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Bryan Insurance Agency, LLC

287 Windsor Hwy, Suite 350
New Windsor, NY 12553

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Understanding Auto Insurance in New York

Auto insurance for vehicle owners and drivers is mandatory in the state of New York. More specifically, liability coverage as part of auto insurance is required. If this coverage is not maintained, the DMV can suspend your vehicle registration. The other serious consequence of having adequate insurance coverage is having to pay large amounts of bills due to vehicle accidents or repair. Even if you don’t use the vehicle, as long as your vehicle’s registration is valid, you need to maintain an auto insurance policy.

Another requirement is that you need to acquire your insurance policy from a registered company licensed by the New York State Department of Financial Services and certified by the New York State DMV. Any out of state insurance is not going to be acceptable. There can be one or two names on the vehicle registration. The insurance policy must be on the same name as the vehicle registration and the documents to prove insurance should be available in the vehicle at all times. In case you have insurance, but your car is not registered, you have 180 days from the effective date on your insurance ID card.

The state of New York requires you to have a certain minimum limit for property damage, bodily injuries, and death. Your local insurance agent should be able to guide you to a policy that meets these requirements. It is highly recommended that you get in touch with a registered and reputed insurance agency to get your insurance policy. Bryan Insurance Agency, LLC, serving New Windsor, NY, is one such agency that can guide you on choosing the best-personalized insurance policy for you. You can find all the contact information on our website. The agents at Bryan Insurance Agency, LLC, serving New Windsor, NY, are ready to help you get a quote and find you a policy.

What Is the Difference Between Term Life and Whole Life Insurance

In this regard, there are two major types of life insurance policies. They are term life insurance and permanent life insurance. The most straightforward kind of permanent life insurance policy is whole life insurance. Due to the similarities it has with term life insurance, people often take one for the other. So, we will explain what the differences are.

Term Life Insurance

As implemented by Bryan Insurance Agency, LLC, located in New Windsor, NY, term life insurance involves the payment of an agreed death benefit during a stipulated term, when the policyholder dies within the term. When the term lapses, it can be renewed for another term, terminated, or converted to permanent coverage.

Whole Life Insurance

This is a permanent life insurance policy that provides lifelong coverage. For this policy, the cash value account grows at a stipulated rate. Also, when you purchase the policy, the death benefit is guaranteed, and the premium remains the same as long as you are alive.

Their Similarities

  • For both insurance policies, their premiums generally remain the same.
  • The second similarity is that a life insurance payout is guaranteed for both of them.
  • They are both straightforward and simple to understand.

Their Differences

  • A whole life insurance policy is usually more expensive than a term life insurance policy.
  • Term life insurance (TLI) offers a choice of policy length, while that is not known in a whole life insurance plan (WLI).
  • WLI provides lifelong coverage, while TLI doesn’t. Its term can expire before the death of the policyholder.
  • The premium of TLI is generally lower.
  • The cash value for WLI accumulates while that of TLI does not.

Conclusively, both of them have their advantages and disadvantages, so you can’t say one is better than the other. You only need to check their features and choose the one that suits you best. For more information, contact Bryan Insurance Agency, LLC in New Windsor, NY.

5 Tips to Winterize Your Car

When the weather drops to freezing temperatures, it is crucial to winterize your vehicle to ensure that you minimize the risk of anything wrong happening. When you need assistance with any of your insurance needs, contact Bryan Insurance Agency, LLC with your questions.

1. Consider Snow Tires

Although snow tires are an additional expense, they can create more stable and safe driving conditions. Since snow tires can lead to decreased MPG, you should only put on snow tires during the harshest winter months.

2. Check Your Fluids

Whether it be your oil, antifreeze, or windshield washer fluid, all levels must be completely topped off. While this should already be a component of the routine maintenance done on your vehicle, it is even more important in the winter when car problems can mean getting stranded.

3. Flush the Heater

To prepare for the colder weather, take your car to a trusted mechanic in New Windsor, NY to have the heater flushed, which refers to the cleaning of the heater core tubes. Flushing the heater allows it to operate more efficiently and provide hotter air sooner on cold days. 

4. Pack an Emergency Kit

If there is even the smallest chance that you will be stranded, you’ll want to be prepared. Leave a survival bag in your vehicle that includes items like first aid supplies, a charger for your phone, flashlights, blankets, and snacks for an overnight on the highway.

5. Check Your Tire Tread

If you are not planning to put winter tires on your car, then make sure that the tires have plenty of tread on them because this helps ensure stability and traction on icy roads.

When it comes to your auto needs, don’t trust your insurance with just anyone. Visit Bryan Insurance Agency, LLC serving New Windsor, NY, and let us help you.

3 Reasons Why Commercial Insurance Is So Important

When you have a business, you have to make sure that you protect it. The best way to accomplish this is with commercial insurance. At Bryan Insurance Agency, LLC in New Windsor, NY, we’re here to help you understand why you need a good policy.

Secure Your Property

You may have a number of components regarding your business. This includes a business location, inventory, and more. With the right commercial insurance policy, you can secure your property effectively. It ensures that if you have any issue within your business, whether it’s a break-in, a fire, or something else, your property is protected.

Avoid Expensive Lawsuits

A commercial policy will provide you with liability coverage. This makes it easy to avoid expensive lawsuits in the event that your employees damage property or someone gets injured on your property. You can file a claim and let the insurance company take care of the details as opposed to potentially bankrupting you because of one accident.

Keep your Business Going

Ultimately, you need to make sure that you keep your business going. Since there’s no way to know what can happen, a commercial policy allows you to plan for the unexpected. A variety of different types of insurance can be added to your policy so that it is comprehensive. This includes business interruption insurance that provides you with the necessary revenue if you need to close your doors due to unforeseen circumstances.

Every business is different and, therefore, every policy needs to be different. What you add to your business policy is of the utmost importance.

Secure your business more effectively by contacting us at Bryan Insurance Agency, LLC in New Windsor, NY. One of our insurance agents can customize a policy and get you the quotes that you need. It will ensure that you are protected all year long.

 

Is there a difference between homeowners insurance and condominium insurance?

Anyone living in New York, and the surrounding areas, knows that having a stand-alone single-family home is very desirable. However, the average cost of a home in more popular parts of New York can be very expensive. The median price of a home is $726,000. That means you probably have to be a millionaire to own a home in most parts of New York City.

The average rent is $2,995 per month for an apartment that is around 716 square feet in the city. If those prices seem high, you can always go across the water to Manhattan where the prices double, triple, and maybe quadruple for the same thing.

For those who are not able to afford a single-family home, many homeowners have a condominium or own an apartment in a cooperative building. The agents at Bryan Insurance Agency, LLC in New Windsor, NY focus on helping clients throughout the state.

Home Insurance versus Condo Insurance

The goal of having insurance for your home or condo is the same. You want to protect it against the risk of financial loss due to damage to the structure and also have sufficient insurance to protect the contents, which are called “personal property.”

The main difference between home insurance and condominium/apartment insurance is that condos have what are called "common areas," such as hallways, elevators and the lobby. Also, a condo may share walls, ceilings, and floors with other condominiums or parts of the building. If someone has an accidental kitchen fire in the condo below yours and it burns upward to damage your place too; who is responsible? This is the kind of problem that should concern you.

Analysis of Your Home or Condo Insurance for ‘Gaps’

The key to understanding your insurance coverage for a condo is to carefully analyze the insurance that the building or condominium association maintains for the common areas. You need to understand what your insurance covers and what is covered by the building’s insurance. Then, look for “gaps” in insurance coverage. Gaps are where something bad can happen that is not sufficiently covered by any insurance.

Get Your Insurance Agent to Help

Luckily, you do not have to do this alone. If you are considering buying a new home or condominium in New York, work with your agent at Bryan Insurance Agency, LLC to get a quote. For condos, get a copy of the insurance that covers the building and common areas to give to your agent.

If you already have home or condo insurance, get a complimentary insurance review so that your agent can explain any gaps in insurance coverage, which you may not even be aware that exist. For a home or a condo, you need to make sure all your personal property is covered as well.

Give us a call or visit our office in New Windsor, NY, so we can help you to be sure there is adequate insurance coverage to protect you.