Keep Your Home Safe This Holiday Season

There is anticipation in the air with the holiday, complete with twinkling lights, and delicious holiday treats. The holidays are the most wonderful time of year to get together with family and friends. Here are some helpful safety tips from Susan Moore & Associates, Inc. for this holiday season, if you are going away for the holidays or just heading out for the day.

• Make sure to leave exterior lights. If there is a dark home next to a brightly lit home, chances are this could give the wrong signal to a burglar that no one is home.
• Ask a trusted neighbor to empty your mail box because piles of unopened letters are a sure sign that someone's away. If you will be gone for an extended length of time, notify the post office to temporarily hold your mail.
• Do the same if you receive the daily newspaper.
• If you are leaving for an extended period of time, also ask a trusted neighbor to watch your house while you're gone.
• As normal, keep curtains and blinds open and move expensive items out of direct sight.
• Make sure to keep all doors and windows locked.
• If you have not done so, install a reliable alarm system.
• Notify your local police to keep a closer watch on your home.

After a loss, homeowners, condo, or renter insurance can help you replace your possessions. Claims should be filed in a timely complete manner with your agent.

1. Contact the police or fire department for a burglary, vandalism, fire, or other trauma. Give them all the details of the event and make sure to keep copies of all reports.
2. Contact your insurance agent after you file a police or fire report immediately and complete a claims form which includes all the details of the incident, noting all the damage or loss.
3. Photograph or record the damage before you begin cleanup and include the images with your claim. Before a loss, it's a good idea to visually document your home and belongings so you have "before" and "after" images when filing a claim.
4. You may make temporary repairs while you are waiting for your claim to be processed. Until your claim is complete and compensation is confirmed, don't start permanent, major repairs, or renovations.
5. Save your receipts from hotels and restaurants if you have to move temporarily. Then discuss with your insurance agent how to submit them for reimbursement.
6. After you file a claim, be reachable and ready to talk with your insurance agent and claims adjuster.

Review these fire protection tips so that you can safeguard your home and family for this holiday season:

• Fresh trees require regular watering.
• Place your tree away from fireplaces and heaters.
• Never leave burning candles unattended when not at home.
• Don't decorate your tree with candles.
• Keep candles away from children and even pets.
• On every level of your home, install smoke alarms. Make sure they work by testing them monthly. Every 6 months, change the batteries.
• Store a fire extinguisher on every level of your home.
• Make sure to keep a watchful eye to prevent a fire when doing holiday cooking and baking. In the U.S., unattended cooking is the leading cause of fires.

Before you go away for the holiday, make sure to review your home insurance policy. Remember that your home insurance policy will protect your property as well as your personal possessions. This type of policy provides coverage for property destroyed or damaged by fire, theft, and windstorm. It also provides coverage for liability exposure, such as a person injured on your property.

Call Susan Moore & Associates, Inc. at 847-279-8444 to speak with one of our knowledgeable insurance agents to find the right coverage for your home.