Avid anglers with expensive fishing boats usually carry costly equipment such as fish finders, trolling motors, GPS systems, sonar, and more. If you’re one of these die hard rod-n-reeler’s, ask yourself this: When you purchased your NY boat insurance policy, did your agent ask you any questions about this equipment?

Did you know you can and should build coverage for these items into your insurance policy?. Another question: do you occasionally fish competitively, or act as a fishing guide? Because if you do either or both, you need to carry additional insurance coverage for these activities, too. This will ensure your boat and gear are properly insured and will keep disappointment out of your life in the event of a claim.

NY insurance agencies along the Hudson, Delaware, and Ausable rivers should know how to build these coverage’s into your policy and ask the right questions. If you are unsure if your coverage’s are correct for your situation, contact Hudson Valley Agents at 888-228-5417 to find out more.

During the energy crisis we had in the 1970’s and again to a lesser extent in the 1990’s we were presented with the options to go green by using wind, solar, and geo-thermal energy sources; but those opportunities never panned out for us because the technology was still not very efficient, and the costs associated with going green was way out of proportion. In other words, it was still cheaper and easier to deal with the existing system, even with all it’s ups and downs in prices.

The good news is that was twenty to forty years ago and now green technologies are much more efficient, the costs have come way down, and with proper tax rebate incentives in New York through certain municipalities, utility providers, and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), it actually makes financial sense to go green with your energy consumption. Solar and wind mill technologies are so far advanced now, you can’t drive five miles without seeing it.

You can also go green by taking advantage of the new world we live in, where paper is not needed anymore. Gone are the days of writing checks and mailing them to your creditors with the stub from a paper statement they mailed to you. If you still write checks, and receive bills in the mail, think about what happened to the dinosaurs Okay? Even reading a newspaper is becoming passé. My insurance agent even offers the option to go green with any NY insurance policy we take out, and some of the companies give a NY insurance discount for using this option. My utility provider has offered to switch me to pure hydro-electric and paperless billing for about the same amount per kilowatt I pay now. My local grocery store emails their sales flyer to me now instead of printing those big color newspaper like mailers.

It’s a green world we live in now, so get with the times or you may get left behind.

Fourth of July weekend is one of the most popular times in America to be out on the road in an RV. With so many people on the roads July 4th weekend, be extra aware of traffic laws and courteous to your fellow drivers. Don’t forget to check your NY RV insurance policy to make sure it is paid up and you have all the proper coverage’s for your trip before you leave.

Here is a list of some popular fun spots to enjoy July 4th from the RV Informer:http://thervinformer.com/4th-of-july-destinations-for-rvers.

Keep safe while out RVing this July 4th weekend with tips from CampingRoadTrip.com: http://www.campingroadtrip.com/tips-and-articles/fourth-of-july-safety-tips.

If you are towing, like many RVers do when on Holiday, Help ensure your road trip goes off without a “hitch” with these tips!

·        Make sure the hitch coupler, safety chains, ball mount, electrical plug, spring bar brackets and safety clips are all secure.

·        Check all running lights, and practice braking so you see how long the trailer will take to stop at a decent pace.

·        For balance, be sure tires are properly inflated, and consider installing a sway control device when you hook up your hitch.

·        Go to a public scale to check the weight of the trailer, tow vehicle and the hitch connecting the two.

·        Be sure the load in your trailer is evenly distributed, and remember to store heavier items low.

If you purchased your RV insurance in NY, remember most insurance carriers have toll free 24 hour claims hot-lines in case you do have an incident this Holiday weekend.

New York has seen its share of precipitation so far this year, but the threat of wild fire still remains this summer. Arizona, Texas, and Florida have joined California on the list of states that have had a significant amount of land scorched by wild fires this year.

This year, consider alternatives to burning. Yard waste can be made into mulch or composted, while newspapers and many other items can be recycled. It will make you green and help reduce the potential of a brush fire. If you do burn, make sure you burn in a fortified pit and never leave a fire unattended. Sparks could blow into leaves or grass and spread quickly. Also, watch the weather. Don’t attempt to burn on windy days or during periods of drought. Check with local fire officials to make sure weather conditions are safe for burning. Keep water nearby. A garden hose or bucket can help control fire in an emergency and will help extinguish flames properly and completely. When done, drown the fire with water and stir until everything is cold to the touch.

Many communities have burning regulations, which could include requiring burning permits and restrictions on the times and places for open burning, as well as the items that can be burned; so follow the law. NY Insurance companies also require that you keep your yard close to your home free from overgrown brush and vegetation. This is to help prevent dry growth from igniting from lightning or other sources.

An RV awning is a great feature to have, but also one that needs regular maintenance. Here are a few tips to keep it “made in the shade” this summer!

·        Practice rolling your awning up on a nice day, so you’ll be prepared to do it quickly when a storm is about to hit.

·        Generally, your awning should be secured at its feet, strapped or pegged down so it will not flip in the wind.

·        A light drizzle or breeze should not be cause for alarm, but roll it up at the first sign of dark clouds or a whipping wind.

·        Whether an awning has been rolled up a while or not, periodic cleanings are best in the long run to keep it in good condition. To clean, rinse the awning with warm water and a mild cleansing solution, gently scrub and then let it dry.

·        RV awnings are usually made out of one of two types of fabric, acrylic or vinyl. Regular cleaning with non abrasive mild soap and water will also help prevent premature fading of the awning as well.

Remember to check with your NY insurance agent to make sure your RV accessories are properly insured. Coverage for attached accessories, including awnings, satellite dishes and TV antennas are optional with some NY insurance companies and standard with others.

Like most people you've probably made resolutions in the past that went unfulfilled. Don't be so hard on yourself. Here are some tips to make realistic New Year's resolutions for your lifestyle and great tips on keeping them up throughout the new year.

First of all, make resolutions that will have a lasting impact on your life but are also easy to keep such as:

1.       Call an independent insurance agent and have them shop all of your NY insurance rates and coverage for you. When you choose an independent agent like Hudson Valley Agents, you only have to make one call, and therefore only have one resolution to stick to.

2.       If you’re feeling ambitious because the last goal was just too easy, then resolve to do good things with all the money you will save when your insurance affairs have been straightened out, tidied up, and simplified by calling an independent agent. Maybe you can adopt a small island nation, or start a scholarship fund for kids that know how to read, or maybe even bail California out of financial destitution.

3.       Try to be realistic and adjust any goals that may be too hard to tackle. You can break them down into smaller pieces. For example: Instead of resolving to do good things with all the money you will save on your insurances, maybe you can resolve to just spend all of that money on yourself and family. Maybe do your part to help stimulate the economy or something.

4.       Sit down with your family and friends and discuss your goals and why you made them. Ask for their support on these goals throughout the year. The best way to do this is by bragging to them about how much you have saved and have them call an independent insurance agent too. Once your family and friends are on board and doing the same thing as you, it’s like trying to stop a freight train. Nothing will keep you from your resolution after that, nothing.

Congratulations! Your resolutions have been made. Keep checking back to your list daily to keep your eye on the ball. Don't be afraid to add new goals throughout the year as well.

Obamacare Individual Mandate Found Unconstitutional by Federal Judge in
Virginia
------------------------------------------------------------
A U.S. judge in Virginia Monday declared unconstitutional a key part of
President Barack Obama's landmark healthcare law in the first major setback
on an issue that will likely end up at the Supreme Court.
U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson, appointed to the bench by President George
W. Bush in ...

This article can be found at:
http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2010/12/13/115615.htm

Once reserved for getting from one green to the next, many people now “putt” around retirement parks and condo complexes in golf carts.

Golf carts are quickly joining the ranks of ATVs, snowmobiles and personal watercraft as a favorite toy for grown-ups.

But what happens if these items get stolen or damaged? Make sure you’ve got the right combination of coverage and service to get you back on the trails and waterways quickly.

"One of the biggest benefits of specialized ‘toy’ insurance is that it covers you just about anywhere you want to go," says Marcy Gray of Progressive.

When it comes to big-kid toys, you can’t afford not to insure them. While fun to own, they can be costly to repair. If you add one of these to a homeowners policy and trouble occurs off your property, you could be on the hook.

“Specialized coverage’s go well beyond the bare-bones coverage you get with a homeowners endorsement,” says Gray. “Stand-alone policies cover you for things like towing and accessory theft. Companies that sell specialized policies also generally have claims reps trained to get you back on the ‘playground’ fast.”

For more information on insuring your “toys” in NY contact Hudson Valley Agents at 888-228-5417

Some people call New York “The Sue Me” State, mainly due to the higher amount of lawsuits filed here verses… well, probably any other state in the nation. It’s one of the reasons why liability insurance in NY, whether it be on your car, home, or business; is so expensive in New York.

In order to give yourself the added necessary protection to adequately protect yourself from a lawsuit, be it frivolous or serious; you need to have a good umbrella liability policy for yourself or your business. You will also a special events liability insurance policy to protect you from the not so everyday function you may be involved in, or in some cases like concert promoters – everyday functions.

Special Event Liability insurance provides protection for third party bodily injury and property damage that could arise out of your event. Special Event Liability Insurance is an insurance policy designed to provide broad protection for situations in which an event holder or concessionaire must defend itself against lawsuits or pay damages for bodily injury or property damage to third parties.

There are several types of events that may be considered a special event:

·         Parties

·         Weddings

·         Company Picnics

·         Family Reunions

·         Dances

·         Concerts

·         Hole In One Tournament Promotions

·         Festivals

·         And Much More

In addition to Special Event Liability insurance, other types of special event insurance would include event cancellation (usually for a wedding or large gathering) and prize indemnification (usually for a hole in one tournament.) Liquor liability is an option that can usually be purchased for an additional premium for covered events that sell and profit from alcohol sales too.

Event Cancellation can be purchased to protect event expenses or revenue against cancellation or abandonment caused by reasons beyond your control.

Wedding insurance safeguards your big-day investment with cancellation, postponement and liability coverage, plus protection for bridal gowns, rings, photographs, no-show vendors, gifts, and more.

Party liability insurance will protect you, or your business, from third-party damages that take place at the site of the event for which you are held liable, say a public park for example.

In New York, Hudson Valley Agents is one of the premiere special event liability writers, with several hundred cases written from professional concerts to weddings, to company picnics, they have the experience to quote and write your policy properly and competitively.