OH

Why Should You Review Your Home Insurance Annually

Posted on by AgentInsure

Homes are constantly evolving. Renovations, lifestyle changes, and shifting household needs can all influence how a property should be protected. That’s why an annual review of your home insurance policy is essential for keeping your coverage aligned with your lifestyle. At Advantage Insurance Network, serving Cincinnati, OH, we remind homeowners that Ohio’s regulations and local conditions make regular policy reviews especially important.

Knowing Your Policy Details Can Help Prevent Gaps

Insurance policies contain important information that can become outdated as homes age or undergo improvements. By reviewing your policy each year, you gain a clearer understanding of what is currently listed and whether those details still accurately reflect your property. Ohio’s seasonal weather patterns, construction standards, and regulatory updates can influence how your coverage should be structured. Staying familiar with your policy ensures you don’t overlook anything as these factors evolve.

Identifying Changes That May Require Updates

Whether you add living space, update key systems, or adjust how your property is used, even small changes can affect your coverage needs. For example, if you start running a home-based business, your standard policy won’t cover your business property or activities. You’ll need to add coverage.

An annual read-through helps identify where updates may be needed.

Partner With Advantage Insurance Network for Coverage Clarity

Policy language can feel overwhelming at times, and that’s where we step in. Our team is here to help interpret details, point out areas worth reviewing, and guide you through Ohio-specific considerations. If it has been a while since you’ve examined your policy, contact us. We’re currently serving homeowners in Cincinnati, OH. 

What to Put in a Vehicle Emergency Kit

Posted on by AgentInsure

There are millions of vehicular accidents in the United States every year. Even if you are a safe driver, your chances of being in an accident are rather high. And even if you don’t get into an accident, cars can break down and get flat tires, often in inopportune places. It’s a good idea to follow the Boy Scout motto "Be prepared" and have an emergency kit. If you have the right tools in your emergency kit, you will be able to withstand any bad situation you find yourself in with your vehicle. 

What You Will Need

First of all, you will need a first aid kit. It should contain adhesive tape, gauze, scissors, antiseptic and more. A blanket, preferably a Mylar space blanket, is useful for preventing shock or keeping warm if you get stranded in cold weather. You may depend on your car radio or cell phone for information but an emergency radio can come in handy. You may want to keep a phone charger in your glove compartment. Jumper cables are something every vehicle should have in the trunk. Tools to repair or replace a tire should be in the trunk as well. Road flares, reflective triangles or even a good flashlight will help you be more visible if you break down at night. A small fire extinguisher can be a lifesaver. A rain poncho is useful if you have to go out in the rain. And never underestimate the usefulness of a roll of duct tape. 

The Advantage Insurance Network Serves Cincinnati, OH

It’s a great idea to be prepared for any emergency. For auto insurance, please contact us at Advantage Insurance Network, serving the Cincinnati, OH area and beyond. 

How Commercial Insurance Can Protect Your Home-Based Daycare

Posted on by AgentInsure

Running a daycare from home allows you to combine work and family life while providing a valuable service to your community. However, it also introduces unique risks that standard homeowners insurance often doesn’t cover. Commercial insurance helps protect your business, your income, and your peace of mind.

Why Homeowner’s Insurance Isn’t Enough

Most homeowners policies exclude coverage for business-related activities. If a child is injured on your property or your daycare equipment is damaged, your standard policy likely won’t pay for the loss. Without proper coverage, you could be personally responsible for medical costs or legal claims.

Key Coverages To Consider

A business owners policy (BOP) or specialized daycare insurance package typically includes general liability, property, and professional liability coverage. General liability protects against accidents and injuries, while property coverage helps replace toys, furniture, and supplies damaged by a fire or theft. Professional liability covers claims related to alleged negligence or mistakes in care.

Protecting Your Livelihood

Even with safety precautions, accidents can happen. Commercial insurance helps ensure that one incident doesn’t threaten your business or personal finances. Some policies also offer business interruption coverage, helping replace lost income if your daycare must temporarily close due to covered damage.

Talk to an Insurance Professional

Before enrolling children, review your coverage options with a licensed agent. The right policy will safeguard your home-based daycare, allowing you to focus on what matters most: caring for the children in your community.

Call Advantage Insurance Network, Serving Cincinnati, OH

At Advantage Insurance Network, we’re proud to serve Cincinnati, OH, and we’re excited to talk to you about how our commercial insurance products can help you get the protection you need. Contact us to talk with one of our agents.

Do You Need a Home Inventory for Your Condo?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Advantage Insurance Network, serving Cincinnati, OH, is an independent insurance agency. That means we can provide you with personalized service and more choices. We represent many of the major insurance companies and are dedicated to making sure you get the condo insurance that is right for you. Condos are not one-size-fits-all. Your condo association holds a policy as well, and what they cover affects what you must cover. Do you need a home inventory for your condo? Yes, you do!

Why Make a Home Inventory?

Your condo is your home, and if you are like many other people, a great deal of what you own is in your home. If your condo is hit by a hazard that is covered by your condo insurance, you will need to tell the insurance company exactly what needs to be replaced. When there isn’t much left, and you are in an emotional state, it isn’t easy to remember all the things you had. The insurance company will accept your home inventory as proof. 

Making an Inventory

Go to every space in your condo and provide as much detail as possible. For electronics, include the brand, the model, and the serial number. If you have the sales slip for the items, even better. Take lots of pictures, especially of higher-priced items. Having an appraisal of your jewelry is helpful. Don’t leave any stone unturned. Open closets, drawers, and go to your basement if you have one. 

Once you have completed your home inventory, download a copy to the cloud. If you lose your computer or phone, it will still be available. 

When it is time to renew, and you are looking for a change, or you are purchasing a condo, our team at Advantage Insurance Network is here to help you find the right condo insurance for you in Cincinnati, OH.

Insurance Coverage for Residential Garage Renovations

Posted on by AgentInsure

Completing residential garage renovations may require changes to your home insurance policy. Review some renovation categories that could influence your decision to have your insurance policy modified.

Structural Materials

The addition of structural materials will increase the value of your garage. New materials could also enhance the garage’s durability, possibly impacting the type of insurance coverage you need.

During the renovation process, prepare a list of the used materials. Knowing the value of the structural materials will help you decide on how much home insurance coverage you’ll need to protect the garage adequately.

Electrical Materials

Electrical materials may become damaged or stolen. If the materials being utilized for garage renovation are pricey, consider adding them to your home insurance policy.

The coverage will guard you against damages that are not your fault. If any of the electrical materials are stolen, your insurance coverage will compensate for their replacement.

Decorative Materials

Paint, trim pieces, and other decorative materials may be employed during the renovation process. All the upgrades will add value to the garage. Adding these materials to your insurance policy could prove to be a wise investment.

Use Value

Once the renovations are accomplished, you may utilize your garage for new purposes. Altering the layout of the garage could enable it to serve multiple functions. Because the garage will be more useful to you, you might want to equip the structure with more extensive insurance coverage.

Insurance Advice

Seek advice from one of our agents who serve Cincinnati, OH. An Advantage Insurance Network agent will recommend appropriate insurance for the garage renovations you plan on completing.

Drivers Should Put the Brakes on Reporting Car Accidents on Social Media

Posted on by AgentInsure

Throughout the last few years, increasing numbers of auto insurance companies claims adjusters, and attorneys have been probing consumers’ social media accounts when they file claims, looking for evidence to prove that they were made under false pretenses.  Facebook is probably mined the most, but claims-investigators also examine Twitter, Google Plus, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, and Foursquare.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, most insurance companies have special investigation units (SIUs) that look at social media if they have any reason to suspect fraud.  

Large numbers of claims have been denied because social media posts and photos called their validity into question, especially in cases of bodily injury.  If policyholders report, for example, that an auto accident caused a back injury, and then share photos in which they’re playing sports, the claim will probably be considered fraudulent.  

Drivers in Cincinnati, OH need to be sure that their posts are consistent with the information they provide when filing a claim.  Motorists are likely to call unwanted attention to their claim if they report driving against a doctor’s order or under the influence of medication.  If they claim a physical limitation because of their injury and then share posts in which said limitation seems non-existent, they will raise red flags. 

There are a few things Cincinnati, OH drivers can do to protect themselves from social media scrutiny.

Investigating claims via social media is legal if the claimant’s settings are "public."  Users should restrict their settings so that only friends can see them.  However, this does not guarantee complete privacy.  Drivers are best-advised not to post about their auto accidents on social media at all.  If that’s already happened, they may be able to dispute the decision if their claim is denied.

Contact Advantage Insurance Network to discuss your options.

DIY Winter Home Maintenance

Posted on by AgentInsure

Want to keep your house in good condition throughout the Cincinnati, OH winters? There are a few home maintenance tips that you can do yourself to help keep your home secure for the season.

  • Gutters – Clean your gutters to remove any debris that may have become trapped over the last few months. If your gutters are blocked, water can damage your roof and fascia of your home. Water that settles can attract insects, animals, and rodents. Water that flows over can seep into your foundation and cause mold damage. Remove any large debris by hand and then, with a gutter attachment, spray the gutters with a garden hose. This is a good time to see if your gutters are draining properly. If not, you will need to flush the downspout with a hose.
  • Empty Pipes – Before the weather gets below freezing temperatures, make sure there is no water in the exterior pipes of your home. Shut off the main water valve and then run all of the faucets until the pipes are clear. Don’t forget about the toilets, dishwasher, and washing machine. Add a small amount of propylene glycol to prevent freezing from standing water inside of any pipe traps.
  • Fireplace Maintenance – Fireplaces that are not maintained properly can cause house fires and could result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Check the outside of your chimney for cracks and make sure that your cap is in good condition. The screen preventing rodents and animals from entering your home should be damage-free and clear of debris. Also, clean out any ash from inside your fireplace.

 In Cincinnati, OH, our independent insurance agents can help you keep your home safe and secure with home insurance. We can also take care of your auto, business, life, health, and boat insurance needs.

Getting Your Home Ready for the Winter in Cincinnati, OH

Posted on by AgentInsure

If you live in Cincinnati, OH, you live in a climate where the seasons change in a fairly extreme manner. As such, you need to be prepared for those seasonal changes, particularly the shift to cooler weather in the autumn and winter. This can actually have a real effect on you financially, as certain types of damage that can be caused by seasonal weather are not covered by your home insurance policy except for very specific circumstances. There are many things you should keep in mind about home insurance in the state of Ohio.

One thing that you should do is make sure to get your furnace cleaned and inspected by a qualified technician. You should actually do this every year around this time, as damage can accumulate and make it so that your furnace does not work properly. You should also make sure that your chimney is clean, and you should have maintenance done if necessary. Additionally, you should position any downspouts away from the foundation of your home, so that water damage does not become a problem. This water damage would likely not be covered by insurance if it did occur, so you want to make sure to prevent it. You should get rid of any overloading sockets or frayed wires, as these can be potential fire hazards, especially during the characteristically dry weather of the winter. It would be a very good idea to take a look at your home insurance policy, so that you know exactly what kind of damage would be covered and what is not.

If you want to know more about home insurance in Ohio, you should contact the professionals at Advantage Insurance Network. The agents at Advantage Insurance Network can answer all the questions that you have about home insurance in Cincinnati, OH and tell you what you should keep in mind as you are preparing your home for the cooler seasons of the year.

Can I Save Money with Progressive Snapshot? How does a Tracking Device Save Money on my Car Insurance?

Posted on by Lewis Smith

All drivers are not the same. So why should you be lumped in with everyone in your age group? Or zip code? At Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, OH we strive towards an individual experience. Insurance companies have realized that driving habits can vary greatly from person to person, household to household, and have come up with ways to reward good driving behavior. Here are a few examples from the companies we represent:

 

Progressive – Snapshot

Progressive’s Snapshot device measures mileage, the time of day you drive and hard braking. It is NOT a GPS device.   When you are enrolled in the Snapshot program, you can follow your driving behavior online and track your discount.

The average customer savings with Progressive’s Snapshot device program is $150 per year.

Your rate will not increase with Snapshot. A discount of up to 30% is applied at a vehicle level and will stay on your policy as long as your vehicle stays on the policy. An initial discount is applied after your first 30 days with Snapshot and after one policy term, your final discount is applied.

 

Travelers – Intellidrive

Travelers Intellidrive program gives you a discount based solely on the number of miles you drive. If you drive less than 13,000 miles a year you can get up to a 30% discount.

A 10% discount is added to your first policy term just for adding Intellidrive to your Travelers auto policy.

Teen driving with Travelers Intellidrive – Travelers Intellidrive allows parents to set up guidelines for how and where a car is driven. Parents can then set text or email alerts to know when the car is being driven outside these limits. Want a text message when your teen drives over 55mph? Sign up for Travelers Intellidrive. Want an email when your teen drives outside of the 30 mile perimeter you have set up? Sign up for Travelers Intellidrive. Parents can be reassured of good driving behavior even when they are not in the car.

When you log onto your online account you can track how and where the car is driven to better understand and improve your driving habits.

 

Allstate – Drivewise

Allstate’s Drivewise device measures mileage, your driving time of day, hard braking, and speeds over 80 miles per hour.

Allstate savings start as soon as you install the Drivewise device in your car. You can earn additional savings every six months with each Allstate policy renewal. Allstate Drivewise discounts are applied per vehicle.

Allstate Drivewise data can be accessed through your smartphone.

In order to maximize your discount with Allstate’s Drivewise program, you should average driving 25-30 miles or less per day, avoid driving over 80mph, avoid late night driving and maintain a safe driving distance between your car and the car in front of you to avoid hard braking.

 

Metlife – My Journey

Metlife’s My Journey device measures mileage, the time of day your car is driven, braking, speed, acceleration and cornering.

Metlife’s My Journey device is kept in your vehicle for 24 months. You can earn a discount of up to 30%. This discount is kept on your policy for as long as the car stays on the policy.

You can create an account on Metlife’s website to monitor your My Journey device that will allow you to track driving behavior and modify any potential bad driving habits that would go against your final discount with them.

 

If you think you could benefit from any of these discounts or are interested in learning about other potential discounts you could benefit from, contact us at Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, OH. Or you can visit our website at any time at www.myadvantageinsurance.com.

 

What is the Average Cost of a Motorcycle Insurance Policy in Delhi, OH?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Anyone who has a motorcycle in the area of Delhi, OH will need to maintain the proper kind of insurance coverage to make sure that they are protected from accidents and damage of all kinds. The average cost of a motorcycle insurance policy varies greatly because the coverage that each individual may choose is different.

Generally speaking, there are a few types of coverage that nearly every motorcycle owner will decide to include in their insurance policy. If you include the following three types of coverage in your insurance policy and choose a deductible that you know you can afford, you will usually be able to get the best average rates for a motorcycle policy.

Liability: This is the insurance meant to cover other people. If you’re the one who caused the damage in an accident, the liability coverage will pay for the damages to any others (but not to your own motorcycle.)

Collision: This type of insurance will pay for repairs to your motorcycle whether you caused the damage or not. The only caveat is that the damage must have been caused by, as the name implies, some kind of collision.

Comprehensive: This coverage pays for motorcycle repairs or damages that don’t fit into the collision category. For example, if your motorcycle was stolen, your comprehensive coverage will pay for the repairs. This coverage can also include other things like vandalism, damage from animals, and weather related damages.

To get the average cost for the type of motorcycle policy you want, it is important that you do some comparison shopping. The Advantage Ins Network can provide you with several different policy choices from leading insurance providers – we give you the tools to choose the rate and policy you want!