Author: AgentInsure

5 Tips to Know About Home Insurance in Cincinnati

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Home insurance is often misunderstood by the policy holder, and it’s easy to see why. With contracts that seem to have no end, people often make poor decisions based on the simple fact that it’s difficult to understand exactly which events are covered, and which aren’t. After all, you can’t discuss everything that might take place under the sun. However, you can become better aware of home insurance so you have a better chance of being prepared with these 5 tips. 

1. Find Out About Your Possessions 

Home owners may think that their new laptop will be reimbursed if it goes up in flames, and then find out in a panic that they should have updated their policy or their possessions were never covered at all. 

2. Your Questions Matter 

Often it has nothing to do with your insurance keeping anything from you (though that often happens), it’s more about specifically addressing different scenarios where you find out more about your coverage. 

3. Flooding and Earthquake Damage 

Two events that are often excluded from policies, you want to know whether or not you’ll receive the help you need if you have any type of structural or property damage due to them. Keep in mind that the weather can be hard to predict, so don’t assume it can’t happen to you. 

4. Get More Than the Minimum 

It seems like you’re saving money to go with the cheapest plan, but will you really save anything if something major happens to your home?

5. Choose the Right Carrier 

Your home is likely the most important investment you’ll ever make. Call on Advantage Insurance Network if you’re looking for new coverage. Our staff is waiting to talk to you about your policy, so contact us today. 

Getting Your Boat on the Water: 5 Tips to Prepare in Cincinnati

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A boat is no different than a car or a home in that you need to put constant care into it to get the most enjoyment from it. However, boats come with the added responsibility of having to get it back into shape after it’s been sitting around for so many months. Here are 5 tips to get you back out on the water safely in Cincinnati, 

1. Cleaning and Safety 

Taking a sponge to your boat or waxing and polishing everything up doesn’t just make your boat look and smell nicer. Beyond the cosmetic benefits, it gives you a chance to see where you may need repairs from normal wear and tear.

2. Taking a Look Under the Hood 

From the electrical system to the hoses, test everything possible to determine if anything needs to be replaced or fixed. If your engine has trouble starting, your battery may have severely diminished since you last used it. You don’t want a complete failure when you’re out enjoying your day off. 

3. Make an Emergency Plan 

Panic is an unfortunate occurrence of emergencies, but going through the plan several times can mean the difference between calm and order and potentially dangerous mistakes. 

4. Get a Carbon Monoxide Detector

Just like you have one in your home, put one on your boat so there’s no chance you’ll be affected by stray fumes. 

5. Having the Right Insurance Policy 

Preparing your boat means preparing for whatever summer brings you. Insure your boat against common calamities with Advantage Insurance Network. We serve the people of Cincinnati, OH, and have people here to get you the coverage you want, so call today if you’re looking for a new policy or a quote. 

5 Hacks To Keep Your Teen Driver Safe

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It can be difficult to keep your teen driver safe on the roads of Cincinnati, OH. There are a few hacks that can help with their overall safety. You can only do so much and trust that they earned their license because they know what they are doing.

Have Them Sign a Pact

Teens often hear what they want to hear. However, you can get around this by having them sign a pact that says they are going to drive safe. This includes such things as always wearing a seat belt and never texting while driving.

Review the Rules

Review all of the rules with them, including the ones that are Ohio-specific. There may be specifics as to when they and cannot be on the road and they must stay within the state whenever they don’t have a licensed adult with them.

Limit Passengers

Too many passengers can spell trouble. This is because they are either rowdy, instigating, or being both. If you limit the passengers to one or two, it may be the ultimate way to make sure your teen is as safe as they can be while out on the roads.

Require Check-Ins

Once you let your teen and their new license behind the wheel, require some check-ins so you can be sure they are safe. Have them call or text when they get to their location and when they are leaving so you know where they are.

Create Punishments

What are you going to do if you catch your teen breaking one of the rules? You can create punishments that are so horrible (like taking away the keys) that they are going to do their best to stay safe on the roads.

Contact Advantage Insurance Network today to learn more about auto insurance and policies for your teen.

 

 

Organize your closet in ten minutes a day

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If you’re like many people your closets are overstuffed.  Besides creating a hazard this can make it next to impossible to find anything that you really need.  Cleaning out your closet, however, can be a massive undertaking that can take weeks.  Instead of trying to tackle the whole project at once, try these tips to organize just a small part everyday until you’re done.

  1. Start on the floor.  Clearing the floor will allow the doors to close and give you the room to reach the upper shelves safely.  Since larger items are usually kept down here, it will be easier to clear out the smaller stuff.
  2. Assign a place for everything.  Think about what you want to store in the closet, then use sticky notes to label where everything should go.  As you work over the coming days, you’ll have the notes to remind you of your plan.
  3. Group like items in baskets.  Filling a basket with smaller items will keep a small part of the closet organized.  Be sure to label the basket so that everyone else in your house knows what belongs there.
  4. Clear one day, organize the next. If you separate the purging and organizing, you’ll be able to better judge what you need to get rid of.  By alternating days, you’ll be able to get rid of stuff one day, then re-evaluate your space needs on the next.

As you’re cleaning out your closets, you’ll probably come across some things you forgot you had, and get rid of a lot of stuff.  That means that you’ll need to change your insurance policy.  Call the agents at Advantage Insurance Network to make sure that your homeowner’s or renter’s policy is up to date.

Spring Cleaning Checklist

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There are so many things that need to be done when you think of spring cleaning. To make the process more manageable, you need a checklist. This is a checklist of some of the things that can easily be overlooked when you are spring cleaning.

Waxing and Polishing

  • Wax Floors: Whether your floors are wood, vinyl, linoleum, tile, or stone, there is a type of wax that you can use to bring out the shine and make them easier to clean. Just make sure you get the correct kind for your floors.
  • Wood Furniture: You would furniture should also get a good waxing or at the very least a good polishing.
  • Polish Metal: Polish doorknobs and handles, kitchen hardware, and any other metal items in your home. This small detail will make your house look cleaner.
  • Dust everything: Don’t forget to dust your entire home. This includes ceilings and walls, ceiling fans, window casings, and on top of your refrigerator.

Windows

  • Clean your window glass. If they are really dirty, getting ammonia and mixing it with water can be effective. This allows you to control the concentration. It has a strong chemical smell, so you should only use it in a well-ventilated area.
  • Wash window panes, trim, and screens with soapy water.
  • Take down your curtains and wash them. Check the tag to see if they are machine washable. 
  • If you have blinds, take them down and wash them in the bathtub.

Walls

  • Wash your walls with soap and water or an all-purpose cleaner. If you use a cleaner, test a small spot first to make sure it is safe.
  • Take down and clean your pictures.

Sping Cleaning is a great way to take care of your home, but you should also protect your investment with insurance. If you need homeowners insurance, get a free quote from Advantage Insurance Network.

 

A Little Helmet Safety Goes a Long Long Way

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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

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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. 

Six Ways to Prevent Motorcycle Theft

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Motorcycle riders in Cincinnati need to remain wary of thieves. Criminals can steal these vehicles far more easily than cars; sometimes they just pick up a motorcycle and take it away in a truck. These tips can help prevent such crimes:

1. Park your motorcycle in a highly visible area, preferably with a surveillance camera nearby. Don’t place it in the shadow of a taller vehicle. If possible, choose different parking locations from time to time.

2. Connect the bike to a fixed object, such as a large tree. It’s best to accomplish this using a U-lock and chain. Don’t let your lock lay on the pavement; this enables thieves to break easily it.

3. Store your motorcycle in a garage whenever possible. Keep the door shut so criminals can’t see it. You may also use a cover to hide it and make theft a bit more time-consuming.

4. Put a unique, permanent marking on your bike. Take a photo of it with a camera or cellphone. This way, you can report the special marking to Cincinnati police when your bike goes missing.

5. If you have a heavy bike that’s difficult to pick up, consider installing a security alarm and an ignition lock. Thieves will find it much harder to start the engine.

6. Think about outfitting the bike with tracking equipment. Three out of four stolen bikes are never seen again. However, this technology significantly increases the odds police will be able to find your motorcycle before criminals sell it or disassemble it for parts.

Theft can’t always be prevented, so insurance is vital. Please contact the Advantage Insurance Network to review your existing coverage or sign up for affordable motorcycle insurance. You can reach our independent agency in Cincinnati, Ohio.
 

Why You Need to Prepare Your Home for a Disaster Slug

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There are far too many people who believe a natural disaster will never impact the Cincinnati, OH area in such a way that it will disrupt or devastate their lives. As a result, they often don’t create an emergency disaster plan for their home or family. The fact is, you can never predict what will happen and being prepared is the only way to make sure you and your family will come through the situation safely.

Inability to contact help

Regardless of if you are facing a blizzard, flood or strong thunderstorm, being able to call for help in these situations is essential. It is a good idea to purchase communication equipment that will work during bad weather. There are a number of devices available and without them you may not be able to receive the help you need during the time of emergency.

Inability to rebuild your life

Another consequence you may face if you fail to plan for a disaster is the inability to rebuild your home and life. Things such as insurance will provide you the ability to rebuild your life if disaster strikes. Without proper coverage you will not be able to rebuild after a disaster. This is why it is essential to purchase quality insurance coverage.

Your home and your family need to be protected. If you fail to see to this protection you may not know where to begin after disaster strikes. While being prepared takes work, it will be well worth it in the long run.

If you want to ensure you and your home is protected, then be sure to find home insurance through Advantage Insurance Network. This will ensure you are protected and ready to weather the storm, regardless of what may come your way. 

 

Do children need to have life insurance?

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Every parent is familiar with the deluge of mail that arrives after their child is born.  a new baby brings joy, but it also tends to bring a lot of offers for everything from formula to diapers.  Buried in all those advertisements, however, are usually several offers for life insurance. 

Typically, life insurance is recommended to people who have loved ones who are dependent on their income.  In many cases, this means new parents should strongly consider purchasing a life insurance policy. 

Children, however, rarely have anyone who is dependent on their income.  In fact, hardly any of them even have an income.  On the surface, that would seem to indicate that buying life insurance for a baby would be a bad idea.

There are some cases, however, in which purchasing life insurance for a child might make sense.  In many cases, the death of a child might mean a lot of missed time from work and significant funeral expenses.  Because of this, many families with a low amount of savings decide to purchase a small policy that would cover these expenses.

In other cases, children born or diagnosed with a serious condition may need to have life insurance policy purchased for them while they are young so that they can qualify for life insurance after they become an adult.  Because it’s easier to renew a policy than to start a new one, this is a good strategy for families that know about a lifelong medical condition.

If you’re considering purchasing a life insurance policy, call the agents at Fuhriman Insurance Agency.  They have years of experience helping people throughout Boise, ID.