Steamboat Springs insurance answers, without the jargon.
How quickly can I get a quote?· General+
Most personal-lines quotes come back the same business day. Commercial quotes can take 2–3 days while we gather supplemental info.
Do you charge a fee?· General+
No. We're paid by the carriers, not by you. Our advice is free.
Are you tied to one carrier?· General+
No — we're independent. We shop 30+ carriers to find the best fit for you.
Can I bundle home and auto?· General+
Almost always yes. Bundling typically saves 10–25% versus separate policies.
Do you write outside Colorado?· General+
Yes — we're licensed in 20+ states. Reach out and we'll confirm yours.
How do I file a claim?· General+
Call us first — we'll guide you through it and advocate with the carrier on your behalf.
Can I pay monthly?· General+
Most carriers offer monthly payment plans; some commercial policies offer pay-as-you-go.
Do you offer SR-22 filings?· General+
Yes, ask us about SR-22 filings if you need one.
Who is a BOP best for?· Owner's Package Insurance+
Most small businesses with under $5M in revenue and a physical location or inventory.
Can I add cyber liability?· Owner's Package Insurance+
Yes — we routinely bundle cyber, EPLI, and other endorsements onto BOPs.
Do I need it if I only drive my personal truck for work?· Commercial Auto Insurance+
Likely yes. Personal auto carriers often deny claims if the vehicle is used for business.
What about my drivers' MVRs?· Commercial Auto Insurance+
We pull motor vehicle records as part of the quote — clean records lower your rate.
Replacement cost vs actual cash value?· Commercial Property Insurance+
Replacement cost rebuilds at today's prices; ACV deducts depreciation. We almost always recommend replacement cost.
Do I need flood coverage?· Commercial Property Insurance+
If you're in or near a flood zone, yes — standard property excludes flood.
Is GL the same as a BOP?· General Liability Insurance+
GL is one part of a BOP. A BOP adds property coverage on top.
What limits should I carry?· General Liability Insurance+
Most small businesses carry $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate. Contracts may require more.
Do I need it for one employee?· Workers Compensation+
In Colorado, generally yes — even for one W-2 employee. We'll confirm based on your situation.
Can I use pay-as-you-go?· Workers Compensation+
Yes, several of our carriers offer pay-as-you-go so premium tracks actual payroll.
How much liability should I carry?· Auto Insurance+
We typically recommend at least 100/300/100 — and an umbrella if your assets exceed those limits.
Do you offer SR-22 filings?· Auto Insurance+
Yes, ask us about SR-22 filings if you need one.
Is my home insured for what it cost or what it would cost to rebuild?· Homeowner's Insurance+
We always insure to rebuild cost (replacement cost), which is often different from market value.
What about wildfire coverage in Colorado?· Homeowner's Insurance+
Standard homeowners covers fire including wildfire, but limits and deductibles vary — we'll review them with you.
Replacement cost or actual cash value?· Renter's Insurance+
Replacement cost is worth the small extra premium — it pays for new, not depreciated.
Are my skis or bike covered if stolen off the rack?· Renter's Insurance+
Yes — most policies cover your stuff anywhere in the world, with sub-limits for certain items.
Will my homeowner's cover my bike in the garage?· Motorcycle Insurance+
No — vehicles need their own policy, even when parked at home.
Can I drop coverage in winter?· Motorcycle Insurance+
We typically recommend keeping comp coverage year-round; you can drop collision/liability while stored.
Is my boat covered on the trailer?· Boat & Marine Insurance+
Yes — most policies cover the boat on a trailer; the trailer itself may need its own coverage.
What about my fishing gear?· Boat & Marine Insurance+
Personal effects coverage handles gear; high-value rods/reels can be scheduled separately.
Do I need a medical exam?· Final Expense Insurance+
Many of our carriers offer guaranteed or simplified issue — no exam required.
When does the coverage start?· Final Expense Insurance+
Most policies begin immediately; some have a 2-year graded benefit for guaranteed issue.
Term or whole life?· Individual Life Insurance+
Term covers a defined need (mortgage, kids' college). Whole life is permanent and builds cash value. Many families use both.
How much do I need?· Individual Life Insurance+
A common starting point is 10–12× your annual income, adjusted for debts and dependents.
How is this different from PMI?· Mortgage Insurance+
PMI protects the lender if you stop paying. This protects your family if you pass away.
Should I take the bank's mortgage insurance?· Mortgage Insurance+
Usually not — an independent term life policy is typically cheaper and more flexible.
When can I enroll?· Individual & Family Health+
Open enrollment runs each fall; qualifying life events open a Special Enrollment Period anytime.
Do I qualify for a subsidy?· Individual & Family Health+
Many households do. We'll run the numbers and compare on- vs off-exchange options.
When should I start looking?· Medicare+
Three months before you turn 65, or three months before retirement if you're delaying enrollment.
Is there a cost to use you?· Medicare+
No — we're paid by the carriers, not by you.
Are there waiting periods?· Individual Dental+
Most plans have none for preventive, 3–6 months for basic, and 6–12 months for major work.
Can I keep my dentist?· Individual Dental+
PPO plans typically let you see any dentist; you save more in-network.
Can I bundle with dental?· Individual Vision+
Yes — bundled dental + vision plans usually save 5–15%.
How often can I get new glasses?· Individual Vision+
Most plans allow new frames every 12 or 24 months.
Do I need it if I have workers' comp?· Individual Disability+
Yes — workers' comp only covers on-the-job injuries. Disability covers anything that keeps you from working.
Own-occupation vs any-occupation?· Individual Disability+
Own-occ pays if you can't do your specific job; any-occ pays only if you can't do any job. Own-occ is the gold standard.
What's a qualifying life event?· Affordable Care Act Plans+
Marriage, birth, job loss, moving — any of which opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period.
Are subsidies still available?· Affordable Care Act Plans+
Yes — many Colorado households qualify for premium tax credits that significantly reduce monthly costs.
How many employees do I need?· Group Health Insurance+
Most carriers offer group plans starting at 2 enrolled employees.
Can I offer multiple plan options?· Group Health Insurance+
Yes — many employers offer a 'choice' setup so employees pick from 2–3 tiers.
Is dental tax-deductible for the employer?· Group Dental+
Employer-paid premiums are generally deductible; we'll confirm with your tax advisor.
What's typical participation?· Group Dental+
Voluntary plans usually see 30–60% participation; employer-paid is near 100%.
How affordable is it?· Group Vision+
Group vision often runs $5–10 per employee per month.
Can it be 100% employee-paid?· Group Vision+
Yes — voluntary structures keep employer cost at zero.
What's a typical basic benefit?· Group Life+
1× annual salary or a flat $25,000–$50,000 is most common.
Is it portable?· Group Life+
Most plans allow portability or conversion at termination.
Short-term vs long-term?· Group Disability+
Short-term typically pays for 3–6 months; long-term picks up after and can pay to retirement age.
Is the benefit taxable?· Group Disability+
If the employer pays premium, benefits are usually taxable; employee-paid premium = tax-free benefits.
Who should consider LTC?· Group Long-Term Care+
Most workers age 40+; premiums are lower and underwriting easier the younger you enroll.
Is it portable?· Group Long-Term Care+
Yes — employees keep the policy if they leave the company.
Do I need an attorney too?· Buy and Sell Protection+
Yes — we coordinate the funding; your attorney drafts the legal agreement.
Cross-purchase or entity-purchase?· Buy and Sell Protection+
Depends on owner count and tax goals. We'll talk through both with your CPA.
ICHRA vs QSEHRA?· Health Reimbursement Arrangement+
QSEHRA is for employers under 50 FTEs with no group plan and has annual contribution caps. ICHRA has no employer-size cap and no contribution limit.
Can it replace a group plan?· Health Reimbursement Arrangement+
Yes — ICHRA and QSEHRA are designed as alternatives to traditional group coverage.
Do I need an HDHP?· Health Savings Account+
Yes — HSAs require enrollment in a qualified high-deductible health plan.
What are the contribution limits?· Health Savings Account+
IRS sets annual limits each year — we'll share current limits and catch-up rules during enrollment.