3 Reasons to Obtain Roadside Assistance Coverage with your Auto Insurance

The more you travel, the greater your risk of experiencing a breakdown on the road. Roadside assistance coverage can come in handy when problems arise with your vehicle, particularly if you’re far from home. If you have an older vehicle and use it often for work, errands or kids’ transport, you may want to add this service to your Aspen Gold Insurance Brokers car insurance policy. Here are a few ways in which roadside assistance can be of benefit to Westminster, CO drivers.

Roadside Assistance Coverage Can Help With An Unforeseen Breakdown

You never know when you will get a flat tire or experience an unexpected breakdown on the road. With roadside assistance coverage, help is but a phone call away. You don’t have to worry that you’ll be stranded for hours or have to pay for expensive towing out of pocket. Roadside assist provides such services as fixing a flat tire, vehicle refueling and jumping a dead battery, enabling you to continue your travels. With roadside assist, you can have greater peace of mind that help is easily accessible when traveling with your family.

Lockouts

If you accidentally lock yourself out of the car, roadside assist coverage will pay for lockout services to help you regain entry to your vehicle. In the event your technician cannot gain access to your car, a locksmith will be called. Depending on your coverage, locksmith services may be partially or completely covered by your insurance policy.

Towing

If car troubles go beyond the ability of a roadside assist technician, towing will be provided to a nearby garage so you are not left stranded by the side of the road. This is particularly helpful if you have car problems at night or during inclement weather.

To learn more about roadside assist coverage, contact us at Aspen Gold Insurance Brokers, Broomfield, CO.

The Pros and Cons to Buy Used vs. New Car

The toughest decision for residents of Westminster, CO is whether or not to buy used vs. new car. Often, the answer centers on the current state of their financial situation. After looking at the numbers, it’s smart to choose the cheaper, older option, but others are willing to pay more money for a flashier, new automobile that best fits their personality.

Neither is a wrong decision because owning and operating a car is an expensive proposition. If you’re still undecided, then it’s wise to gather all of the information from an agent with Aspen Gold Insurance Brokers before making a huge financial commitment.

Here are the pros and cons to buy used vs. new car:

Resale Value

Buying a late model used automobile offers the best value in today’s market because every vehicle takes a huge depreciation once it’s driven off a Westminster CO car lot. Obviously, the sales price will be lower, but other expenses should be decreased as well, such as insurance and sales tax.

Reliability

Used cars are becoming more appealing due to their improved reliability to stay on the road. Independent studies have shown automobiles that are at least five-years-old had fewer mechanical issues than the newer models. If properly maintained, these vehicles can easily go past 100,000 miles, and in some cases, they can reach the 200,00 mark without ever needing any major repair work.

Warranty and Repairs

The unknown factor in all car purchases is pinpointing the time for the first repair. Its smart to put money aside that will cover the cost for wear-and-tear (tires, brakes, etc) repairs on used automobiles. Newer cars have fewer mechanical issues, and the majority of them are often covered under the umbrella of a comprehensive warranty package. You must decide if the savings from a used car purchase is worth the added expense of repairs down the line.

Interest Rates, Insurance, and Safety

Acquiring a loan for a new automobile does come with a lower interest (six percent compared to seven percent) rate than for a used car. An insurance package designed by an agent with Aspen Gold Insurance Brokers for a used automobile won’t be as extensive as required in a new car purchase. Fewer safety features are found in used cars, as frontal airbags that deploy during an accident aren’t available.

The Ideal Auto Coverage for Mountain Driving

Broomfield, CO is located just northwest of Denver and just south of the city of Boulder, CO, meaning it is on the edge of the Rocky Mountains. Not only is it a beautiful place to live but it also means that you will definitely need a car to get around either metropolitan area and will probably face some rather inclement driving conditions on somewhat treacherous mountain roads. So you will definitely need an auto insurance policy from a local broker like Aspen Gold Insurance Brokers, who serves the greater Denver, CO area. However, there are certain types of auto insurance policies that will be more helpful than others when mountain driving in Colorado. These are listed below.

LIABILITY INSURANCE

With curvy roads and ice and snow throughout a good portion of the year, there’s no telling what could happen to you while driving at certain times, so you will definitely need insurance to cover you if the unavoidable accident occurs that will be deemed your fault. This will not only protect you from having to pay for damage and medical bills, but it will also protect other people you may collide with, so that they are properly taken care of if this occurs.

COLLISION INSURANCE

There is the chance that someone hits you in an accident and doesn’t have insurance or takes off and you don’t get their insurance and are left having to pay for it yourself. Or an animal runs out in the road that causes you to have an accident, or you slide off the road into the woods and wreck. To make sure you are covered from this unpredictability that could very well happen in a place like Broomfield, CO, you should add collision insurance to your overall insurance policy, Better safe than sorry! Reach out today for a free insurance quote.

What to Do if You Get Stranded in a Winter Storm

No one wants to think of the possibility of being stranded in a winter storm. Unfortunately, the weather does not always cooperate with your travel plans. As the residents of Broomfield, CO know, studded tires and chains offer little security when conditions deteriorate rapidly. Let’s talk about how to survive an unexpected night in your car while you wait for help.

Be Realistic

Weather forecasts are available at all hours on television and with multiple weather apps. If you plan on traveling during a potential weather event, you have two choices. You can wait to leave until after the storm has passed, or you can prepare for the worst.

Ready.gov provides information on how to best prepare for emergencies involving winter weather. One of the biggest recommendations is active communication before, during, and after travel. Plan your route ahead of time and stick to that route. This will allow people to alert the authorities in the event things don’t go according to plan. Accurate information increases the chance you will be found before the situation becomes dangerous.

Be Ready

If you choose to travel, be smart about it. Make sure you have a full tank of gas, and keep it at least halfway full. Keep your phone charged and carry a portable power pack. It’s also wise to pack enough water and food to last a couple of days. A few additional items that can help keep you safe include:

Rock salt and kitty litter
Shovel
First-aid kit and necessary medications
Flares
Flashlight and radio with extra batteries
Waterproof matches and candles
Blankets or sleeping bags

Worst Case Scenario

Perhaps not the absolute worst, but it’s pretty bad. First, call the authorities and friends or family for help. Stay in your car. It is a makeshift shelter. Run it sparingly to add warmth. Make sure your exhaust pipe stays clear and crack a window to vent potential carbon monoxide build up.

Share body heat with others and make use of extra blankets or sleeping bags. Snack periodically and stay occupied by reading or playing cards. Candles provide light and a bit of heat, so set up a spot they can burn safely. A survival kit may seem extraneous, but it could make the difference in you getting home to Broomfield, CO safely.

Please share these stranded in a winter storm tips with your loved ones.

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Dodge the Pavement

Driving can seem more like a chore than the joy it is when you only have the straight path of the highway or the cluttered roads of a city. To stave off that urge to scream at other drivers, get the keys to a vehicle that can take you to new places and dodge the pavement.

Cross Your Fingers and Start Your Motors

Nothing quite compares with the feeling of soaring fifty feet in the air on the back of a dirt bike, the ramps of mud and nearby trees looming below you. You’ll likely want to use a premade course to get the best experience, but it’s nothing like your weekday commute on the pavement.

Take over the Desert in a Dune Buggy

The tumultuous mounds of pale golden sand sit untouched in front of you under the baking heat of the sunlight streaking through a pure blue sky. You sit on top of an engine strapped to a wheeled cage and accelerate over the waves, sending the shimmering grains behind you as your wheels leave behind the only marks on the untouched desert. That’s what it’s like to spend a weekend at the wheel of a dune buggy.

Which Terrain?

Forests? Deserts? Mud? Mountains? Snow drifts? All of the terrain is an option when you’re on the back of an ATV. They may not go quite as fast as a buggy or fly as high as a dirt bike, but no ride is better at conquering the wilderness in whatever form it comes.

Keep Safe On and Off the Road

Whatever type of vehicle you happen to choose to dodge the pavement, you should call Aspen Gold Insurance Brokers and ask for a quote about protecting your source of adventure and freedom from the perils that you’ll face on the path less taken.

Don’t Worry Be Happy and Other Tips to Avoid Road Rage

Road Rage is something that has become more prevalent in our society. As the motor takes on the personality of the motorist, rage spills out onto the road and the great American pastime of taking a peaceful drive is evaporating into a memory. Driving is often a necessary function in so many lives. How to get from point A to point B, how to get to work, school and play, as we advance as a nation getting around as quickly as possible is all important. Be sure to know some tips to avoid road rage.

The adrenaline rush that follows someone cutting you off or any near collision should be used to dance or sing a song of gratefulness as opposed to the obscene gesture, choice word or retaliatory measure that may originally present itself to your mind. Putting a well-placed placard with the simple word “Perspective” will work wonders. Driving is a necessity it is not an extension of yourself; it is a function that you employ to get to your employment. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. Your quick thinking, reflexes, and overall superior driving acumen popped up right at the right time. Keep those fight or flight super-charged secretions in their respective receptacles.

You can’t always avoid calamity, no matter how hard you try when knowing the tips to avoid road rage. It is good to have peace of mind in knowing that you are well insured with the quality insurance products available at Aspen Gold Insurance Brokers. Serving the great state of Colorado, the staff at Aspen Gold Insurance Brokers recognize that the added extreme weather elements inherent in our state intensifies the adrenaline since a silly maneuver added to ice, snow, sleet or rain could cost a life. We will ensure that you don’t have to worry, your investment is protected.

Traveling Abroad: Key Driving Tips

Traveling abroad is filled with excitement and educational opportunities about other cultures in the world. However, you will still need to get around, and if public transportation options are out of the equation, will you be driving your car? Before you get behind the wheel in a foreign country, you need to know a few things about driving while abroad.

What Are the Licensing Requirements For Driving While Abroad?

Some countries may have requirements beyond a US driver’s license. Fortunately, you can make driving simpler by obtaining an International Driving Permit, which grants driving privileges in other countries. However, the countries may have specific age requirements, and you should check to ensure your insurance meets these requirements as well.

Does Auto Insurance Cover Driving Outside of the US?

Depending on your policy and riders, you may or may not have coverage for driving abroad. The coverage may also vary between countries. For example, having coverage in Canada does not necessarily mean you will coverage in Mexico. Be sure to check with your local insurance agent for what countries may be covered.

Will the Rental Car Be Backwards?

If you plan on renting a car abroad, make sure you know what type of car you will be driving. For example, you may need to learn how to drive a manual transmission before you depart. Also, the driver’s side of the vehicle may be on the opposite side as that of vehicles in the US. This is an important consideration, which means you will be driving on the opposite side of the road as well.

If you’re planning on leaving Westminster behind for a few days, weeks, or months, you need to get ready for driving abroad. Contact a reputable insurance agent at Aspen Gold Insurance Brokers, serving the Denver, Colorado area, to review to your auto insurance options and determine what type of coverage you may need for your international adventure.

What You Need To Know About Hit & Run Insurance Coverage

There’s a lot you need to know about hit and run insurance coverage. You want to drive around Broomfield and throughout the state with peace of mind knowing that you get into an accident, you have the necessary coverage to avoid paying out-of-pocket. A hit and run means that one of the people isn’t present when the police show up and you won’t be able to get their insurance information.

Since that person is not part of the overall process, you want to make sure that the insurance coverage you have in place can cover property damage as well as bodily injury, regardless of fault. Otherwise, you could be spending a considerable amount of money in medical bills and repairs – even enough to cause bankruptcy.

In addition to the standard policy that is required by the state, you may want to consider collision coverage. This is going to provide protection regardless of who is at fault. It will help you to make repairs to your vehicle and you will only have to pay the deductible.

Uninsured motorist coverage is also a great way to have additional coverage in the event of a hit and run. This can include property damage as well as bodily injury. The property damage will cover car repairs as well as repairs to any other properties that may have been damaged, such as streetlights. Bodily injury is going to cover medical bills and lost wages to US the driver as well as passengers.

There is also medical payments coverage, which can go above and beyond what the other forms of coverage doesn’t pay. There may still be a deductible and limits to consider, but it may be able to cover medical bills that are covered, including if you have health insurance.

Finally, you will want to consider personal injury protection. This can provide protection for medical bills, lost wages, child care, and more.

Call us at Aspen Gold Insurance Brokers today to learn more about auto insurance in Colorado and learn more about hit and run insurance coverage. We’re here to help you every step of the way, including obtaining quotes that can provide an affordable policy.

Prepare Your Car for Winter Before the Snow and Ice Come

Winters everywhere are rough on automobiles, but few places see tougher winters than Denver, CO. And now, being the fall, is the best time to take action for the upcoming winter months ahead. If you plan on driving a car or truck through the winter here, make sure to prepare your car for winter before the snow and ice comes — and make sure you properly insure it. At Aspen Gold Insurance Brokers, we can help you check your insurance coverages, and we have a few tips on fall auto maintenance.

Prepare Your Car for Winter

The snow, ice, and cold of winter are all hard on vehicles. When equipped with the right parts, though, your automobile will fare better in the foul weather. Before temperatures drop any more, make sure to:

put snow tires on your vehicle to improve traction on slippery roads
install winter wipers on your vehicle so you’ll be able to see in snowstorms
replace your vehicle’s battery if it’s old to ensure smooth starts in the coldest weather
Fill your windshield wiper fluid with a de-icer fluid for -30 degrees

Adjust Your Insurance Coverage for Winter

You may also want to adjust your auto insurance coverage for the winter season. As driving conditions worsen, the chances of being in an accident increase. In addition to driving more cautiously, you can also protect yourself by improving your insurance coverages.

If you’d like to make changes to your auto insurance coverages, contact our independent insurance agents at Aspen Gold Insurance Brokers. In just a few minutes, they can find you a policy that has the enhanced coverages you want in the winter. Come spring, when the weather becomes nicer, they can also help you change your coverages back to where they are now. Contact our insurance agents through our website, and we’ll get you safely covered for winter today.

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