How to Protect Your Home While on Vacation: 5 Tips from an Insurance Expert
Vacations are meant to be relaxing. Whether you’re heading to the beach, visiting family, taking a road trip, or finally checking a destination off your bucket list, the last thing you want to worry about is what’s happening back at home.
But while you’re away, your home may be more vulnerable than usual.
An unattended house can attract unwanted attention. It can also be at greater risk for damage that goes unnoticed — like a leaking pipe, storm damage, a sump pump failure, or a small issue that becomes a much bigger problem simply because no one was there to catch it.
Water Damage is one of the most common homeowners insurance claims in the United States. According to the Insurance Information Institute, water damage and freezing account for approximately 24% of all homeowners insurance claims, with the average claim costing more than $12,500.
The good news? A little preparation can go a long way.
Before you pack your bags and set your out-of-office message, here are five smart ways to help protect your home while you’re on vacation.
Secure Doors, Windows, and Entry Points
It sounds simple, but it’s one of the most important steps you can take.
Before leaving, walk through your home and double-check every door and window. That includes basement windows, garage doors, sliding doors, side entrances, and any access points you may not use every day.
It’s easy to remember the front door. It’s easier to forget the window in the laundry room or the door from the garage into the house.
If you have smart locks, make sure they’re working properly and that batteries are charged. If you have a garage keypad, consider changing the code from time to time, especially if contractors, neighbors, or previous homeowners may have had access.
The goal is simple: make your home as difficult to access as possible. That’s especially important because a significant percentage of burglaries occur through unsecured entry points. Recent burglary research found that approximately 15% of burglars enter through unlocked doors or windows, while FBI data shows nearly 38% of burglaries involve unlawful entry without force.
Make Your Home Look Lived In
A dark, quiet house can be a signal that no one is home.
Using timers for lights is an easy and affordable way to create the appearance of activity. Instead of leaving one light on the entire time, set different lights to turn on and off at realistic times throughout the evening.
Outdoor lighting matters too. Motion-sensor lights near doors, garages, and walkways can help discourage unwanted visitors.
You can also use smart plugs to control lamps, radios, or other electronics from your phone. Just be careful not to overdo it. A home that looks naturally occupied is better than one that looks staged.
Small details can make a big difference.
Pause Deliveries and Ask Someone to Check In
Nothing says “we’re away” quite like packages sitting on the porch, mail piling up, or newspapers collecting near the driveway.
Before you leave, pause mail delivery or ask a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member to collect it for you. The same goes for packages, flyers, and anything else that may be left outside.
If you’ll be gone for more than a few days, it’s also smart to have someone physically check on the house. They can look for obvious issues like water leaks, power outages, storm damage, or anything unusual around the property.
In the winter, this can be especially important. A furnace issue or frozen pipe can cause serious damage if no one notices it quickly.
Having someone stop by can provide peace of mind — and may help catch a small problem before it becomes a major claim.
Use a Security System or Cameras
Home security has come a long way.
Today’s systems can include doorbell cameras, motion detectors, window sensors, smart locks, water sensors, and monitored alarms. Many allow you to check in from your phone, receive alerts, and see what’s happening in real time.
A monitored security system can also notify authorities if there’s a break-in or emergency.
Even visible cameras or security signs can sometimes discourage someone from targeting your home. While no system can prevent every situation, it can add an important layer of protection.
Security devices are not just about theft, either. Water leak sensors, temperature alerts, and smoke detection can be just as valuable when you’re away.
Sometimes the biggest risk isn’t someone getting in — it’s something going wrong inside.
Review Your Homeowners Insurance Before You Leave
This is the step many homeowners forget.
Before an extended trip, it’s worth taking a few minutes to review your homeowners insurance policy. Make sure your coverage is up to date and that you understand how your policy responds if something happens while you’re gone.
Some policies may include limitations or special conditions if a home is vacant or unoccupied for an extended period of time. That doesn’t mean you need to call your agent every time you leave for a weekend — but if you’re planning to be away for several weeks or longer, it’s a conversation worth having.
You may also want to review coverage for things like water backup, sump pump failure, service lines, valuable personal property, and liability protection.
Insurance is easy to adjust before a claim happens — not after.
Final Thoughts
Vacation should be a time to rest, recharge, and enjoy life outside your normal routine. It should not be spent worrying about whether your home is protected.
By securing entry points, making your home look occupied, pausing deliveries, using security technology, and reviewing your insurance coverage, you can leave with more confidence and return with fewer surprises.
As an independent insurance agency, we help homeowners understand their coverage and prepare for the unexpected — whether they’re home every day or away for a well-earned vacation.
Before your next trip, take a few minutes to make sure your home and insurance protection are ready.
Visit www.andersonvanhorne.com today for a quick policy review or risk assessment. We’d be honored to help protect what you’ve worked hard to build.
Sources
Insurance Information Institute (III) – Homeowners Insurance Claims Statistics
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-homeowners-and-renters-insuranceFederal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Crime Data Explorer, Burglary Statistics
https://cde.ucr.cjis.govSafe & Sound Security – Home Burglary Statistics
https://getsafeandsound.com/blog/home-invasion-statistics/
