Contact:
Karl Newman, President
Sandi Henke, Communications Coordinator
NW Insurance Council
Phone: (206) 624-3330
Fax: (206) 624-1975
karl.newman@nwinsurance.org
sandi.henke@nwinsurance.org
Follow at twitter.com/nwinsuranceinfo
Lock out thieves while on vacation; safeguard
your home, belongings
SEATTLE - Vacation is a time to relax, recharge and enjoy
time away from home. To help ensure a worry-free and enjoyable
trip, take steps to protect your home and make it a less
attractive target for thieves.
Most burglaries occur in July and August. Homeowners
Insurance claims for theft total about $1 billion annually,
with the average claim around $2,500 according to the Insurance
Information Institute.
In 2009, there were an estimated 2.2 million burglaries
according to FBI
crime statistics. Burglaries of residential properties
accounted for 72.6 percent of all burglary offenses.
Standard Homeowners Insurance generally
covers the theft of most personal belongings and damage
associated with burglary.
"A few simple precautions will make your home a lot less
attractive to burglars," said Karl Newman, NW Insurance
Council president, "and you'll be able to relax a little
more while you're away."
However, jewelry, furs, fine art and other expensive belongings
typically have $1,000 to $2,000 worth of coverage, depending
on your policy. To protect your high-dollar items to their
full value, you can purchase special coverage with no deductible.
Call your company or agent to find out what your policy
covers and the costs involved.
As you plan a fun and relaxing vacation this summer, take
time to safeguard your home and belongings by following
these tips:
- Lock all doors and windows. Sliding glass doors
have weak locks. Install a deadbolt lock and place a broomstick
or dowel in the inside door track.
- Install an alarm system. Consider installing
and using an alarm system that is monitored at a central
location.
- Make your home look less attractive to thieves.
Leave blinds open in their usual position. Leave a little
trash in your garbage can. Arrange to have your lawn mowed
or your walk shoveled if you vacation during the winter.
All of these tactics can give burglars the indication
that someone is home.
- Stop all mail and newspaper deliveries. A stuffed
mailbox or a pile of rolled newspapers in front of the
door leaves a clear impression that you aren't home.
- Trim hedges next to your home so burglars do
not have a place to hide.
- Tell police and dependable neighbors when you
plan to be away and when you expect to return. Have a
friend or neighbor keep an eye on your home and property.
- Do not hide keys in secret places outside your
home. Experienced burglars usually know where to look.
- Don't update your Facebook status. Resist the
tempation to update your Facebook status with details
about your upcoming vacation. Burglars can scan Facebook
updates from local residents to target homes. Wait until
you return to tell your friends and family on Facebook
about your great vacation.
- Conduct a home inventory of all of your personal
belongings. Document or video tape each room of your
home and keep the inventory in a safe place or offsite.
You can access free, downloadable Home
Inventory Software from NW Insurance Council's website.
For more information about Homeowners
Insurance coverage and how to protect your home from
burglary, contact NW
Insurance Council at (800) 664-4942.
NW Insurance Council is a nonprofit, public-education
organization funded by member insurance companies serving
Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
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