VanMeveren Law Group November 2017

VanMeveren Law Group November 2017

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Do You Know What’s in Your Auto Policy?

Are you on the same page with your significant other when it comes to auto insurance?

When he tried to assert an underinsured motorist claim, State Farm denied the claim, advising that the insured’s friend had rejected additional underinsured coverage. The injured insured argued that he never gave his friend permission to limit his coverage, raising the question for the Colorado Supreme Court as to whether one named insured’s decision to reject coverage is binding on all insureds. The Colorado Supreme Court found that the friend had implied authority to reject underinsured coverage for their jointly owned vehicle, even though the injured friend did not specifically instruct or authorize the friend to reject the coverage. “Before getting into a vehicle, make sure that everyone on your auto policy is on the same page. Shared knowledge as to your insurance coverage limits can reduce a lot of hardship and frustration in the event of an accident.” A few important takeaways from this ruling: First, make sure you review your coverages with all named insureds on your policy. Put yourself in a position where everyone understands and is in agreement with the scope and limits on your coverage. Second, if you’re unsure as to whether you have underinsured coverage, contact your insurance agent immediately. And remember that insurance companies

In a recent case, my client was seriously injured at the hands of an uninsured motorist. After a comprehensive investigation of the at-fault driver’s background and assets, we determined our client’s only course of action was to make an uninsured motorist claim through her own auto coverage. While our client’s injuries were serious, she assured us that she had “full coverage” — coverage that was extensive enough to cover all of her losses. Unfortunately, during a recent policy renewal period, her husband chose to save a few dollars on their insurance premium and opted for much lower uninsured motorist limits. Our client was unaware of this policy change and confirmed with us that she never signed anything agreeing to lower coverage limits. The obvious question that comes up is whether any other insureds on your auto policy can make coverage changes without your knowledge, consent, or signature. Well, the short answer is yes. Other insureds on your policy can limit your coverage without your knowledge or permission. Our Colorado Supreme Court recently ruled on a similar issue in Johnson v. State Farm Insurance. In Johnson, two friends shared a vehicle and were both insured on the auto policy. One of the friends was seriously injured in a collision through no fault of his own.

must issue auto insurance policies in Colorado that provide a minimum level of underinsured motorist coverage. Further, this coverage must be offered in writing. If the insurer is unable to produce evidence that you rejected the coverage in writing, the coverage applies. Underinsured motorist claims can be tricky when dealing with a savvy insurance adjuster who may not be looking out for your best interests. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the scope of your coverages. We are more than happy to take a look at your policy and give you the guidance necessary to protect your interests. Before getting into a vehicle, make sure that everyone on your auto policy is on the same page. Shared knowledge as to your insurance coverage limits can reduce a lot of hardship and frustration in the event of an accident.

–Bryan VanMeveren

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3 Family Activities for Thanksgiving

Grab some colored paper circles — or cut them out — and have your children write down things that they are thankful for. A silver Sharpie is great for this. Punch holes in the tops of the circles and run string through them. Tie the other end of the string to a coat hanger or embroidery hoop and hang it from the ceiling. Stuff the Turkey Game Want to get the kids outside so you can get to work in the kitchen? Create a Thanksgiving-themed game for them to play outside while you prep the stuffing and put the turkey in the oven. To create a holiday-themed “Stuff the Turkey” game, all you need is a few paper bags. We’ll bet you have some left over from shopping. Use two small bags stuffed with scrap paper to create legs and glue them to a larger bag folded to look like the body of a turkey. Now that you have your turkey, you need some balls to stuff it with. Anything soft and baseball-sized will work, even some balled-up paper. Kids will take turns trying to toss the balls into the turkey, scoring points for every shot made.

Unless you have a child auditioning for “MasterChef Junior,” you’re probably not going to let the little ones cook the turkey this Thanksgiving. Just because the kitchen might be off limits, though, doesn’t mean you can’t find a few creative ways to make the holiday extra special for your kids. Spice up Thanksgiving with these fun, family-friendly activities. Coloring-Book Tablecloths

want to add some extra holiday spirit, put the drawing supplies in empty cranberry sauce and pumpkin cans. Gratitude Mobiles Of course, Thanksgiving isn’t just about delicious food. It’s also about reflecting on the parts of our lives we are grateful for. Teaching kids about gratitude is the most valuable Thanksgiving lesson. Bring that concept to life with a gratitude mobile.

If you have a big family, you are probably familiar with the Thanksgiving tradition of the kids’ table. It may be smaller than the grown-ups’ seating arrangement, but it doesn’t have to be any less special. Turn your kids’ table into a canvas for a colorful, creative dining experience. To do this, use craft or art paper to cover the table. Tape everything down tightly and provide crayons and colored pencils for every place setting. If you

Testimonials:

“Bryan and his team are top-notch. If you need a firm that is strong enough to get the job done, yet sincere enough to understand the things you are going through, look no further. These guys are the real deal.” –David B. “Bryan and his associates showed empathy and compassion in the way they treated me personally, as well as in howmy case was handled. His honesty, patience, and dedication to the law showed in his emails and conversations. I was informed on a constant basis and never felt left out of even the smallest decisions. When all was said and done, and the outcome of my particular case was presented, I felt justice was served.” –Personal injury client

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A BetterWay to Think About Fashion

Cira Ltd. was founded on the idea that clothes shopping should be easy and fun. For many people, shopping for new elements of a wardrobe is a chore. In the back of your mind, you know what you want, but the tricky part is finding it. Cira Ltd. helps meet your personal expectations, whether you’re looking for men’s or women’s fashion for just about any occasion. The clothing boutique was originally founded in Denver in 1998, but it eventually moved to Fort Collins in 2004, where they set up shop right in the center of downtown!

Cira Ltd. 21 Old Town Square Suite 139 Fort Collins, CO 80524

Sweet Potato Soup

Grid n°72300 easy

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Ingredients

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3 pounds sweet potatoes, roughly chopped

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1 tablespoon garlic, minced 5 cups chicken or vegetable stock

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1 onion, chopped 2 stalks celery, sliced

1 cup coconut milk

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Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 medium carrots, chopped

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4

Directions

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1. Place all ingredients except for the coconut milk in a slow cooker. 2. Season everything to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. 3. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours.

4. Using a blender or an

immersion blender, puree everything until smooth. 5. Add the coconut milk, give

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everything a good stir, and cook for another 30 minutes.

6. Adjust the seasoning and serve warm.

Recipe courtesy of PaeloLeap.com.

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Inside

WARM UP WITH THESE Fort Collins Events

Makin’ YourOwnBacon Saturday, November 11 Gardens on Spring Creek 2145 S. Centre Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80526

SweatySweaterRace Saturday, December 9

Anheuser-Busch 2351 Busch Drive Fort Collins, CO 80524

Have you ever wanted to make your own bacon? Chances are, you’ve never

Don your ugliest sweater for the annual Sweaty Sweater Race! The 4-mile run and walk kicks off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. The race is open to everyone, but professional chip timing is available for the dedicated runners. Before and after the race, participants are welcome to gather in the heated indoor space, and after the race, hot chocolate, coffee, and beer (for the 21-and-up crowd) will be provided. Be sure to stick around for the ugly sweater fashion show and contest! To learn more about the race and to register, head over to frontrangefreeze.com/sweaty-sweater-race.

considered it, but now that may all change. The Gardens on Spring Creek is offering a workshop to give you the knowledge you need to prepare your own bacon at home. You’ll learn how to take a cut of pork belly and turn it into strips of bacon, giving you more control over the cut of meat — no more additives or overly fatty bacon. The class is $30 per person, and you can register at the Gardens website (search for Fall Classes under Adult Education).

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