Why umbrella insurance is not just for the wealthy

Umbrella insurance is one of the least understood types of insurance. It has nothing to do with an umbrella but everything to do with providing protection and coverage against all the bad things life can throw at you. We will be happy to discuss the benefits of adding an umbrella insurance policy to your portfolio at Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. in New Windsor, NY. 

There is a feeling that umbrella insurance is only for the wealthy. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Do you have any assets? You are in danger of losing them if you are sued. If someone sues you and wins, you must also pay the judgment and legal fees. If you don’t have umbrella insurance, this will be from your own pocket. In the event you don’t have enough cash, you may be forced to sell some of your assets or have your wages attached. This could affect your financial health for many years to come. 

Umbrella insurance could take care of paying that judgment and your legal fees. You don’t need to be rich to benefit from this type of coverage; you need assets and a liability coverage policy. Umbrella insurance is not a stand-alone policy; you add it to a policy or policies you already have. This includes a home policy, auto insurance, condo insurance, renter’s insurance, and boat or motorcycle coverage. 

When your primary policy pays out and runs out of coverage, the umbrella policy will kick in and pay up to its maximum. Most umbrella policies start at one million dollars. 

Call us at Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. in New Windsor, NY, or drop into the office to discuss why umbrella insurance may be the right choice for you. 

Condo Living: Protecting Your Investment

At Windgate Insurance Agency Inc., we know that owning a condo in New Windsor, NY can be an exciting investment. Condo living provides many benefits, such as low maintenance, amenities, and a sense of community. However, as with any investment, it’s important to protect it. That’s why we offer condo insurance policies that are tailored to meet the unique needs of condo owners.

Why Condo Insurance?

One of the main advantages of condo insurance is that it provides protection for your personal property. While your condo association’s insurance policy may cover the building structure, it likely won’t cover your personal belongings. That’s where we come in. Our condo insurance policies can help you replace your belongings if they are stolen or damaged in a covered event.

In addition to personal property coverage, our condo insurance policies also provide liability protection. If someone is injured while visiting your condo, you could be held liable for their medical expenses and other damages. Our policies can help protect you financially by covering these costs.

Another benefit of working with Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. is that we understand the specific insurance needs of condo owners. For example, many condo associations have insurance deductibles that can be passed on to unit owners in the event of a claim. Our policies can help cover these deductibles, so you don’t have to pay out of pocket.

Don’t Be Without This Important Coverage

At Windgate Insurance Agency Inc., we’re committed to providing our clients with the best possible insurance coverage. We work with a variety of insurance carriers to ensure that we can provide you with the coverage you need at a price you can afford. If you’re a condo owner in New Windsor, NY, contact us today to learn more about our condo insurance policies and how we can help protect your investment.

Helping your Elderly Parent Find Adequate Life Insurance

Life insurance is an investment that is vital for all of us.  But it is especially important if you have elderly parents.  If something were to happen to them, you need to make sure they have adequate insurance to help support their surviving loved ones. 

Our insurance advisors at Windgate Insurance Agency Inc., serving the greater New Windsor, NY region, can work with you in finding the right life insurance coverage for your parents’ needs.  So assuming you have their consent first, let’s look at the key aspects of life insurance you must look for when finding one for them.

Life Insurance Considerations For Your Elderly Parents

Which Type of Policy is in their Budget?

All of the different types of life insurance plans have different coverage amounts.  Term life insurance only covers a specific time length and is more affordable.  Whole life insurance, on the other hand, covers the rest of the person’s life and provides more peace of mind for parents with dependents.  When deciding on a plan for your elderly parent, you have to first examine their budget.  Could they afford the usually higher expense of whole life insurance?  If high monthly premiums aren’t in their budget, perhaps a guaranteed acceptance life insurance policy might be good especially if your parent has some health issues.

What is their Current Health Status?

Another aspect to look at is how healthy your parent or parents are.  If they’re dealing with health issues now or anticipate dealing with something in the future, finding the right life insurance for their needs is vital.  Health issues start to develop the older they get, and they need to be prepared to cover expenses in case something happens to them.  Final expense life insurance is an inexpensive plan that’s great for covering end-of-life expenses such as funeral costs.

Contact Us Today

Finding the right life insurance plan for your aging parent isn’t an easy job.  For assistance in finding a good fit for their situation, contact our insurance professionals at Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. to schedule an appointment. We proudly serve New Windsor, NY and surrounding areas. 

My car is fifteen years old: Do I need more than auto liability coverage?

Most states require drivers to carry auto liability insurance as a minimum. However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t be required to carry more than the minimum. If you finance your car, your lender will likely require you to carry full coverage auto insurance. Also, if you have a late-model car, it may be wise to invest in full coverage insurance even if you’ve paid it off. The repair of a late-model car can be really expensive, making auto insurance a wise investment.

Our Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. team is committed to helping New Windsor, NY drivers understand the benefits of auto insurance. 

What is Auto Insurance?

Auto insurance is designed to provide both financial and liability protection for drivers. It’s a contract between you and the auto insurance company that has preset limits and guidelines in terms of what’s covered. If you have an accident, auto insurance can pay for the repair or replacement of your vehicle, depending on the type of coverage you have.

Auto insurance can also cover damage to someone else’s car as well as bodily injury coverage if someone is physically harmed as a result of an accident that you’re liable/responsible for. You pay a monthly premium to maintain your coverage. Also, auto insurance can provide coverage for non-moving accidents, vandalism, and theft, depending on the type of coverage you invest in. 

My car is fifteen years old. Do I need more than auto liability coverage?

Generally, full coverage auto insurance may cost you more than the value of your car if your car is ten years old or more. The amount you pay annually in insurance premiums may likely exceed the value of your car. This means that if you were in an accident, the cost of repairs would probably exceed your car’s value, making it a total loss.

Your insurance company probably wouldn’t pay for the repair or replacement of your car as a result. If your annual premiums don’t exceed the value of your car, your premiums may be almost fifty percent of your car’s value.  

We Are Here To Help!

If you have questions regarding the best coverage for your car, call us at Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. We’d be happy to help you explore your options in New Windsor, NY and surrounding areas.

Required Commercial Insurance in New York

When you have a business in New York, there are many types of commercial insurance available to you. There may also be insurance policies that are required for your business to carry. When you want to take sure that you’re operating legally, it’s important to know which policies are required for you.

When you need commercial insurance for your business, call us at Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. in New Windsor, NY to talk to an insurance agent.

Required Commercial Insurance

Workers’ Compensation

In New York, the state mandates that every business that employs workers must have workers’ compensation insurance. Every employee that you have counts, even if they are only part-time workers. When you have workers’ compensation insurance, this policy will pay for the medical bills that are due after an employee gets injured on the job or contracts a job-related sickness. When a worker has been injured and needs healing time or is disabled, this insurance will also pay them disability payments. When your New York business has this coverage, you have some protection against lawsuits and other problems that can be caused by owing an enormous amount of medical bills for an employee. 

Commercial Auto Insurance

Any vehicles that are owned by a New York business must have a commercial auto policy on each vehicle. It’s important to have this insurance because your company could be held liable after an accident that includes a company vehicle. This insurance has to have a number of types of coverage in each policy. These include coverage for bodily injury liability, liability coverage for death from an accident, property damage liability, personal injury protection for your own medical bills, and coverage for uninsured motorists that the vehicle gets into an accident. 

Get Your Required Insurance

You always need to have the required insurance policies for your business. To get started, call us at Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. in New Windsor, NY. 

Tips for getting your home ready for winter

New Windsor, NY can get mighty cold in the winter, and making sure that your home is prepared can save you energy, money, and worry. At Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. we are independent insurance agents who place the needs of our customers first. We know that we work for you, and we will make sure we offer you the best options to protect your home. 

Tips for getting your home ready for winter

Plug the leaks

Given the cost of keeping your home snug and warm during the winter, it makes good sense to make sure you are not losing any heat. Begin your search for leaks by checking the insulation in your attic. It is simple and inexpensive to add another layer. Doors and windows need to fit tightly and by using caulk or weather stripping you can plug any leaks. 

Have winter supplies ready

Sand and salt can help to keep your walkways and driveway from becoming a slip-and-fall hazard. Put your bags in any easy-to-access location. 

Get the snowblower tuned up

Making sure your snowblower is up and running before you actually need it is important. 

Have the chimney and furnace cleaned

Getting your chimney and furnace clean is vital for your safety. It should be done every year to get rid of any creosote that may have accumulated in the chimney. A clean furnace is also more efficient. 

Carbon monoxide detector checkup

People die every year needlessly from carbon monoxide poisoning. Check the batteries and make sure your detector is in the right location. 

Clean the gutters

Clogged gutters can result in roof damage, which can be expensive. If you can’t do it yourself, hire someone or get covers for your gutters to make sure they run freely. 

Get Insurance Coverage for Your Home

Contact Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. in New Windsor, NY when you want to discuss your home insurance coverage. 

How does classic car insurance protect you and your car?

For car lovers in the New Windsor, NY area, owning a classic car is a dream purchase and investment. When you do own a classic car here, it would be a good idea to properly protect it. Your classic car insurance plan will protect you and your car in various ways. 

Covers the Full Value of a Vehicle

A classic car is a unique type of vehicle because it can be an investment as well as a mode of transportation. Accordingly, the value of a car can increase over the years. When you have a classic car, you will want to know that its value is protected if the car is damaged or stolen. When you get a classic car insurance policy, you are able to negotiate a replacement value with the insurer, which can include covering the collectible value.

Receive Required Coverage

It is also a good idea to get a classic car plan to obtain the coverage that you need to drive. When you want to drive a car in New York, you need to have liability coverage. This requirement extends to classic car owners, who may only drive their cars sparingly. When you have a classic car plan, it will offer this important coverage while also factoring in your typical mileage to consider your true liability risk.

Get The Right Coverage Today

When you are going to own a classic car in the New Windsor, NY area, you should make sure that you are properly insured at all times. One of the best ways that this can be done is by getting the right classic car insurance. If you are looking for coverage, our team of experts at the Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. can provide any support you need to build an ideal plan. We at Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. take a customized approach to ensure you create a proper policy. 

Why Should You Get Renter’s Insurance?

Renting a home or apartment doesn’t mean you’re exempt from unexpected disasters. In fact, you may be even more vulnerable since you likely don’t have as much control over property maintenance as a homeowner does. That’s where renters’ insurance comes in. This type of policy provides financial protection if your rental home is damaged or destroyed by a fire, severe weather, theft, or other covered events.

While your landlord’s insurance policy may cover some of these things, it’s essential to have your own protection in place to make sure you’re fully protected. Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. in New Windsor, NY can help you get this coverage.

Below are three reasons why you should get renters’ insurance: 

It’s Cost-Effective

Renter’s insurance is relatively inexpensive, especially when you compare it to the cost of replacing your belongings if they’re damaged or destroyed. The average renter’s insurance policy costs just $15 per month, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). That’s just $180 annually for peace of mind that your belongings are protected.

It Covers Personal Property Loss

Nothing hurts like losing your personal belongings- especially when they are stolen or damaged in an accident. From clothes to electronics, many of us have expensive items we can’t afford to replace. That’s where renters’ insurance comes in.

Renter’s insurance is a type of property insurance that covers your personal belongings if they are lost, stolen, or damaged. The most common type of renter’s insurance is known as "contents coverage,"  which protects your belongings up to a specific limit.

You May Need It to Be a Tenant

Some landlords require tenants to have renter insurance before moving in. They typically include this requirement in the lease agreement. Even if your landlord doesn’t require it, having coverage is always a good idea in case of an unexpected disaster.

It Provides Liability Coverage

Renter’s insurance doesn’t just cover your belongings- it also provides liability coverage. This means that if someone is injured while they are on your property, you are protected against any legal or medical expenses that may arise.

For example, let’s say that your dog bites your neighbor, and they need to go to the hospital. If they decide to sue you, your renter’s insurance will cover the legal fees up to your policy limit.

It Gives You Peace of Mind

Renter’s insurance is an affordable way to protect your belongings and give yourself peace of mind. No one likes to think about their possessions being damaged or stolen, but it’s always a good idea to be prepared for the worst.

Get the Best Renters’ Insurance Coverage Today

If you’re looking for the best renter’s insurance coverage in the greater New Windsor, NY community, Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. is here to help. Contact us today to get started.

Defensive driving: 5 riding tips for motorcycles

Motorcycle insurance protects riders on the roadways. But nothing can replace prevention.

That’s why it’s important to remain vigilant when riding. Excessive speeds and distracted driving are the leading causes of motorcycle insurance claims. While some accidents may be unavoidable, there are ways to minimize this risk.

Fortunately, Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. can help. Not only do we provide specialized motorcycle insurance coverage, but our experts also know how to keep you safe. Located in New Windsor, NY, our agents are here to help.

We suggest these five defensive driving strategies that every rider should follow:

Gear up

Don’t worry about dressing to impress. Put together an outfit that’s protective. Helmets, gloves, and eyewear are a must. Long sleeves and pants are also encouraged to shield against wind and debris.

Stand out

Motorcycles are already difficult to spot. Increase visibility by donning bright-colored, reflective clothing. Use headlights and turn signals when needed, especially at night.

Leave space

Add extra room between you and other drivers. Boost visibility even more by avoiding blind spots and tailgating. Finding a less-traveled route can also present fewer threats.

Pass safely

Passing is another potential problem. In fact, improper lane switching and overtaking lead to a significant number of motorcycle insurance claims. Be mindful of other drivers but also never pass on curves or blind corners.

Practice skills

The best way to get comfortable while riding is through experience. Just get out and ride. It’s that simple. Yet new riders can benefit from enrolling in training courses to learn new skills and techniques.

Contact Windgate Insurance Agency Inc.

At Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. in New Windsor, NY, safety is our top priority. But we do more than just provide helpful tips. Our professional agents can also build a personalized motorcycle insurance policy that ensures you’re safe. Schedule an appointment today.

What Should I Do If I Have An Accident In My Motorhome?

If you are in a motorhome when you have an accident, the steps you take can be critical to your safety and the safety of others. Here we discuss what to do if you are involved in an accident while driving or parked in a motorhome. Knowing what to do can help minimize the damage and keep you safe!

Motorhome Accident: What Steps To Take

Check Yourself and Other Passengers for Injuries

The first thing you should do after a motorhome accident is to check for injuries. Call 911 immediately and wait for medical help to arrive. Even without any serious injuries, it’s always best to get checked out by a doctor just to be safe.

Call the Police

Even in a minor accident, call the police so they can investigate and file a report. This report will help if you need to make an insurance claim.

Exchange Insurance Information

If you’re in an accident, you should first exchange insurance information. You’ll need their name, address, phone number, insurance company name, and policy number. If they don’t have insurance, get their license plate number so you can file a police report.

Document the Accident Scene

With your smartphone, take pictures of the accident scene. This will document what happened and will be useful if there is a dispute about how the accident occurred. Get pictures of both vehicles and any damage to property, such as a fence or mailbox.

Call Your Insurance Company

After you’ve exchanged insurance information with the other driver, call your insurance company to report the accident. They’ll likely ask for the same information you gave to the other driver and some details about what happened. A professional agency like Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. serving the greater New Windsor, NY community will ensure you get compensation if you were not at fault.

Contact Us Today

If you have an accident in your motorhome, the most important thing to do is to stay calm and follow the steps we outlined above. For expert insurance advice on coverage for your motorhome, give us a call at Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. in New Windsor, NY.