Although not required by law in the state, your lender may require you to purchase insurance in order to finance your mortgage — and it’s a good idea to have it regardless. Here are three things you should know before you buy Colorado homeowners insurance:

1. The most expensive policy is not necessarily the best one. Many insurance companies may tout themselves as the "best" insurance company to go with — but they may have hefty price tags on their policies. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting the best deal. To get a policy that’s truly fairly priced, do a careful inventory of your home and its possessions before you shop for your policy. Put a replacement value (not the current value) on everything in your inventory, and price your home’s structure the same way. Go for replacement value, not current value. Then, armed with that information, comparison shop by going online and checking out homeowners insurance companies that service your area. Choose the least expensive policy from a company that has a good reputation but one that still gives you the coverage you need.
2. The least expensive policy is not necessarily the best one. Lots of insurance companies will give you a price break on your insurance such that it looks like you’re getting a very good deal: low premiums with lots of coverage. Be careful, though. Check out a company’s reputation before you buy, including its quality of customer service. A lower-priced policy may leave you high and dry because you can’t get ahold of your agent when you need to or because customer service is shoddy.
3. All insurance companies are not created equal. Do your homework. A company’s reputation should always, always trump policy price. When you’re doing your research, choose two or three companies with stellar reputations via online research, establish replacement price points for your housing structure and possessions, and then choose the lowest priced policy from one of these "stellar reputation" companies to give you the coverage you need.

If you are living in an area that endures winter weather, snow and ice, you want to find a home that is constructed with those conditions in mind. Some types of homes withstand harsh winter conditions better than others. However, any home can be modified to enhance protection from snowy weather.

• One of the best home types to protect against snow is one that has a steep slope to the roof. This makes it easier to do snow removal from the ground, rather than climbing up on top of a low-slope roof. Snow is more likely to fall or blow off from the steep pitch, which will reduce overall weight load. Snow is heavy, but ice is the worst culprit, weighing almost as much as water. Water weighs over 62 pounds per cubic foot.
• Homes located in a snowy mountainous area may be in the path of avalanches. Some creative designs that work well incorporate protective sliding wooden shutters over glass, retractable wooden walls to protect open areas, and a home may have steelwork added to strengthen the home structure. Glass can be strengthened and glazing enhanced to be stronger.
• Roofs in snow country should be outfitted with snow guards that help mitigate the effects of snow and ice build-up. Injuries can occur when snow avalanches off a rooftop onto a person standing below. Preventing a build-up of ice at the edge of the roof is recommended; also, removal of large icicles should be done regularly. Metal roofs are particularly prone to sliding snow and ice avalanches.
• Exterior paint should be the best available for weather conditions. Acrylic paint is very durable. Its elasticity is a benefit, as changing weather can cause expansion of wood trim and siding. If solar panels are used, keep them cleared of snow so they will continue to function well in winter.