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Twin Bridges Insurance Agency

1881 Western Avenue, Suite 210
Albany, NY 12203

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Can I file a claim with my Albany, NY insurance company if the basement of my home suffered damage due to flood?

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If you live anywhere near Albany, New York, you’re probably familiar with the flooding problems caused by the Hudson, Mohawk and Housatonic rivers. Particularly in March, these rivers crest from melt water and can cause a real nightmare for people with homes a little too close to them, or a little too low in the landscape. If your basement floods it’s only natural to wonder "will my homeowners insurance cover the damages?" Unfortunately the answer is usually no.

Most home insurance policies cover named perils, in which a flood is almost never included. Many unprepared homeowners have tried to file a claim a flood damaged their basement or living space only to be told that floods are excluded. To cover damages from a flood, you need to purchase separate flood insurance, which is obviously a good idea if you live in a flood plain. The cost of such a policy depends on the value of your home, the size of your deductible and the likelihood of a flood in your area.

The key to peace of mind as a homeowner is having the right kind of insurance for your particular location and the dangers within it. If you live in Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Albany or elsewhere in the region, you should contact NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency. As your independent agent, we can get you comparative quotes from multiple insurers to make sure that you get the right homeowners insurance policy at the right price. If you live in a flood plain and want to get protection, call us today.

Will my Albany, New York insurance company cover my personal belongings when I am travelling in a foreign country?

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In most cases your insurance company in Albany, New York will cover your personal belongings when you travel to a foreign country. All homeowners should have home insurance that protects belongings owned by the family. When you travel overseas or to a foreign country, there is chance you might loose your luggage, your laptop, or even your cell phone. If these items are covered under your homeowners policy, you should be able to replace them quickly.

An independent agent is a professional who can explain homeowners insurance coverage and help you to compare rates and quotes for several different providers. If you travel often and you are worried about protecting your belongings, make sure your policy covers these types of accidents. Whether you live in Saratoga Springs or Schenectady, purchasing a quality homeowners insurance plan is important. Often when people travel they take their electronics, jewelry, and other expensive items. If you are a victim of theft or an accident, you will want to replace the items and get on with your vacation or business trip.

When choosing insurance coverage in Albany, New York think about the items you need to insure. You will probably want to take an inventory of all of your precious possessions and even take pictures or video of the items. If you need to make a claim when you are at home or in a foreign country, documentation will help the process go quickly. Your independent agent can give you some tips about how to inventory your home and make sure you have enough homeowner insurance protection. We are here and ready to help you today.

Are the Passengers in my Car Insured Even Though They are not Listed on the Insurance Policy in Albany, New York?

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Auto insurance policies in Albany, New York focus on the drivers of the vehicle, not the passengers. Any passengers in the vehicle are usually covered under a policy, even if they are not listed as potential drivers. Although the details of any policy may vary slightly, passengers are usually given a certain amount of medical coverage in case an accident occurs and they are injured.

People Listed in a Policy

In most cases, passengers are not listed on policies because they are not operating the vehicle. The only people listed with the company are the individuals who drive the car. That means children, friends and other individuals in the back seat or passenger seat are protected under a basic plan.

Amount of Protection

The details of a specific plan and the amount of protection provided may vary. The best way to determine how much protection is available for children and guests in the vehicle is by looking through the details of your current plan. The plan will tell when there are exceptions, how much protection to expect and the amount of medical coverage that is available.

Read through the policy to determine the exact amount of protection each individual is offered as well as the maximum amount that is available for an accident. Even a basic plan will have some protection for the driver and passengers of a vehicle.

An auto insurance policy will usually offer protection for every individual in the car, even if they are not old enough to drive or are not listed as potential drivers under the policy. To learn more about the type of situations that are covered, contact us to talk to an independent agent.

Are we Legally Required to Notify our Insurance Company in Albany, New York if our 22-year-old Son Who is on our Car Insurance Policy Gets a DUI Charge?

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Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious offense. It puts lives at risk and is a primary cause of accidents each year. When an adult child is charged with a DUI, it is important to notify the auto insurance company about the charges.

Liability and Risks

A key reason that it is important to notify the insurer in Albany, New York is the amount of risk involved. If the company is not informed that a 22-year-old son was charged with drinking and driving, then they are legally allowed to refuse payment if an accident occurs in the future.

Refusing to inform the insurer may result in losing the policy. In general, it is better to explain the situation than to take the risk that the insurer will drop the policy in the future.

Changes to the Policy

After informing the insurer about the situation, the cost of coverage and the details in the policy may change. The risks increase when a driver under the plan is charged with a DUI because it means that the driver is more likely to get into an accident. The car may not be covered if the accident is caused by a similar incident.

If the charges are dropped or the young adult is proven innocent, then it may be possible to retain the same coverage and plan.

It is tempting to avoid the situation when a young adult makes a mistake, but the consequences of avoiding the situation may result in more severe complications in the future. To learn more about the possible solutions that are available after a DUI charge, contact us to talk to an independent agent today.

Will I have to take out a different type of insurance depending on whether I buy a new or a used car in Albany, NY?

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When you drive a car in New York, you need some type of auto insurance. The law requires that everyone have at least the state minimum auto insurance coverage, but you may want or need to carry more comprehensive coverage. You can easily work with your NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency agent to work out additional coverage that will provide even more protection than the law requires.

If you buy and finance a new car, the finance company will require you to take out additional auto insurance. Technically, you do not own your car until you finish making all the payments. If you should get in to an accident and cause substantial damage or total your vehicle, the finance company does not want to suffer a loss. They will insist that you carry adequate collision and comprehensive coverage so the car can be repaired or the note can be paid off from the proceeds of the insurance company’s settlement check.

If you own an old car, you may need to decide whether or not it is worth paying an additional premium for collision to cover damages should you get into an accident. If, for example, your car is worth $700 and you have a $500 deductible, the most you could ever hope to collect is $200.

At NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, here in Albany, New York, we have many clients who need coverage but do not want to pay high premiums. We represent many different auto insurance companies and can compare quotes to find you the best rates. Give us a call today to talk to an independent agent.

I left my Government job before becoming eligible for retirement. What are my options regarding my retirement contributions in Albany, New York?

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When it comes to your employment there is nothing more critical than getting your retirement in order before the time comes to call it quits. The big problem that some people have is that they do not stay at one job long enough to qualify for any kind of retirement benefits. Here are some things that you can do if you find that you do not have any retirement benefits in Albany, New York.

Your Retirement Options When You Leave Your Job

  • Just because you leave a job with no pension does not mean you do not have options. One of the first things you can do is participate in the 401k program. Most companies have a matching plan that you can have to save money for retirement.
  • Look into whether you are eligible to buy company stock. Some companies allow their people to buy general stock at a discounted rate.
  • Get a life insurance policy that builds cash value. This can give your family and yourself the peace of mind knowing that your funeral expenses are taken care of.
  • You can also look into opening an IRA account for future retirement expenses. An IRA gives you a pretax contribution option to grow your money.

There are a lot of things that you can do in order to build for your retirement once you have left your job. If you have any questions about your insurance needs, then you need to contact your independent agent today. As your agent we can help answer your questions and help you get the coverage you need for when you are ready to retire from being in the work force.

What are the notice requirements for cancellation or non-renewal of a commercial insurance policy by an insurer in Albany, New York?

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Just like your auto insurance company in Albany, New York must provide you with notice before they can cancel or choose not to renew your policy, the same holds true for your commercial insurance policy. If you have a business in Saratoga Springs or Schenectady and buy commercial insurance, you can not be denied renewal, or canceled, without first receiving proper notice.

The notification requirements for cancelation are different that the notification requirements for non-renewal of your commercial insurance policy. With cancellation, there are different requirements for policies that have been in effect for 60 days or less and for those policies that have been in effect for more than 60 days.

If your policy has been in effect for 60 days or less, your insurance provider must give you at least 30 days notice before the effective date of cancellation. In certain cases, proper notice may be 15 days or more.

The time may be reduced for notice of cancelation to only 15 days if the reason for cancelation is that you did not pay your premium. Before canceling your policy, your insurer must first notify you that there is a balance due on your premium payment. A second reason for the reduction in the notice time can be if you are convicted of a crime that changes the hazard that you are insured against. You can also be subject to a shorter notification period if fraud or material misrepresentation is discovered either while obtaining a policy or filing a claim on the policy.

For policies in effect for more than 60 days, the general rule is that your insurance provider must give you at least 15 days of notice.

Non-Renewal notification requirements are at least as long or longer than they are when your insurance is canceled. Notice must be at least 60 days, but not longer than 120 days before the expiration date of your policy.

If you would like to learn more about the reasons that your policy can be canceled or proper notification requirements, please give us a call. An independent agent can go over your individual situation and help you acquire, keep and maintain the coverage you need for your business.

My home insurance company in Albany, New York issued a cancellation notice due to unpaid bills. Can I reinstate my policy after the cancellation date if I pay?

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If your home insurance company in Albany, New York has issued a cancellation notice due to unpaid bills, you should still be able to pay the past due amount and reinstate your homeowners insurance. Sometimes families have a difficult time paying bills due to a reduction in hours at work or other expenses. If you have missed your home insurance payment, contact your provider and attempt to make a payment arrangement.

In Saratoga Springs or Schenectady, even if the insurance provider must issue a cancelation notice, many companies will try to work with the homeowner to provide coverage. An independent agent can also help to work with the provider to make the payment arrangement or look for new quotes and rates and find a more affordable policy. When living in Albany, New York, homeowners need to protect the structure of the home and personal possessions. It may be possible to find a less expensive policy that still provides the protection you need for all of the items in your home.

As an independent agent we can help homeowners determine the amount of coverage they need and compare rates with several providers to find the best deal. You do not want to let your homeowners insurance lapse and paying the bills on time is essential. So even if you have received a cancelation notice, don’t worry. First contact an agent, then work with a provider to reinstate the policy and make sure you and your family are protected.

Is a Driver in Albany, New York Required to Notify the Auto Insurance Company if he has had a Stroke and is Still Driving?

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When a driver in Albany, New York goes through a stroke, it can have an impact on his ability to drive. A stroke has an impact on the brain, which means that it can increase the risk of accidents, even if an individual is still able to move the body easily.

Potential Risks

The risks of operating a car after a stroke are primarily related to the possibility of an accident. The brain may be damaged, which slows down reaction times and makes it harder to react appropriately when another driver is acting a reckless manner.

Even if reaction times are not slowed, the body may not be able to move appropriately. Driving a car after a stroke may put your life and the life of other drivers at risk.

Notifying the Company

Although the situation may not impact driving skills, it is still important to notify the insurance company if you are still driving. The reason is simple: you have a higher risk of having a stroke in the future and you are more likely to get into an accident due to the damage to your brain. Even a small stroke can have a dramatic impact on your brain and your ability to function.

It is important to notify the auto insurance company whenever major medical situations occur because it can put you and others at risk.

Insurers want to know about medical conditions if you are still capable of driving because it helps evaluate the amount of risk and helps them determine if your coverage is appropriate. To learn more about the coverage options and the impact of medical conditions on your policy, contact us to speak to an independent agent today.

Is there an Albany, New York insurance policy that pays off the mortgage when one of the insured dies?

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There are insurance plans that will pay off a mortgage when one of the insured dies. Usually your life insurance plan will take care of this type of expense. When you are purchasing a life insurance policy, if this is important to you, make sure that you have enough coverage to take care of the mortgage and leave your loved ones without the burden of that large payment.

If you or your significant other die, it may be difficult to pay all of the bills. If you have a large mortgage payment, you will want to make sure you have an insurance plan that takes care of this expense in the event of a death. Your independent agent can help you determine how much insurance coverage you need and what type of plan will work best in your situation. In Saratoga Springs and Schenectady, life insurance is essential. If the primary wage earner should die, the rest of the family may not be able to make up the difference in the income.

As an independent agent, we can help you calculate the amount of insurance you need and compare quotes to find you an affordable rate. As your family grows in Albany New York, you may need more insurance coverage. If you move to a larger home, you may need to increase your policy. Your independent agent is here to help you plan ahead for your family’s needs and give you peace of mind. You can call us today and we will be happy to discuss your options and answer your questions.