If you are going away for Spring Break, here are some things to do before you leave:
Do Yourself:
- Store valuables (jewelry, computers, financial papers) in a safe place. Identity Theft is on the rise, and can be much more costly than the loss of objects.
- Stop delivery of newspapers and mail.
- Set some lights and music or TV on a timer.
- Check that all doors and windows are securely locked (including any outbuildings). Don’t forget that little doggie door! Physically lock the garage door to thwart criminals with scanning door openers.
- Turn off main water supply.
- Some communities have a “police watch” service. Consider asking the local police to swing by your home occasionally to check.
- Check your insurance to make sure it is up to date and covers your current property.
Ask Someone You Trust To Do The Following:
- Ask a friend or neighbor to hold a house key, travel itinerary, and emergency phones numbers. (Send you updates via email you check on the road?)
- Keep the perimeter of your house well lighted, but don’t change it significantly from when you are at home.
- Have someone you trust pick up flyers and anything else left on your porch or in your mailbox.
- If you will be gone for more than a week, consider arranging for yard care while you are away.
About your coverages:
- Take a copy of your health insurance card and check your coverages. If you are traveling outside of the U.S. you do not have automatic coverage overseas so get in advance what your coverages are from your agent or carrier
- Research the nearest reputable emergency center at your travel destination so you are prepared before you leave.
- Take a copy of your auto insurance card in case you rent a car to drive. If you have full coverages on your current auto insurance and extended transportation coverage then you may not need to purchase any additional coverages that the rental car company will try to sell you. Call me, your agent, or your carrier if you are not sure if you need to purchase the additional coverages. We will review your policy and let you know.
- If you are driving outside of the contiguous United States, you must purchase the additional rental car coverage. If you are driving in Mexico, Canada or Hawaii, yes you will need to purchase the addidtional rental car coverage.
- Your home or renters insurance will insure contents off premises up to 10% of your total contents coverage unless it is jewelry or collectibles.
- Most people wear wedding rings or nice watches on vacation but if you did not schedule these items on your home insurance or renters policy or purchase a special personal articles floater you may not have worldwide coverage for its appraised value so you will want to call me to get this coverage.
- Travel or trip insurance can be purchased before hand to recover your investment if you cannot go on vacation. Certain conditions of coverage apply. Call me if you would like to know more about this coverage.
Suzanne Brown Insurance Agency
A Texas Independent Insurance Agency with over 40 insurance carriers
www.SuzanneBrownAgency.com
281-558-2210