Changes in your Albany, NY home, personal situation, or family can affect your auto insurance coverage. That’s why it’s important to review your policy regularly to make sure it’s still in line with your current circumstances. You don’t want to be paying for unnecessary coverage or missing out on valuable protection or discounts on your policy. At NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, we recommend you update your policy if:

You Get Married

Once married, you and your spouse can combine your auto insurance into a multi-car policy for greater convenience in keeping track of your coverage. Combining your coverage also makes you eligible for a multi-car discount, saving you money on your insurance premium.

Your Teen Gets His License

All drivers in your household should be listed on your policy to be fully protected against accidents. Once your teen gets his license, he needs to be added to your policy, unless you want to purchase a separate policy to protect him on the road.

You Purchase a New Home

If you purchased a new home, you may want to bundle your home and auto policies together to qualify for a discount on your insurance coverage. If your home is in a safe, crime-free location, you may qualify for further discounts on your auto and home policies.

You Buy a New Car

Your new car will need to be added to your insurance policy to be included in your coverage. Depending on the value of your vehicle, you may want to increase your coverage to ensure you’re fully protected against any eventuality. Consult with your insurance agent at your earliest convenience concerning updating your insurance to include this costly investment.

To update your auto insurance coverage in Albany, NY, call or visit NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency today.

The amount of auto insurance coverage you need depends on many factors, including the value of your car, your financial situation, driving habits, and age. If you are not sure, how much you should spend on insuring your vehicle, NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency serving Albany, NY has prepared the list of questions that will help you to decide:

1. What Assets Do I Need?

The more assets you have, the more you should spend on your car insurance. Your liability insurance should be high enough to cover the total value of the net worth. 

2. What Type of Car Do I Drive?

Some cards require more coverage than others. For example, the bodywork of a sports car costs more than repairs of a regular vehicle. Moreover, sports cars are at higher risk to be stolen. Therefore, if you are a lucky owner of this type of car, you need more expensive insurance. 

3. How Much Do I Love My Car?

If you really love your vehicle and want it looked and fixed perfectly, then you should probably consider the fullest range of insurance, including glass, collision, and comprehensive coverage. Yes, this means you will have to spend more money, but it is also a guarantee that your vehicle is fully protected.

However, regardless of how much money you decide to spend on your auto insurance, it is also important to know that the state of New York requires all car owners to carry at least minimum liability insurance. 

If you are searching for the best coverage for your car and want it to be protected, NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency serving Albany, NY is ready to guide you through all the options available. Call us today to talk to one of our experienced agents. 

As a driver in the  Albany, NY area, you know that certain types of auto coverages are required by state law. What drivers often miss when purchasing an auto policy, are the various add on policy options that can provide additional coverage to drivers and their passengers. The agents at the NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency have put together a list of essential policy options that one should consider when purchasing an auto policy. 

Collision Coverage 

Although your policy will cover damage to other peoples’ vehicles when you are at fault in an accident, it does not cover damage to your car. Collision coverage will cover the cost to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident. If you own an expensive luxury car, this is an essential add on to consider. 

Emergency roadside coverage 

Breaking down on the side of a highway at night can be scary. Emergency roadside coverage will give you the peace of mind that you will be assisted quickly.

Rental car coverage 

In the event your car is in an accident and has to go into the body shop for repair, rental car coverage will reimburse you for the cost of the rental car. 

Rideshare coverage 

If you are a driver for one of the rideshare companies, it is critical to consider this valuable coverage. The coverage provided by your company typically only covers you when you are on a trip with a customer. However, rideshare coverage will cover you in the event you are logged into the application waiting for your next pick up request. 

Pet coverage 

If you ride with your pet, often, you may want to consider pet coverage. Pet coverage will help with the vet bills in the event your pet is injured in an accident. 

If you are interested in learning more about auto insurance, reach out to an agent at the NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency today. We proudly serve the Albany, NY area. 

Every driver in Albany, NY is required to be insured at the state minimum levels. Unlike most other states, New York is a no-fault state, which means that the insurance companies reimburse the respective drivers for the damages and injuries in an accident without worrying about who was actually at fault in the accident.

At NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, we help our clients find the best policy and coverage to suit their own needs. Most people don’t feel they need more than the minimum, but some prefer extra coverage in case the claim is more serious or if they want extra kinds of protection.

But what happens if the person in an accident does not have a valid driver’s license, and is not even legally entitled to be on the road? New York allows unlicensed people to register vehicles, but they are not allowed to drive those vehicles until the individuals are properly licensed. Most insurance companies prefer not to sell a policy to an unlicensed driver because it could end up in liability issues for the insurance company.

If you lend your vehicle to a friend without a driver’s license, thinking your insurance will cover any accidents, you could end up being liable for any damages caused by your friend. It may feel unfair, but you need to make sure your friends and relatives are licensed before you lend your vehicle to them.

Driving in Albany, NY is a necessary fact of life for any, and it is important to be protected. If you are worried you may not have enough protection in your own policy, or if you just have any questions, please feel free to call  NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency today.

Ridesharing has become big business. It is not only very convenient but it is considerably less expensive than taking a cab and in general, the coverage area is much more extensive. It is a great way to get around and it is also a great way to earn some extra income or even to do full time. You do need to use your own vehicle however and so the question of what kind of auto insurance you need as a rideshare driver in Albany, NY is vital. At NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency we have the experienced staff to help make sure you have the coverage you need.

New York State enacted TNC (Transportation Network Company) laws, these require a rideshare driver to carry $1,250,000 in liability coverage per accident when they have a passenger in their car. UBER provides this insurance to their drivers while they have a passenger in the vehicle, Lyft provides $1,000,000 which means you are going to need to have the additional $250,000 of required insurance on your own.

Both companies also offered some liability coverage while you have the app on but have not yet accepted a ride or on the way to pick up the ride. However, when your app is not on, you are required to carry the minimum amount of insurance required by the state of New York or by the company or bank who holds your loan or lease. You must carry $10,000 property damage, $25,000 bodily injury with a max of $50,000 and $50,000 per death up to 2 people. If you have a loan or lease you will also need collision and comprehensive insurance.

All of these figures and facts can be complicated. It is important that you as a rideshare driver have all the coverage you need. At NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY we are here to help you make sure that you are protected. Give us a call or stop by our office for a no-obligation quote.

When you’re in an accident, your car insurance is a vital component of your recovery plan. However, you don’t have to wait for a vehicular crisis to get real value from your coverage. Here are some perks that the experts at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency can add to your Albany, NY area auto insurance contract that make your everyday life just a little easier.

• Roadside assistance. Running short on gas, blowing a tire on the freeway, or locking yourself out of your car doesn’t have to be a tragedy. With roadside assistance, you’re always one phone call away from fast and friendly relief.
• Travel discounts. From restaurants to motor lodges, your insurance company often works with other businesses to provide discounts and other advantages to their drivers.
• Navigation assistance. Getting around isn’t always easy. Your insurance company may offer complimentary or discount navigation services that make road trips safer and more fun.
• Gap insurance. That shiny new car starts to lose value the second you drive it off the lot. What happens if your vehicle gets totaled long before you pay it off? Gap coverage ensures you won’t ever have to pay out-of-pocket if your car gets irreparably damaged, even if you’re still paying on it.
• Bundle discounts. Your car isn’t the only thing you use insurance to protect. When you buy your life, home, and auto insurance from the same agency, you can realize big savings on your premiums.
• Umbrella coverage. There are times when your primary auto coverage isn’t quite enough. For those times, an additional umbrella policy ensures you always have enough to rebuild, rebuy, and regroup.

NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency customizes auto insurance policies for businesses and residents in the Albany, NY area. Contact their offices to learn more about making the most out of your auto insurance.

It’s important to feel protected when you’re on the roads of Albany, NY. One of the best ways to feel protected is with auto insurance that you can depend on. There are a few ways to ensure that your insurance meets the needs of your family. Our independent insurance agents at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency can assist with this, too.

Meet State Minimums

First and foremost, you have to make sure that you meet the state minimums for auto insurance in New York. This is all about the liability coverage that you have to have. If you have a lienholder on your lease or purchase, they may have certain minimums of coverage that you have to adhere to as well.

Explore Added Coverage

Added coverage is where you can determine to go above state requirements. If you have teen drivers, you may want to bump up the liability coverage so that you’re not caught without enough coverage to take care of an accident. You may also want to get collision coverage if you have hit something on the road, such as a guard rail. If you have had windshield damage or been involved in a hit and run, comprehensive coverage can make a lot of sense, too.

Work with an Insurance Agent

An insurance agent will help you with the various components of insurance. They can recommend certain insurance products to keep you and your family protected on the road. They’ll identify what the cost of insurance is and provide quotes from different insurance companies. This way, you can balance coverage with cost to feel more comfortable with the policy that you ultimately get.

Call us at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency to discuss your auto insurance needs. We can customize a policy to give you the protection that you need in Albany, NY.

Before you allow another person to drive your car, check with your agent at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, serving Albany, NY and the nearby communities. Most, but not all, auto policies have a provision for the insured person to let a “causal” driver use their vehicle. Be aware that each insurance underwriter defines a casual driver differently. Some auto policies explicitly prohibit anyone except an authorized driver on the policy to be covered.

It’s Not Worth the Risk to Lend Your Car

It may not be worth the added risk to allow a casual driver to borrow your car. Anything that goes wrong may ultimately become your responsibility. This includes accidents, parking tickets, and if the car is stolen. A litigation nightmare can come from a stolen car involved in a crime or an accident. It is really upsetting when something like this happens and it is not your fault.

If the need to lend a car is so compelling and you just cannot say no, then consider paying for a rental car that the person can use and get the added insurance when renting it.

Adding Another Authorized Driver

If the person will drive your vehicle more than once, even if infrequently, consider adding them as an authorized driver to your insurance policy. When you do this, their driving record will become part of the insurance company’s consideration when deciding about the auto insurance premium. A good driver around your same age will add to the monthly premium but probably not by an outrageous amount. However, a driver with a bad driving record will cost quite a lot to add to a policy. A young driver, especially a teenage one, will cost quite a bit to add to your auto policy.

Conclusion

It is not a small thing to let someone drive your car. If you still want to do this, check with your agent first and consider adding them to your policy. Get a quote by calling your agent at NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY.

If you drive in Albany, NY, you know that you need to carry insurance to drive. Hopefully, you spoke to your agent when you purchased your policy so you would understand the terms of your policy. At NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, we make sure everyone knows that we are happy to spend as much time as they need answering any questions they may have. But it doesn’t do much good to have insurance if you don’t know how to use it. 

One of the most important things to do after an accident, even if you don’t think you are at fault, is to make a report. The law only requires the report if damages exceed $1,000 or if there is an injury, but people don’t always know how much repairs cost or if they have whiplash until later. You don’t want to get into trouble for breaking the rules because the penalties can be serious.

New York is a no-fault state, so it doesn’t matter who caused the accident. You will need to submit the claim through your own insurance company, and they are responsible for paying. If you were in a vehicle, you should file with your own company, but if you were a pedestrian and hit by a vehicle, you will need to file with the company that insured the vehicle which hit you. If you live in Albany, NY but get into an accident in another state, you will still be able to file your claim through your own insurer.

When you notify your insurance you are filing a claim, you will get an application to fill out that explains your benefits, rights, and responsibilities. Go ahead and take care of it right away to get things started, but don’t forget there are time limits too. If you have any questions or need to purchase an auto insurance policy for yourself or someone else, feel free to call NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency today for a free quote.

Car owners are always in need of extra money, and the majority of them are considering listing their vehicle in a car-sharing service program. Online companies are offering drivers the option to rent their automobile to another licensed driver who is in immediate need of transportation. Each transaction is set up through an online service that matches renters with car owners in the same market. The outline of the car-sharing program is simple: the more days you make your car available on the app, the more money you stand to earn each month. 

However, the thought of allowing a total stranger to have access to your vehicle can become an uneasy situation. Most of the concern lies in the area of who is liable if an automobile accident occurs. Car owners must get verification on which party is responsible for the repairs. 

Individual Auto Insurance Policies Won’t Cover Car-Sharing Programs

It’s not shocking to learn that most car insurance providers will not cover an automobile used in a car-sharing program. Their biggest complaint is not knowing the driving history of the individual behind the wheel. Also, providers may have a problem with insurers using their vehicle in a money-making adventure. Agents from NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency in Albany, NY can explain how expenses could exceed the cap set within an individual auto insurance policy. They will show how commercial auto insurance might be a better option for this style of driving. 

Car-Sharing Companies Offer a Wide Range of Insurance Coverage

The terms and policies may differ between each car-sharing companies, but all do offer auto insurance (collision, liability and comprehensive) coverage to car owners, renters, and third-party victims. The primary coverage goes into effect during the period when the owner delivers the vehicle to the renter for use and concludes when the automobile is returned. Collision and comprehensive coverage safeguards against theft, vandalism and other damages to the car. Having liability insurance will come in handy if the vehicle is involved in an accident and the renter is ruled to be responsible for the crash.