When you drive a car in New York, you need some type of auto insurance. The law requires that everyone have at least the state minimum auto insurance coverage, but you may want or need to carry more comprehensive coverage. You can easily work with your NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency agent to work out additional coverage that will provide even more protection than the law requires.

If you buy and finance a new car, the finance company will require you to take out additional auto insurance. Technically, you do not own your car until you finish making all the payments. If you should get in to an accident and cause substantial damage or total your vehicle, the finance company does not want to suffer a loss. They will insist that you carry adequate collision and comprehensive coverage so the car can be repaired or the note can be paid off from the proceeds of the insurance company’s settlement check.

If you own an old car, you may need to decide whether or not it is worth paying an additional premium for collision to cover damages should you get into an accident. If, for example, your car is worth $700 and you have a $500 deductible, the most you could ever hope to collect is $200.

At NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, here in Albany, New York, we have many clients who need coverage but do not want to pay high premiums. We represent many different auto insurance companies and can compare quotes to find you the best rates. Give us a call today to talk to an independent agent.

When a driver in Albany, New York goes through a stroke, it can have an impact on his ability to drive. A stroke has an impact on the brain, which means that it can increase the risk of accidents, even if an individual is still able to move the body easily.

Potential Risks

The risks of operating a car after a stroke are primarily related to the possibility of an accident. The brain may be damaged, which slows down reaction times and makes it harder to react appropriately when another driver is acting a reckless manner.

Even if reaction times are not slowed, the body may not be able to move appropriately. Driving a car after a stroke may put your life and the life of other drivers at risk.

Notifying the Company

Although the situation may not impact driving skills, it is still important to notify the insurance company if you are still driving. The reason is simple: you have a higher risk of having a stroke in the future and you are more likely to get into an accident due to the damage to your brain. Even a small stroke can have a dramatic impact on your brain and your ability to function.

It is important to notify the auto insurance company whenever major medical situations occur because it can put you and others at risk.

Insurers want to know about medical conditions if you are still capable of driving because it helps evaluate the amount of risk and helps them determine if your coverage is appropriate. To learn more about the coverage options and the impact of medical conditions on your policy, contact us to speak to an independent agent today.

When a car is damaged or vandalized, it may seem like a straight-forward claim. An Albany, New York insurance company will usually cover the damages, but only when proper measures are taken to prove that the cause of the damage is vandalism.

Making a Report

If your car is vandalized, then you must make a formal police report before you make a claim on your auto insurance. The insurer will want to see proof that your car was vandalized, not damaged from natural causes, an accident or any other situation.

Call the police and file a report. Ask for a copy of the report so that you can send it to your insurer to make a claim. The formal paperwork is proof that your vehicle was damaged in the way that you are claiming and it ensures that your insurer will pay for the damages according to your policy.

Making the Claim

Filing a claim with an insurer may be a simple process. The insurer will usually ask for a report, but it is best to send a copy of the paperwork so that you have the original paper given by the authorities. That helps ensure that if the paper is lost, you will still have proof of the situation.

If you are not sure about the process of making a claim, an independent agent can help you work out the details of your policy and assist you through the process. An agent can also help if you need additional coverage for vandalism.

In most cases, you will need the appropriate proof before you receive funds from your insurer. If you are unsure about the process, then an agent can give you the help you need. To learn more, contact us to talk to an agent today.

Auto drivers in Albany city, Schenectady or Saratoga Springs, New York are offered with the lowest auto insurance rates possible by offering pay as you go plans. These are some of the latest plans in the auto insurance industry.

Unlike conventional auto insurance plans, where drivers simply estimate how many miles they drive each month or year, pay as you go auto insurance plans track precisely how many miles a driver travels. Drivers are billed only for the miles they travel; they will never pay for overestimating. The idea behind this policy is that the greatest risk of an accident is when a vehicle is being driven, so drivers should only pay for when they drive. The car is still covered, though, when it is parked in a driveway or parking lot.

Many drivers are already using these plans to save money on their premiums. Obviously, drivers who do not drive too far or too often can save a lot of money with this type of plan. Families that have multiple cars, however, also stand to benefit. Even if a family puts many miles on their vehicles each year, they can use this plan to lower the premiums on one car. We can easily set up a pay as you go plan for a single vehicle, and then you can only drive that vehicle when it is absolutely necessary. Many families find it easy to use one less car most of the time and have a second as a backup.

If you would like more information about these new auto insurance plans, contact us. As an independent agent, we are able to shop around for the best pay as you go plans available.

There are people who love to own extremely rare cars and drive them in shows all over the country. Each owner will have to keep their car in great shape and they will have find a company that insures rare cars. The price for owning such a policy can be a little different than your normal auto policy. Here are a few factors that go into determining the rates for your rare car.

Factors that Determine the Rate of Your Rare Car

• A rare car is covered by an insurance policy like a regular policy. There is a liability section and the owner can choose to have physical damage benefits attached to the policy. Part of the rate is determined by the level of benefits the owner has chosen.
• Before insuring your rare car you will want to have an appraisal in hand from a qualified appraiser. The value of the car will play a big part in your overall premium. The more the car is worth the higher your rate will be.
• If you live in Albany, Saratoga Springs or Schenectady, New York, then you will want to keep your PFM score at a high level. A person’s PFM will help determine what they pay for car insurance. You can keep your premium low by keeping your PFM score in good shape.
• The make and model of your rare car will also help determine your rate.

If you have any questions about rare car insurance and need to speak with someone, then you need to contact your independent agent today. As your agent, we can help answer all of your questions. Give us a call today and tell us your circumstances so we can help get you the right coverage for your car.

If you live in Albany, New York or the surrounding areas, then you may wonder about your insurance options. Selling your car may mean that you only drive it occasionally and that you do not need the same amount of coverage that you would want if you were often driving it for work or other needs. Fortunately, you can find insurance options for infrequent driving that is affordable and appropriate for your needs until after you sell the vehicle.

Discounted Auto Coverage

A simple plan to obtain a cheaper policy in Saratoga Springs or Schenectady is obtaining a basic plan and asking for a discount. A discount will reduce the monthly cost without causing problems for your coverage needs. It simplifies the process of obtaining proper coverage without taking risks that you will not have enough protection.

Pay-As-You-Go

Another option if you want you car temporarily covered until you can find a buyer is obtaining a pay-as-you-go plan. Instead of paying for six months or obtaining coverage for a long period of time, you will pay one month at a time as you need the plan. It is easy to stop your coverage whenever you sell the vehicle and you will not lose any funds that you’d paid previously since it was a plan that specifically caters to your particular needs and hopes.

Finding a cheaper way to cut back on your insurance cost when you only drive the vehicle occasionally starts with identifying the options that are available. Whether you decide to opt for a pay-as-you-go plan or a discounted rate depends on your goals and needs. To learn more about your options and the methods of cutting back on the price, contact us to talk to an independent agent.

When a vehicle is stolen from your garage in Albany, New York, you may find yourself wondering about your options to replace the vehicle and repair the damage to your garage. Although it may seem easy to make a claim with your home insurance policy for the garage repairs and the auto policy for the theft, the best solution will actually depend on your coverage and the situation.

Home Policies

A home insurance policy will usually cover the damage to your garage up to a certain point. If your vehicle was stolen from the garage after it was damaged, then your homeowners insurance may or may not offer compensation for that theft.

The only way to determine if your car was covered under the policy is calling your insurance provider and asking about the situation. Your coverage may or may not provide protection for the vehicle.

Auto Coverage

Your auto insurance protection in Saratoga Springs or Schenectady may not cover the cost of financial losses from the damage to your garage. It will ultimately depend on the situation and the amount of protection that you purchased.

Even if your policy will not cover the damage to the garage, a comprehensive plan will cover the theft of your vehicle. Provide proof of the theft and the damaged garage to determine how much the insurer will provide to replace the vehicle.

If your vehicle was stolen and property on your house was damaged, then it may be necessary to contact both insurance providers to repair the damages and pay for the replacement of the vehicle. To learn more about the way coverage works and your options, contact us to talk to an independent agent.

If you are a resident of Albany, Schenectady, or Saratoga Springs New York, you have many options for insurance. However, it is important that you work with an independent agent so that you can get the best possible service. While you can purchase your policy online, when you do that you will not get the answers to all your questions or have someone working on your side to make certain you get the best possible service.

One of the questions you may have about your policy is “Do car insurance companies automatically adjust your premium based on your record in Albany, New York?” The question seems simple, but it is one that you may have trouble answering yourself. The truth is, no one knows what the insurance companies will take into account when they are adjusting the premium on your auto insurance.

In many cases, if you have a negative mark put on your record, the insurance companies will adjust your policy up. However, they do not often adjust it down—without someone on your side at least.

Luckily, if you are willing to work with an independent agency, like ours, you do have someone on your side. Not only do you save up front—because of our system that compares rates from multiple insurance companies—but, we can also save you money down the road. If your record is impeccable, we may be able to help you get the rate lowered, or if you do have a blemish on your record, we will do what we can work with the companies for this too.

So, make sure you are covered! Give us a call or contact us today and let one of our hard-working and knowledgeable agents help you get started.

As you shop for auto insurance in Albany, you might be wondering about the things that could potentially impact how much you pay per month for coverage. If you’re one of countless New York residents under part-time employment, you might be wondering if you’re able to successfully buy the coverage your vehicle needs to remain legally registered on state roads.

Regardless of whether you have a part-time job or a full-time job, your employment status won’t have much of a bearing on buying a New York car insurance policy, outside of how much you’re willing to spend on premiums each month, of course. In fact, there are many other things that would have a bigger impact on your ability to purchase auto insurance. A clean driving record, your age and marital status, current address and the type of car you plan on ensuring are more likely to affect your total premium.

Unlike health insurance plans that offered through an employer, you don’t have to worry about your part-time or full-time employment status affecting your auto insurance coverage. After all, it’s not like you’re getting your car insured by your employer.

In the end, the only thing that matters when buying car insurance in Albany is your ability to maintain coverage by paying your premiums every month. Having full-time employment will only help your ability to afford more coverage and add more options to your current policy.

It’s a good idea to shop for the best rates you can afford and adjust your auto insurance coverage accordingly, within your legally mandated state coverage limits, of course. As your independent agent, we can help you make the right choices when it comes to streamlining your car insurance budget.

In the state of New York, residents are required to obtain an annual vehicle inspection. Even if residents are new to Albany or other areas of the state, an inspection is required within ten days of registering the vehicle. When an inspection is overlooked, Saratoga Springs or Schenectady residents can face unexpected consequences.

Fines

The obvious consequence of avoiding a car inspection is the fine. When a police officer notices that a vehicle is late on an inspection or does not have an inspection sticker, a ticket is given to the driver or owner of the vehicle. The cost of the ticket will depend on the delay on the inspection process.

Fines will generally range from $25 to $100 in the state of New York. It will cost $25 if the inspection is late by 60 or less. If the vehicle is not inspected for a longer period of time, then residents will need to pay $100 in additional fees. The state will also charge $55 in surcharges, which are added to the basic fine.

Losing the Right to Register

If the car is not inspected after receiving a ticket, then the state reserves the right to refuse to re-register the vehicle in the future. This will usually only happen if the offense is repeated or the inspection is put off for a long period of time.

Although auto insurance can seem like the most important consideration when driving a motor vehicle, it is only one aspect of the process. Residents will also need to register the car with the state and go through the emissions inspection to avoid unnecessary fees. To learn more about New York inspections and state laws, contact us to speak to an independent agent today.