Be a Good House Sitter: Don’t Snoop Around

Posted on February 11, 2016 by AgentInsure

If you’re house sitting in Albany, NY, you’ve been entrusted with the job of caring for someone else’s living space while they’re away. That can be a hefty job, and one that you need to carefully consider, because it shows the level of faith the homeowners have in you. One of the things some house sitters do, and that you should avoid, is snooping around. It’s natural to be a little curious, and you probably assume no one will know, but that’s not really the point. There’s no reason to go through someone else’s personal things just because they’re away.

Looking for extra bathroom tissue or paper towels makes sense, or opening a kitchen cabinet to find a pan to cook something in, but going through medicine cabinets, dresser drawers, and other out of the way places that aren’t yours should be avoided. Some homeowners have camera installed to catch these kinds of behaviors, and they may also be able to tell if the things they left behind are out of place or have been moved when they come back. You probably won’t be asked to house sit again if you’re a snoop, so make sure to avoid it if you want more house sitting work in the future.

If you do look through cabinets or other areas and happen to damage something, make sure you’re honest and up-front about it. That will make you look better, and will give the homeowners an opportunity to file an insurance claim if the item was valuable. With good coverage from NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, both homeowners and house sitters will be protected in the event of a problem. That can provide everyone involved in the house sitting transaction with good peace of mind, and help make them more comfortable with the arrangement, so they can enjoy their time away, or the time spent watching the person’s home.

How Local Insurance Agencies Serve Those in Their Communities

Posted on February 11, 2016 by AgentInsure

Local insurance agencies not only provide personal service to their communities, they are also among those who benefit and serve citizens. By providing the most personal type of insurance needs possible, agencies that are locally owned and based are providing a service to that community. For example, if a client had a car accident and needed desperately to file a claim and to speak with their agent about technicalities, a local provider would be able to help them right away. This immediate help not only grants the client peace of mind, but takes care of business in a much faster and efficient way.

Another way local insurance companies such as NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency serve those in their towns is by being available often. Most of the time, an agency that is locally based, will have a personal feel where clients may call or come by in person whenever they need to. This type of service alone is a huge benefit to those in the community. Being able to speak with your agent promptly helps the entire insurance process become more efficient. This efficiency stems from the agent being located in the clients town as well as the fact the client can come right in and ask questions, speeds up the waiting process as a whole.

Many times local insurance agencies will also participate in local events. This type of involvement gives both the agency and their current and potential clients exposure and a positive reputation. By sponsoring local events clients may see the more human side of their agents and are more likely to trust them, recommend them and continue doing business with them.

Contact an independent insurance agent at NY Twin Bridges Agency today.

5 Ways to Increase Your Gas Mileage

Posted on January 29, 2016 by AgentInsure

Gas can be reasonable at time, but other times it can be extremely costly. Because of this fluctuation, you should be getting the most out of your gas mileage. There are some sensible things you can do to keep the cost down.

Avoid driving aggressively. You use more gas when stopping suddenly, speeding, and accelerating quickly after a light change. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save between 5%-33% of fuel costs on city streets and highways just by being less aggressive.
Watch your speed. The speed limit is there for your safety, but it also helps to enhance your fuel economy. When you begin driving over 50 mph, your gas mileage decreases rapidly. You could save approximately 14%, which means you’ll go to the pump less often.
Hauling cargo can increase your weight. Take off your rooftop or rear cargo box after your long enjoyed family vacation. It can add weight to your vehicle causing an increase in your fuel output. Removing the box will make your car lighter and increase your mileage.
Upgrade your old car. Cars do not become more graceful with age, if fact they eat up fuel like a raptor eats meat. Vehicles that are more than 10 years old do not have the fuel efficiency that newer models are equipped with. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the average 2014 light-duty passenger vehicle had 36.4-fuel economy, while the 2004 only had 29.5.
Maintain your vehicle regularly. If you see the low tire pressure signal, make sure to add air. Improperly inflated tires can drag and cause your engine to work harder. You should also change your oil every 3 months and tune-up your engine every 30,000 miles. Keeping your car maintained will increase your gas mileage and save you costly repairs down the road.

The independent insurance agents at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency can offer some friendly advice on how to increase your gas mileage. They are also available to discuss new policies and review existing ones.

How Independent Insurance Agents in Albany Are Your Advocates

Posted on January 5, 2016 by AgentInsure

One of the best ways to purchase insurance is by being armed with a lot of information. You need information about your deductibles, coverage limits, and prices in order to make an informed decision. That’s how our NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency’s independent insurance agents make the difference. They act as advocates for you before, during, and after you purchase insurance from us.

Independent Insurance Agents Are Customer-Centric

Our independent insurance agents work hard to make sure that you are satisfied when you purchase insurance from us. They walk you through the process and make sure you understand what is included in your policy. They know that having the right coverage when you need it is important because they are customers too.

Our Agents Provide You Competitive Quotes

When you work with an independent insurance agent, you will automatically get multiple quotes for coverage. They work with a number well-known insurance companies, so the coverage you choose will be competitive and reputable.

After providing you with quotes, our agents will work with you to determine which coverage best meets you need. They want to make sure you don’t simply purchase a policy you don’t understand or don’t want.

They Follow Up with You After Your Purchase

You can outgrow or need more insurance as your life progressive. As a result, our independent insurance agents proactively conduct policy reviews each year to ensure that your current policy continually meets your needs.

When you are ready to get protected, our independent insurance agents are just a phone call away. They are insurance experts ready to help you get the coverage you need to continue driving or to ensure your home. You can also use our online quoting system to get a quote if you find it more convenient.

Choosing a New Car for Your Spouse: How to Estimate Cost in Albany, NY

Posted on December 22, 2015 by AgentInsure

When it comes to buying a new car for your spouse as a gift this holiday season, it pays to focus on what your loved one wants and needs in a vehicle. It can also help to take a few minutes to price out auto insurance on that vehicle before signing on the dotted line. At NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, we’re here to help you get the best policy for your new vehicle and aid in getting estimates in advance of your purchase.

Estimate Insurance Costs Before Buying

There are plenty of fantastic reasons to buy your spouse a new car this holiday (or really any time of the year). For some car buyers, the goal is to purchase a car that is going to make getting around easier. Perhaps you want to give them a bit of luxury or even purchase that dream sports car he or she has always wanted. When doing so, be sure to take a second to discuss the actual costs involved in insuring this type of vehicle.

With just a few components of information, it is possible for our independent insurance agents at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency to help you determine the best policy for the new purchase. You can get an estimate by contacting our team with information about the make and the model of the vehicle. If you have the VIN, that’s even better. With this information, you can learn just how affordable auto insurance will be for your new car purchase.

When you are ready to make your spouse smile, call our agents to get a quote on new car insurance in Albany, NY. You’ll find it’s easier than you realize to get that new car in the driveway for the holidays.

How to Deal With Workplace Injuries

Posted on December 10, 2015 by AgentInsure

For all small business owners there is always a chance that an employee may end up getting injured on the job. That being said, having a commercial policy in place that helps to cover the costs and medical bills of any employee if they are injured on the job is a must.

Workplace injury can end up costing any company thousands of dollars and without the proper insurance coverage, it may cost you more. Keeping this in mind, a great policy from a company like NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in the Schenectady, NY area can help business owners protect their company and keep their best interest in mind.

There are a few ways that you can help prevent workplace injury and the first is proper employee education. It is crucial that you take the time to tell employees what practices are safe, what are dangerous, and what they can do to keep themselves safe while they are on the job. On top of that, you also need to make sure that you take the time to provide employees with a safe environment where injury is not likely to occur.

Having a great insurance policy in place is protection for both the small business owner and for employees as it can help to pay bills that neither want to pay and can help your employees get the compensation that they need to get better and to get back to work without having to worry about how they are going to pay their high medical bills.

Your insurance agent can discuss with you what policies are available and what policies are going to help you to get the coverage you need to keep your business and your employees protected.

How to Respond After Witnessing an Accident

Posted on November 29, 2015 by AgentInsure

Traffic accidents happen all throughout the day. Although witnessing an accident isn’t as terrifying as being in one, the images will likely remain in your mind for a while.

If you happen to witness an accident, it’s important that you respond accordingly so that you can increase the chances of helping the victims. The following are a few things you should do after you witness an accident.

Find a Safe Place to Park

As a responsible citizen, you are inclined to help people who are in danger. Before you begin to assist any of the victims, you have to ensure that you are parked in a safe place so that you are not the victim of another accident. Experts suggest that you remain about 100 feet away from the accident to ensure you are safe.

Call 911

The quicker emergency responders get to the scene of an accident the better it will be for everyone involved in the accident. As soon as you witness an accident and you are in a safe place, you should call 911. While you are on the phone with the operator, make sure you tell him/her your name, your location, and other necessary details so that they can easily locate the accident.

Make Sure the Victims Are Safe

After contacting emergency services, you must check to ensure everyone involved in the accident is safe. You should do what you can do to move people to safety; however, never place yourself in harm’s way. If someone is trapped in a car or seriously injured in a car, you should wait for emergency personnel to assist them.

Tell Authorities What You Witnessed

By the time you’ve assisted victims of the wreck, police officers, and other emergency personnel will likely be on the scene. You shouldn’t leave before telling authorities what you’ve witnessed. In addition to telling them about the accident, you should provide them with your contact information so they will have the ability to contact you about the wreck.

NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency wants you to be safe while driving on the road. They offer many types of insurance policies to help ensure your safety on the road. If you need auto insurance, give them a call to get a quote on the best insurance for you.

Make Sure Everyone Can See at Your Halloween Party

Posted on October 21, 2015 by AgentInsure

Decorations set the tone for a Halloween party. Without dim areas, cobwebs and jack-o-lanterns just wouldn’t be the same. Decorations, however, should never create a safety hazard — no matter how good they look. If you’re hosting a Halloween party this October, we have a few suggestions that will help prevent accidents at your get-together.

Make Sure Everyone Can See

When decorating for Halloween, it’s important to make sure everyone can see. When people can’t see, they trip over objects, fall down steps and otherwise injure themselves. To reduce the likelihood of an accident, you can:

leave lights on in main areas, such as where food is being served
decorate with holiday-themed lights
make sure there’s nothing for people to trip over in poorly lit areas

Leaving parts of your home well-lit doesn’t need to detract from your decorations. For instance, you can add a Halloween flair to your dining area with ghost-shaped cookies and an orange cake, without dimming any lights in the area.

Make Sure You’re Insured

Even when safety is kept in mind, accidents can still happen. Before people start arriving for your party, you should make sure you’re protected with liability coverage. Often included in home insurance policies, liability coverage provides protection when you’re found responsible for a covered incident.

If you don’t have enough liability coverage, and you live in Albany, NY, contact us at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency. We’ve helped many homeowners in the area find the coverage they need, and our independent insurance agents can help you find a new home insurance policy quickly. Just make sure to send us a message before your party starts, so we can get you covered in time.

Life Insurance Myths Uncovered In Albany, NY

Posted on September 28, 2015 by AgentInsure

There are a lot of life insurance myths that you need to uncover in Albany, New York. This will give you more confidence as you shop for a policy knowing that it is going to provide you with sufficient protection.

Life Insurance is for Older People

Somewhere along the line, a myth developed that life insurance is only for older people. This is not accurate at all. You want to make sure that you are protecting your family regardless of what your age is – and therefore having a policy even in your 30s and 40s can be extremely beneficial.

Health is Critical

While health does play a role within life-insurance, it is not going to be the difference between being able to get a policy or not. Plenty of insurance companies will offer a policy even if you have a serious illness. However, the coverage may be lower and premiums may be higher.

Employer-Provided Polices are Enough

It is great if your employer provides you with a life insurance policy. However, you need to know what kind of coverage you have, it may only be one or two times your salary. Additionally, it may only be a term policy and may disappear once you leave the company, leaving you with no coverage at all.

Most Affordable Policies are Online

There is a myth that the most affordable policies are found online only. While there are some affordable premium prices available online, you have to look at what is going to work best for you. It’s a good idea to make some comparisons between the quotes that you get from multiple companies.

At NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, we look forward to helping you find an affordable life insurance policy that you can count on. Call today and speak to one of our agents for individual assistance.

Albany Summers: Protect Your Pet

Posted on August 30, 2015 by AgentInsure

Albany summers can get very hot. When you are in upstate New York, you may have several pets or just one. Either way, you want to make sure that your pet is well protected against all of the heat during the summer months.

The heat can get significant, and even if your pets are inside, you want to make sure that they have access to plenty of cool water. This will keep them well hydrated. As another way to keep them hydrated, you can mix wet food into their otherwise dry food to sneak in some additional water.

Take a look at their gums from time to time. If their guns are slimy, they are healthy. If they are very dry, it is generally a sign that they are overheating.

When you take your pets outside, make sure they have access to water, and shade. Try to give them exercise in the morning and evening hours so that they are not out in the middle of the day.

Take a trip to the pet store and look at what they offer for protecting the feet of your pets. The paw pads can be very sensitive to hot concrete and therefore you want to offer some kind of protection. They make booties, pads, and various other things. Choose something that your pets can actually walk in comfortably.

Summers in Albany also means more bugs, including mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. Make an appointment with the vet in order to get your pet on preventative medication. You may also want to take that time to talk to the vet about other things that you can do to protect your pet based upon the breed.

Call us at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency today to learn more about how we can protect your pets and your family. We’re here to help you find affordable home policies in Albany.

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