How to Minimize Risks When Leaving an Empty House for Weeks
How to secure your home against break-ins?
To make an unoccupied home less conspicuous, a few simple actions can greatly reduce the chances of a burglary:
- Close doors, windows, and secondary access points (cellar, service door, garage) properly;
- Ask a neighbor or a close friend to collect the mail and to open or close the shutters from time to time;
- Avoid announcing your departure online, especially on social networks;
- Program a few lights with a timer to create the impression that someone is home.
What installations should you check before leaving?
A leak tends to go unnoticed more easily when no one is around to spot it. Before a prolonged absence, it’s recommended to shut off the main water supply and inspect the plumbing condition. For heating, it’s wiser to set, depending on the season, a frost-protection mode rather than a full shutdown, especially in winter.
For electricity, unplug nonessential appliances, power strips, and chargers. The refrigerator and freezer can stay plugged in if they still contain food. The power supply to the washing machine and dishwasher can also be cut off, with the door left slightly ajar. Finally, smoke detectors should be tested and batteries replaced if needed.
What about the garden and outdoor equipment?
Garden furniture and any items that the wind might move should be brought inside or secured. The outdoor lighting, the roof, and the gutters also deserve a check, with the gutters ideally cleared before a rainy spell.
For homes equipped with a pool, check the water level, treatment, and security cover. As for automatic irrigation, it can be adjusted or turned off depending on the length of the absence.
A cheap home insurance policy may include fewer protections for outbuildings or outdoor installations. It is therefore useful to know exactly what is covered in your dwelling.
What to check in your home insurance policy before a prolonged absence?
Before a departure of several weeks, it is essential to review your home insurance policy. Conditions vary from one policy to another, but a few points are always worth checking:
- the coverages underwritten (theft, fire, water damage);
- the vacancy clause: beyond a certain threshold (varying by policy), certain coverages can be limited or even suspended, such as theft protection;
- any preventive obligations (for example, closing the shutters);
- exclusions in case of prolonged absence;
- the deductible.
Online home insurance policies detail these conditions in their pre-contractual information documents.
Conclusion
A pre-departure checklist helps you verify access points, installations, and outdoor equipment. It’s also an opportunity to review your insurance terms, request a home insurance quote tailored to your situation, and verify applicable clauses, especially those related to vacancy.
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