Next Century Insurance

Our business started on August 31, 2011. Since then we have built a strong customer base by focusing on hands-on service, clear explanations and support throughout the TLC and insurance process.

Leadership and team

• Debra Brown – Broker and Owner

Over 20 years of experience in the TLC insurance market, including driver and fleet requirements and customer service. Debra has worked in the TLC community since she was 17 and is well known and trusted by drivers.

• Lang Xu (Sunny) – Office Manager

Manages day-to-day office operations, including driver and vehicle changes and policy endorsements. Sunny works directly with clients to match them with suitable policies.

• Gavriel Gavrilov – Owner

Over 15 years of experience in the TLC industry. Gavriel began as a TLC driver, later managed a black car company with over 400 vehicles, and founded Next Century Insurance after Uber and Lyft entered the New York market.

Who we serve

We specialize in insurance for:

• Individual owner-operators
• TLC and black car drivers
• Fleets
• Non-emergency vehicles
• Ambulettes and paratransit operators in the Tri-State Area
• Small businesses needing general liability and property coverages

How we work

We represent multiple insurance companies and broker coverage between insurers and customers. This allows us to shop the market for pricing and coverage options that fit each client's needs and budget.

We aim to make becoming a client easy:

• You can submit documents online, including by taking and uploading pictures from your smartphone.
• We provide free, no-obligation quotes.
• Paying and managing your policy can be done online.

Languages

Our staff can assist clients in:

• English
• Spanish
• Polish
• Russian
• Arabic
• Ukrainian

What makes us different

Insurance and TLC requirements can be complex. We focus on explaining:

• What a policy covers and does not cover
• How coverage works in real situations
• Who gets paid, when and under what circumstances

We support clients from purchasing a policy through registering a vehicle, navigating TLC requirements, and assisting with accidents or claims.

We can help arrange:

• Restaurant insurance – General liability, property, liquor liability and Business Owner's Policy (BOP) options tailored to restaurants.
• Barbershop and salon insurance – Liability and property protection for barbershops and salons, including coverage for tools and equipment.
• Café and coffee shop insurance – Coverage for cafés and coffee shops, including equipment, premises liability and everyday business risks.
• Commercial building insurance – Coverage for building owners, including structure, common areas and landlord liability for commercial property.
• Property insurance – Property coverage for business owners and tenants, and combined liability-and-property bundles for everyday protection.
• Business Owner's Policy (BOP) – Bundled policies that combine general liability and property coverage into one package for many small businesses.
• General liability – Core protection for small businesses against third-party injury and property-damage claims, with limits tailored to the trade.

Who this is for

These coverages are aimed at:

• Restaurants and food service businesses
• Barbershops and salons
• Cafés and coffee shops
• Owners of commercial buildings and mixed-use properties
• Other small businesses needing general liability and property coverage

For a quote, contact us with details about your business type, location, revenue, and any existing insurance so we can shop multiple carriers on your behalf.

Next Century Insurance specializes in commercial auto and TLC-related insurance for professional drivers and fleets in New York.

TLC insurance (NYC)

To operate a taxi or for-hire vehicle in New York City, you must carry TLC liability insurance that meets Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) minimum requirements. We broker TLC policies for:

• For-hire vehicles (FHVs)
• Livery vehicles
• Black cars
• Green cabs (Street Hail Livery)
• Yellow taxicabs

We help drivers and owners:

• Understand TLC insurance requirements
• Gather the right documentation
• Shop multiple insurers to find suitable coverage and pricing

Black car insurance

We arrange insurance for black car services in New York, helping protect both drivers and companies. Coverage is tailored to meet TLC requirements and the needs of black car bases and fleets.

Yellow taxicab insurance

We broker coverage for traditional New York yellow taxi cabs operating in the city, designed to meet TLC regulations and liability requirements.

Livery vehicle insurance

We arrange insurance for livery vehicles, including limousines and car services, with coverage that meets at least the required third-party liability limits. Additional coverage such as physical damage can be added as needed.

Green taxi (Street Hail Livery) insurance

We broker insurance for Street Hail Livery ("green cab") vehicles that primarily serve the outer boroughs. Policies are designed to satisfy TLC minimum liability coverage requirements.

Ambulette, paratransit and NEMT insurance

We provide specialized commercial auto insurance for:

• Ambulette operators
• Paratransit providers
• Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) businesses

These policies are designed for vehicles transporting passengers—often with disabilities—to and from medical appointments, with appropriate liability and physical damage coverage.

Upstate New York car service and livery insurance

We also offer insurance for vehicles operating in Upstate New York, including:

• Car services
• Livery operations
• Non-emergency medical transportation

Policies can be arranged with coverage limits such as $25,000/$50,000 and $100,000/$300,000, depending on needs and eligibility.

Other transportation-related coverages

Depending on your situation, we can also help with:

• Commercial auto insurance for SUVs and trucks
• Insurance for dealer plates
• Fleet policies for multi-vehicle operations

Contact us by phone, text or email for a tailored quote based on your vehicle type, driving history and business needs.

We are located on 3rd Avenue in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, between 22nd and 23rd Street.

How to contact us

• Main phone: 718-788-3585
• Text message line: 718-395-6005
• Fax: 718-874-0093
• Email: gavriel@nextcenturyinsurance.com

You can text us documents (for example: driver's license, TLC license, title/bill of sale/MV 50, registration, police report, current insurance card) and we will respond with next steps or a quote.

For ambulette / NEMT insurance quotes, you can call 718-788-3585 and ask for Gavriel or Sunny.

Service area

We primarily serve:

• New York City (including Brooklyn and the other boroughs)
• Upstate New York transportation operators
• Ambulette and paratransit operators in the Tri-State Area

If you are unsure whether we can help in your location, please contact us by phone, text or email.

Lists Sunset, Normal, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn, New York City, and Green as a location. Names New York and United States as a service area. Areas beyond these are not published.

If you are in the commercial private transportation industry in New York City and carry paying passengers, you are required to have at least a minimum TLC insurance policy that meets TLC rules.

Basic TLC insurance focuses on third-party protection, including:

• Property damage coverage
• Uninsured motorist coverage
• Personal injury protection (PIP)

Basic TLC policies do not cover damage to your own vehicle. Without additional coverage, you would pay for your own repairs after an accident.

Adding collision coverage can protect your own vehicle so that repairs after covered accidents are handled by your insurer, subject to your policy terms.

Typical TLC insurance costs (as described on our site)

Actual premiums depend on your age, driving history, vehicle, coverage limits and other factors. As an example of pricing ranges mentioned on our site:

• Many drivers meeting minimum TLC requirements in Brooklyn can expect annual premiums in the $3,000–$5,000 range.
• New drivers or drivers with prior claims may see premiums up to around $10,000.

Many insurance companies allow monthly payments instead of paying the full premium at once. Exact pricing is determined at the time of quoting based on your specific details and current market conditions.

TLC minimum insurance requirements (overview)

TLC sets minimum liability limits that vary by vehicle type and seating capacity. Examples from our site include:

For-hire and livery vehicles / black cars (up to 7 passengers)

• $100,000 per person
• $200,000 personal injury protection (PIP)
• $300,000 per occurrence combined single limit (CSL)

For vehicles with higher seating capacity:

• Limits can increase up to $1.5 million per occurrence CSL for vehicles with 8–15 passengers.
• Limits can increase up to $5 million per occurrence for vehicles with up to 20 seats.

When seating capacity is higher than 7 passengers, there may be no minimum per-person limits, only per-occurrence CSL minimums.

FHV luxury limousines (up to 7 passengers)

• $500,000 per person
• $1 million per occurrence CSL

For larger limousines:

• Requirements can increase to $1.5 million per occurrence CSL for 8–15 passengers.
• Requirements can increase to $5 million per occurrence CSL for vehicles with up to 20 seats.

Exact required limits depend on your vehicle type, capacity and current TLC rules at the time you apply.

How to obtain TLC insurance

Typical steps include:

1. Determine the coverage you need

Confirm the type of TLC or commercial auto insurance required for your vehicle and business model, and decide whether you want additional protections such as collision or higher liability limits.

2. Work with a broker like Next Century Insurance

Provide your driving history, vehicle details and any required TLC documentation so we can gather offers from multiple insurers.

3. Submit your application and documents

You will usually submit an application and copies or photos of:

• Driver's license
• TLC license
• Vehicle title or bill of sale (or MV-50)
• Registration
• Any relevant police reports or current insurance cards

4. Review and sign your policy

Once you select a quote, review the terms, coverage limits, deductibles and payment options (monthly or paid in full) and sign to bind coverage.

5. Use proof of insurance for TLC and DMV processes

Your TLC insurance proof may be needed when obtaining TLC plates or completing registration steps with the DMV.

For a personalized quote, contact us by phone, text or email with your driving history and vehicle information.

NEMT insurance is designed for businesses that transport patients to scheduled, non-urgent medical appointments. Typical vehicles include:

• Minivans
• Passenger vans
• Wheelchair-accessible vehicles

These vehicles do not operate as emergency ambulances and normally do not have emergency lights or sirens.

Coverage is structured to address both passenger liability and, where selected, physical damage to the insured vehicles.

Key underwriting and eligibility factors

When securing NEMT or ambulette insurance, insurers commonly look at:

• Vehicle age and capacity – Many carriers limit coverage for older vehicles or those above certain seating capacities.
• Driver age and experience – Minimum age and experience standards may apply.
• Vehicle equipment – Vehicles with emergency lights, sirens or life-support equipment (for example, on-board oxygen tanks) are often not eligible.
• Safety equipment and protocols – Requirements may include appropriate restraints and procedures for wheelchair and mobility-device transport.
• Contract requirements – Municipal or private-facility contracts may specify minimum coverage limits and endorsements you must carry.

Cost drivers for NEMT insurance

Premiums vary based on factors such as:

• Operating area and typical travel radius
• Driver and claims history
• Vehicle type, age and value (including lifts or specialty equipment)
• Selected coverages and limits

We help you balance affordability with the level of protection required by law, contracts and best practices for patient safety.

Possible discount and pricing considerations

Depending on your profile and carrier appetite, savings may be available for:

• Established businesses (e.g., three or more years in operation)
• Prior livery or passenger-transportation experience
• Existing policies such as a Business Owner's Policy (BOP) or general liability coverage
• Paying the premium in full instead of monthly installments (some carriers may offer significant discounts for full payment)

How to get an NEMT or ambulette quote

To discuss NEMT coverage options or obtain a quote:

• Call 718-788-3585 and ask for Gavriel or Sunny.
• Be ready to provide details about your vehicles, drivers, contracts and current insurance (if any).

We will review your needs and work with appropriate carriers to propose coverage options that fit your operation.

We help arrange a range of coverages, including:

• General liability – Limits available up to $5 million (subject to eligibility and carrier terms).
• Commercial auto liability – Limits available up to $5 million (subject to eligibility and carrier terms).
• Hired and non-owned auto coverage
• Uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage
• Medical payments and personal injury protection (PIP)
• Physical damage coverage based on a stated amount of insurance
• Special endorsements or filings for airports, when required

Deductibles are typically optional on liability, and for physical damage can range approximately from $500 to $5,000, depending on the policy.

Benefits of insuring through Next Century Insurance

From our FAQ, key advantages include:

• Fast, straightforward applications and quotes
• Same-day certificates, when available from the carrier
• 24-hour claims response from carrier claims teams
• No radius restrictions listed in the program described
• Experienced staff focused on passenger-carrier and transportation insurance

Homeowner's insurance: what is usually not covered?

Exact exclusions depend on the specific homeowner's policy, but many standard policies do not cover losses from, for example:

• Floods
• Earthquakes
• Nuclear accidents
• Acts of war
• Intentional damage
• Normal wear and tear

Additional exclusions may apply depending on the insurer and policy form. Separate or additional coverage may be needed for some of these risks.

Insuring high-value personal items

Items such as jewelry or camera equipment can exceed the standard limits in a homeowner's policy. In many cases you can:

• Add an endorsement (rider) to increase limits for specific items, or
• Purchase a separate policy for valuable items.

What does it mean when a car is "totaled"?

After an accident or theft recovery, a car is typically considered "totaled" when the estimated cost of repairs exceeds the vehicle's value under the insurer's guidelines. In those cases, the insurance company usually:

• Declares the car a total loss
• Issues a payment based on the car's value under the policy
• Retains the vehicle unless you separately arrange to buy it back "as is"

What if another driver hits my car?

If you are not at fault and the other driver has insurance, you generally make a third-party claim with the at-fault driver's insurer. Typically:

• The insurer issues any payment directly to you as the claimant.
• You then pay the repair shop and your lender (if you have a car loan).

If the other driver has no insurance, your uninsured motorist coverage may apply, if carried, subject to your policy terms and limits.

What happens if my car is stolen?

When a covered car is stolen:

• Most insurers impose a waiting period to see if the vehicle is recovered (often around 21 days, depending on the carrier).
• If the car is not recovered after the waiting period, the insurer typically settles the claim under the policy.
• If the car is recovered during the waiting period, the insurer usually evaluates a repair estimate before deciding whether to repair or total the vehicle.

For specific questions about coverage, exclusions or claims on your own policy, please contact us so we can review your situation and carrier documents with you.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.