5 Common Risks Faced by Small Businesses

When you operate a small business you take on certain risks that are unique to the type of company it is. The team at Family Insurance Associates of the Ruidoso, NM area will help you get a commercial business package that is specific to your needs.

Strategic Risk

Often, you don’t have a solid plan for your decision-making process if issues come up when you first start your business. If you know the structure, target market, production strategy, and how you’ll handle sales and marketing, you’re definitely in good shape. It makes sense to have a group from different departments (or even if you hire a consultant for some aspects) to discuss how you’ll handle any crises that come up.

Reputation Risk

This is often overlooked but it’s an important one. Since much of business is done by people doing research and deciding that they like how your company operates, it can be disastrous if a customer(s) put up bad reviews or take to their social media and say negative things about your business.

Liability Risk

All organizations must deal with some level of liability risk. However, your business would be more vulnerable if it’s small since you wouldn’t have the means to pay for damages without it hurting the funds for operating your company. If a customer or employee is hurt or you fail to meet any contractual obligations, you may have a lawsuit against your company. It is worthwhile to have a lawyer on your side to seek advice.

Business Interruption Risk

If your business is interrupted by a natural disaster or something else, this can make it difficult or impossible to go to your office. There may be damage to your equipment or supplies. If you have few staff members and one or several have an illness this impacts your operations as well. For this reason, you should have a business continuity plan that you go over with your staff.

Financial Risk

Of course, as a small business, you already have fewer funds than a larger organization. If there’s a hit to the local economy or even a recession across the nation, this can hurt your business. Make sure that you know your options such as funds, state, or federal grants, or if there are paycheck protection programs that will help you pay your employees.

Family Insurance Associates will work with you to put together the commercial insurance policies that make the most sense. Serving the Ruidoso, NM region, we are proud to work with small businesses to give a measure of protection for these risks and more.

Regular health insurance does not usually include vision and dental

It is far better for you to have a health insurance plan than not. Health insurance can cover everything from regular doctor visits to treatments for catastrophic ailments like cancer.

However, as Family Insurance Associates serving Ruidoso, NM explains, health insurance often does not cover vision and dental. You may want to consider carrying an additional policy that covers these two crucial parts of the human body. Such a policy would likely save you a great deal of money over the long term.

Some people who have 20 20 vision believe that they don’t need vision insurance and can pay for regular visits to the eye doctor out of pocket. However, most people need to wear glasses or contacts for one condition or another and therefore, would benefit from carrying such insurance. Dozens of eye conditions come with age, such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Your eyes are important to your livelihood, and protecting your vision should be a top priority.

Dental insurance is a must for everyone. If you count up all the teeth cleanings, X-rays, fillings, and so on, then dental insurance becomes cost-effective. Add to those expenses treatments for chipped teeth and cavities. Then you can see why this type of policy is likely something that you need to carry. Having teeth in good condition gives you the ability to chew and enjoy food to the fullest.

For more information on vision and dental insurance and the benefits of carrying it, contact Family Insurance Associates serving Ruidoso, NM for more information.

Do I Need To Document My Relationship With My Beneficiaries?

The only rule most life insurance providers in Ruidoso, NM have regarding who you can and cannot name as a beneficiary is that you can’t name a minor. If you want the policy to pay out to a niece, nephew, son, or daughter who’s under eighteen, you’ll need to go through a trusted adult.

Beyond that, you can name anyone you like as a beneficiary, from your wife to your best friend to a favorite football player.

So now the question is: Do you need to provide any sort of documentation as evidence of your relationship to the beneficiary? The answer is no. You might not even need to prove that you’re married to your spouse.

But, they do need the beneficiary’s legal name, and depending on the nature of the relationship and the nature of the policy, they might need some information like social security number, mailing address, and phone number. This varies from situation to situation, and you’ll have to wait and see what information your insurer asks for.

If you have a marriage license for your spouse, birth certificates for your kids, that can be of help, but no document proves someone is your best friend. Some human relationships are easy to document; others are not. Life insurers know this, and they know that not every life insurance beneficiary is going to have the paperwork to prove that they fill that role in your life that you say they fill.

If you’re looking for life insurance in Ruidoso, NM, get in touch with Family Insurance Associates. Family Insurance Associates can help to connect you to the policy that you need to set your mind at ease.

Does Your Business Need a Commercial Insurance Review?

If you’ve been in business for a while, the chances are high that you’ve had the same commercial insurance policy for a while, too. That can mean it’s time for a review of that policy, to help ensure it’s still protecting you appropriately. As your business grows and expands, or goes through changes, your insurance needs can also change. What worked for you when you opened your doors might not fit your current business model the right way. At Family Insurance Associates, we want to make sure all our Alamagordo and Ruidoso, NM business clients have the appropriate level and type of insurance coverage, so their companies can be protected. We’re here to help you succeed.

When you get a business insurance review, we’ll look at all the ways your policy is protecting you and where any gaps in coverage might be. By asking plenty of questions about your current business and how it’s changed since the last time your policy was reviewed, we can get a clearer picture of how your commercial policy is meeting your needs. You have enough to think about as a business owner, and you don’t want to have to worry about your insurance policy, too. We can give you back peace of mind, knowing that you have the proper coverage level you need to keep your business thoroughly protected in the long run.

Reach out to us today at Family Insurance Associates and let us help you with a commercial insurance review. All our Alamagordo and Ruidoso, NM business clients deserve to feel protected by the insurance policies they have. If you’ve never had a policy review, or it’s been a while since your last one, we’re ready to help you make any needed changes or adjustments to keep your business secure and protected. Contact our office to get started with a quote and have your questions answered.

Dental and Visions Insurance Can Help You Prevent Health Issues

One of the leading causes of tooth loss and poor vision is a lack of treatment when it’s necessary. A leading cause of health neglect is a lack of insurance. Paying for services out of pocket can be overwhelming for many, which is why it is a great idea to have dental and vision coverage.

Catch Issues Early

Vision and dental insurance can help you stay problem-free because it covers the cost of routine checkups and evaluations to detect problems before they can cause extensive damage. Most dental and vision insurance allows for these visits and may pay most, if not all, of the office visit cost. For more information on how dental and vision insurance works, have a consultation with an insurance agent.

Finding the Right Plan

There are many dental and vision insurance plans on the market today. Those who live near the Ruidoso, NM area can count on Family Insurance Associates to provide them with top options to fit each need. The licensed insurance agents there can work one on one with each client to determine their current and potential future needs to help recommend plans that can work based off of personal factors. In addition, if there are any questions about coverage options or claims, we can help you understand how the policy works and all of the terms and conditions.

Anyone interested in purchasing dental and vision insurance, and lives in the Ruidoso, NM area, should call or stop by Family Insurance Associates today and speak with a representative. Don’t wait until issues arise to get the coverage necessary to keep an eye on your vision and dental health. 

How Much Life Insurance Is Enough?

Life in Ruidoso, NM, has its perks. The fresh mountain air, fantastic winter sports and laid back New Mexico lifestyle are all amazing. Sometimes it’s hard to imagine thinking about things like life insurance, but it’s important. When shopping, you’re sure to have plenty of questions, but at Family Insurance Associates, we’ve found that the very top question is, “How much life insurance is enough?”

Consider Your Debt

No one wants to leave behind debt. Ultimately, all of the bills come due, and that’s not a pleasant thought. So, consider how much you have left on a mortgage, car loans, student loans or anything else. If the insurance policy can cover everything remaining on those loans, it’s a very good start.

Keep something in mind. You can be in a good financial situation and have debt right now. There’s nothing wrong with it. But, when you aren’t working, the paychecks stop coming. That’s why the insurance needs to cover all of your outstanding debts.

Who Do You Support?

That brings us to the next point. The paychecks stop coming. That means anyone who depends on you for income could be in a very difficult spot. This doesn’t just have to be a spouse or children. Plenty of people support their parents, other family members and other people in general. With life insurance, you can maintain that support by having a sufficient policy. The general idea is that the lump sum of life insurance can be invested to provide lasting income. The rule of thumb is to have $500,000 plus however much you make in a year. It’s not a perfect gauge, but it gets you in the ballpark.

You can see how getting the right amount of coverage can be tricky, even in Ruidoso, NM. A simple conversation with your Family Insurance Associates representative can make sure you have everything you need.

Commercial Insurance: The Protection Growing Companies Need

For small businesses, one of the most critical steps that they can take is to put the right insurance policies in place. This can be the difference between recovering quickly from a disaster and struggling. Commercial insurance is several policies combined to cover various parts of the business. Every company is different, so the agents serving the Ruidoso, NM area at Family Insurance Associates will work with you to get the proper type and amount of coverage your business needs.

Property insurance will cover any physical structures the business owns, but it will also include the building’s contents such as computers, inventory, materials, and data. Special inclusions can be made if the business frequently attends events off-site, such as fairs, trade shows, or public demonstrations. 

Liability insurance protects in several ways. If a guest is injured at the business location, it will protect the business. It can also cover any injuries individuals receive from the products the company offers. For professional corporations, there is professional liability coverage available. Employees are protected if they get injured on the job by workers’ compensation. Some businesses maintain business continuity policies to help them recover quickly following a disaster. This can keep the company afloat until they can resume normal operations. Another option is umbrella insurance that is added peace of mind. These plans only go into effect when the primary policy limits are maxed out. Corporations with a vehicle fleet also have commercial auto insurance policies.

The term commercial insurance encompasses a wide variety of policies. These can be tailored to the specific needs of a business. The team at Family Insurance Associates understands the needs of companies in the Ruidoso, NM area. Visit the website, then call or come in. It’s never too early to protect the business you’ve worked so hard to build.

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Is my home covered for fire with my homeowners’ policy?

Your homeowners’ policy protects you if your house burns down as a result of fire, for example – fire as a result of a forest fire, lightning or electrical fire. The dwelling limit on your policy means the carrier will pay you upto that limit to build your house. This is also called coverage A.

With many Insurance carriers, you can opt to add an additional replacement cost option for an additional premium, that will increase the dwelling limit amount. An electrical fire, for example, due to electrical wiring that is hidden in the wall that you cannot see or expect would be covered but fire due to negligence or poor maintenance is not covered.  Not saying that fire caused by appliances will not be covered, if you have well-maintained appliances it should be covered. 
You must have heard about adjusters coming in after a claim. They are there to assess the extent of damage as well as the cause. Anytime a carrier finds negligence or intentional harm, a claim is not covered. 
Feel free to ask additional questions from your agent.

Is It Better to Buy Dental and Vision Insurance Separately or Can I Get them Both in One Policy?

At Family Insurance Associates, the agents provide Ruidoso, NM residents with the dental and vision insurance they need for both their families as well as for themselves. Dental and vision policies are often sold separately aside from the more traditional healthcare policies. It can be difficult to learn what all is included in the policies you are offered, so it’s important to ask questions.

Buy What You Need

When you have a family, it’s important to protect their health, including their dental and vision needs. If your healthcare policy doesn’t include any dental or vision coverage, you can add supplemental policies that will provide the coverage that is lacking. In most cases, you can purchase dental and vision policies separately, aside from your healthcare insurance.

Bundle Your Policies

Having a family means multiple types of insurance. Instead of purchasing each type of policy separately, you can bundle them into one policy and make one, individual payment each month at a discounted price. Bundling policies saves you both time and money and allows you to customize your insurance policy to meet your family’s needs.

If you live in Ruidoso, NM and are looking to find affordable dental and vision policies, call the agents of Family Insurance Associates. They can provide you with dental and vision policies separately or as a bundle along with other types of health insurance. Don’t wait until your family needs a dental or vision exam to purchase a policy. Visit their office or schedule an appointment to discuss your options. They can bundle the type of policy you need so that your family is fully covered.