Category: Home Insurance

A homeowner’s insurance policy provides coverage for various risks that may impact your real estate investment and its occupants. If you live in and around Rio Rancho, NM, the insurance professionals at Franklin Insurance Agency can help you determine how best to protect your home, family, and assets.  

Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Outdoor Property?

Yes, a policyholder’s outdoor property will be covered; however, the scope of insurance will be contingent on the terms of the policy you hold. The outdoor items that are generally covered by a home insurance policy include –

Outside Property Structures

Standard home insurance policies often cover structures on your property, such as an outdoor shed, a fence, or a detached garage. Coverage is usually a percentage of the main dwelling coverage limit.

Outdoor Personal Belongings

Homeowners’ insurance typically covers Outdoor personal belongings, including outdoor grills, patio furniture, or lawn equipment. Note that policy limits may exist, so high-value items might best be covered by a special endorsement.

Landscaping

Landscaping, including plants, flowers, and trees, is not typically covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy; however, driveways and retaining walls might be covered if damaged by a covered event.

Liability Coverage

A homeowner’s policy will often include liability coverage should an accident happen (for which the insured is found to be legally responsible) in the property’s backyard or driveway.  

Contact a Leading Rio Rancho, NM Homeowners Insurance Firm

If your home has unique or valuable outdoor features, discussing available coverage options is a smart idea to ensure your home and family are sufficiently protected. To speak with an insurance professional at Franklin Insurance Agency about homeowners’ insurance coverage to meet your needs, contact a Franklin Insurance Agency staff member at 505-891-8733 or online.

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:

1. Change your lightbulbs to LED bulbs. LED bulbs are much more energy efficient than traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs and last much longer.
2. 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.
3. 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. 
4. 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. 
5. 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.

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. 

Home insurance helps homeowners keep their sanity and their peace of mind. It helps make the risks associated with homeownership more palatable. It makes you feel safe. At Franklin Insurance Agency in Rio Rancho, NM, we place our customer’s needs first. As independent agents, we are in the best position to provide the broadest range of options and the most reasonable rates. 

Traditional home insurance provides four basic types of protection. It covers the physical structure of your home from a variety of hazards, it covers the content, and it gives you liability protection and loss of use. All significant types of insurance. 

• Property coverage is the insurance that protects you from tornados and fires etc., that can damage or destroy your home. It covers the house, major systems, attached structures like porches, decks, and detached structures like garages, casitas, patios, and sheds. 
• Content coverage protects your personal property both at home and when traveling away from home with you. 
• Liability protection is the amount you need to think about the most. It should be determined by your net worth and the level of risk you have. 
• Loss of use will come in very handy if your home is damaged or destroyed and you can’t stay at home. It will pay for your hotel and a rental house if it is longer. 

Home insurance doesn’t cover floods, land movement, expensive art and antiques, owner neglect (wear and tear), and sewer backup. Land movement includes earthquakes, sinkholes, landslides, and mudslides. Expensive art and antiques should be covered with a rider added to the policy. Maintaining your home is what the insurance company expects.  

Contact Franklin Insurance Agency in Rio Rancho, NM, with your questions and home insurance needs. 

You have been planning your trip for months, finally, you are leaving on vacation. Coming back to a home that has been broken into can turn a great vacation into a traumatic experience. Taking some precautions before you leave can lower the risk that you will have your home violated by an intruder. At Franklin Insurance Agency in  Rio Rancho, NM, we are an independent agency that puts our customer’s needs first. 

Don’t announce your plans on social media

These days, people tend to expose their entire life on social media. If you let everyone know what your plans are, you are sending out an invitation to people you may not even know. Just because you only allow your friends to see your posts doesn’t mean they don’t share with someone who will take advantage of the information. Wait until you get back to share your photos. 

Stop your mail

Nothing says we’re not home life an overflowing mailbox. It is as simple as filling out a form on the USPS website. Always stop your mail at least a day early, so you know for sure your mailman has read the notice to stop your delivery 

Talk to your nosey neighbor 

People are still the best line of defense. If you have a neighbor you know, especially one who walks around the neighborhood frequently, ask them to keep an eye on your home for anything out of the ordinary, 

Let the local police know

In many small to medium towns, the local police have a community program that will send an extra patrol through the neighborhood if you let them know you will be out of town. 

Secure your home

Have lights that turn on randomly, lock all your doors and windows and set your alarm. These are all common-sense steps to help keep your home safe while you are away on vacation. Having someone park in your driveway is also a good idea. 

Contact Franklin Insurance Agency in Rio Rancho, NM for all your home insurance needs. 

Our society is too litigious to live without a form of lawsuit coverage. Luckily, our insurance companies in Rio Rancho, NM are fully aware of this, and that’s why most coverages, including home insurance, come with liability coverage.  You can never really tell how messy a lawsuit can get. That is why Franklin Insurance Agency recommends buying adequate coverage to protect yourself financially if you find yourself involved in a lawsuit.

Are lawsuits covered in home insurance?

Yes. Your home is where you spend most of your time. It is where you invite and entertain guests, and that’s why it is easy to find yourself getting slapped with an expensive lawsuit. A simple slip and fall can result in unexpected lawsuits. Most lawsuits seek monetary compensation for injuries or damages the plaintiff claims the defendant should be liable for.

How does home insurance protect you against lawsuits?

When someone sues you for damage on their property or injuries in Rio Rancho, NM, home insurance comes in and pays for the legal fees required in court, such as hiring a lawyer. Depending on your coverage limits, your coverage can also compensate for the lost income when attending the court sessions.

Home insurance also pays monetary compensation for medical bills for the injured party and the repairs and replacements to be done. Since home insurance is a family policy, everyone is covered. If any of your family members is involved in a home lawsuit, home insurance can pay for the legal fees required.

What is exempted

Homeowner’s insurance will likely not cover any injuries resulting from an intentional act on your part. So if you assault someone on your property knowingly, especially someone who was there with your consent or permission, and they file a complaint, your insurance agency coverage won’t protect you.

For further clarification on lawsuits, visit or contact us at Franklin Insurance Agency, and we will answer all your questions.

If you live in New Mexico and are about to buy your first house, you may wonder if it will be necessary to purchase homeowners’ insurance. The answer is that though it’s not required by law in New Mexico to have home insurance, it greatly would benefit you to have it in place. 

New Mexico Home Insurance Matters

Even though you don’t have to get home insurance by law in New Mexico, it may be mandatory to have if you take out a mortgage. Many of the mortgage lending companies will ask that you have coverage on the property. This can seem like a burden, but it’s actually for good reason that you have insurance. The company asks this for protection of the bank if your home were to be damaged enough that you can no longer use it.

Home Insurance Benefits in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, NM

It’s definitely in your best interest to seek out a solid homeowners’ insurance policy. This will not just protect your home dwelling itself, but it also provides coverage for many of the belongings within your home. You’ll want to talk it over with your agent to determine what items won’t be covered so you can get a rider on your policy if it’s necessary. Many valuable items that are worth over a certain amount won’t be included if there were to be damage or theft, so make sure to go through and note everything you want to be covered.

A reputable agency like Franklin Insurance Agency, serving the greater Rio Rancho, NM area, will help you get the right insurance policy to suit your needs. Contact us today online or give us a call to get started.

 

 

 

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.