Should My Small Businesses Have Commercial Insurance and Commercial Vehicle Insurance?

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Business owners use insurance to meet their legal and contractual obligations and cover the business’s risks. As a business owner, you should carry insurance at a level that fits your willingness for risk exposure. However, small business owners often take on unnecessary risks by relying on their personal auto insurance coverage to cover their vehicles, even when used for business purposes. To avoid commercial insurance mistakes, allow our Advantage Insurance Network team, serving Cincinnati, OH, to create a commercial and commercial vehicle insurance plan to meet your business’s needs.

Commercial and Commercial Vehicle Insurance

Small businesses come in many forms and sizes, and your commercial insurance needs will vary based on your business type, whether you have employees, and whether you use motor vehicles when conducting your business.

Business owners widely acquire commercial property, workers’ compensation, general liability, and other strictly business-related coverage. However, many small businesses fail to obtain commercial vehicle insurance despite using motor vehicles for business purposes. While business owners may think their personal insurance policies offer them adequate protection, only a commercial vehicle policy covers vehicles:

  • Owned by the company
  • Driven for work purposes by you or an employee
  • To transport work tools, products, and employees

In addition, personal vehicle insurance often has lower liability limits than those available with commercial vehicle policies, so if you use a vehicle for business purposes, you should obtain commercial vehicle insurance to fully protect yourself and your business.

Working with Advantage Insurance Network

The Advantage Insurance Network proudly serves Cincinnati, OH’s personal and business communities. Our commercial insurance experience allows us to structure policies to protect your business against unforeseen events. Stop in today or call us at (513) 922-9460 to discuss your commercial insurance needs and options.

Why You Need Flood Insurance Even If You Don’t Live in a Flood Plain

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Some residents of Cincinnati, OH believe they don’t need flood insurance because they don’t live near the Ohio River or its tributaries. However, many people remain at risk because of climate change and outdated floodplain maps that the US federal government still needs to update. Advantage Insurance Network can advise you on why you may need a flood insurance policy.

You May be Financially Vulnerable to Floods

Government statistics indicate that more than 25% of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims are filed by homeowners not in designated floodplains. That statistic should make you think twice. If you live in an area where your yard tends to flood during heavy rains, your basement could end up flooding, too. Flooding is a temporary condition that can cause thousands of dollars of damage and financially ruin homeowners.

Your home insurance only covers some types of water damage, notably that incurred by broken pipes or if a severe storm breaches your home and results in an incursion of water from the roofer or a broken window directly related to a storm. Flood insurance policies will also generally cover sewer backups directly associated with excessive rainstorms. Some homeowners’ policies cover sewer and sump pump backups for various reasons. Before buying additional insurance, read your policy or see if a rider can cover any flooding issues.

So What Do I Really Need?

The first thing to consider is your area’s elevation. If you see frequent standing water in your yard following excessive rain. If your neighbors’ basements also tend to flood after rain, take that as a warning sign. Look to the Advantage Insurance Network, which serves Cincinnati, OH, to provide you with sound recommendations for flood insurance coverage. Call our office today to get started on your policy.

Dwelling Fire Insurance vs Homeowners Insurance: What’s the Difference?

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Dwelling fire insurance provides different coverage than traditional homeowner’s insurance. While they may sound similar, each is designed to cover different buildings under a set of varied circumstances. Our agents at Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, OH, offer a short, comprehensive explanation.

Homeowner’s Insurance

Homeowner’s insurance protects your primary residence and is designed to cover damage to your home and property should a disaster or unexpected event occur. These policies include fire damage coverage for any damage to a primary residence and its possessions. No one plans to have a fire, but getting this policy can be the difference between homelessness and shelter.

Dwelling Fire Insurance

Dwelling fire insurance doesn’t cover a primary residence. However, it covers homes you own but don’t reside in for the majority of the year. These are typically vacation homes, rental properties, and getaway destinations like cabins or cottages. Dwelling coverage policies cover expenses resulting from fire damage, including repairs or rebuilding if necessary. Also covered are attached structures like garages, porches, and decks.

When to Use Dwelling Fire Insurance

Several situations could be handled by dwelling situations that result from fires. These incidents are the most expensive to repair and can result in total destruction, which this invaluable coverage can alleviate. These insurance policies can be customized to suit your housing situation. Most clients’ properties fall under the categories including:

  • Owner Occupied
  • Secondary Residences
  • Investment Properties
  • Vacant Homes

Get Protection From Property Fires Today

Fires can ignite at any time and be attributed to several sources. However, they are typically very destructive, so get the coverage you need to protect your investment through Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, OH, for greater peace of mind.

What benefits come when you have boat insurance in Ohio?

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The warm summer months can be a lot of fun for those who live in the Cincinnati, OH area. Investing in your own boat can be a great option when you want to enjoy this time of the year. Along with your boat purchase, you should also carefully shop for a boat insurance plan, as it has various benefits. 

Coverage for Boats

It is always a good idea to have boat insurance in Ohio so you can protect your boat. When you buy a boat in this state, you can find that it is a major investment and purchase. A full boat insurance plan is a great way to ensure your purchase and investment is supported. This will ensure you have support if the boat is stolen or damaged and you incur a loss.

Liability Mitigation

It is a good idea to get a boat insurance plan to ensure you are able to mitigate your liability risks. There are always risks that come when you use a boat. If you cause an accident, you can be held responsible. Fortunately, when you are fully insured with a boat insurance plan, you will receive liability support that can help to cover such damages.

It can be a great idea to get a proper boat insurance plan when you are in the state of Ohio. When you are in the Cincinnati, OH, area and would like to get a boat, you should call our team with the Advantage Insurance Network to discuss your boat insurance needs. When you start searching for boat insurance with us at the Advantage Insurance Network, you will get all the help you need to build the right plan for your situation. 

Protecting Your Motorcycle with Motorcycle Insurance

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You must purchase motorcycle insurance before riding your new motorcycle on the roads of Cincinnati, OH. At Advantage Insurance Network, we want you to understand the types of coverage you can add to your bike policy.

Types of Motorcycle Coverage

Motorcycle insurance offers many types of coverage that a bike owner can use to protect their investment and driving liability. In any policy from our agency, you can include collision, comprehensive, medical, property liability, bodily injury liability, roadside assistance, etc. 

Liability

Every policy includes the state-required bodily injury liability that pays for injuries you cause to others in an accident. Each policy also includes property damage liability that pays for damage you cause to another person’s vehicle or other property.

Collision

Instead of choosing a policy that only provides the state minimum liability coverage, add coverage that protects your bike investment. For instance, collision coverage pays for damage to your motorcycle regardless of who causes the accident. It covers damage in single- and multi-vehicle accidents.

Comprehensive

Comprehensive coverage ensures you won’t have to pay out of pocket to replace your bike if a peril in the policy damages it. Whether it gets stolen or hail damages it, your insurance policy covers it.

Medical Payments

Medical payments coverage pays for your medical bills or funeral expenses regardless of who causes an accident. This applies to single-vehicle accidents, too. Your medical payment coverage also protects a rider you have on your bike with you during the accident.

Roadside Assistance

Adding roadside assistance to your policy provides 24-hour, seven-day-a-week protection while on the road. If your motorcycle runs out of gas, a tire goes flat, or it breaks down on the road, you call a 1-800 number, and the roadside assistance service comes to help you.

Contact Us Today

With Advantage Insurance Network, you can build a policy that protects you, your motorcycle, and others on Cincinnati, OH, roads. Call us today to build a policy that serves your every need.

Do You Need Full-Coverage Auto Insurance?

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In many cases, whether you need a full-coverage auto insurance policy isn’t a simple yes or no question. You’ll want to consider some specifics before deciding how much coverage meets your needs. If you’re in the Cincinnati, OH, area, Advantage Insurance Network can help you get the information you need to choose the best policy for your situation. Then, you can drive and enjoy your vehicle with peace of mind and a feeling of confidence for the road ahead.

One reason you might need a full-coverage policy is having a lienholder. Your car’s lender wants to protect themselves from loss if there’s a claim made or damage to your vehicle, and they do that by requiring you to have a full-coverage policy. That includes at least the minimum requirements for liability, along with comprehensive and collision protection, too.

Many people keep full coverage on their vehicles even if they don’t have a lien on them, and that could be the right choice for your situation. You’ll need to consider the value of your current vehicle, how easy it would be for you to replace it, and other factors. How much you drive and what your commute is generally like every day may also be important to consider, so you want to talk with your agent about everything.

Contact us at Advantage Insurance Network today if you’re in the Cincinnati, OH, area and have questions about full-coverage auto insurance. Whether you’re considering adding or removing coverage on your current vehicle or you’re looking into buying something new, you want to make sure you have the right protection and understand the requirements. Our agents can help you with that so you can just enjoy driving your car.

Your Residential Home Insurance Assessment

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A home insurance assessment is occasionally conducted before an insurance policy is prepared. If your property will be assessed by an insurance representative, familiarize yourself with the preparations and steps that may be followed.

Purpose

An assessment aims to determine a property’s risk and the amount of work that may need to be performed if it eventually needs to be rebuilt. The insurance representative may inspect the home’s exterior and interior.

Preparations

A property owner should prepare their home for the assessment. The property should be clean and accessible. If there are a lot of items crowding hallways or other areas where the assessment will take place, these items should be temporarily moved to an alternate space. 

Exterior Assessment

During the assessment, which takes place outdoors, the insurance representative will inspect the land and home. They will note damage or weak materials that could pose a threat. If the property is located in a low-lying area, the representative may note this fact. 

Interior Assessment

The interior assessment will provide the representative with the condition of the living space. The inspector may assess the walls for signs of mold, determine if any pests are present, and inspect the HVAC system, plumbing materials, and other critical materials installed within a home.

Findings

The insurance representative will provide the property owner with a report of their findings, which will outline any problems that the property owner should address. 

Contact Advantage Insurance Network

Contact one of our agents who serve Cincinnati, OH. An Advantage Insurance Network representative will advise you about the home insurance coverage you need.

Why Restaurants and Bars Have Unique Insurance Needs

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Get Customized Insurance Coverage for Your Restaurant or Bar

Are you running a restaurant or bar in the greater Cincinnati, OH, area? Pay attention to the unique insurance needs that your business demands. It doesn’t matter if you operate on a large or small scale; every day comes with fresh challenges. To tackle these, Advantage Insurance Network’s Restaurant & Bar insurance policies provide optimal protection.

Alcohol Serving Liability

Serving alcohol heightens the risk and responsibility, both on-premises and away. Our insurance policies provide you with ample liability coverage to handle these potential situations.

Coverage for Extended Customer Dwell Time

Customers usually spend extended periods at restaurants and bars compared to other businesses, thus increasing the risk of claim incidents. Our robust insurance packages are designed to overcome such challenges effectively.

Securing Against Slips and Falls

A significant concern while operating restaurants and bars is the frequent occurrence of slips and falls. Factors like spilled drinks, food on the floor, and dim lighting further elevate these risks. Our policies ensure coverage against such incidents.

Robust Theft Protection

The risk of theft, both internal and external, looms large in the restaurant and bar industry. Advantage Insurance Network’s insurance policies assist in making this threat manageable.

Comprehensive Safety Measures

Dealing with a high number of customer interactions daily, the scope for untoward incidents becomes wider. From employees engaging with customers to kitchen staff managing operations, our plans cover these interactions comprehensively.

Contact Advantage Insurance Network Today!

For comprehensive restaurant and bar insurance in Cincinnati, OH, connect with us at Advantage Insurance Network. Our sophisticated services provide you with the confidence and security to manage your business with minimal worry. Additionally, we also offer income protection coverage. Reach out to us today for a tailored quote.

Contractors Insurance Coverage For Large Projects

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Invaluable Insurance Coverage for Contractors

For contractors undertaking sizable projects, comprehensive insurance coverage is indispensable. If you’re a contractor in Cincinnati, OH, seeking a substantial protection plan, connecting with Advantage Insurance Network is smart. Our insurance policies are designed to conform to your specific professional needs.

Securing Against Property Damage

Utilizing heavy machinery is inherent in large projects, bringing forth an array of potential risks, including property damage and personal injury. Being sued can have devastating implications for your business. Therefore, an insurance policy with ample liability coverage is of utmost importance. We have your interests covered on this front, insuring you against such compensatory claims.

Rescue From Theft Of Materials

Material theft is sadly commonplace in the contracting business. Ensuring your investment is safeguarded is vital. Our detailed contractors’ insurance policy envelops various domains — from structural materials to specialized ones related to plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. This safeguards your investment against possible theft, offering you considerable peace of mind.

Guarding Against Unpredictable Weather Phenomena

Inclement weather conditions such as floods, snowstorms, and rainstorms can jeopardize the project’s progress and damage your materials. Our insurance policies offer robust coverage to repair or replace any materials damaged due to unforeseen weather calamities.

Additionally, holding an account of the materials you routinely use is crucial. Feeding this information to your insurance agent can considerably affect your quote, helping to formulate a more precise and beneficial policy.

Contact Our Experienced Team Today!

Having acquainted you with some key coverage aspects beneficial as a contractor, it’s time to act. Reach out to an agent representing Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, OH, today. Our professionals are equipped to guide you through the step-by-step process, ensuring you procure the insurance coverage that best resonates with your needs. Our aim is to help you navigate through potential risks and uncertainties, equipping you with a protective shield that secures your business against unpredicted setbacks.

Why Everyone Needs Health Insurance

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Perhaps your employer doesn’t provide health insurance, or you’re self-employed. Everyone needs health insurance to prevent severe financial losses in case of a health emergency. A comprehensive policy makes maintaining good health and peace of mind easier. The agents at Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, OH will help you choose one that makes sense for your needs.

What Does Health Insurance Cover?

Health insurance typically covers preventative and emergency care that can keep you healthy and save your life. Although each policy may vary, preventive services may include individual and family screenings, check-ups, and immunizations. When treatment is most effective, healthcare providers often detect problems in the early stages. Regular care and attention can lead to better outcomes and lower total healthcare costs. 

Your agent can help you determine services covered under various policies. Deciding factors may include the total cost as well as the number of benefits included. Remember that most policies include office visits, screening tests, hospital stays, medical equipment, and prescriptions. You’ll also want to know if you can choose your preferred providers since many plans have a list of approved doctors you must choose from.

Benefits of Health Insurance

There are many benefits to securing health insurance on your own. It helps pay for prescriptions and medical bills. You can stay out of medical debt with the proper protection in place. Of course, it’s important to know the annual and lifetime limits of your policy before making a final decision. 

The right plan contributes to a healthier life and gives you access to the right healthcare providers when you need them most. To detect and treat a plethora of health ailments, speak to your agent about policies that fit your needs and budget. 

Choose the Right Insurance Agency

You can get coverage even if your employer doesn’t offer a group plan. Finding the right health insurance is important, but you don’t have to do everything yourself. Remember that you are not alone. Talk to the pros at Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, OH for peace of mind about health insurance.