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Twin Bridges Insurance Agency

1881 Western Avenue, Suite 210
Albany, NY 12203

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What is the Difference Between Straight and Term?

Life insurance is a protection for yourself and your family in the unexpected instance of your death. There are two types of life insurance- whole, which is also referred to as permanent- and term life insurance. Below, find what each one entails, how they are different and what they cover. The two major differences is that term is a policy that is determined for a set amount of time and whole is to protect you for your entire life.

Term Life Insurance

Term life insurance is referred to as "term" because for the time, or "term" that you are paying your premium, you are paying for the cost of your death benefit for your family or beneficiaries. Term life insurance is usually pretty affordable, with premiums averaging around $30 a month for a healthy person in their twenties or thirties. Term life insurance only provides a death benefit. During this time, the insurance company may contest any claim that they feel is fraudulent. Most life insurance holders purchase term life insurance policies for basic life insurance needs.

Whole Life Insurance

Whole life insurance premiums are much higher- up to four times as high- than term ones because they add up to a cash value along with the death benefit in the policy. A portion of the premium is put to the side in savings for each payment, which accrues interest over time and can be borrowed against. Whole life insurance policies are usually better for individuals that have a high amount of wealth, complex financial situations, and /or assets to protect or may need the cash value to borrow against while they are still living.

Contact one of the agents at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency to help you understand the ins-and-outs of life insurance. Call or stop by for a free quote today.

Does my business need commercial insurance?

There can be a lot of details to consider when starting a new business. From choosing a location to setting up advertising, there are plenty of things to do.  In the middle of considering everything, however be sure to consider your commercial insurance needs.   

Commercial insurance actually includes several different types of insurance that are used by businesses.  This can include commercial auto insurance in which a policy is written specifically for company-owned cars and/or vehicles that are being used on a part-time basis for a business.  Another common coverage is commercial property insurance that insures the structure of a store, office, or manufacturing facility along with the contents of the building.

it can be difficult to know when it’s time to invest in commercial insurance, however. Any business that has assets such as inventory or heavy equipment that cannot be easily replaced needs to have this coverage.  In fact, most small businesses start with small commercial policies that cover large equipment and their inventory.  Eventually, these policies can be expanded to include additional assets, umbrella insurance, and other coverage.

Commercial auto insurance should be added as soon as your company has a dedicated car that is used for the business. Standard auto policies rarely cover vehicles that are being used primarily for a business, making it a bad idea to simply rely on a personal policy or the personal policies of your employees.

If you think it’s time for your business to make the investment in a commercial insurance policy, then call the agents at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency. They have years of experience helping their business clients find the policy that is right for them.

 

Riding Motorcycles in NY: Why it’s Better when Insured

A motorcycle trip can be the trip of a lifetime, but it can be ended all too quickly, especially if you aren’t properly insured. NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency strives to make sure that every driver on the road has the proper insurance plan to suit their needs. This is because, while a motorcycle is the perfect vehicle to represent ‘freedom’ while driving down the highway, all of that freedom could disappear in the blink of an eye. It could be a traffic collision that leaves your motorcycle damaged and in need of repair (or worse – completely wrecked), it could be a serious medical bill as a  result of the accident, or it could even be a suspended license, thereby limiting your ability to travel not just for fun, but also for your job. Using NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency’s online services however can help you overcome the unfortunate status of an uninsured rider in just minutes. Even if you didn’t find what you want here, it’s certainly worth trying to avoid crippling financial debt.

And just in case any of your motorcycle riders thought that having insurance and a license was enough to be able to ride the highway in proper adherence to the law, think again – in the state of New York, all motorcycle riders and passengers are required by law to wear both a helmet and a pair of protective goggles (both must be up to a certain standard of quality and safety in order to qualify under the law, mind you). It may seem like a bit of a pain to have to wear one, but they can be life saving.

The law varies from state to state, so if you have any questions, contact NY Twin Bridges Insurance online or by phone at (518) 608-5797. Whether you’re from Albany, Ithaca, New York City, or even from out of town, we are happy to help.

How can commercial insurance help small businesses?

Typically, when you think of commercial insurance, you think of big businesses or commercial properties with a lot to protect. While these types of businesses do need insurance to protect their assets, they aren’t the only businesses that need protecting. Even small businesses can benefit from commercial insurance and should consider purchasing commercial insurance.

The biggest reason for a small business to get commercial insurance is to protect the assets in your business. This is particularly important if you have property or products to protect your business. For example, property insurance can be used to protect your products as well as the physical property where your business is located. Insurance is also used to protect any employees you have working in the business.

Some small business owners operate out of their homes and think their business is already protected. Unfortunately, not all homeowners’ insurance policies protect small businesses. So in order to get the full protections you need, your business needs a separate policy, even if you operate out of your home.

Insurance is about protection, and even sole proprietorships need protection. By getting the proper insurance for your business, you can keep from getting into trouble down the road. Make sure your business has the right insurance so you can protect your business while you grow it. Different businesses have different insurance needs. Since there are so many different types of and uses for commercial insurance, it’s important to make sure you choose the right insurance for your business. 

For more information about commercial insurance to help your small business, contact the NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency today. 

Importance of Life Insurance in Albany, NY

Having life insurance in Albany, NY is an important thing once you get to certain point in your life, because you need to provide for those you leave behind in the event something tragic or unexpected happens to you. Below are some reasons to set up a life insurance policy with NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, who serves the greater Albany, NY area, so you can be sure those you care about will be taken care of in case something happens to you.

YOU CAN’T PREDICT THE FUTURE

Having life insurance is just a safety net for all the things that could happen and it doesn’t cost much per month to ensure family members will be taken care of after you are gone. This piece of mind is worth every penny you pay into the policy which will inevitably pay out some day to those you care about most, and it assuages that undeniable fact that you can’t predict the future.

ALLOWS YOU TO LIVE YOUR LIFE

Having life insurance actually allows you more freedom to do things you may be hesitant to do because of what would happen to your loved ones if a tragedy occurred. So by having this life insurance policy, life actually becomes more fulfilling with more possibilities.

GIVES YOUR FAMILY PIECE OF MIND

While those who would benefit from a life insurance policy would be devastated, they at least have piece of mind to know they would be taken care of by the life insurance policy you had set up. So it gives them piece of mind as well and that is why insurance is so important — so you can live with less worry.

How Local Insurance Agencies Serve Those in Their Communities

Local insurance agencies not only provide personal service to their communities, they are also among those who benefit and serve citizens. By providing the most personal type of insurance needs possible, agencies that are locally owned and based are providing a service to that community. For example, if a client had a car accident and needed desperately to file a claim and to speak with their agent about technicalities, a local provider would be able to help them right away. This immediate help not only grants the client peace of mind, but takes care of business in a much faster and efficient way.

Another way local insurance companies such as NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency serve those in their towns is by being available often. Most of the time, an agency that is locally based, will have a personal feel where clients may call or come by in person whenever they need to. This type of service alone is a huge benefit to those in the community. Being able to speak with your agent promptly helps the entire insurance process become more efficient. This efficiency stems from the agent being located in the clients town as well as the fact the client can come right in and ask questions, speeds up the waiting process as a whole. 

Many times local insurance agencies will also participate in local events. This type of involvement gives both the agency and their current and potential clients exposure and a positive reputation. By sponsoring local events clients may see the more human side of their agents and are more likely to trust them, recommend them and continue doing business with them. 

Contact an independent insurance agent at NY Twin Bridges Agency today.

 

How Independent Insurance Agents in Albany Are Your Advocates

One of the best ways to purchase insurance is by being armed with a lot of information. You need information about your deductibles, coverage limits, and prices in order to make an informed decision. That’s how our NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency’s independent insurance agents make the difference. They act as advocates for you before, during, and after you purchase insurance from us.

Independent Insurance Agents Are Customer-Centric

Our independent insurance agents work hard to make sure that you are satisfied when you purchase insurance from us. They walk you through the process and make sure you understand what is included in your policy. They know that having the right coverage when you need it is important because they are customers too.

Our Agents Provide You Competitive Quotes

When you work with an independent insurance agent, you will automatically get multiple quotes for coverage. They work with a number well-known insurance companies, so the coverage you choose will be competitive and reputable.

After providing you with quotes, our agents will work with you to determine which coverage best meets you need. They want to make sure you don’t simply purchase a policy you don’t understand or don’t want.

They Follow Up with You After Your Purchase

You can outgrow or need more insurance as your life progressive. As a result, our independent insurance agents proactively conduct policy reviews each year to ensure that your current policy continually meets your needs.

When you are ready to get protected, our independent insurance agents are just a phone call away. They are insurance experts ready to help you get the coverage you need to continue driving or to ensure your home. You can also use our online quoting system to get a quote if you find it more convenient.

 

How to Deal With Workplace Injuries

For all small business owners there is always a chance that an employee may end up getting injured on the job. That being said, having a commercial policy in place that helps to cover the costs and medical bills of any employee if they are injured on the job is a must.

Workplace injury can end up costing any company thousands of dollars and without the proper insurance coverage, it may cost you more. Keeping this in mind, a great policy from a company like NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in the Schenectady, NY area can help business owners protect their company and keep their best interest in mind.

There are a few ways that you can help prevent workplace injury and the first is proper employee education. It is crucial that you take the time to tell employees what practices are safe, what are dangerous, and what they can do to keep themselves safe while they are on the job. On top of that, you also need to make sure that you take the time to provide employees with a safe environment where injury is not likely to occur.

Having a great insurance policy in place is protection for both the small business owner and for employees as it can help to pay bills that neither want to pay and can help your employees get the compensation that they need to get better and to get back to work without having to worry about how they are going to pay their high medical bills.

Your insurance agent can discuss with you what policies are available and what policies are going to help you to get the coverage you need to keep your business and your employees protected.

Life Insurance Myths Uncovered In Albany, NY

There are a lot of life insurance myths that you need to uncover in Albany, New York. This will give you more confidence as you shop for a policy knowing that it is going to provide you with sufficient protection.

Life Insurance is for Older People

Somewhere along the line, a myth developed that life insurance is only for older people. This is not accurate at all. You want to make sure that you are protecting your family regardless of what your age is – and therefore having a policy even in your 30s and 40s can be extremely beneficial.

Health is Critical

While health does play a role within life-insurance, it is not going to be the difference between being able to get a policy or not. Plenty of insurance companies will offer a policy even if you have a serious illness. However, the coverage may be lower and premiums may be higher.

Employer-Provided Polices are Enough

It is great if your employer provides you with a life insurance policy. However, you need to know what kind of coverage you have, it may only be one or two times your salary. Additionally, it may only be a term policy and may disappear once you leave the company, leaving you with no coverage at all.

Most Affordable Policies are Online

There is a myth that the most affordable policies are found online only. While there are some affordable premium prices available online, you have to look at what is going to work best for you. It’s a good idea to make some comparisons between the quotes that you get from multiple companies.

At NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, we look forward to helping you find an affordable life insurance policy that you can count on. Call today and speak to one of our agents for individual assistance.

 

Albany Summers: Protect Your Pet

Albany summers can get very hot. When you are in upstate New York, you may have several pets or just one. Either way, you want to make sure that your pet is well protected against all of the heat during the summer months.

The heat can get significant, and even if your pets are inside, you want to make sure that they have access to plenty of cool water. This will keep them well hydrated. As another way to keep them hydrated, you can mix wet food into their otherwise dry food to sneak in some additional water.

Take a look at their gums from time to time. If their guns are slimy, they are healthy. If they are very dry, it is generally a sign that they are overheating.

When you take your pets outside, make sure they have access to water, and shade. Try to give them exercise in the morning and evening hours so that they are not out in the middle of the day.

Take a trip to the pet store and look at what they offer for protecting the feet of your pets. The paw pads can be very sensitive to hot concrete and therefore you want to offer some kind of protection. They make booties, pads, and various other things. Choose something that your pets can actually walk in comfortably.

Summers in Albany also means more bugs, including mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. Make an appointment with the vet in order to get your pet on preventative medication. You may also want to take that time to talk to the vet about other things that you can do to protect your pet based upon the breed.

Call us at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency today to learn more about how we can protect your pets and your family. We’re here to help you find affordable home policies in Albany.