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Twin Bridges Insurance Agency

1881 Western Avenue, Suite 210
Albany, NY 12203

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Tips for Improving Your Life Insurance Coverage in Albany

When you think about life insurance, you probably think of it as a necessity to protect the people that you love the most. It’s difficult to think much past that, partly due to the subject matter and partly because life insurance policies are complicated things to try and untangle.

But ignoring your policy can end up putting you in a worse spot, especially if you were unaware of certain terms of your coverage. NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency wants to give the people of Albany, NY a little more information about how to approach this sensitive topic. 

Check the Limits 

Your policy may have time limits where coverage will expire. Most people use this in the case of their dependents and may terminate coverage when their youngest child comes of age. But a lot can change between the time you set up your first policy and the time that it expires. If you do decide you want coverage to extend after a certain date has passed, opening up a new policy may require more effort to do. 

Savings and Loans 

You may also want to consider how your retirement plan is shaping up as you age. If you take out life insurance coverage for a young family at a young age, you may not even consider the possibility of using your coverage as a makeshift savings account. However, many people enjoy having a safety net in case they need to borrow for potential emergencies. 

If you want to understand more about life insurance policies that can be used in Albany, NY, call NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency today. We’re here to make the process simple enough so you really know what you’re getting into before you settle on a plan. 

How To Shop For Commercial Insurance

Are you planning to purchase commercial insurance? We offer commercial insurance at Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY. However, we advise our customers to follow the steps below in shopping for commercial insurance.

Start by assessing your risks

Remember, you’re purchasing commercial insurance to cover your business risks. So, you need to assess all your business risks. What exactly are your kinds of risks? The kind of business you do will determine your risks. Are you constantly on the road? Do you face the risk of accidents? Do you face litigation risk? Let us know your risks. We will help you decide on the best commercial insurance coverage for your business.

Compare the cost against coverage

We have different types of commercial insurance coverage and each of them differs in cost. We have observed that most business owners consider cost more. That’s why we will advise you not to consider only cost. Compare it against coverage. The more the coverage, the higher the cost.

If you base your choice on low cost, you could select a type of coverage that does not cover much of your business risks. And if the unthinkable happens, your business may not survive it.

Review your commercial insurance every year

We believe that your business will grow and expand with time. Unfortunately, the business expansion comes with extended liabilities. So, you need to re-assess your risks every year and also review your commercial insurance.

For instance, if you run a construction company and you had only one excavator at the time of purchasing your commercial insurance, if you purchase another excavator or any other heavy machinery, you must review your insurance because your existing insurance will not cover your new acquisition(s).

At Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY, we offer professional guidance to all our clients at no extra cost. So, you can contact us anytime or explore our website.

Tips to Protect Your Home from Expensive Water Damage

Water damage is considered the number one cause of weakened foundations. When water invades your home, it eventually causes serious structural damage. Not only does the water itself cause extensive damage, but with water comes a range of other issues, including termites, mold, and mildew, which can cause even more damage to your home in Albany, NY. Just a small amount of water can cause significant damage to your home, so it’s essential that you take the precautions against water damage. NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency has put together a few tips to help protect your home from expensive water damage.

Routinely Check Hoses and Faucets

Hose and faucets with persistent leaks eventually cause mold and mildew, rot and even termites. It is important to routinely check all the hoses and faucets in your home for leaks and repair them as soon as possible. To check for leaks, look for dark spots inside sink cabinets, a rocking toilet, ceiling stains, and drips.

Only Run Water Appliances When You’re Home

As tempting as it is to start the dishwasher or washing machine before leaving for work or to run errands, it’s best to stay home while these appliances are running. The reason you should stay with these appliances is that all it takes is for a hose to break or the washing machine to overflow and you’re instantly facing serious water damage. If you are home when a problem occurs, you’ll be able to act quickly and deal with leaks when they happen, but if you’re away, by the time you get it home, it may be too late to prevent extensive damage. One thing to keep in mind is that just one burst hose has the potential to pump out 500-600 gallons of water into your home within an hour; this can result in a lot of extensive and expensive damage.

Maintain the Plumbing System

There’s nothing better than having access to a shower with high water pressure, but if the water pressure is too high, it may cause problems. The recommended water pressure for residential systems is typically between 40-70 PSI. The excess water pressure can put stress and pressure on the hoses and pipes, which may them to fail. Along with checking the water pressure, it’s also important to routinely check for leaks and pay attention to the signs of potential plumbing problems, such as noisy pipes, rusty water or moisture on walls or floors.

There are several ways your home can experience water damage, so it’s important to pay attention to areas where there is water, including the roof, gutters, plumbing system, and basement. If you do notice a potential problem, it’s essential that you repair the problem immediately.

Residents of Albany, NY interested in learning more information about home insurance should contact NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency.

Will my auto insurance cover unlicensed drivers?

Every driver in Albany, NY is required to be insured at the state minimum levels. Unlike most other states, New York is a no-fault state, which means that the insurance companies reimburse the respective drivers for the damages and injuries in an accident without worrying about who was actually at fault in the accident.

At NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, we help our clients find the best policy and coverage to suit their own needs. Most people don’t feel they need more than the minimum, but some prefer extra coverage in case the claim is more serious or if they want extra kinds of protection.

But what happens if the person in an accident does not have a valid driver’s license, and is not even legally entitled to be on the road? New York allows unlicensed people to register vehicles, but they are not allowed to drive those vehicles until the individuals are properly licensed. Most insurance companies prefer not to sell a policy to an unlicensed driver because it could end up in liability issues for the insurance company.

If you lend your vehicle to a friend without a driver’s license, thinking your insurance will cover any accidents, you could end up being liable for any damages caused by your friend. It may feel unfair, but you need to make sure your friends and relatives are licensed before you lend your vehicle to them.

Driving in Albany, NY is a necessary fact of life for any, and it is important to be protected. If you are worried you may not have enough protection in your own policy, or if you just have any questions, please feel free to call  NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency today.

Three reason to choose whole life insurance

Whole life insurance is one of two major types of life insurance available. You need to learn about insurance types available from providers in Albany, NY like NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency to find the best policy type for your unique needs.

The following are three reasons why you might want to choose a whole life insurance policy.

The policy will never expire.

A lot of those who are on the market for life insurance want to have life insurance that they can depend on permanently. Term life insurance is temporary and will only offer coverage for a given period of time. On the other hand, a whole life insurance policy is permanent. This means that the policyholder can count on coverage and won’t be disqualified from renewing a policy down the road because of age or health problems. 

The policy accumulates cash value over time. 

Those who take out a term life insurance policy lose all the funds that they put into the policy if they outlive the policy life. However, those who take out a whole life insurance policy get back the money they invest in the insurance policy because the policy accumulates value like a savings account. 

You can borrow against the policy. 

As a whole life insurance policy accumulates value, this value can be borrowed against by the policyholder. This means that a whole life insurance policy provides a good source of emergency funds or extra funds the policyholder can use as they see fit. 

If you want to get more information about whole life insurance and other life insurance options in Albany, NY, get in touch with us at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency to learn more. 

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.