Make Sure The Person Looking After Your Empty Home Will Complete This Checklist
Posted on: 20 April 2016
When you're planning to be away from your home for several days, it's a good idea to recruit a trusted neighbor who can visit to ensure everything is as it should be. This helper's duties will not only include visual things such as picking up your mail and mowing your lawn, but also looking in on the condition of the home. Many home insurance providers ask that you have someone enter your home if you're away for multiple days – contact your local representative to ensure that you know your provider's rules in this regard. When you recruit a neighbor to help you, make sure that he or she will perform these tasks.
Signing A Visitor Log
It's a good idea to have your helper sign and date a visitor log upon each visit to your home. This can be a simple piece of paper with the date and time of each visit, as well as the person's signature. This log is helpful in the event of having to make a claim because of a problem that arose while you were away. For example, if there was a major leak, you can show your insurance provider that despite the problem, you had someone looking in on the house regularly. Make sure that the person keeps the log rather than leaving it in your home. In the severe event of a fire, the log could be destroyed.
Checking For Evidence Of Foul Play
Having your house broken into is always a concern when it's empty, even if you've taken a number of safety precautions such as closing the drapes. Ask your neighbor to thoroughly look for any evidence of foul play – this includes checking to make sure all the windows are intact and that the doors are properly locked. In the winter, the person can check outside your home to see if there are any fresh vehicle tracks or footprints that shouldn't be there.
Inspecting For Signs Of Water Damage
A small leak can cause significant damage when the house is empty and you aren't around to deal with the problem. Make sure that your neighbor will be vigilant about looking for signs of water damage. This includes checking for dampness in the basement after a heavy rain, as well as simply looking for puddles around appliances such as the washing machine and water fixtures. If you have a sump pump in the basement, the neighbor should check that it's running properly.
To learn more about the precautions to take when you're out of town, speak with an insurance specialist like those at Ronald H. Krupa Insurance Agency.
Share