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Twin Bridges Insurance Agency

1881 Western Avenue, Suite 210
Albany, NY 12203

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The Benefits of Working with an Independent Agent vs. A Captive Agent

Whether you operate a small business or a large organization, getting the most for your money is always important. Since your business needs business insurance, it makes sense to understand what options you have available when you purchase business insurance, primarily whether to purchase your insurance from an independent agent or a captive agent.

Understanding the Difference between an Independent and a Captive Agent
Many people do not recognize a difference between the companies they choose to purchase their business insurance from within Watervliet, New York. An independent insurance agent works for an agency that sells insurance products for many different insurance companies. A captive insurance agent sells limited products and services associated with only their brand. 

You Get Competitive Rates by Working with an Independent Agent
As a result of captive agents selling products and services created and priced by their business exclusively, your business doesn’t always get the best rate when you request insurance quotes. The quote you get is the established rate the company determined was fair for the product. 
Fortunately, with an independent insurance agent you get a competitive rate. Independent agents search the market for the best value for your business based on your needs. 

You Get Excellent Customer Service with an Independent Agent
For businesses, purchasing insurance means you need a working relationship with your insurance agent. Employee changes, changes affecting policy limits, and adding additional insurance products require communicating with your insurance agent on a regular basis. Independent insurance agents provide quality customer service during the sale and while maintaining your account; you are not simply an account, but a valued customer.

Ensure your business with the variety of insurance products offered by independent agents. By purchasing from them, you can get quotes, competitive rates, and quality service that lasts the duration of your working relationship.

 

 

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5 Business Changes That Warrant a New Insurance Quote in Albany, NY

No business owner in Albany, NY wants to think about insurance, but it is an integral part of their business. After all, without it, they are seriously exposed to major risk. While insurance may not be the most fun and exciting thing in the world, it is an obligation that must be continue to be fulfilled in order your business to remain intact and operate smoothly.

However, once you get that policy in place, you are from done. You still need o review your coverage yearly and make sure that it still covers you sufficiently after any changes that occurred throughout the year. If you aren’t sure what changes may require that you get a new business insurance quote, here are five:

  1. Employees Are Hired/Fired – When changes are made to your current staff load by any method, then your entire coverage may need to change. If you hire several new employees, then your Workers’ Compensation policy may need to be upped a notch to ensure all employees are protected if injured while working.

  2. Business Relocates – If you start off in a small home office or a small office building, you may move to a large space as your business grows. Even if you are currently protected with a BOP, it’s likely that you’ll need more due to changes in security risks, natural disaster exposure, etc.

  3. New Equipment – Your rate for Property Insurance will vary depending on the amount and type of equipment that you and your business use. When you purchase new pieces, it’s a good thing to consult with your independent agent to ensure everything is good. If it’s not, get it adjusted immediately.

  4. New Products/Services – When you introduce a new product or service, you may need to add to your Professional Liability or General Liability Products and Completed Operations coverage to ensure that you are protected in the event that something goes wrong with your new product/service.

  5. Revenue Declines/Increases – This is not by just a few bucks. If your revenue significantly jumps or declines, then you need to talk about your coverage. If you are seeing a decline in revenue, you can probably save money by lowering your premium for things that may no longer be necessary. If you re seeing a boost, then you need to make sure that you are protecting more assets.

If any of these five instances have occurred, then it’s time to give our agents a call so that we can evaluate your current commercial insurance, make the necessary changes and compare it to other available offers before settling on your new policy that will protect your business in the 12203 area.

Does Your Business in Albany, NY Need an Umbrella Insurance Policy?

If you currently own and operate a business, then it’s probably safe to assume that your business in Albany, NY, is properly insured with business insurance. However, have you ever wondered if that coverage was enough? What would happen if you encountered a loss that exceeding the current limits of your business coverage? Although you may think it would never happen to you, you can’t predict the future and the last thing you want is for your successful business to fail. Luckily, you have an option: umbrella coverage.

What Is a Commercial Umbrella Policy?

Essentially, an umbrella policy for your business is designed to provide an extra security blanket in the event that an adversity occurs, such as a lawsuit due to breach of contract, wrongful termination or bodily injury.

Why You May Need Umbrella Coverage

Let’s say that your current business insurance would cover $2 million in a general liability lawsuit. However, the settlement requires that you cough up $5 million. This means that you are left responsible for paying an additional $3 million. If you have an umbrella liability insurance policy, then it will cover that $3 million, assuming that the policy is at least $3 million.

Ultimately, it’s your decision whether you want to spend extra money on a separate umbrella policy to complement your regular insurance coverage. However, if a major loss occurs unexpectedly and you aren’t prepared, you could lose your business. Therefore, you may want to take the time to learn more about umbrella coverage and how it can benefit your business as a whole. For more information, contact our commercial insurance agents who serve the 12203 community in New York and can get you quotes umbrella insurance policy.

Get Commercial Insurance Quotes From Our Agents in Watervliet, New York

Watervliet, New York 12189 is a rapidly rising star among New York cities, especially for businesses in this area. It's located at the epicenter of the NY tech valley, bringing in plenty of investors and stellar opportunities for tech related companies looking to find their footing. We've found that the city's hospitality to new businesses helps as well.

Part of properly protecting your new business is getting the appropriate amount of commercial insurance in place. There are some insurance types that are no-brainers, such as picking up liability insurance and worker's compensation. In the commercial insurance world, there are many specialty options you have the option of choosing.

Commercial auto insurance is an excellent option for businesses that require work trucks, extensive driving, and other car dependent activities. The primary differences between commercial auto and personal auto insurance are the higher coverage rates, loss of use payments, and the ability to easily add additional drivers to the insurance package. Fleet insurance provides heavily discounted rates when insuring multiple company vehicles, starting with 4.

Another specialty business insurance product is errors and omissions insurance. Are you working as a tech law attorney in NY? This insurance stops your financial liability if the legal advice you give ends up causing a loss for your client. It covers any errors in your judgment and knowledge omissions over the course of advising the client.

Need to figure out your overheads when setting up commercial insurance? Talk to our experienced agents once you use our free quotes tool to find out the best business insurance options for your up and coming business in New York.

Rotterdam New York Style

Fertile soil along the Mohawk River started corn marketing. Not too far away the Erie Canal and railroads fueled the growth of Rotterdam New York. Concentrating on agriculture, commercial, and industrial enterprises Rotterdam grew. Today sales, office, management, science and the arts create the economy. The larger city of Schenectady cooperates and puts on joint ventures with Rotterdam making it a grand place to live.

Honoring Food and Farms

The oldest farm Mabee Farm in the Mohawk Valley, has a stone house. Originally nine acres the attraction has a large number of artifacts from the Colonial period. More is being discovered by the archaeological digs. You get a close up personal view of how life was in the Colonial period. The nearby Schenectady Historical Society also has exhibits from the area. Originally a Dutch colony it has since transformed to mostly Italian. With all the produce available many unique eateries exist in the area such as The Villa Tuscan Grille, Lucia’s Two-Go and Paesan’s Pizza. Because of the agrarian background harvest festivals and dances dot the area as well. All watched over by Saint Gabriel the Archangel Church along with others.

Continual Protection

Just in case St. Gabriel is busy I your local insurance agent have homeowners insurance just right for you. Artic winds and snows do reach Rotterdam and a broken window or two happens. Replacement is a cinch with a good policy. I know the area and I know the needs. With replacement I can recommend options that can prevent the next broken window. Think about combination policies such as bundling your auto and life insurance with it. Often discounts become available. So while you are exploring life in Rotterdam stop by my office. Visit with your local agent. I will help you.

The Types of Insurance that You May Need

Life in Saratoga Springs, New York is appealing to residents. With so much to do on days off from work; life is never boring. When a young couple first starts out in life they are constantly facing things that a lot of people tell them that they must have. To help make an informed decision about what you may need to have, here are some insurance policies that you may want to consider buying for your family’s protection.

Different Types of Insurance Products for Your Family

  • Home insurance is a broad description that is used to cover different types of policies. If you are a renter or a home owner can affect what type of policy you can buy. A renter’s policy is used for people that rent a home, but will have various coverage benefits designed to protect the renter better than a regular home policy would.
  • Car insurance is straight forward. But, you can add different benefits to meet the needs that you have in different stages of life. For instance, you can add gap insurance for a new purchase and then drop the coverage once the loan is paid off.
  • Life insurance can be bought on a term period (a set number of years) or, what is called whole life insurance (builds cash value). Depending on what your needs are will help your agent determine which policy is right for you.

Whether you have need of property insurance or life insurance, you do not want to be hit with a big surprise in life in case something goes wrong. As your independent local agent, we can help you determine which policies are right for you. Call us today and set an appointment to go over the ways you want to protect your family.

Finding the Best Life Insurance in Albany, New York

As the capital city of New York, Albany is home to nearly 100,000 people and even more in the surrounding areas. From its bustling arts scene to its opportunities for outdoor adventure, life is good in upstate New York’s ‘Tech Valley’. At our independent insurance agency, we are proud to be a part of such a great community. Our team of agents work every day to bring our customers excellent life insurance coverage at the best possible rates.

Life insurance is security in a world where life – and finances – can change in a single moment. Our agents can help you find a policy that will give you peace of mind now and protect your family should the unexpected occur. We offer two types of life insurance to Albany area residents – whole life and term coverage. Both have different features which may be beneficial at various stages of life. Our job is to help you narrow down your options to find the policy that best fits your needs and budget.

No matter your age or level of current financial stability, there is no better time than the present to purchase life insurance for you and your family. Whether you need coverage that will replace your income or a benefit that will help ensure your children can attend college, we have a policy that is right for you. We can even help you learn how whole life protection can serve as a living benefit for the future.

Remember, our agency is an independent insurance provider working for our customers – not the insurers. When you shop with us, you have the opportunity to compare quotes from many of New York’s leading insurance providers in a single location. Contact one of our friendly agents today for a no-hassle quote and coverage consultation.

Switching Your Insurance Policy in Amsterdam, NY

When you know that it’s time to change insurance policy, you may still hesitate because it seems like it would be so complicated. In reality, changing your insurance policy is not complicated at all – but it does help if you have a few helpful tips. Keep reading to learn more about how to change your insurance policy with a minimum level of effort and time expended.

Changing Insurance Agents

If you are ready to make a change in your insurance agency along with change insurance policy, it makes sense to do both of these at the same time. When you change insurance agencies, it is wise to look for an agency that will truly work to give you the best possible rates on your policy, no matter what type of policy it is.

You can usually get the best rates if your agency offers live comparative quotes from several different providers. Independent insurance agencies have the ability to work with multiple insurance providers, including all the leading insurance companies in the United States today. This allows independent agents to provide quotes from at least three major insurance providers to their clients.

If your insurance agent can provide you with multiple quotes, review all the quotes to determine whether all the coverage is the same. Once you have verified that, then look for the bottom line: The price. If you can find the same coverage for a lower price, then it’s usually a smart move to make the switch.

Your agent can give you all the details about how to make a seamless switch from one insurance provider to another. Usually, this will be as simple as some paperwork, and you may even be able to complete it over the phone or online.

It’s easy to find the ideal insurance policy for your budget when you compare insurance quotes via the independent agents at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency!

Life Insurance Agents in New York

Life insurance policies are often confusing when you are not sure about the differences between plans and the conditions associated with your coverage. That is why you may search for insurance agents near me. Agents help explain the details of different policies so that you select the right plan based on your goals, budget and preferences.

Agent Basics

There are a variety of reasons to look for an agent that provides service to your local area, including the ability to find local and state-specific policies that are designed for your specific needs. An agent presents several policies so that you can compare different plans.

When you are confused about a policy, an agent will provide information that helps clarify or will explain the details so that you are getting the plan that you wanted. Along with the assistance during the process of selecting a life insurance plan, an agent can help you or your loved ones when it is necessary to make a claim.

Life Insurance Options

Several options are available when you want to purchase life insurance. You can purchase a term life plan, a whole life policy or a universal life plan. If you are concerned about a pre-existing health condition, then a guaranteed life policy may also be an option.

Since your needs may depend on several factors, including your current budget, an agent will explain the differences between plans and the options that are available during different situations so that you understand the policy.

Buying life insurance is an important part of maintaining your peace of mind, but you must start with finding the right plan and ensuring that it meets your needs. That is where an agent can help. To learn more about the services of an agent, contact us today.

Commercial Insurance Coverage Options in Schenectady, NY

The coverage options that are available for a commercial business in Schenectady, NY depend on the type of industry that you work in and the details of the company. Generally, commercial insurance will protect against liability concerns, potential damages that may arise to company property and concerns regarding the well-being and safety of your employees.

Worker’s Compensation

If you have hired employees, then you are required to carry some worker’s compensation insurance. As a general rule, you should obtain coverage as soon as you decide that it is time to hire an employee so that you are not facing unnecessary challenges or problems.

The coverage that you need will vary based on the risks and problems that are associated with the industry. Generally, a low-risk industry will carry a lower amount of protection when compared to a high-risk industry.

Liability Coverage

Liability protection can take a variety of forms, but a general plan is usually appropriate unless you have specific liability concerns to address. The policy will help pay for any injuries, property damage or problems that harm another individual. It will usually apply to your customers or visitors to your company office.

Car Coverage

Any time that you purchase a company vehicle, you should obtain protection for the car. The amount of protection will depend on your concerns, but you should comply with the state laws regarding liability coverage and uninsured motorist protection. Additional coverage that may be appropriate will vary.

There are several policies that are designed for businesses, but the protection that you need will depend on the situation and your particular company. Generally, you should focus on protecting against common threats and specific concerns that are related to the services you provide. To learn more, contact us to talk to an agent today.