Category: Auto Insurance

We all love that new car feeling when you finally drive home the vehicle you had your eyes on. You can’t imagine ever not loving it just that much. After a while, the new fades away, and you start thinking of something different. At Westco Insurance LLC, serving Colorado Springs, CO, and the surrounding areas, we want to help vehicle owners make the most of ownership, and sometimes that means knowing when it’s time to trade in. Keep reading to learn about the three signs. It’s time to trade. 

Fuel Costs Rising 

Even if your vehicle was a good idea for fuel costs when you bought it, the fuel costs change. And when fuel costs change dramatically and permanently, you might discover that you are no longer content with the mileage you’re getting for the cost. If your mileage is not a great deal anymore compared to fuel costs, you might want to consider trading in for a more fuel-efficient vehicle. 

Safety Declining 

Another factor you might encounter after being with your vehicle for a while is safety issues. Safety can become a problem as a car ages or if the vehicle does not have certain types of new technology highly recommended for safety, such as Bluetooth. If this is the case with your car, trading in could be a good option. 

Repair Costs Rising 

One of the main reasons people opt for upgrading to a newer vehicle is when repair costs keep rising with their current vehicle. This can become a financial and mental drain as you constantly worry about the car needs more work. 

To learn about vehicle insurance, contact us at Westco Insurance LLC, serving Colorado Springs, CO, and the surrounding areas. 

At Westco Insurance LLC, we know teenagers spend more time driving in the summer than almost any other time of the year. It’s a rite of passage for many teenage boys and girls, a chance to get behind the wheel and feel the freedom of being alone on the road. But while driving is often viewed as a rite of passage for teenagers in Colorado Springs, CO, it can be a dangerous activity for those still learning how to drive.

The 100 Deadliest Days of The Year

The months between May and September see a 26% increase in fatal crashes involving teens compared to the rest of the year. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers, with the highest rate of crashes.

Over half of all teenager-involved crashes involve distracted driving. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention away from the road, such as texting or talking on the phone. However, the number one distraction for teens is other passengers.

How to Keep Your Teen Safe

According to the CDC, there are proven ways to keep your teen safe behind the wheel:

1. Wear a seatbelt. At least 48% of teens who died in car crashes were not wearing seatbelts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says seatbelts could cut that number in half.
2. Avoid drinking and driving. Teens drinking and driving are three times more likely to be involved in a crash.
3. Avoid driving at night. Most fatal teen accidents occur between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.; this increases significantly on the weekends.
4. Put down your phone. No call or text is worth putting your life or the lives of others at risk. Additionally, ask your passengers to remain quiet while you’re driving.

No matter how prepared you are, driving is still a risky activity. Protect your teen and your vehicle with appropriate car insurance. Contact Westco Insurance LLC of Colorado Springs, CO today for more information.

As the rate of road accidents and related fatalities increases in Colorado Springs, CO, it is becoming increasingly important for drivers to practice road safety precautions.  Drivers need to learn to obey simple road safety rules such as wearing their safety gear, maintaining the appropriate speed, and avoiding distractions. At Westco Insurance LLC, we recommend buying enough auto insurance to protect yourself from financial losses. Here are a few safety tips to help you stay safe on public roads.

Plan your trip

Whether you’re going to work or taking a long trip out of Colorado Springs, it’s always prudent to plan your trip ahead.  Check the weather, research the roads you will be using and learn some of the potential roadblocks on your way. Prepare your supplies and emergency kit in case your car breaks down in the middle of the road.

Wear safety gear

Before you start driving, always think about your safety. The most crucial driving gear is your seat belt, as it protects you from crashing into the windshield.  If you have children in the car, make sure they are securely strapped to their seats in the back seats.

Minimize distractions as you drive

Drivers are often advised to keep their phones away when driving. When you use your phone while driving, the distraction increases your crash risk. Apart from phones, you can also get distracted mentally based on your mental and physical health.  That’s why we advise you not to drive when you feel tired, sick, intoxicated, stressed, or sleepy.

Keep distance

Defensive driving is all about knowing your surroundings and preparing to act in case of an accident. Always maintain a specific distance to protect yourself and other cars behind from getting injured from applying sudden brakes.

Don’t forget to buy auto insurance. Our insurance experts at Westco Insurance LLC are always ready to help you get the most out of your policy. Call us or visit us at our Colorado Springs, CO offices today.

Driving a car is considered one of the most dangerous everyday activities. No matter how you are experienced in driving and how well you obey traffic rules, there is still a chance that you will be involved in a car accident. For this reason, the best and most efficient way to protect yourself is to get auto insurance. If you decide to skip car insurance and drive without it, there are certain risks that you may face: 

Risks of Not Carrying Auto Insurance

Here is a list of things you should keep in mind if you drive without auto insurance:

• Risk of receiving a ticket and being arrested. You should know that driving in the state of Colorado without auto insurance is a misdemeanor offense that is punishable by a fine or imprisonment. 
• Risks of your license suspension. Your driving license can be suspended if you are caught driving without car insurance. In most cases, this punishment will be coupled with a hefty fine. 
• Risk of facing high costs of repairs in case of car accident. If you cause a road accident, and you do not have car insurance, you will have to cover all the repairs by yourself. Moreover, passengers and other drivers may also sue you for their physical injuries and damages. 

Westco Insurance LLC serving in Colorado Springs, CO – Your Safety Is Our Priority

Do you live in Colorado Springs, CO or any other nearby town and are you looking for auto insurance? Westco Insurance LLC will be glad to help you find a policy you need. Our team will do their best to find a policy that will meet your needs and expectations. If you are ready to get started with an insurance search, feel free to visit our website or give us a call. 

Understanding the basics of comprehensive and collision insurance policies is rewarding if you own a car in Colorado Springs, CO. You are in safe hands when you decide to seek insurance advice from Westco Insurance LLC, your trusted service provider. The two policies rank among the crucial requirements for car owners. 

While most states do not consider the two as mandatory, they come in handy when you find yourself in various hard-hitting situations. Insurance institutions sell the policy under one package, covering your car damages. In some instances, your agency goes to the extent of replacing your car if the situation demands that. However, the policies do not compensate for your injuries.

What Makes the Difference?

Collision insurance will compensate the cost of repair if it gets damaged on the motion. On the other hand, comprehensive policy covers aspects such as theft, vandalism, and natural calamities. You have the liberty to purchase the two insurances separately or drop one, keeping the other.

Is It Necessary to Buy Both Insurance Policies?

Most drivers pay for collision insurance and comprehensive insurance. However, to some, it feels unnecessary to have both at ago. If you are servicing a car loan, you will do better with both, as most lenders will request the two until you settle the last coin. The approach serves as security for the lenders if anything happens to the car before clearing the loan.

Is It Advisable to Drop the Policies?

After paying the loan or lease fee, you have the liberty to choose between comprehensive insurance and collision insurance. In addition, you can continue working with both options if you deem it necessary. The current value of your car is enough to let you decide what you want. If the level of depreciation is too high, dropping one policy is a wise idea.

Forfeiting additional policies when you notice that they are less relevant saves you money. However, seek professional advice before making such decisions. Contact Westco Insurance LLC in Colorado Springs, CO, to find all the answers you need about your policy today.

Having liability insurance coverage is required to stay legal on the road here in Colorado Springs, CO. However, not many people understand what this means. Thankfully, our team at Westco Insurance LLC is here to help.

Liability is a third-party coverage on your auto insurance that pays for someone else’s medical bills and/or property damage if you’re involved in an accident that you caused. It doesn’t pay to fix your vehicle or handle any medical bills for you or your passengers.

There are two parts to liability: bodily injury and property damage. Here’s what you need to know regarding what they cover.

Understanding Bodily Injury Coverage

Bodily injury coverage is the portion of your car insurance that pays for other people’s medical bills. This can be a passenger in another car, a pedestrian, or someone else physically injured due to your negligence.

When looking at your auto insurance, you probably see bodily injury written out as two numbers with a slash in between. The first number is the most the policy will pay per person in the accident. The second number is the maximum amount for the claim, whether two people with injuries or two hundred. In the event of a serious claim, all injured third-parties must share this aggregate amount.

What is Property Damage Coverage?

Property damage coverage is the part of your auto insurance policy that pays for things other people own. This can be the back bumper of the car you hit in the grocery store parking lot, your neighbor’s mailbox, or a power pole owned by the city. If you’re in an at-fault accident, this number is the maximum amount your policy will pay to fix or replace those items.

Are you ready to ensure you have enough auto insurance coverage? Our team at Westco Insurance LLC in Colorado Springs, CO is here to help. Please contact us today for a quote.