The Mercer Agency - Farm Bureau Insurance

10/09/2026

Discounts are the one part of insurance people are happy to read about, so here's the honest version.

Commonly available: bundling home and auto, paying in full, going paperless, good student, safe driver programs, alarm or water shutoff devices, and a newer roof on a home policy.

The honest part: a discount on the wrong coverage isn't a bargain. Bundling is usually a genuinely good deal, but the real reason to bundle is that one agent sees your whole picture and catches the gaps between policies.

What people overlook: discounts you qualified for after your policy was written don't apply themselves. Someone has to ask.

If nobody has reviewed yours in a couple of years, we'll take a look. Let's talk about your needs.

10/08/2026

10/05/2026

Save this one. You won't be thinking clearly when you need it.

1. Call the police, even for a minor accident. The report is the neutral record of what happened, and Michigan claims move faster with one.

2. Photograph both cars from every side, the license plates, and the street signs. Wide shots first, then close-ups.

3. Call us before you talk to the other driver's insurance company. We'll tell you what to say and what your own policy does next.

What people overlook: some claims have to be reported within a set time. Sooner is always better, even if you're not sure you'll file.

Screenshot this and keep it in your phone. Let's talk about your needs.

10/02/2026

This week's question: "I run my business out of the house. Does my homeowners policy cover it?"

Usually not the way people hope. A homeowners policy is written for a home. Business equipment, inventory, and especially liability if someone comes to your house for business often fall outside it.

Some carriers offer a small add-on for a home business. Others require a separate business policy. Which one you need depends on what you do, how much equipment is involved, and whether clients come to you.

If you're one of the many Michigan households running something real out of a spare room, this is worth ten minutes.

Got a question of your own? Drop it below or send us a message. We answer one every Friday. Let's talk about your needs.

09/28/2026

An umbrella policy is extra liability coverage. It sits on top of your auto and home policies and takes over when their limits run out.

Who tends to need it in Michigan: households with a teen driver, a pool or trampoline, a dog, a boat, rental property, or savings and future income worth protecting.

What people don't expect: if a court rules you owe more than your policy limit, the rest can come from your savings and assets, and in some cases your future wages.

Good to know: umbrella is usually one of the least expensive coverages a household carries, because your home and auto policies pay first.

Not sure whether your household needs one? That's a ten-minute conversation. Let's talk about your needs.

09/25/2026

Quick question for anyone who runs a business in Michigan: has an employee ever used their own car to run an errand for you? The bank, a supply pickup, lunch for a meeting?

If they cause an accident on the way, their personal auto policy pays first. But because the errand was for your business, your company can get pulled into the claim too.

The coverage for that is called hired and non-owned auto liability. Many small businesses don't have it because they don't own any vehicles, so it never comes up.

If someone ever drives for you, it's worth a five-minute check. Let's talk about your needs.

09/20/2026

If water comes up through your floor drain or your sump fails during a heavy Michigan rain, a standard homeowners policy generally won't pay for it. That's a separate endorsement called water or sewer backup.

Here's the part people miss. When it is added, it usually comes with its own limit — separate from, and much smaller than, the limit that covers the rest of your home.

So there are two questions, not one:

Do you have it? Look for the words "water backup" on your declarations page. Is it enough? Read the limit next to it, then picture what replacing a finished basement would actually cost — flooring, drywall, mechanicals, and everything that was being stored down there.

Having the coverage and having enough of it are different things, and the gap only shows up at claim time.

Not sure what your limit would actually cover? Bring us page one. Let's talk about your needs.

09/18/2026

Michigan is unusual. Drivers here choose the medical limit on their Personal Injury Protection (PIP), the part of your auto policy that pays for your own injuries after a crash.

That choice is on your declarations page, and a lot of people made it once, quickly, to lower a premium.

A lower premium is a real benefit. It just shouldn't be the only thing you knew when you decided.

Bring us your declarations page and we'll walk through what your choice actually covers, in plain language.

Let's talk about your needs.

09/16/2026

Welcome Jessica Yascolt - Client Services Coordinator

We're excited to share that Jessica Yascolt has joined Mercer Agency as our new Client Services Coordinator.

Jessica steps into this role as Jan Downs prepares to retire at the end of September. Jan has been a steady, familiar voice for so many of our clients over the years, and we want to take a moment to thank her for everything she's brought to this agency. She'll be missed, and we're grateful she's staying on through the transition to help Jessica get settled.

In her new role, Jessica will be a key point of contact for client service needs — helping make sure questions get answered, requests get handled, and every interaction with our office feels as personal as it should.

Please join us in welcoming Jessica to the team.