What should I think about when shopping for a medicare insurance plan?

Medicare Insurance Considerations: A Guide for Seniors in Ruidoso, NM

For seniors in Ruidoso, NM, and across the United States, enrolling in Medicare insurance when they reach the age of 65 is a common practice. Both new applicants and existing policyholders have numerous factors to consider when devising their plans. Here are some considerations that are vital when shopping for a Medicare insurance plan:

Network Limitations

If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, you may encounter restrictions associated with physician, hospital, and specialist networks. It’s crucial to thoroughly review your new insurance plan’s network to ensure that it includes a doctor with whom you’re comfortable. If not, you might have to pay more for the same care or switch your primary care provider altogether.

Coverage Options

Another significant factor is your coverage options. While Medicare is useful in many cases, you might want to consider other types of insurance as well. This can include prescription coverage, supplemental and gap coverage, and even insurance that provides support if you need medical care while overseas. The kind of coverage you should obtain will vary according to your situation and personal needs, along with your budget for coverage.

It’s always a wise choice to opt for Medicare insurance when you are in the Ruidoso, NM area. When shopping for insurance, our team at Family Insurance Associates is available to help you create your plan. Our professionals will ensure you fully understand your options and guide you in building a plan that best suits your situation.

Must-Have Home Insurance Coverages for Ruidoso, NM Homeowners

Ruidoso, NM residents, surrounded by the beauty of the Lincoln National Forest, understand the importance of protecting their homes from unexpected mishaps and incidents that can lead to devastating economic losses. 

New Mexico residents have unique home insurance needs. 

Insurance professionals at Family Insurance Associates are your trusted local home insurance providers who can help you identify your needs and choose custom solutions like earthquake protection, wildfire protection, and liability coverage that can protect your home and family. 

Must-Have Insurance Coverage for New Mexico Homeowners

Earthquake Insurance 

Nearby states experiencing the damaging physical and economic effects of ground-shaking earthquakes understand the importance of having a comprehensive policy with earthquake insurance coverage. Earthquake insurance can provide an extra layer of protection against unexpected quakes. 

Flood Insurance 

The city of Ruidoso is in close proximity to a few large bodies of water, including the Rio Ruidoso, that can overflow and cause local flooding and damage to homes. 

Wildfire Coverage

Wildfires can happen in the dry seasons that occur in the areas. Ruidoso residents can protect their homes from wildfires’ unpredictable and damaging nature with comprehensive home insurance policies covering these natural disasters. 

Windstorm Protection 

There is no need for local area residents to be blown away by the damaging effects that windstorms can cause to roofing, shingles, and personal property when they have comprehensive home insurance with windstorm protection. 

Comprehensive Home Insurance Quote

Don’t wait until the unexpected happens and you find yourself at an extreme financial disadvantage and having to pay out-of-pocket repair costs for damages related to theft, natural disasters, flooding, and other home-related mishaps. 

Contact the friendly professionals at Family Insurance Associates to learn about your options for coverage and get a free insurance quote today!

Clear Smiles, Clear Vision: Your Guide to Comprehensive Dental and Vision Insurance in Ruidoso, NM

Nothing is more important than maintaining optimal health. Residents of Ruidoso understand the importance of having a clear smile and clear vision as integral parts of experiencing a good quality of life.

Since most major health insurance plans don’t offer comprehensive coverage for eyes and teeth, adding comprehensive dental and vision coverage is crucial for families pursuing holistic health and wellness. 

Make More Informed Decisions for Your Family’s Vision and Dental Health

Insurance professionals at Family Insurance Associates in Ruidoso can help you and your family make more informed decisions when choosing the best dental and vision insurance plans for your family’s needs. 

Today’s dental and vision insurance plans can include a wide range of affordable coverage options for preventative care like regular check-ups, tooth cleaning, vision and dental emergencies, and even dental x-rays.

Trusted insurance agents in Ruidoso can also answer questions for people who require more extensive coverage based on their unique eye and dental care needs. 

Typical Components of New Mexico Dental and Vision Insurance Plans

While the actual amounts and coverage limits you get will depend on individual factors, life preferences, and budget, most individual dental and vision insurance plans will offer policyholders at least some form of coverage for the following components. 

Dental Components

  • Fillings
  • Extractions 
  • Root Canals

Vision Components

  • Eye Exams
  • Prescription Eye Glasses
  • Contact Lenses
  • LASIK

Don’t wait until you experience an unexpected vision or dental emergency before you get coverage! 

Talk to the licensed and knowledgeable insurance agents at Family Insurance Associates in Ruidoso, NM. Our friendly agents can offer you a free quote and teach you how to maximize your dental and vision insurance benefits. 

Contact an agent for your free quote today!

Four of the most common mistakes consumers make regarding life insurance

Your life insurance decisions can greatly impact your family’s finances. Consumers in Ruidoso, NM can purchase life insurance coverage from us at Family Insurance Associates. We help our customers to make life insurance decisions that ensure financial security in the future. 

Here are four common mistakes consumers sometimes make regarding life insurance. 

Waiting too long to purchase life insurance coverage

Buying life insurance is something that you should never put off. As you get older, purchasing life insurance may become more difficult. This is especially true if you end up suffering from a severe health problem. 

Buying life insurance now protects your family and gives you the peace of mind that you’re doing everything possible to secure your family financially. 

Choosing an inadequate amount of life insurance coverage

Your family may be entirely reliant on your life insurance for financial support if you pass away unexpectedly. This makes it essential for you to invest in adequate coverage. Carefully calculate the amount of financial support your beneficiaries will need without your income to determine how much coverage to buy. 

Failing to understand the various types of life insurance fully

You need to decide whether to purchase term, universal, whole, or another type of life insurance. It’s vital that you understand what the differences are between these various life insurance types to choose the right policy for your situation. 

Letting a life insurance policy lapse

Your life insurance policy can lapse if you miss a payment. It’s not always a simple matter to purchase a policy again after your policy has lapsed. That’s why you must ensure you keep up with all your premium payments. 

When you need life insurance in Ruidoso, NM, we’re here to help. Get in touch with us at Family Insurance Associates to get a quote on a life insurance policy. 

Can I File a Commercial Insurance Claim in Addition to a General Liability Claim?

If you’re a business owner who is curious about whether you can file both a commercial and general insurance claim simultaneously, we’re here to help. At Family Insurance Associates, we’re here to help Ruidoso, NM residents with all of their insurance needs. 

What’s the Difference Between General Liability and Commercial Insurance?

Both general liability insurance and commercial insurance can work to protect your business. Typically, commercial insurance works to cover issues that are not covered by your general liability insurance. This means that it’s a good idea to have both policies in place to ensure that you and your business are protected in the event of an unexpected accident. 

Should You File a General Liability and Commercial Insurance Claim at the Same Time?

It’s essential to work closely with your insurance agent following a workplace accident to help you understand whether it makes sense to file a general liability claim or both a general liability and a commercial insurance claim. 

If you find that your general liability claim does not cover all of your expenses or does not cover the costs of the person affected by the accident, you’ll want to file a commercial insurance claim at the same time as your general liability claim. Your insurance agent may recommend that you wait to find out the payout from your general insurance claim before you file your commercial insurance claim, as your initial general claim may fully cover your expenses.

Family Insurance Associates: Serving Ruidoso, NM Residents

At Family Insurance Associates, we’re proud to serve Ruidoso, NM residents and business owners. Our team is here to meet all of your insurance needs. Reach out to us today or stop by to learn more.

What Does Auto Insurance Cover?

Like most of the 50 states across the country, New Mexico requires that all drivers have at least an auto liability insurance policy. This type of insurance will help protect you if you cause an accident and may pay for any injuries or property damage that occurs.

Our agents at Family Insurance Associates serving the Ruidoso, NM area want you to know that there are several options you can choose from when it comes to auto insurance in addition to liability insurance.

Auto Insurance Coverage Options

Collision Coverage

This type of insurance will cover any damage to your vehicle in the event of a collision with another car or object, no matter who is at fault.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle from incidents other than collisions. This can include theft, vandalism, natural disasters, falling objects, fires, etc.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

This type of auto insurance coverage helps protect you if you’re involved in an accident caused by a driver who doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your expenses. It can cover medical bills, lost wages, and even property damage.

Other Auto Insurance Options

You can also opt to have other types of coverage when it comes to your auto insurance policy. Some include medical payments, also known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP), rental car coverage, gap insurance, and towing and labor coverage.

Contact Family Insurance Associates

To create an auto insurance policy that works best for you and your situation, contact our experienced and trustworthy agents, Family Insurance Associates, serving the Ruidoso, NM area, today!

Top Three Things to Know About Signing up for Medicare

Whether you’re approaching retirement age or have a health condition that can significantly affect your future, signing up for Medicare is essential in preparing for your health-related needs. Understanding the enrollment process can help make the transition to Medicare smoother. Here are three critical things you should know about the Medicare enrollment process: 

  • Initial Enrollment Period: The first opportunity most people have to sign up for Medicare is the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). This period consists of six months, including the three before your 65th birthday and the three following that month. There’s also a General Employment Period, which begins on January 1st and goes through to March 31st each year. However, enrolling during this period can lead to delayed coverage, and you may face late enrollment penalties. 
  • Reliable Source: When you’re in the process of signing up for Medicare and you reside near Ruidoso, NM, you want to have a reliable source to turn to, such as Family Insurance Associates. This way, you can read about various topics that may fit your specific situation. Also, you can obtain information for those residing in your general area. 
  • Coverage Options: Medicare consists of several parts, each covering different healthcare aspects. Part A covers the hospital portion, and Part B covers the medical services. Part C combines Part A and Part B. Part D is the prescription drug coverage.

You’ll find detailed information on Family Insurance Associates that can break down each part for those near the Ruidoso, NM area. This way, you can enroll in the type of Medicare that will most meet your health-related needs.

Why Keep Homeowners Insurance Once My Mortgage is Paid?

Regular mortgage payments can sometimes strain the budget, especially if your payments are high or you’ve opted for balloon payments. Regardless of your specific situation, once your mortgage has been paid off, you may consider getting rid of your homeowners’ insurance. However, you might want to rethink things and keep this valuable insurance. 

Reasons to Keep Your Homeowners’ Insurance

Homeownership is an investment, and most people want to protect their investments. One powerful way to protect your investment is to maintain adequate insurance coverage. A homeowner can never predict when someone might sue them because they were injured on their property. This could be very costly; without insurance, you would be required to pay the person out-of-pocket. Furthermore, your home could incur unexpected damage anytime, and your policy would most likely cover repairs and other losses. Could you imagine paying out of pocket to replace all your belongings because a fire has destroyed everything? That would be catastrophic because most people don’t have much cash. 

What to Do if You Can’t Afford to Keep Your Insurance

If you feel your insurance rates are no longer affordable, you have options. First of all, you could switch insurance agencies. Many agencies, including Family Insurance Associates, provide insurance coverage for the Ruidoso, NM area. Also, some insurance agencies will offer a discount if you combine all your insurance with one company. This means that you would purchase auto, life, homeowners, and any other insurance from the same company. 

As you can see, it is wise to keep your homeowners’ insurance, even once you’ve paid off your home. If you feel your rate is too high, then give us a call at Family Insurance Associates. We proudly serve the Ruidoso, NM area and are available to provide you with a quote for our homeowners’ coverage, hopefully enabling you to save money today. 

Choosing Dental and Vision Insurance

Today, many people find insurance to be confusing and overwhelming. At Family Insurance Associates, we want to help the residents of Ruidoso, NM, and the surrounding areas, make intelligent, confident insurance decisions. Keep reading to learn more about choosing dental and vision insurance. 

Why Is Insurance Confusing?

Insurance can seem confusing because there are many types of insurance plans for different needs. If you don’t know how these different types of plans work for different types of people, you can quickly start feeling overwhelmed by all of the choices. You can alleviate some of this confusion and overwhelm by sitting down with a knowledgeable insurance representative. This professional will be able to walk you through the different plans available and help you decide which one is right for you. 

Are Dental and Vision Part of Health Insurance?

In some cases, yes, but in other cases, no. Some forms of health insurance include dental and vision coverage. If this is the case, you can make a few quick decisions to determine which services you will need. If dental and vision are not included in your health insurance, you will want to spend some time researching the types of available plans and which will work best for you. 

Do I Need Dental and Vision Insurance?

Dental and vision insurance are excellent services to have. Dental services and vision services can be expensive when paid for out of pocket. A dental and vision insurance plan can help offset some of these expenses. 

If you would like to learn more about health, dental, or vision insurance, don’t hesitate to contact us at Family Insurance Associates serving Ruidoso, NM, and the surrounding areas. We will be happy to help you. 

No-Exam Life Insurance Policies for New Mexico Applicants

Life insurance policies can be confusing, and those requiring an exam often end up providing less coverage than someone needs, which is why no-exam life insurance policies are becoming a popular choice. These policies offer coverage without worrying about the hassle of a medical exam or a lengthy underwriting process. Still, there are many benefits to these policies, as well as more than one type.

Benefits of No-Exam Life Insurance Policies

No-exam life insurance policies have become popular due to their convenience and quick application process. Unlike traditional policies, they don’t require a medical exam or a lengthy underwriting process, allowing individuals in the Ruidoso, NM area to obtain coverage with minimal effort quickly. No-exam policies are especially beneficial for those with pre-existing medical conditions or who need immediate coverage due to major life changes.

Types of No-Exam Life Insurance Policies

There are mainly two types of no-exam life insurance policies available: simplified issue and guaranteed issue. Simplified issue policies require applicants to answer a few medical questions on the application, but they offer higher coverage limits and are usually more affordable than guaranteed issue policies. For help determining whether simplified or guaranteed issue policies are right for you, contact the experts at Family Insurance Associates.

Factors to Consider

When looking for a no-exam life insurance policy, there are several important things to keep in mind. These include how much you’ll need to pay in premiums, how much coverage you need, how long you’ll need coverage, the policy’s terms and conditions, and the insurance company’s reputation. Always take your time to compare policies for your specific needs.

Protect your family’s future with the help of Family Insurance Associates, serving the Ruidoso, NM area. Our team of experienced agents will work with you to find the right insurance coverage for your budget and needs. Visit our website today, or email us to learn more and to get started.