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A Brief History of the Motorcycle: From the Early Designs to War Time Bikes

Fri, 06 May 2022 12:04:45 GMT

Is there anything more American—besides apple pie, of course—than traveling cross country on a motorcycle? Because of its vast expanse of land and varying landscapes, America is notorious for its ache for adventure and love of cross-country trips. Since its early versions, the motorcycle became a favorite past time of many and today more than 8,410,255 registered motorcycles are driving U.S highways. We thought we might take a look at how the motorcycle came to be and how it has changed America forever.

Early Versions

Early versions of the steam-cycle built in the United States started emerging in the late 1800s. This particular version was designed by inventor Sylvester Howard Roper. In 1898 Waltham Manufacturing began marketing their own engine bicycle with a French-made Dedion engine. It was around this time that many small motorcycle makers were sprouting up across the country as interest in the item was kindled. It was not long after that youngsters William Harley and Arthur Davidson created their first single-engine motorcycle in a beat up shed in Wisconsin. A few years later, the friends would be hiring employees and producing and selling bikes with their signature 45-degree air-cooled V Twins.

Motorcycles at War

Harley-Davidson motorcycles made their wartime debut chasing Pancho Villa and his rebels down Mexico way. During the Mexican Revolution, an expedition tasked with hunting down Villa—wanted for murder in Columbus, New Mexico—chased him down in the wild Mexican frontier using horses and motorized cycle power.

During the first large-scale conflict, there were over 20,000 motorcycles across the pond helping the troops prove America’s military might for the first time on a large world-scale. These war bikes came outfitted with different kinds of helpful accessories like hospital stretchers, sidecars, shields, and fully automatic guns. It was the Indian motorcycles that dedicated their entire production to the war effort at this time.

Fast forward to the next global conflict. Three nations in a race for fast and convenient vehicles for their respective war efforts. In 1940, the German Army commissioned BMW to build a motorcycle for the purposes of combat. Out of this emerged the R75, which had a machine gun mounted on the sidecar. Joseph Stalin was buying older models of the BMW bicycle while the U.S Military commissioned the one and only Harley-Davidson to design a new war motorcycle, particularly for the North African front that was extremely sandy. Many other models emerged during this time including the British Enfield. Even to today’s most modern conflicts, motorcycles continue to be a useful and practical wartime vehicle. Today’s military bikes are, of course, much more efficient and powerful, given advances in technology.

Bikes Today

Both in the military and civilian world, motorcycles continue to be highly popular throughout the United States. It’s not just biker clubs that purchase them, it’s people of all ages and ilks. Yet, despite the fact that many of these two-wheel steeds ride on our highways, there continue to be many problems. According to Forbes magazine, over 5,000 people were killed on motorcycles in 2017. There are many factors that play into these many deaths and accidents. They include distraction and drug impairment. Still, according to some reports, the failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles driving next to them on the road is a leading cause of collisions.

Protect Yourself and Your Bike

Motorcycles have embedded themselves in the American culture and psyche. They are part of who we are and that’s why millions of Americans drive them every year. The history of these motorcycle companies are true stories of innovation and hard work. That’s why it’s important that if you’re driving a motorcycle you insure it and yourself in order to be protected in the event of an accident.

Call Advantage Insurance for more information. Protect yourself and ride on.

Avoid Catastrophe: Winter Tips for Home Repair and Maintenance

Fri, 06 May 2022 11:58:21 GMT

Chances are that you have some form of home insurance. If you’re still paying on your mortgage then your lender likely requires you to take out a home insurance policy. Yet, while you are protected from damage and necessary repairs, it is advisable that you keep up to date with your regular and annual maintenance to ensure everything at home is working properly and to avoid filing claims for minor repairs or accidents that could be avoided. It’s not a great idea to start filling out a claim for small scrapes and bruises in your home. Your rates might go up if you file too many claims in a short period of time.

As the cold weather moves in, so should certain precautions. As a homeowner, you already know that single-digit temperatures and freezing water can cause quite the stir in your house if not taken care of properly.

Think Pipes

Your pipes are particularly vulnerable when the temperature drops. Consider wrapping your pipers and keep your home at 65 degrees or higher. A burst pipe can cost you up to $5,000 or more in damage and a lot of hassle. While a lot of home insurance policies will cover this, it’s something that in most instances can be avoided.

Insulation

Consider insulating your attic or crawl spaces. This will help with energy conservation by keeping the heat in the main rooms of your home.

Check your Furnace

A quick maintenance check on your furnace will make sure that it’s working properly and nothing is likely to cause a problem.

Clean the Gutters

When gutters get backed up they get clogged and can begin to cause issues. If the water in them becomes frozen it might start to cause leaks. Also, you want to make sure that snow and rain-water are being redirected away from your house.

Check Outside Water Sources

Your garden hose can become frozen when temperatures get below freezing and this can cause them to freeze and burst. For hose bibs, shut off the water supply valve inside your house that connects to it.

Protect Your Home Today

Having a good home insurance policy is priceless. This protection is designed to ensure your investment from accidents or unexpected circumstances. Depending on your policy small repairs that could have been avoided might not be covered or will end up costing you more. Call Advantage Insurance to get the best rates on home protection and take a few minutes this winter to prepare your home and avoid unnecessary problems and hassle.

Out on the Road: A Look at Texas Automobile Statistics

Fri, 06 May 2022 11:52:48 GMT

The great Lone Star State has more than 80,000 miles of highway. This includes about 30,000 miles of U.S and state highways and 40,939 miles of farm-to-market roads and ranch-to-market roads. Texas measures a 268,597 square miles and houses a population of 28 million with 22 million registered vehicles. All of these drivers and highway means that the odds of having some kind of collision or accident on the road can sometimes stack up against you. Having a trustworthy insurance policy is key in protecting yourself and your family on the roads. As your local Progressive Insurance agent, we thought we’d take a look at some interesting facts about Texas roads.

A life can change in a second when you are traveling sixty miles per hour. One distraction, one miscalculation, or unlucky timing next to a reckless driver can completely turn your world around. Purchasing auto insurance is not only Texas law but it can protect you after an unexpected collision that leaves you stranded without a car, a damaged vehicle, or with serious injuries. Car insurance is an agreement between you and the company. Every contract is different but for a monthly payment, the company assures you that you will be protected in the event of an accident. This means that it will help you fix the other person’s vehicle (if you were at fault) your car, replace your car, get a rental if necessary, and receive medical attention and services for any injuries sustained.

Texas on the Roads

In 2017, people in Texas traveled about 274 billion miles on Texas highways. Many of today’s Texas cities include hundreds of people commuting to the cities from rural areas and suburbs for work, school, and other activities. In that same year, there was 14,299 serious injury crashes in the state with 17,546 people sustaining a serious injury.

A trip to the hospital emergency room can be quite costly. An average bill can range up to the thousands of dollars, especially if you don’t have medical insurance. If you visit an emergency room outside of your insurance network, this is a likely scenario. A recent story about a $12,000 emergency room bill for a bee sting, made it all the way to the headline news. This often puts families under a lot of financial and emotional stress.

Texas Crashes

Luckily, in 2017 there was a drop the number of fatalities on the road, but there was still plenty of crashes and collisions. Single vehicle run-off the road crashes resulted in 1,313 deaths in 2017. The same year, 761 people were killed in intersections or related to intersections and 552 in head-on collisions. That year there was 449 people killed in crashes involving distracted driving and more than a thousand deaths were attributed to crashes where a driver was under the influence.

Protect Yourself the Right Way

Nothing is ever certain, particularly in the stretches of Texas roadways where millions of people converge to go where they are going. Getting the best policy is not only the best choice but it ensures that your family is protected in the best way possible as they travel through the millions of miles the great state of Texas has to offer. Give Advantage Insurance a call and get started with the right policy for you!

Home Insurance After Hurricane Harvey & What You Should Know

Fri, 06 May 2022 11:46:25 GMT

In August of 2017, Hurricane Harvey unleashed its wrath on one of Texas’ largest cities. A category 4 storm, Harvey showed no discrimination in its destruction; any home in its path was swept up in the fury: small, big, new, old, just renovated, etc.

The immediate aftermath was focused on rescuing people and pets from the wreckage, but as time went by the long term problems that arose created a different kind of chaos.

Insurance companies saw the flood (no pun intended) of home insurance claims. Many people that had not previously considered the small print in their home insurance policies, were now much more aware of the details.

So how has this changed the industry and the way people think about their insurance? Let’s examine.

The Role of Home Insurance

If you’re a new homeowner, chances are you searched for months, visited dozens of homes, viewed countless listings, and finally came across the perfect home. As a new homeowner, it’s hard not to get carried away with all the new possibilities and excitement of finally walking into a property that is your own.

One of the less discussed aspects of this very exhilarating endeavor is the reality of home insurance. The people of Houston were given a very handy lesson on the importance of such coverage after the storm. The storm resulted in nearly 670,000 in combined personal and commercial property insurance claims. This obviously put a lot of strain on the insurance companies and saw many people scrambling to get what they could out of their policy.

The storm was quite unprecedented in its scope and reach and many people affected by the storm were not part of the floodplain and were thus uninsured and had to depend on local and federal aid.

Things to Keep in Mind When Shopping Around

Hurricane Harvey took everyone by surprise, but there are mechanisms in place to protect homeowners from such disasters. Any mortgage lender will require the purchase of home insurance in order to secure their loan.

There are plenty of things that can go wrong with a home—whether it is an older home or a new one—and protecting that investment is important for you.

There are several aspects when looking for the right home coverage, however. We thought we’d take a look at some of the key things to consider.

Don’t focus solely on the price tag.

We all do it. As soon as we’re shopping around for something we make the price tag our first and most important criteria. You want to make sure that the policy has important coverages and that it is not leaving you exposed to an important risk. This means taking certain factors into consideration including where you live and the risks for certain types of damage.

Understand the exclusions in your policy.

Homeowners’ insurance is designed to protect you from large destruction events, even semi-major disaster events, but it is not exactly a warranty policy. Filing a claim for a broken water heater might not be a good idea and therefore it is important to understand what is covered and not covered in your policy.

Don’t assume certain coverages.

Many people affected by the floods of Hurricane Harvey figured out too late that their home insurance policy did not include flood insurance. Flood insurance might be separate, so make sure to ask questions about certain types of natural disaster coverage.

Be careful not to underinsure your home.

Depending on the value of your home and how much you owe, you want to pay attention to how a policy will affect you in case of total loss.

How Insurance Companies Step in During Catastrophe

Insurance companies are often seen as villains and compassion-less entities that prey on the money of the innocent. The truth is, insurance companies are there to back you up in dark times. During Hurricane Harvey, insurance companies were there to help people who needed to file claims for their damaged homes. Many insurance companies went above and beyond by donating extra to business owners or charities that helped the rescue effort and relief.

The hard lessons of Harvey have been learned. There is not much humankind can do against the mighty power of nature. A natural disaster is not easy on any community, but as it turns out, the people of Texas have a resilience that is—we like to say—unmatched. We have a fighting spirit, as it is told by our state history.

Have the Advantage With the Right Policy

Advantage Insurance policy offers a variety of home insurance policies. Talk to one of our Progressive representatives today and we’ll walk you through your different options and discuss the best one for you.

The Recreational Vehicle: A Brief History and Why Americans Love Them

Fri, 06 May 2022 11:39:51 GMT

You’ve seen it in old time period movies that depict the circus life or the gypsy lifestyle of some of the early Europeans in the mid-1800s. Many of these people were known to live out of their wagons, which carried their sleeping quarters, pots, pans, candles, and every other amenity needed for the nomadic existence in the mid 19th century. We may not often think of it as such, but these were the first versions of life on the road and the first iterations of what we know today as RVs or recreational vehicles.

Since 2011, approximately 10 million households own one of these recreational vehicles. This means that on any given summer, on any given day, there might be millions of Americans traveling cross country in an RV.

The Beginnings of the RV

The early versions of what we think of today as RVs hit the market around the 1930s, but were really around for twenty years prior. In the early 20th century, there was yet to be a highway system; there were few paved roads and few gas stations, but these wagon-like vehicles existed as the American spirit for exploration. Discovery blossomed as a result. These early versions, of course, did not have modern amenities like bathrooms and, as RV historians often point out, that meant the bathroom was typically yonder tree or yonder bush.

Variations of Camping Trailers Emerge

Camping trailers began to be made by Los Angeles Trailer Works and Auto-Kamp Trailers. Another early version of a camper came out of New York City called the Piece Arrow “Touring Landau.” Both of these innovative vehicles were featured in an issue of Popular Mechanics dated 1911. In the 1930s, the recreational vehicles that hit the market were equipped with beds, kitchenettes, and water. As the demand for mobility increased after World War II, the industry for these traveling vehicles flourished tremendously.

The Tin Can Tourists were the first RVing enthusiast club and it was created for those who were interested in the developing innovation of the recreational vehicle. The name for the club came from tin cans that were used to weld the radiators in order to heat their food.

The American Spirit of Exploration

The flourishing of this industry corresponded with America’s growing economy and the beginning of the Interstate Highway System started by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The attempt to connect America via roads, however, began decades before that in 1916, with the Federal Aid Road Act of 1916. Then, there was the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1921, which provided millions of Federal aid for road construction. The implementation of cross-country roads was synonymous with the inherent American desire to travel, explore, and settle in new lands.

The post World War II period brought great economic expansion, a renewed and strengthened sense of national identity, and mobility of people from rural areas to the cities. Yet, it wasn’t just the war that helped spur this movement of recreational vehicles. Americans have always possessed an intrinsic need for the open road, for the final frontier, and for the exploration of new lands with the hope of growth and prosperity. The early settlers committed the ultimate act of exploration when they sailed for the New World in search of religious and economic freedom. From there, the expansion of the colonies and the development Westward showed that Americans were willing to traverse into the unknown for the sake of freedom, adventure, and prosperity.

The RV is a continuation of that instinct. Today, many people head out to explore the United States in their recreational vehicle. A 2018 Washington Post article, outlined that there were up to 1 million Americans living in their RVs. These folks are part of the movement of people who are ditching the traditional home for life on the road!

The Modern RV

Most of us won’t go to that extreme, but contemporary RVs have plenty of amenities and conveniences that make it almost like living in a house on wheels. The modern recreational vehicle contains a long list of creature comforts that make traveling on the road a breeze compared to one hundred years ago. Depending on what kind of RV you have, you may have full beds, bathrooms, baths, and even a full kitchen. Some of the different types of RVs include:

Class A motorhome
Class B motorhome
Class C motorhome
Truck camper
Popup camper
Travel trailer
Teardrop trailer
Hybrid trailer

Insuring Your Recreational Vehicle

RV insurance requirements can vary from state to state. If your RV has been financed and you are still paying it off, full coverage will most likely be required. The law requires motorhomes to have liability insurance while being driven on the road in most states. In order to legally drive your RV on the road, you are required to purchase liability insurance at a minimum. More comprehensive coverage, however, can be a good idea based on the size of the investment for the RV.

Get the Right Coverage With Advantage Insurance Agency

Advantage Insurance in El Paso, Texas is an authorized Progressive Insurance agent that offers comprehensive or liability coverage for recreational vehicles of all types. Whether you have a small-sized camper or a full-sized motorhome, we’ll help you find the right policy for you. Give us a call today.

Tackling the Question of Life Insurance and Why It Might Benefit You

Fri, 06 May 2022 10:44:52 GMT

It’s not an easy topic to approach, not a sexy thought to consider, and not a pleasant eventuality to visualize, but despite our best efforts, we don’t live forever. A big part of sound financial planning is making tough decisions now for the sake of a better tomorrow. Life insurance is all about considering our loved ones in a tomorrow where we might not be present. So we thought we’d take a moment to consider some of the common questions people often wonder about when considering life insurance.

Who Assumes My Debt When I Pass Away?

If you own a business, have a mortgage, own a home, or have other personal liabilities, someone else will inherit those liabilities and generally it is the next of kin.

What Happens to My Children if I Pass Away?

This is not a great thought to entertain, but it does happen. We cannot predict the future and there are a lot of cases of parents passing away and leaving their children without any financial security or backbone. The ramifications of this go far beyond simple financial ones; they wreak havoc on a child’s stability, future, and security. The immediate aftermath can also affect people in a large way. Funeral proceedings are expensive and can send a family into financial ruin real quick if adequate preparations are not made.

As a Business Owner, How Is Life Insurance Important to Me?

If you run and own your own business, life insurance is relevant in a whole other way. Without a plan of succession, your business could simply be dissolved and you will effectively be throwing away years of work and dedication. Looking at life insurance options can provide you a way to ensure that you secure those assets and that your business goes to someone you love and trust.

How Does My Age Affect the Policy I Get?

Your age is an important determining factor in the plan and premium that you can get for life insurance. Depending on your age you can obtain terms of 10, 15, 20, 30 years and the premium is guaranteed not to increase for the life of the term period.

What is a Good Amount of Life Insurance?

Well, this depends on a variety of factors. Everyone’s situation is different and the first thing is to talk to trusted insurance or financial advisor that can help you sort through these important variables. A lot of times, it depends on your age, sex, and your current economic situation. You also need to consider the complexity of your current financial standing. In other words: How much debt do you have? What kind of debt? How many children? What is the status of your health?

Why Do People Get Life Insurance?

In the end, the impetus to buy life insurance is a little different for everybody, but the main reasons have to do with the fact that people like to have peace of mind when it comes to their family. Leaving your family in an unstable situation is a big weight to carry and most people want to protect their hard-earned investments, dollars, and the family they love so much.

So How Do I Get Started?

It’s not an easy decision to buy life insurance. There are a lot of things to consider and think about, but a trusted insurance expert can guide you through the different options and advise you as to which policy might fit your current situation and goals a little better.

For more information, connect with Advantage Insurance today.

Getting Business Insurance: Why It Matters and Some Helpful Tips

Fri, 06 May 2022 10:33:24 GMT

Starting a business comes with ups and downs, some turmoil, and at times uncertainty. Small business owners are not exempt from risk, as maintaining one’s own business is in and of itself a risky affair. This is precisely why small business owners understand that protecting their assets and factoring in the possibility of risk is essential. The Texas economy is robust and a large part of it is composed of small businesses.

We have some tips to keep your small business protected from the inevitable risks associated with running a business.

Why Business Insurance Matters

Having some type of business insurance is necessary for any business. Based on your industry, there are different degrees of inherent risk. For example, a bookstore faces different risk factors than that of a paintball course.

Every type of business, however, will be subject to general risks including:

Natural disaster
Theft
Death of a business partner
False advertisement
Copyright infringement
Malpractice or negligence
Data breach

General Liabilities

Additionally, if you have employees, you may be required to carry some form of workers’ compensation or employee liability insurance. In Texas, businesses are generally required to have ‘general liability insurance’ and business property insurance.

Business owners should consider getting insurance if:

The business has a physical location in Texas, whether that be a storefront, office, etc.
Your business can be sued by a customer who suffers an injury on your premises.
You have assets that can be stolen, damaged, or broken. This includes tangible goods and digital services. So whether you’re a furniture store or do website design, it’s a good idea to have insurance.

Tips for Deciding What Type of Business Insurance You Need

Exploring your options for coverage and the different policies available can be overwhelming. We understand! That’s why we’ve mapped out the most important tips:

Seek the guidance of an insurance agent. Your agent will walk you through the different options available and recommend ones based on the needs of your business.
Explore different coverages. There are various options of coverage available, all of which aim to protect different industries. For example, your business may require property coverage, automobile coverage, or general liability insurance. By exploring different types of coverage, you’ll have a better sense of what you need in a policy.
Homeowners’ insurance isn’t business coverage. Many people who run a business from their home will make the assumption that their homeowners' insurance will protect business assets, but this is not necessarily the case. It’s important to understand what your insurance actually covers if you run your business out of your home.

Speak With a Business Insurance Expert in El Paso Today

At Advantage Insurance Agency, our agents can help you sort through all the necessary information pertaining to different small business insurance. Regardless of the kind of business you own and what your needs are, we’re here to help. Call us today to begin protecting the business you work hard to keep alive!

Blog Tips For Getting Your Teenager Ready for the Road

Fri, 06 May 2022 10:25:48 GMT

They grow up so fast! It was just yesterday you remember dropping them off on their first day of elementary school and wondering if they will be ok without you. Today, you are looking to buy them their first car as they constantly request to go off to do things on their own. Every parent goes through this stage in life; lucky for us, we are not parenting experts, we only know insurance. When it comes to protecting your teenage driver, we can help. Because chances are you are wondering how on earth you can purchase a quality insurance plan for your teenage driver without breaking the bank.

Teen Drivers in Texas

In the state of Texas, a teen driver can apply for a learner's license. A parent must accompany the teen to the DMV, bring in some documentation—including the teen’s birth certificate, U.S. passport, show proof of a social security number, name and age. At this point, the teen will take the written test, sign a recognition and vision test, then enroll in driver education.

Once they turn 16, they can apply for a provisional license if they have had the learner license for at least six months and completed 30 hours of practice driving. At this time they will take the actual driving test and can receive the provisional license. This means they can drive alone but with some restrictions. Then, the full license can be obtained at 18.

Tips For Getting Your Teen Ready for the Road

There are several small steps you can take to look for the best deals for your teen. A couple of them include:

Add them to your policy. Progressive, for example, has a multi-car discount that can help offset the costs of insuring a young teen or a younger driver.
Mind the type of vehicle. The type of vehicle a teen drives will make a difference. A larger vehicle like a Suburban will cost less to insure than a sports car.
Pay for minor damage yourself. If your teen accidentally scratches the car with the mailbox or runs into the other car in your driveway, and the damage is minor, consider fixing it yourself.

Be Involved With Your Teen’s Driving Venture

One of the best ways you can ensure that your teen is safe out there on the road is by getting involved in their driving lessons. During the months when they are transitioning from their permit to their provisional licence is a great time to inculcate safe driving habits, defensive driving, and helping them become familiar and comfortable with the vehicle they will be driving. Spend time explaining why certain precautions are important and correct them until they feel safe. Start them out slowly, of course, by driving in less trafficked streets and help them with parking in vacant lots.

Little by little, you can move them up to driving in more traffic. When a teenager approaches the road with confidence and is sure of his or her abilities, they are more likely to be safe and will apply what they learned in class.

Get Reliable Insurance for Your Teen Driver

Here at Advantage Insurance, we can help you find the right policy that will cover your young teen driver. If you have a teen that is getting ready to drive on their own any day now, give us a call today!