Insurance Companies and Visits to Your Home While You're Away

It's a good idea to have someone visit your home while you're away on vacation, especially if your insurance policy requires it. Insurance companies may require home visits to reduce the risk of loss or damage, as someone checking on your home can help prevent potential hazards or deter burglars. Here are a few reasons why you should consider having someone visit your home for insurance purposes:

Maintaining Your Insurance Coverage: Some insurance policies require that someone visit your home periodically while you're away. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your insurance policy being voided or your claims being denied. I've seen policies that want someone "responsible" to visit EVERY DAY during the winter months as frozen pipes are an insurance company's worst nightmare. Often though, there is no requirement, and if you call them they will suggest having someone visit every 2-3 days. The important thing here is it's just a suggestion - your coverage won't be affected. So in the end, the decision often comes down to what you're comfortable with as a home-owner.

Preventing Damage or Loss: Home visits can help identify potential hazards or issues that could lead to damage or loss, such as a water leak or a faulty electrical outlet. By catching these issues early, you can take steps to prevent or minimize damage. Even if these things are covered by your insurance, they are royal pain in the neck to have to deal with, so better not to have to deal with it in the first place.

Deter Burglars: Burglars are less likely to target a home if they know that someone is checking on it regularly. A home visit can give the appearance that someone is still living in the home, making it a less appealing target for burglars. Any mail needs to be collected and parcels brought in. Even if mail is cancelled, flyers are a dead giveaway that nobody is around. Sometimes thieves will actually use flyers to case a home. Curtains and blinds that get adjusted now and then are great way to have the would be intruder move swiftly on to Bill and Nora's next door.

Peace of Mind: Knowing that someone is checking on your home can provide you with the peace of mind you need to enjoy your vacation. You won't have to worry about potential issues or damage to your home while you're away. Many clients tell me that they have just had a more relaxing vacation knowing I was visiting and checking in on things. 

If you don't have a trusted friend or family member who can visit your home, you can hire a professional home-sitting service like me. These services can provide you with regular updates and can take care of tasks such as bringing in your mail, looking after your pets, or watering your plants.