Do you want to save money on your insurance payments? Did you know there’s a way to do that without raising your deductible or lowering your coverage? The answer is bundling.
What is bundling? It’s a term to describe a multi-policy discount. If you have more than one policy with an insurance company, you may bundle those policies and, in the process, you can save on all.
Here’s why you might consider bundling:
Bundling can save you money. Depending upon the amount of coverage for your policies, and your state, you can save from 5% to 25%.
Bundling is convenient. It simplifies bill paying and record keeping since you interact with just one insurer.
Bundling can help ensure you are fully covered. Having all policies with one company allows your insurance advisor to review any gaps in coverage.
There are many different ways to bundle your insurance.
Homeowner’s Insurance Bundles
Your home is one of your greatest investments; you need to make sure that it’s fully protected. There are plenty of decisions to make when buying your own policy- from coverage limits to extra protection for your belongings. One of those decisions might be to incorporate additional coverage to enhance your policy. When you bundle those with your home insurance, you can save money.
You can choose to bundle your home insurance with:
Sump pump endorsement: A sump pump is a device that collects excess water and drains it outside your home. Sump pump coverage covers the costs of repair and replacement in the event of a sump pump failure. Just a couple inches of water backup can cause thousands of dollars in damage – ruining carpets, destroying appliances, and crumbling drywall.
Flood insurance: Regular home insurance does not cover flood damage. That’s why many people in flood zones purchase this extra policy. There is a 30-day waiting period to buy flood insurance, so take that into consideration.
Auto insurance: If you have a vehicle, you likely have liability, collision, and/or comprehensive insurance. Liability coverage is used to pay for damages that you cause. Collision coverage helps to pay to repair your vehicle or get one of equivalent cash value if yours is totaled. Comprehensive coverage is for damage to your vehicle other than collisions, such as natural disasters, fires, vandalism, theft, and animals that damage your vehicle.
College students and renter’s insurance: If your college student* lives away at school, his or her belongings are covered by your homeowner’s policy at 10% of the limit of liability or $1,000, whichever is greater. You may want more coverage than 10%. Talk to your insurance advisor about expanding limits, such as an umbrella policy to cover expensive items your student is bringing to college. Alternatively, consider purchasing renter’s insurance for your college student for an off-campus apartment. Renter’s insurance not only protects your student’s possessions but offers them emergency housing if they are unable to reside in the rental unit. Renter’s insurance is surprisingly affordable, so when you bundle it with your homeowner’s, it could practically be free!
*Note that college students must meet certain requirements in order to qualify as an insured on your homeowner’s policy. This includes age limitations, family relationship, and full-time enrollment in school. In the event of theft coverage, they must have lived in the location 60 days immediately before the loss.
Earthquake Insurance: If you live in an area that is prone to earthquakes, you may want to consider this additional coverage. Homeowner, condo, and rental insurance policies typically do not cover earthquakes.
Umbrella policies: This type of policy provides additional personal liability insurance that starts to pay after your underlying limits of liability on your home insurance policy have been exhausted after a covered loss. While there’s no way to know for sure how much liability coverage you may need, understanding what you stand to lose is a good place to start. If you’re being sued, it’s possible that equity in your home, your personal savings, and your income may be at risk. If the value of two years of your annual income, the equity in your home, and your savings exceed the liability limits on your auto or home insurance policies, then you should consider an umbrella policy to protect your net worth.
Renter’s Insurance Bundles
Renter’s insurance is like homeowner’s insurance but for tenants. Starting at about $10 a month, it protects your personal belongings (that’s right, your landlord’s insurance policy will not cover your belongings) but that’s not all. It’s an important safeguard if you’re found at fault for property damage or injuries at your place (and even around the world). It also can help if you don’t have access to your apartment or home due to a covered loss.
You can choose to bundle your renter’s insurance with:
Auto insurance: As described above, auto insurance helps protect you in the event of an accident or other damage to your car. When you bundle your renter’s policy with an auto policy that you already have, the savings can be substantial.
Pet insurance: Our pets are like family and we want to keep them as healthy as possible. Pet insurance can help to offset those veterinary expenses. Depending on your policy, pet insurance may cover exams, prescriptions, lab tests and x-rays, surgeries, emergency visits, and even cancer. You make the initial payment and then are reimbursed depending upon the deductible and limits that you have selected. (Pet insurance also may be bundled with homeowner’s, too.)
Auto Insurance Bundles
Auto and homeowner’s insurance, and auto and renter’s policies, are among the most popular types of insurance bundles. However, you also may wish to bundle your car insurance with a boat policy.
Boats and personal watercraft: If you have a boat, you will need a boat insurance policy. You also need a separate policy for personal watercraft such as jet skis. The policies protect you from vandalism, accidents, and liability for injuries to others.
*Note that motorcycle insurance is not eligible for a bundling discount. However, if you live in a cold climate state, and only ride your bike in warmer months, you can ask about seasonal coverage.
Each year, California Casualty policyholders save an average of $423* a year. That could be even more if you decide to bundle your coverages. See how much you can save and get started with a free quote today at mycalcas.com/quote.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Looking for affordable Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance, but don’t know where to start?
We sat down with California Casualty Sales Team Manager Mike D. and found out all of the important questions you should be asking when you call your agent for a quote.
1. Is homeowner’s insurance required?
If you have a home mortgage, then maintaining homeowner’s insurance is generally a requirement of your loan agreement. Even if you own your home outright, it’s recommended that you protect your equity in the home by maintaining homeowner’s insurance.
2. How are homeowner’s insurance rates calculated?
While there’s no way to predict the future, home insurance providers do their best to charge a rate that’s based on both the coverage limits and the likelihood of future losses occurring.
They may consider things such as previous loss history for both the homeowner and the actual home or surrounding area, the physical characteristics of the home, the age of some critical components of the home such as the roof, plumbing, and electrical systems, and even the types of weather activity in the area.
3. What is the dwelling coverage limit and how is it calculated?
One of the most critical coverages on your policy is the Dwelling Coverage. This is the maximum amount of money your insurance provider will pay to rebuild your house. Especially in periods of economic inflation and building supply or labor shortages, the true rebuild cost of your home may be substantially higher than the market value and even much higher than the cost of building a new house on an empty lot.
If your insurance provider hasn’t recalculated the cost to rebuild your home recently, then you may be at risk of running out of coverage if you experience a total loss.
California Casualty is committed to providing policies that will truly indemnify our group members after a loss. When you speak with a California Casualty agent, he or she will have a conversation with you about the details of your home’s construction to ensure your home is protected.
4. What’s the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value?
Some components of the structure of your home and all of your Personal Property within it may be covered for either Actual Cash Value or Replacement Cost at the time of a loss.
For example, if you own a refrigerator that’s now 10 years old that originally cost $1,500 when it was new, the current market value of your fridge may now only be $500. A policy that insures your Personal Property for Actual Cash Value would only pay you $500 if your fridge is destroyed by a covered loss.
However, a policy that insures your Personal Property for Replacement Cost would pay the full amount required to replace the fridge with a reasonably equivalent new fridge.
5. What is liability coverage?
Personal liability coverage on a home insurance policy pays for damages and legal defense if you’re legally responsible for injuries to others or damage to their property. It generally follows the insured when they’re both at and away from their home.
6. When do I need an umbrella policy?
An umbrella policy provides additional personal liability insurance that starts to pay after your underlying limits of liability on your home insurance policy have been exhausted after a covered loss.
While there’s no way to know for sure how much liability coverage you may need, understanding what you stand to lose is a good place to start. If you’re being sued, it’s possible that equity in your home, your personal savings, and your income may be at risk. If the value of two years of your annual income, the equity in your home, and your savings exceed the liability limits on your auto or home insurance policies, then you should consider an umbrella policy to protect your net worth.
7. What should I set my deductible at?
There’s no single right answer. Generally, the higher your deductible, the lower the cost of your insurance premium. Since the deductible is the amount your insurance provider will subtract from an insurance payout, you’ll have to select a deductible that you’re comfortable paying out-of-pocket after a loss.
There can be diminishing returns if you set your deductible much higher than average, so as a consumer, you need to balance the premium savings against the amount you’d be required to pay after a loss.
8. What are endorsements, and how do they affect my policy?
Endorsements modify your coverage, meaning they may increase or decrease your coverage. They may also remove restrictions to your coverage or add restrictions to your coverage.
For example, at California Casualty we provide coverage enhancements to our group members that are tailored to their needs based on occupation or professional association. However, some companies only offer a standard suite of options for home insurance commodifying the product.
9. Is homeowner’s insurance tax-deductible?
Home insurance is not tax-deductible on your primary dwelling. However, home insurance may be tax-deductible for rental properties.
10. What natural disasters does homeowner’s insurance typically not cover?
Some of the more notable natural disasters that homeowner’s insurance typically does not cover include flood and earth movement (for example earthquakes, landslides, mudslides, etc.). Typically flood and earth movement must be added independently.
11. Do I need flood insurance? Do I need earthquake insurance?
Flood Insurance may be required depending on the requirements of your home mortgage. Earthquake Insurance isn’t generally required but is recommended if you live in an area where earth movement is more prevalent.
12. Do I need extra coverage for my home-based business?
Most home insurance policies have restrictions for losses related to a home-based business. It’s important to speak with your agent about the nature of your business in order for them to determine what coverage options are available.
Generally, home updates increase the rebuild cost of your home. Since it’s the job of the insurance provider to have enough coverage to rebuild your home after a total loss, you should discuss anything that may increase the rebuild cost of your home with your home insurance agent.
14. What’s the easiest way to reduce my monthly premium?
Keep in mind that in some cases the premium is inversely related to the quality of service and coverage you can expect to receive from an insurance provider. With that being said, the easiest way to reduce your monthly home insurance premium is generally to increase your deductible. But as mentioned above, there may be diminishing returns on premium reduction, the higher you go with your deductible.
15. Am I eligible for any discounts?
It’s rare that a customer and their home would be ineligible for all discounts. If you’re eligible for a discount, then your agent should have proactively explored those options with you to provide you with the best price possible from your first day as a customer. Talk to your agent and ask what discounts you may qualify for.
If your agent confirms that you’re receiving all discounts available, but you still feel that your insurance rates are too high, reach out to California Casualty to see if you can get more for your money with your policy.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Who doesn’t love a sunny day? …But when those beautiful rays shine down on your home, you might not love what happens; from faded furniture to deteriorating roof shingles, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause quite a bit of damage over time.
UV rays happen even on a cloudy day, and just as we wear sunscreen to protect our skin, we need to take action to protect our homes.
Here’s what you can do.
Use window shades.
Regular window glass only blocks a portion of those damaging UV rays. Using window shades can help. Invest in solar shades designed to block UV rays and still let in light. These shades are rated by percentage in terms of how much light they block. A 1% shade has a tighter weave and blocks 99% of UV rays. By contrast, a 14% shade blocks just 86%.
Apply window films.
Whether or not you use window shades, you can protect your home from light with window films. These translucent vinyl or polyester strips will cling to window glass, and chances are you won’t even notice them. Plus, they can block 99 percent of UV rays! You can get them professionally installed or do it yourself (DIY). Just know that over time, these films might become scratched or damaged and will need to be replaced.
Replace your window screens.
You may have window screens that are there to prevent bugs from entering your home. Replace them with ones that also block or filter harmful UV rays. That way, if you open a window, the screen is there as a barrier.
Install tinted windows.
A more expensive option is to replace your window glass with low emissivity (low-e) glass. This type of glass protects against UV rays due to its special coating. It also helps insulate your home so your rooms stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Rearrange your furniture. Cover your floors.
A little redecorating can help to protect your furniture and floors. If your couch is in the direct path of sunlight from the window, consider moving it to a shadier spot. Try a slipcover, which can be more easily replaced than a couch when it fades. Similarly, you can cover sunny spots on the floor with area rugs and replace them as needed.
Choose the right fabrics and colors.
Lighter colors show the effects of fading less than darker ones, especially on those outdoor furniture cushions. Some fabrics also wear better. When choosing furniture or fabrics for your home, look for synthetic blends. Nylon and polyester will fade more slowly than cotton.
Spray your furniture and treat your floors.
Hardwood is very sensitive to sunlight but may be treated with stains and finishes that have UV protection. For furniture, consider UV protection sprays. Reapply every 6 months or so. If you have leather furniture, you can apply a leather conditioner to help prevent fading and cracking. You can treat your furniture and floors even after fading begins. It won’t take the fading away but it will help slow the process for the future.
Protect your artwork.
Artwork and photos also can fade over time. Canvases may be treated with UV protection sprays. For framed art, replace the glass with UV-blocking acrylic or the pricier museum-grade glass.
Protect your siding.
Older house siding can actually melt or warp when windows from your neighbor’s home focus sunlight on a small portion of your home’s siding. Protect against this by planting trees and shrubs, which also add more shade to your landscape. You can also buy products that put a coating on your siding to help protect it. If you’re ready to redo your siding, choose one that reflects harmful UV rays away from your home. Not only will it help prevent fading, but it will also keep your home cooler.
Repaint with UV-resistant products.
The paint or stain on your deck, front door, and shutters can fade over time. Repaint using a product that helps resist UV exposure. Check with your local home improvement or hardware store for options.
Treat your roof.
The sun’s rays beat down on your roof, causing shingles to deteriorate. Over time, UV rays dry out the natural oils in your asphalt shingles, and can even crack or weaken the roof underneath. To protect against this, there are special coatings that you can apply. Get a professional to do it if you’re not comfortable working on your roof. The coating will create a waterproof barrier to reflect light, draw heat away and keep the surface cooler. Such coatings generally last about 10 years.
Your home is your greatest investment. Review the impact UV rays are making as part of your regular summer home maintenance. Protect your home with the right homeowner’s insurance, and you’ll continue to enjoy it for years to come.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Summertime was made for fun-from beach vacations to family barbecues, road trips, and dips in the pool. But unfortunately, sometimes during all that fun, there’s a mishap or two….
Make sure that your home and property are fully protected in case anything happens. Use this guide as a reference on how to insure yourself and your family for summer fun.
Swimming Pools
Your swimming pool is probably covered under your homeowner’s policy. That being said, you’ll want to make sure that you have enough to cover the following situations.
Injury or drowning
If someone is hurt or drowns in your pool, you are responsible. It doesn’t matter whether or not you gave them permission to swim. Your personal liability coverage is designed to cover these instances. Typical homeowner’s policies carry $100,000 of liability protection. If you have a swimming pool, you need considerably more. Experts suggest either increasing your personal liability (with the maximum being $500,000 or $1,000,000 depending upon the state) or adding a personal umbrella policy. Umbrella policies start at $1,000,000 in coverage. In addition, take steps to prevent these tragedies by securing your pool with a fence and self-latching gates. Make sure children never swim unattended. Install alarms that alert you if someone is entering the water.
Pro Tip: Make sure your pool meets the local municipal code. We’ve seen some insurance companies refuse to pay if the pool is not up to code.
Tree falls into your pool
Summer storms can be intense, and could cause your tree to fall on your house or into your in-ground pool. If a tree falls into your pool, your homeowner’s insurance could cover a reasonable expense to remove it if it was felled by a covered peril and if it struck a covered structure (like your pool) and damaged it. No more than $500 will be paid for any one tree and no more than $1,000 total for any one claim.
Trampolines and Swing Sets
Trampolines and swing sets are considered attractive nuisances, places on your property that can attract children but also put them in danger. (Swimming pools are, too.) You will need to safeguard them, such as by making sure they are in a fenced area.
Trampolines
Trampoline injuries or deaths are covered under your personal liability insurance as part of your homeowner’s policy. Check with your insurance agent to see if you have enough coverage for a trampoline accident. Also, check to see whether there are any individual limits to that coverage. Protect against these accidents by installing an enclosure to secure the trampoline so there are no unsupervised guests. Always supervise children while they are using the trampoline and enforce the rule that only one person uses it at a time.
Swing Sets
Swing set accidents also are covered by personal liability. Make sure your homeowner’s policy has adequate coverage. Supervise children whenever they are using the swing set. Inspect your set regularly and cover sharp corners or protruding nails that could cause injury. Check that there is a minimum of 22 inches between swings and that the slide is no longer than 10 feet. Also, make sure there’s at least 10 feet of clearance around the swing set.
Dog Bites
Dogs spend time outside with us in the summer. Sometimes that can lead to circumstances where dogs can bite. If your dog bites a third party, you are responsible. Liability coverage protects you in this instance. It pays for the bite victim’s medical expenses and covers your legal fees if they sue you.
Make sure that your dog’s breed is not restricted by your insurance policy. Some policies will not cover breeds such as Pit Bulls, Doberman Pinschers, or Rottweilers. California Casualty does not currently have such restrictions.
If your dog is a victim of a bite, pet insurance can help cover that emergency vet visit. You also may be able to be reimbursed by the other dog owner’s liability coverage.
BBQ Grill Fires
Backyard barbecues are a favorite summertime activity. We may not think about them being dangerous, but they can be. Practice summertime fire safety. Keep your grill away from the house and any other structures. Store your charcoal or propane safely and away from the heat. Keep a fire extinguisher handy. Always supervise young children when around a grill.
If a grill fire spreads to your home or property, and causes costly damage, your homeowner’s policy will likely cover repairs, minus the deductible.
If a guest is injured by a fire on your property, and you are legally responsible for that bodily injury, your liability insurance will cover that person’s medical expenses. If you are not liable, but your guest was injured through his/her own fault, then Coverage F – Medical Payment to Others may cover your guest’s medical bills.
Boats and Personal Water Craft
Small boats like kayaks and canoes may be covered under your homeowner’s policy as personal property. If you have a boat, you will need a separate boat insurance policy. You also need one for personal watercraft such as jet skis.
Boats – The costs of insurance will vary depending on the value of your boat and where you keep it. For a California Casualty property contract, the policy will cover up to $1,500 for boats and a trailer for 16 named perils but not for theft away from the residence.
If you’re transporting your boat on a car trailer, your auto insurance will likely cover any accidents.
o If you are at fault for a car accident, your auto liability will extend coverage but there will be no physical damage coverage for the boat or trailer.
If you want physical damage coverage for the trailer, it needs to be added to the auto policy. If you want physical damage coverage for the boat, it needs to be included on the boat policy.
If your boat is parked at your house and is damaged, your homeowner’s insurance may cover it. Otherwise, your boat policy will cover accidents on the water.
Personal Watercraft – Your jet ski or other personal watercraft will need its own policy to protect you from vandalism, accidents, and liability for injuries to people riding your personal watercraft. This type of policy is available through the Agency Services division of California Casualty.
Rental Car Accidents
If you’re heading on vacation this summer, you might be driving a rental car. Your own auto insurance may cover a rental car, minus your deductible, or the credit card that you used to book the car may come with insurance. If not, you will want to make sure that you are covered by purchasing rental insurance through the rental car company. Here’s what you will need to think about.
Collision Damage or Loss Damage Waiver – Optional in many states, this type of coverage pays for the rental car if it is damaged or stolen. There usually is a deductible, for which you’re responsible. If your auto policy covers collision damage, make sure that it also covers “loss of use.” For a rental company, getting a car repaired in the shop means it loses the income it could be getting from renting the car. The rental company can charge you the daily rental rate for each day the vehicle is out of service.
Personal Accident Insurance – This optional policy covers you, the driver, in the event of an accident, including ambulance transportation and medical bills.
Supplemental/Additional Liability Insurance – This optional policy covers the other driver and passengers whom you may injure in an accident. It also covers any property damage. You likely have liability on your own auto policy. Check to make sure the liability limit is enough. You can purchase supplemental liability insurance with the rental car company or get an umbrella policy from your current insurer.
Personal Effects Coverage – This optional policy covers your possessions if they are damaged, lost, or stolen, something your homeowner or renter’s policy may already cover.
Have a great, fun-filled summer!
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
School’s out, which means if your child is old enough, he or she may find themselves home alone without you. Navigating the house on their own, or with a babysitter, can definitely help kids build independence. However, you also want to make sure they’re safe.
For those times when your child may be home alone or with a babysitter, here’s a list of important summer safety tips.
Lesson 1: Basic First Aid
Decide what first aid your child may be capable of providing. If he or she gets a small cut or scrape, for example, your child can clean the wound and put on a band-aid.
What You Can Do: Prepare a first aid kit with those supplies that you would like him/her to use for such things as minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. Go over the items in the first aid kit and show your child how to use them. Then have your child role-play and practice with them. Discuss when they might need to call for help if the injury seems more serious than they can treat with the kit.
Pro Tip: If your child has a smartphone or device and is allowed to use it, download the Red Cross First Aid App.
Fire safety at home is important. Fires can be scary but even the sound of the smoke alarm can be frightening.
What You Can Do: Let your child hear the sound so they know what to expect. Then discuss the fact that they need to leave the house and contact a trusted adult such as a neighbor or someone by phone. If there’s an active fire that they see, they can call 9-1-1. Since your child can be anywhere in the house when the smoke alarm goes off, practice how to leave each room. Remember the rule of 2/2/2. Practice two ways out of every room, two times of the day (day and night) at least two times a year.
Lesson 3: Emergency Contact List
Help is just a phone call away. Share the emergency list with your child.
What You Can Do: Post the list of parents’ work and cell numbers, family, and friends who will be available to your child as needed. Include neighbors who can be a nearby onsite resource. The list also should include 9-1-1 for big emergencies (and your house address should the dispatcher need it). However, explain to your child the types of situations that would necessitate dialing 9-1-1.
Pro Tip: Involve your family member or neighbor and have your child give them a quick call to ask if it’s okay to put their names on your call list. That will give your child practice making the call.
Lesson 4: Bad Weather or Emergency Situations
Even in the summer, bad weather can strike. If your child is at home alone or with a sitter and there is a severe storm or another emergency situation, make sure they know what to do.
What You Can Do: Make sure your child or sitter knows how to check the weather, on their phone or your local weather channel, and have them sign up for emergency alerts. Also, make sure they know where you keep your emergency kit if they need to take shelter. Go over the family disaster plan with them so they know exactly who to call and where to go. It’s important to discuss emergency scenarios with your child and sitter before you leave them alone, so they won’t panic and will know exactly what to do.
Lesson 5: Home-Alone Rules
Depending upon your child’s age and maturity, and your own comfort level, set rules for when they are home alone or with a sitter.
What You Can Do: Go over the rules with your child. Practice them and explain their importance. And then write them down as a reference, that they can look at. Here are some rules you may consider.
Limit cooking and stay away from fire sources.
Decide if your child will be allowed to use the stove, microwave, or toaster. If not, make sure there are plenty of cold meal options and snacks. If you do allow cooking of any kind, review the safety rules. Make sure your child knows what materials are dangerous for the microwave, and not to fish out a stuck piece of toast from the toaster with a metal fork. Decide on the rules for knives. Make sure your child doesn’t do anything alone that he or she hasn’t already done successfully under your supervision. Finally, ensure that your child knows where the fire extinguisher is and how to use it in the event of a kitchen fire. (Also, if this happens, your child should call an adult and 9-1-1.)
Keep the house locked and don’t let strangers know you are alone.
Make sure all doors and windows are locked when your child is home alone or with a sitter. If there is a security system that will be set, teach your child how to enable and disable it. Let your son or daughter know not to answer the door, even for delivery people. If someone calls and asks for you, provide a script of what to say; for example, “he or she is busy right now. Can I take a message?” Write that by the phone so your child doesn’t have to remember it. Be clear on whether your child is allowed to leave the house, and under what circumstances. If he or she does leave for any reason, instruct your child to tell you. You should always know where your child is.
Set rules for the phone, computer, smart devices, and TV.
Screen time is a big draw to kids home alone. Set the rules so they know what is allowed and what is not. You may allow gaming but not social media, or a movie marathon but not long text conversations. Make sure your child does not share that they are home alone, whether on social media, text or other interactions.
Specify the way your child will check-in.
You will want reassurance that your child is all right. Ask him or her to check in with you at specified times and in specific ways. Decide whether a text or call will suffice and how often. Make it a rule that they have to answer you right away if you call.
If your child is new to being left alone, start small. Leave for a short errand. Praise your child for following the rules. Continue to model safety practices, and before long, you’ll be surprised at how responsible your child can be when home alone.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Is there anything better than knowing your vacation is near? You’ve taken off work and you’re busy planning and packing. But while you’re focused on your destination, don’t forget that you’ll also be leaving your home unattended.
Whether you’re heading out of town for two days or two weeks, take the time to prepare your house and property so there will be no unfortunate surprises (or visitors) while you’re away.
Make your home looks lived-in.
Savvy thieves look for signs that you are away, such as an overgrown lawn, a pile-up of mail or packages, or an empty driveway. A well-maintained home and property reinforce the fact that people are living here, and most likely at home.
Mow and edge your lawn before you leave. Trim your bushes, especially around windows and close to your house.
Pick up any debris and any personal items in your front or backyard.
Stop your mail and newspapers, and arrange for a neighbor to pick up any packages.
Leave a car parked in your driveway or ask a neighbor to park in front of your house.
Invest in an inexpensive light timer to turn the lights on and off while you’re away.
Secure your home and property.
There’s a lot more than simply locking the doors that goes into securing your home and property. You want to make it unlikely that a thief would target your home, and also protect its contents should a neighborhood fire or disaster occur.
A security system can help protect your property and also reduce the cost of your home insurance policy.
Consider a motion-sensor floodlight, which can help to deter trespassers.
Make sure your important papers are in a fireproof container or safe.
Leave an emergency contact number and a spare key with a trusted neighbor. (Don’t hide your key in a rock. That’s the first place a thief will look.)
Don’t advertise that you are going away on social media. Wait until you return home to post photos.
Clean thoroughly.
Coming home to a dirty house is no fun. Neither is being greeted by week-old smells of stinky garbage. Take the time to clean up before you leave so everything is fresh and ready for your return.
Empty all of the trashcans, especially the kitchen trash, right before you leave. Ask your neighbor to put out your trash cans on the next trash day.
Run your garbage disposal with half a cup of vinegar and some water.
Do the laundry and change the sheets.
Make plans for your pets and your plants.
It goes without saying that you won’t leave your pets or plants unattended if you’re going to be away.
Depending on the type of pet, you may need a pet sitter or boarding facility. Make those plans well in advance of your trip.
If you’re leaving pets at home, make arrangements for someone to check on them. You will provide them with food and water of course. But even low-maintenance animals can get accidentally trapped in spaces or encounter other mischief.
Ask a neighbor to water your plants at your home or theirs. If you dole out your plants to multiple neighbors, make a list of plants and locations so you know who has what.
Put your systems in vacation mode.
If no one will be living in your house, why pay for gas, electric or water? It’s a good time to save energy by shutting down the home systems that you don’t need, taking into account if there are any pets or plants that will need them.
Put your water heater in vacation mode. It’s a setting that allows your water heater to run your boiler at a lower temperature than normal.
Turn off the water valves to the dishwasher, washing machine and all sinks, if no one is going to be using them (such as a neighbor watering plants).
Set your thermostat to a temperature closer to the outside temperature. Just remember to adjust it for pets and plants as needed.
Change the batteries in your smoke detectors if you have not recently done so.
Do a final check the day you leave.
There’s a lot to think about as you’re leaving for vacation, and likely your mind is more focused on the trip ahead than what’s happening at home. This is where a final “to do” list and check-in helps. Plan to do these things on the day you leave.
Unplug and shut off appliances not in use. Not only does this save on your electric bills, it protects items from power surges.
Close all doors and windows. Close the curtains and blinds.
Leave on a light or two on or set a lamp timer.
Set the thermostat appropriately.
Check the washer. The last thing you want is old (and smelly) wet laundry to greet you when you return.
Make sure your oven is off. Make sure your iron is off.
Pro tip: Take pictures of items you’re worried about, such as oven knobs to show they’re off. That way, you can check back if you’re concerned about them.
Check-in while you’re away.
You may be out of town, but you’ve got great ways to check in to see what’s happening in the neighborhood.
Look at online footage from your home’s security camera.
Text or call a neighbor to check in.
You also may consider hiring a house sitter so that you don’t have to worry about what’s happening at home. If you do choose that route, make sure that the person is a reputable one. Establish a set of rules, so it is clear what your house sitter can and cannot do (for example: can watch Netflix; can’t have parties).
Don’t forget to thank the neighbors who helped you. Bring them a souvenir or small gift from your vacation or get them a gift card for a dinner out.
Finally, know that your home and property are protected by homeowner’s insurance. Should anything happen while you’re gone, your policy helps provide that peace of mind.
Have a great trip.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
