Points to Consider When Searching for Second or Vacation Home Insurance

Posted on December 31, 2024January 5, 2025 by admin

A vacation home or second home is a major investment that should be cared for properly. One thing that must be handled quickly is getting insurance on the property. Unlike your primary home, a second or vacation home requires a specialized policy that addresses the unique risks associated with intermittent or seasonal use. Understanding a few points about these policies can help you find the right policy for your property.

Coverage Options

Insurance for vacation homes typically includes dwelling coverage, personal property coverage, and liability protection. Dwelling coverage helps pay for repairs or rebuilding if events like fires, lightning, or storms damage your home. M & M Insurance Group can discuss tailored policies that consider the specific risks of your property’s location.

Evaluating Risks and Location

The location of your vacation home significantly impacts your insurance rates and coverage. Properties in high-risk areas, such as those prone to hurricanes or floods, may require additional coverage. Factors like usage frequency, property type, and the presence of unique features like a pool or hot tub can also affect premiums.

Specialized Policies for Vacation Homes

Seasonal home insurance policies are designed for homes used occasionally. They often cover named perils such as fire, theft, vandalism, and water damage.

If you rent out your vacation home, you may need a more specialized policy. This coverage helps protect against liability and property damage when renters occupy your home.

Protecting Your Second Home

Contact M & M Insurance Group today to explore comprehensive coverage options for your second home in the greater Chesterland, Ohio, area.

A Local’s Guide to Winterizing your Vehicle in Chesterland OH

Posted on November 27, 2024November 26, 2024 by admin

Colder temperatures have arrived, which means preparing yourself and your vehicle for winter driving. Learn a few tips and techniques for winterizing your vehicle from M & M Insurance Group in Chesterland, OH.

How to Winterize Your Vehicle in Cleveland

Check Your Battery

Icy weather can drain your battery quickly. It is important to check your battery to ensure it is adequately charged or replace batteries that have passed their estimated replacement dates.

Monitor Fluid Levels

Maintaining correct fluid levels, such as winter-grade motor oil for your engine, anti-freeze, and weatherproof windshield wiper fluid, can help you have a smoother winter ride and reduce the likelihood of maintenance-related breakdowns that could leave you stranded on the side of the road.

Inspect Car Tires

Your tires carry the weight of a vehicle and its passengers. Carrying heavy loads while navigating snow and salt-covered roads means that tires should be frequently inspected during the wintertime. Maintaining proper tread and tire pressure can help prevent wintertime blowouts and waiting for emergency roadside services in icy temperatures.

Check Your Brakes

Ensure your brakes work properly by taking your vehicle to an authorized service center for winter car care inspection. It is important to inspect your brakes as stopping distances can drastically increase on snow-covered and icy roads.

Get Comprehensive Collision Insurance

Properly winterizing your vehicle can help reduce the likelihood of getting into car accidents. However, there is no guarantee that fender benders, tire blowouts, and major accidents won’t happen on slick and slippery roads.

Protect your auto from various damages related to natural disasters, theft, vandalism, and collisions by contacting M & M Insurance Group in Chesterland, OH for a comprehensive and collision auto insurance quote today!

I have a small online business. Do I need commercial insurance?

Posted on October 31, 2024October 28, 2024 by admin

Regardless of the type, size, and scope of their business, business owners have assets to protect. Having the right type of insurance and coverage is essential. Without adequate coverage, a business is vulnerable. Often, insurance is the difference between sustaining a company and going out of business due to unforeseen or inadequately prepared for accidents or incidents. That’s why our team at M & M Insurance Group is committed to helping Chesterland, OH, business owners stay protected by getting coverage that meets their unique needs.

What is commercial insurance?

Commercial insurance, also known as business insurance, is designed to protect businesses in various ways. It covers property damage, liability, business interruption, theft, natural disasters, and much more. Worker injury coverage is also included in commercial insurance coverage. Commercial insurance is tailored to meet the unique needs of any given business. As a result, other forms of coverage are available to business owners, in addition to the typical forms of coverage.

Do I need commercial insurance for my small online business?

Even if you run a small online business, commercial insurance can be beneficial. Commercial insurance can provide product liability coverage and more if you sell a product online online. It can also provide cybersecurity for your online business. Even if you’re the only employee, commercial insurance can provide protection for the safe operation of your business online, as well as any issues that may affect your business online. If you have questions regarding your insurance options as a business owner, contact us. We’d be happy to answer all of your questions.

How to Insure a Historic Home

Posted on September 30, 2024September 29, 2024 by admin

Insuring a historical house can be a complex process, as such homes are often either excluded from or denied home insurance coverage, mainly due to their age. Aged properties are notoriously prone to structural issues and require more comprehensive protection. If you’re a proud owner of a historic home in Chesterland, OH, and need insurance, you might want to consider a specialized policy. Our M & M Insurance Group experts recognize the deep-rooted sentiment connected to older homes and are here to assist you.

Step 1: Secure an Appraisal

The first step in insuring a historic property is to obtain a precise appraisal. Someone specializing in historic buildings must do the appraisal to ensure your home is insured for the right amount. The appraisal should cover both the house itself and the accompanying land. Historic homes often feature unique landscaping and outbuildings, and a home insurance policy should also cover these elements.

Step 2: Document Everything

Once you’ve ascertained the home’s worth, it’s time to begin the documentation process. Despite being time-consuming, documentation is a critical step in ensuring your property is adequately insured. Photos, written records, receipts, and more can all serve as valuable documentation tools. Your documentation should provide a detailed record of improvements, repairs, and renovations.

Step 3: Seek Out Specialized Coverage

Rather than limiting yourself to standard home insurance, you can explore policies explicitly designed for historic homes. Once you find a suitable policy, ensure it meets all of your home’s needs by covering the full cost of its restoration and maintaining adequate limits.

Contact M & M Insurance Group in Ohio!

Owning a historic home can be a rewarding experience, but it comes with unique challenges. Specialized historic home insurance is a must to maintain the property optimally. If you’re ready to discuss this further, the team at M & M Insurance Group’s Chesterland, OH office is eager to help. One of our representatives can assist you in finding the proper coverage.

When is the best time to review your auto policy?

Posted on August 30, 2024August 29, 2024 by admin

Most US states require you to carry auto insurance if you are taking your vehicle on the road. Every state has its requirements depending on whether it is a no-fault state. In Chesterland, OH, the experienced independent insurance agents at M & M Insurance Group can help you review your auto coverage and suggest the best carrier for your needs.

When your bill is renewed

Most auto insurance policies renew every 6 or 12 months. When it is time to renew, your insurance company will send you either a paper copy or a digital copy of your policy. The front page of the policy is the declaration page. This is a synopsis of your policy and an easy way to see your coverage at one glance. Always look it over; if anything doesn’t seem right or the rate has jumped, it’s time to find out why.

When you add a new driver

When you add a new driver, especially a young driver, it is important to review your coverage to ensure it reflects what you need. You may want to add full coverage as well as roadside assistance.

When something in your life changes

Life changes, and you may want to reconsider some of your coverage when it does. You may wish to return to basic coverage when your car gets older. You may want to add more liability coverage if you add a teen. If your insurance is too expensive, you may want to raise your deductible, which can significantly impact what you actually pay.

When you want your auto insurance reviewed by an agent in Chesterland, OH, call our office at M & M Insurance Group.

Importance of Reviewing Your Home Insurance Policy Each Year

Posted on July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 by admin

Home insurance involves making several decisions to ensure you have the best coverage for your needs. It’s easy to breathe a sigh of relief once you’ve finalized these choices. However, at M & M Insurance Group, we believe it’s essential for Chesterland, OH residents to review their home policy each year. Life is continuously changing, which can significantly impact your coverage needs.

A year—despite seemingly flying by—is made up of 365 days, and several changes could occur within this period, including:

Birth or adoption of a child
Marriage or divorce
A family member passing away
Kitchen or bathroom renovations
Adding a room or other structure
Starting a home-based business
Decreasing your home loan or refinancing
Retiring
Installing an alarm system
Upgrading the electrical system
Purchasing new furniture, artwork, or other valuables

Reviewing your policy annually ensures that these changes are factored into your coverage. It offers several benefits, such as:

Increasing coverage: If you’re upgrading your home, starting a business, or acquiring new assets, you will likely need additional coverage.
Decreasing coverage: Some changes, such as refinancing for a lower cost, may decrease necessary coverage.

While an annual review doesn’t always imply changes to your home policy, it ensures that your policy remains suitable to your current situation. If you’re in Chesterland, OH, let our M & M Insurance Group team help you evaluate your coverage. Get in touch with us via a call or visit our office.

Understanding Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost in Auto Insurance Claims

Posted on June 28, 2024June 25, 2024 by admin

Understanding the Actual Cash Value (ACV) is vital for your financial expectations and for assisting you in making a fundamental decision about the right coverage during the underwriting process in Chesterfield, OH.

Actual Cash Value (ACV)

ACV represents the worth of your car when it is damaged. The calculation of this value depends on various factors, such as the vehicle’s age, condition, and current market demand. Depreciation is a significant factor in determining ACV, which represents the decrease in value over time due to wear and tear. For instance, an older vehicle will usually have a lower ACV than a newer model of the same make and condition.

When you file a claim based on ACV, you receive reimbursement equal to your vehicle’s worth at the time of the loss after deducting any applicable deductible amount. Thus, you may not receive sufficient reimbursement to purchase a new vehicle of a similar make and model, particularly if your car has undergone significant depreciation.

Replacement Cost

Replacement cost coverage differs from ACV in that it covers the expense of replacing your vehicle with a brand-new one of similar make, model, and features without deducting depreciation.

Choosing the Right Coverage

Deciding between ACV or replacement cost coverage depends on your preferences. While ACV coverage might be more affordable, it often results in lower payouts for older vehicles. On the other hand, replacement cost coverage provides excellent financial protection but typically comes with higher premiums. An educated decision depends on the perceived value, financial circumstance, and coverage preference.

M & M Insurance Group Helps You Choose

M & M Insurance Group is here to help guide you and demonstrate how auto insurance can benefit you in the long term. Our team services the Chesterland, OH area. Contact us today.

What to think about when building a commercial insurance plan?

Posted on May 31, 2024June 7, 2024 by admin

Being a business owner in the Chesterland, OH, area could be a great idea. If you would like to start a business here, it is important that you are diligent and careful when establishing your organization. At the same time, you must ensure you have proper insurance. There are many things to consider while building a commercial insurance policy.

Assets That Need Coverage

You should spend time thinking about the assets that need to be covered. A commercial business today could own various types of equipment, real estate, inventory, and even office furniture that are necessary to run a business. When adequately insured, you will have coverage to replace these items if you incur a certain type of loss.

Liability Risks

It would be best if you also thought about your commercial liability risks. When you run any business, there will always be a chance you could make a mistake that results in injury or illness to another party. In these situations, as well as others, you can be held liable. If you are insured the right way, you will receive support in these situations.

Obligations

It would be best if you considered your personal and business obligations regarding insurance. Your business will likely involve many stakeholders, including investors, customers, vendors, and lenders. Each entity will want you to be adequately insured and could require it in certain agreements.

Insurance is crucial for any business in the Chesterland, OH, area. When you are ready to shop for a new plan, contact us at M & M Insurance Group. At M & M Insurance Group, you will receive any guidance you need to create a plan.

Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping for Home Insurance

Posted on April 26, 2024April 23, 2024 by admin

Surprisingly, more than 6 million American homeowners currently don’t have home insurance policies. If you’re one of them, consider shopping for home insurance through M & M Insurance Group for your Chesterland, OH house. Just be sure not to make any crucial mistakes while doing it. Check out several common mistakes you should avoid below.

Shopping for Home Insurance on Your Own

You can technically shop for home insurance independently and find an excellent policy if you know what to look for. But why take this approach when you can have a professional from M & M Insurance Group on your side? They’ll help you work your way through the process of picking the right home insurance policy for your Chesterland, OH, home.

Selecting the Wrong Home Insurance Policy

The home insurance policy you choose should be based on everything from the value of your home to the personal possessions you keep inside it. The last thing you want to do is settle on a policy that won’t provide enough coverage. It’s another reason you should enlist a professional’s services to assist you in your search.

Failing to Shop for Home Insurance Often Enough

Your home insurance needs will likely change annually as your home will grow in value over time. For this reason, you should aim to shop around for home insurance yearly to ensure you have enough coverage for your house and everything in it.

Want to steer clear of making the mistakes listed here as you shop for home insurance in Chesterland, OH? M & M Insurance Group can lend a hand and leave you with the right policy in the end. Contact us today.

Automotive Insurance Upgrades For Your Fleet

Posted on March 29, 2024March 31, 2024 by admin

If you own a fleet of vehicles, you may want to pursue automotive insurance upgrades. Review the following add-ons, and then modify your policy if needed.

Vehicle Makes and Models

Before reviewing any add-ons, prepare a list of the vehicles part of your fleet. The types of add-ons you select may depend upon the actual make and model of each vehicle you own.

How you plan on using each vehicle will also affect the type of coverage you will need.

Towing Equipment

It is common to use vehicles for towing. Trailers, lights, hitches, and other towing equipment used for transport should be insured on your automotive insurance policy.

If you will be using multiple vehicles for towing, this may increase the amount of automotive insurance coverage you will need.

Distance

The distance you will be driving each of the vehicles in your fleet could influence the type of coverage you need. Take into account that your driving patterns could change periodically.

If so, you should plan on modifying your insurance policy as needed. The distance you drive should be calculated routinely.

Please keep track of each vehicle you own and the amount it drives. Then, submit this information when ready to update your automotive insurance policy.

Contact M & M Insurance Group

Consult with an agent who serves Chesterland, OH. An agent who is part of the M & M Insurance Group will prepare an automotive insurance policy for your personal fleet.

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