Auto Insurance Additions That Make Your Life Easier

Posted on November 25, 2019 by AgentInsure

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?

Posted on November 18, 2019 by AgentInsure

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

Posted on October 30, 2019 by AgentInsure

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

Posted on October 23, 2019 by AgentInsure

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?

Posted on September 16, 2019 by AgentInsure

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.

How To Make Sure Your Auto Insurance Is Right For Your Family

Posted on September 9, 2019 by AgentInsure

It’s important to feel protected when you’re on the roads of Albany, NY. One of the best ways to feel protected is with auto insurance that you can depend on. There are a few ways to ensure that your insurance meets the needs of your family. Our independent insurance agents at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency can assist with this, too.

Meet State Minimums

First and foremost, you have to make sure that you meet the state minimums for auto insurance in New York. This is all about the liability coverage that you have to have. If you have a lienholder on your lease or purchase, they may have certain minimums of coverage that you have to adhere to as well.

Explore Added Coverage

Added coverage is where you can determine to go above state requirements. If you have teen drivers, you may want to bump up the liability coverage so that you’re not caught without enough coverage to take care of an accident. You may also want to get collision coverage if you have hit something on the road, such as a guard rail. If you have had windshield damage or been involved in a hit and run, comprehensive coverage can make a lot of sense, too.

Work with an Insurance Agent

An insurance agent will help you with the various components of insurance. They can recommend certain insurance products to keep you and your family protected on the road. They’ll identify what the cost of insurance is and provide quotes from different insurance companies. This way, you can balance coverage with cost to feel more comfortable with the policy that you ultimately get.

Call us at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency to discuss your auto insurance needs. We can customize a policy to give you the protection that you need in Albany, NY.

3 Essential Steps To Getting the Right Life Insurance Policy

Posted on August 19, 2019 by AgentInsure

When shopping for a life insurance policy, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. There are policy options galore, and providers like NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency are eager to provide custom terms that work best for you.

Therefore, it’s best to plan out your needs and your limits before you zero in on a policy. If you’re buying life insurance in Albany, NY, here are a few steps to ensuring you choose a policy that will suit your needs.

1. Choose A Reputable Insurance Provider

This may seem self-explanatory, but you have to make sure to do business with a policy provider that is financially strong.

Unlike other types of coverage, your life insurance policy has to hold up for many years to come. If you choose a provider whose services go under several years before your passing, then your investment will have been worth nothing. Similarly, if a provider is not financially strong, even if they are still in business, your beneficiary may have trouble claiming a payout down the road.

Investigate your options. A provider like NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency has a great reputation and a strong likelihood of staying in business. Your loved ones can count on a painless payout when the time comes, and therefore, your investment is secure.

2. Determine The Purpose Of Your Policy

Why do you want life insurance?

Are you trying to ensure your children’s future? Do you want to protect your business? Perhaps you are searching for a unique way to invest back into your home or protect any other assets you may have.

The purpose of your policy will determine the type of coverage that makes the most sense for you.

For instance, if you’re taking out a life policy as an investment into your retirement, you should consider a term life policy. This way, you can get a payout during your lifetime if you so choose.

If you’re interested in protecting your business, a whole life policy with some clauses about your business may be in order. Typically, in this case, you may be inclined to make your business partner a beneficiary in terms of your business assets.

3. How Much Of A Premium Can You Afford?

The rule of thumb regarding life insurance is to seek out a policy that pays out up to five times your annual salary.

However, the main financial factor is: How much of a monthly premium can you afford? For instance, if you live on a middle-class budget, you may be less interested in a whole life policy which has the most expensive monthly rates.

If you cannot afford your own individual life policy, you may be interested in subsidized life coverage through your job if your employer offers this. Before making a decision on which coverage to buy, plan out your monthly budget and factor in the premium rates. Make your choices based on your calculations. Your friendly NY Twin Bridges Insurance agent can help you increase your coverage in the future if need be.

Are You Ready To Buy Life Insurance?

Now that you know which steps to take to secure the right type of coverage for your circumstances, contact NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency to find the policy that works best for you. We are happy to supply you with quotes and custom options.

Who Needs Commercial Insurance?

Posted on August 12, 2019 by AgentInsure

As a business owner in Albany, NY, you have been investigating commercial insurance options with us at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency but aren’t sure what type of policy that you need. We can help you understand your available commercial policies, no matter what kind of business you run.

Commercial Insurance is Not an Absolute Necessity

If you operate a business, many states consider commercial insurance policies as a beneficial coverage option but may not mandate them by law in the way that auto insurance and other policies are required. However, you should still buy some commercial policies to fully protect yourself against potential loss.

For example, you may end up suffering from a liability problem or another issue that costs you good money to pay for without a policy. Even worse, you could end up getting sued by a client or an employee if they get injured on your property and you had no commercial insurance.

What Types of Coverage to Consider

When buying a policy for your business, make sure that you have commercial liability coverage. This option helps to protect you against claims made against your companies by others. You should also consider business income insurance in case you lose income or the ability to earn an income due to a covered problem.

And if you have employees beyond yourself, you must purchase workers’ compensation insurance options, unemployment insurance, and disability insurance policies. If you are without these policies, you could experience legal and financial trouble in the future.

Find the Right Policy

So if you need help finding commercial insurance in Albany, NY, please don’t hesitate to contact us at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency right away to learn more. Our experts will set you up with the policy that best suits your needs.

Adding Another Driver to Auto Insurance

Posted on July 31, 2019 by AgentInsure

Before you allow another person to drive your car, check with your agent at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, serving Albany, NY and the nearby communities. Most, but not all, auto policies have a provision for the insured person to let a “causal” driver use their vehicle. Be aware that each insurance underwriter defines a casual driver differently. Some auto policies explicitly prohibit anyone except an authorized driver on the policy to be covered.

It’s Not Worth the Risk to Lend Your Car

It may not be worth the added risk to allow a casual driver to borrow your car. Anything that goes wrong may ultimately become your responsibility. This includes accidents, parking tickets, and if the car is stolen. A litigation nightmare can come from a stolen car involved in a crime or an accident. It is really upsetting when something like this happens and it is not your fault.

If the need to lend a car is so compelling and you just cannot say no, then consider paying for a rental car that the person can use and get the added insurance when renting it.

Adding Another Authorized Driver

If the person will drive your vehicle more than once, even if infrequently, consider adding them as an authorized driver to your insurance policy. When you do this, their driving record will become part of the insurance company’s consideration when deciding about the auto insurance premium. A good driver around your same age will add to the monthly premium but probably not by an outrageous amount. However, a driver with a bad driving record will cost quite a lot to add to a policy. A young driver, especially a teenage one, will cost quite a bit to add to your auto policy.

Conclusion

It is not a small thing to let someone drive your car. If you still want to do this, check with your agent first and consider adding them to your policy. Get a quote by calling your agent at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY.

What Albany, NY Homeowners Should Know About Crawl Space Encapsulation

Posted on July 15, 2019 by AgentInsure

Many homeowners in or around the Albany, NY area have discovered problems that originated in the crawl space area of their home. This area houses the pipes, insulation, and wiring needed for your home, and damage to this area can be costly and time-consuming. What many homeowners are finding, however, is the benefit of crawl space encapsulation and how it is assisting home insurance policies from NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency.

Preventing Mold & Mildew

With the crawl space encapsulation, the area is covered in thick plastic, preventing moisture from getting into the covered areas. When moisture builds in an area over time, mold and mildew will continue to grow and can work its way into the home. This will cause structural damage to the home as well as health issues for the occupants.

Improve Air Quality

By creating a vapor barrier beneath your home with the crawl space encapsulation, the air quality that comes from this area and into the home ventilation is not carrying mold and dirt particles. The air is much cleaner and essentially filtered before coming into the home.

Decreased Energy Bill & Save Money

Because the crawl space is essentially sealed and not allowing exposure for damages, your energy bill will decrease. Because there are no drafts and the area is sealed, the heat and cool air will be preserved in the home, minimizing the need for the HVAC system. Because you have incorporated this energy saving maintenance on your home, you may be eligible for tax incentives for your home.

The agents at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency proudly serve the insurance needs to residents in or around Albany, NY. Give our agency a call today for a home insurance quote that fits your needs.

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