As we quickly approach 2026, there are changes coming our way for the New York State DMV point system that will impact many drivers across the state. The New York State DMV uses the Driver Violation Point System to identify and take action against high-risk drivers. Points are added to your driving record for certain types of violations such as speeding, reckless driving, improper cell phone use, failure to signal and much more. The severity of the violation impacts the number of points per incident that are added to your record. There are some violations such as pedestrian and bicycle violations, parking violations, unregistered, unlicensed or uninsured operations that do not result in points. Key Changes Coming in 2026 All drivers should understand the revisions of the NYS DMV’s point system which is scheduled to take effect in January 2026.

Halloween is here and while there are fun traditions that come along with the day- such as trick or treating, carving pumpkins, decorating the house with lights and decorations- there are also risks that come to life for some drivers and homeowners. Let’s talk about some of the most common insurance claims that arise on Halloween, how you can protect yourself and your property, and why it is important to have the right insurance coverage to keep your day worry-free. Tricks Vandalism - Halloween sees a large increase in vandalism claims from spray-painted cars, smashed doors and windows to egged houses and more. If you experience vandalism to your home, car, or other property take a minute to determine how much damage there is and consider the amount of your deductible. Once you know the amount of damage in comparison to your deductible, you can decide if the cost to repair the damage is worth filing a claim. Car theft - carrying comprehensive coverage on your auto policy will help protect your vehicle if it is stolen or vandalized. Fire Hazards - If you carve a jack o’lantern for your porch, consider using a battery-operated candle rather than a fire-lit candle. Decorations can create a fire exposure, especially when they are placed too close to a heat source. According to the National Fire Protection Association “From 2019-2023 there was an average of 832 home structure fires that began with decorations per year.” Liability - Children and parents who are out and about trick-or-treating create more foot traffic on your property than any other time of the year. With an increase in foot traffic comes a higher potential of slip-and-fall incidents. Keep your walkways clear from obstacles and ensure it is well-lit to help stop accidents from occurring. Treats Park Smart - Choose a well- lit area and if possible, park in the garage or a visible place from your house. Remove valuable items from your car and make sure the doors are locked. Secure Your Home - Keep your house well-lit, check your smoke detectors to make sure they are working properly and lock your doors if you are going away. Stay Focused on the Road - Keep distractions low, put away your phone, and keep your eyes open for little munchkins who might not be watching the road. Following a couple of simple steps can help make your Halloween fun and worry-free. If an incident occurs on your property or to your property, contact your insurance agent to see if your policy can help you.

A home insurance inspection is commonly conducted by insurance companies to assess the overall condition of your property. While it may sound intimidating, it is also necessary in order to ensure the house is insured to value. The inspection also helps the company evaluate potential risks that could arise at the time of a new insurance policy or renewal of an existing policy. Who performs the inspections? After the homeowners insurance policy is written, an inspector is hired by the insurance company to visit the property and take notes, photos and measurements. Depending on the situation and the company, they may allow your insurance agent to take the photos and submit them directly to the company. What does an inspector look for? In most cases the inspection is exterior, but in some cases the company will request for an interior inspection to be completed. The critical areas include the electrical, plumbing, roof and structure and HVAC system, but they will also look for potential red flags that may increase the chance of a claim. Additional details they will focus in on include: Water damage Signs of mold or mildew Animal infestation Rot or decay Cracks in the foundation Chimneys and fireplaces If you are receiving a discount on your policy such as a home security system, the inspector may also look for that verification. What do you need to do after the inspection? After the inspection is completed, you may be notified if there are some issues that need to be corrected. They will give you a certain amount of time to make the improvements or to make changes to the insurance policy. Anytime a new policy is written or as the 3-year renewal approaches, the company may be inclined to complete an inspection. It is always best to reach out to your independent agent with any questions and or concerns.

Coverage A: Dwelling Dwelling coverage protects your house and permanently attached structures such as an enclosed porch or garage. Coverage B: Other Structures Separate structures on your property such as a detached garage, shed, pool house, guest house or gazebo are protected under this coverage. Coverage C: Personal Property This part of your policy protects your personal belongings, with a few limitations that you should know about. The standard homeowners policy will place a specific limitation of coverage on certain items such as jewelry, furs, firearms as well as a few other belongings unless they are specifically “scheduled” on your policy. Unless you select the replacement cost option, a standard policy will pay for items that are damaged, lost or Stolen on an actual cash value basis (original value less depreciation). Certain personal property are excluded under your policy such as: -personal property of a tenant -paper records or drawings -software or disks -animals, birds or fish -aircraft or aircraft parts It is important to read the exclusions and limitations outlined on your policy. Coverage D: Loss of Use This part of your policy provides protection for the additional living expenses after a loss to be able to maintain your normal standard of living. Coverage E: Personal Liability Liability insurance covers you for money up to your policy limits if the court finds you responsible for damage to another person’s personal property. Coverage F: Medical Payments to Others Medical payments insurance is homeowners coverage that compensates others who are injured while on your property or others whom you accidentally injure. This coverage excludes anyone who lives in your household.

Before hitting the open road on your motorcycle this season, you need motorcycle insurance coverage that you can count on. Whether you need a policy with liability coverage only or a policy that fully covers your bike, we have something for you! Let’s take a look at the coverages available on a motorcycle insurance policy. Required Coverages Liability: Similar to your auto insurance policy, New York State requires all registered motorcycles to carry bodily injury liability coverage in the minimum of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident to cover other parties’ medical bills and other related expenses if you are at fault for an accident. Property damage liability in the minimum of $10,000 is another required coverage that pays for another parties’ vehicle and property repairs if you are at fault. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury : This coverage goes hand-in-hand with the liability coverages mentioned above but instead of covering others, this coverage is for you and your passengers. The minimum limits are the same; $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage safeguards against motorists who do not carry enough insurance to cover you or your bike if you’re hit by another drive. Pedestrian Personal Injury Protection : Also referred to as “no-fault insurance” the pedestrian personal injury protection covers medical and other related expenses for injuries incurred by a pedestrian that result from motorcycle, regardless of fault. The minimum requirement in New York State is $50,000. Optional Coverages Comprehensive coverage : provides protection for things that are often out of your control including theft, vandalism, hitting an animal, fire and weather-related damage. Collision coverage : covers your prized possession if it strikes another object or vehicle, regardless of who is at fault. Other coverages : check with your carrier to see if roadside assistance, accessory coverage, medical payments, and total loss coverage are available on your policy.

A home inventory can help you determine whether your policy is providing enough personal property coverage and may help save time and stress when filing a claim. If your personal belongings are destroyed, damaged or stolen from a covered claim, a detailed checklist of what you lost will be an excellent resource for you and your insurance adjuster. What should I include on my checklist? Many insurance companies have a template accessible with the details that should be included on your home inventory checklist. This information includes the name of your items, purchase price, when and where you bought it, as well as other details such as make/model and serial numbers (if applicable). Steps to creating a checklist  Choose a method-you can handwrite your worksheet or you can complete it on a phone, tablet or computer. Take pictures Begin with valuables- think about the items that are the most costly to replace (such as collectibles, appliances, furniture, antiques, electronics, etc.) Consider an insurance rider for items such as jewelry, firearms and fine art to ensure adequate coverage Creating a home inventory can save time in the event of a claim and help ensure your belongings are covered properly. Remember to save receipts, be specific in your item descriptions and save photos with your checklist in a secondary location… such as with your agent! We are here to help you with all of your insurance questions and needs 607-324-0455

Jewelry often represents something special in your life-whether it be a family heirloom, a special engagement, or a milestone. Perhaps you even treated yourself with something that you have been dreaming of. Whatever the case, it is devastating to have something that is meaningful either damaged, lost, or stolen. How can you protect these precious belongings? Below is some information about how your homeowners, condo or renters insurance policy can help. A homeowners insurance policy will generally provide coverage within specified limits. Coverage varies from one company and policy to the next. For example, one company may limit coverage on theft of jewelry, while another company may provide coverage up to a certain dollar amount regardless of the type of loss. Other companies will place a specified limit for each item. For this reason, it may be beneficial to add a rider to your policy. What is a rider? A rider, also referred to as a floater, is an endorsement that can be purchased on your homeowners policy to provide additional coverage on jewelry or other valuable items. A rider can provide coverage for an item that might not otherwise be covered on your policy. In order to do this, an appraisal or a receipt may be required by the insurance company to ensure that it is insured to the correct value. Jewelry Protection Tips Take photos of the item or collection Save receipts, appraisals and photos in a fire-proof safe Periodically update the value of your jewelry as expensive items can increase or decrease from year to year. Store your jewelry in a secure area of your home Avoid traveling with irreplaceable or extremely valuable jewelry A great time to review your coverages is when your policy renews or when a big change is taking place. Whether you are giving or receiving a special item, it is worth taking a small amount of time to ensure that it is covered. Keep this article in mind this Valentine’s Day! We are ready to assist you with your coverage needs! 607-324-0455

While reviewing your auto insurance renewal, are you stunned by the increase in your policy premium? It is no secret that the price of everything around us has significantly increased over the last couple of years. How is this impacting the insurance world? Let’s take a look at what is driving auto rates. There are several factors that play into this increase. One main factor is that there has been a rise in the severity and frequency of accidents which has led to insurance companies paying out higher claims. Advancements in vehicle technology and inflating costs to repair vehicles along with increasing medical costs has played a large role in increasing premiums. Here are a few additional factors and cost increase percentages that have been provided to us by Mercury Casualty Company: Driving- the amount of drivers on the road has increased by 12.6% and has passed pre-COVID levels. Accidents- with more people on the road, there has been a 26% increase in auto accidents Accident severity- the average cost of each accident has dramatically risen by 34% Labor Repair Rates- labor rates as well as parts has increased by 24% Rental Car Prices- with a low rental car inventory the cost for a rental vehicle has increased by 26% Car prices- when a vehicle is totaled, the cost to replace it has risen significantly: used cars +46.9% and new cars +22.1% We are working daily to find better rates for our customers and are happy to answer any questions that you may have. Feel free to contact us for a FREE quote and to review your current policy coverages.

Spring is approaching quickly and the feeling of getting on your motorcycle for the first time of the year is thrilling. Inevitably there is a great amount of risk that comes with being on a motorcycle as you share the road with cars, pick-up trucks and large vehicles who often have trouble seeing motorcycles. A study from 2016 by The U.S. Department of Transportation found that motorcyclists were 28 times at a greater risk of dying in an accident than those in a vehicle. With statistics like this, it makes sense to pay attention to safety precautions as a driver in a vehicle as well as a motorcycle rider. There are a few things that everyone can do to be extra cautious as more and more bikes enter the roads this time of year. Tips for Drivers Always assume that motorcyclists are closer than they appear. Give them plenty of room on the road and keep a safe distance between you and the motorcyclist. Many drivers tend to ride too close to the vehicle in front of them, which can be extra dangerous for a motorcyclist. Be sure to check your blind spots before switching lanes or making any turns. Tips for Motorcyclists Wear protective and visible gear Obey traffic rules, use your signals and follow the speed limit Inspect your motorcycle before each ride- check your turn signals, brakes, headlights & taillights, fuel, oil, etc. Check the weather before hitting the road Take a safety course. There is a discount available on your motorcycle insurance policy by taking an approved safety course! Following a few simple steps can significantly reduce the chance of being involved in a potentially serious and fatal accident. Please drive with caution and watch for others that are sharing the road with you! Contact us to get started with a motorcycle insurance quote 607-324-0455. We are happy to assist you with all of your insurance needs.