Travel with peace of mind
Planning to leave your home to explore the world in the next few weeks ? No matter where you are going or how long you are going to be gone, there are a few things you should do to protect your home while you are away. Here are a few tips to help you leave with peace of mind.
Protect your home
To minimize the risk of burglary, you can have a designated person pick up your mail. If this person is unable to do so, I suggest that you have your mail held and stop delivering the newspaper for the vacations. You can ask a neighbor close to you to park their vehicle in your driveway to camouflage your absence. It is always best to pretend that your home is occupied. Announce your departure only to your circle of close friends and family and avoid sharing information about your absence on social media. Instead, wait until you return to share your vacation photos. I also recommend that you put away your garden furniture to avoid damage if a windstorm occurs while you are away.
Before your leave
For the security of your home and belongings, get a safe where you can put your valuables and documents. Lock your doors and windows and activate your alarm system. If your alarm system is connected to a central monitoring station, it is important to have your designated person's name and phone number on the emergency contact list. If you are traveling during the winter months, make sure that the pipes in your home do not freeze while you are away and remember to turn off the water inlets. I also recommend that you have your designated person make regular visits to your home to check that the heating is adequate.
These tips are there to enlighten you about safety during your vacation, they are not exhaustive.
In all cases, it is imperative to call your broker to notify him of your departure. He or she will be able to verify with your insurer the standards that apply in the event of a prolonged absence.
On that note, enjoy your trip!
To contact our brokers : 1 866 961-3553
