Showing posts with label car insurance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label car insurance. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Build a Better Brain

Most people think that as you get older so does your brain. You can now set aside everything you believe about how your brain works with age. A recent study on this subject is mind-boggling. "Long-standing wisdom has been that brain function is destined to decline as we age," says Elizabeth Zelinski, PhD, a professor at the University of Southern California. "The good news is, that's simply not true." In fact, research now suggest you have a good chance of keeping your brain sharp if you commit to the right kind of concentrated effort. Scientist have recently came up with the term "brain plasticity" which means you can improve your brain function at any age.
Since the science is still new and evolving there is some controversy over how to build and maintain your brain. However there is a common agreement that in order to enhance brain function, activities must be both stimulating and challenging. Exercise your brain by doing crossword puzzles, learning to play a new instrument, play catch, etc.
One of the daily life activities that can benefit significantly from enhanced brain fitness is driving. This is good news for both older drivings and concerned adult children of older drivers. A car can swerve into your lane or a driver in front of you can clam on the brakes. A few millisecond in your reaction time can make the difference between a scare and a bad crash. That is why it is important to take an active role in staying safe on the road as you age.
For more information on brain fitness including fun activities to test your brain power visit. http://www.hartfordbrainfitness.com/

At CIS we are committed to taking care of our clients and providing them with the most accurate and up to date information. This blog is just one small step to informing you as a driver on how to stay safe and sharpen your brain.

http://www.cisforyou.com/

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Be Prepared for Labor Day Weekend!

We want to wish everyone a fun and safe labor day weekend. We know many of you will be doing one last road trip or camping trip to wrap up the summer season. When taking long road trips or driving up the mountains it is important to be prepared for anything. At CIS we have come up with a car emergence kit. Having an emergency preparedness kit in your car is sort of like having good insurance. You hope you'll never need it-but boy are you glad it's there on road trips if you have an accident or need to help others.
Emergency kits with most essentials cost $30 to $100 at stores that sell auto accessories. You can also assemble your own kit in case of an emergency, heres what you should include.
Use a sturdy canvas bag with handles or a plastic bin to store your emergency preparedness kit and secure it so it doesn't roll or move when the car is moving. Include the following:
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Cloth or roll of paper towels
  • Jumper cables
  • Blankets
  • Flares or warning triangles
  • Nonperishable snacks, such as energy or granola bars
  • Drinking water
  • Extra clothes
  • First-aid kit
  • Basic tool kit that includes screwdrivers, pliers and adjustable wrench
  • Phone charger
  • Auto-safety hammer
  • Copy of insurance ID card
At CIS we guarantee excellent customer service for our valued clients and do business with 6 major insurance carriers that are all A/A+ rated with AM BEST. Get a FREE, NO Obligation Quote today!

http://www.cisforyou.com/

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Go Green! For Your Wallet & The Environment

You do not need to spend a fortune on a hybrid to drive green. Making even a small improvement to your car's fuel efficiency can make a big difference to the environment. Here are a few green driving tips to reduce the carbon footprint of the car that's already sitting in your driveway-and in the process, save your money!

1. Get a tune-up for the environment
       Proper maintenance can have a big impact on how much gas you use. The payback for repairs varies, but fixing a serious problem like a malfunctioning oxygen sensor can improve fuel efficiency by as much as 40%

2. Pay attention to your tires
       The next time you need new tires, consider buying low rolling resistance (LRR) tires. Rolling resistance is essentially the energy that your tires consume as they compress under the weight of your vehicle. LRR tires can improve fuel efficiency by 1.5 to 4.5 %
       Proper inflation can even make a big difference on regular tires. The Department of Energy estimates that under inflated tires waste 1.2 billion gallons of gas a year. Once a month you should check your tire's pressure, you can find the correct inflation number for your vehicle in the owner's manual. Do not go by the number listed on the tire itself, as that reflects the maximum pressure the tire can withstand.

3. Lose the junk in your trunk
       Those miscellaneous items that we haul around can add up to lots of extra weight-a hundred pounds equals about 2 % reduction in gas mileage.

4. Update your oil
       Engines on newer car models (those less than 10 years old) often require lightweight oil such as 0W20 or 0W30. (The lower the number before the W, the easier the engine will start in the cold weather, the number after the W represents the oil's thickness.) Not only does thicker oil reduce your car's fuel efficiency it can fail to lubricate the small spaces in a modern engine.

5. Adjust your octane
       Many drivers (estimates of 9 million) mistakenly believe that pumping premium gasoline in their tank will help their engines run better; some drivers periodically opt for higher grades thinking it will help them clean out the car's fuel system. In both cases this is a wasted effort. If your car wasn't designed to run on high-octane gas then using it will cause more unburned fuel to get into the emissions system. Premium gas also requires more energy to refine, so buying it when you don't have to is bad for the environment at both the production and consumption ends of the market.

6. Go green when you need to cool off
       On short trips and when driving around town, keeping your windows downs is more efficient than using the air conditioner. At highway speeds, use the air conditioner, as open windows create drag when moving fast. A green driving tip: Using the vents is the most fuel-efficient colling option of all.

7. Drive gently
       Jackrabbit starts and screeching stops are hard on your vehicle and increase fuel consumption. Flooring the gas pedal just once can emit as much carbon monoxide as half an hour of normal driving. Every car has an optimal range for fuel economy (check your owner's manual for range.) For every 5 mph over this range you drive, you're reducing fuel efficiency by about 7%

8. Be eco-friendly, even when parked
       Gas can evaporate even from a closed tank and heat speeds up the process so park in the shade when possible. By doing so, you will also reduce the amount of energy needed to cool your car when you start driving.

Hope these friendly tips will help your wallet and we know it will help the environment.

http://www.cisforyou.com/

Friday, August 12, 2011

7 Simple Ways to Change Driving Habits

According to National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) Distracted driving has led to more than 5,400 highway deaths and 448,000 accidents this past year.

To keep your mind on the road and your care out of an accident, follow these 7 easy safe driving tips!

1. Stow all phones-even hand free ones
Talking or texting behind the wheel is perhaps one of the most
important driving habits to break. Of all highway deaths last year,
18% involved drivers using a cell phone before the crash. When
talking on a cell phone your risk of accident quadruples and texting
makes you eight times more likely to crash!

2. Listen to-don't watch GPS devices
High-tech gadgets are supposed to help you navigate unknown streets,
but if you fiddle with the controls or pay more attention to the
screen than the road, you jeopardize your car safety. Program your
destination before you start driving and rely on verbal cues from GPS
instead of the screen.

3. Go 3-D when looking for an address
Before you head out to an unfamiliar destination, review maps and
directions. One tool CIS finds helpful is Google Map's Street View.
The 3-D view gives you visual clues so you don't have to take your
eyes off the road to look for street signs or house addresses.

4. Adjust Controls and set the playlist before you roll
Don't fiddle with gadgets like the radio, iPod, or climate controls
while driving.  Set up everything before you turn on the ignition. If
it takes more than a glance to adjust a control, wait until you're
stopped to fix it.

5. Ban conflict-inducing conversations
When you talk with others in the car, heated arguments may pull your
attention away from the traffic signals and pedestrians. Make it a
habit that you'll save deep discussions for outside the car. The same
can be said for handling a misbehaving child.

6. Buckle up Rex
Unpredictable, unsecured pets can cause major distracted driving
concerns. There are a variety of restraints suitable for your type of
pet and car; from a cage in the back to a harness that can be buckled
with the seat belt. The backseat is also the best place for pets,
that way you won't be tempted to pet or feed them.

7. Take breaks to avoid spacing out
Daydreaming in a car can end up as a nightmare. If your mind is
wandering pull over to jot it down or make a phone call. Don't let it
keep running through your head. Take regular breaks, one at least
every two hours.
Get a FREE no obligation quote today from CIS!
http://www.cisforyou.com/

Thursday, July 28, 2011

DNT TXT N DRV

Those of you that know how to text, tweet, fb & email on your mobile phone are probably guilty of distractive driving. It is easy to think you can send a quick text, check your email inbox or tweet what you are doing while stopped at a light or sitting in traffic. Truth is, texting while driving can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence.

Car and Driver Magazine conducted a study to see which distraction influences the reaction time to braking while driving a vehicle. They rigged a car with a red light in the windshield to act like a brake light for a vehicle in front of them. When driving 70 mph it took .54 seconds for the unimpaired driver with no distractions to brake. When legally drunk (.08) it added an extra 4 feet, while reading an email it added 36 feet and when sending a text it added 70 feet!
America averages over 75 billion text messages a year. Over 50 percent of teen drivers admit to texting while driving and 40 percent of crashes in urban areas are related to distractive driving. According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration over 515,000 people have been injured because of distracted drivers and a startling 5,800 people were killed in 2008. Fatality Accident Reporting System concludes that between 2001 & 2007, 16,141 lives were taken because of cell phone use while driving.
Colorado State law prohibits drivers under age of 18 to use hand held cell phones at all. It is also a crime for any driver to text, email or tweet while driving. Governor Bill Ritter signed the bill in 2009 and assigned a $50 fine for first time offenders and $100 fine for second time offenders. It is important for parents to preach to their teen drivers about the dangers of distractive driving and of course lead by example. If you absolutely need to text, tweet, email or fb pull over and come to a complete stop before reaching for your hand held device. Also, those with Blackberries and Android phones can download an application that restricts you from texting while driving.
A text, tweet and email can wait so do not let your smart phone allow you to do something stupid. In one single second your whole life could change for the worse. A BRB, LOL & TTYL can wait.
Work Cited
Chester, S. (2010, September 24). Texting while driving responsible for 16,000 deaths in 6 years [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://techcrunch.com/2010/09/24/study-texting-while-driving-responsible-for-16000-deaths-in-6-years
Genachowskis, J. Federal Communications Commission, Testimony to Senate Commerce Committee. (2009). Texting while driving Washington, DC: Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved from http://www.fcc.gov/guides/texting-while-driving
 LeBeau, P. (2009, June 25). Texting and driving worse than drinking and driving [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.cnbc.com/id/31545004/site/14081545

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Do I need Medical Coverage?

As of January 2009, in the state of Colorado, insurers are required to offer you medical coverage of at least $5,000. This is an extra coverage on an auto policy that pays for the drivers and passengers medical bills no matter who is at fault. Depending on your carrier, coverage can vary between $5,000 to $50,000 and payments are not subject to your deductible. It is relatively cheap and covers you for long term care, hospitalization, dental treatment, ambulance bills and even your funeral. It protects you or your family if you are riding in another vehicle or even just walking down the side of the road.
This coverage is an addition to your health insurance so if you have adequate health insurance you may want to opt out by signing a rejection form. However, for a low premium this coverage is highly recommended. Medical coverage is primary when involved in an automobile accident so it can even help pay off your health insurance deductible if you have not already matched it. Before rejecting this coverage it is important to look over your own health insurance policy and of course discuss the options with your personal auto insurance agent.
At CO Insurance Specialist we are always willing to review your policy, explain coverage’s and give multiple quotes for different options.   
Call us today! 1-888-265-6467

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Should I have Uninsured Motorist coverage??

Is Uninsured Motorist coverage mandatory in the state of Colorado? No. Should you have it? Absolutely!

Uninsured Motorist coverage protects you against bodily injury, medical expenses, rehabilitation and loss wages that you may occur when involved in an accident caused by another driver that has lower liability limits or no liability insurance at all. Insurance providers must offer this coverage with any new business or at renewal. Typically this coverage “automatically” comes with your auto policy but you do have the option to reject the coverage. This coverage usually matches your liability limits and can only be purchased as an addition to a primary insurance policy. When purchasing UM you are covering the policy holder, all drivers listed on the policy and in some circumstances passengers.

“According to a data released by the Insurance Research Council (IRC), the probability of being caught in a vehicular accident with an uninsured driver in Colorado is as high as 15%” (Hopper, 2010). Colorado was even ranked 16th in having the most uninsured drivers on the streets. With these staggering facts it is very important to make sure your auto policy has this coverage and to discuss your limits with your agent. At CIS we make sure our clients are always covered and automatically quote each policy with UM because we know how important it can be.

 Work Cited

Hopper, Jenny. (2010, January 29). Many motorist still uninsured in spite of law [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.autoquotenow.com/auto-insurance-news/state/many-motorists-still-uninsured-in-colorado-in-spite-of-law-1892.php

What is uninsured motorist coverage? [Web log message]. (2008, August 14). Retrieved from http://www.thetruthaboutinsurance.com/what-is-uninsured-motorist-coverage/

Visit us today for a free quote! http://www.cisforyou.com/

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Winter Driving Tactics

During this time of year, many of us wake up to snow, sleet or freezing rain. Yet, we still need to climb behind the wheel and head to work, school or run errands. During the winter season it is important to keep a couple things in mind when living in this bi-polar weather state!

Always plan ahead
Keep an eye on the weather and see how much it is supposed to snow within the next hour or days ahead. If you are less experienced with navigating slick roads, take extra time before you head out. Staying calm and patient will make your trip go a bit more smooth.

Be on the defense
Consider taking a defensive driver class. Not only will this class come in handy when making the treacherous drive but could give you a discount on your auto policy. It is an inexpensive way to brush up on how to respond accordingly in dangerous driving situations and adverse conditions.

Take Care and Repair
According to Car Care Council, more than 5% of all vehicle accidents result from insufficient vehicle maintenance. Be sure to never skip out on a routine checkup especially during seasons of extreme weather.

Park it
It may sound simple but the best way to keep your car working and not involved in an accident is to not drive it during winter storms. Driving in severe conditions increases your chance of being involved in an accident. It's always best to stay safe at home than risk damage to your car or worse.


Since accidents do happen it is so important to be with an insurance company that will be there for you and your family in an emergency. At CIS we do business with 6 major insurance carriers that are all A/A+ rated with AM BEST. Our companies and claims services will be there for you when the roads get messy and an accident happens.

http://www.cisforyou.com/

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Liability Coverage

With over 30 million automobile accidents every year and 40,000-50,000 of them resulting in death it is VERY important to make sure you and your loved ones have the coverage you need. Even though auto insurance is not something that we look forward to paying every month it will protect you in a major accident or catastrophe. By Colorado law every citizen that either owns or operates a vehicle must carry liability limits of at least 25,000/50,000/15,000. Which means the auto insurance will pay up to $25,000 of personal bodily injury per person in one accident, up to $50,000 of personal bodily injury per one accident and $15,000 total for property damage per each accident.
At CO Insurance Specialist we advise that our insureds carry higher than the state minimum requirements. We feel and have experienced that the minimum limits per person are far too low for our clients. With the price of vehicles, hospital visits and attorney fees on the rise you can imagine that even a minor accident can add up quickly.
We urge you to look over your current auto insurance policy and make sure your liability limits are higher than the state minimum and that you are fully covered in case of an accident. Although paying a little less each month may seem worth it now, think of what it would be to pay $5,000 to $50,000 out of your pocket all at once after a major accident.
For any more insurance questions or quotes please visit us online @ http://www.cisforyou.com/ or call us @ 1-888-265-6467








Work Cited
"Noble Continuing Education." Personal Property Insurance. ED. houston: noble continuing education, 2005. Print.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

UMPD?? What's that??

One term that many people are not familiar with is uninsured motorist property damage, also known as UMPD. This is an endorsement you can add to your policy if you have a vehicle with Liability Only. UMPD covers your vehicle if a driver with out insurance hits you and damages your vehicle. With this coverage you are subject to a deductible (usually $200 or $250) and it runs approximately $2 a month.

It is important to understand if you have this coverage or want this coverage. If your vehicle is Liability Only and you do not have UMPD and a driver with out insurance hits you and totals your vehicle, then you are out a vehicle. However, if you have UMPD and your vehicle is hit and totalled by an uninsured driver, your company will pay to fix or replace your vehicle. With 15% of drivers in Colorado not insured it is imperative to understand if you and your vehicle will be covered in case of an accident.

visit us @ http://www.cisforyou.com/ to get a free quote and make sure you and your vehicles are properly covered.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

What to do in case of an accident

With the roads covered in snow and accidents more likely to happen, it is important to remember what to do when involved in an accident. Listed below are things you should immediately do after an accident:

* Remain at the scene of the accident.
* Take steps to prevent further accidents-park safely, turn on emergency flashers.
* Call the police or ask someone to call for you.
*Give the other driver(s) your name, insurance company phone number, the vehicle's license plate number and your drivers license number.
*Obtain the same information from all other parties involved and witnesses.
* Do not admit fault. Discuss the specifics of the accident only with the police.
* If you have a digital camera or camera phone, take photos of the accident scene and vehicles if it is safe to do so.
* Call your insurance carrier toll-free hot line immediately. It is important to call right away so they can get to work settling your claim fast, fair and hassle-free.

It is important to remain calm, make sure you are not injured and get as much information as possible from all parties involved.

http://www.cisforyou.com/