Is it time to renew your boat insurance policy?

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If it is time to renew your boat policy, give the folks at The Merhar Agency LLC a call today. We provide the greater Willoughby, OH area residents with all of their insurance needs and would welcome the opportunity to work with you.

Review your boat policy before you renew

When it comes to renewing our insurance, many of us fall into the trap of simply renewing the same policies year after year without giving it much thought. However, insurance needs can change, and it’s a good idea to give your policies a quick review before you renew them. And, it’s not a bad idea to sit down with your local agent.

Boat policies should reflect your liability protection needs. You will also want to make sure that your collision coverage is in line with the value of your vessel as well as replacement costs. Medical expense coverage is another area where you will want to make sure that your policy limits are keeping pace with your protection needs.

We recommend that our clients give their policies a comprehensive review at least once a year. This allows you to recognize any gaps or overages in coverage with time to make the necessary adjustments. Simply renewing the same policy year after year can mean that one day you won’t have the coverage that you need. Don’t find out after it’s too late that your insurance policy is inadequate for your current needs.

Give us a call today!

The Merhar Agency LLC is here to help the greater Willoughby, OH community with all of its insurance needs. If you have questions about your current boat policy or are considering a boat purchase in the near future, give us a call today!

How to Register a Motorcycle in Ohio

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To legally operate a motorcycle in Ohio, it must be registered with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. If you are a new resident in Ohio, you’ll have thirty days after establishing residency to register your motorcycle concurrently with titling and registration. The registration process consists of several parts, with the first being to complete an E-Check emissions inspection if you live in an emissions-required county. Once done, you can head to your local deputy registrar license office with the following documents to process the registration:

  • Motorcycle Title
  • Lease Agreement 
  • Proof of Motorcycle Insurance
  • $25 Payment for Registration and any other applicable fees and taxes. 

If buying a motorcycle from a dealership, the dealer will complete the registration process for you and collect all applicable fees in the bike’s purchase price. The dealership must provide you with a temporary registration until your permanent plates arrive in the mail and a title within 30 days of the purchase date. If buying from a private seller, you must complete a title transfer and an emissions test.

Ohio law requires insurance on any motor vehicle – including motorcycles. You are required to show proof of insurance at traffic stops, accident scenes, and vehicle inspections with the following minimum insurance requirements:

  • $25,000 for injury/death of one person
  • $50,000 for injury/death of two or more people
  • $25,000 for property damage in an accident

At The Merhar Agency LLC in Willoughby, OH, our friendly and professional team of insurance agents is ready to help answer any of your motorcycle insurance questions. Give us a call today to learn more about our company. 

Industries That Rely On Umbrella Insurance

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The Merhar Agency LLC serves the Willoughby, OH community. We offer our clients multiple policies to help navigate life’s risks. For over 40 years, we have proudly served the community by informing our clients about possible risks and supplying their coverage needs. Providing excellent customer service is important to us. We treat our customers like family. We look forward to helping you obtain the right policy for your situation.

Industries That Rely On Umbrella Insurance

Umbrella insurance is supplemental coverage that you can rely on during emergency situations. Sometimes accidents occur when you least expect it. Your assets could be at risk if you aren’t prepared. Perhaps you are hosting a party at your home where you’re serving alcohol. You serve your friend one too many drinks, and they get behind the wheel intoxicated and cause an accident. You may be responsible for the damages and potential injuries. Your assets are at risk if you don’t have enough coverage. Umbrella insurance steps in to protect you from losing everything. The policy adds another layer of protection once you have reached your liability limits.

If you are a Willoughby, OH restaurant owner, the potential of a liability dispute regarding alcohol is one reason why you should add umbrella insurance. Your business is open to the public, which leaves you exposed to multiple risks. Perhaps a customer visits your business and accidentally slips on a wet spot. Your business is liable for their injuries. Umbrella insurance can step in if they have suffered a serious injury beyond your liability limits. If you operate a landscaping business, umbrella insurance is also a valuable asset. Anything can go wrong while you are working on someone’s property. That’s why umbrella insurance is a good thing to have in your back pocket.

The Merhar Agency LLC Will Help You Cover Your Assets

Visit our website to learn more information about umbrella insurance.

Why would you need flood insurance in Ohio?

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Those that live in the Willoughby, OH area will find that owning a home is a good decision. While this can be a good investment, you do need to ensure you are protecting your investment as well as possible. A great way that this can be done is with flood coverage. You may need to have this insurance for various reasons. 

You Want to Comply with Requirements

A reason that some will get flood coverage in Ohio is so they can comply with their insurance requirements. If you are going to take out a mortgage, your home lender will always run searches to see if you have a higher risk of being in a flood. As the damage could impact their collateral, mortgage lenders will require that you get flood coverage in these situations. Having insurance will ensure you meet these requirements.

You Need to Protect Home

Even if you are not obligated to carry insurance, it is still a good idea to get some for your home if you are concerned about flood damage. A home that is impacted by a flood could incur serious damages and repair costs. Further, your standard home insurance plan may not offer coverage for it. With flood coverage, you will know that you have support in place to reduce the risks associated with these costs. 

People that live in the Willoughby, OH region should always get proper insurance for their homes. If you are looking to get this insurance in Ohio, you need to speak with The Merhar Agency LLC. The professionals with The Merhar Agency LLC understand the benefits of flood coverage and can see if the coverage is right for you. They can then offer any support you need to build a new plan. 

Winter Care for Your Motorcycle

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To make the most of the investment you have made into your motorcycle, it is important that you take the right winter care steps. At the Merhar Agency LLC, serving Willoughby, OH, we are all about helping our clients protect their investments with the right insurance policies and asset advice. Keep reading to learn more about winter care for your motorcycle.

Why Winter Care?

If you plan to put your bike up for the winter, it is very important that you take the proper winter care steps. Following these steps will ensure that your bike does not sustain any damage due to harsh winter temperatures. These few steps can be done either at a shop or in your own garage. 

Fill Up and Stabilize

You will want to fill your gas tank and add a fuel stabilizer. Be sure to only use fresh gas and a fresh stabilizer. 

Oil and Filter Change

Now is a good time to give your bike an oil and filter change. Putting the bike up with clean oil will keep any corrosion from forming due to dirty oil or debris in the oil. 

Drain the Carborator 

This is a smart step if a vehicle is going to be sitting for a long period of time, especially if low temperatures are expected. 

Protect Mufflers 

During the winter months, mice will try to make homes in any small safe places they can find. Mufflers are a perfect spot. You can protect your mufflers from critters by stuffing steel wool into a sandwich bag and then stuffing the bag into the muffler. Cover the muffler with brightly colored tape to remind yourself to remove the bags before cranking the bike up again. 

If you would like to learn about our insurance products for your bike or any other vehicles, please contact us at The Merhar Agency LLC, serving Willoughby, OH. 

Is Boat Insurance Required in Ohio?

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Boat insurance is not required in Ohio, unless you have a lender that requires it. Still, it is a wise purchase, to ensure that you are covered for every possible risk when you are on the water.

At The Merhar Agency LLC, we want Willoughby, OH residents to feel secure when they are on their boats. We can help you to design the best boat insurance policy for your needs. 

Learn more about what to expect in boat insurance right here.

What Boat Insurance Coverage is Available

When you are purchasing boat insurance, the minimum you want to have is liability coverage. This will protect you financially in the event of an accident for which you are found to be liable.

You can also get property damage for damage that occurs to your boats as a result of collisions, and comprehensive insurance for theft, vandalism, fire, and most incidents that cause damage that aren’t collision-related. 

In addition to this coverage, you can get coverage for contents, and specific equipment coverage.

What Does Liability Coverage Protect?

When you have boat insurance, liability coverage covers bodily injury liability and property damage liability. 

Bodily injury liability coverage will pay for medical costs and lost wages when there are injuries suffered after an accident. This pays for third parties that were in an accident with you, for which you are at fault.

Property damage liability pays for damages to a third party’s property after an accident or damage has been caused. This could happen after a collision, a fuel spill, or a number of other boat-related accidents.

There is a lot to getting boat insurance, and when you do, you will buy peace of mind.

Get a Quote

You are not required to get boat insurance in Ohio, but it’s always a smart choice. At The Merhar Agency LLC, we want Willoughby, OH residents to feel secure on the water and protected against every possible financial risk. Call us for a quote today.

What Will Happen to Businesses Without Umbrella Insurance in Lawsuits?

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Umbrella insurance policies help protect many businesses from severe liability issues. And we at The Merhar Agency LLC can help Willoughby, OH owners understand their coverage options and minimize their potential financial loss in an intense and long-term lawsuit situation.

How Umbrella Insurance Protects You 

Umbrella insurance policies are a form of additional liability that goes into effect when your standard business liability coverage is depleted. For example, if you get into an extensive lawsuit and your typical coverage cannot cover the whole cost of your case, you will have to pay out of pocket. 

And if the overall costs of your lawsuit are high enough, you might find yourself on the brink of bankruptcy. High-quality umbrella policies help you by covering these costs for you, giving you a better chance of staying solvent and minimizing the overall impact a lawsuit may have on your bottom line.

Common Risks It Covers 

Your umbrella insurance policy will cover a wide variety of different risk situations to protect you and your company from lawsuits. Just a few of these include:

  • Severe injuries to older patients with heavy doctor bills 
  • Product failures that affect many people 
  • Recalls that may impact a broad range of buyers 
  • Class action lawsuits that could bankrupt you 

By getting an excellent umbrella insurance policy, you protect yourself and your business from severe financial loss. Otherwise, you might end up having to close down in many circumstances.

Get a Policy Today 

So if you operate a business in Willoughby, OH, and want to minimize your potential lawsuit risks, please contact us at The Merhar Agency LLC right away to learn more. Our team of experts will do what they can to help transition you to a high-quality umbrella insurance policy ASAP.

Animals Invaded Your House During a Flood: What Can Your Insurance Do?

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Floods can cause a lot of surprising damage issues, such as animals invading a home unexpectedly. At The Merhar Agency LLC serving Willoughby, OH, we’ve run into many of these coverage issues. And we’re here to help you understand your options here.

Understanding What Your Policy Will Cover 

When you have a flood insurance policy, your home will be protected against severe natural floods and the damages that it causes. For example, it will help to safeguard things like your electrical system, your plumbing elements, all furnaces and water heaters, appliances in your home, permanently installed carpeting, window blinds, your foundation, a detached garage, and most of your belongings. 

But what happens when animals get into your home during a flood and cause damage? For example, if a flood causes your door to burst open and frightened animals like rabbits, deer, or other creatures get into your home, they may cause a lot of damage trying to get out. Are you covered for the damage that they may cause? Or are you going to be stuck with an expensive repair bill? 

Here is where things get tricky with your flood insurance policy. Some options may cover animal damage, depending on whether it is related to the flood. That’s because they may cover ALL issues caused during a flood, including problems with animals. However, that isn’t always the case, and some policies may have limitations. It is essential to talk to your agent to learn more about this factor. 

Reach Out to Us Today 

Are you worried about the potential damage animals may do to your home during a flood? Then, reach out to us at The Merhar Agency LLC to learn more. We serve the Willoughby, OH, area and can help you understand your rights in this situation.

Why you need condo insurance

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Owning a condo is something many people prefer. It makes owning a home possible in some cases and in others; it is the lack of exterior maintenance that is the big attraction. No matter what your reason for choosing condo ownership is, you still need to protect your investment. Condo insurance is designed to protect condos and only includes the kinds of coverage you need. The Merhar Agency LLC in Willoughby, OH we have been providing friendly and knowledgeable customer service to local residents for more than 65 years. 

To protect your assets

You need condo insurance to protect your assets. Not only the money you have invested in your condo but your other assets. Liability insurance is included in condo insurance, and it will help to protect you if you are involved in a legal action where someone sues you. It covers you, the members of the family, and even your furry friends as long as they are not excluded. It can also help with the legal costs of defending yourself. 

Protect your possessions

Condo insurance protects the contents of your condo. This includes things like your furniture, appliances, clothes, electronics, and jewelry. Some categories do have limits so make sure you are aware of them. You can increase the limit if necessary with a rider. Your possessions are also covered when they are away from home with you. 

Loss of use

When a covered hazard damages your condo you may have to find another place to stay. In the immediate aftermath it will reimburse you for hotel expenses and if needed help you to pay for a short-term rental. This coverage is not in every policy. Make sure it is included with yours. 

Contact The Merhar Agency LLC in Willoughby, OH when you are in the market for condo insurance. 

Life Insurance Pros and Cons

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When selecting the best life insurance to protect your Willoughby, OH loved ones, you must first weigh the pros and cons to help narrow down your options and needs. The two most common life insurance policies are term life insurance and whole life insurance. 

Listed below are the pros and cons for both term life insurance and whole life insurance. When done reading, if you still have questions, give us a call at The Merhar Agency LLC.

Term Life Insurance

Term life insurance policies range from five to 30 years, depending upon the term selected. Some pros for term life insurance include: 

  • Very affordable when compared to other life insurance plans
  • Easy to understand plans
  • Renewable (in some cases)
  • A portion of your paid premiums may be paid back to you if you outlive the policy terms (or given the option to change to a whole life insurance plan)

Some cons for term life insurance include: 

  • Hold no cash value
  • Many plans require a physical and health questionnaire to determine eligibility
  • Coverage limited to term’s lifespan
  • If you outlive the policy, premiums on a new policy may increase

Whole Life Insurance

Whole life insurance is permanent insurance that covers you for your entire life, and the policies accrue cash value. Some pros to whole life insurance include: 

  • Lasts your entire life
  • Premiums do not change as long as they are paid
  • Policies build cash value that can be borrowed against while still living
  • Very useful for estate planning

Some cons of whole life insurance include: 

  • More expensive than term life insurance
  • It can be challenging to understand
  • The investment component of the policy may not be needed

Life insurance is a way to help your family after your passing to adjust to their life without your financial support. It is always a good idea to speak with someone about life insurance options available in Willoughby, OH. Give us a call at The Merhar Agency LLC to discuss your life insurance options.