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Twin Bridges Insurance Agency

1881 Western Avenue, Suite 210
Albany, NY 12203

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What is a Business Owner’s Policy and could it help my small business?

When you’re in charge of a business, you’re responsible for making the right decisions to protect your business for yourself and for everyone else who is depending on your business to do well. You don’t have unlimited resources, so you need to make decisions that are efficient and cost-effective while still getting the job done.  

If your business is in Albany, NY, you can talk to the agents at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency about how a Business Owner’s Policy could help you both protect your business and save money. Your business may need several kinds of insurance, such as automobile, property, general liability, business interruption, workmen’s compensation, and others, depending on your circumstances.

A Business Owner’s Policy combines the protection for all the major property and liability risks you need in one package. This kind of package works best for small and medium-sized businesses, allowing them to get discounts by putting their policies together. Not only will it save money to combine policies, but it will provide for more efficient handling of claims, as they will be in one place. 

Your Business Owner’s Policy can cover:

Commercial Property – This will include the buildings and their contents, including furniture, equipment, supplies, stock, and signs.

General Liability – If someone on your property is injured or property is damaged because of the operation of your business, you will be covered for resulting damages, including medical bills and the cost of litigation itself.

Business Interruption – When a disaster forces you to close your business temporarily, this kind of coverage will help you keep paying the bills during your downtime.

If you are interested in learning how better to protect your small business owner in Albany, NY, feel free to contact NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency today for a free evaluation of your situation.

Does a Professional Writer Need Commercial Business Insurance?

Thanks to the popularity of the Internet, more people than ever have jumped on the freelance writing bandwagon. These people have discovered that it is quite simple to work in their pajamas from home and earn a lot of money simply by typing up content on their laptops and computers. All a person needs to enter into the world of freelance writing are excellent writing skills and a strong attentiveness to detailed instructions. Also important to have as a professional freelance writer is commercial liability insurance. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages to be gained by writers in Albany, NY when they invest in a commercial liability insurance policy. 

Understanding the Importance of Insurance for Writers

When a writer invests in liability commercial insurance, this helps protect them against claims regarding copyright and trademark infringement. Additionally, it may include coverage that relates to protecting the writer against slander and defamation. In the event that a writer is providing advice to readers, an insurance policy can protect against allegations of negligence and bad advice. 

Taking Your Job Seriously

Professional writers take their jobs very seriously. Even those who aren’t famous writers spend many hours a day completing research, followed then by creating and editing content. It is pertinent that writers of all types, though, make sure to protect both their business and personal assets and commercial liability insurance can do this. Some clients that writers produce content for may even mandate that they have certain types of liability insurance. 

If you are a freelance writer, it is imperative to protect your assets with insurance. Contact the Twin Bridges Insurance Agency today serving the Albany, NY area to learn more about insurance for writers. 

Buying Your First House? Why You Need Home Insurance

Why is your mortgage lender requiring you purchase home insurance? While a policy from Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY does provide some protection to your bank, it serves far better to protect the largest purchase you have ever made. What does it really do? Let’s find out.

Rebuild After Disaster Strikes

First off, should the absolute worst thing happen and your house is destroyed by fire, a freak storm, or some other catastrophic accident, you won’t have to give up on the dream of owning your home. Your home insurance policy will help you rebuild the house from the bottom up.  Even if only the roof was demolished, it will pay to have a new roof put on. You can continue to enjoy your home.

Replace Property Lost Due to Theft, Fire, or Damage

It isn’t just about rebuilding. If your home is broken into or vandalized, the personal possessions portion of the policy will replace your lost valuables. If you lost the entire home, all the little things can be replaced like your wardrobe, dishes, linens, and other everyday items that make up a home.  If you had to start from scratch without insurance, consider just how much it would cost to recover.

Protect Your Growing Wealth

As the years go by you might add collections of fine art or make some shrewd trades on the exchange.  Without insurance, you could lose all of it in the blink of an eye.  With the right policy from Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY major accidents and incidents in your life can become little more than inconveniences when your insurance policy protects your savings accounts and investments.

In the end, when you sit down with your agent to discuss your home and commercial insurance needs, you are taking the steps to protect your future happiness and success. 

3 Auto Insurance Tips Every Driver Needs to Know

As a New York driver, you’re required to have auto insurance. It can be tempting to just get the first policy that comes along, but it’s better to do a little research and really understand the coverage you’re purchasing. Here are three tips to getting the most out of your coverage:

Know Your Policy

Your policy has several parts to it. Make certain you understand your deductible (the amount you’re responsible for paying before insurance begins coverage). Typically the higher the deductible, the lower the cost of your policy. There is typically a maximum that your policy will pay out in certain situations, such as in the event of an accident or injury that you cause, which is referred to as your liability insurance. You can also purchase additional coverage, including collision insurance, which covers accidents, and comprehensive coverage, which covers other damage to your car. If you’re not familiar with your policy, you can contact an insurance agency such as NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY for information on your coverage. 

Ask Questions

The ins and outs of auto insurance can be confusing. If you’re unclear as to what your policy covers, ask questions. Make sure that you’re clear about what your policy does and doesn’t cover, and what your financial responsibility is in case of an accident. Try not to just base your decision on the premium (the amount you pay for your coverage). Take into account the actual coverage as well. 

Shop for Quotes

Don’t settle for the first quote you come across. Different companies will have different price points, so it’s in your best interest to shop around for coverage. Once of the easiest ways to shop for coverage is through an insurance agency like NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY. They work with different carriers and can help you find the best quote and coverage for your needs. 

Organization During Retirement: How to Move Forward

Retiring opens up a world of possibilities when it comes to how to handle the next steps, and this type of freedom can either be thrilling or terrifying. Some people vastly underestimate just how long it will take to adjust to a very new lifestyle. If you’re wondering how to plan ahead during this particularly uncertain time, NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency has a few tips for you when it comes to moving forward with your life. 

Set Your Goals 

Retiring is going to be radically different to how you used to structure your days, and that type of major change can be difficult to adjust to at any age. If you live in Albany, NY, you need to be able to chart out your time in a way that makes sense for you. One of your goals should be to get the financial stability that you need to cover anything that may come your way. From unexpected illness to a family emergency, retirement insurance can serve as an extension to your current coverage so you can take care of all your obligations and responsibilities (without dipping into your savings.)

Find Help 

To ensure that all of your finances are properly managed, call NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency today to ask us more about how retirement insurance can work for you. It’s not that pensions and savings aren’t helpful during this time in your life, but you may need more coverage to prepare for those truly rainy days. If you live in Albany, NY, it’s time give us a call to learn more about how our plans can supplement the precautions that you’ve already accumulated. We can help you take advantage of all the potential ways to safeguard your wealth from the disastrous events that may occur. 

Who Needs Commercial Insurance

If you have a business with more than one employee, you will need commercial insurance. The most important aspect of a business is keeping it running. A business can be interrupted as a result of a storm, vandalism, theft, accidents, or other harmful incidences. If your business isn’t generating revenue, your bills will not be paid and you could quickly lose everything. Get in touch with the independent insurance agents at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY. They can offer you a variety of options for your business needs.

Types of Commercial Coverage

  • Commercial Property Insurance – covers the buildings’ property that is damaged as a result of common perils, which may include fire, theft, lightning, and explosions.
  • General Liability – protects against legal actions due to bodily injury and property damages. You may be protected if a customer receives injuries as a result of negligence at your place of business or through regular business operations.
  • Worker’s Compensation – In New York, employers must maintain worker’s compensation insurance for all of their employees, including part-time workers. Worker’s compensation provides for employee’s medical treatments and a portion of lost wages if that person was injured on the job.

Other Options for Commercial Insurance

  • Errors & Omissions – also known as Professional Liability Insurance, it protects those who provide services against claims that are made for negligence or inadequate work. Such professions can be hairdressers, physicians, and lawyers.
  • Commercial Auto Insurance – provides protection for companies who have vehicles that are used for their business. You will need this type of insurance if your business hauls locally or across the country.
  • Employment Practices Liability – is a good option to protect your company from a lawsuit if an employee accuses your company of civil rights violations.

The helpful experts at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency are waiting to take your call when you’re ready to search for commercial insurance. You can also stop by their offices in Albany, NY.

4 Questions You Should Ask Your Agent About Life Insurance

It is very important to get an insurance policy from a renowned company such as NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY. It not only financially secures your family after your demise, it also gives your family a degree of security to meet their financial needs regardless of what becomes of you in the future. There are some key questions you need to ask your agent in order to make a good choice from the many policies available to you. This will also help you to understand the whole process. These questions will also help you to know whether the agent in question is the ideal choice to help with your future insurance needs.

Who Do You Represent?

While some agents work for brokers that represent many insurance companies, others work for a single one. You need to get hold of some information about the company or companies you will be dealing with. You will like to know their financial rating and other information such as, recent legal or financial problems the company may have faced in the past and how long and successful they have been in business.

How Can I Meet My Long-Term Goals And How Will You Assist Me?

Your agent will assist you to choose the insurance plan that will be best for you; a whole life or term insurance policy and to further advocate the policy to benefit your family on the long run. Whether you are planning to leave an inheritance for your children or to put them through college, an agent will help you make the most beneficial decision.

What Are The Benefits Of Choosing One Particular Policy Over Another?

Choosing an insurance broker such as NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY that can help you find good value is very important. Your agent should be able to explain to you why one policy is better for your particular situation compared to other policies. The agent should also be able to explain how the companies your agent is working with differs from others.

In Case of Problem, Who Should I Call?

If you encounter a problem or have any questions about the policy, it is important to know how your issues will be resolved and who to call. Often you have to call a support center but you want to look for a policy where your agent is your point of contact.

 

Common Overlooked Commercial Insurance Options

Every business is a bit different. With that, every form of commercial insurance should specifically fit the company like a glove. That is why a business owner needs to look into some of the more commonly overlooked commercial insurance options out there. At NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, we’re here to assist you in finding the right commercial insurance options, whether you’re located in Albany, NY or in a neighboring community. 

Professional Liability Insurance

From time to time products and services do not live up to the established standard (often at no fault of your own). This kind of insurance protects you from lawsuits that may occur because of it. 

Property Insurance

You may lease your property and assume you don’t need this kind of coverage. Wrong. This is because property insurance covers not only the land your business is located, but also the equipment and goods inside the building. Chances are you’ve invested a great deal of time and money into the products and hardware found within the facility. So just because you don’t actually own the property doesn’t mean you shouldn’t invest in property insurance. 

Home Based Business Insurance

If you’re like many business owners, you started your company inside your home. However, your home owner’s insurance may not cover the loss of property and goods should something occur to your house. In order to protect your business assets in the event of a break in, flood, fire or other disaster, you need to invest in a home based business insurance. 

No matter the kind of business you run, at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, we want to help protect it. By assisting you in looking over the different kinds of commercial insurance, you’re business in and around Albany, NY will stand better protected, regardless of the industry you’re in. 

Inexpensive Ways to Increase Security Around Your Home

Security features around your home can help to protect your home against people who are looking to break into your home, vandalize your home or even steal packages from your doorstep. However, some security features can be costly. One question that we at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, serving the greater Albany, NY area, are often asked is whether or not there are inexpensive ways to increase security around the home. Here are a few of the best ways to increase security around your home for as cheap as possible. 

Add Flood Lights

Those breaking into a home love to lurk in the darkness. They are less likely to get caught. If there isn’t much lighting around your home, installing floodlights can help to illuminate the area around your home and keep burglars out. 

Install Motion Cameras

Another way to inexpensively beef up security around your home is to install motion cameras. The cameras will begin rolling only when motion is detected. Many thieves look for cameras and if they spot them, they move on and target a different home. 

Reinforce Entry Points

The last tip for inexpensively increasing security around your home is to reinforce your entry points. Thieves are more likely to enter through a door or window on the ground level. Reinforce these windows and doors with extra locks or locking mechanisms to make them harder to enter through. 

When you are increasing security around your home, it is also a great time to take a look at your homeowner’s insurance policy and see if changes need to be made. If you are looking to make changes to an existing policy or purchase a new one in the greater Albany, NY area, NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency would love to assist you. Call us today to schedule an appointment to discuss your home insurance needs. 

Insurance for Customized Vehicles

Most automobile insurance packages are designed to cover cars as they were manufactured. If you need to customize your vehicle for towing, handicap access, or other reasons, how does it affect your insurance policy?

Vehicles for Towing or Plowing

Winter in Albany, NY can bring heavy snows that challenge your shoveling skills. Attaching a snow plow to the front of your heavy-duty truck can help reduce your workload and keep your property clear in storm conditions. Or you may need to attach a trailer hitch to transport equipment or tow other vehicles.

Changing the function of your vehicle may affect your automobile policy in important ways.

  • Customizations can void warranties, leaving you on the hook for repairs or replacements.
  • You may need additional policies or riders to cover specialized equipment. Contact the insurance experts at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency to make sure you have enough coverage.

Modifications for Handicap Access

Disabled drivers and passengers may need customizations to comfortably enter, exit, and operate their vehicles. How does this change their automobile insurance policies?

Per the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, insurance companies are not allowed to charge higher rates to disabled drivers. They can, however, charge more for vehicles that have been heavily modified. This justifies the increased cost of replacing custom installations if an accident occurs.

When meeting with an insurance agent, bring a list of modifications you’ve done to your vehicles. This will help the agent determine what coverage you may need.

Personality Accents

Some people use their cars to express their personality. Decorative elements like spoilers, hub caps, and window tinting generally does not affect automobile insurance policies. However, performance-based modifications might change your agreement. If you redesign your car for racing, off-roading, or another unusual activity, you may not qualify for a regular passenger policy. Talk to your insurance agent about specialized policies for these types of vehicles.

Do you own a customized vehicle in the Albany, NY area? NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency will help you find the right coverage for your car, no matter how you use it.