The Rennaissance of Norwood, Ohio

Those who lived and worked around Norwood, Ohio and the Cincinnati area in general refer to that day in 1986 as “Black Wednesday”. It was the date General Motors announced the closing of its Norwood General Motors Plant. Less than a year later, on August 26, 1987, the plant produced its last car, and a whopping 4,300 people were estimated to have lost their jobs.

It couldn’t have been a darker time for what was then, a very blue collar community. Norwood and its residents appreciated its independence from its large neighbor to the south, but it was facing potential bankruptcy. But the community and its leaders dug in. A deal was worked out for GM to demolish the giant plant and donate the land to the city. In 1990, the Central Parke revitalization began. New roadways were built. Then came the Rockwood Pavilion and Rockwood Commons. The area began attracting younger, more upscale families who gave a boost to the housing prices in the area. In 2006 the Linden Point project got underway and the progress has continued. Norwood and its 45212 zip code has been the subject of national news articles on its rebirth, including a not so pleasant eminent domain case that the community has put behind them.

The Renaissance of Norwood has been amazing, and the community has never looked back. It is an area where businesses and residents want to be.

If you are a business owner in the area, we would appreciate the opportunity to assist you with your commercial insurance. Our independent agents can get quotes from multiple companies to get you the best price possible without sacrificing coverage.

See for yourself with your personal insurance. Visit our website to get a comparative quote on your auto or homeowners insurance. For business insurance quotes, contact us.

We are the Advantage Insurance Network and we are proud to serve the resilient Norwood community. We would be pleased to serve you.

Is Your Cincinnati, Ohio Business Insurance Keeping Pace?

We have seen some big changes to Cincinnati, Ohio in recent years. Industry has expanded, retail is growing, and the Riverfront has undergone a facelift. There have been significant changes to our area highways and our sports stadiums. Many areas are rebounding from the recent recession and many businesses are growing and doing well.

If you have a business in the Queen City, is your commercial insurance keeping pace?

You can outgrow your business insurance in many ways. Perhaps you were previously leasing but have decided to purchase a building. Maybe you carry more inventory than you used to. You may have made investments in new machinery, electronics and computers. Maybe overall, you simply have more at stake. All of these can factor in having business insurance that may no longer cover you adequately.

The best solution is having a commercial insurance review. Advantage Insurance Network is an independent insurance agency serving the Cincinnati area. As independent agents, we can review your insurance, no matter who the original underwriter was. If you choose, we can scour multiple insurance providers finding the best coverage for your commercial insurance dollar. If you haven’t had an insurance review in a while, now is the time to contact us.

If you would like to compare rates for your personal insurance, visit our website. Here you can easily get comparative quotes on your homeowners or auto insurance. For a business insurance quote, contact us directly.

We have seen it all in Southwest Ohio. Advantage Insurance Network is proud of our area and our resilience. As we move forward again, make sure your business insurance is keeping up. Contact us for your free, no obligation commercial insurance review. We look forward to talking with you.

Is A Sinking Foundation Something That Could Happen In Cincinnati?

Cincinnati, Ohio is a bustling metropolitan with a lot to offer. Homes can be located within the city or on the outskirts. While some of the homes are older, there has been some new construction as well. Residents can look forward to the ballet, theatre, and a variety of other entertainment options throughout the city.

When you are ready to buy homeowners insurance, you have to know what kind of coverage to be on the lookout for. The standard insurance will protect you against the most common things, such as fire, flood, and burglary.

However, there is the possibility of a sinking foundation. This is when the land around your home gives too much and your foundation starts to collapse. This can affect your porch, the structure of your home, and even create cracks along the walls.

The reason that a sinking foundation occurs varies. Most common reasons include:

– Poor site preparation

– Too much moisture on the land

– Lack of good drainage

Whatever the reason, it is possible to experience such a problem with your home in Cincinnati. This is why it’s recommended that you look for this kind of coverage on a homeowner’s insurance policy. If something like this does happen, you can call the insurance company and file a claim. They will have someone come out to identify what’s going on and get to work on fixing it. All you have to pay is the deductible attached to your policy.

You have to prepare for the unexpected and that’s why homeowner’s insurance is a necessity. You have options and we have agents that will guide you through the process. All you have to do is place the call and we will work to find you the needed coverage in Cincinnati.

Will Homeowner’s Insurance Protect Against Roof Damage?

When you live in Ohio, you’re considered a buckeye. There are many sports teams out of the state, including NFL, NBA, and MLB teams. In addition to sports, there’s a lot of theater, dance, and other forms of entertainment. Fairs and festivals take place year round. With so much to do, it’s no surprise that residents often choose to stay in the state for life.

Having homeowners insurance is a must. You want to protect your home and insurance allows you to do that more effectively. It’s required if you have a mortgage, but even if you own your home free and clear, an insurance policy makes a lot of sense.

If you experience roof damage because of a storm, you’re going to turn to your homeowner’s insurance to pay the claim. The last thing you want to hear is that they are rejecting it because you don’t have that kind of coverage.

Just because you have insurance does not mean they are going to cover everything. Every insurance company is different in terms of what they cover. That means it is up to you to add the coverage that is needed to protect your home to the fullest.

The best thing to do is work with an agent. You want storm protection so that if there’s roof damage, the insurance company pays. We will work to get you that kind of coverage – and get quotes from the multiple insurance companies that work within Ohio.

With multiple quotes comes the ability to see all of your options in a plain and simple way. You can find out who has the best prices and who is going to provide you with the highest level of coverage.

Call us today and let us make sure you have the storm coverage need on your policy in Ohio.

What Happens If I’m Hit In A Parking Lot In Delhi?

Delhi, Ohio is a township located on the west side of Cincinnati. The population is around 30,000, though many people choose to live here because of affordable home prices. In 2014, Delhi was named the 18th safest neighborhood in Ohio.  Further, there is not as much traffic. Plenty of people make the commute and that’s because most of the attractions are within the metropolitan area.

If you get hit in a parking lot in Delhi or anywhere else, you want to know that you are protected. You may or may not find out about the car who actually hit you. Car insurance should be able to take care of the claim, but only if you have the right kind of coverage.

Anytime you buy automobile insurance in Ohio, you want to look at your options. This is why it can be advantageous to work with agents. Our goal is to help you get the best possible coverage in Delhi so you are protected while your car is in a parking lot, on the roads, or even parked in your driveway.

Comprehensive insurance is the additional coverage that you can get on your policy to protect when you’re not behind the wheel. The state of Ohio requires you to have liability insurance, but this is only good for when you’re on the roads. If you’re hit in the parking lot while you’re doing your grocery shopping or a shopping cart hits your side mirror, you will want to file a claim with the automobile insurance and know you’re not going to have to pay.

Make the call today and talk to one of our independent agents. We will help you to get a policy in Delhi so you have peace of mind that you have protection regardless of whether you’re on the road or in a parking lot.

Bundling Your Auto, Home, and Toys with Progressive Insurance Can Save You Money

Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, OH is a Snapshot Certified agent representing Progressive and their partner, Progressive Home Advantage (underwritten by ASI). By now, I’m sure you have seen a Progressive commercial with everyone’s favorite spokeswoman, Flo, talking about the perks of bundling your auto and home insurance. By having all of your policies with Progressive, it helps reduce the potential for gaps in coverage. But, most importantly, it saves you money. In fact, Progressive gives a discount based on the number of policies you have with them. Do you know all the different types of policies that Progressive can write?

  • Auto
  • Homeowners/Renters/Condo
  • Mobile Home
  • Motorcycle
  • Boat
  • Personal Watercraft
  • Recreational Vehicle
  • Snowmobile
  • Travel Trailer
  • ATV
  • Golf Cart
  • Segway
  • Classic Car
  • Umbrella
  • Commercial Auto

Bundling your Progressive policies with an independent agent like Advantage Insurance Network gives you the extra benefit of having someone local to help with questions and concerns. Call us today or visit our website 24×7 at www.myadvantageinsurance.com to get started on your Progressive auto and home insurance bundle with Advantage Insurance Network.

5 Ways to Save Money on Your Home Insurance

Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, OH is an independent insurance agency that works with homeowners to make sure they get the home insurance coverage they need at the best price possible. Below are the top five ways you can look at right now to save money on your home insurance.

  1. Multi-policy – Bundling your homeowners insurance with your auto insurance is a no brainer. With discounts averaging 20% on both policies, packaging your insurance needs is the easiest way to save money. It also allows your insurance agent to make sure you are avoiding any potential gaps in coverage.
  2. Call your agent when you update – So you got a new roof last year? Did you call your insurance agent? Discounts for updating things around your home like your roof, electric, plumbing and heating can top 15%. A two minute phone call to let your agent know about an update could save you hundreds.
  3. Consider taking a higher deductible – Most people know not to use their homeowners insurance as a maintenance policy. Filing a large number of claims can have a negative impact regardless of the size of the claim. It is important to have a deductible that is realistic should anything happen, but also to make sure you are not overpaying for a low deductible you do not need.
  4. Ask if your carrier offers a paperless discount – Most people today have an email address they check regularly. Heck, you probably checked it before you read this blog. Having policy documents delivered via email instead of through USPS can save on average 5%.
  5. Buy your policy from an Independent Agent who can shop around for you – Independent Agencies like Advantage Insurance Network can take the hassle out of shopping around for your homeowners insurance. With one phone call – or one visit to our website www.myadvantageinsurance.com – you can get dozens of quotes from nationally recognized, top rated carriers.

Questions on any of the above? Call us today at Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati OH to make sure your homeowner’s insurance policy is up to date and that you are getting the most out of your insurance. We can review your homeowners insurance with you and make sure you are taking advantage of all of your potential discounts.

5 Ways to Save Money on Your Auto Insurance in Cincinnati, Ohio

Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, OH is an independent agency that prides itself on helping its customers get the auto insurance coverage they need at the price they deserve. Below are the top five ways you can look at today to help save money on your car insurance.

  1. Multi-policy – Bundling your auto insurance with a homeowners or renters insurance policy can save up to 20% on your premium on both policies. Having both policies with the same insurance company can also help prevent dangerous gaps in coverage.
  2. Shop in advance – Many companies offer “Advance Purchase” or “Advance Quote” discounts for new customers. Thinking about and shopping your insurance around in advance of your renewal date shows a responsibility level companies like to reward. Companies can offer discounts anywhere from 3 days to 21 days in advance of your policy start date. This discount can be up to 10%.
  3.  Consider Installing a Monitoring Device – Many companies are now offering a discount for installing a monitoring device in your car. Most track mileage, time of driving and hard braking. Think you’re a good driver? This is the easiest way to get the discount you think you deserve.   This discount can be up to 30%.
  4. Ask if your company offers an e-policy or paperless discount – If you are reading this blog, chances are you have an email address you check regularly. Many companies now offer discounts for customers choosing to receive policy documents via email instead of through the USPS. Typically this discount is 5%.
  5. Buy your policy from an Independent Agent who can shop your insurance for you – Nobody wants to spend hours on the phone, repeating the same information over and over to get quotes from different companies. Advantage Insurance Network represents over a dozen companies. Just call us or visit our website (www.myadvantageinsurance.com) and give your information one time. That’s all it takes to get multiple quotes from top rated companies.

If you think you could benefit from any of these discounts, give Advantage Insurance Network a call. We can help you review your auto insurance policy to make sure you are not leaving any potential discounts on the table.

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.

4 Things To Ask Agents About When Getting Quotes In Cincinnati

Many people flock to Cincinnati, Ohio because of the many opportunities for homes as well as small businesses.  When you want to purchase automobile insurance for you and your family, there are some things you need to ask agents when you get quotes.

1. What coverage do I need?

You must meet minimum standards in the state of Ohio, though there are other options that you need to consider as well. You want to look at increasing the liability standards and obtaining comprehensive and collision insurance, too.

2. Is the company reputable?

The insurance company you go with needs to be reputable. They should be known in the state and have a good track record of paying claims in a timely manner. This ensures you never have to wait too long for repairs to be made.

3. What’s the best price?

Ensure you get quotes to get the best price. Comparison shopping is a must so you know what the various premium prices are from the many companies.

4. Am I getting all discounts?

Discounts can be obtained for being a homeowner, a good student, for commuting less than 10 miles, and for being a member of different organizations.

Once you have talked with an agent about automobile insurance in Cincinnati, you can be confident that you are getting the most affordable and most comprehensive policy for your money. As you drive, it’s easy to have peace of mind.

Our agency will help you to get quotes. Call today and let one of our agents guide you through the simple process of buying good automobile insurance.