How to Prepare Your Home Before Going on Vacation

Whether you’re planning an epic adventure, visiting beloved family members or seeking relaxation, going on a vacation can be an exciting and enjoyable experience. However, before you embark on your journey, you should make sure that you’ve taken care of what you’re leaving behind. Your home and its contents can be especially vulnerable when you’re not around for upkeep and security. At Poole Insurance Agency, we’re proud to offer guidance and help you maintain peace of mind while away.

Key Steps for Protecting Your Home While You’re Gone

Before you hit the open road or head to the airport, make sure you’ve done the following:

1. Lock all doors and windows, including those of detached structures, such as garages and sheds.
2. Clean your home, including taking out the trash and disposing of perishables, as leaving a messy home behind could attract pests or lead to mold growth.
3. Unplug unnecessary appliances and electronic devices, such as televisions, wireless routers and lamps, as leaving them plugged in could increase fire risk.
4. Adjust HVAC systems to save on your electric and heating bills, such as by turning off your air conditioning during the summer or lowering your thermostat during the winter.
5. Make arrangements to avoid it being obvious that your home is unoccupied, such as by putting a hold on your mail and asking a neighbor to perform necessary maintenance, such as shoveling your driveway or mowing your lawn.

How Can Insurance Help?

Standard homeowners insurance can typically cover your home while you’re on vacation from many common incidents and perils, including fires and burglaries. However, you must be mindful of possible coverage gaps. Standard policies may only apply to your primary residence, meaning that if you own multiple homes and will be leaving a dwelling vacant for an extended period of time, you may require specialized coverage.

We’re Here to Help

Contact Poole Insurance Agency in Liberty, Texas, today to learn more about protecting and insuring your home.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.