• Elmira, NY Phone: 607-734-6527
  • Corning, NY Phone: 607-962-6831

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2205 College Ave
Elmira, NY 14903

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39 E Pulteney St
Corning, NY 14830

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Are Other Drivers Covered by My Boat Insurance?

Understanding Boat Insurance: Coverage for Additional Boat Operators

Like auto insurance, boat insurance is instrumental in protecting you from financial losses due to accidents, theft, and other unexpected incidents. But what about other potential operators of your vessel? Your insurance representative at Stewart Agency Inc., serving Elmira, NY, knows that most boat insurance policies provide coverage for other drivers and that there are important considerations to make when deciding on insurance.

Coverage Variations

It’s critical to note that boat insurance policies can vary greatly. Coverage for other operators usually falls under liability insurance, a standard feature in most boat insurance plans. This coverage is designed to guard you when someone else operates your boat and is involved in an accident causing injury or property damage. However, such coverage often depends on the other driver’s listing on your policy and the circumstances under which they were driving the boat.

Named Insured Drivers

Several insurance providers insist that any boat operator apart from the policyholder should be explicitly named on the policy to extend coverage. Inform your insurer about all potential drivers to ensure coverage. Some policies may offer flexibility, providing coverage for other drivers occasionally at the helm with your permission.

Possible Restrictions

Your policy may include restrictions based on the driver’s age, boating experience, and licensing. Some policies might not cover operators below a specified age or those without appropriate boating licenses or certifications.

While boat insurance typically includes coverage for other drivers, the specific details are governed by your insurer and policy terms. To understand who is covered when operating your boat, consult your insurance representative at Stewart Agency Inc., serving Elmira, NY. Being informed ensures optimum protection for your prized vessel and all potential operators.

Get More Liability Coverage With Umbrella Insurance

If you have a home and a vehicle, you probably already have home and auto insurance to protect them. When you have these policies, it can be helpful to get more insurance coverage for them by getting an umbrella policy. Umbrella insurance is a great way to add more protection for a low price. When you want more protection from your insurance, contact us at Stewart Agency Inc. in Elmira, NY about an umbrella policy. 

Liability Coverage

One of the most important types of insurance coverage that you have is your liability coverage. This is the coverage that pays for someone else’s medical bills and other expenses when there has been an accident. Generally, this is needed when the accident is considered your fault or your responsibility. You’re responsible for what your car does as well as for any accidents that happen on your property. With umbrella insurance, you get more liability coverage for both your home and auto policies. This is like an extra blanket or umbrella to protect you in case of serious accidents. 

Paying Overages

Your home and auto insurance each have a specific amount of coverage for liability. This, however, may not be enough. When someone has an expensive accident, your home or auto insurance may not have enough liability coverage to pay for it all. That’s why you need umbrella insurance. If there is an overage after your home or auto policy pays out all it can, you’ll have your umbrella policy come in and pay the remainder. These policies have very high maximum payouts so that you’re well-protected. 

Get Your Umbrella Insurance Policy

If you need more liability coverage, an umbrella policy is the cost-effective way to get it. To get started, call us at Stewart Agency Inc. in Elmira, NY, and learn more. 

Stay Dry and Safe with Flood Insurance

Insurance for all of life’s needs is something most of us look for and what we offer to residents throughout the greater Elmira, NY area at Stewart Agency Inc. That also includes insurance for concerns such as flooding which can not only be dangerous but costly.

Don’t Be Overwhelmed

The greatest weapon a flood has is its ability to overwhelm, well – virtually everything in its path. And even the smallest flooding incidents can result in expensive damages from repairs to lost and destroyed valuables.

Fortunately, when floods strike, there is help. When it comes to helping recover what you have lost as a result of a flood, the team at Stewart Agency Inc. is here to help, so you can get back to recovering and to life after the storm. 

Floods overwhelm everything, but you don’t have to be overwhelmed in the aftermath and in the recovery process. To be prepared for all the storms that life can throw at us, let the experienced and friendly professionals at the Stewart Agency show you how the right plans and policies can make a difference.

Need Flood Insurance? Contact Us Today

If you are looking for flood insurance in or around the Elmira, NY area, look no further than the Stewart Agency Inc. Don’t be left waist-deep or alone following a flood, and get the coverage, peace of mind, and partner you deserve for all your flood insurance needs.

Contact us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment, and don’t be left alone after the storm hits. For flood insurance and more, your friends and neighbors at the Stewart Agency Inc. are here to help.

Should I Add Additional Coverage to My Auto Insurance?

If you live in Elmira, NY or surrounding areas, you must have auto insurance coverage on your vehicle. New York residents are required to have liability insurance for property damage and bodily injury. A Stewart Agency Inc. agent can help you find the coverage that fits your needs.

Additional Coverage

Additional coverage can be added to your policy, along with the minimal requirements from New York. Additional coverage is not required but should be considered to ease your mind if you get into an accident or if something happens to your vehicle due to theft or fire. Additional coverage policies contain:

  • Personal Injury Protection pays for your injuries in the event of an accident. You can add no-fault protection, as well as Optional Basic Economic Loss, to your coverage.
  • Additional Liability or Property Damage Insurance 
  • Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist protects against injury you, your family, or your passenger might suffer if a driver hits you and is uninsured.
  • Supplementary Insurance increases your liability insurance to allow for more coverage.
  • Collision pays for damage to your vehicle due to colliding with another automobile or an object, whether the accident is your fault or not. 
  • Comprehensive Insurance covers harm to your vehicle from causes other than collisions like theft, fire, weather-related, glass break, or vandalism.
  • Accidental Death and/or Dismemberment Insurance
  • Other services include towing and labor, rental reimbursement, and mechanical breakdown coverage.

Call our Elmira, NY Office Today

If you want to get insurance for your vehicle and want to know more about additional coverage, call a Stewart Agency, Inc. agent today. New York only requires drivers to have property damage and liability for bodily injury. They will be able to assist you in finding the right coverage that fits all your needs, whether you add additional coverage or not. 

How Much Commercial Coverage Do I Need?

If you live in Elmira, NY and you’re going to be starting a business, then you will need to think about the type of commercial coverage you need. Trying to determine the type and how much commercial coverage to purchase can be one of the most difficult things that a new business owner must decide. Here is an overview that could help.

Do You Need Commercial Auto Insurance?

One aspect of choosing commercial insurance is determining whether you need commercial auto insurance. You will need commercial auto insurance if you have company vehicles that are used strictly for business purposes. If you opt to maintain regular auto insurance on business vehicles, then you could put yourself at risk of liability. 

Do You Need to Consult an Expert?

If you are still struggling to determine how much commercial coverage to obtain, then you may need to consult with an expert. The expert will assess your business, ask you several questions about the type of business you run, and then come up with a pretty accurate amount of commercial coverage to opt for. This can save you the headache of purchasing too little or too much coverage, which is easy to do when you’re a new business owner. 

Stewart Agency Inc. Is Here To Help

As you can see, commercial insurance coverage is important, but it can be very difficult to determine how much coverage to purchase. Once you have made that determination, if you need a new insurance company, then we at Stewart Agency Inc. serve the Elmira, NY area, and we’re accepting new customers. We offer several insurance coverage types, top-notch customer service, and great coverage. We pride ourselves on catering to our customers to ensure we exceed their expectations, so give us a call today so we can give you an estimate. 

A Short Guide to Smart Locks

Smart locks are among the latest in home security trends as they offer a convenient and secure way to control your home’s access. These keyless, high-tech entry systems can be accessed remotely and offer remote monitoring of your home. If you live in and around the Elmira, NY area, the insurance professionals at Stewart Agency, Inc. offer the following helpful guidance regarding smart locks:

Types of Smart Locks

The market for smart locks is still somewhat in its infancy, so current smart lock applications are currently evolving. Most available smart locks offer user management options, integration with smart home systems, as well as the ability to maintain and download activity logs of those who accessed your home. The following are a few of the types of smart locks available in the marketplace-

  • Wi-Fi Enabled– connecting through your home’s network.
  • Key-based– uses a touchpad to enter a defined code.
  • Bluetooth Enabled- connecting through a smartphone, etc.
  • Biometric- uses biometrics like fingerprinting, etc.

Do Smart Locks Impact Home Insurance?

The implications on insurance may include:

  • Certain policies may offer discounts on premiums for homeowners who have installed a security measure, like a smart lock. This is because a smart lock adds a layer of security.
  • Smart locks can help should you need to defend against a liability claim. For example, if you use smart locks to allow access to contractors, it shows reasonable caution and may limit liability in case of an incident.

Contact Us Today

If you live in the greater Elmira, NY area and would like additional information regarding how smart locks may impact your home insurance, contact the Stewart Agency, Inc. We look forward to meeting your New York State insurance needs today.