Tips to make your home more energy efficient

Posted on May 30, 2023May 30, 2023 by admin

Energy efficiency is good for the environment and can help you save money on your energy bills here in the Rio Rancho, NM area. Here are some tips from us at Franklin Insurance Agency to make your home more energy efficient:

Change your lightbulbs to LED bulbs. LED bulbs are much more energy efficient than traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs and last much longer.
Make sure your windows and doors are properly sealed. Even small gaps around window and door frames can lead to air leaks that cause your heating and cooling systems to work harder than necessary.
Install a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats allow you to set specific temperatures for different times of day, so you don’t have to waste energy by keeping the temperature too high or too low when no one is home.
Unplug unused appliances and electronics. Many electronics draw power even when they’re not turned on, so be sure to unplug any items that aren’t in use.
Use fans instead of air conditioning whenever possible. Fans use less energy than air conditioners, so using them instead of AC will help lower energy costs.

Simple changes like these can help reduce your carbon footprint and save money on monthly energy costs in the long run!

For more energy-saving tips or to explore a policy that will cover your home in case of the unexpected, call us at Franklin Insurance Agency today. We are proud to serve the Rio Rancho, NM area and would be happy to help you find a policy that meets your needs and budget.

RV Maintenance Tips While On The Road

Posted on April 28, 2023April 28, 2023 by admin

RVs are a great way to see the U.S.; for some people, an RV can even be a great living option. Keeping up with RV maintenance is essential to make the most of your RV ownership, especially while on the road. At Franklin Insurance Agency, serving Rio Rancho, NM, we want to help you enjoy your RV ownership more. Keep reading to learn more.

Oil Changes

Like all vehicles, oil changes are a massive part of RV maintenance. It can be easy while traveling to forget some basic types of vehicle maintenance. Even if you are out on the road when oil changes come due, be sure to prioritize this maintenance task.

Tire Maintenance

Tire maintenance is essential while you are traveling long distances in your RV. Not only is tire maintenance important for vehicle care, but it can also significantly affect your safety while traveling. Tire blowouts can cause serious accidents. RVs are larger than most other vehicles, so the risk they pose to other vehicles is greater. Keep on top of tire maintenance to keep yourself and other drivers safe.

Security

You should also make sure that security measures are properly maintained. Allowing things such as locks to go unmaintained can put you and your family at risk while traveling. It is sometimes challenging to keep your RV safe when you are in different locations often. Ensure that locks and windows are always in good working order and secured.

If you want to learn more about RV insurance, please get in touch with us at Franklin Insurance Agency, which serves Rio Rancho, NM, and the surrounding areas.

How much umbrella insurance do I need?

Posted on March 31, 2023March 31, 2023 by admin

Umbrella insurance from Franklin Insurance Agency is an important type of liability insurance that can provide you with an extra layer of protection in case you are liable for a lawsuit. It can be helpful in cases where the damages or costs exceed what your current liability coverage can cover. Considering how much umbrella insurance you need based on your assets, income, and lifestyle here in the Rio Rancho, NM area is essential.

When deciding how much umbrella insurance coverage to purchase, looking at your assets and liabilities is important. This includes property such as your home and vehicles and any other valuable possessions that could be taken in a lawsuit. It would be best if you also considered any debts, such as student loans or credit card debt. All of these items should be considered when determining the amount of coverage needed.

In addition to considering your assets and liabilities, it’s also essential to think about potential risks associated with your lifestyle and activities. For example, if you are an avid golfer, you may want more umbrella insurance coverage since it can protect against claims related to golf-related injuries or incidents. On the other hand, additional coverage may be necessary if you own a business or rental property due to the increased risk of being sued by customers or tenants.

When deciding how much umbrella insurance coverage to buy, remember that too little coverage could leave you unprotected in the event of a lawsuit, while too much could be overpaying for unnecessary protection. The best way to determine how much umbrella insurance is right for you is to work with an experienced agent here at Franklin Insurance Agency who can help assess your individual needs and provide tailored recommendations for coverage amounts. We proudly serve the Rio Rancho, NM area.

Things You Should Know About Motorcycle Insurance Before Purchasing It

Posted on February 27, 2023February 27, 2023 by admin

Being a lucky motorcycle owner is not enough. It would be best if you also thought about how to protect your precious vehicle, and having proper motorcycle insurance is one of the best ways to do it. Finding motorcycle insurance based on your needs and budget is challenging. If you are currently shopping for motorcycle insurance, here is what you need to know:

What Do You Need to Know About Motorcycle Insurance?

Here is a list of the most important facts about motorcycle insurance:

Auto insurance does not cover your motorcycle. Many people mistakenly believe they do not need motorcycle insurance if they already have auto insurance. The truth is that auto insurance covers your car only. If you also have a motorcycle, you must purchase separate insurance.
The cost of your motorcycle insurance depends on certain factors. The three main factors affecting the cost of your insurance are who you are, what type of motorcycle you have, and where you live.
Motorcycle insurance does not cover everything. It is important to know that not all types of accidents are covered by motorcycle insurance. The following situations are not covered: racing or operating a bike without registration or proper license, riding while being under the influence, and others.

Trustworthy and Reliable Insurance Company in New Mexico

Are you shopping for motorcycle insurance in Rio Rancho, NM, or Albuquerque? Do you want an insurance policy to cover your motorcycle and protect you on the road? Franklin Insurance Agency is here to help you. We specialize in various types of insurance, including motorcycle insurance as well. We are ready to help you find a perfect policy based on your personal needs and budget. Do not hesitate to contact us – we are here for you.

Understanding Your Options for Auto Insurance in Rio Rancho, NM

Posted on January 30, 2023January 30, 2023 by admin

You’ve just moved to Rio Rancho, NM, and need to figure out your auto insurance options. As you research, it isn’t always easy to know what coverage is best for you.

Here are some tips to help you get the right coverage with Franklin Insurance Agency:

Determine Your Needs

The three most common types of auto insurance are liability, comprehensive, and collision.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage covers damages to your vehicle caused by events other than a collision, such as theft or vandalism. It also covers certain natural disasters like floods and earthquakes. Comprehensive coverage will help protect your car if these events occur while parked on your property or elsewhere.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage covers damages from an accident caused by you or another driver who is at fault. If you’re responsible for damage to another vehicle or property because of an accident, collision coverage helps cover repairs or replacement costs. This type of auto insurance can be essential if you have a loan on your car since most lenders require this type of protection to approve a loan.

Liability Insurance

Finally, liability insurance protects if you are at fault for an accident and someone else’s property is damaged or if someone else sustains a bodily injury. Liability insurance will help cover any legal fees associated with the claim and any medical bills related to the incident and provide compensation for lost wages because of injury or time spent away from work because of an accident-related injury.

With all these options available, it’s important to take the time to understand what type of auto insurance works best for you in Rio Rancho, NM, before deciding. At Franklin Insurance Agency, we can advise you on which policy suits your situation. Contact us today to learn more!

How Umbrella Insurance Works

Posted on December 29, 2022December 29, 2022 by admin

Umbrella insurance is a type that works a bit differently from most other types of insurance policies. It works along with other policies to boost the amount of coverage that you have with those policies. If you already have policies for your home and vehicle, you might consider umbrella insurance to boost them. To get started with an umbrella policy, you can call us at Franklin Insurance Agency in Rio Rancho, NM.

More Liability Coverage

Your home and auto policies each have different kinds of coverage within them. This includes liability coverage that pays for the medical bills of others after they are injured in an accident deemed to be your fault. Medical bills can be costly, so it’s a good idea to have plenty of liability coverage to pay them if needed. An umbrella policy adds coverage to your home and auto policies so that you can afford liability if an accident should happen. This protects you financially and gives you better peace of mind knowing that you are well-covered.

Overage Payment

The first thing that happens after an accident is that the home or auto policy steps in to pay for the medical bills that are due for the other party. However, there may be an overage left over after that policy reaches its maximum. If there is, this coverage is then paid by the umbrella insurance policy. This coverage has extremely high maximums, so people will not likely owe anything after it has paid out for the medical bills.

Get Better Coverage With Umbrella Insurance

If you want more coverage in case of accidents and already have home and auto policies, an umbrella policy can help. Call us at Franklin Insurance Agency in Rio Rancho, NM.

Protecting Your Bike in New Mexico’s Winter Rain and Snow

Posted on November 30, 2022November 30, 2022 by admin

New Mexico’s coldest months, December and January, require bike storage. These rainy and snowy months inundate the typically arid state, and temperatures drop to the 20s and 30s Fahrenheit. This means bike owners need to park in a garage or storage building.

Franklin Insurance Agency explains the most secure and warm places in Rio Rancho, NM, where you can park your bike for winter.

Park Your Bike in Your Home’s Garage

While a bike cover works excellently in spring to cover your motorcycle, to avoid damage during winter’s harsh conditions, park your bike in your home’s garage during the coldest months. Either an attached or detached garage keeps it locked up tight and warm. Before you park it for the cold season, double-check the garage insulation. If the room doesn’t already have central heat and air or its own heater, purchase and install one, even if it’s a space heater. Use this to keep the garage’s temperature at least in the 50s.

Rent a Storage Unit

Most locations offer at least one storage facility with large rooms to serve as a garage. Typically, these units contain a roll-up garage door and can accommodate a bike and car. If you own a condo, your condo association might provide each condo owner with a storage unit. If it isn’t climate-controlled, add a space heater to keep the bike warm enough. Climate-controlled facilities usually refer to a complex that heats and cools its storage units. A climate-controlled unit typically maintains a temperature of about 70F to 80F during summer but temps of about 56F to 66F during winter.

Renting a Garage Space

Large-scale parking garages rent parking spaces to bike and trike owners, just as they do car owners. For the motorcycle to remain safe, you’ll need a covered, enclosed space that’s heated. A monitored parking facility provides the most secure option.

Contact Franklin Insurance Agency for motorcycle insurance to protect your bike on the road. Park it safely during Rio Rancho, NM’s chilly winters.

What types of insurance are included in auto insurance?

Posted on October 30, 2022October 30, 2022 by admin

Purchasing the right automotive insurance can seem daunting, but Franklin Insurance Agency, serving Rio Rancho, NM, is here to help keep you protected and covered.

What is included in auto insurance?

There are three main types of insurance included under auto insurance: property, liability, and medical. The role of insurance is to protect you, the policyholder, from financial costs that may incur in the case of an unforeseen event involving your vehicle.

So, what does each type of insurance cover?

Property coverage
- Addresses potential damage to the car
- Provides coverage in the case of car theft
- It can also cover damage to other types of property, such as lamp posts or fences that may be hit in an accident.
Liability coverage
- Covers any legal responsibility the policyholder has to others in the case of damage to property or bodily injury
Medical coverage
- It covers the cost of treating injuries and completing rehabilitation (if required).
- Depending on the scenario, medical coverage can include lost wages or funeral expenses.
- It may also be referred to as Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

At a minimum, drivers who operate motor vehicles need to have auto liability insurance per a New Mexico requirement. The minimum amounts of coverage needed are:

$25,000 – for bodily injury to or death of one person
$50,000 – for bodily injury to or death of two plus people
$10,000 – for damage to property from any single accident

Insurance beyond the minimum above provides peace of mind and can help protect your assets, such as a house, in case of the unexpected.

Contact Franklin Insurance Agency, serving Rio Rancho, NM, for a quote. We are here to help you find the right insurance at the right price.

Required Commercial Insurance in New Mexico

Posted on September 30, 2022September 30, 2022 by admin

If you are a business owner in New Mexico, you need to know which commercial insurance requirements exist in your state to get the needed policies. Two insurance types are mandated for many New Mexico businesses. There are also many non-required policy types, such as cyber insurance, that you should look into for extra protection. If you need commercial insurance coverage in Rio Rancho, NM, call us at Franklin Insurance Agency.

Workers’ Comp

Workers’ compensation insurance is required for many businesses in New Mexico. All businesses in the state with at least three employees must have this insurance to protect them. This is true whether the employees are part or full-time. If your business is a construction company, the law says that having even just one employee requires you to have workers’ comp insurance. This policy protects your business by paying for the accidents, and even disability payments, for an employee who has an accident at work. This makes your business less likely to be sued, and it can save you an enormous amount on medical bills.

Commercial Auto Insurance

If your business owns any vehicles, each of these vehicles has to be covered by commercial auto insurance. This insurance will pay for the liability you have after an accident. These policies must have both bodily injury and property damage liability coverage. If you have a trucking company, you will likely have additional insurance requirements. It’s also a good idea to have collision coverage for your work vehicles so that your damages will be paid for after an accident.

Cover Your Business

Call us at Franklin Insurance Agency in Rio Rancho, NM to get the coverage you need to protect your business.

Tips for making your home safer

Posted on August 31, 2022August 31, 2022 by admin

Your home is the place you feel safest. Home safety includes many things, including protection from dangers outside and inside your home. At Franklin Insurance Agency in Rio Rancho, NM, we know that one way to protect your home is with the right home insurance, and we will work with you to ensure your coverage is right for your home and you.

Make sure your smoke detectors work.

Fire is an ever-present danger to any home, and the early warning that a smoke detector provides gives you and your family the best chance of getting out safely. The batteries need to be changed every six months like clockwork.

Get your chimney cleaned.

If you use your fireplace at all, even if it is a gas one, you must get your chimney cleaned regularly. Many fires start from the chimney and can go undetected on the roof for quite some time.

Keep chemicals and cleaners under lock and key.

Many things that are used regularly around the house are poisonous if ingested. Kids and pets can get into something that can make them very sick or even kill them. Why take a chance? Place anything dangerous in a cabinet with a lock.

Add an exterior home camera.

It is straightforward these days to add a camera to the exterior of your home. This way, no matter where you are, you can use an app on your phone to see what is happening at home. You can install one of these yourself for a very reasonable price.

Lock your windows

While most people lock their doors, they often forget to ensure the windows are locked.

Contact Franklin Insurance Agency in Rio Rancho, NM when you are ready to discuss your home insurance needs.