With travel and lockdown restrictions easing, we’re all looking forward to a well-deserved holiday break. With the lifting of travel bans imposed on the country by places like the UK and the US, there are even more options for tourists and travel is expected to rise to the highest levels since early 2020.
While those of us preparing to go on vacation may be excited for a change of scenery after so many months stuck at home, it’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure our homes and their contents remain safe while we’re away. This is especially true if you are going out of town for an extended period of time.
A vacant home with no security measures could be a target for would-be opportunists, who are particularly active during the December-January period. AccoAccording to a 2019/2020 report published by Stats SA, breaking and entering or burglary remain the most common crimes experienced by households in South Africa. The report states that there were approximately 169,000 home burglary incidents during the period, affecting 139,000 homes with incidents peaking in June and December.
With that in mind, many of us are concerned that our spaces remain unoccupied during the time we are away from home. For your peace of mind while on vacation, both owners and renters should consider the following:
Make sure you have current insurance coverage
It may seem like a reluctant purchase, but the benefits of home insurance cannot be underestimated. If something unfortunate happens to your home while you’re away, whether it’s a break-in or a burst geyser, the impact on your finances could be significant. This is where insurance plays a key role: it protects your finances from the impact of theft or damage to your home. Typically, if you own a home, you probably have homeowners insurance, as it is often a prerequisite for obtaining a bond. This covers physical structures like your garage, walls, and roof and protects you in the event of damage from lightning, explosions, or fire.
Many people make the mistake of thinking that the contents of their home are covered by homeowners insurance when, in fact, they rarely are. Home contents insurance, on the other hand, covers everything inside your home, including furniture, appliances, and artwork or jewelry against theft, loss, or damage. This type of insurance coverage is also appropriate for renters who want to cover their personal belongings and household goods. So if you want to leave your laptop at home to unplug properly while on vacation, for example, and the item is covered under household items, it can save you a lot of valuable time, money, and energy in the unfortunate event that you suffer. a lost.
Check that you are not underinsured
Before embarking on your travels, always check with your insurer to ensure that the values of all the contents of your home are accurately reflected. It can take years to furnish your home and you don’t want to be faced with a situation where these items don’t count correctly in your coverage and therefore cannot be replaced.
While you are in contact with your insurer to verify that you are not underinsured, it is worth notifying them that you will be away for a certain period of time. They will be able to tell you if there are any conditions you need to meet to ensure you are properly insured during your holiday.
secure your home
Make sure that all doors and windows are securely closed and that there are no weak points to easily enter the house. Ladders, hoses, and other items that are typically stored outside could help criminals gain access to homes.
If you don’t already have an alarm system and don’t have the funds to do so, consider investing in this security measure. If something happens while you’re not there, the appropriate security company will be able to perform a check.
befriend a neighbor
Ask a neighbor to regularly check the property and report anything suspicious. They can also help with uncollected mail or tend to the garden to limit any signs that you are not there.
Avoid sharing on social media
As tempting as it may be to post photos of yourself navigating busy airports and relaxing poolside, insurers are increasingly warning against the practice.
If you have to claim insurance, download the Standard Bank Insurance App. iOS either Android
Standard Insurance Limited (Reg. No. 1993/007593/06) (“SIL”) is a Short Term Insurance Company and Licensed Financial Services Provider (FSP 33348). SIL is part of the Standard Bank Group.
