advantage insurance network

Will Motorcycle Insurance Cover My Lost Wages If I’m Unable to Work After a Motorcycle Accident?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Motorcycle accidents can be catastrophic. Even a small bump from a car can cause a motorcyclist to lose control of their bike and fall off. This can cause a lot of bodily damage. As such, you may be unable to work for weeks or months if you were injured in a motorcycle accident. Advantage Insurance Network, serving the greater Cincinnati, OH area, is often asked if motorcycle insurance will cover lost wages if you are unable to work because of a motorcycle accident. Here is the answer to this question.

If you are unable to work because you were involved in a motorcycle accident, your motorcycle accident coverage will typically cover your lost wages as long as a doctor states that you are unable to work for this period of time. Additionally, the lost wages fall under bodily injury. This means that you have to have enough coverage under your policy for these wages to be covered if you are at fault. For example, if your policy only covers $50,000 in bodily injury and your hospital bills amount to this amount, there will be nothing left over for your lost wages. If you were not at fault for the accident, the other driver’s insurance should kick in and help you, up to their maximum. You may also be able to sue them if you go over what their insurance covers.

As a general rule of thumb, lost wages are covered if a doctor states you are unable to work after a motorcycle accident. However, there needs to be enough coverage to cover this expense. Advantage Insurance Network, serving the greater Cincinnati, OH area can ensure you have enough coverage for catastrophic events. Call us today and let us put together the right motorcycle insurance policy for you.

Getting Your Boat Ready for Summer

Posted on by AgentInsure

Summer is here. It’s a time to enjoy the nice weather, especially if you have a boat. However, if you’ve put your boat away for the winter, you need to prep it for the boating season. 

1. Change the Oil

If you didn’t change the oil at the end of last fall, do so now. Acids and other byproducts build up in the oil, and these substances can cause corrosion and excessive wear. Ultimately, you’re putting your boat at risk of losing power and having poor fuel economy. It’s also possible for it to cause engine failure. Take the time to change your oil filter at this time as well.

2. Change the Antifreeze

Flush your cooling system. Change the antifreeze in the system. This fluid should consist of 50 percent water and 50 percent coolant. 

3. Inspect the Hull

Check the hull of your boat for chips, cracks and blisters. Examine the hull for a chalky residue. Fix any damage done to the hull, and if you have a chalky residue on it, it’s usually an indication of oxidation. Make sure you remove all of the chalky residue to restore the boat’s gelcoat to its original state. 

4. Test the Engine

Make sure you conduct a thorough test of your engine. By checking the engine, you can make any necessary repairs to avoid breaking down when you’re in the middle of the water. 

5. Inspect the Vinyl and Canvas 

Check the bimini top, covers, seats and other canvas and vinyl areas for dirt, mildew and tears. Clean the material and repair any holes or tears. 

6. Get Boater’s Insurance

If you don’t have boat insurance already or have it on a seasonal hold, make sure you have insurance before you take it out on the water. 

Contact Advantage Insurance Network, serving Cincinnati, OH and the surrounding area, today at 513-922-9460 to get boat insurance you can count on. 

Popular Commercial Insurance Policy Additions

Posted on by AgentInsure

Whether you work from home or you have a separate office space, protecting your business also protects your livelihood. To do this, you need to invest in commercial insurance. Now, commercial insurance is not a one size fits all kind of situation. There are different policy additions to consider in order to make sure your company has the right protection. At Advantage Insurance Network, we are here to make sure your Cincinnati, OH business is protected in any possible situation. 

Liability Insurance

There are multiple kinds of liability insurance options available for you and your business. This includes both General Liability Insurance and Professional Liability Insurance. Each provides slightly different forms of coverage, so you need to consider the two in order to select the option best for you. An experienced commercial insurance agent can help with this. Product liability insurance is another form of coverage to consider if you offer products to the general public.

Property Insurance

You don’t need to own your own building in order to need property insurance. This covers lost stock, signage, equipment and other materials your business uses in the event of theft or a storm. 

Vehicle Insurance

Even if you run a home business and use your own vehicle for deliveries or other business practices, you’ll need commercial insurance on the vehicle. Your auto insurance provider likely will not cover the time you are driving your vehicle for work.

It doesn’t matter what kind of business you have, the size of your company or the products you deliver, proper protection is important. At Advantage Insurance Network, we want to do whatever we can to assist with offering advice and assistance in insuring your Cincinnati, OH company. So whether you have questions or are ready to protect your business, we are here to help. 

Do You Really Need a Home Inventory?

Posted on by AgentInsure

A home inventory can be extremely useful when it comes to making an insurance claim. Having complete documentation of all your valuables makes it easier to make an accurate claim if your property sustains damage or loss due to an event covered by your insurance policy. Making a home inventory enables you to keep better track of your goods and their value. Here are a few reasons why this information is to your advantage.

Ensures Proper Insurance Coverage

Through a home inventory, you gain a better perspective of the value of your personal goods. This makes it easier to select the insurance coverage to protect your interests. After reviewing your home inventory, your Advantage Insurance Network agent in Cincinnati, OH can provide you with insurance options suitable for your situation. Having adequate insurance coverage ensures your goods are well protected against any eventuality.

Facilitates Insurance Claims

A written or digital home inventory provides documented proof of ownership of personal goods covered under your insurance policy. If your goods suffer damage or loss, you can refer to your home inventory to make a claim. Your inventory should include a list of personal effects, date of purchase, receipts (if any), a detailed description of each item and photos of costly goods such as antiques, heirlooms, jewelry, etc. Having this information on hand can help you avoid delays in making a claim. It also serves to verify the value of the item you lost so you can receive its replacement cost under your insurance coverage.

A home inventory is a valuable tool that homeowners can use to their advantage. With a home inventory, there’s less chance of forgetting to claim valuable items lost or damaged in a flood, fire, or other catastrophes. For greater insight into making and maintaining a home inventory, contact Advantage Insurance Network, Cincinnati, OH.

 

Your First Auto Insurance Policy: Here’s what You Need to Know

Posted on by AgentInsure

All states have their own auto insurance laws, including Ohio. If you own a car in Cincinnati, OH, here are some basic things you can expect when purchasing your first auto insurance policy. Many of these topics can be further explained by a reputable insurance agent, however, here are some of the basics to help you gain a better grasp.  

1. Liability Insurance: There are two areas that fall under liability insurance. These are bodily injury coverage and property damage coverage. This only covers other drivers/passengers or vehicles if you are liable. If the other driver is liable, their insurance covers any property or bodily injury you may incur.  

2.  Collision and Comprehensive Coverage: These are considered optional coverage unless you have a loan on your vehicle. If you are financing your car through a bank, then this coverage becomes mandatory. Collision insurance covers damages to your vehicle if there is an accident. Comprehensive insurance covers those less common damages to your vehicle, such as theft or vandalism.  

3.  Uninsured Motorist Coverage: If you are in an accident with an uninsured motorist, this coverage will take care of damages.  

4.  Personal Injury Protection: This insurance pays your medical bills regardless of fault.  

To learn more about these and other insurance coverage options for your first-time auto insurance policy, contact the Advantage Insurance Network. We serve drivers in the Cincinnati, OH area and can be contacted at 513-922-9460. Speak with one of our expert and friendly insurance agents to find the right auto insurance policy for your particular driving situation. At Advantage Insurance Network will answer all your questions, look at different options, and help you compare quotes. 

 

 

Possible Exclusions on a Home Insurance Policy in the State of Ohio

Posted on by AgentInsure

While no one wants something to happen to their home, we all know that things occur. That’s why many homeowners get an insurance policy to cover that risk. Home repairs can get expensive, and the damage can result in higher costs than you might be able to afford. However, a home insurance policy won’t cover everything, so you need to be aware of any possible exclusions.

Possible Coverage Limitations

Home insurance is broken down into four different parts:

•    Dwelling
•    Other Structures
•    Personal Property
•    Loss of Use

While they will cover most of the possible occurrences, there may be some limitations on the following items:

•    Computers, laptops, and other business equipment.
•    Antique furniture and art.
•    Theft of jewelry, watches, precious stones, and furs.
•    Theft of fine silverware and china.
•    Theft of guns.
•    Theft of sports cards and other collectible items.
•    Theft of hand tools.

There may be other items for which there may be coverage limitations, so be sure to reach out to the Advantage Insurance Network in Cincinnati, OH. We have agents who will gladly help you, so feel free to contact our office today!

What May Not be Covered

While there are several items that may have limitations in coverage, there are some things that won’t be covered under a home insurance policy. Some of these may include:

•    Earthquakes
•    Landslides
•    Vandalism
•    Damage caused by neglect
•    Damage caused by normal wear and tear

If you want to know more about what a home insurance policy won’t cover, the Advantage Insurance Network has a team of agents that can answer any questions you may have. If you live in Cincinnati, OH, be sure to get in touch with us today!

Teen Drivers, Learners’ Permits, Licensing and Insurance

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Before your teen gets a driver’s license in Cincinnati, OH, you should be aware of how this life change will affect your insurance rate. Advantage Insurance Network can help you get insurance if you are in need of it for yourself or for your teen.

Temporary Permit

Teens in Ohio are able to get a temporary permit, or a learner’s permit, at the age of 15 1/2. This allows teen drivers to learn to drive while under the direct supervision of a parent or other trusted adult. Teens will need to pass a written driver’s licensing test and a vision screening. Drivers can go to deputy registrar licensing agencies to complete the final steps of getting a drivers license. Teens must provide proof of legal name, birth date, Social Security number, citizenship, and Ohio residency. Additionally, parents have to be present with legal ID to co-sign for the temporary permit. When a teen gets a temporary permit, it is the responsibility of the parent, guardian, or owner of the vehicle that the teen is operating to have insurance coverage.  Teens do not have to have their own coverage until they have a regular driver’s license.

Probationary Driver’s License

Before teens can receive a probationary license, they must take a driver’s instruction course and log 50 hours of driving practice under the supervision of an adult. Ten of those hours must be night driving.  They must also hold a temporary permit for at least six months and be at least 16 years old. Teens must also take the road test, demonstrating their abilities behind the wheel of a car. After passing the test, teens will still have to follow certain restrictions until they are 18 years old. 

Once a teen is granted a probationary driver’s license, he must then be added to the parent’s insurance as a driver or get his own insurance policy. Generally, insurance rates will go up with a younger driver on the policy. 

If you have a teen driver in Cincinnati, OH, the helpful people at Advantage Insurance Network can help you figure out the best way to insure your teen driver.

How Often do Home Insurance Needs Change?

Posted on by AgentInsure

In many cases, the needs of each homeowner as they apply to home insurance are going to stay relatively the same through the course of your living in your home. There are some events however and some instances in which you might need to adjust or change your coverage to help better cover your home. If you are thinking of changing coverage and you live in the Cincinnati, OH area, the agents with Advantage Insurance Network can help.

In most cases, your insurance needs are going to stay the same from year to year unless you do some improvements to your home or unless your specific geographic location dictates a change of some sort. What we mean by geographic area is that if you live in an area where twenty inches of snow is the average before the 30th of December each year, you may want more coverage in the winter and less in the summer to save money.

Similarly, if you do a great deal of home improvement to your home like adding an all new addition or upgrading your home, you are going to need more coverage to build back your house if it is damaged or destroyed. In these cases, you might need to adjust your home insurance coverage so that you have more or less dependent on the situation. If you are unsure if you need to change your coverage, it is always helpful to talk with an agent about insurance policies and what might work for you.

If you live in the Cincinnati, OH area, the agents with Advantage Insurance Network can help you find the policy that is going to work best for you and for your home so that you are covered no matter the situation.  

How Often do Home Insurance Needs Change?

Posted on by AgentInsure

In many cases, the needs of each homeowner as they apply to home insurance are going to stay relatively the same through the course of your living in your home. There are some events however and some instances in which you might need to adjust or change your coverage to help better cover your home. If you are thinking of changing coverage and you live in the Cincinnati, OH area, the agents with Advantage Insurance Network can help.

In most cases, your insurance needs are going to stay the same from year to year unless you do some improvements to your home or unless your specific geographic location dictates a change of some sort. What we mean by geographic area is that if you live in an area where twenty inches of snow is the average before the 30th of December each year, you may want more coverage in the winter and less in the summer to save money.

Similarly, if you do a great deal of home improvement to your home like adding an all new addition or upgrading your home, you are going to need more coverage to build back your house if it is damaged or destroyed. In these cases, you might need to adjust your home insurance coverage so that you have more or less dependent on the situation. If you are unsure if you need to change your coverage, it is always helpful to talk with an agent about insurance policies and what might work for you.

If you live in the Cincinnati, OH area, the agents with Advantage Insurance Network can help you find the policy that is going to work best for you and for your home so that you are covered no matter the situation.  

College Bound Auto Insurance Coverage

Posted on by AgentInsure

So what happens when a young person is college-bound in Cincinnati, OH? Well, of course there is the excitement, the amazement of a new place and people, and a little bit of anxiety about going to a new school. But when the fuss settles down a bit, one of the pressures tends to be cost. So the natural reactions tends to be trying to save where possible and getting ready to live on a tight budget or limited means. And that can lead a family or young person to veer towards budget auto insurance as well. However, minimum coverage is not always a good idea when going to college, according to Advantage Insurance Network. Here’s a few reasons why.

First, colleges and universities are full of young people doing dumb things. It’s part of growing up. And that means there can be some knuckleheads who like to play pranks or do worse, like break in cars to steal things. So car intentional car damage happens. Second, students tend to be less-than-stellar drivers which means college areas tend to be more accident prone as well. Third, parking is most likely going to be outside versus a garage, whether living a dormitory or at an apartment. That means exposure raises the risk of things happening to a car parked on the street or in a big parking lot. And, finally, college students love to go on trips with each other for all sorts of reasons, and that means driving in unfamiliar places which also contributes to accidents or problems.

Given all the above, Cincinnati, OH college-bound students are going to be better served with a comprehensive auto policy where possible. To get more details on how to make it happen with different budgets, the folks at Advantage Insurance Network can help. Give them an email or call to find out more.