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Featured New York Insurance Blog

When Should I Get Flood Insurance?

Most homeowners’ insurance policies don’t protect your property and belongings from flooding or groundwater seepage damage. As such, it is prudent for homeowners or renters in areas that are prone to flooding to get some flood insurance coverage. Ideally, such an insurance policy covers damage caused by water that falls from the sky as rain or ice and later gets into a home and thus causing flooding and damage. 

But for the policy to get honored, the flooding damage shouldn’t be a result of negligence. For instance, damage caused by rainwater that floods your house may not get you compensation if the flooding results from leaking, and an unrepaired roof. The water damage should be a result of accidental flooding. 

When Does a Homeowner Need to Get a Flood Insurance Policy?

If you’re a resident of a designated flood zone, then you should get a flood insurance policy. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) marks flood hazard regions on the flood hazard maps. The agency makes recommendations on the acquisition of flood insurance policy. The flood hazard map zones flooding areas into three zones (A, B, & C) depending on the severity of potential flooding.

Zone A areas are close to water bodies and carry a significant flooding risk. Anyone with property in these zones should get flooding insurance. Zone B denotes areas with moderate flooding risk, and there is a need for homeowners with property in these zones to get flooding insurance too. But the cover often comes at a lower premium than zone A, and C.

The Zone C regions have a low flooding risk. But this doesn’t imply that you shouldn’t take flood insurance coverage if you’re in this region. Some zones may have the V mark indicating that they’ve not gotten assessed for flooding. As such, you may need to find a specialist who’ll make an assessment and advice you on whether to get flooding insurance or not. But it’s prudent always to get one. 

Get Enough Homeowners Insurance Policy Today

It’s possible to get flooding insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). But if you’re in Brooklyn, NY, you should visit the Access Legacy Insurance Group to get your homeowners’ flooding insurance cover. At Access Legacy Insurance Group, we provide updated homeowners’ flooding insurance policies to all Brooklyn, NY, residents. Check out our website to learn more.

Do business owners always need to have workers comp insurance in Brooklyn?

The Brooklyn NY area continues to be a densely populated area of New York and offers a lot of potential to business owners. Those that are business owners in this area of the state are going to need a few forms of insurance. One type of coverage that they will need to have is workers comp insurance. There are several reasons why this insurance will likely be needed by a business here. 

 

Coverage is a Legal Requirement for Employers

A key reason that businesses need to have workers comp insurance is that it is a legal requirement. In New York, the state law mandates that all employers have a full workers comp insurance plan. This coverage is needed no matter how many employees you have on your staff. If you do have a staff member and don’t have coverage, you could be penalized.

 

Coverage Provides Protection for All

A workers comp insurance plan should also be considered a necessity as it offers valuable protection for all parties involved. With workers comp insurance, you can assure employees that they will have support if they are injured while working. This can also help to protect the business as the workers comp insurance can reduce the employer’s liability risk if someone is hurt while they are at work.

 

Anyone that is going to own a business and has a staff in Brooklyn NY will need to have a full workers comp insurance plan. If you are looking for workers comp insurance when you are here, it would be wise to call the Access Legacy Insurance Group. The team with the Access Legacy Insurance Group can offer some very valuable guidance that will help you understand your needs and give the support to choose the right plan. 

Renters Insurance Guide: Defining Perils and Liabilities

When considering renters’ insurance, it may seem like a simple solution, but the terms could confuse you. The most common terms in a renters’ insurance policy are perils and liabilities. These are two different things. At Access Legacy Insurance Group, we are serving Brooklyn, NY with renters’ insurance. 

Learn more about what these confusing terms mean.

Perils in Renters’ Insurance

In Brooklyn, NY, there are several perils you could be subject to just because of where you live. Perils are defined by something that is a risk that causes loss. The risk could be a natural disaster or a fire or explosion that causes smoke damage. 

The risk could be anything that that is a risk that you did not exposes yourself to. If you drop a priceless vase on the floor, that is not a peril.

So you can file a claim under perils in your renters’ insurance after storm damage, natural disasters, and even some crimes. If your unit is on the first floor, flood damage may not be covered. Water damage that seeps through walls might be, though.

Liabilities Covered in Renters’ Insurance

Liability coverage is standard coverage in almost every insurance policy type. This coverage will cover you if something bad happens in your home, and you are legally liable or responsible for those damages.

It can also cover you when you are sued for something. This may not even cover you at home. If you are on vacation and something happens, and you are found to be liable, your legal bills could be covered for that as well.

Your insurance agent can walk you through the kinds of perils and liabilities that your policy covers.

Get a Free Quote

When you are considering renters’ insurance, you want to know that it will be worth it and cover everything you are worried about. It will. Access Legacy Insurance Group LLC, serving Brooklyn, NY, can walk you through your insurance policy’s perils and liabilities clauses. Call us for a free quote today.

Understanding New York Auto Insurance

Owning a vehicle comes with a lot of responsibilities. And one of the financial responsibilities you have to contend with is auto insurance. Car insurance can be challenging to understand, especially for new drivers. However, the good news is that Access Legacy Insurance Group of Brooklyn, NY is here to help you understand auto insurance.

Is auto insurance mandatory in New York?

You guessed it right. Auto insurance is mandatory in New York. Failure to show proof of insurance ownership could result in numerous fines and penalties. Again, you have to pay for accident-related damages and bodily injuries from your pocket without auto insurance.

The New York requires you to incorporate the below mandatory coverages in your auto insurance:

Liability insurance

Covers medical expenses for bodily harm caused to other persons in an accident, you are deemed liable. The property damage liability covers losses caused to third parties in an accident in which you are at fault. The liability coverage also protects you against lawsuits.

Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage

It’s also known as no-fault insurance. It covers the below regardless of who was at fault.

  • Medical expenses for you and your passengers
  • Partial loss of income
  • Death benefits

Uninsured motorist insurance

Did you know that over 5 percent of New Jersey drivers aren’t insured? While this may be below the national average of 12.9 percent, it still puts you at risk. You see, uninsured motorists leave a trail of uncovered costs when they cause accidents. Since they don’t have insurance, they are unable to cover emanating medical expenses and property damages. However, when you have uninsured motorist coverage, you don’t have to worry about less responsible drivers.

While the state requires the above auto insurance plans, they don’t protect you optimally. That said, you need to consider the below car insurance options:

  • Comprehensive coverage
  • Collision coverage
  • Roadside assistance coverage

If you are in Brooklyn, NY, and looking for auto insurance, don’t look beyond Access Legacy Insurance Group. Contact us today, and our friendly staff will help secure you and your car with proper auto insurance.

3 Areas That Your Auto Insurance Should Cover

The mission of Access Legacy Insurance Group, located in Brooklyn, NY, is to see New York drivers stay on the roads with the right auto coverage. This way, drivers aren’t only compliant with the law but also protected from various perils inherent with vehicle ownership.

Most drivers understand that they must carry auto insurance, but it can be confusing to determine whether you are carrying adequate auto insurance. With many car insurance ads out there, it can be challenging to determine whether you are carrying the right insurance. Fortunately for drivers, we are here to explain three areas that your auto insurance must cover.

Liability protection

Driving comes with many variables. As such, accidents can occur at any time. And because we can’t predict accidents, your auto insurance must carry liability protection to cover for bodily injuries and property damages you may cause to third parties.

While the state has a minimum liability coverage requirement, your agent should advise whether that policy limit provides you with optimal coverage.

Vehicle protection

Ever thought of risks surrounding your car? Ranging from accidents, theft, vandalism, fire, and other natural disasters, these risks can quickly sink your investment in the twinkle of an eye. However, with the right auto coverage, your insurance should pay for damages or replace your car in case of a total loss.

Medical payments

You must be aware of the rising healthcare costs in America. Now, imagine you or your passengers sustaining accident-related injuries, and you have little or no health insurance coverage. Believe it or not, you would be expected to cover medical expenses from your pocket.

However, when you have medical payments coverage or PIP, your insurance covers medical expenses, funeral expenses, and income loss if you or someone else is involved in an auto accident.

Auto Insurance in New York

Shopping for auto insurance? Your search has ended. Contact Access Legacy Insurance Group in Brooklyn, NY today for all your auto insurance needs.

Who needs workers comp insurance in Brooklyn?

If you are an owner or manager of a company in Brooklyn, NY, having proper insurance in place is very important. A quality insurance plan can protect your business assets and give liability protection. One type of insurance that a business should not overlook is workers comp insurance. There are several situations when a business should get a workers comp plan in this area of New York.

Those that Want to Comply with Law

Similar to many other states, New York has some specific and strict workers’ compensation insurance laws. In this state, all businesses are required to obtain workers comp insurance to protect their staff. Even if you have only part-time employees or family members, having this coverage is required. If you do not maintain this coverage, you could face stiff penalization.

Those that Want to Protect Staff

Even if you were not obligated to get the coverage, you should still obtain it to protect your employees. With proper workers’ compensation insurance, you will know that your team is covered at all times. This way, if someone is hurt while working, your policy will ensure they receive the medical care and reimbursement for missed wages while they recover. 

If you would like to purchase a workers comp insurance plan and are in the Brooklyn, NY area, you may have questions about your needs and options. The Access Legacy Insurance Group team is a great resource for you to call when you are looking for a new plan. Access Legacy Insurance Group can assess your situation to determine your worker’s comp needs. We can then answer your questions and give you any support needed to choose an ideal plan for your situation. 

When is renters insurance needed in Brooklyn?

Brooklyn, NY is a trendy place for people to move to. This is a fun area of New York City and offers many amenities and access to plenty of professional opportunities. If you want to move to this area of New York, renting could be a good option. If you do rent, you still need to get proper insurance before moving in. 

When Signing a Lease

A common scenario in which you will need to have renters coverage is when you sign a lease. Many landlords in the Brooklyn area always require that tenants carry renters insurance coverage. When you have this protection in place, it ultimately ensures you have the ability to pay for damages if you cause an accident and can replace your personal assets if there is a fire. Due to this protection, landlords will almost always require coverage. 

When Trying to Protect Assets

You will also want renters insurance to protect your assets. If you are moving into a new home, you will likely keep some personal assets under your roof as well. When you have renters insurance, you will have coverage to repair or replace items, including furniture, clothing, and small appliances. 

There will continue to be many situations when having renters insurance will be needed in Brooklyn, NY. If you would like to get a renters policy in this area of the state, you should call Access Legacy Insurance Group. There are a lot of situations when calling Access Legacy Insurance Group could be helpful. Due to the complexities of picking this insurance, speaking with them can be an ideal option due to the guidance and service they can provide to you to ensure you pick the right policy that meets your needs. 

What is Boat Insurance and Why Do You Need it?

Unlike auto insurance, boat insurance is not required in New York, but it is always a good idea to protect such a valuable investment. With recreational boating seeing an unprecedented surge in interest in recent years, more boats, jet skis, and other watercraft are on the water than ever before. Consequently, boating accidents are increasing, and failing to have insurance can leave you on the hook for thousands of dollars in damages and serious legal repercussions.

Not only does boat insurance protect your watercraft from covered incidents like vandalism, theft, and storms, but also liability coverage is needed to ensure that you aren’t responsible for the medical bills or any other costs associated with being deemed at fault in an accident involving another boat or passenger. One of the most important coverages outside of liability coverage to ensure that you have on your boat insurance policy is uninsured and underinsured protection. What this means is that if another boat hits you or injures an occupant on your boat but doesn’t have boat insurance, any costs associated with repairing your watercraft or medical bills are covered up to your policy limits. 

Although you do not need to insure your boat in New York, you must register it with the Department of Motor Vehicles. To qualify for registration, anyone planning to operate the boat must have received a boating safety certificate from an accredited course to qualify. 

For more information on boat insurance or assistance in purchasing a policy, give the knowledgeable team at Access Legacy Insurance Group in Brooklyn, NY a call to learn more. 

What does flood insurance cover

The simple fact is that no region is safe from flooding. It is the number one natural disaster and causes billions of dollars of damage every year. Even one inch of water in your home can cause thousands of dollars of damage. If you are one of the homeowners who think your home insurance covers flooding, you are in for a surprise, it doesn’t. At Access Legacy Insurance Group Brooklyn, NY we believe in creating a personal relationship with all of our customers. 

Flood insurance is managed by FEMA through the National Flood Insurance Program. Approximately 60 national insurance companies deliver the product to customers. The good news is the price will be the same no matter which of them you choose and what your risk level is. It comes as two different policies, buildings, and contents. You don’t have to buy both if you don’t want to.  You do however need to be in one of the 23,000 communities who participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. 

The building policy covers the physical structure. That includes the foundation and the main systems in the house, electric, plumbing, and heating/cooling. It covers the furnace itself and the water heater and water pump.  It also covers anything that is a permanent fixture like the kitchen cabinets and built-in bookcases or appliances. It will cover a detached garage.

The contents policy covers your personal possession. It includes your washer and dryer, portable air conditioning, and heating units. Small appliances and your kitchen items like dishes and cutlery, electronics, clothes, and electronics are all covered. 

If you are ready to add flood insurance to your current insurances, at Access Legacy Insurance Group in Brooklyn, NY we are here to help that happen. We invite you to stop at our office or to give us a call for a no-obligation quote. 

Three reasons you need collision coverage on your auto insurance policy

Motorists often regret choosing less expensive auto coverage down the road. One way they lower their premiums is by forgoing collision coverage. We offer auto insurance coverage, including collision coverage at Access Legacy Insurance Group.

The following are three reasons you need collision coverage on your auto insurance policy in Brooklyn, NY. 

Your vehicle is essential for meeting your transportation needs.

Many consumers out there need their vehicles to be up and running to get where they need to be. That means that you can’t wait around to save up funds to pay for needed vehicle repairs.

If you have collision coverage, you can get repairs performed right away. In fact, collision coverage often includes rental vehicle coverage. This means you’ll get a rental vehicle to use until your vehicle is up and running again. 

Car accidents can result in thousands of dollars of damage to your vehicle.

As a motorist, you need to realize just how much a vehicle accident can cost. If you get in a bad accident, you might need to spend several thousand dollars to get your vehicle running again. Chances are, this is going to put a dent in your savings. 

Collision coverage pays for damages when incidents don’t involve another driver. 

You might feel that you are a pretty good driver, so you’re unlikely to cause an accident. This means you think other drivers involved in an accident will have liability coverage to cover the costs.

However, it’s possible to experience damage to your vehicle with no other motorists involved. For example, a branch can fall and crack your windshield, or your vehicle could experience damage if you drive over a bad pothole. 

Collision coverage covers the costs of damages to your vehicle in situations like these, where you can’t rely on another driver’s liability coverage. 

We can offer you collision coverage on your auto insurance policy in Brooklyn, NY at Access Legacy Insurance Group. Get in touch with us to learn more.

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