Leaving your home unattended while you go on vacation can cause you to stress when you should be relaxing. This is especially the case during the winter months. What if the pipes freeze? What if there is an electrical fire? Failing to adequately prepare your home could turn out to be quite costly. Taking the time to protect your home from fire, flooding, and electrical problems will allow you to clear your mind and enjoy your trip.
Possibly the most important thing that Calgary homeowners can do while they are on vacation is to arrange for a friend or relative to visit their home. If your house is vacant for more than four days during the winter months, your insurance policy requires that a competent person actually enter the home at least once a day in order for your home insurance to remain valid.
“If your house is vacant for more than four days during the winter months, your insurance policy requires that a competent person actually enter the home at least once a day in order for your home insurance to remain valid”
~Chad Mullen, Lane’s Insurance
Make sure that you shut off the water supply and drain all pipes before you leave on your trip. Take the time to turn off the water to your sinks, toilets, dishwasher and washing machine. Unplug unnecessary appliances, but make sure to leave your refrigerator and freezer on. Always check to be sure that your oven and stove are turned off, and that hair dryers or curling irons are unplugged. Reducing the setting on your hot water heater will keep it functioning but save you money on your energy bill. Be sure to keep the thermostat at 15 degrees celsius or higher so your pipes don’t freeze. Nobody wants to come home to a flooded basement or frozen shower.
Following these simple steps and maintaining your home insurance will greatly increase your peace of mind, allowing you better enjoy your vacation.
This blog post is part of the “Top 10 Home Insurance FAQ’s” eBook.
