Don't Forget Insurance Considerations When Planning a Vacation
People all over the country are making their summer vacation plans, and in some cases, finding out that travel can bring up a variety of different insurance considerations.
For example, the Insurance Information Institute (III) advises people to secure their homes against burglars before leaving on a vacation. The organization notes that the average dollar loss per burglary is more than $1,700, and that break-ins are especially common during the peak vacation months of July and August.
The threat of burglary is just one reason why it's important for people to be aware of the details in their home insurance policies, and to also keep an inventory of their valuables and other relevant paperwork, such as receipts, if possible.
With this in mind, the III advises people to "make it time-consuming" to break into their home, since this can be a particularly effective deterrent against theft. To do so, dead-bolt windows and strong door locks can be effective options - especially since such items can bring home insurance discounts from many companies.
Another way to save on home insurance while enjoying peace of mind during a vacation is to install a burglar alarm. According to the III, this can create insurance discounts as large as 20 percent - especially if the alarm system is one that directly alerts emergency service personnel.
Other anti-theft strategies that vacationing homeowners should remember are to keep valuables hidden and locked away. Also, turning off one's computer is a good way to protect against having identity or financial data stolen by a burglar or hacker. In fact, a growing number of identity theft cases in recent years have been connected to burglaries as opposed to more technically advanced methods like hacking.
Finally, the III advises people to further protect their homes by keeping their property well-lit and making the house look inhabited while they are away. Homeowners may also opt to have their mail held by the post office and for the necessary arrangements to be made for newspaper deliveries and landscaping services.
