If you look at Colorado over the last few years, we have had flooding, tornadoes and wildfires.

 All of this results in insurance claims, which impact your insurance rates as a resident. “Insurance premiums are based on patterns and trends over a long time,” said Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, an industry trade group. “It is a multiyear process.” Some consumers along the Front Range will get double-digit percentage increases as their renewals come up this year and next, Walker said. The Windsor tornado in 2008 was the most costly in state history, at $193.5 million in insured losses. Three hailstorms in 2009 generated $1.4 billion in damages, making that year the costliest in Colorado ever for insurers. Most home insurance companies in Colorado have gone to a mandatory $2500 deductible on wind and hail for homes and some as high as $5,000.  Many have also switched to a 1% wind hail deductible.   In the past, homeowners would file a roof claim that could likely last another few years but they hire a contractor that files the claim and gets the roof replaced while waiving the deductible.  This will be much harder now. Reasons for increased wind hail deductibles:

1. Severity and frequency of  hail has increased in last 10 years
2. Contractor costs have increased
3. Labor costs have increased
4. Subcontractors have been charging more for the replacement/repair compared to years past
5. Homeowners are filing more roof claims than ever before
6. There are more rooflines in Colorado with growth
7. Mother Nature's severity of hail has increased as far as the size and strength of the hail

Here are 10 things you can do to keep your home insurance costs down:

1. Put your home and auto together on one policy
2. Install alarm(s)
3. Increase your deductibles
4. Avoid filing small claims
5. Shop for a lower rate every 24 months
6. Work with an independent agent who has choices
7. When filing a claim, work with the adjuster to keep costs down
8. Hire reputable subcontractors
9. Look to reduce coverages for things that are not necessary
10. Replace your roof with a hail resistive or impact resistant roof

Keeping you protected,   Rick   All Access Insurance in Littleton, CO,  who represents multiple insurance companies as a “Broker” and provides products for auto, home,  commercial,  workers compensation, and much more!   Call us today for a free quote at (303) 932-1700