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.

Does boat insurance cover my other watercraft?

Your boat insurance does cover your other watercraft also long as you register that craft as a part of the insured property when you purchase your policy from Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. serving New Windsor, NY.

You can also add watercraft to your boat policy if you purchase it after you purchase your policy. You must add the craft to the insurance policy for it to receive coverage though.

At Policy Purchase

When you buy your boat policy, you need to list the boat, major property on it, such as radar systems, and the other watercraft, such as a jet ski or Seadoo. If you only list the boat that cost $50,000, that boat is all that the policy covers, even if you added $5,000 of fishing equipment to it, including the radar system.

Instead of losing that $5,000, you can recoup it all by purchasing an insurance policy for all of your watercraft. You simply provide a list of crafts when you purchase. This may cause your premium to increase slightly, but better to pay an extra few dollars a month than to forgo that tiny premium and lose $5,000.

When You Buy New Watercraft

Your new equipment doesn’t require a separate policy. When you purchase a jet ski, you can email us or phone us to add to your existing policy. We’ll amend the policy you already own, saving you from going through the whole process of obtaining an insurance policy. That saves you from a hard hit to your credit report that docks you five points automatically from your credit score.

Policy amendment serves you much better and you don’t pay more than if you had obtained a separate policy. You’ll cover all of your watercraft under one boat policy and pay one premium to protect all of your equipment.

Contact Us

Contact Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. serving New Windsor, NY today for more information on boat insurance and extending it to your other watercraft. We’re here to help you.

What is the value of having umbrella insurance in New York?

Anyone that resides in or around New Windsor, NY will want to know that they have the right personal insurance in place. One type of coverage that you should get here is umbrella insurance protection. This is a unique form of coverage that can provide someone with blanket personal liability support and coverage. There are various forms of value and benefits that can come if you do invest in a personal umbrella plan.  

Benefits of Umbrella Insurance

Offset Risk of Major Claim

Most people in New York will have some liability coverage through either home or auto insurance plans. While this is helpful coverage, there will always be a chance that you could be named in a claim that exceeds your policy limit. You will want to know that you are covered and protected in these situations. With umbrella support, you will get this additional support on top of your base insurance plans. 

Broader Coverage

You should also get this insurance as it can provide you with broader coverage. Umbrella insurance covers many more protected risks under your home or auto insurance plans. This is helpful as there will always be liability risks that could arise. Having the additional support will give you peace of mind that you are prepared for unexpected events. 

If you reside in the New Windsor, NY area, you should seriously consider getting an umbrella insurance plan. As you are looking to get a new plan when you are in this area, it would be good to start your search by calling Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. The insurance professionals at Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. understand this unique type of coverage and will offer any guidance you need to choose a new plan that meets your needs. 

Why Do You Need Condo Insurance?

When looking at condos, you can’t forget about your other expenses. This may include condo insurance. Experienced agents at Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. serving the New Windsor, NY community will highly recommend getting this coverage. Though you may think that you don’t need this extra expense, you need to have insurance for your condo.

Here are some reasons why:

Your mortgage company may require you to have insurance. Most mortgage companies want their clients to have insurance for their homes. This protects their investment, in case anything happens. 

Your condo association may also require insurance. All condo associations have rules that they expect you to follow. They may require insurance in order to protect your community. 

Most people can’t afford to not have insurance. Insurance will help you when you need it most. If your roof is damaged in a storm and needs to be replaced, your insurance should pay. If you have a major leak in your home due to it, your insurance will help to cover the costs. Even a small leak could cost you a few thousand dollars to fix. 

It will also cover your possessions. You also need to think about the items you have in your home. Your condo insurance will cover your furniture, clothing, and other things. 

If you are wondering if you need insurance, you probably should get it. Though it costs you every month (or once or twice a year), home repairs can cost you thousands of dollars, even more, if you find a serious plumbing or electrical problem. That being said, you may not have a choice. Your mortgage and condo association may require you to have insurance. 

If you want to ensure that you are fully protected in your condo, don’t hesitate to contact us today at Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. in New Windsor, NY.

Is Term or Whole Life Insurance Better For Me?

When it comes to providing financially for loved ones after your untimely death, there are two main types of life insurance to consider: term and whole life. The main differences between these two types of life insurance are the length of coverage and the cash value. Term life does not offer a cash value, and since it is purchased for a specific period (10, 15, 20, or 30 years), you could outlive the policy and not receive any benefit. Conversely, whole life insurance is valid for your lifetime and includes a cash value, but those benefits come at a higher price point. 

Both whole life and term life insurance policies include a payout – otherwise known as a death benefit – that cannot change and is guaranteed. If you outlive your term life policy, there is no payout, and although you have the option to extend the policy, it will likely be at a higher cost. Whereas term life insurance does not generate cash value, whole life does and can be used as a mechanism for investment. The cash value is meant to be used, and a loan can be taken against it for any purpose; however, if you die without paying back the loan, any outstanding figure is deducted from the payout. 

With these differences fresh in mind, there is no better time than now to safeguard your assets and protect your loved ones than by purchasing a life insurance policy. At Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. in New Windsor, NY, we recognize and understand that choosing between life insurance policy types can be daunting, so we strive to simplify the process. Give us a call today to learn how we can help you with all your insurance needs.

Do I Really Need Commercial Insurance in New York?

Looking for some information on commercial insurance for your business in New York? You’re in the right place! Here at Windgate Insurance Agency Inc., we’re dedicated to serving the New Windsor, NY area, and helping business owners select the most well-suited policies for their business goals and needs. 

New York is a fantastic place to own a business, and many who start here find their companies thrive very quickly in this area. Whether your company is experiencing growth or you are just getting started, we have coverage options that will suit your current needs, while allowing you to plan and strategize for growth in the future as well. You’ve got big dreams for your company, and we want to help you scale up without worrying about anything insurance-related. 

Commercial insurance is designed to protect the business owner, your assets, investors, partners, and employees through every phase of growth. Any piece of your business that could be vulnerable, including your inventory, employees, a warehouse or property, should be adequately covered by insurance. While nothing may ever happen that could threaten the well-being of these entities, should something happen – you’ll be very glad you invested in commercial insurance to lighten the load of financial stress you may experience. 

You’ve worked so hard to grow and scale your business – commercial insurance is just a stop along the way to prosperity and success. If your company needs insurance and you need a trusted advisor to help guide you, contact the team at Windgate Insurance Agency Inc.

We’re here to help serve business owners in the New Windsor, NY area and we’d be happy to sit down with you and learn about your insurance needs. Contact us today! 

What is the value of having commercial insurance in New York?

Those that are in the New Windsor, NY area will find it can be a good place to start a business. If you choose to be a business owner here, getting proper insurance for your organization will always be important. There are several ways that having this coverage can be valuable for your organization. 

Mitigate Your Liability Risk

A good reason to always have a commercial insurance plan in this state is so you can mitigate your liability risk. No matter what type of business you run, there is always going to be a chance that you could be found liable for damages to a customer, another business, or another individual. With a commercial insurance plan, you will get the support needed to help mitigate this risk.

Protect Business Assets

As you are looking to build a business in this part of New York, you will eventually want to invest in some quality assets to help the business grow. When you are looking to purchase any core assets, having the right coverage for them will be very important. With a commercial insurance plan, you will get the support that is needed to fully protect your business and assets.. This could help to save you a lot of money if assets are stolen or damaged. 

People that want to start a business in the New Windsor, NY area always need to have the right commercial insurance in place. As there are a lot of choices to make when looking for commercial insurance, calling the Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. can be a great option. When you speak with Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. you can learn all that you need to ensure you are able to choose a plan that is right for your business. 

Do I Really Need Classic Car Insurance?

When you have an old car in New Windsor, NY, the vehicle is so much depreciated that you don’t really need collision and comprehensive coverages. However, for your classic car, things are different. Instead of depreciating, antique cars rise in value. And for this reason, you need special insurance coverage to protect the true value of your car. 

 So, if you find yourself asking whether you need classic car insurance, the answer is yes. Classic car insurance protects your pride and joy, and it’s a must-have if you value your piece of history. Do you need more reasons as to why classic car insurance is an asset? Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. shares more reasons why classic car insurance is a necessity.

Liability protection

You may not use your antique car daily, but liabilities can arise as long as you drive it. For instance, if you rear-end someone on the highway, you may face bodily injury and property damage claims from third parties. Luckily, if you have classic car insurance, you don’t have to incur out-of-pocket expenses.

It’s required

Remember that your antique car is considered as any other car, and therefore, the law requires you to purchase the minimum required auto insurance. If you want to stroll across New York roads with your collector’s car, you must include liability coverage in your classic car insurance. 

Otherwise, you may face penalties and fines for non-compliance. But is this really necessary?

Provides special coverages

The beauty of classic car insurance is that it provides coverages that are unique to your classic car. For instance, no-attendance coverage covers your car in events even in your absence. Spare parts coverage compensates you for replacement parts that are expensive and hard to find.

Purchase classic car insurance today!

Are you looking for a trustworthy insurance agent to partner with for your classic car insurance needs? Please consider Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. in New Windsor, NY. We will offer you classic car insurance that protects the worth of your car.

What does my New Windsor, NY renters insurance include?

Insurance isn’t just for homeowners. Renters need protection too.

Renters insurance is designed specifically for tenants who are renting an apartment, home, condo, or any other living space. While the landlord should have their own plan, this typically only includes the building and excludes your personal possessions. Not having your own policy leaves you at risk.

Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. wants to make sure you and your belongings are safe. Serving in New Windsor, NY, the agency can find a plan that’s right for you. While different options are available, most renter’s insurance plans include these three different categories.

Personal property

Your possessions are valuable. A renters insurance policy will cover replacement costs if damaged, destroyed, lost, or stolen. If a natural disaster, mechanical issue, or another damaging event does happen, you will be reimbursed up to your policy limit. Conduct a home inventory, detailing the value of your possessions. Using this information, your agent can help you set your coverage limits.

Liability protection

Unfortunately, accidents happen. If one does occur and you’re found responsible, liability protection will kick in. For example, if some slips and falls inside your apartment, your renter’s insurance policy may cover their medical bills. This also extends to any legal fees if you are named in a lawsuit. 

Loss of use coverage

Your rental is your home. But, if it becomes inhabitable, you may have to find a temporary place to stay. In the event that you are forced from your residence due to a catastrophic event, a renters insurance policy will compensate you for any living expenses you may accrue. 

Work with an agent in New Windsor, NY

Don’t leave you or your possessions exposed. Plan ahead. Contact the Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. to secure much-needed protection with an individualized renters insurance policy.