Merriam Insurance is partnering with several of its rescue mission/homeless shelter clients nationally to pilot cutting-edge remote sensor technology. These sensors are designed to send a signal through cell phone towers every 10–15 minutes, reporting the temperature and moisture levels in a monitored building. After being installed, the sensors are able to teach themselves the normal rhythms of the building’s temperature and moisture levels. If a potential water leak is detected, a notification is sent to the maintenance staff responsible for the building to investigate and take corrective action, hopefully preventing a loss. Building and insurance losses due to preventable water damage, especially from pipes that freeze, burst or leak, cause millions of dollars of damage annually. A rescue mission recently had almost $1.5 million dollars in damage to their building after their power and heat went out over a weekend. This caused the sprinkler pipes to freeze and burst, sending water cascading throughout their building. The Merriam team believes technology like these remote sensors will help prevent, or greatly reduce similar causes of water damage. This should result in our non-profit clients having fewer reportable incidents, thus lower insurance premiums. Each of the non-profit organizations piloting this program have agreed to install a separate wireless router to connect with 6 remote sensors placed throughout one of their buildings. The sensors connect to the cell tower through the router and have a battery life of 2–6 years. The router and sensors are provided to the participating organizations by one of […]

As much as many of us enjoy winter, it is not all about skating, sledding, and romantic walks in the snow. Along with the many enjoyable recreational activities comes the potential for injury from exhaustion, dehydration, back injuries, slip and falls, or even heart attacks. Merriam Insurance reminds you of the importance of home safety, to think about winter preparedness, and to put plans in place before winter actually arrives. Stay indoors. Whenever possible, staying inside during a storm is generally the best decision. Watch your step. If you must go out, walk carefully. Running on snowy or icy walkways seldom ends well. Practice safe shoveling. Avoid overexertion while clearing snow and ice and always: Warm-up beforehand. Stretch your arms, legs and back to help prevent injury and fatigue. Dress appropriately. Wearing breathable layers that can be peeled off one or more layers at a time will help prevent getting overheated. Additionally, wearing insulated waterproof boots with good traction will help to keep your feet warm and dry, and may help prevent slip and falls. Avoid overexertion. Moving smaller amounts of snow by pushing or scooping will help avoid back and other injuries. Stay ahead of the storm. Clearing the snow every few inches rather than waiting for the snow to stop falling makes for a much easier job. Stay hydrated. Keep a full water bottle nearby and take frequent breaks to rehydrate. Avoid taking shortcuts. Shortcuts are a good idea if you are in a hurry but may be [...]

Understanding what an ice dam is, and taking the necessary precautions to prevent one from forming, is an important part of preparing your home for winter weather. Knowing how to remove an ice dam, or better yet prevent one, is a crucial step in protecting your roof and home from potential damage during the winter months. What Is an Ice Dam? Ice dams may form when water from melting snow freezes into ice at the edge of your roofline. Without proper roof snow removal, the ice that develops may grow large enough to prevent water from properly draining off the roof. When water is unable to drain from the roof, it often backs up underneath shingles and flashing and makes its way into your home. Preventing Ice Dams An ice dam may develop if warm air from your home or attic melts snow on your roof. In freezing temperatures, the melted snow may refreeze once it reaches the colder edge of the roof. Keeping the temperature of your attic at 32°F or below can help prevent snow from melting and ice dams from developing. The following are some steps you can take to help prevent the snow melting-and-freezing cycle that often causes ice dams: Insulate your attic. Be sure your attic is properly insulated to help prevent warmth from escaping through ceilings. Whenever possible, an insulation value of R-40 is recommended. Prevent air leaks. Check and seal any openings where warm air or heat could escape into the attic, such as insulating or caulking [...]

Nationally, 1 out of 7 drivers is underinsured. As averages go, some geographical areas are better, while others (usually metropolitan areas) are worse. Do not be lulled into thinking that the state laws have corrected the underinsurance problem. No, when we face difficult economies like we do today, auto insurance is one of the first areas to suffer. In an effort to save money, many people are simply giving up auto insurance all together. If cost is a concern, we can often balance your policy’s coverages differently so

Wouldn’t it be great if you were paid to talk to your friends and family? Well, that is exactly what you can expect from the Merriam Insurance Agency’s referral program. How does it work? Simple. Whenever you refer a colleague, friend, or family member to our agency and they agree to receive a quote from us, you will receive a $10 gift card as a special thank you. We here at the Merriam Insurance Agency care very much about each and everyone one of you, and making your lives better by providing quality service for the best possible value is our number one priority. Contact your representative today to learn more. Merriam Insurance Referral Program

It is once again the holiday season, a time when many companies choose to host holiday parties and charity events. While these gatherings can provide opportunities for your employees and their guests to mingle casually and revel in the spirit of the holidays, they can also prove to be a liability for you and your company. That is why it is important that you take reasonable precautions to minimize risk and financially protect yourself through proper insurance coverage. The United States Department of Labor states that hosting a holiday party with improper use of alcohol can make your company more vulnerable to liability under Workers’ Compensation or other laws. When you host a holiday party and serve alcohol as part of the festivities, liquor liability can be covered by your Commercial General Liability policy. However, it is always best to check with your insurance agent or broker first, to make sure this coverage is specifically included. If you are a company without a liquor license that does not serve alcohol, you may not need a Liquor Liability policy. We strongly recommend you discuss the specific serving practices, whether by staff or by the guests themselves, with a trusted insurance advisor, to make sure you have the protection you want for this activity. In addition to a Commercial General Liability policy, businesses should also consider purchasing an Employment Practices Liability policy. This policy will protect your company from claims of discrimination, sexual harassment, emotional distress, and other workplace-related issues. When purchasing this [...]