There are a lot of things to get excited about when preparing to travel for a vacation. Whether it’s a short weekend trip or a longer family getaway, vacations are a time to recharge and relax. What you don’t want to do is leave your home before considering some of these do’s and don’ts.
Travel Check List. Have you Considered these Actions Before Going On Vacation?
DO… have timers on some of your lights. This is an inexpensive way to create the illusion of someone being in your home. You can arrange them however you want. Be sure to test the timers before you leave.
DO… get help for outside chores while you’re away. Whether that’s shoveling the snow during the winter or mowing the lawn in the summer, if there’s yard work being done would be thieves will likely think you are at home.
DO… turn off your water if you are leaving for any extended period of time. Why? Leaks can happen, and if they do while you’re away it could cause significant damage.
DO… have a competent adult come and check your home, both inside and out. Having someone checking things like flyers and such at the front door, your mail either at the mailbox or at the door, and other issues is important because they again give the appearance of someone living in the home. And if something has gone wrong it will be noticed sooner. In the winter heating season it’s especially important to have someone check because if not and your furnace fails and your pipes freeze your home insurance company might not cover the resulting water damage.
DO… unplug your electronics in case of a power surge.
DO… have travel insurance in place before you leave. OHIP, as of January 1, 2020, no longer provides any funds for out of province medical emergencies. Read more about the OHIP change here.
Want a Quick Quote for Your Travel Insurance Needs? Get a travel insurance quote online from Lackner McLennan & Erb and Erb here.
Now for the one big Don’t.
DON’T… overshare on social media while you are away.
You’ve planned months for your getaway vacation. You’re going to travel somewhere sunny where the water is warm and there’s sandy beaches everywhere. The new digital check-in features of the airline make boarding a cinch. And you decide to start a picture diary of your adventure. Pictures of the inside of the plane, pictures of your family, pictures of your food.
The mistake is when you post those pictures to your Facebook account or your twitter account or Tumblr, Instagram or any other of the myriad of social media programs out there today.
The problem is now you’ve alerted your social media contacts that you’re not at home. Likely, these contacts are your friends and they’re good people. But, if they like or comment on your posts then their connections can see their activity and so on.
Thieves are like water, looking to move through the path of least resistance. And if they find you are away from your home and have time to prepare they will strike. While it’s not a certainty that if you post your trip status in real time you’ll be robbed, it’s still best not to advertise your trip
Be Careful What You Post, Even When You Are at Home.
When posting on your social media accounts don’t divulge personal information. If you find yourself the target of identity thieves anything they can find out about you could be used.
Using Social media is great for connecting with friends and family especially if they live far away. Instant messaging is a wonderful way to keep in touch. Just be aware of what you are posting.
Enjoy your vacation!
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Disclaimer
Lackner McLennan and Erb and Erb provide these informational articles to educate the public about insurance and investment related matters. This article does not substitute for broker advice regarding your specific insurance or investment needs. For a comprehensive strategy to tackle what you, your family, or your business, may need we invite you to speak directly to a broker who can guide you through all the options available to you.
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