Home insurance is designed to protect your home and belongings in the event of damage or theft. But what about the more unusual risks? Did you know that home insurance can also cover damage caused by sinkholes, volcanic eruptions, and even terrorist attacks? Here are four unexpected dangers that your home insurance policy may cover.

1. Cemetery or Gravestone Vandalism

Most people think home insurance protects their property from fires, burglaries, and severe weather.

But did you know that your home insurance policy may also cover cemetery or gravestone vandalism? That’s right – if someone vandalizes a grave in your own cemetery, your home insurance policy could help pay for the repairs. Of course, this coverage is usually only extended to cases of actual vandalism – so if you accidentally damage a gravestone while mowing the lawn, you’re probably out of luck.

But if someone deliberately damages a cemetery monument, your home insurance policy could help to make things right. So, if you’re a cemetery owner, check your policy carefully – you may be protected against more than you realize.

2. Unauthorized and Fraudulent Use of Credit Cards, ATMs, and Debit Cards

It’s a sad fact, but credit card fraud is becoming more common. If you’re a victim of this type of crime, you may wonder if your home insurance will cover the damage. And the answer is yes!

Most home insurance policies cover unauthorized and fraudulent use of credit cards, ATMs, and debit cards. So, if someone uses your card without your permission or you’re a victim of identity theft, you should be covered. Of course, every policy is different, so it’s essential to read your policy carefully to make sure you’re fully protected.

But rest assured, if you’re a victim of credit card fraud, your home insurance should have you covered.

3. Home Damage From Space Debris

It’s not something that we like to think about, but the truth is that our planet is constantly bombarded by space debris. Most of this debris burns up in the atmosphere before it reaches the ground, but occasionally, a piece of space junk will make its way to Earth. And when that happens, it can cause some severe damage.

But don’t worry – if a piece of space debris damages your home, your home insurance should cover the repairs. So, even though it’s a rare event, you can rest assured that you’re protected against it.

4. Damage From Recreational Drones

Drone technology has become more accessible and affordable, and more people are using it for recreational purposes. Unfortunately, these drones can sometimes cause damage, and it’s not always clear who is responsible.

For example, a drone might crash into a window or knock over a piece of property. In some cases, the damage may be covered by home insurance policies. However, because drones are a relatively new technology, many insurers have yet to update their policies to cover this type of damage. As a result, it’s essential to check with your insurer before using a drone on your property. Otherwise, you could be left holding the bill for any damage.

Purchase or Update Your Home Insurance Policy Today

No matter what type of home insurance policy you have, it’s vital to ensure that it’s up to date. The world is constantly changing, and your home insurance policy should change. If you’re looking to purchase or update your home insurance in Cincinnati, OH, Advantage Insurance Network can help. We offer a wide range of home insurance policies so that you can find the perfect one for your needs. Contact us at 513-922-9460 and get started today.

At Advantage Insurance Network, serving the Cincinnati, OH metropolitan area, we offer custom condo policies that provide the exact coverage you need. We do this by offering riders that you can add to your policy to cover specific goods in your household.

What is a Rider?

In insurance, the term rider refers to a clause in the policy that provides coverage of a specific item or category of items for an additional cost. Typically, the items covered fall into one of three types:

• Jewelry
• Collectibles
• Specialty or hobby items

These expensive items often exceed the coverage on a condo policy and require extra insurance to protect you from financial loss.

Doesn’t a Condo Policy Cover Property?

Your condo policy does provide some coverage for personal property. This amount covers typical items, like replacing the average person’s wardrobe. If you only own designer duds, you’d need to add a collectibles rider to cover the financial cost of replacing your Prada, Chanel, and Versace threads. Otherwise, you’d get stuck footing the bill for most of your wardrobe replacement.

The typical condo policy offers about ten percent of the condo’s value as personal property coverage. That means that if your condo has a real estate value of $250,000, you’d have about $25,000 of personal property coverage, which might pay to replace one or two items of haute couture clothing.

The personal property coverage covers all of your personal property. That means it would also need to pay for your computer, camera, mobile phone, tablet, TV, etc.

Benefits of Insurance Riders

The most significant benefit of this increased coverage is knowing that your policy replaces your loss. When you add a rider for a piece of jewelry, for example, your $10,000 engagement ring, you know that the policy will cover the purchase cost in case of a loss. You also won’t have to pay a deductible, or the rider will contain a very low deductible, typically less than $100.

Insuring an item or collection using a rider to your condo policy also provides accidental loss coverage while costing you less for the protection. Most insurance policies don’t offer accidental loss or "mysterious disappearance" coverage, which refers to you forgetting the ring in the example, at the gym, or while staying in a hotel. You also save money on the coverage because adding a rider to a condo policy costs less than purchasing a separate jewelry or art collection.

Contact Us Today

Contact Advantage Insurance Network serving the Cincinnati, OH metropolitan area to add a rider to your existing condo policy with us or buy a new one with riders for your expensive belongings. Let us help you protect your financial security.

Do you have a rental property in Cincinnati, OH? You probably need dwelling fire insurance. Also known as landlord insurance, dwelling fire insurance is similar to home insurance, only that it’s suitable for people who own a home and use it for rental purposes.

Want to learn more about dwelling fire insurance? At Advantage Insurance Network, we have prepared a FAQs section to shed more light on this insurance.

Who needs dwelling fire insurance?

As mentioned, dwelling fire insurance is ideal for seasonal, non-occupied homes or homes used as rentals. This policy may also be ideal for homes under construction or low-value homes, including mobile and older homes.

Does dwelling fire insurance cover fire alone?

Unlike its name, the dwelling fire insurance policy doesn’t only cover your home against fire and smoke. This policy, like home insurance, protects your structure against several risks. The difference is that home insurance covers your home against numerous risks with a few exceptions. The dwelling fire insurance covers your home only against perils named in your policy.

What does dwelling fire insurance cover?

Wondering what’s covered by your landlord’s insurance? Here are coverage options included in this policy:

• Dwelling coverage: This coverage protects your building structure against perils like fire, lightning, falling objects, etc. Dwelling fire coverage will only protect your home against the risks listed in your policy. Always ensure your coverage is against the replacement value of your home, not the market value.
• Liability coverage: It covers you when accused of bodily injury and property damage liability claims.
• Other structures: Your dwelling fire coverage protects detached structures like the fence, pool, and wall.

Still have more questions about dwelling fire insurance? Please feel free to contact Advantage Insurance Network for more information about dwelling fire insurance.

Home insurance is a tricky subject, and it’s easy to get lost in the maze of different policies and discounts. To find the right policy for your particular home, you need to know what questions to ask before you buy. Here are five questions (and their answers) that will help you make an informed decision so that purchasing a policy is one less thing you have to worry about.

1. What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

A typical home insurance policy covers damage caused by fires, storms, wind, and hail. It also covers theft and vandalism. Most policies will also cover your personal belongings, such as furniture and clothing, up to a specific limit.

2. How Much Coverage Do I Need?

The amount of coverage you need depends on the value of your home and your personal belongings. It’s a good idea to get an estimate of the replacement cost of your home before you purchase a policy. As for your personal belongings, consider how much it would cost to replace them if they were lost or damaged.

3. What Discounts Are Available?

Many insurers offer discounts for things like having a home security system or being claims-free for a certain period. Some even offer discounts if you purchase your policy online. Be sure to ask about any available discounts so you can save money on your premium.

4. What Is the Claims Process Like?

No one wants to file a claim, but it’s essential to know the process if you need to use your coverage. Find out how long it typically takes to process claims and what documentation you’ll need to provide.

5. What Is Customer Service Like?

You’ll want to make sure you’re working with an insurer with good customer service. Find out what the process is for contacting customer service and see how responsive they are to questions and concerns.

Asking these five questions will help you understand what you’re getting into when you purchase a home insurance policy. Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, OH, can help you find the right policy for your needs to have peace of mind knowing your home is protected. Give us a call today to get started.

Home insurance is a complicated policy. Reading and understanding over 30 pages of your policy is not always easy, and that is why you may not catch everything–particularly coverages. Most insurance companies in Cincinnati, OH advise policyholders to focus more on their coverage, limits, deductibles and rates. If you want to know more about your home insurance policy, this post is for you. Here are the unique things you didn’t know about home insurance coverages.

Identity Theft

You could incur very high expenses trying to repair the damage that comes with a stolen identity. You also waste a lot of time and resources getting other things like your credit cards.  Some insurers in Cincinnati OH included identity theft coverage in your home insurance policy which can be helpful to people who are more vulnerable to identity theft.

Plants, Shrubs, Lawns and Outdoor Trees

If you are a landscaper or like planting and creating beautiful gardens in your home, simply call Advantage Insurance Network and add this coverage in your home insurance, as all landscaping elements are covered in home insurance.

Things Not at Your Home

Home insurance covers your personal belongings wherever you go. Whether you go on vacation and lose your valuables or your children lose their laptops at school, or someone broke into your partner’s car and stole their sports gear, home insurance can help replace them.

Food Loss

Sometimes you may have to throw away bad food when there is a power outage or your refrigerator breaks down. Home insurance can pay for the spoiled food caused by a power outage that wasn’t your fault. However, if you deliberately fail to turn on your fridge or pay the electricity bill, home insurance may not cover any losses as it does not cover intentional acts. You also won’t be compensated if your fridge spoiled food due to normal wear and tear.

Home insurance is an interesting policy that takes care of you, your family, your belongings and your home. For more information, policy discussions and other inquiries, feel free to contact Advantage Insurance Network today.

Fire insurance for a dwelling gives the policyholder the advantage of insurance coverage in the event of a fire. This insurance covers several liabilities and physical threats involved with a house fire. 

A fire or dwelling insurance policy affords the homeowner the flexibility options for coverage to guard their important assets. Some of this coverage protects against certain dangers such as fire explosions, fires caused by severe wind or lightning, and even vandals. A dwelling fire policy is dissimilar to regular homeowners insurance because only designated hazards are insured. 

An insurance policy for a dwelling can be written so it not only insures the property inside but also the entire structure.  

In past years, Ohio had a ratio of fatalities related to a fire that was 13.9 to one million. This is one of the highest fatality rates of more than half the states in the entire nation. The National Fire Protection Agency reports ninety-two percent of house fire deaths result from structural fires. 

The damage incurred to a home or other structure that has no sprinklers installed can reach astronomical numbers. Some areas might require additional fire insurance than what is offered in a regular homeowner’s insurance. This insurance would be required to cover items with a higher value than other possessions. You can contact an insurance agent in your area who will go over the policy best for you. This agent will also cover any coverage gaps or lapses that might affect your policy.    

If you live in the Cincinnati, OH area and are looking for dwelling insurance, contact an Advantage Insurance Network agent. Fire insurance in Ohio is not as difficult to obtain as you might have previously been led to believe. Call today, your family, home, loved ones, and valued possessions are worth every penny you spend to insure it. 

If you’re buying your Cincinnati, OH home through a mortgage, you’ll find that insurance is required by the lender. Until it’s paid off, it’s their house, too, so they want to protect their investment.

But suppose you’ve simply been gifted a house, or you inherited it, or you had a nice windfall and you bought it in a single payment. Do you have to get insurance on it?

Legally speaking, no. But it’s not a very good idea to go without protection.

As a homeowner, you will find that there is quite a bit that can go wrong. From storms and fires to random accidents, vandalism, and burglary, your home is the foundation of your whole life, and it is simply a terrible idea not to protect it. So while you are not legally required to carry insurance, you’ll have a hard time finding a homeowner who recommends going without it.

The biggest concern would be a liability. If someone slips on your walkway or your dog bite them, the damages could easily exceed six, seven figures. You might be willing to replace a stolen TV out of pocket, but most of us don’t have a few hundred grand just lying around in case someone is injured on our property.

Fortunately, home insurance in Cincinnati, OH isn’t as expensive as you might think. If you want to get a good deal on a great policy, or if you have any questions you’d like answered, get in touch with Advantage Insurance Network and see what they can do for you.

There’s a lot that can go wrong for a homeowner, so it’s good to know that Advantage Insurance Network has your back.

One of the highlights of a dwelling fire insurance policy is coverage for fire, both inside and outside the property. In most cases, the policy covers fire and a few other emergency disasters – not flood or significant hurricane, damage, but this does vary a bit from region to region. Also, fire damage may not be covered for certain purposes (electric wiring, for example), and other limitations may apply as well. If possible, dwelling fire insurance helps cover losses caused by damaged, collapsed, or destroyed property, and in most cases, the policy limits for fire, smoke, and water damage in Cincinnati, OH are determined on the premises of the property. 

In the event the policyholder is unable to cover any losses, the policyholder is required to file a claim with their insurer. Regardless of the property’s value, the policyholder’s uninsured loss coverage limit applies. If the policyholder’s uninsured loss coverage is not depleted during the insured loss period, all losses are covered under the policyholder’s own deductible. 

Does a dwelling fire insurance policy cover every cause of the insured loss? Contrary to what you might think, dwelling fire policies are not designed to protect against all of the issues related to loss in the home caused by fire. Claims must be investigated and filed in order to protect policyholders. These policies are loosely based on the premise that you are entitled to an adequate level of damages without having to exhaust the other coverage available to you. This is in line with a standard home insurance policy, however, it is a nuanced variation that expands on many of the other coverage options available in standard policies.

Dwelling fire insurance is usually not able to provide protection against losses caused by earthquakes and some other natural calamities, but they do typically provide some protection from hurricane and wind damage. To be sure about what is covered and what is not specific exclusions, and the like, you should check with your local Advantage Insurance Network agent serving Cincinnati, OH to help you decide on the policy that is best for you.

The agents of Advantage Insurance Network understand Cincinnati, OH residents’ concerns when it comes to having the right amount of homeowners’ insurance to protect their possessions. While most of your possessions will be covered in general, you may have specific items that are significantly more valuable than the others. In this case, those items may need to be insured separately so that you are fully compensated for their loss if they are damaged or stolen.

A Complete Video and Written Inventory of Your Possessions

It’s essential for you to know what you have so that you can be fully covered by your homeowner’s policy. Providing your insurance agent with a complete written inventory of your possessions is the best way to accomplish this. A video is also beneficial because you can record all of the vital numbers associated with each item. The agent will also be able to see each item’s condition and will be able to attach a replacement value so that everything is properly covered.

Antiques, Collectibles, and Other Valuables

Antiques, collectibles, and other valuables like jewelry and family keepsakes, may hold substantial value over and above their general replacement cost. Insuring these items separately will take into account their additional value and provide additional compensation if they are ever lost, damaged, or stolen. In situations like this, it is important that you have each item appraised so that you know its actual value before contacting your insurance agent.

In Cincinnati, OH, the reputable agents of Advantage Insurance Network can help you determine what possessions can be insured under your traditional homeowner’s policy and which ones need to be insured separately. Call or visit their office today so that you can get the insurance coverage you need to feel adequately protected.

Property owners may choose condos for any number of reasons. Maybe they don’t want to be responsible for yard upkeep or maybe they just don’t need all the extra space that a home could bring. Maybe they want to rent out the property to generate a secured monthly income. But whatever the reason it is that you chose a condo in Cincinnati, OH, you’ll want to look into how condo insurance works for your property and how it can work for you. 

Building Coverage Vs. Condo Coverage 

When you own a condo, you don’t usually own the larger building. So if your condo association has its own coverage, you may assume that you don’t really need condo insurance at all. But the insurance policy owned by the complex may only cover the structure, common areas, and general liability. So if someone breaks into the lobby and steals the TV, their insurance policy will pay for it. But if someone breaks into your condo and steals your TV, you won’t get that same luxury.  

How to Make It Work for You 

Condo insurance will cover not only your things but also events in which you may be deemed liable for the damages. If a guest comes over and trips on an unsecured part of the rug, you could be responsible for paying all of their medical costs. It’s a responsible way to keep not just your things protected from storms, criminals, and fire, but it’s also a good way to avoid potentially costly lawsuits. 

Call Advantage Insurance Network 

If you want to learn more about the policies available in Cincinnati, OH, contact Advantage Insurance Network today. We’re here to help you understand which options are best for your needs and property.