Month: November 2015

Located within an hour’s drive of the Rocky Mountain National Park and 45 minutes of Denver, Colorado, the City of Evans is an ideal place to build a business, work and play. For example, you can shop and dine at Greeley Mall or enjoy fishing and outdoor activities along Poudre River Trail. A healthy lifestyle is vital in Evans, and so is health insurance coverage.

Why Bother?

If you’re healthy and never feel the need to visit the doctor, you might be tempted to skip health care coverage. But, the Affordable Care Act, or ACA, makes it mandatory for many people to get coverage. Insurance helps to offset the cost of medical expenses, and depending on the plan you choose, you might get coverage for doctor visits and preventative health care.

Where and When To Get Coverage

You can search the state’s insurance marketplace to find coverage. The regular deadline for 2014 expired in March, and the extended deadline expired in April. The following year’s open enrollment begins in mid-November and ends mid-February of that year.

• In Colorado, enrollment for small businesses and Medicaid is ongoing throughout the year.

Subsidies

You might qualify for subsidies to help you pay for health insurance. If you qualify, you’ll receive your subsidy in the form of a tax credit. The subsidy depends on your income and the number of people in your household.

Penalties

If you don’t get coverage, you might pay a penalty. For 2015, you’ll pay either 2 percent of your income or $325 for each adult – whichever is larger. You’ll also pay $$162.50 for each of your children. This fee amount caps at $925 per family.

• The penalty fee increases every year. For example, in 2014, the fee was one percent of income, and $95 for each adult. In 2016, the fee increases to 2.5 percent of income or $695 per person.

ACA mandated many changes to the healthcare system, so talk with an independent agent to make sure you’re appropriately covered.

Grab your sunglasses and a map, and then head out to one of the scenic, trails in Windsor, Colorado. Windsor’s picturesque trails include the Poudre River Trail, which is popular with the town’s 19,000-plus residents. As you travel the trail, you can enjoy picnic outings, wildlife and the winding Cache la Poudre River. If you tour Windsor on your bike, make sure your motorcycle insurance is up to par.

Motorcycle Permits

You don’t need a learner's permit in Colorado, and the state doesn’t issue separate motorcycle licenses. Instead, you can add a motorcycle endorsement to your driver’s license. If you get an “M” endorsement, you can ride all types of motorcycles. But, with a “3” endorsement, you can ride three-wheeled cycles only.

Financial Responsibility

In Colorado, you must show that you’re financially capable of paying for accidents you cause when operating motor vehicles, including motorcycles. You can show financial responsibility by getting an auto insurance policy. The policy must provide coverage for bodily injury. You also need to cover damages to the other person’s property if you’re at fault in an accident.

Medical Payment

The state also requires that insurance companies include medical payment coverage in all insurance policies. This coverage takes care of accident related expenses regardless of fault. Insurance companies often charge a premium for this coverage. Although it’s mandatory for insurers to offer med-pay coverage, you don’t have to accept it. You can decline coverage, but you must do so in writing.

Caution About Minimum Requirements

State minimums are only a starting point. While you'll comply with the law, you probably won't have enough to cover damages if you cause an accident. So, talk with an independent insurance agent today to make sure you get adequate coverage.

The good news is that our independent agents are right in your neighborhood. We serve the 80550 and surrounding areas. Sometimes, people try to save money, so they get less coverage than they need. But, you can visit Alliance Insurance Services’ website and compare quotes online. This way, you can get the coverage you need at an affordable price.