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DePaulo Agency

2 Windsor Drive
Scotia, NY 12302

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Full Coverage vs. Liability Auto Insurance: Which is Right for You?

When it comes to auto insurance in Scotia, NY, drivers have several options to choose from. Two of the most common types of coverage are full coverage and liability auto insurance. At DePaulo Agency, we offer both coverage options to cater to the unique needs of drivers in the area.

Understanding Full Coverage Auto Insurance

Full coverage auto insurance is a comprehensive plan that offers protection beyond the minimum requirements set by the state. This type of insurance typically includes collision and comprehensive coverage, which covers damages to your vehicle in the event of an accident or other incidents like theft, fire, and natural disasters. Drivers who opt for full coverage can enjoy peace of mind knowing their investment in their vehicle is protected.

Pros and Cons of Full Coverage

Pros:

  1. Greater protection for your vehicle.
  2. Covers damages from a wide range of incidents.
  3. May be required by lenders if you have a car loan or lease.

Cons:

  1. Higher premiums compared to liability insurance.
  2. May not be cost-effective for older vehicles with lower value.

Understanding Liability Auto Insurance

Liability auto insurance is the minimum coverage required by law in Scotia, NY. It covers the costs of injuries and property damage you cause to others in an accident. However, it does not cover damages to your vehicle. This option is more affordable than full coverage but offers limited protection.

Pros and Cons of Liability Insurance

Pros:

  1. Lower premiums compared to full coverage.
  2. Meets the minimum legal requirement in New York.

Cons:

  1. Limited protection for your vehicle.
  2. You may have to pay out of pocket for damages to your car in an accident.

Choosing between full coverage and liability auto insurance in Scotia, NY ultimately depends on your individual needs and budget. At DePaulo Agency, we can help you navigate your options and select the coverage that best suits your requirements. Contact us today to learn more about auto insurance and how we can help protect you and your vehicle.

Do I Need Umbrella Insurance For My Rental Property?

As a landlord, your rental property is a significant investment, and you want to protect it. You are already a step ahead if you have landlord insurance, but you could still need more: umbrella insurance. Umbrella insurance offers additional coverage to your average landlord insurance, filling any gap your landlord policy may leave.

What Is Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance is an additional policy that covers beyond the limits of any other insurance policies you may have. This policy comes in handy when your other policies can’t cover some liabilities you incur in your rental property.

For instance, if your rental property gets damaged and you incur liabilities worth $600,000, yet your landlord insurance covers up to $300,000 liabilities, your umbrella insurance can cover the remaining $300,000. 

Why Landlords Should Have Umbrella Insurance

Tragic accidents can happen anytime, especially when we least expect them. As such, it’s safe to be a step ahead regarding protection to avoid incurring significant losses. Here are three reasons to have DePaulo Agency umbrella insurance.

It Offers Financial Protection

The cost of obtaining umbrella insurance coverage is lower compared to its worth. If something happens to your property, you don’t have to stress much about using your saved money, as umbrella insurance can cover the expenses.

It Covers Multiple Properties

Umbrella insurance is your bet if you have multiple rental properties in Scotia, NY. You only need to mention the location of all your rental properties to get the right quote and cover them all.

It’s An Extension of Existing Policies

Umbrella insurance is an extension for landlord insurance, home, auto, and other policies you may have.

Reach Out Today

At DePaulo Agency, we help rental property owners in Scotia, NY, acquire umbrella insurance at affordable costs. If you are interested in this policy, we will inform you of the options and help you choose the right one for your needs. Contact us today for more information and get started right away.

How to Get Your Motorcycle Ready for Riding Weather

March is here, meaning the sun is starting to shine, and snow and ice are melting away. If you are a motorcycle lover, it is almost riding season. At DePaulo Agency, providing motorcycle insurance in Scotia, NY, we want to help you stay safe when riding your bike. And one of the best ways to do this is to properly prepare your motorcycle for riding weather.

Here are a few tips on how to get your bike ready for the first ride of the year. 

Inspect Your Motorcycle For Signs of Damage or Rust

If your bike has been stored, the first thing you want to do is wash the bike and look for signs of damage or rust as you do. If there is any rust or damage, you need to get the damage repaired before you take your bike out. 

Inflate Your Tires on the Bike

The next thing you will want to do to get your motorcycle ready to ride is inflate the tires on your bike. Find out what PSI is recommended for your tires, and then ensure your tires are inflated to the correct setting. 

Get Your Motorcycle Professionally Serviced

Lastly, if your motorcycle has been winterized or is due for service, you will want to get your motorcycle serviced by a motorcycle mechanic before riding your bike.  

The final thing you should do before heading out on your motorcycle is review your motorcycle insurance policy. Ensure that your policy still meets your needs. If it does not, or you are looking to purchase a new policy in Scotia, NY, DePaulo Agency can help you. Call us now to obtain an estimate for a new motorcycle insurance policy. 

Insuring Your Boat for Storm Damage and Natural Disasters

Insuring your boat for storm damage and natural disasters is essential to protect your investment and ensure you’re prepared for the unexpected. With unpredictable weather patterns, it’s necessary to have the right coverage to protect your boat from damage caused by storms, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.

When shopping for boat insurance, it’s important to consider the coverage options available to you. Comprehensive coverage is the most comprehensive option and typically covers damage caused by storms, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. However, this coverage can be more expensive, so it’s essential to weigh the cost of the coverage against the value of your boat.

If you have a new or expensive boat, you may want to consider purchasing full coverage insurance that includes liability protection and coverage for personal property. This coverage will protect you from liability if your boat causes damage to another person or property.

When choosing a policy, review the fine print and understand what is and is not covered. For example, some policies may not cover damage caused by wind and hail, so it’s important to be aware of these limitations when choosing a policy. Additionally, some policies may include deductibles you’ll be responsible for paying for in case of a claim.

In a natural disaster, taking steps to protect your boat is essential. If possible, move your boat to a safer location or secure it in a dock to minimize the risk of damage. Take photos, document any damage, and immediately report the damage to your insurance company.

In conclusion, insuring your boat for storm damage and natural disasters is essential to protect your investment and ensure that you’re prepared for the unexpected. With the right coverage, you can have peace of mind knowing that your boat is protected from damage caused by storms and other natural disasters. Contact the DePaulo Agency serving Scotia, NY to ensure your boat is protected from the damage caused by natural disasters.

Who Benefits from RV Insurance?

You are driving down the road during the summer months and just saw the third RV of the day. Summer is a popular time for most people to travel on vacation. There are many things to consider when taking proper RV care. This includes getting insurance for that RV. What is RV insurance, and who does it benefit?

What is RV insurance?

Before diving into who RV insurance benefits, we need to know what RV insurance is. RV insurance covers damages to the RV or liability costs from damages or medical expenses because of the fault of the RV owner. There are three main types of RV coverage. These include liability coverage, comprehensive and collision coverage, and insured or underinsured motorist coverage.

Who benefits from RV insurance?

Now that we know the basic idea of RV insurance, we can dive into who benefits from RV insurance. If you own an RV, getting insurance to cover potential damage is a wise idea. If you take it out often and it has a motor, you most likely will be required to have liability insurance. It is also a good idea to have comprehensive and collision insurance. This will ensure that your RV is covered if something happens, whether natural disasters, collision with another vehicle, or running into wildlife. RV insurance can also help if something happens to it while it is not being used, but you have to check your policy to make sure.

Contact us

If you own an RV or are looking to get one, check us out at DePaulo Agency in Scotia, NY, for more information or to get a quote.

What does an umbrella insurance policy cover?

An umbrella insurance policy is designed to provide additional coverage if your regular insurance policies are insufficient to cover certain expenses or claims. For example, suppose you accidentally injure someone while driving and don’t have adequate car insurance coverage. In that case, an umbrella policy can help protect you from paying out-of-pocket for those losses.

With an umbrella policy, you typically select a base amount of coverage – often $1 million or more – that provides protection against liability costs beyond what your other policies will cover. So, for instance, if you own a home and have significant savings in the bank but only have basic auto and homeowners insurance coverage, an umbrella policy can help provide extra financial protection if someone gets hurt on your property or your home burns down.

With an umbrella policy, you typically select a base amount of coverage – often $1 million or more – that provides protection against liability costs beyond what your other policies will cover. So, for instance, if you own a home and have significant savings in the bank but only have basic auto and homeowners insurance coverage, an umbrella policy can help provide extra financial protection if someone gets hurt on your property or your home burns down.

And because these types of claims can be extremely costly to pay out of pocket, having adequate coverage is essential to protecting yourself from substantial financial loss. If you don’t have any umbrella coverage, it’s worth considering whether it makes sense for you. If you have any questions about umbrella insurance, give the DePaulo Agency a call today. We proudly serve the Scotia, NY area. 

Motorcycle safety tips

Motorcycle accidents can be very dangerous, even life-threatening. To stay safe while driving a motorcycle, it is essential to know the proper safety tips and always wear a helmet. In the event of an accident, it is essential to know what to do to protect yourself and others. Here are some tips for new riders.

1. The importance of wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle

It is smart to wear a helmet while riding a bike, as it can protect you in an accident. A helmet can help to protect your head and neck from injuries in the event of a crash. It is also important to ensure that your helmet is fitted correctly and certified to meet safety standards.

2. How to stay safe while driving a motorcycle

You can do several things to stay safe while driving a motorcycle. Please ensure you are familiar with the bike before you ride it, and always wear protective gear, including a helmet, gloves, and jacket. It is also important to avoid riding in bad weather conditions and to obey all traffic laws. Additionally, be aware of your surroundings and keep a safe distance from other vehicles.

3. What to do in the event of an accident

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, staying calm and taking steps to protect yourself and others is important. If you are injured, seek medical help immediately. Once it is safe to do so, gather information from the other drivers involved in the accident and exchange insurance information.

If you have any questions about your insurance coverage, call the DePaulo Agency today. We proudly serve the Scotia, NY area.

Three things you shouldn’t assume about your boat insurance policy

As a boat owner, you need to be well informed about insurance for your watercraft. Boat owners in Scotia, NY can learn about boat insurance by contacting us at DePaulo Agency.

A lot of boat owners make inaccurate assumptions when it comes to insuring their watercraft. The following are three things you shouldn’t assume about your boat insurance policy. 

Boat insurance covers your boat in any body of water.

It’s important to realize that most boat insurance policies have geographical limits. You cannot assume that your policy will cover you wherever you use your boat if you travel far from your home location and wish to go boating. 

Your driving record doesn’t impact the cost of boat insurance.

Consumers are typically aware of the fact that their driving record impacts the costs of their auto insurance. However, many consumers don’t realize that their driving record can also affect the costs of their boat insurance. 

A driving record with numerous serious infractions will mean that a consumer may have to pay more for boat insurance or struggle to get boat insurance coverage. 

You don’t need boat insurance if it isn’t required by law. 

In many states, in some or all situations, boat insurance is not required by law. However, this does not mean that boat owners should not purchase boat insurance coverage. 

Boat insurance protects boat owners financially regardless of whether it is required by law. Investing in a boat insurance policy with liability and collision coverage is always best. 

Do you have questions about boat insurance? We’d be happy to hear from you at DePaulo Agency. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our policy options for boat insurance. 

Should You Drop RV Insurance in the Winter When the RV is Not Being Driven?

We offer insurance products at DePaulo Agency, serving the greater Scotia, NY region. One of the types of insurance products that we are pleased to offer our customers is RV insurance. However, one of the questions we are often asked about RV insurance is whether RV insurance can be dropped in the winter months when the RV is not being driven. Read on to learn more about this topic, especially if this is a question that you have. 

Should You Drop RV Insurance in the Winter When the RV is Not Being Driven?

It would help if you did not drop RV insurance in the winter when the RV is not being driven. First, in New York, you are required to carry insurance on the RV. If you fail to do so, registration may be revoked. Secondly, your RV insurance policy may also cover the RV against theft, fire, and falling trees. All of these things can occur even when an RV is being stored. Carrying insurance is still important even when the RV is not being operated. 

What Can You Do Instead of Dropping Your RV Insurance in the Winter Months? 

If you do not plan on using your RV for some time, reach out to your insurance company and ask if they have any discounts for RV insurance when the RV is not going to be operated. They may be able to reduce the anticipated mileage, which may help to reduce the amount you pay for RV insurance. 

At DePaulo Agency, serving the greater Scotia, NY area, we can help you get the best RV insurance policy for your needs. Call us now, and let’s talk about your RV insurance needs and let us help you find the ideal policy for you. 

Can Roommates Share a Renters’ Insurance Policy?

At DePaulo Agency, serving the greater Scotia, NY area, our team offers an array of insurance products to serve local community members. One of the products that we offer is renters insurance. Unfortunately, we have seen many misconceptions about renters insurance among renters. One of the questions is whether roommates can share a policy or whether every roommate needs their own renters’ insurance policy. Read on to learn more about this topic. 

Can Roommates Share a Renters’ Insurance Policy? 

Roommates can share a renters’ insurance policy as long as they live under the same roof. However, most professionals recommend that each renter has their own policy. The reason for this is that you have full control over the policy. If you are sharing a policy, you may not know if a premium is paid late and your policy has been canceled, or you may not know the policy’s limits. When you have your own policy, you have full control over every aspect of the policy. 

How Can You Verify If You Are Covered Under a Renters’ Insurance Policy?

If you share a renters’ insurance policy with roommates, verifying that every renter’s name is covered under the policy is crucial. Look at the policy and look at the covered individuals. People make a mistake and assume that since the address is listed on the policy, it covers every renter listed under that address. Unless your name is specifically listed as a covered party, you are not covered under the policy. 

Whether you are looking to get your own renters’ insurance policy or to share a policy with one or more roommates in the greater Scotia, NY area, DePaulo Agency is here to help you. Call or email us today to learn more about obtaining a renters’ insurance policy for rented homes, apartments, condos, or even rented rooms.