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Twin Bridges Insurance Agency

1881 Western Avenue, Suite 210
Albany, NY 12203

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Importance of Life Insurance in Albany, NY

Having life insurance in Albany, NY is an important thing once you get to certain point in your life, because you need to provide for those you leave behind in the event something tragic or unexpected happens to you. Below are some reasons to set up a life insurance policy with NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency, who serves the greater Albany, NY area, so you can be sure those you care about will be taken care of in case something happens to you.

YOU CAN’T PREDICT THE FUTURE

Having life insurance is just a safety net for all the things that could happen and it doesn’t cost much per month to ensure family members will be taken care of after you are gone. This piece of mind is worth every penny you pay into the policy which will inevitably pay out some day to those you care about most, and it assuages that undeniable fact that you can’t predict the future.

ALLOWS YOU TO LIVE YOUR LIFE

Having life insurance actually allows you more freedom to do things you may be hesitant to do because of what would happen to your loved ones if a tragedy occurred. So by having this life insurance policy, life actually becomes more fulfilling with more possibilities.

GIVES YOUR FAMILY PIECE OF MIND

While those who would benefit from a life insurance policy would be devastated, they at least have piece of mind to know they would be taken care of by the life insurance policy you had set up. So it gives them piece of mind as well and that is why insurance is so important — so you can live with less worry.

How Local Insurance Agencies Serve Those in Their Communities

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.

 

How Independent Insurance Agents in Albany Are Your Advocates

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.

 

How to Deal With Workplace Injuries

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.

Life Insurance Myths Uncovered In Albany, NY

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

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.

 

 

How To Shop For Life Insurance In New York

Millions of people call New York their home. There are many large cities and even smaller ones that offer a quieter way of life. Regardless of what city or town you call your home, it’s important to know how to shop for life insurance.

There are several terms you want to familiarize yourself with in order to know more about the insurance.

Award: The amount of the life insurance policy when it is paid to a beneficiary

Term life: Survivor benefits are paid for a specific term

Whole life: Survivor benefits are paid regardless of a term and there is a cash value

Term life policies are the least expensive and there is no cash value if you stop making the payments. The term is only valid for a certain number of years and this is a term that you have to identify early on.

If you choose whole life (or universal), you will have the protection for life as long as you can maintain the payments.

There’s a lot to decide and when you get online quotes; it can help you understand the costs as well as make some comparisons. You have to decide between term and whole life insurance in New York and decide on the company to go with as well.

We have insurance agents to help you with all of these decisions. You want to have a policy that is able to protect your loved ones. In the event of your death, you want to make sure you have the financial protection to cover them.

Let us help you get online quotes so that you can make comparisons and weigh the pros and cons between the different types of insurance that is available.

 

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Is Cyber Security Insurance Worth it?

Many businesses approach cyber security in a nonchalant manner in Albany, New York, mostly because managers think that the likelihood of getting hacked is slim to none, so they think they don’t need this type of business insurance. The truth is data breaches are common and the costs are phenomenal. Price Waterhouse Coopers estimates that companies average about 135 incidents each year, but they surveyed many companies that were not aware of a breach until notified by the FBI. Data incidents are happening more frequently, and some businesses are not aware of the threats.

How Data Breaches Impact Your Business
Data breaches reach beyond the IT department in many companies; the potential for risks are increased. If you consider the fact that networks allow users to access information on your network, the problem grows larger. Data breaches, even those resulting from minor operations disruptions, result in costs associated with:

•    Loss in productivity
•    Rebuilding your brand 
•    Fees for failing to comply with government regulations
•    Forensics used to track and remove the threat

In fact, Price Waterhouse Coopers estimates that the average cost to a company recovering from a cyber-attack is about $415,000. Fortunately, purchasing data breach insurance will help your organization save money when it comes to getting your business back operational.

Protect Your Business by Aligning with an Independent Agent
Independent agents offer a vastly different service from captive insurance agents, or agents who typically represent one company and offer limited services. If your business is concerned about the potential for cyber threats, contacting our local office is your first step to taking the necessary measures to ensure you are protected. After a thorough assessment of your business needs, our agents may be able to help you protect your business from cyber threats, threats to your property due to weather, and car accident in Albany, New York.

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The Benefits of Working with an Independent Agent vs. A Captive Agent

Whether you operate a small business or a large organization, getting the most for your money is always important. Since your business needs business insurance, it makes sense to understand what options you have available when you purchase business insurance, primarily whether to purchase your insurance from an independent agent or a captive agent.

Understanding the Difference between an Independent and a Captive Agent
Many people do not recognize a difference between the companies they choose to purchase their business insurance from within Watervliet, New York. An independent insurance agent works for an agency that sells insurance products for many different insurance companies. A captive insurance agent sells limited products and services associated with only their brand. 

You Get Competitive Rates by Working with an Independent Agent
As a result of captive agents selling products and services created and priced by their business exclusively, your business doesn’t always get the best rate when you request insurance quotes. The quote you get is the established rate the company determined was fair for the product. 
Fortunately, with an independent insurance agent you get a competitive rate. Independent agents search the market for the best value for your business based on your needs. 

You Get Excellent Customer Service with an Independent Agent
For businesses, purchasing insurance means you need a working relationship with your insurance agent. Employee changes, changes affecting policy limits, and adding additional insurance products require communicating with your insurance agent on a regular basis. Independent insurance agents provide quality customer service during the sale and while maintaining your account; you are not simply an account, but a valued customer.

Ensure your business with the variety of insurance products offered by independent agents. By purchasing from them, you can get quotes, competitive rates, and quality service that lasts the duration of your working relationship.

 

 

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5 Business Changes That Warrant a New Insurance Quote in Albany, NY

No business owner in Albany, NY wants to think about insurance, but it is an integral part of their business. After all, without it, they are seriously exposed to major risk. While insurance may not be the most fun and exciting thing in the world, it is an obligation that must be continue to be fulfilled in order your business to remain intact and operate smoothly.

However, once you get that policy in place, you are from done. You still need o review your coverage yearly and make sure that it still covers you sufficiently after any changes that occurred throughout the year. If you aren’t sure what changes may require that you get a new business insurance quote, here are five:

  1. Employees Are Hired/Fired – When changes are made to your current staff load by any method, then your entire coverage may need to change. If you hire several new employees, then your Workers’ Compensation policy may need to be upped a notch to ensure all employees are protected if injured while working.

  2. Business Relocates – If you start off in a small home office or a small office building, you may move to a large space as your business grows. Even if you are currently protected with a BOP, it’s likely that you’ll need more due to changes in security risks, natural disaster exposure, etc.

  3. New Equipment – Your rate for Property Insurance will vary depending on the amount and type of equipment that you and your business use. When you purchase new pieces, it’s a good thing to consult with your independent agent to ensure everything is good. If it’s not, get it adjusted immediately.

  4. New Products/Services – When you introduce a new product or service, you may need to add to your Professional Liability or General Liability Products and Completed Operations coverage to ensure that you are protected in the event that something goes wrong with your new product/service.

  5. Revenue Declines/Increases – This is not by just a few bucks. If your revenue significantly jumps or declines, then you need to talk about your coverage. If you are seeing a decline in revenue, you can probably save money by lowering your premium for things that may no longer be necessary. If you re seeing a boost, then you need to make sure that you are protecting more assets.

If any of these five instances have occurred, then it’s time to give our agents a call so that we can evaluate your current commercial insurance, make the necessary changes and compare it to other available offers before settling on your new policy that will protect your business in the 12203 area.