How Should Business Owners Track Assets for Insurance?

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When you have commercial insurance, you need to keep close track of your assets. It is important that you have a running list of all the materials you own in the event that something becomes damaged or broken. There are many reasons why you should keep track of your assets, no matter the cost.

Family Insurance Associates serves many businesses in the Ruidoso, NM area, and we understand what it takes to track your business assets. Here’s what you need to know.

Use Computer Software

Tracking assets is a lot like tracking inventory, except that you need to track items you have purchased for your business. This can include inventory, technology, vehicles, buildings, and machinery. Use software to track everything, including things that depreciate over time.

Report Financial Expenses

Any money that you spend on your business on these items should be recorded as well. For example, you should track the money you have put into remodeling your business or updating equipment. This will help you understand the specific value of the items you own.

Keep Records Online

Finally, remember to keep the records of your assets available via the web or a cloud-based server. This will allow you to track assets even if you are not able to do so from the business itself in the wake of a natural disaster. You need to be able to access your records anywhere.

Have Commercial Insurance

The only way to prevent the loss of your assets for good is to get commercial insurance. If you still have questions about commercial insurance policies and protecting what you own, contact Family Insurance Associates, which serves Ruidoso, NM.

Do I Need More than Basic Auto Insurance

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Owning a car comes with freedom and a fair share of financial responsibility as well. And speaking of financial obligation, car insurance is an investment you can’t do without if you own a vehicle in New Mexico. In the Land of Enchantment, all motorists are required to purchase auto insurance with the following requirements:

  • Bodily injury liability to protect you when accused of causing physical harm to third parties. The minimum required is $25,000 per person and twice the amount for an accident involving multiple persons. 
  • Property damage liability (PDL) to protect you when you cause physical damage to other people’s properties. The least amount required is $10,000 per accident.
  • Uninsured motorist coverage that protects you from unpaid property damage and bodily damage you sustain after colliding with an uninsured motorist. However, you can reject this coverage in writing.

Having seen the basic auto insurance required, the next question is: do you need more than the basic auto insurance? Family Insurance Associates in Ruidoso, NM, is here to set the record straight.

Why do you need more than basic car insurance coverage?

Meeting the state-required minimums is excellent, but you will need more than the basic coverage for optimal protection. Here are the reasons:

Basic insurance has a low limit

In case of a severe accident, the state-required car liability limits are insufficient. For instance, the $25,000 required by New Mexico won’t get you very far. Medical expenses alone can quickly exceed $30,000. Add legal costs to that amount, and you could be in serious trouble. 

That said, we recommend motorists increase their liability limits. Besides, we recommend umbrella insurance if you want broader coverage.

Basic insurance covers other people

You will notice that state-required coverages are all about other people, leaving you and your car uncovered. As such, you must consider other coverages like comprehensive, collision, MedPay, among other coverages to protect your family, yourself, and the car. 

Are you shopping for auto insurance in Ruidoso, NM, and its environs? Please get in touch with Family Insurance Associates for an affordable quote.

Do You Qualify for Medicare? Here’s How to Know

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Medicare insurance is a powerful way of providing yourself with the coverage needed to handle your various healthcare needs. However, not everyone will qualify for this type of coverage. Do you know if you can get it? If not, you should read this article that we at Family Insurance Associates prepared for Ruidoso, NM area residents.

Do You Qualify for Medicare Insurance?

Medicare is set up for people who may not get other types of insurance or fall into specific categories. Most people who qualify are age 65 or older and need this type of insurance to pay for old-age treatments or to supplement what may be a potentially limited income situation. 

Likewise, younger people with some disabilities or end-stage renal disease may qualify for some types of Medicare. Two types exist, Part A and Part B. The first part is the most common type and is available to older people and those with disabilities. However, Part B can also supplement some of your payments.

If you aren’t sure if you qualify (due to either being too young or having been denied disability in the past), you might want to talk to your insurance agent to see what other factors may affect your qualification. Some people may even be over 65 and find that limitations (such as not paying Medicare taxes) may impact their policy. 

We Can Help You If You Want or Need Medicare 

If you qualify for Medicare or need help figuring out if this insurance option is suitable for your needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at Family Insurance Associates right away to learn more. Our team can help people in the Ruidoso, NM area understand their unique policy options and what kind of coverage is available to meet their needs as people.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tenants?

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Virtually all homeowners hold some homeowners’ insurance policy to protect their property. But, is your homeowners’ insurance cover adequate when you rent or lease your property? Ideally, a standard homeowner insurance cover offers ideal property coverage, albeit limited, and it’s for this reason that the landlord may need a landlord policy. The tenant may need a renters insurance cover.

The homeowners’ insurance cover held by the landlord protects the building’s structure, adjacent and adjunct structures, and the landlord’s personal belongings within the insured piece of property. The coverage also offers personal liability protection to occupants of the home. But the coverage benefits don’t extend to temporary residents {renters/lessee} and their belongings.

The insurance coverage deficiencies in a homeowners’ insurance cover necessitate the acquisition of extra insurance covers that can offer more protection to the landlord’s property, the renters, and the belongings of the temporary residents.

These extra cover protections may come in the form of renters’ insurance and landlords’ insurance. Read on to learn why these two covers are vital.

Why Should a Landlord Get Landlord Insurance to Complement the Homeowners Insurance Cover?

Standard homeowners’ insurance coverage for rental property offers limited protection for the landlord’s property and occupants.  It thus becomes necessary for a landlord to have some landlord insurance that can provide more protection. The cover may help when rental units get damaged and declared unlivable after a catastrophe. The cover may also help when someone gets injured while on the property. 

The landlord insurance cover is crucial because it provides coverage for property damage, loss of income, and liability insurance. The cover protects against unintended tenant damage, but it doesn’t cover normal wear and tear and intentional damage. 

Why Should Renters Get Renters Insurance?

The homeowners’ insurance acquired by the landlord doesn’t offer protection to the renter’s property or the renter. As such, a renter needs some renter’s insurance to cover for personal liability and property damage that may occur to the renter’s belongings on the property. Though this isn’t a state rule, it’s the only way tenants can secure their belongings.

Get an Updated Homeowners Insurance Policy Today

If you’re in Ruidoso, NM, you should visit Family Insurance Associates to get your updated homeowners’ insurance cover. At Family Insurance Associates, we provide updated home insurance policies to all Ruidoso, NM, residents. Check out our website to learn more.

Exploring The Benefits Of Dental & Vision Insurance

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Family Insurance Associates provides coverage to the Ruidoso, NM community. We strive to ensure that our clients have the coverage they need to protect their assets. We have working relationships with multiple carriers across the state. We look forward to helping you find the coverage you need.

Exploring The Benefits Of Dental & Vision Insurance

In order to enjoy a high quality of living, you have to stay healthy. Health insurance ensures that you receive the care that you need to keep feeling well. Dental & Vision insurance is also important to living a healthy lifestyle. Healthy strong teeth help you feel good and also prevent future health problems. You are covered for preventative care treatment such as regular cleanings and fluoride treatment. You are also covered if you need emergency treatment such as fillings or a root canal.  Under the terms of your coverage, you will have access to a wide network of dentists and dental offices in the Ruidoso, NM area. You can amend your policy to cover necessary accessories such as a retainer or braces.

Protecting your eyes is very important. Vision insurance covers your preventative care such as yearly eye exams. You are also covered if you need to wear glasses or contact lenses. You can also amend your policy to cover you if you are advised to wear eye drops.  Vision insurance covers any emergency treatment, such as laser eye surgery. You can amend your policy to cover you if you are diagnosed with glaucoma or cataracts. The policy will cover your treatment options and your follow-up visits.

Family Insurance Associates Will Help You Stay Protected

Visit our website to learn more information about dental & vision insurance.

This is How Life Insurance Protects your Financial Interests

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When you think about life insurance, your mind only points you to protecting your loved ones. While this is true, life insurance is a lot cooler than that. Life insurance can be the most prized asset you have if you plug it thoughtfully into your financial plan. To that end, Family Insurance Associates of Ruidoso, NM shares insights into how life insurance can protect your financial interests.

Accessing cash value

While most people associate life insurance with death benefits, many don’t know that you can access part of the investment while alive. Some life insurance plans allow you to access your accumulated cash value, enabling you to meet financial needs like college fees. Besides, you can borrow against your cash value or use the proceeds as supplemental retirement income. 

Business protection

Many people assume that life insurance is just for individuals. The truth is that you can invest in life insurance to protect your business. Life insurance protects your hard-earned business by keeping things running even after an exit of a key employee or partner. With proper planning, life insurance can help your loved ones maintain control of your investment by using life insurance proceeds to purchase your stock. 

Covers your debts

If you don’t want to leave a debt-laden legacy, then you must consider life insurance. When you die, your debts don’t disappear magically. While some may be discharged -for others-your cosigners will have to pay them off. You certainly wouldn’t want this because you are a prudent financial planner. With life insurance proceeds, outstanding mortgage or car loan can be cleared, saving your loved ones and cosigners the debt burden. 

Invest in life insurance today!

Although life insurance protects your loved ones, it can do a lot more than that. Life insurance safeguards your financial interests later in life and even when you die. In light of this, if you are considering life insurance in Ruidoso, NM, you are on the right track. Contact Family Insurance Associates for a personalized quote. 

What Does Commercial Insurance Cover?

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You are working hard every day to grow your business and to be able to reap the benefits but first, you must make sure you have the best commercial insurance policy in place to protect it. The commercial insurance agents at the Family Insurance Associates in Ruidoso, NM can help you to create a commercial insurance policy that works best for all of your business needs.

New Mexico Commercial Insurance Requirements

In the state of New Mexico, all drivers must have an auto liability policy in place and this includes your business-owned vehicles and anyone using a personal vehicle while doing work for your business. This type of insurance will cover anyone injured in a car accident and any property damage that occurs due to an accident.  

Also in New Mexico, you must carry a worker’s compensation insurance package for your employees if you employ three or more people, whether they are full or part-time employees. This type of coverage will help pay for the lost wages and medical bills of an employee who is injured on the job.

Business Owner’s Insurance and General Liability

Your business owner’s insurance policy, as well as a general commercial insurance liability policy, will cover medical bills for anyone visiting your business who is injured or anyone that suffers injuries due to something connected with your business. Either one of these types of policies will also cover any customer property that is damaged by your business as well as any damages your business incurs due to a natural disaster, a fire, vandalism, or a theft incident. A general liability policy can also cover your business and you if there is a libel or slander lawsuit filed against your business.

Other Coverage Options

Other commercial insurance options that you can obtain include cyber and professional liability insurance. Cyber liability insurance covers your business if a data breach occurs in compromises your customers’ information, and it will also help cover the cost of contacting near customers to let them know about the data breach. It also covers the cost of monitoring for fraud. Professional liability insurance will cover any lawsuits due to negligence, late or incomplete work by your business, or any mistakes and oversight that happened with your business.

Contact Us

To create the best commercial insurance policy for you and your business comment contact the commercial insurance agents at the Family Insurance Associates in Ruidoso, NM today!

Should I get auto insurance in New Mexico?

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The Ruidoso, NM area can be a nice community to live in. If you do move to this area of New Mexico, you will likely find that having a car is a necessity as getting around town without one would be challenging. Those that do choose to purchase a car in this area of New Mexico need to get proper insurance for a few different reasons.

Auto Insurance is a Legal Requirement

A key reason that people here will need an auto insurance plan is that it is a legal requirement. If you choose to purchase a car in New Mexico, you will have to comply with the state laws surrounding coverage. Any driver here of any type of vehicle will have to maintain a liability insurance plan. With this coverage, you will have the capacity to pay for damages that could be caused by an accident. 

Auto Insurance Protects Car

You should also get an auto insurance plan as it will protect your car. Buying a car is one of the most significant purchases that you can make. As it is also an asset that you rely on, having the capacity to repair or replace it is important. With an auto insurance plan, you will get the necessary coverage you need to offset your losses if it is damaged in an accident or stolen. 

Those that want to get auto insurance in the Ruidoso, NM area should call Family Insurance Associates. There are some very important factors to consider as you are picking an auto insurance plan. The team with Family Insurance Associates understands how to help people evaluate their insurance needs and options and then pick a plan that gives proper coverage for their vehicle and overall peace of mind. 

Is a Medicare advantage plan right for me

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Most people look forward to the day they move from private insurance to medicare because now they won’t have to go through the arduous task of choosing a health care plan every year. With the introduction of Medicare Advantage Plans and their expanding array of benefits, choosing has come back into the picture for retirees. At Family Insurance Associates in Ruidoso, NM, we are here to help with this important decision. 

Original Medicare

Original Medicare covers Americans how have reached the age of 65. It is a point of service plan. Any provider who accepts Medicare can be used. Medicare pays 80% of assigned fees and users responsible for the additional 20%. For that reason, about 40% of those who use original Medicare have a Medicare Supplement Policy. These can be pretty pricey depending on how much they cover. Original Medicare does not cover drugs, dental, vision, or hearing. You will need to get a Medicare Part D prescriptions drug plan. 

What is a Medicare Advantage Plan?

Medicare Advantage plans are insurance plans for seniors that take the place of traditional Medicare. They must cover the same thing original Medicare covers and everyone who is eligible for Medicare can opt to have one. One disadvantage of MA plans is they are managed care and you will need to choose your providers from within their network. Depending on the network you choose, this may not be a disadvantage at all. Many major insurance carriers have gotten into the MA business including Blue Cross, Aetna, and United Healthcare.  

Medicare Advantage Plans have many additional benefits that may be available to members. These include dental coverage, vision coverage, hearing aids, Silver Sneakers, rides to medical appointments, home meal delivery, and OTC medical supplies. Additionally, many plans also include prescription coverage. The biggest advantage is not having to deal with any paperwork to get services paid, it is all one carrier. 

Contact Family Insurance Associates in Ruidoso, NM to talk about whether a Medicare Advantage plan is right for you. 

Things home insurance doesn’t cover

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Your home insurance is a safety net that protects you from many of the bad things life can throw at you. Buying a home for most people is the single largest investment you ever make. Your financial security may rest on the equity you build in this home. Home insurance offers a lot of protection from many hazards, but unfortunately, it doesn’t protect you from everything that can go wrong. At Family Insurance Associates in Ruidoso, NM, we are a full-service independent insurance agency. We are here to help you with all your insurance needs. 

Expensive jewelry and art

Your basic home insurance policy has set limits on the amount of money it will pay on a claim for jewelry and art. The amounts are not high and if you have either works of art or fine jewelry you should talk to your insurance agent to make sure you have adequate coverage. Get an appraisal to show the amount of insurance you need to be protected. 

Floods

Floods cause billions of dollars of devastation every year. But homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage from water originating outside the home. Experts say one inch of water can cause more than $25,000 in damage. Imagine what a foot of water can do. The good news is you can purchase flood coverage if you live in a community that supports the National Flood Insurance Program. 

Owner neglect

As a responsible homeowner, it is up to you to maintain your home and repair and replace things as needed. If you end up with damage due to your lack of maintenance, your home insurance will not cover your claim. 

When you need insurance assistance, at Family Insurance Associates in Ruidoso, NM we will be there for you. Contact us if you have questions about home insurance or any other insurance needs you may have.