October is Fire Prevention Awareness

October is officially Fire Prevention Awareness. Although Fire Prevention is technically October 4-10, 2015, we believe it should be something you and your family practice year round. As your insurance agent and coming from a family of volunteer fire fighters, this is an issue that is very important to us! Unfortunately, we've seen clients, friends, and family all suffer from home fires, and we want to share some things you can do to prevent a disaster.

Beyond basic fire prevention, like checking electrical cords and not leaving a pot unattended on the stove, there are several important things to do with your children or grandchildren to make sure they're safe 

First, create a PLAN. When children know what to expect, they can remain calm, even during an emergency. Help your child know exactly what to do if a fire occurs.

Stress the importance of getting out of the house and to your family meeting spot.  Choose an area a safe distance from the house where children should go if making a fire escape. It could be a street light, mailbox, or neighbor's tree.

If you have pets, tell your kids that your pets will find their own way out safely and that they should never go back to rescue the pet on their own.

As a family, go through each room of the house and discuss TWO different ways to get out if a fire occurs. Let children practice opening a latch and unlocking doors too. Remember smoke rises, so teach them how to stay low and exit safely. And show them how to always test the door handle before opening. 

Now host a fire drill! Make the practice drills fun and informative. Create sample scenarios and build up your kid's confidence. They'll be better prepared for a fire and you will too! Here is a great tool with games for kids with Sparky the Dog on Fire Prevention. 

When it comes to any sort of emergency situation, people are what matter most. Take precautions to protect your loved ones and let your professional insurance agents take care of protecting your home and belongings! Call us for a free quote on your Homeowner's Insurance today! 888-565-2212 or visit us online for a homeowners quote. At the Bryan Insurance Agency we are the top agency in New Windsor and Long Island for home insurance. 

How To Choose An Auto Insurance Deductible

When quoting auto insurance for clients, we frequently discuss how to choose the right deductible.  I thought I’d take a few minutes to share this information here on our website too!

A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket when you have a claim.  If you have a $500 collision deductible and have an accident, then you would pay $500 towards repairing your vehicle and insurance would cover the rest. The deductible you choose directly relates to the amount of money you spend on premiums each month.  The higher the deductible ($250, $500, $1000, $2000), the lower your monthly cost. So how do you choose?  Cheaper price or lower out of pocket expense? Basically it comes down to pay now or pay later and what you can afford at the time of a loss.

First, look at your emergency savings.  Do you have enough cash available to cover a higher deductible if you had to pay it?  If the answer is no, then you’re better off paying a little extra each month. 

Compare the cost savings.  When we run a quote, we can show you several different options.  Ask your agent to run the premium based on several different deductibles so you can see the actual dollar cost savings. You can always change your mind.  If you’re short on cash now, but know you could afford more out of pocket next year, you’re always able to change.  Keep your deductible in a comfortable range and you’ll always be well protected! 

If you have insurance with us now and would like to see how much your premium can change by changing your deductible give us a call. Or if you are interested in more information and a personalized quote call or visit us online!  (888) 565-2212

At Bryan Insurance we are the leading agent for car insurance for the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and the surrounding New York areas.

September Home Maintenance Tasks

Every month, we share easy tasks you can do to keep your home in tip-top shape all year long.  So here are a few simple tasks you can do in September to prepare your home for cool fall weather!

1.)  Check Gutters -  Take a few minutes to make sure your gutters are clear.  With rain and falling leaves, gutters will be working overtime.  By making sure they’re clear now, you’ll avoid water damage later on.  You can either hire someone to do it or do it yourself.

2.)  Clean The Dryer Vent - Lint accumulating in the dryer vent can cause a house fire.  A couple of times per year, unplug the dryer and thoroughly vacuum the area around the dryer vent and hose.  Remember to check the outside vent too!

3.)  Get Your Fireplace Inspected & Cleaned – Do you have a fireplace or woodstove? When was the last time it was cleaned & inspected? Now is a great time to make sure that your chimney and fireplace are all in good working order. A little maintenance now can help prevent a bigger problem later on. Schedule it now before it gets cold.   

4.)  Gather Firewood - Will you be burning a wood stove or fireplace this winter?  Start gathering up firewood now and save yourself from the task when it’s cold outside. 

5.)  Get Ready For Autumn - Now is a great time to start planting some fall flowers.  Mums make a great addition to your front porch! 

6.)  Save On Home Insurance - Homeowners Insurance is an important part of protecting your belongings.  To make sure you have the best coverage, call us today for a free, no obligation quote.  

Want more tips? Call or visit us online. Bryan Insurance is the leading homeowners insurance agent in the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and New York areas. 

Did You Know? Life Insurance Is Affordable.

Did you know that September is Life Insurance Awareness Month? If you haven’t already seen them, you will probably see TV commercials and magazine articles talking about why this coverage is so important all month long. And you probably already know it’s important. But I know that even with the best intentions, it doesn’t always mean that you’ve got your policy set up yet!

The Life Foundation says that only 62% of people who believe they need life insurance, actually have it. And even then, those that do have it only carry enough to replace their income for 3.6 years. If you have young children to support, that is simply not enough time! And if you're skipping life coverage all together, then you are putting your family at risk.

So why do people wait too long to purchase life insurance? Well, the Life Foundation also says that 86% of Americans say they haven't purchased it because it's "too expensive.”  Many overestimate the cost by more than 2X!

Life Insurance rates are based on a number of factors, including age, health conditions, and smoking status. By not smoking and purchasing when you're younger, you can save a substantial amount of money. In fact, many term life policies are less than $30 per month! That’s $1 per day!

Even if you are a smoker, older, or have health issues, doesn’t mean you won’t be able to afford it. Getting some life insurance is still better than none.

Here’s what we recommend...call the office and set up an appointment with one of our life insurance specialists. Bring information on your annual income, as well as any debts (like your mortgage). We can give an accurate picture of how much coverage you need as well as different ways to make it affordable. We can find a plan to fit your budget.

Don’t wait another minute! Call us today to set up an appointment. (888) 565-2212 or visit us online.

Teenage Driver? Don't Sweat It!

Do you have a teenage driver? Or are you sweating about the thought of your tween driving in a year or so? Back to school time is a great opportunity to think about car insurance savings!  

Having a teenage driver can be stressful enough without even adding in the cost.  You worry, first and foremost, about their safety. And then of course there are a lot of costs! Things like purchasing an additional vehicle, getting licensed, and paying more for insurance. 

Fortunately, when it comes to the insurance, it doesn’t have to be as detrimental as you think. You have options.

First you want to think about the vehicle your teen will be driving.  Premiums are higher on vehicles with comprehensive and collision coverage, which pays to fix your vehicle after an accident.  When you have a car that has only liability insurance (which pays only for damage your driver does to someone else’s car), you pay a lot less.

If you are purchasing a car for your teen and need to watch your budget, consider buying an older reliable model for cash that will not require comprehensive and collision coverage. Not a hoopdie, but a car that you can feel safe with your child behind the wheel while not breaking the bank. If you are thinking about one car or the other, call us. We can help you weigh the cost and the risk to see if it is a good option for you.  

You also want to take advantage of all available discounts.  These vary by policy but typically include a discount for driver's ed and one for having good grades.  With school about to start, it's a great time to setup an incentive plan with your teenager to make sure they keep those grades up and your premiums low! Most policies will give you an additional 10% off for a B or above average and driver’s ed can be up to 20%. On top of these if your child also takes an accident prevention course, this can be an additional discount as well. They can take the course online now as well at www.HVDDonline.com

Still have questions?  Call us to review your current policy and look for ways to help you manage the cost of having a teenage driver.  888-565-2212 or visit us online at www.bryanagency.com

At the Bryan Insurance Agency we are the leading local agent in New Windsor, Long Island, and New York for teenage drivers and car insurance.

9 Ways To Save On Your Car Insurance

Looking for ways to keep your auto insurance premiums manageable?  Here are 9 ways you can save on your insurance (without sacrificing coverage.)

1. Driving Record

Your driving record plays a big role in how much you pay for insurance. By keeping a clean record for 3-5 years, you can save hundreds of dollars! Be a cautious driver, don’t speed, and you'll lower your premiums.

2. Driving Course

Defensive driving courses are an easy way to achieve an extra discount. They can also help keep a ticket from showing up and messing up your clean driving record. Make sure to call us before taking the class if you're using it for a discount so we can verify that your policy qualifies.

3. Anti-Theft Devices

Installing an alarm or other anti-theft device can lower premiums on your vehicle. Make sure to discuss all features with us, sometimes even power locks and a remote can count!

4. Your Credit Score

While insurance uses a different formula then the credit bureaus, your credit still affects the rate you pay. Good credit can save you hundreds (even thousands) on your premiums! Make sure to review your report on a regular basis and have any mistakes corrected.

5. Where You Live

Rural areas pay less for insurance than the big cities do. It's all about risk and with a large population, there is more chance for an accident. Therefore, where you choose to live can impact your rates. Consider visiting with us before purchasing a home if you’re concerned about the costs (it is based on the zip code).

6. Your Vehicle

The vehicle you choose to purchase also makes a difference! Some vehicles cost a lot more to repair than others, which drives up their rates. Easy way to avoid buying a money-sucker? Call us first and let us quote the vehicle before you sign on the dotted line.

7. How Often You Drive

If you take public transportation and only drive on the weekend, you'll pay less than someone with a long commute. Make sure to review your annual mileage and daily commutes with us (especially if they change) so that you can receive the extra savings.

8. Raise Your Deductible

A higher deductible (your out of pocket cost in a claim) means a lower monthly rate. If you have $1000 in savings and could afford to use it if you had an accident, then you’ll save on your insurance cost by having a $1000 deductible instead of a $250. We can help you review the costs and benefits in your specific situation.

9. Your Agent

And the best way to save? Work with a local agent! You'll get the coverage you need plus you'll have an advocate working on your behalf to find the best rate, all the discounts, and an easy explanation of any gaps in your coverage. It's the #1 way to control your risk, maximize your savings, and protect your family.

We want to be your agent!  Call us to discuss your policy today and let us see how we can save you money on your car insurance! At Bryan Insurance we have over 10 different car insurance carriers that specialize in giving you the best coverage at the best price in New Windsor, Long Island and the surrounding New York area. Call us at 888.565.2212 or visit us online.

You had a claim. Now what?

It happened. You had a claim. This one was not fixable on your own and you had to call your agent or company to put the claim in. Now what?

Claims can be a stressful process.  I've worked with my clients after car accidents, home fires, storm damage, and even a death in the family.  Insurance claims are often tied to the most stressful events in our lives.

That's why it's extremely important that you work with an agent and a company that you trust and who you know will be able to walk you through the process.

After an insurance claim, you will be assigned to an adjuster who will evaluate your loss.  Most times, they will come out to take a look at what happened and speak to you. The adjuster will determine the settlement amount based on what is fair to put you back to where you were before the claim and also answer any questions you may have.  

So what happens if things don't go smoothly at first?  Maybe you don't agree on the amount or can't get the right documentation?

That's where I come in.

My job, as your agent, is to also be your advocate.  My office goes to work to help you communicate with your adjuster if there is a problem.  That means that when you need help, we're there.

Yes, sometimes you can get cheaper rates with unknown companies.  And you might love being able to buy online without talking to an agent. Sometimes you also get what you pay for. Cheaper doesn’t always mean better especially when you are up to your eyeballs in paperwork from a claim and you feel like no one is listening to you.

But when it comes down to those stressful moments, it's great to have someone you know on your side. Someone who can explain the process or just to listen if you need to talk.  Call my office today and let us protect your family from the next claim.  

At the Bryan Agency, we are your claim advocates. We have over 20 years of industry experience and 15+ in working in and helping people with claims. We are experts at claims in New Windsor, Long Island and the surrounding New York areas. Have a claims question? Call us at 888.565.2212 or visit us online today!