518-608-5797 Facebook Twitter Linkedin Google+ YouTube Blog

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

mobile-callClick to Call
Twin Bridges Insurance Agency

1881 Western Avenue, Suite 210
Albany, NY 12203

google-mapGet Directions
Family in automobile

Are any items in my home not covered by my policy?

Picking a home insurance policy that addresses your goals and needs in Albany, NY can seem challenging, especially if you have just purchased a new house and you are concerned about a variety of items that you keep in the building. Although your policy will usually address most of your goals and concerns, it is possible that there are items that may not be covered.

Expensive Belongings

Certain items that are very expensive may or may not be covered by your basic policy. For example, a very expensive piece of jewelry or an heirloom painting may not be covered by your insurance.

Expensive items that are not covered can vary and some insurance companies may offer limited coverage for the items. The limited coverage will usually provide a specific dollar amount that the company will pay for lost, stolen or damaged items, but it may not be enough for all of your expensive belongings.

High-Risk Items

A high-risk item, like a trampoline or a pool, may not be covered under your home insurance policy, even if you keep it in the house and the risk is limited. The reason is that the liability for the item may be higher than expected and you may need to purchase a separate plan for the item and the associated risks.

Insurance companies may exclude specific items from your policy based on the risk, but that does not always apply to every plan so it may be necessary to evaluate the policy before you determine if it is appropriate.

While certain items in your home may not be covered by your policy, the majority of your personal belongings will be protected. Contact us to speak to an agent to learn more about your options and the policies that are available.

Is there a limit on coverage for my silverware or other valuables?

Purchasing expensive jewelry, silverware or other valuables for your house can provide a sense of luxury within your personal space, but it can also complicate your home insurance policy. While every policy is different, there are usually limits that you can claim on one specific item or valuable in your basic policy.

Limitations

In many cases, insurance companies will put a set limit on the maximum you can claim for specific items. For example, jewelry or that expensive silverware may only be covered up to $2,000, even if your policy allows you to claim as much as 50 percent of the total policy amount for furniture and other items in case a fire or similar situation results in a total loss of personal property.

The limits that are set on valuables can vary based on the policy, so you may need to evaluate your plan to determine the specific limitation amount.

Buying Additional Protection

If a single item costs more than the amount that your insurance provider will offer in coverage, then it may be time to consider additional coverage for the item. It is usually appropriate to protect all of your valuables on a separate policy unless your insurer will pay for the full replacement cost of the item.

Additional coverage may be added to your plan whenever it is needed, so it may be possible to add to your policy after receiving a gift or making a new purchase for your home.

Protecting the high-cost items that you keep in your home often requires additional protection to ensure that your belongings are safe in case a fire, theft or similar disaster occurs. Contact us to speak to an agent for more details about your options today.

Why is it harder to get insurance with bad driving records?

If you want to drive along the highways or side streets of Albany, NY, you’ll need auto insurance. New York State law requires all drivers to carry adequate auto insurance.

But drivers with bad driving records might find it challenging to qualify for the right auto insurance policy.

Finding auto insurance won’t be a big challenge. Auto insurers will be glad to provide insurance even to those drives with bad driving records. But finding an affordable auto insurance will prove difficult. If you have accidents or speeding tickets on your driving record, you might be surprised at how much insurers will charge to provide you with the auto insurance required of New York motorists.

There’s a reason for this: Drivers with bad records are riskier for auto insurers. That’s because they are more likely to get into accidents that require insurance companies to pay out damages. To protect themselves from this financial risk, auto insurers charge drivers with bad records extra dollars.

This doesn’t mean, though, that bad drivers have to settle for overpriced auto insurance. Today, it’s easier than ever for drivers to shop for the right insurance policy. Credit for this goes to the Internet. Today, motorists can quickly compare auto-insurance rates from several policies, all from the comfort of their computers.

This is a change. In the past, consumers would have to call individual insurers, ask about their rates and provide their own information. It was an inefficient way for drivers to shop for the lowest insurance rates.

The shopping process today, though, takes just seconds, even for consumers with bad driving records. Consumes, for instance, can instantly compare insurance rates at this Web site. Just by entering their basic information, they can view rates from several competing insurers.

This is especially important for drivers with accidents or speeding tickets in their past. There is no better way for such drivers to land the lowest possible rates.

Do I Have Insurance Coverage for a Rental Car after a Car Accident?

Renting a car can be an important part of getting around when you are visiting an area for business or a vacation. The problem is that you may not be sure what your rental car insurance covers and the options that may be available after an accident.

Your Car Insurance

In some cases, your personal car insurance on a vehicle that you own will still cover you against some basic liability concerns related to renting a car. You may need to inform your insurance provider about your plans to rent a car before you actually rent, but many insurers will offer some basic coverage for the situation.

Rental Insurance

Rental car insurance may be available as an additional policy or a basic policy if your personal auto insurance does not cover rental vehicles. The insurance may be provided by the rental car company or you can seek a private policy through a different insurance provider if you feel that the rental car company is charging too much.

The insurance will usually cover the basic liability concerns, but you will want to read the policy thoroughly to determine if additional coverage is available for collisions and repairs.

Buying Additional Protection

If you are not comfortable with the amount of coverage that is available, then you may want to purchase additional protection in the form of collision coverage. The coverage will help pay for the damages to the vehicle after an accident so that you can avoid unnecessary hassles.

Depending on your policy and the options that you are considering, the solutions that may be available after an accident in a rental vehicle can vary. Contact us to talk to an independent agent to learn more about your coverage options.