Before heading out on vacation, consider this to be your ultimate home checklist. Thanks to Global News for the information which is summarized here:
- Contact your home insurance provider: Most insurance policies now have clauses that will void coverage if your property is unoccupied for any length of time. Since not all insuring companies are the same, check with your broker to make sure you are covered. Most policies will state that you must be “proactive” with respect to protecting your property.
- Have a responsible person check your home at least twice a week: Again, check your policy to see what exactly the requirement is.
- Don’t make your home look vacant: Hold newspaper delivery, have your home check representative bring in the mail and discard flyers, set indoor lights on times, change light bulbs so they don’t burn out while you are away and consider outside motion detectors.
- Adjust your thermostat: Set the temperature to save some money based on the season.
- Unplug all non essential appliances: This will protect your appliances from power surges and provide energy savings.
- Leave a car in the driveway: If you normally have a car in the driveway, arrange to have one in the driveway. If you can’t use one of yours, have a neighbour or family member park in your driveway while your’re gone.
- Snow clearing and lawn maintenance: Nothing looks more inviting than snow piled on the walkway and driveway when all the neighbours have cleared their’s. Likewise during summer months, make sure you have someone cut the lawn regularly
- Place valuables in a safety deposit box: Jewelry and important documents and items of sentimental value should be in a safety deposit box. Insurance may replace your contents but some items are irreplaceable.