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.

What a New York life insurance policy can do for you

Posted on June 24, 2019 by AgentInsure

Making sure that you are properly covered by insurance is very important. One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family today is with a quality life insurance policy. When you get a life insurance policy in the Albany, NY area, the policy can help to benefit you a number of different ways. There are many important advantages of a life insurance policy that you need to keep in mind.

Gives Peace of Mind

One of the advantages of a life insurance policy is that it will give you peace of mind. When you have a life insurance policy, you will be finding a way to protect your family for the future. This can give you comfort that your loved ones will have a place to live and will not have to worry about the financial aspects of life if you were to pass away suddenly.

Investment Option

A life insurance policy can also be a good investment option. When you are looking for a life insurance policy you can choose either term life or whole life policy. While term life can be more affordable, a whole life policy can also act as a great investment option as a portion of your payments will accrue in cash value that will appreciate over time.

There are clearly many advantages that come when someone gets a life insurance policy in the Albany, NY area. When you get a life insurance policy in this area, you should speak with the team at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency. The professionals at this insurance agency can help you to find a policy that provides you with the right level of coverage. The NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency will make sure that you understand all of your options and life insurance benefits.

Should You Include Additional Coverage for Antiques and Collectibles?

Posted on May 21, 2019 by AgentInsure

Do you own a great deal of collectible and antique items? Then you should see to it that the value is protected by getting these possessions insured. Find out exactly what you can do in your unique situation by contacting NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, which serves the Albany, NY area.

Are Your Belongings All Covered in Home Insurance?

It is important to look into what is covered by your home insurance policy. In many instances, antiques and other rare items you own just won’t be included in the policy. In fact, there is a coverage category that specifically is for collectibles.

Why You May Need Collectibles Insurance

There are several emergency situations that can lead to damage of your precious collectibles or antiques. For instance, your wine collection may become damaged during a heat wave. Also, you may have pipes break in your basement where you are storing a baseball card collection, and they may develop mildew if not discovered right away, or if you are not able to dry them properly.

Each of these scenarios can be quite devastating for an avid collector. Even though your possessions likely have a sentimental value to you as well, you can at least recover what they are worth if you have the appropriate insurance coverage.

Avoid Problems By Talking to an Insurance Agent

It is ideal to discuss what you have in your house with a reputable home insurance agent, like the professionals at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency of Albany, NY. You’re sure to have greater peace of mind when you have a good policy in place. The threat of a fire, flood, other types of natural disaster, or various other emergencies should not leave you stressed. Reach out to the experts today.

How do I file a claim if I have been in an auto accident?

Posted on May 14, 2019 by AgentInsure

If you drive in Albany, NY, you know that you need to carry insurance to drive. Hopefully, you spoke to your agent when you purchased your policy so you would understand the terms of your policy. At NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, we make sure everyone knows that we are happy to spend as much time as they need answering any questions they may have. But it doesn’t do much good to have insurance if you don’t know how to use it.

One of the most important things to do after an accident, even if you don’t think you are at fault, is to make a report. The law only requires the report if damages exceed $1,000 or if there is an injury, but people don’t always know how much repairs cost or if they have whiplash until later. You don’t want to get into trouble for breaking the rules because the penalties can be serious.

New York is a no-fault state, so it doesn’t matter who caused the accident. You will need to submit the claim through your own insurance company, and they are responsible for paying. If you were in a vehicle, you should file with your own company, but if you were a pedestrian and hit by a vehicle, you will need to file with the company that insured the vehicle which hit you. If you live in Albany, NY but get into an accident in another state, you will still be able to file your claim through your own insurer.

When you notify your insurance you are filing a claim, you will get an application to fill out that explains your benefits, rights, and responsibilities. Go ahead and take care of it right away to get things started, but don’t forget there are time limits too. If you have any questions or need to purchase an auto insurance policy for yourself or someone else, feel free to call NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency today for a free quote.

How Does Commercial Insurance Protect Business Owners?

Posted on April 22, 2019 by AgentInsure

As a business owner, you should always be on the lookout for ways to improve not only your brand image but your actual brand, as well. One of the best ways to do this is by investing in commercial insurance. With the right insurance, you can rest easy knowing you are protected when the unexpected happens. Take for example someone sues your company and wins. Do you have the funds in place to compensate for the settlement? With insurance, you can protect yourself against heavy fees and penalties. Here at the NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency serving the Albany, NY area, we want all businesses to succeed. Here’s a look at two other reasons you should protect your company with commercial insurance.

Protect Your Investment

To keep your operations running smoothly, you have likely invested quite a bit into equipment and inventory. Take for example that you’re a photographer who has purchased expensive cameras and editing software. With commercial insurance, you can protect your equipment and inventory in the event it is stolen or damaged. As a result, you can take comfort in knowing you can replace the damaged or stolen items in a timely manner.

Protect Your Employees

It’s imperative to speak with a qualified insurance agent as it may be required by law for you to have commercial insurance, especially if you have employees working for you. Your employees are at the core of successful operations, so it’s important to make sure you are doing all that you can to protect them.

Contact the NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency today serving Albany, NY to learn more about the benefits of commercial insurance.

Is Life Insurance Right For You?

Posted on April 15, 2019 by AgentInsure

Life insurance is a tricky kind of insurance in the way that not everyone needs it right now but at some point, most people will. How do you know if you need to get it now, though? Here at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, serving Albany, NY, we want to make sure that you are always covered with what you need. Answer the questions below to determine if you need to get life insurance at this stage of your life.

Do you have a family that relies on your income? Whether you have a spouse, children, or both, you should consider if they need to have some financial help if anything were to happen to you. If you think they do and do not have a plan to provide that otherwise, life insurance is a good option.
Do you have outstanding debts? Contrary to popular belief, there are some types of debt that will live on after you. If you have debt like a mortgage debt or student loan debt, you will want to make sure you have enough life insurance to cover these amounts so your family does not have to take on that additional burden.
Do you have enough money to pay for a funeral? Funeral costs can be a lot these days and that is only expected to get more expensive. Make sure you have enough in life insurance to cover the costs.

After answering these questions, it should be pretty clear whether or not you need to have life insurance. If it is time for you to make the purchase, be sure to reach out to us here at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, serving Albany, NY for your free quote. We can also help you determine how much you need and if now is the right time to purchase.

Renovating Your Home in 2019? Update Your Insurance

Posted on March 18, 2019 by AgentInsure

If your home has suffered wear and tear over the years or you need more space to accommodate your growing family, you may want to renovate your Albany, NY abode. Home renovations provide a practical means for upgrading and restoring a home. If home renovations are in your immediate future, talk to us at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency to see how these renovations will affect your home insurance coverage and cost.

Increase in Home Value

Major home improvements like a new roof, new bathroom and kitchen remodel will increase the value of your property, especially if you use costly materials to get that “designer look.” You’ll need to update your insurance to cover the new value of your home.

Ideally, you should have enough dwelling coverage to replace your home if it’s lost in a fire or natural disaster. Once renovations are done, your NY Twins Bridges Insurance agent can help you determine how much dwelling insurance you need to fully protect your home.

Protection for New Renovations

You’ll also need to update your policy to add home renovations to your coverage as they weren’t a part of your policy when you first got it.

Discount on Insurance Cost

Home upgrades that improve the safety and security of your home may qualify you for a discount on your home insurance premium. These include upgrades to your electrical, HVAC and plumbing system which can help reduce the risk of fire and water damage. A new alarm system or home automation system will enhance the security of your property which may result in paying less for your coverage. By updating your insurance policy you can take advantage of these savings.

To learn more about home insurance options, coverage and costs, contact NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY.

Is Car-Sharing Changing Auto Insurance Coverage

Posted on March 11, 2019 by AgentInsure

Car owners are always in need of extra money, and the majority of them are considering listing their vehicle in a car-sharing service program. Online companies are offering drivers the option to rent their automobile to another licensed driver who is in immediate need of transportation. Each transaction is set up through an online service that matches renters with car owners in the same market. The outline of the car-sharing program is simple: the more days you make your car available on the app, the more money you stand to earn each month.

However, the thought of allowing a total stranger to have access to your vehicle can become an uneasy situation. Most of the concern lies in the area of who is liable if an automobile accident occurs. Car owners must get verification on which party is responsible for the repairs.

Individual Auto Insurance Policies Won’t Cover Car-Sharing Programs

It’s not shocking to learn that most car insurance providers will not cover an automobile used in a car-sharing program. Their biggest complaint is not knowing the driving history of the individual behind the wheel. Also, providers may have a problem with insurers using their vehicle in a money-making adventure. Agents from NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY can explain how expenses could exceed the cap set within an individual auto insurance policy. They will show how commercial auto insurance might be a better option for this style of driving.

Car-Sharing Companies Offer a Wide Range of Insurance Coverage

The terms and policies may differ between each car-sharing companies, but all do offer auto insurance (collision, liability and comprehensive) coverage to car owners, renters, and third-party victims. The primary coverage goes into effect during the period when the owner delivers the vehicle to the renter for use and concludes when the automobile is returned. Collision and comprehensive coverage safeguards against theft, vandalism and other damages to the car. Having liability insurance will come in handy if the vehicle is involved in an accident and the renter is ruled to be responsible for the crash.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

Twin Bridges Insurance Agency