House tools photo by photos_of_money used under CC 2.0

The weekend is coming and Spring is sprung, so this is a perfect time to take a few minutes and give your house a Spring inspection to see how your home fared the winter, and what maintenence and updates are needed.

Print out this Spring Home Inspection Sheet from handyguyspodcast.com and take a walk around your house – inside and out.

Now that you know everything that needs to be done, pick one item and do it today.  Then go off and enjoy your weekend – it’s beautiful outside!

Next weekend….check out these 10 Home-Maintenance Tips for Spring.

Motorcycle photo by driver photographer

Today is officially the first day of spring, even though it has felt like it for weeks. If you haven’t thought about getting your bike back on the road this year, then you probably haven’t been outside lately. I’ve seen motorcycles all over the Albany area for weeks already.  In fact, you could have been riding all winter with the weather we had.

If you are looking at buying your first bike, then it is important to discuss with your agent the differences between motorcycle and automobile insurance, especially in regards to the coverage you have (or don’t have) for injuries.

Also, make sure to tell them about any customizations you have done to the bike so that you can have adequate coverage.

We have access to several companies that write motorcycle insurance and can help you find the coverage that is right for you at the best available price. Contact us for a free quote today!

Happy riding!

Let’s see what we can learn from this:

I bet that ruined his vacation.

There’s a lot going on there, here a little of what we can learn from it –

• It’s important to make sure you have adequate insurance when you rent a car, whether by having the coverage on your personal auto policy or by buying the insurance from the rental company.
• Having the New York State minimum limit for property damage for auto insurance may not be enough.  The NYS minimum limit is $10,000.  That will likely not be enough to cover this accident.  Let’s all hope he had higher limits than that.  Let’s hope you do, too.
• You can have flood damage even if you live way up on a hill.  This damage was flood.  The homeowners policy would most likely not cover it.  Luckily the car stuck around, so the homeowner will likely be reimbursed for his damages, but had that car fled the scene, the homeowner would have been out of luck without flood insurance.  You don’t have to live in a valley by the water to get flooded.
• Never stop in the road to take photos!!!

Photo by Michelle Tribe used under CC 2.0

Ever wonder if the insurance you have is the insurance that is right for you?  Everyone is different and has different insurance needs.  Plus, people change, and your insurance may need to evolve to keep up. 

Maybe you just moved out on your own.  Maybe your are getting married.  Maybe you have three kids and a puppy, or maybe you are settling into retirement.  For wherever you are in your life, you need insurance customized to fit your needs. 

This is where having an agent comes in handy – in a huge way.  Talk to your agent about what coverage you need.  Talk about what coverage is best to cover your financial future – not your car, not your house – your future.

Try this personalized guide to coverages for an idea of what kind of questions to ask, then make sure you call and ask them.  Questions are good – don’t be shy.  Our number is at the top of this page.  Call and ask away.

Photo by Tim Phillips

A 5.8 earthquake just hit Virginia and the shaking was felt up and down the east coast, and right here in the Capital District.  We felt it in our office.

We haven’t heard of any reports of damage locally, but it brought a question to mind: “Am I Covered for Earthquakes?”

The answer to that is: probably not.

Most homeowners insurance policies in New York exclude earthquakes as a covered loss.  However, if you wish, you can add an endorsement to add earthquake coverage to your policy.

Ask your agent if you have coverage and what  your options are if you’d like to add it.

By the way, did you feel the earthquake?

Photo by Michael David Pedersen

Okay, so you bought homeowners insurance or renters insurance. That means all your belongings are covered, right? Well, maybe.

All policies have certain limitations and there are usually limits on specific classes of items.  Items like jewelry, fine arts, antiques, silverware, china, and other types of high value items need to be carefully considered, when making your insurance plan.

Your passions and hobbies often fall into these categories as well: musical instruments, photography equipment, sports equipment, stamp & coin collections, collectibles, guns, sound equipment.

Your agent can help you decide how best to insure your items.  It may be possible to increase the class limits with blanket coverage, or scheduling individual items may be the way to go.  Your agent can help you understand your options.

If you’ve invested in a high value item, it is worth insuring it properly.  Call your agent to discuss your valuables with them, and whether they are properly covered. And, when you purchase an item of value, let your agent know so they can check your coverage.

If you would like to discuss how your valuable items are covered, feel free to call us at 518-785-3700.

Photo By Danielle Elder

There is no need to pay more than you have to for your auto insurance.  Take advantage of discounts and payment options so that you get the most value for your insurance dollar. 

It is better to spend your money on better coverage than on fees or missed discounts.

Here are a few things you can do to lower what you pay:

1. Pay In Full – If it is something you can do, then you should.  When you pay your insurance in installments, most companies charge a small installment fee.  Paying a policy in full may get you a Paid in Full Discount, or at the very least save you money on installment fees each month. 
2. Pay By EFT – If you can’t pay it in full, consider paying by EFT (Electronic File Transfer).  By having the insurance company automatically make your monthly payment from your checking account or credit card, you could be eligible for an EFT Discount, or lower monthly installment fees.
3. Pay on Time – Regardless fo your payment plan, make sure you bills get paid on time.  Late fees add up – fast, and paying late fees is just throwing money away.
4. Take the Defensive Driver Course – Taking a defensive driver course is an investment that may save you big.  This course saves you money on your insurance for 3 years!
5. Put Your Policies with the Same Company - This is not always possible, but check as to whether you can put your homeowners, renters, or even boat  insurance policies with the same company to get Account Discounts.
6. Link Your Billing – If you have multiple policies with the same insurance company, ask if you can link the bills.  You may be able to save on installment fees when you get just one bill.
7. Plan Ahead – If you are looking to start a new insurance policy, don’t wait until that day to ask your agent for quotes.  Some companies give discounts for quoting early.  By calling early and getting the ball rolling on it, you may save yourself some money.
8. Be a Good Driver – This one is a no-brainer.  Your driving record affects your insurance premium.  Put your seatbelt on – always.  Don’t text or use a cell phone while driving.  Pay attention and be careful!
9. Maintain Good Credit – Once factor most insurance companies are using is an Insurance Score which includes credit.  Maintaining good credit makes a significant difference on your auto insurance premium.  Keep an eye on your credit report to make sure it is accurate.

Use your money for better coverage rather than installment fees and late charges.  Ask your agent which of these options could save you money on your policy.

Photo by Chris Corwin

When you’re driving up the Northway, you may think that talking on your cell phone or even texting isn’t that big a deal.  After all, it’s a straight flat road, right?  But, think of all the times you’ve been sitting on the Northway in Clifton Park with traffic like a parking lot.  Something happened to cause that accident in front of you.  No one is immune to accidents.

Far too often there are people on the highway who are driving distracted.  They’re on their phones, texting, eating cereal – you wouldn’t believe.  I saw someone just last week on 787 driving with his left foot out the window, barefoot.

Everyone always thinks that they are perfectly safe doing whatever they are doing…until they are in an accident.  But the fact of the matter is, the human mind does not focus on multiple tasks equally.  When your focus is on something it is less on something else.

Just remember to ease up on the multitasking, and focus on the driving. Have your attention on the road, so when something unexpected happens, you don’t miss it.

Photo By B Rosen

Anyone can be the victim of Identity Theft. There are things you can do to minimize your risk, but if you have an identity then it is at risk of being stolen. A coverage is available on your homeowners (or renters) insurance policy to help you should you be the victim of identity fraud.

This Identity Fraud coverage can reimburse your expenses incurred to restore your identity including:

• Reimbursement for Medical ID Fraud Expenses
• Travel Expenses
• New Government IDs
• Tax ID Fraud-Related Costs
• Lost wages
• Attorneys’ fees

It may also provide resolution services to help reclaim your identity and restore credit, and guidance from a consumer fraud specialist.

This coverage is very reasonably priced and the expert advice alone is worth the price of the coverage.  Ask us about adding this coverage to your policy.

Learn more about ID fraud, and how to deter, detect, and defend at The FTC’s site Fighting Back Against Identity Theft.

Because of The Fair Credit Reporting Act, you are eligible to receive a credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies once each year (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion).  This report does not give your credit score, but does show all things effecting your credit rating (loans, liens, collections, etc).

The only ONLY authorized source for this free credit report is AnnualCreditReport.com (or 877-322-8228).  There are many other sites that claim to give you a free credit report, but this is the only authorized site.  Don’t give your personal information to sites claiming to provide you a credit report without researching them carefully – they may just be phishing for your personal information.  It is a very good idea to periodically obtain your free credit report and verify that the items listed are correct.