Tips to Protect Your Boat From Being Stolen in New Mexico

Posted on December 31, 2019December 31, 2019 by admin

Many of our clients living in the Rio Rancho, NM area enjoy boating on the weekends and around their work schedule. Owning a boat is a significant financial investment. At Franklin Insurance Agency, we want to help you keep your assets. Below are some leading tips to protect your New Mexico boat from being stolen.

How’s the trailer?

The easiest way for thieves to steal a boat is to hook to the trailer and drive off. If your trailer is accessible and unlocked, this can happen in less than a minute. However, having your trailer stationary with a missing tongue or trailer tires for the extended winter storage will often deter thieves from attempting to steal your boat.

Multiple Locks

Put a lock at every corner and more on your boat while it is being stored. Having to remove multiple locks means more time and work for those trying to steal your boat. In most cases, your boat will put them at too great a risk of getting caught, forcing them to move past it.

Keep it Covered

For most thieves, out of sight is really out of mind. They are only looking for what they can see to steal. If your boat is covered under a cover and stored beneath a shelter away from the road, it will often be overlooked by those scanning the area.

Wire Up

You can add a wired alarm system to the boat that will alert you via message if it has been activated or even removed. Many of these alarm systems have an app that can be easily downloaded.

Call us for the best protection

If you live in the Rio Rancho, NM area and need boat insurance, call our agents at Franklin Insurance Agency today for more information.

Do I need more than basic auto insurance

Posted on November 27, 2019November 27, 2019 by admin

Owning a car in Rio Rancho, NM is a necessity. When you own a vehicle, you are also required to adhere to the laws of the state regarding auto insurance. In New Mexico, the state requires that you carry liability insurance. Drivers must carry $25,000 per person for injury or death up to a max of $50,000 for two or more persons and additionally $10,000 for property damage. This is basic auto insurance. You are a driver, and if you have questions, the team at the Franklin Insurance Agency has answers.

What other auto coverage options do I need?

If you have an auto loan or a lease, you will be required to carry collision and comprehensive coverage. While basic liability insurance protects other drivers from damage that you are responsible for, it does not cover your vehicle. Lenders and leasers want your vehicle to be protected since that protects their investment in you.

Collison

Collision coverage is the insurance that helps to repair damage to your vehicle. When you have an accident and are at fault, you will need to fix your vehicle yourself if you do not have coverage. If you don’t have a collision policy, that repair comes out of your pocket. If your pocket is not deep enough to handle that sort of a hit, collision coverage is something that you need. You will have to pay a deductible, and depending on the value of the vehicle, the coverage may not be enough to replace the vehicle.

Comprehensive

Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle from something other than another car. Some of these include weather events like wind and hail and from damage or loss caused by other humans such as vandalism and theft. Glass coverage is also part of comprehensive insurance.

At Franklin Insurance Agency in Rio Rancho, NM, our team of agents is here to help you to decide exactly what types of coverage is right for you. Give us a call or stop by our office for a no-obligation quote.

Tips Every Home Owner Needs to Know About Insurance

Posted on October 29, 2019October 29, 2019 by admin

All homeowners need to carry a homeowners’ insurance policy. However, not all insurance policies are created equally. It is essential to know precisely what your policy covers and take action to make sure you are not denied in the event of a claim. If you are unsure about your current coverage and live in the Albuquerque or Rio Rancho, NM area, reach out to an agent at Franklin Insurance Agency today.

Home maintenance is important

It is critical that you do not defer maintenance on your home that could cause you to be more vulnerable to a claim. For example, even if it is just a small leak, have it taken care of right away before it turns into a more significant problem. If an insurance company determines that you neglected to maintain your home, the insurer has the right to deny coverage.

Make sure you have coverage for your dog

If you have a dog, it is imperative to speak with your insurance agent to make sure you have coverage under your home insurance policy. Insurers can exclude dogs altogether or exclude certain breeds that are deemed aggressive. Dog bite claims can be extremely costly, so make sure you have adequate coverage.

Do not wait to file a claim

If an issue arises under your homeowners’ insurance policy, do not wait to file a claim. There may be a deadline to file a claim, after which you could be denied coverage. Check with your agent to determine the length of time you have to file.

Take inventory of your home

When you go to file a claim, you will need to document all of your belongings for the insurer. It can be hard to remember all the belongings in your home off the top of your head. Go through your home with a video camera to take stock of your belongings.

If you would like to learn more about homeowners insurance, reach out to an agent at Franklin Insurance Agency. We proudly serve the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, NM area.

Protect Your Investment With RV Insurance

Posted on September 9, 2019August 28, 2019 by admin

Your RV represents a sizeable investment. Whether you use the recreational vehicle for a few months of the year or you live in it full time, you will want to do what you can to protect it. The best way to do this is with RV insurance. And if you live (or hail from) the greater Rio Rancho, NM area, the team at Franklin Insurance Agency is here to help.

Year-Round Or Select Times

The beauty of an RV is you can get in and go whenever you want. If you drive the vehicle year-round you will want an RV insurance plan that protects you in this instance. At other times you may only drive the RV at certain times of the year. Whenever you are driving your vehicle or whenever you might want the added protection, there is an RV insurance policy for you.

Storage or On The Road

Now, you shouldn’t completely remove RV insurance even when you’re not driving it. After all, accidents happen and your vehicle can be damaged when in storage. To protect your RV you will want to have some form of protection taken out on it. Thankfully, with RV insurance, your policy can be a bit more flexible than what you might be used to with auto insurance.

Your RV is one of the largest purchases you’ll likely make in your lifetime. Due to this, you’ll want to do what you can to protect it. With the help of Franklin Insurance Agency, when you live in or around Rio Rancho, NM your vehicle will always be protected with a number of RV insurance options. All you need to do is give the team a call to find out how you can better protect your recreational vehicle.

People who may need umbrella insurance

Posted on August 16, 2019August 16, 2019 by admin

Umbrella insurance is a different kind of insurance that works best for certain types of people. This is why companies like Franklin Insurance Agency in Rio Rancho, NM are available to provide more specific information about this kind of coverage and answer questions for those who may potentially need it.

Umbrella insurance is generally used as additional coverage beyond what will be covered by auto insurance, homeowners insurance, and other regular types of coverage. Because umbrella insurance provides additional coverage in the event of a severe or devastating incident, it is best for individuals who are exposed to large amounts of risk and need greater coverage. For example, someone who drives a large vehicle long distances for commercial and business purposes has a much greater chance of being involved in a life-changing accident. They may need additional umbrella coverage in the event of a lawsuit. Others who are engaged in high-risk activities at their job or at home may also want to purchase umbrella coverage so that they would be protected from lawsuits that can range in the thousands or millions of dollars. Think of it as a way of protecting assets against large judgments, or protecting large amounts of assets in the event that some kind of major accident that will need to be paid for. This is why umbrella insurance is best for people dealing with high-risk situations or those who need coverage for large amounts of personal property.

To learn more about how the specifics of umbrella insurance may be beneficial to you, contact Franklin Insurance Agency. Their agents have specific knowledge about the community of Rio Rancho, NM, and they can provide you with specialized guidance about whether you may need umbrella insurance or not.

Motorcycle Insurance: 3 Things You Should Know

Posted on July 26, 2019July 26, 2019 by admin

As with all other forms of transportation, owning a motorcycle requires that you also purchase an insurance policy. For residents of Rio Rancho, NM, the following is an overview of 3 things you should know about motorcycle insurance.

Liability-Only

One of the top things you need to know about motorcycle insurance is that liability-only coverage is relatively cheap. One of the least expensive ways to make sure your vehicle is covered, if you are a safe driver and not concerned with being involved an accident, you can purchase this coverage at a very reasonable price.

More Coverage

While purchasing liability-only coverage may be tempting, it is often not enough. Liability only is the best way to cover yourself in case you do happen to cause an accident. However, it is also likely that you could be involved in an accident that is the fault of the other driver. In these cases, you would have no coverage at all and if the other driver happens to have insufficient coverage, this could leave you in a terrible predicament.

Make Sure You Have Medical Coverage

Although no one wants to think about being in an accident, sometimes, these things are unavoidable. Moreover, given that riding a motorcycle makes you more susceptible to becoming physically injured, you need to make sure you are covered in case the unthinkable happens. Your motorcycle insurance may provide some coverage but the best way to make sure your medical bills will be paid is to buy your own medical and/or life insurance policies.

Overall, for residents of Rio Rancho, NM, Franklin Insurance Agency is an excellent option for purchasing motorcycle insurance. Simply call or visit the Franklin Insurance Agency office today to find out which type of policy works best for your needs.

Does My Car Insurance Cover Other Drivers?

Posted on June 10, 2019June 4, 2019 by admin

Car owners who live in Rio Rancho, NM who have questions about whether or not their car insurance covers other drivers can call the agents of Franklin Insurance Agency. The agents have the knowledge and experience to be able to answer any questions concerning who is covered under a specific type of auto insurance policy. They can also advise you about upgrading your policy if your individual needs have changed over time.

Regular Drivers

When you purchased your auto insurance policy, you were asked who would be driving your vehicle. While these are your regular drivers, there may be a time when you allow someone else to drive your vehicle. In these types of situations, it’s a good idea to write a note that states you have given them permission to drive your car. This, however, doesn’t guarantee that they will be covered by your insurance policy. Their policy may be required to cover any accidents that may occur.

Each Company Is Different

Every insurance company is different when it comes to covering additional drivers. You may be required to call in and notify your agent if you are willing to allow someone else to drive your car. Before letting anyone else behind the wheel of your vehicle, contact your agent to find out who will be covered if anybody.

In Rio Rancho, NM, the agents at Franklin Insurance Agency can go over your policy with you and let you know who is allowed to drive your car under your particular auto insurance policy. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to call the office and talk to one of the agents.

What is included with commercial insurance?

Posted on May 13, 2019May 7, 2019 by admin

Owning a business is a dream for many people in the Rio Rancho, NM area. When you are the owner of a business, you will have many important decisions to make on a daily basis. One important decision that you will have to make is whether or not to get a commercial insurance policy. A commercial insurance policy has a variety of different components and types of coverage that will help to protect you and your company.

Commercial Liability Protection

One type of insurance that you will receive with your commercial insurance policy is commercial liability protection. As an owner of a business, you are taking on a lot of risk and responsibility. If you sell a product or service that causes someone to get hurt, you could be facing a serious liability lawsuit. Fortunately, through your commercial insurance policy, you can get protection against this type of risk.

Protects Business Assets

When you are the owner of a business, you likely will need to invest a lot of money into assets for your company. This can include major equipment, inventory, supplies, and real estate. If you are not properly insured, all of this could be lost in a fire or other casualty. Fortunately, a commercial insurance policy can provide you with the support that you need to ensure that your assets are properly covered in these situations.

When you are shopping for insurance in the Rio Rancho, NM for your business, a great place to start your search is with the Franklin Insurance Agency. The professionals at the Franklin Insurance Agency know all about the benefits of having commercial insurance and how it can help any small business. The team of professionals will be able to help you choose the right policy for your organization.

4 Basic Boating Tips for Beginners

Posted on April 15, 2019April 15, 2019 by admin

Rio Rancho, NM isn’t all desert and sand. The area surrounding the city boasts many opportunities for boat enthusiasts to get out on the water. These tips are designed to ensure new boat owners stay safe, follow the rules, and have fun while they’re getting comfortable at the helm.

Enroll in a boater’s safety course. The Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department of New Mexico (EMNRD) provides access to approved courses. Throughout the course, you will learn essential skills like interpreting traffic signs along waterways, how to equip your vessel for various activities, and what to do if an emergency happens.
Check the status of your boater’s insurance policy. Your boater’s insurance policy covers your liability if an accident occurs with your boat. This includes medical payments, repairs to your vehicle, and damage to the property of others. Talk to an agent at Franklin Insurance Agency before your first launch to ensure your watercraft is fully protected.
Get familiar with your rig. Even after a few training classes, you need some time to get comfortable with the way your boat operates. Take a close look at the location of gauges, lights, radios, and compasses. Locate important accessories like detectors, extinguishers, emergency radios, and first aid kits. Walk around and decide where you will store things like clothing, food items, and leisure equipment.
Practice backing up before getting to the ramp. It is poor boating etiquette to use the ramp for too long. If you’ve never backed a boat into the water before, spend some time practicing in the parking lot before taking your place in line for the ramp.

Franklin Insurance Agency helps boat enthusiasts in the Rio Rancho, NM area protects their aquatic toys with insurance. Contact our representatives to learn more about customized boat insurance.

4 Little Known Facts about Car Insurance You Should Know

Posted on March 20, 2019March 20, 2019 by admin

Although every motorist is required to purchase an auto insurance policy, it seems that very few fully understand the ins and outs of the car insurance sector. For residents of Rio Rancho, NM, the following is 4 little-known facts about car insurance you should know.

Lost/Stolen Items

While many policies will provide at least some form of financial compensation if your vehicle is stolen, this does not apply to the belongings you keep in your vehicle. No matter how much the items are worth, if your car is stolen, you will likely take a loss on any belongings that were left in the vehicle.

Occupation Matters

On another note, you may not realize this but your job can also impact your car insurance premiums. For instance, teachers are considered to be lower risk than many other professions, so they are often afforded a discount.

Credit Scores

On the other hand, your credit score can also affect the cost of the premium. Since studies have shown that there is a link between your credit score and the likelihood that you will file a claim, your premium is likely to be more if you have a lower credit score.

Low-Risk Vehicles

Furthermore, low-risk vehicles can earn you lower premiums. For instance, vehicles that have good safety equipment or are less likely to be stolen will often have lower premiums.

For help with your car insurance questions, contact Franklin Insurance Agency. A premier insurance company located in Rio Rancho, NM, contact Franklin Insurance Agency today to find out how you can get your car insured and hopefully save some money in the process.