Renter’s Insurance
If you are a tenant in New York City you are expected to have renter’s insurance in order to protect your belongings in your rental accommodation. Renter’s insurance generally works out to $200-300 per annum.
Several agencies offer renter’s insurance like
State Farm Insurance – (http://www.statefarm.com/insurance/renters/renters.asp)
All State Insurance – (http://www.allstate.com/renters-insurance.aspx)
Geico – (http://www.geico.com/information/aboutinsurance/renters/)
Home Owner’s Insurance
While renter’s insurance is highly recommended, a homeowner’s insurance is compulsory. The insurance agencies that offer renter’s insurance also offer home owner’s insurance and you should get quotes from one or two agencies before signing up with any one agency. Premiums depend upon the size, location and security of your property.
State Farm Insurance -(http://www.statefarm.com/insurance/condo_owners/condo_owners.asp)
All State Insurance – (http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx)
Geico – (http://www.geico.com/getaquote/homeowners/)
House Method – (https://housemethod.com/home-insurance/best-homeowners-insurance/)
Utilities
While heat and hot water are included in rent you are expected to activate the utilities account for your unit as soon as you move in by calling the supplier that supplies your rental building. As an expatriate with no credit history in the US you may also be asked to pay a deposit before the company can supply you with your utilities connection. This deposit is usually returned at the end of a year when the utility company has ascertained that you have been paying your bills regularly and promptly.
Electricity and gas in New York City are supplied by Con Edison (http://www.coned.com/) in conjunction with several other energy suppliers. Con Edison actually delivers energy which is supplied by an ESCO/energy supplier. You have a choice to choose an energy supplier through Con Edison’s website, though Con Edison will continue to deliver gas and electricity to you as well as read your meter, handle service calls, and provide emergency assistance. To set up an account with Con Edison you can call its customer service at 1 800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633). Services are provided in English and Spanish. Con Edison offers a variety of ways to pay your bill including bill payment online. Depending on the intensity of use and the size of your dwelling you can expect to pay over a $100 a month for your energy needs.
Postal Services
Most apartment buildings in New York City are equipped with mail boxes where the US post personnel delivers your post (which is then sorted out by your doorman if you live in a building that is equipped with a doorman) but you can also set up a post office box to receive mail at your local post office.
You can easily set up a post office box online at the website of the US Postal department (http://www.usps.com). Once you have decided on the location of your post office box at a particular post office, you can fill up the online application form and pay the requisite fees. (http://www.usps.com/receive/businesssolutions/poboxesonline.htm
These fees vary according to the location of the post office. Once you have filled the form and paid your fees then you have to take the application (form PS Form 1093) to the post office where your post office box is located along with two forms of ID (passport and driver license etc) and pick up your keys to your post box.
Shipping
Sea and Air International – (http://www.sea-air.net/index.php ), call toll free at 1-877-882-8886, and Echo Trans World (http://www.echotransworld.com/), call toll free at 1-877-ECHO-222, are two shipping agencies that are located in New York City that offer international moving service
