Before you hit the road or take to the air, you must secure your home against as many of life’s variables as possible.
Spring has just arrived, and summer is approaching—that's right, it's almost vacation time! It's the time of year to get some sun, see new places, and let go of all your cares. However, you can't have a carefree vacation if you're busy worrying about the safety of your home.
Before you hit the road or take to the air, you must secure your home against as many of life's variables as possible. Continue reading to learn what six things you must do before going on vacation.
1. Get insurance for your home
Whether you own or rent, if you don't have home or renter's insurance, then you need to get it before you go on vacation. It's something you need anyway.
Finding the right homeowner's insurance policy depends on how much coverage you need and what disasters you're most likely to face. Compare home insurance policy differences to find the best option for your needs.
If you compare home insurance policies with iSelect, you can home insurance quotes from the leading providers in the industry. You can get coverage for everything from personal property to natural disasters, but the plans are all rather particular, so choose wisely.
Before you go on a vacation, make sure that your house is secure. That is why you need to avail yourself of home insurance.
2. Secure your home
Even if you get great home insurance, you still want to do as much as you can to prevent your home from being the victim of a crime. Home alarms and security cameras are powerful deterrents.
Technology has come a long way. Video doorbells, night vision cameras, and facial recognition are a few of the new hi-tech features available for your security system. Some home security companies even offer smartphone apps that allow you to monitor your security cameras from anywhere. Also, if you have a spare key hidden outside, you should remove it—no need to become the victim of a crime of opportunity.
3. Come up with a care plan for your pets and plants
Your pets and plants can't take care of themselves—or each other—while you're away. The best option is to get a pet sitter because they can also water your plants for you. Just make sure that you make it worth their while. If they have pets, then you can offer to take their pets for them should they need you to.
If you don't have anyone willing to pet sit for you, then you can always find a kennel or cattery to take care of your fur buddy for you. If your pets are small, you may even want to consider bringing them with you. Animals love vacations too!
4. Pay your bills
You may be ready to take a break from the hustle and bustle of life, but your bill collectors don't care about your plans—they want their money! Either pay your bills a month ahead of time or set your accounts up for automatic bill payments. The last thing you need is for any of your services to be cut while you're abroad.
5. Let your banks and credit card companies know that you'll be traveling
For the past two decades, people have been robbing others from their laptops instead of at gunpoint. Because of cybercrime, banks and credit card companies will freeze your account if they detect what they deem as suspicious or uncharacteristic spending. To prevent your bank or creditors from freezing your account while you're away, let them know that you'll be traveling. You should also let them know where you'll be traveling so that they can still monitor suspicious activity.
6. Take care of your health
You need to be sure of your health before you go on vacation as well. If you have a difficult condition or are advanced in pregnancy, you should consult your physician before making travel plans. There may be places that you shouldn't travel to, and there may be specific modes of travel that are detrimental to your health. It's always better to be safe than sorry—you can't enjoy a vacation the way you should if you're not well.
