Going on Vacation? Protect Your Home While You’re Gone

Summer is here! Are you going away on vacation? If so, now is the time to get your home ready for your upcoming absence. Many things can happen while you're away.

Securing your home, protecting your home from intruders, and checking in on your homeowners insurance are all things that you can do to ensure that your property will be safe. Here's what you need to know.
Maintain the Exterior to Protect From Storms
High wind and rain during summer storms can cause damage to the exterior of your home. Take steps to protect your home now, just in case any summer storms occur while you're away.
Clean Your Gutters
 Clear your home's gutters and downspouts from leaves and debris. Use a ladder, a spade, protective gloves, and a bucket. Use the spade to scoop debris out of the gutters and into the bucket. When you're done, spray water into the gutters and watch the water drain out of the downspout into the yard below.
If the downspouts are clogged, use a plumber's auger to clear the downspout. If you're not able to clean your gutters safely yourself, contact a professional to clean the gutters for you.
Trim Overhanging Branches
 Branches that hang over your home could fall onto your roof during a storm, which could lead to roof or property damage. Contact an arborist or landscaping professional to trim your branches. Do not attempt to trim any branches yourself, as you could inadvertently drop the branches on your house.
Make Roof Repairs
 Summer storms can easily worsen your roof problems, especially if your shingles are old or in bad condition. Now is the time to repair any roof issues that you might have. How can you tell if your roof needs repair? Look for curling or missing shingles, water damage in the attic, and leaks on the ceiling.
Protect From Wildfire
Colorado wildfires can be deadly. If you live in a wooded area, protect your home. Clear away any dead brush on your property. Set your automatic sprinklers to keep your grass green and lush. Move your firewood pile away from the house.
Protect From Intruders
Intruders are one of the greatest threats to many homes while they're unoccupied. You can do these many things to prevent intruders from gaining access to your home.
Make Your Home Look Occupied
Put your lights on timers to turn them on and off at the appropriate times at night. Have the post office hold your mail to keep it out of your mailbox, giving the appearance that someone collects the mail every day. If you have two cars, leave one of them parked in your driveway.
Install a Reputable Home Monitoring or Security System
Many reputable home monitoring and security systems can help you keep an eye on your property. Installing a good home security system can protect your home from intruders while also lowering your insurance premiums. Talk to a home security company today to get started.
Review Your Homeowner Insurance Policy
Review your homeowners insurance to ensure that your policy provides adequate coverage in the event of an emergency. Find out what's not covered under your homeowner's insurance policy. If your home is in a high-risk area for certain natural disasters, you may need supplemental coverage to protect your home and property.
Review your deductible to ensure that you can pay it in the event that something happens. If the deductible is too high, talk to your insurance agent to lower it if possible.
Pay Your Insurance Premium
Insurance premiums can be paid annually, usually at the same time of year when the policy was first obtained. If you bought your home in summer, then your insurance premium is likely due at this time of year. You can also pay your insurance premium in monthly or semi-annual installments.
Forgetting to pay your insurance premium could result in a lapse at a very inconvenient time. If you're away on vacation when the lapse occurs, you may not receive the payment reminders. If you're not sure when your insurance premium is due, check with your insurance agent. Your agent can tell you when your insurance is due and what the premium is.
Know What to Do in the Event of a Claim
Hopefully you'll come back from vacation to find that your home is in good condition. However, if you come home to find a problem with your property, knowing how to make a claim can help you get started with the repair process in a timely fashion.
While you review your policy and check on the premium due date, find out what the procedure is in the event that you need to make a claim. Having this information can help you make a quick recovery if a covered event causes property damage while you're away.
Talk to Your Insurance Agent for More Help
For more information about how you can protect your home while you're away this summer, talk to an expert. Your insurance agent can help you keep your property in good condition.
At L.A. Insurance, we're happy to answer your questions. Call us today to find out more.