What Is Insurance Really For?

Thanksgiving has almost arrived. This is the time of year when we sit back and reflect on all the things that we are thankful for. What immediately comes to mind?

For most of us its things like our family, our home, and our good health. And guess what they have in common? All of these things are what insurance protects!

That’s why it is so important to me that my clients have excellent insurance coverage.

It’s not just about having an ID card in your car so you don’t get a ticket or fulfilling your mortgage company’s minimum loan requirements.

Insurance is there to make sure that if the worst happens, you can recover from it. It might not be easy, but we’re here to ease the financial burden after your house burns own or a loved one passes away.

All of those TV commercials that just tell you to find the cheapest rate are completely wrong! Of course no one wants to pay more than they have to, but it’s not the most important part of the equation.

Rather than looking for a cheap bare bones policy, take the time to interview and meet with local agents. See who is looking for the best coverage and truly meeting your needs while keeping the rate affordable. Ask about how they handle claims and if they do annual policy reviews.

This Thanksgiving, our agency is extremely thankful for all of our wonderful clients. If you need a local agent to look out for your most prized possessions, give us a call at

888-565-2212 today for a free no-obligation quote. Bryan Insurance is Long Island’s leading homeowners insurance agent.

3 Easy Home Maintenance Tasks for July

Regular home maintenance is important and frequently overlooked, especially in the summer. Let’s face it, the summer goes by so fast, who has time to worry about all the inner workings of the house? We tend to forget about our air conditioning system. That is, until it quits working on the hottest day of the summer! That's why, we're providing a few simple tasks and reminders you can do each month to keep your home in tip top shape all year long.

Here’s some quick Home Maintenance To-Do’s that take less than 30 minutes each!

1.)  Do an energy audit.  Hot weather is a great time to find all the spots in your home where air may be sneaking in.  Plugging those leaks can save as much as 20% on your heating and cooling bills!  

Look at every door and window area for places where you can see daylight through a crack or feel a draft.  Don't forget the mail slot and fireplace too!  If you'd rather use a professional, contact your utility company for a recommendation on a home energy auditor.

2.)  Protect your patio furniture.  You probably have all of your nice outdoor furniture in use right now.  Make sure to take a few minutes to clean it each week (and protect it during storms) and it will last for many years.  

Check the tags on pillows and cushions for specific cleaning instructions and regularly hose down the furniture itself. Remember, patio cushions are a favorite place for busy squirrels so try to keep them protected!  

3.)  Save on Home Insurance.  If we don't currently insure your home, call us for a quote today.  We'll look for every possible discount without sacrificing important coverage.  Great insurance coverage is the best protection you can have!

At the Bryan Insurance Agency, we are the experts at keeping you safe this summer and saving you money. We can help you with your insurance wherever you whether it be New Windsor, Long Island, the Hudson Valley or any area in New York. Call us or visit us online today for a quote on your home insurance. 888.565.2212.

What To Do When Your Home Is Vacant

Selling your home can be a stressful process, especially when it doesn't move quickly.  With a new job looming or the purchase of a new house, you may have no choice but to leave the home vacant for a short time until it sells.  

The problem?  Vacant homes fall under different insurance rules and can leave you at risk.  Homes are typically considered vacant when the utilities are shut off and/or furniture has been removed.  If you forget to tell your agent that your home is vacant, you might not be covered in the event of a loss

Insurance companies view a vacant home as a higher risk.  There are more opportunities for vandalism and no one living there to protect the home from fire or storm damage. 

So what should you do when moving?

First you need to talk to your insurance agent and get the details on your policy.  Since policies vary by state and insurance company, there is no single right answer.  Sometimes an insurance company can make an exception to your current homeowners policy if you give them a heads up ahead of time.

If you do have to purchase a separate policy to cover your home as a vacant home, many carriers allow you to do this for a shorter period of time such as 3, 6 or 9 month increments.

Explain the situation to your agent.  Ask what coverage is included and what is excluded (specifically for vandalism).  Also, you want to find out what changes can be made to protect your home. For example, investing in an inexpensive alarm or camera system might help not only in the insurance cost but also in your peace of mind. You can also look into having your real estate agent or a property manager periodically check in on the property every few days to be sure that the house is okay.

Selling a home doesn't always follow a quick timeline.  If you're facing the possibility of leaving your home vacant, contact us first and find out how to best protect yourself and your property.  

                                                                             

At the Bryan Insurance Agency, we are the leading agent for vacant homes and homes under construction in the Hudson Valley and Long Island. Contact us for a quick tips sheet on how to keep your home safe. You can reach us at 888-565-2212 or online at http://www.bryanagency.com 

Insuring Your Wedding Rings

Did you know that June is the most popular month for weddings? 

I’ve seen many of my clients planning and preparing for their wedding over the next few weeks.  So I thought I’d share an insurance tip this week just for engaged couples and newlyweds.

You’re spending a lot of money on your wedding and those new rings.  Make sure they’re covered! 

Jewelry is covered under your Homeowners or Renters insurance.  BUT…the coverage amount can be limited and on top of that, you will have to pay your normal deductible if something happens to that piece. If you don’t cover the individual piece of jewelry specifically, you might not have enough coverage to replace it if it were to be lost or stolen.

Here’s what I recommend: Get an appraisal of your rings from the jeweler.  Then bring in a copy and we can quickly let you know what it would be to add the rings to your policy.  (We can also discuss deductibles or special coverage.)  Depending on the value of the ring, you might spend only a few dollars a year to know that your valuable jewelry is insured. This is peace of mind knowing that even if the stone fell out you are covered worldwide.

If you are renting or getting ready to purchase a home and don’t have a policy, now is a great time to schedule a free consultation to discuss what coverage you’ll need and give you a ballpark figure for what it will cost.  Renters Insurance is very inexpensive and can give you a lot of peace of mind as you combine your two households.

But the best tip I can give?  Talk to a local insurance agent you can trust!  We’ll look out for you and help you get the right coverage at an affordable rate.  Call today or visit us online for a free quote. 888-565-2212

At the Bryan Agency, we are your leading local insurance agent in New Windsor, Long Island, and New York for Wedding insurance, home insurance, and jewelry insurance.

Protect You & Your Family During Severe Weather

Did you know that March is Severe Weather Preparation Month? 

While here in New York it may still feel like winter outside and you can barely see the ground through all of the snow, trust me it won’t be long until spring arrives.  And with it comes spring storms!  Is your family prepared?

First things first, make sure you have designated a safe place to go to if the weather gets bad.  It could be your basement, a closet in the center of the house, or a room with no windows or outside walls, like a bathroom.  Make sure this space is cleared out enough that you could easily get your family inside if needed.  (You don’t want to be clearing out the closet at the time of a tornado or bad storm!)

Next, put together a small emergency kit. Set it up in a backpack so it’s all in one place. What would you need if the power was out?  Consider putting in flashlights, extra batteries, canned food, and plenty of water.  (Don’t forget supplies for your pets too!)

Keep emergency phone numbers in your cell phone contacts, including the phone number for your insurance company!  You could even save a note in your phone with your policy numbers too.

While we can’t prevent bad weather, it’s always great to be as prepared as possible.  Take care of your family first and know that we’ll be there to protect your belongings. 

For more ways to protect you and your family, contact us at 888-565-2212 or www.bryanagency.com. At the Bryan Insurance Agency we want to be sure you and your family are protected. Call us for a free second look. We are the top insurance agency for car insurance, home insurance and business insurance for New Windsor, Long Island and the rest of New York.

The Basics of Long Island Homeowners Insurance

Accidents and natural disasters can take you by surprise at any time, and having a comprehensive homeowners insurance policy will keep you and your family protected. These policies are designed to cover the cost of repairs or replacements of your house and your possessions that result from an assortment of covered events, including fire, severe weather, theft and vandalism. Flood and earthquake insurance will likely need to be purchased separately, if desired.

Homeowners insurance covers these incidents up to policy limits, which can vary depending on the coverage you select and the premium you opt to pay. This means that your property or liability claims won’t be covered past the limit you select on your policy. This is plenty of coverage for many people, but other people who own expensive items may need more coverage. This could apply to you if you have expensive jewelry, electronic equipment, fine artwork, rare collections or any other items of high value. In such cases, you can purchase coverage with higher property limits or you can add riders to your policy to cover specific high-value items such as a collection of custom-built furniture.

The premiums you pay for this valuable coverage can vary widely between insurance companies, which makes it important to compare quotes. Your independent insurance agent can shop around for policies that meet your unique needs and discuss coverage options with you so you can make an informed decision on which policy is best for you and your family. Don’t forget to ask if you qualify for discounts such as a safe home discount.

Protect your house and everything inside that makes it a home. Call Bryan Insurance Agency at (888) 565-2212 for more information on Long Island home insurance.