Mission Minute

Man-made Water: The Danger Outside Your Walls

Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

President at Merriam Insurance Agency
376 Broadway
Schenectady, New York 12305

Toll-Free:
(877) MERRIAM x 201
(877) 637-7426 x 201

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Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

Latest posts by Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI (see all)

One of our mission clients noticed water on the floor in their below-grade cafeteria dining room. A thorough check of all predictable sources of water were ruled out until someone decided to check on their storage building next door. There they found to their horror water up to the top...

Abuse and Molestation Part III

Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

President at Merriam Insurance Agency
376 Broadway
Schenectady, New York 12305

Toll-Free:
(877) MERRIAM x 201
(877) 637-7426 x 201

Send Email
Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

Latest posts by Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI (see all)

Accommodating sex offenders It has been freezing rain for most of the day, and Benny walks up to your desk man just in time for dinner. He is a level 2 sex offender who wants a hot meal and to spend the night, or at least stay until the weather...

A Matter of Security

Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

President at Merriam Insurance Agency
376 Broadway
Schenectady, New York 12305

Toll-Free:
(877) MERRIAM x 201
(877) 637-7426 x 201

Send Email
Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

Latest posts by Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI (see all)

This past March I wrote an article on risk management in regards to the possibility of an active shooter who may someday enter your premises. This prompted some responses that indicated several missions are either looking to hire a security company or perhaps even train their own staff in security...

Earthquakes: A whole lot of shaking going on!

Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

President at Merriam Insurance Agency
376 Broadway
Schenectady, New York 12305

Toll-Free:
(877) MERRIAM x 201
(877) 637-7426 x 201

Send Email
Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

Latest posts by Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI (see all)

Earthquake Insurance I recently returned from Haiti where I regularly travel to do mission work. As you may recall, this poor nation, 90 minutes south of Miami, suffered an earthquake on January 12, 2010 that killed a quarter million people. I took the following picture 2 months after that tragedy....

Mass Shootings: A Country Under Siege

Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

President at Merriam Insurance Agency
376 Broadway
Schenectady, New York 12305

Toll-Free:
(877) MERRIAM x 201
(877) 637-7426 x 201

Send Email
Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

Latest posts by Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI (see all)

Over the last few years it seems that the number of mass shootings has increased. The year 2015 saw fourteen killed in San Bernardino, California in December; nine killed at Umpqua Community College in Oregon in October; four killed at a military site in Chattanooga, Tennessee in July; and nine...

Immunity for Mission Volunteer Doctors and Nurses

Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

President at Merriam Insurance Agency
376 Broadway
Schenectady, New York 12305

Toll-Free:
(877) MERRIAM x 201
(877) 637-7426 x 201

Send Email
Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

Latest posts by Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI (see all)

Mission Volunteer Effective July 1, 2016, there was good news for missions located in Indiana. That is the day when a new law will become effective as a result of Governor Mike Pence’s signature. The new law provides immunity to licensed medical professionals who volunteer their services at no cost...

Life and Disability for your Executive Director

Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

President at Merriam Insurance Agency
376 Broadway
Schenectady, New York 12305

Toll-Free:
(877) MERRIAM x 201
(877) 637-7426 x 201

Send Email
Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

Latest posts by Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI (see all)

The greatest assets of a mission are its personnel. Arguably, one of the most important people on your staff is the Executive Director. I find it interesting that buildings and vans get excellent insurance protection, yet these are readily replaceable. However, of all the “assets” I see left uninsured, it...

Health, Safety and Security for Mission Residents

Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

President at Merriam Insurance Agency
376 Broadway
Schenectady, New York 12305

Toll-Free:
(877) MERRIAM x 201
(877) 637-7426 x 201

Send Email
Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

Latest posts by Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI (see all)

It has long been established, both in Common Law and by statute that the employer and the landlord are in a superior legal position over their employees and tenants, respectively. As such, the standard of care is higher for them than for their employees and tenants. Since this is true,...

Abuse and Molestation Part II

Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

President at Merriam Insurance Agency
376 Broadway
Schenectady, New York 12305

Toll-Free:
(877) MERRIAM x 201
(877) 637-7426 x 201

Send Email
Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI

Latest posts by Brian H. Merriam, CPCU, ARM, AAI (see all)

The headlines in last week’s paper read: “Counselors indicted for alleged abuse.”  The counselors were indicted and fired over allegations that they physically abused a disabled man in their care.  Not only is this a potential felony for the counselors, but it also brings a huge threat to the reputation...

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