A Little Helmet Safety Goes a Long Long Way

The spring weather brings with it more bicyclers on the roads. As motorists we must be aware of these newcomers on our local roads and welcome them into a safe environment.

Wearing a helmet while bicycling is an all-important indicator on whether or not a cyclist will survive an accident where head injury occurs. As you make your pitch to your children to wear their helmets this spring utilize some of the tips below:

  • Helmets ARE cool.  With some creative research and a few extra dollars for shipping and handling you can have just about anything under the sun added to your child’s helmet. Whether it is a special decal or having the helmet sport a favorite character, it is all yours on the web.
  • Be a good role model. When your family takes to the trails, show them that wearing helmets are safe for everyone – Mom and Dad included.
  • Make Sure Your Head is on Straight – Ensuring the proper fit of your bicycle helmet is key to safety. An ill-fitted helmet may not provide the right protection in the event of an accident. Take the time necessary to follow the manufacturer guides to ensure proper fit and usage before you invest in the headgear for you and your family.

The beautiful spring weather and venturing out into the great outdoors reminds us of clearing out the old and bringing in the new. This is an awesome time to reevaluate your insurance needs. Whether it is auto, life, personal, or home insurance the confident and reliable staff at Advantage Insurance Network can help you make great decisions regarding your insurance needs. Just like that bicycle helmet, you know it’s there if you need it. Peace of mind is priceless. 

Ways To Improve Your Rental Home

Being a renter can be tough, especially when you want to make updates to the property you are renting. You may want to personalize the home or really just improve upon it. Unfortunately, you cannot do this as a renter if the changes you plan to make will be permanent. There are ways that you can improve the rental home while you are residing there so that both you and your landlord are happy. Follow these tips to get started and make sure no lines are crossed. 

  • Update a kitchen quickly by updating the hardware. This is an inexpensive and fairly easy way to personalize the kitchen and make it better. Just make sure you keep all of the old hardware where you can replace it before you move out. 
  • In a room that you want to make a bit larger, use a mirror in a corner. This will give the appearance of a larger room and is also a cheap way of making the space look even bigger and better.
  • Consult with your landlord about painting options. Some let you paint as long as you make sure the color is back to its original upon move out. If this is the case, consider painting an accent wall in a room or two and add some pops of color. 
  • Place some plants around the home. If you do not have a green thumb, you can use fake ones. Either way, these will add life to any room. 

As you can see, there are many ways you can improve your rental. These are simple and inexpensive as well. If you are renting your home, you should have renters insurance to ensure all your belongings are protected. Contact Advantage Insurance Network serving Cincinnati, OH for more information. 

5 Reasons You Should Buy from an Independent Insurance Agent in Cincinnati, Ohio

Today, there are many choices when buying insurance. You can buy direct from companies like Progressive or GEICO. You can buy from captive agents like State Farm, Allstate, or Nationwide. But buying from an independent insurance agent, like Advantage Insurance Network, offers many distinct advantages. Here are some of them:

  1. Choice – Unlike direct or captive companies, independent insurance agencies sell for multiple insurance companies. When you call State Farm, you will only get one insurance quote. When you call an independent agent, they will shop your insurance with multiple companies and find you the best combination of price and coverage. Independent agents work for you and are not obligated to present policies from one insurance company. Discounts vary from company to company, so having an independent agent will ensure that you get all the discounts you deserve.
  2. Channel – Many companies have offer products through more than one channel. For instance with Progressive, you can either buy direct or through an independent agent. While buying direct may seem appealing, why not let an independent agent shop your insurance through Progressive and many other companies at the same time? Agencies like Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, Ohio offer instant quotes directly on their website much like many of the direct writers. Another example is Allstate. Allstate now offers their products through captive agents and independent agents. Is there any benefit to calling an Allstate captive agent versus an independent agent representing Allstate?
  3. One Stop Shopping – Many independent agencies offer a full line of insurance products. While Progressive can write your auto, home and toys, they do not offer life and health products. So while Progressive may have the best rates on your auto insurance, they may not on your home and they don’t even write life. An independent agent could be your agent on all of your insurance needs even if they are with multiple companies. This can help reduce the risk of gaps in your coverage among different companies.
  4.  Personalized Customer Service – Independent agents can help you with your policies and offer you advice. Independent agents can help you with anything from billing questions to help filing a claim. A good independent agency will review your policy on a regular basis. And as your situation and life changes, they will be sure that your current company still represents your interests best. This eliminates the need for you to do this yourself.
  5. Local Knowledge – Independent insurance agencies are local businesses in your community.   They live and work near you and understand the community. When you call a large company like Progressive or GEICO, you will be just another number. When you call a local agent like Advantage Insurance Network, they want to get to know you and understand where you live.

Insurance is complicated but it doesn’t have to be. Working with an independent insurance agency, offers many advantages that can’t be achieved direct or through captive agents. Let the professionals at Advantage Insurance Network, handle all your insurance needs. To experience the difference, visit www.myadvantageinsurance.com.