Over the river and through the woods….just to come home to a disaster? Don’t let an home insurance claim be your story this holiday season!
If you are one of the nearly 50 million Americans who pack up and hit the road to spend time with friends and loved ones, make sure you’re protecting yourself—both on the road and at home.
It’s the law to buckle your seat belt every time you get in the car. But what rules should you be following when it comes to protecting your home while you’re away? There are several best practices that our insurance agency recommends to ensure your home and valuables are safe and secure.
Share your travel plans with the right people.
Alerting all of your social networks that you’re traveling for two weeks is a quick and easy way to put your home at risk. Instead of announcing your plans to online connections, we recommend you call your local police station and let them know that your home will be vacant. Many community police departments have patrolling cops who can swing by your home to ensure that there is no suspicious activity or cause for concern while you are away.
Connect the right technology.
Setting your interior and exterior lights on timers is a great way to ward off potential burglars. A dark house in the evening is a tell that no one is inside using the home. Timers can help keep your electric bill reasonable, and with varying timers, you can make it appear that someone is inside. While you’re setting your timers, go ahead and unplug all unnecessary electronics or appliances.
Continue (or pause) the right household maintenance.
Find a neighborhood kid or local service who can come by your home to shovel fresh snow and keep an eye on other clear giveaways, like fallen branches in a driveway. It’s also good to have that person or company check your windows and rooftops to make sure everything looks safe and secure if there is a big snow or storm while you’re away. If you’re asking a neighbor to help out, see if they can collect your mail and deliveries while you’re gone—or call the United States Postal Service to pause mail delivery until you return.
Lock the right doors.
If you’re going to be gone for any period of time, it’s a good idea to lock all the doors to your home—including your garage door–and set a security system if you have one. Be sure that anyone who has keys to your home knows that your alarm system is set.
Have the right home insurance policy in place.
In the unlikely event you do have a situation come up while you’re away from home, be sure you have the right homeowner’s insurance policy in place. The right policy for you will cover your possessions and house value, but it will also set your mind at ease so you can really focus on spending quality time with loved ones.
Contact our Cincinnatus Insurance today if you want to add a layer of security and peace of mind through a comprehensive homeowner’s insurance policy. We’ll find the right insurance plan for you and your family, and we can get a plan in place in just a matter of days. If you’re planning to hit the road, we wish you safe travels and a wonderful holiday season!