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.

Insuring Your RV, Boats: Keeping Summer Fun & Safe

Summer is on its way.  Before we know it there will be Memorial Day barbecues and long weekends at the lake.  (Next weekend to be exact, if you can believe it!)

That's why now is a great time to review insurance coverage on all of your summer toys.  Check out the things to consider (and review with us) before the big toys come out of winter storage.

1.)  RV - Your motorhome or travel trailer needs insurance coverage, especially if you'll be driving or pulling it this year.  Even if you don't have a loan on your RV, you will want it covered for theft or damage.  Whether they are parked on a lake lot for the season or driving cross country, we offer several RV policies to fit your needs.  Just call us for a quote.

 

2.)  Boat & Jet Ski - The same thing goes for your boats and jet skis.  You've made a big investment and it's important to protect them.  Not only should you worry about damage to your boat, but also make sure you have the proper amount of liability coverage.  Don’t forget your life jackets! 

3.)  Motorcycle - Ready to hit the road for a long drive?  Remember to brush up on your safety skills and always wear a helmet.  Don’t forget to make sure your motorcycle has liability coverage just like your vehicle!  We can help you determine what coverage you need.  

4.)  Swimming Pool - If you own a pool, then you need extra liability coverage including a Personal Umbrella Policy.  Why?  Because there is a lot more risk of someone being injured when you have a pool.  Don’t skimp on your coverage and make sure you have the pool area secured and safe.  For less than $12 a month you could buy an extra $1 million in coverage!

Summer is a lot more fun when you know that your high price summer fun toys are properly insured and protected.  Take 10 minutes to call us for a quote or to review your current coverage.  We are experts at summer fun & all the toys!  888-565-2212 or visit us online.

At the Bryan Agency we are the leading agents in the Hudson Valley and Long Island in home insurance, umbrella insurance, motorcycle insurance, boat insurance, and RV insurance coverage.

Discounts, Discounts, Everywhere... But Are You Getting All of Them?

 

 

Discounts are the best way to save on your insurance premium each and every month.  But a lot of people are missing out on them!  With a little bit of paperwork from you to your agent, you could see great savings.

1.)  Security Discounts - Does your home have a security system or fire protection system?  Some of these devices will help you save big on your home or renters insurance.  If you have a certificate of installation (and even if you don’t), let us know and we’ll see if you qualify.

2.)  Driver Training & Defensive Driving - Did your child take Driver’s Ed?  Did you take a Defensive Driving course?  These classes will typically qualify for discounts!  Just bring in a copy of your completion certificate and we’ll get it added to your policy. Did you know you can now take the course online from the comfort of your couch? www.HVDDonline.com

3.)  Good Grades - Good grades will help you save!  Some of our policies offer a discount for full time students 25 years of age and under who maintain a high GPA.  Give us a call to see the requirements for your policy. 

4.)  Payment Discounts - There are many different options when it comes to paying your premiums.  Some policies offer discounts for paying in full or a reduced installment fee if you put the payment on auto-draft.  We can advise you of all the payment options so you pay as little as possible.

5.)  Multi-Policy Discounts - When you have all of your insurance in one place, you save more!  If your auto and home insurance is spread out between multiple companies or agencies, let us help you consolidate.  You’ll be better protected (with less gaps in coverage) and save money!

The key?  Talk to your agent!  When we schedule regular annual reviews, we can review your policy discounts and make sure you are receiving the best coverage at the best price.  Call today (888) 565-2212 or visit us online to schedule an appointment.

At the Bryan Insurance Agency we are your local car insurance agents for the Hudson Valley, New Windsor, and Long Island and other surrounding New York areas.

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.

4 Simple March To Do's to Protect Your Family and Save You Money

 

 

What do you need to do this month to keep your home running smoothly and your family protected?  There are a few simple things that you can do and take less than 30 minutes of your time. Schedule one each week in March! Read below to find out! 

1.)  Change Batteries In Smoke & CO Detectors - When the time changes, it’s a great idea to change the batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  This way you always know that they are working and in good order!  The spring time change this year is on Sunday March 8th. 

2.)  Make A Severe Weather Plan – March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. That being said, it is the start of spring and the stormy season. Designate a safe place in your home in case of bad weather.  Stock it with basic emergency supplies and throw in an extra flashlight and batteries too! Here are some tips on downloading

3.)  Check Your Credit Report – Did you know that March is Credit Education Month?  When was the last time you checked to see that your credit reports were accurate?  If it’s been over a year, stop by www.annualcreditreport.com and order a free copy today. 

4.)  Review Your Insurance Discounts – I’m all about the discounts. Did you know that on any given car insurance policy, there are up to a dozen discounts available to you? ONE DOZEN, 12, aka a whole lotta savings opportunities! Are you getting all the discounts you qualify for?  Call us at 888-565-2212 or visit us online to review your policy and see if there are any changes that need to be made. 

And as always, give us a call if you have any questions or need assistance with car, home, business, or life insurance. At the Bryan Insurance Agency we are the top insurance agency in the Hudson Valley area serving New York, New Windsor and Long Island. Contact us today at www.bryanagency.com/contact or 888.565.2212.

 

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Increasing Your Longevity with Exercise

Most people want to live longer lives. Although this desire is naturally one of self-interest, others benefit as well. Your family depends on your support, both emotional and financial. Therefore their security depends on how well you take care of yourself. While you can and should provide financial security with the right life insurance plan, it's in their best interest that you are always there to see them through the challenges they will face.

The Minimal Exercise Requirement

There are many scientific studies that support the claim that exercise prolongs life. So the question is not whether you should exercise, it's how much and what kind you should do. The good news is that the minimum amount for increasing longevity isn't much at all. As long as it's done on a regular basis and elevates your heart rate, you will benefit. A brisk 11 minute daily walk is all you need to benefit. By increasing the length of these walks, you will get increased longevity gains. However, additional gains level off at about 43 minutes of daily brisk walking.

Why Exercise Prolongs Life

Like unused plumbing that corrodes and fills with deposits, the cardiovascular system needs to be put to use for optimal performance. Otherwise the heart muscle weakens, plaque builds up on the walls of blood vessels and blood vessel inflammation occurs, which restricts blood flow. Heart disease is a major killer of sedentary people. With the cardiovascular system, you must literally use it or lose it and of course, you need it to stay alive.

Exercise reduces the risk of chronic illness. It also causes secondary effects that prolong life. These effects include an improved sense of well-being, stress reduction, improved sleep, reduced muscle loss and stronger bones. Unhappiness, chronic stress and insufficient sleep have been shown to shorten life. Retaining as much muscle mass as possible is important because muscle tissue elevates the metabolism, which means fewer calories are stored as fat. Muscle mass prevents falling, which can cause serious injuries in the elderly population. A life habit of brisk walking keeps the leg muscles active and reduces their atrophy. Including strength exercises in your routine will also increase these benefits.

Those who make exercise a part of their lives also tend to be more health conscious in general. These additional health habits, such as a good diet, can add extra years to your life beyond what you achieve with exercise alone.

Another benefit of exercise is that it makes you a good candidate for life insurance. The younger and healthier you are, the lower your premiums. Life insurance providers generally use a health classification system. The highest ratings correspond to the healthiest candidates, while the lowest ratings correspond to health levels that are close to being uninsurable. There may be as many as 15 classifications. Each successive level down from the top might be charged as much as 25 percent more than the level just above it. As you can see, the premiums you pay quickly add up as you go down the health classification levels.

Being in good health literally pays. If you aren't insured, consider its advantages and talk to your independent insurance agent.

Get a quote today. Call Bryan Insurance Agency at 845-565-2200 for more information on Long Island life insurance.

Tips to Save on Renters Insurance

All renters should consider purchasing renters insurance. Yes, the building itself is covered by your landlord. But, your personal belongs are up to you to protect. However, we understand that people are on budgets, so we've put together some information to help you save on renters insurance.

First, if you can afford it, try to pay a year's worth of insurance in a lump sum. Insurance providers often give discounts to those who pay in a lump sum. If you can't do that, then pay biannually or quarterly to knock off a few processing fees per year.

Second, know what you have. Take an inventory and see how much it would cost you to replace furniture, clothes and the rest of your belongings. Determining an accurate value of your possessions will help you if you have to file a claim. On the other hand, if you can't afford to insure everything at replacement cost, you can at least get renters insurance for part of the value and save money that way. Just know that if you chose this route, you probably won't have enough insurance money to replace everything if there is a problem.

Third, discuss your insurance options with your independent insurance agent to see what you can do without. If you don't need coverage for displacement (in other words, if you know you could live with family or friends for a while), then ask your agent if there is a discount for not having that coverage.

Fourth, bundle your coverage together. If your car and renters insurance are from the same company, you can save on both policies.

These four ways require some tough decisions on your part. So, while we advocate that you are fully insured, we also understand that you might have a tight budget. For that reason, we work hard to help you save money.

Learn how much you could save today. Call Bryan Insurance Agency at (845) 565-2200 for more information on Long Island renters insurance.