Skip to content
Click to Call
Kimberly J Brennan Agency

83 Haviland Dr, Suite 3
Patterson, NY 12563

Get Directions
Featured Insurance Blog

Getting Your First Apartment: What to Know About Renters Insurance

Moving into your first apartment is an exhilarating milestone that offers new opportunities to personalize your space. It also comes with new responsibilities, including safeguarding your belongings. Renters insurance is an affordable way to protect your belongings and yourself.

What Does Renters Insurance Cover?

Renters insurance typically protects your personal belongings from theft, fire, vandalism, natural disasters, and other perils. If your belongings are lost or damaged in a covered incident, a renters policy should help replace what’s lost.

Most policies underwritten in New York also include liability coverage. This protection may help if you’re named in a non-auto personal injury, defamation, or similar lawsuit.

Some New York policies have additional coverages. Additional living expenses coverage can help you find another place if your current apartment is destroyed in a covered incident, for instance. There are still other protections, which our Kimberly J Brennan Agency team is happy to help you explore.

Why Do You Need Renters Insurance?

If you’re moving into an apartment in Patterson, NY, renters insurance is highly recommended. Some landlords require their tenants to carry it; a policy is recommended regardless of whether your landlord requires it.

Without renters insurance, you could lose everything and have no financial assistance when replacing your belongings. You also might be sued and not have funds for legal help, or lose your apartment in a fire and be left without housing.

These are all unlikely scenarios, but they do happen to people. Renters insurance can provide important assistance in situations like these.

How Do You Find Renters Insurance?

The easiest way to find renters insurance is to work with an agent. They can assist with comparing coverages and selecting a policy. If you’re looking for an agent who serves Patterson, NY, we at Kimberly J Brennan Agency can help.

The Connection Between Safe Riding Courses and Insurance Benefits

Riding a motorcycle is an exhilarating and liberating experience, but it also comes with inherent risks. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a beginner, taking a safe riding course can significantly improve your skills and potentially reduce your insurance costs. At Kimberly J Brennan Agency, serving the greater Patterson, NY area, we encourage riders to invest in their safety while also taking advantage of potential insurance benefits.

How Safe Riding Courses Improve Your Skills

A safe riding course in New York goes beyond the basics of operating a motorcycle. These classes teach essential defensive riding techniques, helping you anticipate potential hazards on the road. You’ll learn how to handle emergencies, improve your reaction times, and develop better overall control of your bike. Even experienced riders can benefit from a refresher course, as road conditions and traffic patterns constantly change.

How It Can Lower Your Insurance Premiums

Many insurance providers reward responsible riders with discounts for completing an approved safety course. Insurance companies recognize that educated riders are less likely to be involved in accidents, which means fewer claims. Depending on your provider and policy, you could see a noticeable reduction in your motorcycle insurance premium simply by completing a certified course.

Investing in Safety Pays Off

Not only does a safe riding course make you a more confident rider, but it can also save you money in the long run. If you want to learn more about how safety courses can impact your insurance rates, contact Kimberly J Brennan Agency, serving the greater Patterson, NY region today. We’ll help you find the best coverage and take advantage of any available discounts. Ride smart, stay safe, and enjoy the open road.

Why Some Marinas Require Boat Insurance

If you’re a boat owner, you’ve likely considered using a marina for its numerous benefits. However, many boat owners soon discover that most marinas require boat insurance to use their facilities. This is one of the many reasons why boat owners from the Patterson, NY area trust the Kimberly J Brennan Agency for their boat insurance needs. If you live in New York and own a boat, joining a marina can be a great way to protect your boat and enhance your water activities, but be prepared to provide proof of your boat insurance policy.

Why Marinas Often Require Boat Insurance

While New York is one of the few states that doesn’t require boat insurance, many marinas do. Imagine driving during rush hour in New York, knowing that other drivers aren’t required to have insurance. It’s a scary thought. Now, picture a bustling marina or body of water in New York on a midsummer day, filled with boats. The potential risks are evident. As a boat owner, you’re well aware of the expenses required to maintain your vessel and keep it in top shape. The cost of repairs can be daunting, which is why many marinas require boat insurance and why many owners choose to protect their boats with boat insurance.

Boat Insurance Solutions for Boat Owners in Patterson, NY

If you live in the Patterson, NY area, have questions, or need boat insurance, we’re here to help. Contact us today to learn more and ensure your safety on the water this boating season with boat insurance solutions from the friendly and experienced team at the Kimberly J Brennan Agency.

How Umbrella Insurance Adds to Your Liability Coverage

Umbrella insurance is a great way to get some of the extra coverage you need to go with policies that you already have. It works on two other policies to give you more of the liability coverage that’s so needed in today’s world. With a litigious society and accidents common, it’s always best to be well-protected with liability coverage. To get started with an umbrella policy of your own in New York, call us now at Kimberly J Brennan Agency in Patterson, NY.

Home and Auto Policies and Liability

Your home and auto policies each have several kinds of coverage. One of these is a layer of liability coverage. This protects you in case of an accident. It pays for the damage done to someone else and/or their property. Having this in both policies is essential, but home and auto insurance often don’t have enough of this coverage. This leads many people to get umbrella insurance. It gives you more liability coverage for both of those other policies at once. This leaves you much better protected against the high cost of serious accidents.

Using Umbrella Insurance in New York

When an accident happens, you have your home or auto insurance to help pay for the damages. Once the policy reaches its maximum payout, it can’t pay anymore, and you’re stuck with all the bills that are left. When you have umbrella insurance, it comes in and pays those extra bills. Having this type of policy is vital to keep you owing what could be an enormous amount in medical or other bills after an accident.

Get Umbrella Insurance in Patterson

To protect yourself against your liability, get umbrella insurance. It’s a cost-effective way to increase your insurance coverage. You can call us in New York at Kimberly J Brennan Agency in Patterson, NY.

Condo Insurance for First-Time Owners

Kimberly J Brennan Agency serves Patterson, NY, and the surrounding area and can help you pick out the condo insurance that meets your needs. Whether you live in New York or are a first-time condo buyer, we’re here to help you understand this protection type.

What It Covers

Your policy will cover everything in the condo that you own but not the actual building itself. Instead, it will cover personal belongings like furniture, clothes, bicycles, electronics, tools, and even things stored in your shed. Jewelry, art, computers, and memorabilia are also covered.

Even better, you get protection for some personal liability issues, loss of use if there’s any reason you can’t temporarily live there (such as damage) and medical payments for people injured in your home. This coverage is essential if you ever plan on hosting individuals for extended periods, especially anyone outside your family.

What It Doesn’t

First, it’s essential to know that your association has its own insurance that covers the physical structure of the condo, the common areas, and some original items inside (if they’re original). Nothing in your condo is covered, which is why you need your own policy.

You can also add optional coverage types to expand policies, such as water backup protection, personal injury protection, and extra flood protection. Most natural disasters are not immediately covered and require you to buy extra policy types to ensure you are fully safe from danger.

Finding Protection

Kimberly J Brennan Agency can help Patterson, NY, residents get coverage that meets New York state law. We’ll protect your condo and ensure you’re comfortable leaving it when you’re off from your vacation or living there full-time. Call us right away to learn more about your choices.

Auto Insurance for Teenage Drivers in Patterson, NY: What Parents Need to Know

If you have a teenage driver in the home who is in training or has just obtained their license, you may be feeling the stress over selecting the right auto insurance policy. Adding a teenage driver to your auto insurance policy in Patterson, NY, is no simple decision, which is why it’s crucial to know how to effectively navigate the situation to ensure the best coverage and protection possible.

The Cost of Teenage Auto Insurance

Teenagers are considered high-risk drivers, especially when they first obtain their driver’s license. This is why insurance premiums are often much higher for a teenage driver in New York than for an adult who has been driving for decades.

Tips to Reduce Premiums

If you’re thinking of adding a teenage driver to your own auto insurance policy in Patterson, NY, here are a few tips to keep in mind that may help you reduce your monthly premiums:

  • Higher Deductible Options: In some instances, raising your own deductible can reduce your monthly premiums. However, it’s imperative to ensure you can afford your deductible out-of-pocket if an accident or incident should occur.
  • Safe Vehicle: Investing in a vehicle with a higher safety rating can help reduce premiums, especially when you’re planning to add a teen driver to your current auto insurance policy.
  • Driver’s Education Courses: Have your teen complete a certified driver’s education course to reduce the risk of accidents. In some cases, this may also reduce your monthly premium.

Anytime you’re thinking of adding a teenage driver to your auto insurance policy, it’s important to take the time to compare your options and attempt to reduce premiums in advance. To learn more about your options when it comes to auto insurance and your teenage driver in Patterson, NY, contact Kimberly J Brennan Agency for your consultation and quote today.

What You Should Know Before Buying a Home

Purchasing a home is a significant decision. It often represents a family’s most valuable asset and can be essential for funding retirement, amongst other things. This article will discuss a few basic tips that everyone should know before signing on the dotted line. Those seeking insurance in New York, including Patterson, NY, should consult with the experts at Kimberly J Brennan Agency. We can help you find the right home insurance policy.

Essential Considerations for Homeowners

First and foremost, it’s important to remember that your home is an investment. Therefore, it’s prudent to consider not just your personal preferences but also the home’s overall value in the eyes of potential future buyers. Taking a long-term viewpoint can help prevent potential problems. For instance, considering aspects like school district quality can have an impact on your home’s value, even if you don’t have children.

It’s also recommended that the home be inspected by professionals. Expert evaluations can help identify potential long-term problems such as water damage, decaying wood, or mold. If these issues are discovered, repairs can be requested before completing the purchase. Financial institutions often require such inspections because the property itself typically secures mortgages.

Additionally, mortgage providers also necessitate home insurance policies. If a disaster like a fire damages a property, its value depreciates, increasing risks for lenders. Home insurance is vital for protecting homeowners from various threats, including weather incidents, theft, and personal liability situations like injuries occurring on your property. However, coverage specifics can vary considerably between policies. Therefore, working with insurance professionals to scrutinize each policy is important. If you are seeking assistance from agents serving New York, including Patterson, NY, contact Kimberly J Brennan Agency at your earliest convenience.

Key Person Commercial Insurance Is Critical For Sustaining some Companies when Unexpected Death Occurs

Kimberly J Brennan Agency Offers Key Personnel Insurance For New York Businesses

When a key person in a company dies, it can often mean severe disruption that threatens the business’s ability to continue. Key personnel insurance, or key person insurance, provides funds for the business when this occurs. At Kimberly J Brennan Agency in Patterson, NY, we help companies find the best commercial insurance coverage to protect their businesses’ needs.

Who Is A Key Person in Your Business?

A key person in a business may be an owner, a partner, someone involved in the essential day-to-day running of the business, or someone with specialized knowledge necessary to the operation of the business. The loss of these people could mean a serious disadvantage to your business in the marketplace, and the loss could even cause a business to fail. Key person insurance is designed to provide funds to defray the cost of this loss so you can hire other personnel to fill the gap while you re-design your company for the changing circumstances.

What Does Key Personnel Insurance Cover?

The key person death benefit money can be used for any aspect of the business, such as training new people, additional costs to keep the business operating, or paying off debts. If it becomes necessary to close the business, the funds can also be used for this purpose, such as for severance pay or paying off investors.

Make Kimberly J  Brennan Agency Your Agent For Business Insurance in New York

Suppose you are unsure who a key person in your company is or how key personnel insurance works. In that case, our agents can provide more extensive information to help you decide on this critical coverage. Contact Kimberly J Brennan Agency in Patterson, NY, today for a no-obligation quote on key personnel insurance that can help your business survive in case of an unexpected death.

How do I make sure I have enough home liability coverage?

Understanding Crucial Aspects of Home Insurance in Patterson, NY

Balancing your home insurance needs and affordability can be a complex task that requires the involvement of knowledgeable professionals. Enter the team at the Kimberly J Brennan Agency in Patterson, NY. Having suitable home insurance is always crucial, regardless of where you live in the country.

Consider Your Total Net Worth

Most insurance companies provide liability coverage ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. Consider your net worth before automatically assuming these amounts are sufficient. To increase your liability protection, it might be advisable to add an umbrella policy to your coverage.

Consider Possessions That Might Increase Your Liability

If you have a swimming pool or trampoline, your liability increases. The same applies if you own a dog, with some insurers even refusing coverage for certain breeds.

Do You Host Many Gatherings?

If you frequently entertain, there’s an increased risk of someone filing a lawsuit against you. You might want to enhance your existing liability insurance coverage.

Apply Safety Measures to Your Swimming Pool

Having a swimming pool enhances your liability coverage needs. Some insurers may refuse to cover a pool with a diving board or slide. To mitigate risk, ensure the pool is secured by a fence, preferably without a slide or diving board. The fence should be tall enough to prevent young children from entering the area unattended. Additionally, consider installing sensors that trigger an alarm if an object falls into the pool.

Contact our office at Kimberly J Brennan Agency in Patterson, NY today, and let our team help you with your home insurance needs in New York.

What Makes a Car a Classic?

Different people may have varied perspectives on what constitutes a classic, whether it’s a movie, book, or car. However, some accepted general definitions of a classic car apply when it comes to automobile registrations and insurance.

A classic car is typically at least 20 years old but not exceeding 40 years old. It is expected to be maintained as closely to its original condition as feasible.

If you own a classic car in the Patterson, NY, area, Kimberly J Brennan Agency can help you ensure your vehicle is adequately insured.

If you possess or are contemplating owning a classic car in New York, here are some factors to consider:

Insuring your car for its true value.

A restored classic is often worth substantially more than an average daily driver of the same period. It should be insured for its current replacement or repair value.

Usage of your classic car.

Classic cars may require different protection depending on whether they are for display, used for parades, or driven at the owner’s discretion. Inform our team about how frequently you plan to use your vehicle.

Storage.

Secure storage of a classic car is crucial for its protection against theft or vandalism. The ideal storage facility is a secure, indoor establishment that is climate-controlled.

Special coverage.

Some classic car parts are so valuable and rare that a collector may want the option to retain parts of a severely damaged vehicle. Ask about coverage that would allow the transfer of a salvage vehicle to you if your insured car is severely damaged and you desire to repair it.

Get a quote today.

Classic cars can provide interest and entertainment and be a significant part of social activities. However, it can also be an expensive hobby. Make sure you safeguard your investment with classic car insurance from Kimberly J Brennan Agency of Patterson, NY. Let’s discuss your vehicle and options to protect that investment today.