riversideinsurance

Water Features!

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 19:42:52 GMT

Water Features!

Fish ponds, waterfalls and other water displays are great additions to yards but they are also attractive to young children and can become a hazard. Kids can drown in less than two inches of water so it is very important to watch children always when they are near the water. We also advise using a rigid cover or fence on all sides of the water feature to secure the site when you are not able to monitor it.

Finally, make sure to tightly cover, store and secure any treatment products or chemicals after you use them to insure children or animals become exposed to them.

Trampolines- Things to Keep in Mind.

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 19:41:30 GMT

Trampolines- Things to Keep in Mind.

Trampolines are fun for kids but they are also the cause of nearly 100,000 injuries each year. To help avoid accidents, limit the number of jumpers to one at a time. Also, it is imperative to have adult supervision at all times when children are using the trampoline and adults should remove the ladders used to access the trampoline after use to prevent unsupervised access by children. Trampoline enclosures can help prevent injuries as well as utilizing trampoline anchor kits to help secure the structure.

Keep your kids safe this summer but making sure your trampoline is properly used.

Thinking of adding a fire pit to your backyard? Helpful tips for staying safe.

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 19:40:22 GMT

Thinking of adding a fire pit to your backyard? Helpful tips for staying safe.

Cool Colorado nights are the perfect time for a backyard fire but inadequate supervision or improper use can cause injury or damage to property. Make sure you place the fire pit in a safe spot away from your home, deck or low-hanging branches. Also, always make sure an adult is supervising the fire and never leave it unattended. When it’s time to put the fire out, use sand to fully extinguish the fire and let the coals cool off completely and dispose of them in a metal container.

Have a great rest of the summer and stay safe!

How to Make your Home Energy Efficient

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 19:38:42 GMT

How to Make your Home Energy Efficient

According to Energy Star here are some of the top improvements that homeowners should typically make after an audit of their home.

Air Sealing and adding insulation- Seal up small holes in your home, especially attics and basements.
Heating and Cooling- Systems more than 10 years old should be replaced with a newer Energy Star Rated System.
Ducts- Seal and Clean your Duct Work.
Lighting and Appliances-Replacing older bulbs and electronics with newer, more efficient models can save you hundreds and reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Need a new deck? Composite vs. Wood Decking

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 19:36:45 GMT

Need a new deck? Composite vs. Wood Decking

Pros of Composite Decking

- Less Maintenance.

- Variety of Colors

- Able to use recycled materials

- Technology is always improving

Cons of Composite Decking

- Pricey Alternative to real wood

- Are not natural

- Are not completely maintenance free.

- Have to comparison shop.

What it boils down to is the look you desire and the budget you have. If you desire a more natural look and feel with a lower budget, go with wood. If you like less maintenance, a variety of colors, and a more environmentally conscious material, go with composite.

Summer Road Trips- Make sure your car stays hydrated!

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 19:34:50 GMT

Summer Road Trips- Make sure your car stays hydrated!

If you are about to go on a fairly large road trip, make sure the following items on your vehicle are ready and raring to go!

- Check all your Fluids

- Check your battery

- Check your ties tread and pressure

- Check all your lights

- Check your wipers and washer fluid

Once you have done that you should also store some extra items in your car such as:

- Extra quarts of oil

- Rags for cleaning

- Water

- GPS

- Duct Tape

- Extra Coolant + Wiper Fluid

Have fun on your summer vacations!

Keeping Your Home Safe from Windstorms

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 19:33:18 GMT

Keeping Your Home Safe from Windstorms

Across the county, wind damage accounts for almost ¼ (24%) of homeowner’s insurance claims. One of the most common and preventable causes is overgrowth of trees and large shrubs near the home. As storms kick up, branches can break and cause significant property damage.

Additionally, continued rubbing of overgrown trees and branches on roofs and siding can wear down those items and create leaks and cracks. These materials serve as a home’s first line of defense and when they become compromised, it can lead to much larger claims.

Preventing Water Damage to Your Home

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 19:32:13 GMT

Preventing Water Damage to Your Home

About 20% of #homeowners claims result from non-weather-related water damage. Many of these #claims are from leaking pipes, water heaters, air conditioning units or other appliances. Seasonal temperature swings like we are about to experience with cooler weather can cause pipes to freeze as well.

It is important to understand how to shut off your main water supply and if you are going to be away from the home, consider shutting it off and draining the pipes. Also, inspect all your appliances, including tubs and toilets, regularly for leaks.

Slow leaking water can be an expensive and time-consuming claim. Simple steps like these along with being vigilant can go a long way in preventing claims from occurring on your home.

Hail is a Reality in Colorado, Let’s Talk About How to Mitigate its Damage

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 19:32:12 GMT

Hail is a Reality in Colorado, Let’s Talk About How to Mitigate its Damage

Hail is the single most common and most costly claim facing our Riverside Clients. Northern Colorado and Colorado has experienced significant hail damage this year. To a degree, hail damage is part of living in Colorado and some of it simply cannot be avoided.

Late afternoon storms appear quickly and without much warning catching people off guard and unprepared. If possible, try to store your vehicle in a garage or under a covering of some kind on a regular basis. Also, we strongly encourage our clients to consider upgrading to impact resistant roofing materials.

These can lower the chance of a claim and usually come with a discount on your homeowner’s policy. Finally, hail happens and if it does, we are here to help get a claim filed and to get your property fixed.

Do Home Security Systems Make My House Safer?

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 19:32:11 GMT

Do Home Security Systems Make My House Safer?

In short, yes, they do. Around 6 percent of homeowner’s claims are a result of theft from the premises. There are some short-term steps like always making sure your doors and windows are locked, making your home appear as though you are there while you are traveling (by leaving lights on, having neighbors remove packages and fliers from the entrance etc.) and by generally being vigilant.

However, the addition of a centrally monitored security system can greatly enhance those preliminary measures. Most systems now allow you to check your security video from your smart phone and come with a 24/7 support team that will monitor your home and the system remotely.

They can even alert the police for you if they detect an unauthorized entry. These systems reduce the chances of theft, keep you safer and can even get you a discount on your homeowner’s policy. We believe they are worth considering.

Drones

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 19:32:09 GMT

Drones

This might seem like an odd item to read in an insurance blog, but drones are becoming increasingly popular for recreation and business use. They also have the potential to create significant liability exposures for the operator and that can create claims on insurance policies.

If you are purchasing a drone, make sure you consult with your insurance agents to see if it creates any issues with your policy and/or if there are any additional coverages available that might be able to better protect you while you are operating it.

Also, make sure you follow all necessary laws and safety regulations like registering it with the FAA, knowing where you can fly it and if there are any flight restrictions in your area. Follow these, and other steps can go a long way in keeping you protected. Happy flying!

riversideinsurance

Water Features!

Water Features!

Trampolines- Things to Keep in Mind.

Trampolines- Things to Keep in Mind.

Thinking of adding a fire pit to your backyard? Helpful tips for staying safe.

Thinking of adding a fire pit to your backyard? Helpful tips for staying safe. ﻿

How to Make your Home Energy Efficient

How to Make your Home Energy Efficient

Need a new deck? Composite vs. Wood Decking

Need a new deck? Composite vs. Wood Decking

Summer Road Trips- Make sure your car stays hydrated!

Summer Road Trips- Make sure your car stays hydrated!

Keeping Your Home Safe from Windstorms

Keeping Your Home Safe from Windstorms

Preventing Water Damage to Your Home

Preventing Water Damage to Your Home

Hail is a Reality in Colorado, Let’s Talk About How to Mitigate its Damage

Hail is a Reality in Colorado, Let’s Talk About How to Mitigate its Damage

Do Home Security Systems Make My House Safer?

Do Home Security Systems Make My House Safer?

Drones

Drones

Thinking of adding a fire pit to your backyard? Helpful tips for staying safe.