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Twin Bridges Insurance Agency

1881 Western Avenue, Suite 210
Albany, NY 12203

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5 Things to Know About Retirement Insurance

Retirement insurance in Albany, NY may be a confusing term to many people, and this may be because it’s not discussed very often. Find out more about what you need to know from NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency before you make any more assumptions about it. 

Retirement Insurance Doesn’t Stand Alone (Normally)

Unlike health or auto insurance that stand on their own, retirement insurance is normally a part of an insurance package that is presented to an employee long before they ever get ready to leave their position.

Retirement Insurance Is Not Life Insurance 

This special form of insurance is designed to keep up with how you like to live your life, so you’re not dependent on social security as your sole source of support. As inflation continues to impact our market, retirees need to be ready to cover a number of daily living needs. 

Divorce Does Not Necessarily Affect Retirement Insurance 

If your spouse is on your retirement insurance but you get divorced, they may still be considered a part of your policy. Generally speaking, if your marriage spanned over several decades but ended close to the age of retirement, the terms of your policy are the same as if you had stayed married. 

Each Case Is Different 

Just like with other major forms of insurance, your case is dependent on your specific circumstances. This may include the length of your career, your total wealth, your retirement age, and your current lifestyle. 

Who You Work with Matters 

Talk to NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency to find out more about how retirement insurance works. Our staff understands it all and is ready to help you understand it too. Give us a call today if you live in Albany, NY and are looking for some answers. 

 

 

Common Mistakes When Insuring Your Business

At NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, we’ve seen our Albany, NY customers make too many commercial insurance mistakes to count. That’s why we’re providing you with this in-depth look at some of the most common business insurance mistakes being made today.

Lacking Proper Vandalism Insurance

Vandalism is a common problem for many businesses and one that can be hard to pay for when it occurs. As a result, it is important to purchase high-quality vandalism insurance to protect your business from this serious problem.

Business Disruption Insurance

When your business suffers from a disruption of its services, this type of coverage helps cover your expenses until you start operating again. It isn’t inexpensive to get this type of insurance, but it is necessary if something serious breaks down.

Lacking Employment Practices Liability Insurance

This type of insurance, otherwise known as EPLI, protects you from serious employment claims. For example, if your employees sue you for wrongful termination, EPLI insurance will ensure that you don’t end up paying thousands or more in a lawsuit.

Hiring Multiple Agents

Anyone who has multiple policies from many different agents is making a huge mistake. You should try to avoid this kind of behavior as it can lead to coverage gaps or cost you hundreds of dollars more every month. Concentrate your commercial insurance with one agent.

Ignoring Cyber Liability

Do you have any type of presence on the internet, such as an online store? Then you need cyber liability. Getting hacked and costing your customers serious money will put you in a difficult, and expensive legal situation. Cyber liability insurance will protect you in this instance.

Don’t Make These Mistakes!

When you work with us at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, you can get the kind of high-quality commercial insurance that your Albany, NY firm deserves. We will help you not only avoid these mistakes but others like them. Let us help you succeed.

Things You Need to Know About Commercial Vehicle Insurance

If your business has commercial vehicles as part of a fleet, then you need to consider getting commercial vehicle insurance. The insurance will need to cover both your commercial vehicle and the driver, even if they are using their own vehicle for work. Their personal insurance is usually not enough to cover any incidents. To better protect your business in Albany, NY, you need to invest in commercial vehicle insurance. These are just a few things to consider when you are looking to purchase some through NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency. 

  • The lowest price doesn’t usually come with the best coverage. While looking for the lowest rate will help your bottom line in the present, if you ever need to use your commercial vehicle insurance, it will hurt you in the long run. You want to find the best policy at the lowest price and just because it is inexpensive doesn’t mean it is a good policy. 
  • Get the right insurance for your vehicles. There are many different types of insurance policies based on the type of vehicles you have and their use. Make sure you get a policy that meets your needs specifically. 
  • You should take the time to screen your drivers. Since you will be putting these people on your policy, in order to keep your costs low, you need to make sure you have reliable drivers. This means they should have a clean driving record. You should make it a standard to check these things before adding them to your policy. 

Now that you have a better idea of what to look for in a commercial vehicle insurance policy, you can start getting quotes. Contact NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, serving Albany, NY, for your free quote and more information. 

Five tips on finding the right home insurance policy for your unique situation

Home insurance is a very important purchase that could have a huge impact on your financial future. 

The following are five things you can do when shopping around for insurance on a new home to ensure that you choose the right policy for your situation:

Discuss the issue with your real estate agent

As a professional in the real estate industry, your real estate agent can probably give you some helpful advice. Your real estate agent should know a lot about you by now, so he or she should have a good idea of what insurance policy you need.

Discuss the issue with the previous homeowner

Another great source of information on effective home insurance is the previous owner. If possible, discuss insurance options with the previous owner and ask about any special considerations you should take into account for insuring this particular home.

Work with an insurance provider of whom you’re already a customer

It’s always a good idea to bundle insurance together. If you already purchase auto insurance from a provider like NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency that also offer home insurance, check out their policy options. Not only can you enjoy a discount for bundled insurance, but you might find that the insurance provider goes out of the way for you out of thanks for your loyalty.

Do your research

There are many different home insurance policies out there. You can’t be sure that you’ve gotten the best one for your unique situation until you’re aware of all teh options.

Consider the risks that apply to your location

One of the most important things you think about is what natural disasters are most likely to cause damage to your new home in Albany, NY.

Bundled Auto Policies: Are They Right For You?

Albany, NY residents turn to NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency to cover multiple vehicles. Many are interested in bundled car policies and wonder how they work to save a family money.

The Nature Of Multi-Car Policies

People who own multiple vehicles, such as a father or a large family with multiple driving members, can typically bundle up to four cars on a single policy. Bundling will almost always save money on a policy, as insurance companies will lower the rate as a way of rewarding a customer’s loyalty. The actual rate will vary depending on multiple factors.

For example, newer and safer vehicles typically have cheaper insurance policies while older and more dangerous cars will have more expensive policies. Combining vehicles of varying ages and safety ratings will cause the rate value to increase or decrease in multiple ways.

Features That Help Decrease A Policy

Vehicles with safety features, like security alarms and anti-lock brakes, are typically less expensive to insure. This is especially true if you have a safe driving record and haven’t suffered from an accident during a calendar year. Improving a car’s safety features by installing new items can also help decrease a bundle policy price.

Other Insurance Options

Most companies will allow you to get comprehensive and collision coverage for each vehicle in your bundled package. These are crucial in case of an accident, as they can cover the cost of the replacement of each vehicle. For those who are bundling their policies with their teenage drivers, collision and comprehensive insurance can be crucial for protecting your investment.

Do You Want This Type Of Insurance?

If you are interested in this type of insurance and live in Albany, NY, please contact us at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency. We will provide you with a quality policy that will save you money.

How Does Retirement Insurance Work?

Many people work with one company throughout their entire professional life, and one of the many benefits of this career path is the inclusion in their employer’s retirement plan and pension. Retirement insurance, the coverage additional to Social Security, is mainly associated with employment of one’s own or a spouse. Retirement insurance is one part of total insurance coverage that must be thoroughly understood and considered prior to the actual day of retirement. The insurance professionals at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency are here to help our clients in the greater Albany, NY area understands it all. 

In addition to retirement, divorce and death of a spouse are the two most impactful events on retirement plans and insurance. It is unwise to assume that all claims to Retirement Insurance as null and void in the event of divorce. It is different in every case, and the main deciding factor is the length of the marriage. If the marriage spans decades and is ended close to retirement age, it is possible that the spouse may have a claim for the benefits of the Retirement Insurance. If the marriage has lasted one or two years, it is a lot less likely that the former spouse will be able to claim any of the benefits. 

Retirement Insurance can make a very large difference in the way that retirement is spent and how stable and secure it will be. As each case is different, it is important to meet with an insurance professional to understand what your benefits are and how to use them.

If you are located in the Albany, NY area and have questions, contact us at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency to learn more about how we can help you to better understand how Retirement Insurance will affect you.

 

What Happens When You Lose Your Job and Your Life Insurance Isn’t Portable?

If you have a life insurance policy through your employer, you may think that you are set even if you leave or lose your job. However, this is something that may employers do not tell you about. According to NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, if your policy is a non-portable policy, you may have to start all over with life insurance if you leave your job in Albany, NY or lose it for any reason. 

When a life insurance policy is not portable, that means you cannot take it with you if you are no longer employed with your company. The thing about enrolling in life insurance through your employer is that it is easy. Generally, if you enroll within your new hire window, you are approved with no questions asked. That means no matter what is going on with your health, you are covered. However, if you leave and need to get another policy, there is no automatic enrollment and over time, life insurance will get more and more expensive. If you change jobs several times over the course of 10 or 12 years, you will find out that most policies are not portable and the cost for each new policy is increasing every time. If you do not get offered life insurance at a new job, you will need to consider a personal policy that you can always keep with you no matter what happens, which may be the better option anyway. 

If you have recently lost your job and were not aware that you also lost your life insurance coverage, you may want to consider getting another life insurance plan that can better protect you and the ones you love. Contact NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency serving Albany, NY to learn more about your life insurance options. 

Commerical Auto Insurance Keeps Your Delivery Business On Track

Maybe your Albany, NY business started out in your garage with just your minivan available for deliveries. Now it’s booming and you’ve had to hire a couple employees to keep up with demand.  However, it may also be time to add commercial auto insurance. NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency reminds you why driving your personal vehicle can throw a wrench into your goals.

Commercial Auto Protects Your Drivers

Your personal auto insurance only covers you in the case of an accident. If you have an employee using the van to deliver goods around town, a commercial auto insurance policy will cover their medical bills if they are involved in an accident. Also, it removes any confusion over whose insurance will pay for repairs for the vehicle, even if it was your driver’s responsibility. Instead of waiting for red tape to be sorted out, the van will be repaired and you’ll be back to making money.

Extended Liability Fights off Potential Claims

When your vehicle drives around town with the company logo on the door, there is a perception that there’s a deep pocket paying for the entire production. With commercial auto insurance, you also receive liability coverage generally above the standards required by a personal policy. Your insurance company will be able to handle most greedy claimants without interrupting the cash flow of the business.  It helps to create a confident state of mind for you while protecting your investments and savings accounts.

Running a small business in Albany, NY is certainly not simple.  However, when you purchase your commercial auto insurance from NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, many of your questions and concerns regarding your delivery vans will be addressed by our friendly and knowledgeable agents.

What is a Low Mileage Auto Insurance Policy?

The number of miles that you drive per year can affect your auto insurance rates. Most auto insurers consider a normal number of miles to be anywhere from 12,000 to 18,000 per year. However, not everyone drives this much. You may have multiple cars and one car doesn’t get driven as much. You may work from home. Or you may not work at all. If you drive less than 10,000 to 12,000 miles per year, you may qualify for a low mileage auto insurance policy.

A low mileage auto insurance policy is given to cars or drivers that are not driven often. However, in order to qualify for this discount, you must tell the insurance company approximately how many miles you do drive per year. They may then require you to prove this information, by having an auto shop or police officer sign off on your mileage yearly to ensure you continue to qualify.

This type of policy is a discounted policy. Those who drive less miles are at a decreased risk of being involved in an accident. As such, this minimizes the insurance company’s risk of having to pay out a claim. Because of this, they offer you the discount. However, it is important to note that not all insurance companies will offer this policy to you. Some do not offer it at all and others will only give it to you if you ask, so be sure to ask.

Have you retired? Do you stay at home with your kids? Do you telecommute to work? If so, you may want to inquire about a low mileage auto insurance policy. If you are looking for one, contact NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY. Our friendly and knowledgeable employees can help you find the right policy for you.

7 Safety Tips for Driving Alone

If you must drive alone, particular in the early morning hours or at night, take precautions for your safety. Comprehensive auto insurance coverage from NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY will protect you against accidents. At the same time, you should do your part of staying safe on the road. The following tips can keep you safer when driving alone.

Keep Windows Up and Doors Locked: As much as possible, drive with windows up, and doors locked when traveling early in the morning or late at night. This discourages criminals from trying to force their way into your car.

Focus on Driving: Eliminate distractions to include the use of cell phone or iPod so you can focus fully on driving. Stay vigilant when stopping at lights, especially if you’re in an area with little traffic.

Car Pool: When possible, take advantage of a car pool to travel during early morning hours or at night. There’s safety in numbers. Having a partner or two can discourage criminals from targeting your car.

Fill Gas Tank: Make sure you have sufficient gas to get to your destination and back. You don’t want to get stranded in the middle of nowhere at odd hours.

Maintain Vehicle: Keep up with vehicle maintenance and repairs to avoid unnecessary breakdowns during your night travels. This includes having your tires, fluids, and brakes checked periodically by a certified mechanic.

Keep Cell Phone Handy: Keep a fully charged cell phone with you at all times so you can call police if you’re in danger as well as stay in touch with family and friends.

Maintain Current Auto Insurance Coverage: Be sure your auto insurance is up to date and offers the protection you need.

For information on personalized auto insurance packages, contact an agent at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY.