As the years pass, the average price of many items can increase due to inflation. Your homeowner’s insurance is no different. In addition to the regular increase due to inflation, the cost to repair or replace your home also increases. Insurance companies must account for these rising costs, which in turn can raise your premium. By making some adjustments to your policy as well as some long-term investments, you can keep your insurance costs under control. Here are several ways to help lower your homeowner’s insurance: Increase your Deductible. Increasing your deductible can have an immediate impact on your homeowner’s insurance. A higher deductible will result in a lower premium because you will be responsible for paying more out of pocket when a claim is filed. Reduce the Risk of Flooding. Flood damage is the number one insurance claim in the United States. If you’re in a high-risk flood zone, there are steps you can take to reduce your insurance premium. Contact Merriam Insurance for more information. Look for Discounts. When shopping around, ask an agent about discounts. Just like auto insurance, there may be several discounts available for your homeowner’s insurance. Eliminate Unnecessary Coverage. Evaluate your policy and eliminate any coverage you no longer need. Bundle your Policies. Bundling your insurance policies can save you some money. Check with your agent about moving all your other policies to the same company as your homeowner’s insurance. Decide Carefully about Making Claims. Claims can drive up your premium because your insurance company may […]

In this age of convenience and innovation, most of us take advantage of all the technology available to us. Seldom do we think about the downside of that convenience—hacking, the “Dark Web,” stolen identities, and legitimate-looking emails from adept, fraudulent sources. One of the most concerning incidents of fraudulent communications are wire instructions that appear to be sent by a representative with whom a consumer is actively working. A common scenario often plays out like this: A prospective home buyer is working with a title agency in the process of purchasing a new home. The buyer establishes a contact at the title company who guides them through the steps of the transaction. What neither party knows is that the email servers of the title company have been compromised, and hackers are watching the email exchanges between the two parties. When the timing seems appropriate, hackers send an email that appears to be from the title company, outlining wire instructions and perhaps requesting a down payment. Since the consumer is expecting a request to wire funds at some point in the process, they comply without question. Furthermore, the title company has no ability to view the email correspondence, so they have no idea money has been wired to somewhere it will, most likely, never be retrieved. The result is extremely detrimental for both parties. The consumer has possibly lost a lifetime of savings, and the title company is blamed for unwittingly facilitating the heist. Years of stellar reputation and hard work […]

Accidents in the home is not a subject most of us dwell upon, but being prepared for potential hazards can make a world of difference. Here are some helpful home safety tips that can be easily implemented to help provide a secure environment and a safer home for you and your family. Store Medicine Properly. Choose a safe place that small children cannot reach, and be sure that all safety caps are secured. Keep Emergency Phone Numbers Handy. You never know what can happen. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 60,000 young children in the United States are treated in emergency rooms each year for accidental overdoses. Be sure to keep the Poison Help Line phone number handy (1-800-222-1222). Keep Sharp Kitchen Tools out of Reach. Because we use most kitchen tools every day, it is not practical to keep them under lock and key. More important is ensuring they are out of reach of children. Teach your children that kitchen tools and utensils are never to be touched or used without an adult present. Bathroom Safety. Keep the toilet seat and lid down to prevent accidents. Install nonskid mats in the shower, and watch small children closely when they are in the shower or taking a bath; drowning can occur in just two inches of water. It will also benefit residents of any age to have night lights on in all bathrooms to prevent tripping on rugs or bumping into objects. Keep Small Objects Out […]

Why should you choose Merriam Insurance? The answer is simple. Our dedicated and expert staff have been working with clients like you for over a century. During that time we have gained the knowledge necessary to ensure that you are properly protected for the best overall value. What can you expect from the Merriam difference? Longevity. Founded in 1895, Merriam Insurance has successfully adapted to the many unforeseen fluctuations in society, the economy and the insurance marketplace. Multi-Generational Company. Family owned and operated, Merriam Insurance has been a pillar of the community over the course of four generations. Privately-Held Independent Broker. Being a privately-held company has many advantages. Since there are no stockholders to whom we answer, we are able to put our clients’ needs first. Industry Knowledge. Quality knowledge is rare. Correctly doing insurance risk management requires knowledge of the situation or industry and the available insurance products. Merriam Insurance understands the unique risks you face and has successfully insured many clients like you. Best in Class Service. Merriam Insurance takes pride in offering expert personalized service while not losing focus of the “big picture.” No matter how small a policy may be, we ensure that you receive excellent service at all times. All Insurance Serviced in One Place. Few brokers have the capacity to service all the insurance your family, business, or non-profit may need. Merriam Insurance has invested in our personnel in order to offer and service all lines of insurance coverage. This allows us to accurately advise you on how to manage […]

After exhaustively discussing every aspect of their E&O coverage, most clients are not overly eager to hear about the “other” coverage recommended, in addition to E&O. The mindset seems to be that if a coverage is not required, then it is not a coverage a client should carry. Perhaps it is the additional expense or the time it takes to learn about something new. Perhaps the client still believes “that won’t happen to me”. Regardless, there may always be an

What if there were an award for the insurance coverage with the most confusing name? My vote would go to Property Damage Liability coverage on auto insurance. Many might assume that Property Damage Liability Insurance would cover damage to one’s own vehicle. After all, your own car is property, and it can be damaged. However, this coverage actually pays on your behalf for damage to another person’s vehicle, house, shrubbery, or other possessions. For example, if you took a left turn too wide and dented a parked vehicle, ran over a bicycle, or crushed a bed of azaleas, you would be liable for that damage. The good news is, if you have this coverage, you won’t have to pay out-of-pocket to repair the other person’s “property” that has been “damaged.” Despite its confusing name, this insurance coverage will end up being quite helpful, and cover those damages. Additionally, now you can win bets by stumping your friends over what Property Damage Liability really means. Contact a Merriam representative today to learn more.