Mackay Insurance Blog
February 2023
Peace of Mind While You're Away - Home Insurance Belleville Ontario
Peace of Mind While You're Away - Home Insurance Belleville Ontario
Taking a well-deserved vacation this winter? Take us with you!
Just kidding…but seriously.
While we would love to join you on your Southern excursions, we won't fit in your suitcase. But your insurance policy will!
Your home insurance policy is always there for you - whether you’re at home or not!
It will protect your home 24/7/365, so you can enjoy your home away from home. That is, as long as you have taken all the necessary precautions that your policy outlines.
So before you say sayonara, make sure you have checked off your vacation to-do list - and read the fine print of your insurance policy too!
What Does Your Home Insurance Policy Cover While You’re Away?
Your home is probably your biggest investment, financially speaking. But it should never hold you back from investing time in your family or health.
Taking a vacation can do wonders for your health and relationships. But if you’re constantly worried about what’s happening at home, it can be more stressful than relaxing.
That’s where your home insurance policy comes in!
This policy covers the home itself, its contents and your personal liability.
Home
Your policy covers the physical structure of your home from loss or damage. Although your policy may vary, most standard versions have general insured perils.
In most cases, this would include loss or damage caused by:
- Theft
- Explosion
- Fire
- Lightning
- Smoke
- Water
- Wind
- Falling Objects
- Plane or Vehicle Impact.
Note: Your Mackay Home Insurance policy may outline specific restrictions to these coverages.
Contents
Your policy also insures the contents of your home - including things like:
- Furniture
- Clothing
- Electronics
- Bicycles
- Sports Equipment
Your policy covers the costs of your belongings if they become lost, damaged or vandalized.
Note: Your Mackay Home Insurance policy may outline specific restrictions to these coverages.
Personal Liability
Lastly, your home insurance policy protects your personal liability. This policy covers legal and medical costs if someone becomes injured on your property.
We discussed this coverage in more detail in one of our recent blogs about slips, trips and falls on your property.
Note: Your Mackay Home Insurance policy may outline specific restrictions to these coverages.
Extra Coverages (Endorsements)
Other optional coverages under your home insurance policy include:
- Sewer backup
- Equipment breakdown
- Flood
- Earthquake
- Guaranteed Replacement Cost etc.
Do you have any questions about extra coverage on your policy? Contact your Mackay home insurance broker for more information.
Your Vacation To-Do List
It’s crucial to prepare your home before you leave on vacation. Proper care ensures your house is in good condition when you go and when you return. It also prevents countless avoidable disasters and secures your policy.
That’s right!
Your Mackay Home Insurance in Belleville, Ontario, has specific requirements if you plan on leaving home. Whether it’s a 3-day weekend trip or a month-long vacation, your house must be properly cared for.
If you don’t take proper care in preventing avoidable disasters, you could face,
a) Higher insurance claims, or
b) A void insurance policy.
In other words, your relaxing vacation can quickly turn into an expensive disaster.
That’s why you must know the precautions outlined in your policy before going.
But not all requirements are the same!
Many are similar, and most are common sense. But each insurance company has different requirements. So be sure to read the fine print on your Mackay home insurance policy before you begin your prep.
Below are a few of the most important steps in preparing your home for vacation. While not all are mandatory in your policy, they do ensure your home is well-cared for and safe for your return.
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Contact your Mackay Insurance broker.
Always let your Mackay Insurance broker know if you’ll be away from home for an extended time.
We can help walk you through the mandatory precautions and ensure your policy isn’t affected.
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Arrange for a house sitter.
In all home policies, having somebody stop by every 48-72 hours is actually mandatory. But it’s also something we’d recommend, even if it weren’t required.
Having a trusted family member, friend or neighbour over while you’re away can help prevent damage and theft.
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Don’t spread the word.
We recommend only telling close family, friends or neighbours about your vacation plans. We also suggest you do not post vacation photos on social media until you return home.
Letting everyone know you’re not home could increase the risk of break-ins and theft.
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Make it look like someone is home.
Making it appear as though someone is home can help deter intruders.
Set up timers on your indoor lighting or have your neighbour park their car in your driveway.
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Install security cameras and lighting.
On that note, you also want to invest in a home security system. That could include indoor/outdoor security cameras, lighting or alarms. Or all of the above!
Depending on your chosen security system, you can also watch your security footage from your phone.
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Put all valuables in safe storage.
Be sure to lock up valuable possessions before you leave the house. This could include jewellery, important documents or electronics (i.e. desktop computers).
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Reset your thermostat.
Lowering your thermostat won’t affect your insurance policy. But it can help lower your heating bill!
Lowering your thermostat by just a few degrees can help cut your bills while still preventing mould and mildew growth.
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Do a deep clean of your house (including the garbage - in and out!).
Cleaning your home before you leave will help ensure you don’t come home to any surprises.
Leaving food on the counter or garbage in the bin can cause unwelcome odours and rodents. Neither of which is very welcoming for your return home.
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Unplug non-essential appliances.
Unplugging your non-essential appliances can,
a) Help you save on energy, and
b) Protect them from a power surge.
Non-essential appliances include things like:
- Coffeemakers
- Computer chargers
- Televisions
10. Prepare your plumbing.
Unless you have someone living in your home while you're away, turn off the plumbing.
This includes shutting off your water and putting your water heater in vacation mode. You'll also want to ensure your pipes are completely dry before leaving to avoid frozen pipes.
11. Double-check your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
Always ensure your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors have fresh batteries.
If your neighbour hears your smoke alarm go off, they can make emergency calls.
And if you have a house sitter in your home, these devices are also imperative to their safety.
These detectors are also mandatory in all Ontario homes. So ensuring they’re working properly will ensure you aren’t found negligent in the event of a fire or CO leak.
Protect Your Home With Mackay Homeowner’s Insurance!
Is your home insurance policy up-to-date? Do you have the coverage you need for your extended family vacation?
Contact your Mackay broker for home insurance in Belleville, Ontario! We offer instant online home insurance quotes.
Contact our Belleville office at 613-966-5740 or our Napanee office at 613-354-2555.
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