518-608-5797 Facebook Twitter Linkedin Google+ YouTube Blog

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

mobile-callClick to Call
Twin Bridges Insurance Agency

1881 Western Avenue, Suite 210
Albany, NY 12203

google-mapGet Directions
Family in automobile

Three questions to ask your commercial insurance representative

Protecting your business in Albany, NY with commercial insurance is important. It’s also important that you ask the right questions before committing to a particular commercial coverage option. 

You should ask us the following questions at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency when selecting your commercial insurance policy. 

Which commercial insurance coverage types are most important for me?

One of the most important things to realize is that there are many different types of commercial coverage to consider. These include general liability, errors and omissions, and workers’ compensation coverage. 

Our representatives have worked with many business owners to find the right commercial coverage. They can provide you with advice on what coverage types companies like yours need. 

How can I bring down my commercial insurance costs?

You may be able to bring down your insurance costs in a variety of ways. You could choose a higher deductible to bring down costs. You might also be able to get a discount by purchasing multiple insurance types from the same provider.

If you’re insuring commercial vehicles, you may be able to reduce costs by hiring employees with good driving records.  

What are my payment options?

Most providers will give you the option to pay in a lump sum or per month. You should enjoy a discount if you pay your entire premium upfront. Therefore, it’s a good idea to pay upfront if you can afford it. 

Careful research is important for finding the best commercial insurance policy in Albany, NY for your needs. You can get more information about commercial insurance by contacting us with your questions at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency. 

How Albany Residents Can Get Home Insurance

Buying a home is always a very big decision that needs to be taken quite seriously. For those that are in the Albany area, it is also important to consider your home insurance needs. While it can seem like a complicated process, there are several tips that could be followed to help someone get into a quality home insurance policy that provides the right protection.

Know their Needs

When you are looking for home insurance in the Albany, NY area, it is important to consider your personal needs first. Most people will need to have coverage to rebuild and replace their property and personal assets as well as liability coverage. However, others may need additional coverage including insurance riders for valuable assets or additional liability coverage. By spending time considering your needs, you will make sure that you get coverage for all relevant risks.

Get Professional Support

Along with considering your own personal insurance needs, you should also seek out the advice and wisdom from a professional. Choosing your own home insurance policy can be a complicated process. To make it easier, you should speak with an insurance professional that can help you to build a policy. These insurance professionals will be able to provide you with guidance and support that could help you to get into the perfect policy for your situation.

There are clearly many great reasons to get home insurance in Albany, NY and speaking with a professional would always be helpful. Those that are in the area should contact the team NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency to discuss their insurance needs. The NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency will carefully assess your individual needs and personal situation to help get you into the right policy that gives you the coverage you need. 

What auto insurance do I need if I am a ride share driver?

Ridesharing has become big business. It is not only very convenient but it is considerably less expensive than taking a cab and in general, the coverage area is much more extensive. It is a great way to get around and it is also a great way to earn some extra income or even to do full time. You do need to use your own vehicle however and so the question of what kind of auto insurance you need as a rideshare driver in Albany, NY is vital. At NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency we have the experienced staff to help make sure you have the coverage you need.

New York State enacted TNC (Transportation Network Company) laws, these require a rideshare driver to carry $1,250,000 in liability coverage per accident when they have a passenger in their car. UBER provides this insurance to their drivers while they have a passenger in the vehicle, Lyft provides $1,000,000 which means you are going to need to have the additional $250,000 of required insurance on your own.

Both companies also offered some liability coverage while you have the app on but have not yet accepted a ride or on the way to pick up the ride. However, when your app is not on, you are required to carry the minimum amount of insurance required by the state of New York or by the company or bank who holds your loan or lease. You must carry $10,000 property damage, $25,000 bodily injury with a max of $50,000 and $50,000 per death up to 2 people. If you have a loan or lease you will also need collision and comprehensive insurance.

All of these figures and facts can be complicated. It is important that you as a rideshare driver have all the coverage you need. At NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY we are here to help you make sure that you are protected. Give us a call or stop by our office for a no-obligation quote.

Things that can nullify a life insurance policy

Buying an insurance policy is something that people do to offer protection to the people who depend on them. When your loved one passes away chances are that you are counting on that life insurance policy to be able to maintain the lifestyle that you currently have. Nothing could be worse than having the insurance company deny your claim. It could leave you in Albany, NY in a very precarious financial situation. When it comes to life insurance the team at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency can help you to make sure this doesn’t happen to you. 

When you purchase a life insurance policy you will be asked to fill out a lot of paperwork. You will be asked questions that you may be tempted to avoid answering or to answer untruthfully. This is a very bad idea. It is considered fraud and it is one of the things that can nullify a life insurance policy. Don’t give incorrect medical information or lie about any hobbies that you have that might be considered risky. 

When times are tough financially you can be tempted to let your life insurance policy lapse. You may miss a payment or two. This will nullify your policy but most companies are willing to work with you if you are in a temporary bind. It is important that you talk to your company and come up with a plan to keep the policy in force. 

If you are going to be living outside of the United States check with your insurance company to make sure that they will honor your policy if you are living in a foreign country. 

Life insurance offers needed coverage. The agents at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY would love to sit down and talk to you about the coverage you have and what you may need. 

 

Ways to Make Your NY Business More Energy Efficient

Has your utility bill skyrocketed at your Albany NY business? If so, maybe you are looking for ways to get that energy bill down throughout the year. There are some ways to make your New York business more energy-efficient, and we have these tips for you at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency. 

Window Upgrading

For most Albany, NY businesses who may be in some older construction, they see a significant difference in their energy efficiency immediately after upgrading the windows. These upgrades seal the energy inside the business and prevent it from releasing outside. Maintaining the heat inside the business will keep it warmer longer and decrease the energy used around the clock.

Temperature Maintenance

Stabilizing the interior temperature within your office will allow the HVAC system to properly operate and maintain a steady temperature. When the temperature is constantly shifted up and down by employees throughout the year, the system has to work twice and hard to keep up and can force it to utilize much more energy than it should. 

Integrate Solar Panels 

While it may be too much of a transition at once, slowly begin introducing solar panels to your business to assist with the energy and reduce the amount of electricity that is used during the workday. Since solar panels can be a bit pricey initially, some small business owners in the area have decided to purchase one panel at the time and seeing benefits in their energy bill now. 

Include Commercial Insurance

Because you should have it, commercial insurance is available for businesses in Albany, NY through NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency. Our team not only wants to help you get energy-efficient, but we want you to have the security you need for your business. Call us today for more information. 

Auto Insurance Additions That Make Your Life Easier

When you’re in an accident, your car insurance is a vital component of your recovery plan. However, you don’t have to wait for a vehicular crisis to get real value from your coverage. Here are some perks that the experts at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency can add to your Albany, NY area auto insurance contract that make your everyday life just a little easier.

  • Roadside assistance. Running short on gas, blowing a tire on the freeway, or locking yourself out of your car doesn’t have to be a tragedy. With roadside assistance, you’re always one phone call away from fast and friendly relief.
  • Travel discounts. From restaurants to motor lodges, your insurance company often works with other businesses to provide discounts and other advantages to their drivers.
  • Navigation assistance. Getting around isn’t always easy. Your insurance company may offer complimentary or discount navigation services that make road trips safer and more fun.
  • Gap insurance. That shiny new car starts to lose value the second you drive it off the lot. What happens if your vehicle gets totaled long before you pay it off? Gap coverage ensures you won’t ever have to pay out-of-pocket if your car gets irreparably damaged, even if you’re still paying on it.
  • Bundle discounts. Your car isn’t the only thing you use insurance to protect. When you buy your life, home, and auto insurance from the same agency, you can realize big savings on your premiums.
  • Umbrella coverage. There are times when your primary auto coverage isn’t quite enough. For those times, an additional umbrella policy ensures you always have enough to rebuild, rebuy, and regroup.

NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency customizes auto insurance policies for businesses and residents in the Albany, NY area. Contact their offices to learn more about making the most out of your auto insurance.

My Roof Was Damaged by a Tornado. Is It Covered by My Home Insurance?

The agents of NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency serve residents in Albany, NY and many of the surrounding communities. They understand the stress and frustration tornadoes and other types of storms can cause when they result in damage to a person’s home or property. The agents work with people every day who have experienced various types of weather-related events.

Tornado Damage

In most cases, tornado damage is covered by your homeowners’ insurance policy. While hurricanes and floods require a special type of rider, tornadoes do not. If your home is damaged during a storm, your homeowners’ policy is written to pay for the cost of the repairs to your roof and any other area of your home that has been affected.

Filing a Claim

Once the storm is over, you will need to immediately call your agent. An inspector will be sent to your home to determine the extent of the damages. It’s important that you take as many pictures as possible and document as much of the damage as you can so that everything is reported. The next step is to talk to your agent and file your claim. As soon as the claim has been approved, you will be able to start making the repairs to your home.

If you live in Albany, NY contact the agents of NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency to discuss your homeowners’ insurance policy. They can look over your old policy and recommend changes that may work better for you. Schedule an appointment today to make sure you have the coverage you need. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

Choosing the Right Commercial Insurance Policy

The right commercial insurance policy can make the difference between a catastrophic event crippling your business and being able to bounce back without a huge effect on your bottom line. If you are a business owner in the greater Albany, NY area then it’s time to come talk to the team at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency. We are here to help you navigate the sometimes confusing and stressful process of choosing the right commercial insurance policy. It is incredibly risky for a business to be underinsured as the right insurance policy can make all the difference when it comes to outlasting the competition.

The Right Commercial Policy for Your Business

Determining the right commercial policy for your business is a unique experience because every business is different. There are a few features that make sense for most companies, such as protection for their inventory, vehicles, and equipment, in addition to coverage for their property. In addition, having protection from business interruption due to a covered event can be a lifesaver when it comes to overcoming the many unforeseen issues that can occur. When a company has the right commercial insurance policy, they can rest assured that a covered catastrophic event is much less likely to put them out of business! While there are no guarantees for the future, it makes sense to be as prepared as possible. When you have the right policy in place you are reducing the risk of your company going out of business due to an unexpected event.

The team at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency is proud to serve the insurance needs of the greater Albany, NY business community. If you are looking for an insurance agency that is knowledgeable and responsive to your needs call or stop by today!

Factors That Affect the Costs of Your Life Insurance

Life insurance rates can vary widely from individual to individual. If you live in Albany, NY and have been curious about the things that can affect your life insurance rates, read on for some informative facts from NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency.

Age

One of the biggest factors that can influence your life insurance rate is your age. By and large, younger people have less expensive life insurance rates than older people.

Health Status and Family Health History

If you are generally in good health, you will enjoy lower life insurance rates than someone who deals with troublesome health conditions. A family history of some diseases may increase your insurance rates.  Some things, like whether or not you have had cancer or whether your mother had breast cancer, you can’t help. However, other things you may be able to change. You can try to lose weight, lower your blood pressure, and keep tabs on chronic health problems before they cause long term damage to your body. Doing these things may improve your life insurance rate.

Driving Record

Having a good driving record leads to lower auto insurance rates, and it may also affect your life insurance rate. Your driving record reflects how careful you are, so having fewer tickets and accidents means a lower risk for the life insurance company and a lower rate for you.

Occupation

Some occupations have a higher risk of death. If you are a police officer or fireman, your job is riskier than someone who works as an accountant. Additionally, if you work in a more dangerous location, your premium may be higher.

Some things, like your age, occupation, family health history, and health status, you may not be able to change. However, other things, like your weight, driving record, and fitness status you can change. By making small changes in your lifestyle, you may be able to reduce your insurance premiums. If you have questions about your life insurance rate in Albany, NY, contact NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency today.

Is homeowners insurance required by law?

Albany, NY is a great environment for living, working, and raising your family. Your homeowners policy gives you the needed security and protection you need so you know that if anything happens your family will be able to move on without starting all over again.

But is home insurance required by law? There is no law in New York which requires anyone who owns a home to purchase an insurance policy. However, you may still be required to have a policy, and there may even be limits and deductibles you are required to meet.

Just as a landlord may require tenants to have renters insurance to protect their personal possessions, your mortgage holder will probably require you to hold a homeowners policy. The bank or lender which holds the mortgage also has an interest in the property, meaning that if the house burns down before you finish paying off your mortgage, the lender suffers a loss too.

At NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, we work with our clients to find the policy that best suits their individual needs. Besides the structure itself, you will want to protect your possessions inside the home. 

Basic coverage will protect fixtures like your big appliances and flooring, but you can also get coverage for personal items like movies, clothing and bedding. While not necessarily covered by a standard policy, you can add protection for other items not covered, like valuable jewelry.

You want to protect your home in Albany, NY even if you have paid off your mortgage. If you are like most people, your home is your biggest investment.

If you want to make sure you have the protection you need, we at  Twin Bridges Insurance Agency are happy to help. Call today with any questions or a free quote.