advantage insurance network

Is Home Insurance Required By Law?

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If you’re buying your Cincinnati, OH home through a mortgage, you’ll find that insurance is required by the lender. Until it’s paid off, it’s their house, too, so they want to protect their investment.

But suppose you’ve simply been gifted a house, or you inherited it, or you had a nice windfall and you bought it in a single payment. Do you have to get insurance on it?

Legally speaking, no. But it’s not a very good idea to go without protection.

As a homeowner, you will find that there is quite a bit that can go wrong. From storms and fires to random accidents, vandalism, and burglary, your home is the foundation of your whole life, and it is simply a terrible idea not to protect it. So while you are not legally required to carry insurance, you’ll have a hard time finding a homeowner who recommends going without it.

The biggest concern would be a liability. If someone slips on your walkway or your dog bite them, the damages could easily exceed six, seven figures. You might be willing to replace a stolen TV out of pocket, but most of us don’t have a few hundred grand just lying around in case someone is injured on our property.

Fortunately, home insurance in Cincinnati, OH isn’t as expensive as you might think. If you want to get a good deal on a great policy, or if you have any questions you’d like answered, get in touch with Advantage Insurance Network and see what they can do for you.

There’s a lot that can go wrong for a homeowner, so it’s good to know that Advantage Insurance Network has your back.

Is it time for your family to consider fleet auto insurance coverage?

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Many families in the Cincinnati, OH area count on Advantage Insurance Network for all of their insurance needs. We are here to help you find the coverage that makes sense for your family. If you are looking for options for auto insurance, we can help. Fleet insurance is often a good choice for families with multiple drivers and vehicles, and we can tell you everything you need to know. 

Benefits of a fleet policy

Rather than carry individual policies for all members of your family, fleet coverage will cover everyone under the same policy. There are a number of different situations where fleet insurance is a more suitable choice than individual policy coverage. Our team of knowledgeable agents can answer all of your questions and help you decide on the most appropriate policy type and coverage level for your family.

With a fleet policy, all of your vehicles are protected You can rest easy knowing that you have a policy in place that will give your family drivers the protection they need. This type of policy can provide the collision and liability coverage you need, but with a single policy. With fewer insurance policies to keep track of, you can spend your time and energy focusing on your family! Now is a good time to review your family’s auto insurance coverage and see if a fleet policy makes sense for you.

Contact us today and find out more!

If you are a resident of the greater Cincinnati, OH area and want to understand all of the options available for your auto insurance, call or stop by today. The team at Advantage Insurance Network is here to answer your questions and help you find the coverage that is appropriate for your family’s needs.

How much liability coverage do I need in restaurant & bar insurance?

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How much liability coverage do I need in restaurant & bar insurance?

Bars and restaurants in Cincinnati, OH are always bustling with workers and clients. It’s almost impossible to prevent, anticipate, or prepare for all possible things that could go wrong. However, you will be glad when your insurance company comes in and say, “We got this.” That’s why Advantage Insurance Network recommends having enough liability to protect your business from nasty lawsuits and claims. Here is a breakdown of how liability can help.

General liability

Any business that involves customers walking in is at high risk of lawsuits and claims that could result from bodily injury, accidental falls, and property damage. General liability insurance can help you avoid these costs. This coverage also shields you from expenses and deadly lawsuits that could result from the landlord if there was property damage resulting from a fire.

Liquor liability

If you sold liquor to someone and the intoxication led to bodily harm or damage to other people’s property, general liability insurance may not help cover the costs. For that reason, you might want to buy liquor liability in case of such a scenario. People are prone to destruction when they’re intoxicated, something that you may not always control. The good part is you can protect yourself.

Employment practices liability

If employees are not treated well, they might sue your bar or restaurant for harassment and discrimination at their workplace. Such lawsuits are not covered under the general liability, but you can protect your business and buy employment practices liability.

Umbrella insurance policy

If you feel you need more liability coverage in your business in Cincinnati, OH, umbrella or extra liability insurance can be a great addition. It provides excess limits over those you already have on general and commercial auto policies.

Please feel free to drop by Advantage Insurance Network or book an appointment with us for all your insurance needs, quotes, and policy discussions.

Do I need contractors insurance in Ohio?

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Those that live in the Cincinnati, OH area will have a variety of different insurance needs. For those that are contractors, there are also a variety of insurance policies that should be obtained. There are several reasons why a contractor here should get a contractor’s insurance policy. 

Protection for Liability Claims

Similar to any type of business, a contractor is going to take on some liability risk. This could include if you make a mistake during a job that causes damage or if someone is hurt due to negligence. In any event, a liability claim could be very bad for your business. If you get a contractor’s insurance policy, it will provide the protection needed to mitigate this risk.

Improvement to Business Reputation

You will also want to have a contractor’s insurance plan because it can improve the overall reputation of your business. As you continue to grow and take on larger jobs, more of your customers will want to know that you are properly insured. Ultimately, a contractor’s insurance policy provides a lot of coverage to the customer as well. If you want to be able to win business, you will need to provide evidence of your contractor’s insurance coverage at all times. 

For contractors that are in the Cincinnati, OH area, getting contractors insurance coverage is a good investment. Many contractors here may find that picking a policy is confusing. If you are having challenges picking a new plan, you should call Advantage Insurance Network. The team with Advantage Insurance Network understands the insurance needs of contractors. They will be able to explain all of the benefits and options to you and ensure that you pick the right plan for your situation. 

How Does Condo Insurance Work?

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Condo insurance is a lot different from home insurance or renters’ insurance, but it does share a few coverages with those types of insurance. Condo coverage is unique among insurance types, and it’s a must to have it if you own a condo. If you need coverage for your condo, contact us at Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, OH to find out more about this insurance type and to get your policy.

Your Dwelling

When you have a condo, there are certain parts of it that you own and certain parts you don’t. Generally, you are responsible for everything inside your unit. Depending on the contract, this may include the space inside and the inside walls. In others, it may include what’s inside the walls, i.e., plumbing and electricity lines. It does not, however, generally include any portion of the outside of the dwelling. An exception is a portion of the outside area that has been improved by you. When this happens, you must insure that area. Whatever portions of the property you are responsible for the need to be covered by your condo insurance. 

Your Belongings

Most of what you own is likely inside your condo. That’s why the portion that covers your possessions is so important. If an accident or catastrophe were to damage or destroy your belongings, your condo insurance will pay to fix or replace them. To document what you own for your insurance policy, film yourself walking around the condo so that everything inside it is included in the video. You can also take pictures of the rooms with special attention paid to expensive items within them. 

Get Your Condo Insured

Don’t go even a day without condo insurance. Call us at Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, OH to talk to an agent about your condo and what needs to be covered. 

Reasons to Buy Supplementary Health Insurance

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You may work for an employer that already provided health insurance before the affordable health care passed or you may have only received health insurance from your employer after its passage. Either way, your employer may not provide the level of insurance you really need. Advantage Insurance Network serving Cincinnati, OH wants you to understand your options.

If the health insurance from your employer does not cover everything, you can purchase a supplementary health plan that ensures you always have the needed level of coverage. Many people do not realize that you can have more than one insurance policy for health and other needs. Also, since one size does not fit all, you can customize your policies to suit your needs. 

The term supplemental health insurance policy refers to health insurance that provides added or additional coverage to pay for out-of-pocket expenses and medical care not covered by the main policy.

These supplemental policies vary greatly since some pay for deductibles while others cover copayments. Some plans work as coinsurance while others cover services not provided for by the main plan such as dental or vision coverage. Health supplemental plans also exist that cover lost wages, medications, transportation to and from medical care appointments. The most widely known example of these is Medicare and its four parts of coverage. Part A covers hospitalization costs, while Part B covers doctor’s visits, examinations, and testing such as X-rays. This also gets called Medigap insurance to refer to Parts A, B, C, and D as a whole.

Other types of medical policies include critical illness insurance that pays for treatments for diseases such as cancer. A type of named peril insurance, it only kicks in if you contract one of the diseases named in the policy. Other kinds of supplemental health insurance are accident health insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance (AD&D). AD&D pays the family of the policyholder if they die in an accident. It pays a lump sum if the individual loses a limb, a sense such as sight, or becomes paralyzed. Accident health covers the medical costs that the main health insurance policy does not.

Many other types of supplementary health insurance exist. Contact Advantage Insurance Network serving Cincinnati, OH for more information and to find the supplementary insurance you need. 

Required Commercial Insurance in Ohio

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Ohio Insurance

The laws of your state have a big impact on the insurance policies that you buy. Each state has its own requirements for insurance, and that includes commercial insurance. If you need commercial insurance in Ohio, call us at Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, OH. 

Required Commercial Insurance

When you have a small business in Ohio, it is required for you to take out workers’ compensation insurance. This kind of commercial insurance will pay for the medical expenses of employees if they should become sick or injured while on your business’ premises. This required insurance is for the workers, but it benefits you as well as a business owner. In our litigious society, you can expect lawsuits if someone gets sick or injured at work. This insurance is ready with the medical expenses so that lawsuits are less likely. 

Auto Insurance

Every vehicle in Ohio needs to be insured, but a personal insurance policy won’t cut it for your business-owned vehicles. Those vehicles are required to have commercial auto insurance on them. There are mandated minimums for these policies for the amount of bodily injury liability for each person, and another minimum for all of the bodily injuries for each accident, and an amount for all of the property damage done for each accident. There is also a type of auto insurance called hired and non-owned. This isn’t required for personal vehicles used for business purposes, but it is generally best to get it for those vehicles. Personal auto insurance often won’t pay out if the vehicle wasn’t be used for personal business.

 Get Insured

If your business needs commercial insurance, call us today at Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, OH. 

Why do I need condo insurance in Ohio?

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The Cincinnati, OH area can be a great place for someone to work and live. In this area, there are a lot of job opportunities, access to professional sports, and other forms of entertainment, and many different recreational options. If you are going to live here, you should consider purchasing a condo. When you own a condo, you will enjoy the benefits that come with purchasing a home while also not having the same maintenance benefits. If you are going to purchase a condo here, you need to get condo insurance for a few different reasons.

Insurance Protects Assets

The main reason that you need to get a condo insurance policy here is that it will protect your asset. A condo is a major purchase that could be the biggest investment you ever make. Due to this, you should ensure that your investment is properly covered and protected. A full condo insurance policy will help to protect your condo as well as your personal belongings. 

Insurance is a Requirement

You will also want to get a condo insurance policy because it will likely be a requirement for you. If you have a mortgage against the condo, the lender will have specific insurance requirements that need to be met. Further, most condo owners will also be part of a larger association that will include insurance requirements that need to be met. 

When you want to get a new condo insurance policy in Cincinnati, OH, you should speak with the team at Advantage Insurance Network. There are a lot of choices that need to be made when you are looking for a new insurance policy. The team at Advantage Insurance Network can help you better understand all of your needs and options, which will help you pick a quality policy. 

What is Dwelling Fire Insurance

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One of the highlights of a dwelling fire insurance policy is coverage for fire, both inside and outside the property. In most cases, the policy covers fire and a few other emergency disasters – not flood or significant hurricane, damage, but this does vary a bit from region to region. Also, fire damage may not be covered for certain purposes (electric wiring, for example), and other limitations may apply as well. If possible, dwelling fire insurance helps cover losses caused by damaged, collapsed, or destroyed property, and in most cases, the policy limits for fire, smoke, and water damage in Cincinnati, OH are determined on the premises of the property. 

In the event the policyholder is unable to cover any losses, the policyholder is required to file a claim with their insurer. Regardless of the property’s value, the policyholder’s uninsured loss coverage limit applies. If the policyholder’s uninsured loss coverage is not depleted during the insured loss period, all losses are covered under the policyholder’s own deductible. 

Does a dwelling fire insurance policy cover every cause of the insured loss? Contrary to what you might think, dwelling fire policies are not designed to protect against all of the issues related to loss in the home caused by fire. Claims must be investigated and filed in order to protect policyholders. These policies are loosely based on the premise that you are entitled to an adequate level of damages without having to exhaust the other coverage available to you. This is in line with a standard home insurance policy, however, it is a nuanced variation that expands on many of the other coverage options available in standard policies.

Dwelling fire insurance is usually not able to provide protection against losses caused by earthquakes and some other natural calamities, but they do typically provide some protection from hurricane and wind damage. To be sure about what is covered and what is not specific exclusions, and the like, you should check with your local Advantage Insurance Network agent serving Cincinnati, OH to help you decide on the policy that is best for you.

Why should I get a flood insurance policy?

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Those that live in the Cincinnati, OH area should consider purchasing their home. While owning a property here can come with a lot of advantages and potential, homeownership comes with risks as well. A great way that you can continue to mitigate these risks is with a proper insurance plan. One part of this should be to get flood insurance. There are several reasons why you should get this coverage if you own a property in this area of Ohio.

Access to Water Could Put in Higher Risk Zone

One reason that you should get flood insurance here is that you could be in a higher risk zone. In this area of Ohio, there are several rivers, lakes, and other waterways that do have the potential to flood. If you do not have the right coverage in your home policy, you will need to cover the damages yourself. With flood insurance, you can be assured you will be covered for flood damages.

Insurance is a Lender Requirement

For some that are in this area of Ohio, having flood insurance is also a lender requirement. Lenders know how flood damage could jeopardize their collateral. Due to this, they will want to make sure you have insurance to mitigate this risk at all times. If you are in a high-risk zone, you may be required to get flood insurance. 

In the Cincinnati, OH area there will continue to be a need for flood insurance. If you are concerned about the effects a flood could have on your home, you should call Advantage Insurance Network. The team at the Advantage Insurance Network has helped people all over the area better assess their flood risk. They can then help you get into a policy that will give you the right protection and peace of mind.