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Twin Bridges Insurance Agency

1881 Western Avenue, Suite 210
Albany, NY 12203

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Fall Checklist-Preparing the Roof, Plumbing and Lawn Equipment for Winter

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Fall has finally arrived in Albany, NY, which means it’s time to get your home ready for the cold months ahead. Although fall may be a busy season for homeowners who are preparing for the New York winters, it is also the ideal time to take advantage of the mild weather to contact NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency about reviewing your insurance policy as well as repair any damages before the snow arrives. Here are a few ideas to help keep your home in good condition during the winter.

Check the Plumbing

Problems with the plumbing seem to always happen at the worst times, one particular time is during the winter, which seems to be a common season for plumbing problems. There are a few things you can do this fall to avoid costly plumbing repairs this winter, including:

  • Fix any minor leaks
  • Inspect and insulate pipes
  • Disconnect outdoor hoses
  • Close the shut-off valve for exterior water spigots

Check the Roof

Preparing your roof for the snow and ice should be done in the mid to late fall. Inspect the roof for any missing and/or loose shingles. Repair or replace damaged shingles as soon as possible. Check the flashing to ensure there isn’t any damage and check the gutters to make sure they are clean and clear from any leaves and other debris.

Lawn Equipment

Thoroughly clean all lawn furniture and equipment before storing it for the winter. Taking your lawn mower and other equipment in for cleaning and routine maintenance means it will be ready for you next spring. If lawn furniture is stored outside, remove all pillows, cushions and umbrellas to prevent them from getting damaged during the winter and make sure to cover furniture left outdoors with a heavy-duty tarp.

Remember to walk around the perimeter of your home and check for any cracks or crevices that may allow the cold air of winter to enter your home. Cracks, holes and crevices can also let the warm air escape, which can raise your energy costs, so caulk all openings before the winter arrives.

Fall is the perfect time for residents of Albany, NY to contact NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency to review their current policy or to inquire about a new policy.

Driving to Canada? Prepare Your Auto Insurance First

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With border states like New York and the upper seaboard states as well as the Great Lakes region, Canada is literally a neighbor next door. And there’s a lot of historic traffic that goes back and forth as people on both sides visit the other on a regular basis. The traffic is so common, many make seasonal trips on a regular basis, and have done so since childhood.

However, just because Canada is just up the road doesn’t mean a driver’s insurance coverage will automatically cover the driver and car the same way. Most auto insurance companies write their risk coverage policies for travel in the continental 48 states and the U.S. International travel can oftentimes be limited, especially if the company was not aware of driver going out of the U.S. ahead of time.

Fortunately, there are two ways to handle a cross-border drive situation. For the extremely occasional drive, a simple short-term additional policy can be the trick. For those who don’t want to pay for a more comprehensive policy but do want to drive on an upcoming trip can easily negotiate a temporary, short-term policy for time in Canada which then expires shortly after the trip is over. Most such polices are date-based, have a short duration, and cost a one-time fee to put in place; it’s a bit like traveler’s insurance for a car. The second option works better for regular visitors to Canada: inclusion of specified coverage in a standing policy. While it will cost a bit more than the same policy for domestic coverage, a driver can visit Canada regularly without worrying about an accident.

To find out about both options drivers in the Albany, NY area can receive guidance and advice from NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, experts in auto policies and how international travel applies.

Do You Have Gaps in Your Home Insurance Policy?

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Many people who have homeowners insurance think that they have everything covered when it comes to their home. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, even in Albany, NY. Here at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, we want to make sure you are as prepared as possible, which includes getting flood and earthquake insurance.

Why You Need Flood Insurance

Flood insurance is no longer for people who live in flood prone areas. If you have been paying attention to the weather news the past few years, flooding is becoming more and more prominent across the US. This is for a number of reasons such as new construction, fewer areas for the water to go, and possible climate change. Your homeowners insurance policy does not cover flood insurance in most cases. It is typically a separate type of insurance and the benefits of it are astronomical with so much flooding. In addition to exterior flooding, there is also the possibility of a pipe bursting inside your home which can lead to major water damage. It is always best to have flood insurance.

Why You Need Earthquake Insurance

Most people who do not live in an area that is prone to earthquakes do not even bother with looking at this option. However, just like flooding, earthquakes are happening in some areas that are not expected either. While it is not as prevalent, it can happen when a large earthquake sends shocks to other land masses or areas miles away. This is also something that is not covered by home insurance but something you may want to consider, even if you on the outskirts of an earthquake prone area.

If you are interested in learning more about your options, be sure to contact NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency serving Albany, NY today. We will be happy to get some quotes for you to ensure you and your home are protected.

What Can Happen if You Do Not Have Auto Insurance?

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If you drive a vehicle in New York, it is a criminal offense and there are some pretty serious consequences that you could face if you are caught driving without it. You should know what you potentially face so you can make an educated decision and purchase auto insurance before it is too late. NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, serving Albany, NY, can help you prevent these consequences. 

  • You could pay anywhere from $150 to $1,500 every time you are caught with your insurance. This can happen every single time you get pulled over so you could face this penalty many times if you continue to not purchase auto insurance. 
  • Your vehicle could be impounded and you could be arrested. In some more severe cases, you you have your car taken away as well as find yourself behind bars for up to 15 days. You will have to pay money to get out of jail and get your car back along with the fine that is imposed upon you. 
  • You could lose your driver’s license and registration. On top of all the other things, you could also have your license suspended so you can no longer drive for a set amount of time. You will have to pay another $750 to get your license back. If you have not had insurance for more than 91 days or if you have already gone through this process and paid the reinstatement fee in the past three years, you will have to wait until your suspension is up before you can get your license back. 

These are just some of the possibilities and if you have a lapse in coverage or are in an accident, it could result in even more fines and penalties. Contact NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, serving Albany, NY, to receive a quote for auto insurance and to explore some of your options. 

Car Caused Home Damage – Who Pays?

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No one expects a car to come through the front living room a house, but it does happen. Once everyone confirms there are no serious injuries then the realization of the damage set in, and it’s usually pretty bad. After all, a projectile the size of a car is going to take out a good portion of a room before it stops completely. Technically, there are two coverages that kick in during such situations: the car driver’s responsibility and the home protection plan.

Since most homes are required to have some kind of home insurance if in mortgage status, most will also have a comprehensive home insurance plan that covers the majority of accident situations, but that doesn’t mean car caused damage is included. Home insurance typically covers more frequent risks like slip & falls, fire, break-ins, structural failure or similar. Car-caused damage tends to be far less frequent and some companies treat it as an outlier, such as flooding or tornadoes, and require a special policy coverage for such risks. In other cases, car damage may be limited to just the garage where a car would likely bump the house frame and not the rest of the structure. Again, how the home insurance policy is worded can make a big difference.

Ideally, however, the driver is responsible first, since he drove the car or controlled it prior to hitting the home. So if it exists, the driver’s car insurance policy will cover initial damage repairs. Many car policies are capped, however, and can only pay a certain amount. If damage is more or there is no policy, the driver must pay out of pocket but will likely have to be sued. In such cases, a homeowner will need to rely on his own policy for immediate repairs. To find out how to avoid these situations in the Albany, NY area, give NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency a call. They can explain policy nuances and help with finding the right coverage for the unexpected.

What is the Difference Between Straight and Term?

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Life insurance is a protection for yourself and your family in the unexpected instance of your death. There are two types of life insurance- whole, which is also referred to as permanent- and term life insurance. Below, find what each one entails, how they are different and what they cover. The two major differences is that term is a policy that is determined for a set amount of time and whole is to protect you for your entire life.

Term Life Insurance

Term life insurance is referred to as "term" because for the time, or "term" that you are paying your premium, you are paying for the cost of your death benefit for your family or beneficiaries. Term life insurance is usually pretty affordable, with premiums averaging around $30 a month for a healthy person in their twenties or thirties. Term life insurance only provides a death benefit. During this time, the insurance company may contest any claim that they feel is fraudulent. Most life insurance holders purchase term life insurance policies for basic life insurance needs.

Whole Life Insurance

Whole life insurance premiums are much higher- up to four times as high- than term ones because they add up to a cash value along with the death benefit in the policy. A portion of the premium is put to the side in savings for each payment, which accrues interest over time and can be borrowed against. Whole life insurance policies are usually better for individuals that have a high amount of wealth, complex financial situations, and /or assets to protect or may need the cash value to borrow against while they are still living.

Contact one of the agents at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency to help you understand the ins-and-outs of life insurance. Call or stop by for a free quote today.

Tips for Preventing Accidents in Winter

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Accidents happen during any season. However, winter, unfortunately, is a very common time for accidents because of the hazardous conditions snow and ice cause on the road. Not to mention, not everyone is an excellent winter driver, which means others may cause an accident on the road. It’s important to know how to prevent an accident on hazardous roads. 

1. Update Insurance Policy  
One of the main things an Albany, NY drivers should do in order to prepare for winter is update their insurance policy. The roads become more hazardous, which leads to more accidents. It’s an excellent time for a driver to update his or her policy to include full tort. This way his or her vehicle is covered in addition to the other party’s.  

2. Drive Slower 
A driver needs to adjust his or her speed based on the road conditions. Ultimately, the driver needs to slow down to be able to handle the car more optimally in winter weather.  

3. Don’t Slam on the Brakes 
Although the driver may feel the need to slam on the brakes to prevent sliding, this isn’t a good idea; it’s how the car will continue to slide out of control. 

4. Watch Other Drivers
Just because a person can handle his or her vehicle in the snow doesn’t mean other drivers on the road can. Wintertime is the ideal time to become more aware of others on the road. If a driver doesn’t already practice driving defensively, he or she should begin doing so in winter.  

To learn more about tips for driving in winter or to update a current policy or purchase a new one, contact NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, serving the Albany, NY area, at 518-608-5797. 

Does my business need commercial insurance?

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There can be a lot of details to consider when starting a new business. From choosing a location to setting up advertising, there are plenty of things to do.  In the middle of considering everything, however be sure to consider your commercial insurance needs.   

Commercial insurance actually includes several different types of insurance that are used by businesses.  This can include commercial auto insurance in which a policy is written specifically for company-owned cars and/or vehicles that are being used on a part-time basis for a business.  Another common coverage is commercial property insurance that insures the structure of a store, office, or manufacturing facility along with the contents of the building.

it can be difficult to know when it’s time to invest in commercial insurance, however. Any business that has assets such as inventory or heavy equipment that cannot be easily replaced needs to have this coverage.  In fact, most small businesses start with small commercial policies that cover large equipment and their inventory.  Eventually, these policies can be expanded to include additional assets, umbrella insurance, and other coverage.

Commercial auto insurance should be added as soon as your company has a dedicated car that is used for the business. Standard auto policies rarely cover vehicles that are being used primarily for a business, making it a bad idea to simply rely on a personal policy or the personal policies of your employees.

If you think it’s time for your business to make the investment in a commercial insurance policy, then call the agents at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency. They have years of experience helping their business clients find the policy that is right for them.

 

Riding Motorcycles in NY: Why it’s Better when Insured

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A motorcycle trip can be the trip of a lifetime, but it can be ended all too quickly, especially if you aren’t properly insured. NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency strives to make sure that every driver on the road has the proper insurance plan to suit their needs. This is because, while a motorcycle is the perfect vehicle to represent ‘freedom’ while driving down the highway, all of that freedom could disappear in the blink of an eye. It could be a traffic collision that leaves your motorcycle damaged and in need of repair (or worse – completely wrecked), it could be a serious medical bill as a  result of the accident, or it could even be a suspended license, thereby limiting your ability to travel not just for fun, but also for your job. Using NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency’s online services however can help you overcome the unfortunate status of an uninsured rider in just minutes. Even if you didn’t find what you want here, it’s certainly worth trying to avoid crippling financial debt.

And just in case any of your motorcycle riders thought that having insurance and a license was enough to be able to ride the highway in proper adherence to the law, think again – in the state of New York, all motorcycle riders and passengers are required by law to wear both a helmet and a pair of protective goggles (both must be up to a certain standard of quality and safety in order to qualify under the law, mind you). It may seem like a bit of a pain to have to wear one, but they can be life saving.

The law varies from state to state, so if you have any questions, contact NY Twin Bridges Insurance online or by phone at (518) 608-5797. Whether you’re from Albany, Ithaca, New York City, or even from out of town, we are happy to help.

How can commercial insurance help small businesses?

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Typically, when you think of commercial insurance, you think of big businesses or commercial properties with a lot to protect. While these types of businesses do need insurance to protect their assets, they aren’t the only businesses that need protecting. Even small businesses can benefit from commercial insurance and should consider purchasing commercial insurance.

The biggest reason for a small business to get commercial insurance is to protect the assets in your business. This is particularly important if you have property or products to protect your business. For example, property insurance can be used to protect your products as well as the physical property where your business is located. Insurance is also used to protect any employees you have working in the business.

Some small business owners operate out of their homes and think their business is already protected. Unfortunately, not all homeowners’ insurance policies protect small businesses. So in order to get the full protections you need, your business needs a separate policy, even if you operate out of your home.

Insurance is about protection, and even sole proprietorships need protection. By getting the proper insurance for your business, you can keep from getting into trouble down the road. Make sure your business has the right insurance so you can protect your business while you grow it. Different businesses have different insurance needs. Since there are so many different types of and uses for commercial insurance, it’s important to make sure you choose the right insurance for your business. 

For more information about commercial insurance to help your small business, contact the NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency today.