60% or more. So even if there are parts that are salvageable, the whole thing might need to be rebuilt. In cases like this, your dwelling value isn’t only covering the rebuilding of your home. It’s also covering the demolition of the undamaged portion of your home and the cost of hauling away that debris.
Are your belongings covered?
Most homeowners policies also include coverage for your personal property. So if your house were to burn down, or be impacted by another covered loss, you won’t be on your own to replace your belongings.
The majority of policies default to Actual Cash Value settlement for personal property. That means if your belongings were damaged or destroyed in a loss, your claim payout would be the original value minus depreciation for age and wear & tear. That’s not going to go very far when it comes to replacing your things.
I highly recommend purchasing Replacement Cost coverage for your personal property, if available. With Replacement Cost, you’ll be given the full cost to actually replace an item rather than the depreciated value.
If you have any high value items or collections, it may be beneficial to schedule those on your policy to ensure you receive the full value if there is a loss.
Create a home inventory to keep track of your belongings
One way to account for the personal property you have in your home is to fill out a Home Inventory Checklist. If you’re prepared with a home inventory, it can help make things go more smoothly if disaster strikes and you have to replace everything.
What happens if you can’t stay in your home after a loss?
If your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss, your homeowners policy will pay for the additional living expenses you incur. You would continue paying your normal expenses, like your mortgage and property taxes, and your policy would pay for the extra costs that arise as a result of your claim. That can include paying for a hotel or long-term rental, restaurant bills if you’re unable to cook in the hotel, laundromat costs, etc.
This coverage is typically called Loss of Use or Additional Living Expenses. The limit of coverage could either be a set dollar amount (like 20% of the dwelling limit) or an amount of time (12 or 24 months). It’s important to have an adequate limit because if your home is a total loss it can take a significant amount of time to rebuild.
Some policies offer “walkaway” coverage
If you lost your home to a fire that burned your entire neighborhood, you might wish you didn’t have to rebuild in that area. That’s especially true if you chose your location based on the surroundings and the scenery. After a fire, there’s probably not much natural beauty to look at.
Most home policies will only pay replacement cost once your home has been rebuilt. There are a few select insurance carriers that offer replacement cost coverage up front if the home is deemed a total loss. That equates to “walkaway” coverage because you can take the payment and go build or buy elsewhere.
Keep in mind the policy isn’t going to pay what your home would have sold for prior to the loss, it will only pay what it would cost to rebuild your home.
Do you feel confident your policy has coverage you need if your home burned down? If not, give us a call today. Our agents are committed to providing specialized coverage for each individual or family’s needs.
Across the insurance industry, rates are expected to increase even more this year than they have in recent years. While annual increases are becoming the norm, the jump may be more drastic in 2022.
There are many factors that are driving insurance costs up. Claim payouts are higher than ever, and natural disasters and car accidents are becoming more frequent. Combine that with supply chain issues and labor shortages, and you have the unprecedented market we’re currently in.
Homeowners
Building material costs are at an all-time high
With global supply chain issues and labor shortages, prices for many products have soared over the past few years. Building materials are no exception.
During the first year of the pandemic, the cost of lumber jumped up by 42%. The prices have fluctuated since, but aren’t back to the pre-pandemic prices. In the first three quarters of 2021, steel mill products rose in cost by 81%.
There’s also currently a shortage of at least 200,000 skilled trade workers. 60% of surveyed builders are reporting labor shortages and the vast majority of them don’t expect that problem to go away in the next 6 months.
Price increases from December 2020 – December 2021:
Floor Coverings 3.9% Window Coverings 8% Major Appliances 6% Overall Construction Supplies 18.4%
All of these factors have led to more expensive construction projects for both home repairs and new construction.
Home claims are rising in both severity and frequency
Catastrophic home claims are no longer few and far between, they seem to be happening every other week somewhere in the country.
In 2021, there were 20 natural disasters with losses exceeding $1Billion in the US alone. From 1980-2021 the annual average is 7.4 events, but the annual average in the past 5 years is 17.2 events.
Many scientists and experts attribute the increased frequency of disastrous events to climate change. As our weather and climate changes, severe weather events are becoming more common and severe.
Between the increased frequency and severity of home claims and the higher cost of building materials, home insurance prices will continue to increase. The chances that you’ll need to file a claim on your home are higher, and it will cost even more to repair or rebuild your home than it has previously.
Auto
Supply chain disruptions are causing costly shortages
Supply chain issues are impacting many different industries, including auto production. 7.7 Million fewer vehicles were produced in 2021 due to supply chain complications.
One of the most impactful shortages has been microchips that are used in vehicles. With most vehicles containing higher levels of technology than ever before, it’s been difficult for manufacturers to keep up with demand.
Because of the microchip shortage, there’s a shortfall of new vehicles on the market, which has driven up the cost of used vehicles.
Price increases from December 2020 – December 2021:
New Vehicles 11.8% Used Vehicles 37.3%
Many rental car companies sold a large portion of their vehicles in order to survive during the pandemic. Once travel increased again over the summer of 2021, they had to restock their fleet of vehicles. With fewer new vehicles on the market due, they turned to used vehicles.
Around the same time, consumers who had extra money from stimulus checks also began shopping for new and used cars. The combination of that and the rental car companies drove the prices of used vehicles up significantly in June. Those prices remained inflated through the end of 2021 and aren’t expected to drop anytime soon.
The cost to repair vehicles keeps rising
In addition to the microchips, there are also supply chain issues impacting wiring harnesses, plastics, and glass used by auto manufacturers. As a result, the cost to repair vehicles is up around 20% and the cost of auto parts is up 6%.
Similar to the skilled labor shortage seen in the construction industry, there’s also a need for 3 times as many trained auto technicians. The delays in obtaining auto parts and the lack of skilled technicians to complete the repairs have made auto repairs take significantly longer.
With cars being stuck in the shop for longer than usual, that takes up even more of the rental car market. People are needing rental cars for longer, and they are harder to find. That drives the cost of rental cars up and exhausts the car insurance coverage limits faster.
Driving has returned to pre-pandemic levels
At the beginning of the pandemic there were fewer drivers on the roads and there were fewer accidents as a result. During that time, many insurance companies decreased premiums and offered credits or refunds.
In 2021, however, we saw a return to pre-pandemic driving levels and a rise in the number and severity of accidents. Insurance companies found themselves with underpriced policies, which is causing them to now increase rates to keep up with the high claim payouts.
If you’d like to discuss your insurance options or get a proposal, give us a call today. We’re here to help!
Semiconductor shortages to cost the auto industry billions. AlixPartners. (2021, September 23). Retrieved January 27, 2022, from https://www.alixpartners.com/media-center/press-releases/press-release-shortages-related-to-semiconductors-to-cost-the-auto-industry-210-billion-in-revenues-this-year-says-new-alixpartners-forecast/
Smith, A. B. (2022, January 24). 2021 U.S. billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in historical context. 2021 U.S. billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in historical context | NOAA Climate.gov. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/beyond-data/2021-us-billion-dollar-weather-and-climate-disasters-historical
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, January 12). Table 2. consumer price index for all urban consumers (CPI-U): U. S. city average, by detailed expenditure Category – 2021 M12 results. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.t02.htm
Integrity First Insurance was built on providing reliable service to Colorado residents. We treat our clients like family. Developing these close bonds enables us to offer policies that directly align with the needs of our clients. We have versatile policies that change over time as our clients continue on their life’s journey. We look forward to assisting you.
How Home Insurance Impacts Remote Businesses
Home insurance helps you maximize your investment. You’ve likely made a lot of sacrifices in order to acquire your Colorado residence. Home insurance covers you if your property suffers interior or exterior damage. All of your personal items inside the home are also covered if you are a victim of theft. Taking inventory of your personal items is recommended, as that will help the process run smoothly if your items are damaged. Liability coverage protects you if a guest is injured on your property or if you accidentally cause damage to your neighbors’ property.
If you are a local business owner, you’re probably aware of the emerging trend regarding remote businesses. If you plan to start operating your business from home in the future, you have to consider a few possibilities. Do you plan to invite customers to your home? If so, consider increasing your liability limits. You’ll also need to amend your policy in order to cover any work-related equipment if it is damaged or potentially stolen. If you’re operating a remote business, then technology is a major asset. You need somewhere to safely store files and data. Cyber liability coverage is a worthwhile investment. This type of coverage protects your business if your network suffers a data breach. Errors & Omissions coverage is another option to consider.
Integrity First Insurance Will Help You Protect Your Investment
Visit our website to learn more information about home insurance.
We all hope we’ll never have to file an insurance claim on our home, but the recent fire in Superior and Louisville was a reminder that bad things can happen in an instant. If you’re prepared with a home inventory, it can help make things go more smoothly if disaster strikes and you have to replace everything.
One simple way to create an inventory of your belongings is to do a video walk through of your home. Press record on your cell phone or camera and walk from room to room panning over your belongings. You can narrate what you’re looking at and open any cupboards or drawers where valuables might be kept. Once you have a video of your possessions, be sure to upload it to cloud storage or email it to yourself or someone you trust to ensure you can still access it if something happens to your phone or camera.
Another option is to fill out a Home Inventory Checklist. If you want a more itemized list that you can easily add and remove items from, you can download an app to help you create an inventory. Some options include Home Contents or Everspruce. Both apps have a free version, or you can elect to pay a fee to unlock additional features.
Pick an easy spot to start – A contained area—like your small kitchen appliance cabinet, your sporting equipment closet or your handbag shelf—is a great place to get started.
List recent purchases – Another way to start is with recent purchases—get into the inventory habit and then go back tackle your older possessions.
Include the basic information – In general, describe each item you record, and note where you bought it, the make and model, what you paid and any other detail that might help in the event you need to make a claim.
Count clothing by general category – For example, “5 pairs of jeans, 3 pairs of sneakers…” Make note of any items that are especially valuable.
Record serial numbers – Usually found on the back or bottom of major appliances and electronic equipment, serial numbers are a useful reference.
Check coverage on big ticket items – Jewelry, art and collectibles may have increased in value and may need special coverage separate from your standard homeowners insurance policy. While you’re making your home inventory list, check with your agent to make sure you have adequate insurance for these items before there is a loss.
Keep proof of value – Store sales receipts, purchase contracts, and appraisals with your list.
Add significant new purchases to your list – Make it a habit to add the item information and receipts to your inventory while the details are fresh in your mind.
Store a copy of your paper inventory outside the home – Keep it—along with applicable receipts and appraisals—in a safe deposit box or at a friend’s or relative’s home. Make at least one backup copy of your inventory document and store it separately. An easy way to make digital backup copies of your paper list is to take pictures of it on your smartphone.
Sources:
How to create a home inventory. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2021, from https://www.iii.org/article/how-create-home-inventory
When you are on the search for your first home in Colorado, you also need to take into consideration the protection for that home. Homeowners insurance is imperative to protect your family, personal belongings, and the home itself. However, you need to ensure you choose the right policy, and this will depend greatly on what is and is not covered. Therefore, before you commit to a particular policy, make sure to speak to us at Integrity First Insurance.
What Is Typically Covered by Home Insurance?
The great thing about home insurance is that it offers you peace of mind, but it does so much more than that. Homeowner’s insurance typically provides protection for the structure from vehicular accidents, fires, and weather-related damage. In addition, it offers protection for the home against theft or vandalism, as well as personal liability protection from potential lawsuits in the event someone suffers an injury while at your home.
What Is Usually Not Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
There are some things that home insurance simply will not cover. For instance, if a natural disaster like a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, or landslide causes power failure or damage to your home, your standard policy won’t provide coverage. Neglect, pet damage, and the like also won’t be covered.
If you are concerned about sewage backup, leaks, flooding, or other water-related damage, you will want to consider a separate flood insurance policy.
While homeowners insurance is not typically required by the state, it is often required by a lender if you are financing your home. Further, it is a wise investment to protect the roof over your head. If you need help securing homeowners insurance for your Colorado home, reach out to the team at Integrity First Insurance to explore the options available to you.
1. Extreme weather impacts insurance rates in Colorado.
Hail and heavy rains can cause damage to cars, homes, boats, motorcycles, etc. Many claims are filed when there’s a big storm, which leads to the average insurance rates to increase.
2. Car insurance is more expensive in Colorado than in many other states.
The average car insurance rates have increased by more than 50% in the past 10 years. There are plenty of reasons that car insurance is increasing across the country, and more specifically in Colorado.
The rapidly increasing population and crowded roads in Colorado has led to more accidents and higher car insurance rates.
4. The minimum liability limits to legally drive in Colorado are $25K/$50K/$15K.
Although you can legally drive with the minimum limits, they aren’t enough to protect your family and your future. Higher limits can save you a lot of money in the long run.
5. Homeowners in Colorado are more likely to file a roof claim than those in most other states.
Between 2017-2019, Colorado had the second most hail claims in the US. The only state with more in that span was Texas. With such severe hail storms in Colorado, most residents will file a roof claim in their lifetime.
6. As of 2019, 16.3% of drivers in Colorado are driving without insurance.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the national average in 2019 was 12.6%. Colorado is well over the national average, which is why our Uninsured Motorist coverage rates are on the rise.
8. Even though Colorado is a landlocked state, there is still risk of flooding.
Flooding doesn’t only happen near large bodies of water. Rapid rainfall or runoff from areas previously damaged by wildfire can cause severe flooding. You can add a flood endorsement on some home policies in Colorado, or buy a separate policy to cover your risk.
9. Vacation rentals, like AirBnb and VRBO are becoming more popular in Colorado.
Colorado is an ideal vacation destination for many in both the summer and the winter. That means the demand for vacation rentals is skyrocketing. Renting out a second home or even a room in your current home is a great way to bring in some extra income. Luckily, there are plenty of options available for insuring homes used as a vacation rental, but it’s important to get the right coverage.
10. Rental car rates often skyrocket during hail season.
After a big hail storm, many people need a rental car while their car is getting fixed. With a limited inventory, most rental car companies sell out and the rates become inflated. Check your car insurance policy to make sure you have enough rental car coverage to account for higher costs associated with hail season.
Fall is a wonderful time — if your home is ready for it. So enjoy the last few weeks of warmer weather, but do a little preventative maintenance while you’re at it. You’ll fix small problems before they become big, and big ones before they become catastrophes.
Here are 10 tips to help:
Look up. Examine your roof closely. Moss should be removed and debris cleared from gutters and downspouts. Repairing damage is crucial before fall weather is in full swing.
Look down. Check for signs of animals and insects around your home and garage, including the basement and crawlspace. If you need help getting unwanted guests out, don’t hesitate to bring in a professional.
Keep things warm. Heat escapes through leaks around windows and doors, so seal up any drafty areas. Outside, put covers over faucets before temperatures drop.
Keep things dry. Drain outdoor hoses, faucets and irrigation systems. Look in the basement and crawlspace for wet spots. And make sure your water heater or boiler aren’t leaking.
Clear the air (or vents and filters, at least). When’s the last time you checked your dryer vent? You should take a look at attic vents and exhaust ducts as well. And change that furnace filter, too!
Take a walk. Cracks in your driveway or walkways will only get bigger, so get them fixed soon. If your deck has signs of wear, make repairs while the weather is still good.
Get a tune-up. You or a professional should clean and tune your furnace, boiler and/or water heater, as well as your oven and range.
Don’t play with fire. Before building your first fire of the season, check for soot or creosote build-up.
Don’t play with fire extinguishers, either. But check them to ensure they still have pressure. Don’t have fire extinguishers? Put them on your shopping list, ideally one for each floor.
Don’t forget those smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors. Replace batteries when needed, and test regularly that alarms are working.
If you’re a stay-at-home parent, need some extra money in addition to your other income, or just want more flexibility in your life, you might be able to find a side hustle to make money in your spare time. There are tons of options out there to make some extra cash.
Before jumping in with both feet, you should consider talking to your insurance agent or reviewing your policies to ensure you have the coverage you need.
Renting out your house
Whether you have a second home or just a room or floor in your primary home that you plan to rent out, it’s important to make sure you have the correct coverage on your home insurance policy. Even if it’s only rented a few times a year, you may still need specialized coverage.
Most insurance companies consider short-term rentals a business venture. Home insurance doesn’t often cover business activities, so a standard policy might not suit your needs.
Each insurance carrier has their own way of covering a vacation rental, so talking to a licensed agent is the best way to ensure you have the correct coverage on your policy.
Another popular way to make some extra money is to drive for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft. Most rideshare companies require that you have your own car insurance, and some provide extra coverage once you have connected with a passenger.
There is an additional risk when you’re driving for a rideshare company, so insurance carriers exclude coverage for driving for hire. Luckily, many insurance companies offer a Rideshare endorsement that you can add to the policy.
In most cases, Rideshare coverage is inexpensive, and it covers a gap that would otherwise leave you exposed. If you don’t have the proper coverage you could be left without coverage if you get in an accident. Your personal auto policy may also be cancelled for violating the terms and conditions.
The best way to find out if your policy offers Rideshare coverage is to call your agent and ask.
If you have a special set of skills, freelancing may be a great opportunity to make some money in your free time. Being able to work wherever you are is a huge plus to freelancing. You can write a blog on the beach, teach a class from your living room, or build a website from your bedroom.
One important thing to consider when working from home is safety. Make sure you don’t have cords laying in high traffic areas that could cause someone to trip. If you’re going to be working quite a few hours, you may want to invest in an ergonomic work area. Good posture, a solid office chair and a workspace that is the appropriate height can go a long way to prevent injury.
Another aspect to consider is your homeowners or renters insurance. If you have expensive equipment, you may need to increase your coverage limits. Your policy may also have certain guidelines or limitations regarding foot traffic in your home, so if you have people coming in and out of your house for business purposes, talk to your agent.
Making and selling items is a fun way to express your creativity while earning some cash. If you have products in your home, you may need to look over your insurance policy to make sure you have coverage for those items.
Most home or renters policies don’t automatically cover property related to a business. You can often add an endorsement to your policy to extend the coverage that you need. If your policy doesn’t have enough coverage for your situation, you can also consider a commercial property policy.
If you have any questions about what coverage your insurance policy offers in relation to your side hustle, give us a call. We’re happy to review your coverages and find a policy that will fit your unique needs!
