The annual migration of snowbirds trying to escape Canada’s long cold winter is about to begin. Your escape may only be for a short get away, or multiple months. Regardless, you may want to consider a few things to keep your home safe.

You may not realize but most home insurance policies have specific rules about how long your home can sit empty before it affects your coverage. Letting your insurance provider know isn’t just a formality. Some policies also require you to take specific steps while you’re away, like having someone check on the property regularly or keeping the heat on in the winter to prevent pipes from freezing and then bursting, to maintain coverage. If you don’t follow those rules, and something goes wrong, your insurance claim could be denied.

In most cases, a home is considered vacant for insurance purposes if no one has been living in it for more than 30 consecutive days.

But it’s not just about being away. It also depends on whether the home looks lived-in. For example, your insurer may view it as officially vacant, instead of just unoccupied, if:

The utilities are shut off
Your personal belongings are gone
There are no signs of regular activity

Every insurance provider has their own definition and timeline, so it’s always a good idea to check the fine print in your policy or call your insurance broker directly. Remember, leaving your home empty for too long can put your coverage at risk.

In addition to speaking to your insurance broker, listed below are a number of other things you can do to protect your property to give you peace of mind while away.

According to an article from SGI Canada, a home is broken into every 90 seconds across Canada, with most intruders gaining access through ground-level or basement doors and windows. So, before you leave, make sure that all doors and windows are locked. Don’t forget to double- check your:

Basement windows
Garage doors
Side entrances
Backyard gates

If you have sliding windows or doors, consider adding sliding window locks or a wooden dowel to prevent them from being slid open.

Have a monitored alarm system installed and make sure to always activate it before you leave. Not only does a monitored alarm system help protect your home, but it can also help lower your insurance premiums with an insurance discount. Remember to let the security company know you’ll be away and give them an emergency contact just in case.

If you’re gone for a while, consider turning off your water supply to avoid surprise leaks or water damage. Alternatively, consider installing a smart water leak detector so that you’ll receive a notification if it detects any leaks.

If you don’t have any surge protectors, consider unplugging things like TVs, computers, heaters, and chargers to save energy and avoid any risk from power surges.

Before you leave, double-check that your smoke alarms are working. You may also consider installing smart smoke detectors or alarms so that they can notify you immediately if they detect any smoke.

Put your mail and subscriptions on hold, or have someone collect them daily. A pile of packages or mail sticking out of a mailbox is an obvious sign that no one’s home.

Don’t leave expensive items in plain sight. If you don’t have a safe, tuck valuables into a locked drawer or cupboard, or even store them off-site.

The RCMP says to avoid posting your vacation plans on social media networks. As tempting as it is to post beach pictures in real time, it’s safer to wait until you’re back. Public posts can signal to potential burglars that your home is empty.

Enjoy your time away and if you need someone to check on your property, I’m happy to help.

Lona Henry – Busy as a Bee Services
BusyBservices@pm.me | 403-585-3800