Author: AgentInsure

Why you need boat insurance in Cincinnati, OH

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The laws in the state of Ohio, do not require that you carry boat insurance. If you have a loan on your boat, the lender may require that you carry insurance to protect their investment. But what about you? Should you protect your investment if you are not required by law to do so? For help answering this question in Cincinnati, OH you have Advantage Insurance Network. They have friendly staff who can discuss all the many things that go into making a decision about boat insurance. 

Repair or  Replacement

Depending on how much you paid for your boat, you may not be easily able to replace your boat or repair it if it is damaged. If your boat is on your property and is damaged, it may be covered by your home insurance but the coverage will not be as extensive as it would be with a dedicated boat policy. But if your boat is in the water or away from your home, home insurance will not cover it. 

Liability

If you have any assets beyond just your boat, liability insurance is something that you need to have. In the event of an accident where there is personal or property damage and you are deemed to be at fault, you could find yourself involved in legal litigation. The result could be catastrophic to your current and your future earnings and assets. Liability insurance on your boat will provide you with the protection that you need for peace of mind. 

Owning a boat comes with lots of things to think about. If you live in Cincinnati, OH or the surrounding area and you are looking for information or to purchase boat insurance why not give Advantage Insurance Network a call or stop by their office for a no-obligation quote. 

Updating Home Insurance After a Renovation

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Protecting your home with sufficient homeowner’s insurance is crucial to your home investment. Your homeowner insurance needs will change over time. This is especially true if you have recently completed a renovation on your home. The folks at Advantage Insurance Network strive to make sure your family has the best insurance coverage possible. Keep reading to learn why you should update your homeowner’s coverage after a renovation in Cincinnati, OH and surrounding areas. 

Increased Value

After a home renovation, your home’s value could possibly change. This will affect the types and amounts of coverage you will need. The renovation you have just completed was an investment into your home, and your homeowner’s policy is a way to protect that investment. 

The Size of Your Home Has Increased

Sometimes a renovation will expand the size of your home. If this is the case, then it is imperative that you update your insurance policy to reflect the new dimensions of your home. 

Your Home Now Has New Features

If your renovations added new features to your home, such as extra bathrooms, a swimming pool or other features, you will want to understand how this can affect your homeowner’s insurance. The best way to find out what changes need to be made to your policy is to speak with a trained insurance specialist at Advantage Insurance network. 

If your home is not adequately insured after your renovation, you could find yourself insufficiently covered in the event of damage. The best way to protect your new investment is to update your policy after speaking with a specialist. The Advantage Insurance Network is now serving the Cincinnati, OH area as well as surrounding areas. We would love to help you with your homeowner’s insurance questions today. Please give us a call. 

Will my insurance cover the damages if I lend my car to my friend?

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Cincinnati, OH is a great place to drive and there is a  lot to do and see. You know you need insurance to drive legally, but you may not remember all the rules, especially if you’ve been driving for a while.

Once you purchased your auto insurance from  Advantage Insurance Network, you probably didn’t look at your policy again. When your friends ask to borrow your vehicle, you need to know if the damages will be covered if there is an accident. 

The general rule is that the insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. That means that usually damages are covered no matter who is driving. 

When You’re Not Covered 

There are several circumstances where you probably won’t be covered in the event of a crash:

  • Your friend doesn’t have a legal right to drive. It may seem silly to check your friend’s license status, but you could end up paying if you don’t. 
  • You didn’t give permission to the person driving your vehicle.  For instance, your son could allow a friend to drive your car without your knowledge or permission.  Or you could lend your vehicle to someone who lets someone else drive it.
  • The car was driven recklessly, such as at a very high speed. 
  • The car was used to commit a crime. Insurance companies will want to distance themselves from criminal activities. 

You want to follow the rules driving in Cincinnati, OH, and meeting insurance requirements is one of the most important rules of all. If you want to see if you can find a better policy to suit your needs, or if you have any other questions about your policy, please feel free to call Advantage Insurance Network today. 

The Importance of Contractors Insurance

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Work accidents can happen at any time in Cincinnati, OH. Contactors insurance can help protect you from these accidents. Contractors will face hazards every day and can be held responsible for a number of liability issues. Insurance is the safety net that helps protect you from financial ruin if you find yourself dealing with an expensive lawsuit.

There are two types of contractors insurance you should be aware of when speaking with an agent at Advantage Insurance Network. Liability insurance will cover any injuries or property damage. However, this usually doesn’t cover the cost to replace or repair any shoddy work. Construction liability insurance can be used for injury claims, damage claims, product claims, and copyright claims. It can give you protection from trespassers. When you take over a property at the start of the contract, you assume any liability for what happens on the site. This can include injury to trespassers. You also get protection for independent contractors and subcontractors. Even if these people have the right insurance, they could still sue you if they feel you are responsible for their injuries.

Workers compensation insurance will pay for injured workers and medical expenses or lost wages. It will also pay a death benefit to families for any contractors killed on the job.

Contractors aren’t the only ones who should be concerned with this insurance in Cincinnati, OH. If you are hiring contractors, you want to verify proof of insurance before you allow them to do any work for you. If you don’t, you could be held responsible for any costs if a contractor is injured or an accident occurs on the property. As a contractor, if you don’t have insurance you could be passed up for numerous jobs, affecting the bottom line of your business.

Contact Advantage Insurance Network to get a quote on contractors insurance. 

Food Trucks, Pop-Ups and Restaurants: When do you need insurance?

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Not everyone who wants to sell food in Cincinnati, OH has the money, or the interest, to rent out a building and create a whole sit-down eating experience. There are plenty of people who are more than happy to run a food truck or a simple pop-up or a stand at local fairs and festivals and farmers markets.

The question then is: What are the insurance needs for these eateries? Obviously, you don’t have the same risks as restaurants, but you do need some sort of protection. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Going without insurance isn’t worth the risk. Plenty of people run food trucks and pop-ups with no insurance or permits, and plenty of people wind up paying the price in heavy fines and paying for liability suits out of pocket. Don’t risk it. If you’re running a business that sells food, you need to do it all above board.
  • The cost of insurance is usually scaled on how much you’re making. The cut-off is different from insurer to insurer, but the reasoning is simply that a food truck making six figures a year has a lot more at risk than one making only a little bit of supplemental income for the owners.
  • Professional liability is a necessity. Just because you’re not running a physical property doesn’t mean you can’t be held accountable if someone slips on your cooking oil or turns out to be allergic to something you serve.
  • Insure the truck’s contents. It’s not hard to find a used food truck for cheap, but once you’ve added propane tanks, stoves, mini-fridges, and inventory, the value stacks up quickly.

As a general rule of thumb: If you’re running a business, get covered. Especially if you’re serving food. Advantage Insurance Network can help to protect you and your business.

Is a healthcare savings account (HSA) right for you

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These days, health care and health insurance are complicated and expensive. With high deductibles and even higher premiums, everyone is looking for ways to make their healthcare dollars stretch. At the Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, OH we have experienced agents who can help you to navigate the maze of terms and policies. Here are some things that need to be considered when you are deciding whether a healthcare savings account is right for you. 

A healthcare savings account allows you to save money to pay medical bills and expenses with money you have saved pre-tax. Some employers have set up healthcare savings accounts for their employees but it is not required and if you don’t have an employer or get your insurance somewhere else besides your employer you are still entitled to set up a healthcare savings plan (HSA). 

HSAs have great tax benefits and it can save you a lot of money on your taxes. With an employer plan, you will see the savings in your paycheck, with your own plan, you will see the savings when you file your income tax return. 

What can you pay with an HSA:

  • Deductibles and copays
  • Prescriptions
  • Certain equipment
  • Glasses and hearing aids

If you set up your own HSA you must have an HDHP ( high deductible healthcare plan) be sure to check that your plan is eligible, it must have a deductible of  $1350 for singles and $2700 for families. 

For 2019 you are allowed to save up to $3500 for single coverage and $7000 for family and if you are over 55 you can save an additional $1000. 

Now that you have some of the facts, why not give one of our knowledgeable staff at Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, OH a call or stop by our office and learn the rest.  We will be happy to give you a no-obligation quote and fill in all the other important information.  

 

 

 

What is Condo Insurance?

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For those that own a condo, condo insurance is something that you certainly need to take the time to consider. For those that live in the Cincinnati, OH area, the agents with Advantage Insurance Network can help you to create a policy that works for you and your particular condo.

So what is condo insurance? Much like traditional home insurance, a condo policy is going to protect the property itself as well as those that are staying in it and the contents of the condo. If you are renting your condo out or you are not living in it all the time, you may want to make sure that the policy has a renters clause that protects both you and the renter. Condo insurance is not like home insurance in that it does have some special extra clauses that are particular to a condo situation. These policies are tailored to condo living and to special instances that might happen in a condo.

If you own the condo you are certainly going to want to get condo insurance as you have to depend on the fact that the other tenants in the complex are not going to cause damage to the building or that some issue in another part of the building is not going to cause a great deal of issues with your unit. If you are renting you can always take out a renter policy that is going to protect your unit and your possessions within the condo should something happen. You want to make sure your belongings and your space is protected no matter what. For those in the Cincinnati, OH area, the agents with Advantage Insurance Network can help you to find the condo policy that works best for you and for your particular situation.  

What Does Dwelling Fire Insurance Offer?

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When you are looking for insurance coverage for your Cincinnati, OH area home, you may not be sure exactly what you should be asking for. You also may not be completely sure what you are getting when you purchase a particular type of policy. That is where Advantage Insurance Network can help. Having a trusted company to work with makes a difference, and can get you on the right track to having a proper policy. But what is really covered by dwelling fire insurance? Here is what you need to know.

Dwelling Fire Insurance Covers Serious Property Damage

Issues like fires, some types of vandalism, certain types of explosions, and more could be covered by a fire insurance policy. It depends on exactly what type of policy you purchase, as some policies will specifically include or exclude certain things. If you have certain issues that you want to be covered for your Cincinnati, OH home, you will want to ask about those when you get your policy. That way you can be sure the insurance coverage you get protects you from everything that you are concerned about with your home.

Working With a Trusted Agent Means Getting Quality Coverage

If you really want to get quality dwelling fire insurance that meets your needs, contact us today at Advantage Insurance Network. We can offer you everything you need in order to choose a policy that works for you. Talking to a professional about your insurance needs is the first step toward getting coverage that gives you peace of mind. We want to be the agency that offers that to you, and we will be happy to answer all your insurance questions. Let us show you quotes and options, so you can choose a policy and make an informed decision.

3 Tips for Buying Flood Insurance in Cincinnati, OH

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A flood is probably the last thing on your mind, but they do happen – even in Cincinnati, OH. For this reason, it’s important to be protected in the event that your property experiences a flood. Water damage is one of the worst experiences a homeowner or business owner can encounter. If you’re considering adding flood insurance to protect your valuable investments, here are three ways you can save money in the process.

1. Compare Several Quotes

It’s important to compare several quotes when choosing flood insurance, especially if this type of insurance is new to you. By looking in detail at more than one quote, you will get a better sense of what flood insurance covers and what it costs. From here, the agents at Advantage Insurance Network can help you understand each quote and determine which one is the best for your needs.

2. Bundle All Your Insurance Policies

Bundling is one of the best and easiest ways to save money on flood insurance. If you like the insurance carrier who currently holds your other insurance policies, like auto insurance, life insurance, and home insurance, consider bundling your flood insurance with them. On the other hand, you can always switch your insurance policies to a new carrier who offers the best discounts for bundling.

3. Work with a Reputable Agent

Working with a trusted, reputable insurance agent serving the Cincinnati, OH are will guarantee your purchase the best flood insurance for your property. Insurance agents understand the quotes and can easily explain the coverage to you.

To learn more about purchasing flood insurance, contact the team at Advantage Insurance Network today.

How do i know what my custom bike is worth?

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When you buy a custom bike or choose to have a bike customized, you want to make sure that it is insured for its real and actual value. While you can insure it for its value in original condition, you lose all of the time and money you have invested in it. The agents of Advantage Insurance Network can help Cincinnati, OH residents find out their customized bike’s true value and make sure it is properly insured to protect you from loss.

Keep Your Receipts and Document Your Time

Always keep your receipts for everything you purchase and every service you pay for. Take photographs of the customization process and document your time and any techniques that were used. This will provide proof of the money and time spent on the project.

Talk to An Appraiser

In order to insure your bike or any vehicle for that matter, it must be appraised. An appraiser will be able to determine actual value as well as what it would cost to repair or replace the bike if it was stolen or damaged in any way.

Call Your Insurance Agent

Talk to your insurance agent to find out what type of policy you will need. Can you get by with a traditional motorcycle policy or should you opt for a specialty policy? They will have the answers you need.

Call the agents of Advantage Insurance Network if you live in the Cincinnati, OH area and own or are thinking of buying a customized bike. They will help you learn the true value of your bike and what type of policy will be most beneficial if anything ever happens to your bike.