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Going on holiday this summer? We have put together our top tips to help you make sure your home is protected

Going on holiday this summer? We have put together our top tips to help you make sure your home is protected.

Now is the time of year that most people are preparing to jet off on their summer holidays; Holiday insurance is always high up on your checklist of things to do in preparation. However, we often assume our home insurance will be unaffected. Do you know what you need to do and the steps you need to take to ensure your policy remains intact and your home is protected?

Our Top tips when going on holiday to make sure your home is protected. -

We have listed our top tips to help protect and keep your home secure while you are away, leaving your only concern being which flavour of ice cream to have...

- Secure Your Home:

Lock all doors and windows to secure your home, and activate your burglar alarm or security system if you have one. If you don't, consider installing one. Many insurance companies offer discounts to homeowners who have security systems. Secure all external buildings garages, summer houses etc.

- Check Your Coverage:

Before you leave check your coverage, make sure your home insurance policy is up to date and covers the types of damages that could occur while you're away, such as water damage from a burst pipe or theft. Make sure you understand your policy's limitations and exclusions.

- Keep Up Appearances:

If your home looks unoccupied, it's more likely to attract thieves so try to keep up the appearance. Ask a neighbour or hire a service to pick up mail, packages, and newspapers, mow the lawn, and put out and take in your trash cans. Using timers on indoor and outdoor lights can help create the illusion that someone is home.

- Prevent Water Damage:

If you're going to be away during a cold snap, you might want to shut off your water and drain your pipes to prevent them from freezing and bursting causing water damage. Consider having a trusted friend or neighbour check on your home periodically to catch any potential problems early.

- Unplug Electronics:

Unplug unnecessary electronics and appliances to protect them from power surges and to save energy. This includes computers, TVs, and other large appliances that aren't necessary while you're away.

- Notify Your Insurance Company:

Some home providers recommend or require you to notify them if you're going to be away from home for an extended period so be sure to notify your insurance company. Check your policy or contact your agent to see if this is necessary.

- Keep a Home Inventory:

In case of theft or disaster, it's good to have an up-to-date home inventory. This includes photos or videos of each room and a list of valuable items with their purchase dates and prices. Store this inventory somewhere —like a fireproof box or online, or in a home safe —and bring a copy with you.

- Install Smoke Detectors:

If you don't already have them, install smoke detectors in your home and test them before you leave. Some modern systems can even send an alert to your phone if they detect smoke.

- Hold Off on Social Media:

Don't advertise your empty home on social media. You never know who might see a post about your vacation and decide to take advantage.

- Get to Know Your Neighbours:

If you're on good terms with your neighbours, they can be an excellent resource for keeping an eye on your property while you're away.

- Long holidays

Check your documentation as your policy may state that long extensive holidays where your home is left empty for more than 30 consecutive days can lead to repudiation.

Remember, the key to protecting your home while on vacation is planning ahead and taking precautions to make your home less attractive to thieves and more resistant to unforeseen incidents.

The Office for National Statistics shows that 42% of burglaries in England & Wales occurred when the occupants were not in their household. M&S Bank revealed that, on average, holidaymakers leave their homes unoccupied for ten days during the summer.

What to do if you have been affected by a burglary

If, despite taking these precautions, you have fallen victim to a recent home burglary and need to make an insurance claim, as the UK'S leading Loss assessor, we are here to help. We'll manage it for you, dealing with your insurer directly. Overseeing all meetings, investigations, and quantifications while keeping you fully informed, ensuring you get your full entitlement.

In the event of a claim, remember the name - call us on 0333 2101 999.

Click here for more info on Domestic Burglary Claims.

Related Claims and Topics

Burglary Prevention Tips for a Safe Christmas: How to Protect Your Home

As the festive season approaches, the spirit of joy and giving fills the air. However, it's also a time when burglaries tend to spike.

Homeowners across the UK must be extra vigilant to ensure their homes remain safe and secure. This article provides essential tips and strategies to help protect your home during the festive period. Its designed to provide tips helping with burglary prevention during Christmas. Catering to those eager to protect their homes, prevent burglary, and enjoy a peaceful holiday season.

1. Do Burglaries Increase at Christmas?

Statistics show a noticeable increase in burglaries during the Christmas period.

Homes being left unattended while people are out celebrating with friends and family causes this increase. Often leaving homes unattended and filled with valuable items, making them a prime targets for burglars.

2. How Do I Keep My House Safe for Christmas? Ensuring home safety during Christmas involves a mix of common-sense measures and proactive strategies:

  • Secure Your Home: Always lock doors and windows and always use timers on lights and lamps. You can programme these to come on and switch off at set times giving the impression that someone is home.
  • Be Discreet About Gifts: Avoid leaving gifts in view of windows or in the car on the drive. The sight of shopping bags and boxes or wrapped presents can tempt opportunistic thieves..
  • Alert Neighbours: If you're traveling, it is a good idea to inform a trusted neighbour. They can keep an eye on your property and collect any mail.
  • Ensure you have valid home insurance

3. How Can You Reduce the Risk of Burglary? Reducing the risk of burglary involves being mindful of your home's security year-round:

  • Install a Security System: A good alarm system serves as a deterrent and provides peace of mind.
  • Use Security lights Motion Sensor Lighting: Well-lit homes and properties can deter burglars.

4. What is the Best Deterrent for Burglars? If there's a risk of a burglar being caught this is a deterrent , either on a security camera or triggering a house alarm, they are less likely to break into your home. Visible security measures, like alarm systems and CCTV cameras, are potent deterrents.

5. What scares burglars? Homes that are dark, partially hidden, and have little or no security are often the targets of burglars, as they fear being caught. Therefore, they avoid homes with security systems, loud dogs, and active neighbourhood watch schemes. Anything that increases their chances of detection deters them.

6. What Time Do Most Break-Ins Occur? Most burglaries happen during the daytime when people are at work or school. However, during Christmas, the pattern might shift slightly, with evenings becoming riskier as homes fill with new purchases.

10 Tips to Keep Your Home Safe and Prevent Burglary at Christmas:

  1. Lock Up: Always ensure ALL doors and windows are locked when leaving your property or going to bed. Check all door locks are in correct working order, not just the front door.
  2. Hide Valuables: Keep expensive items out of sight, the sight of high tech gadgets or valuable jewellery are a temptation for burglars.
  3. Use Smart Home Devices: Leverage technology for home surveillance.
  4. Don’t Overshare on Social Media: Avoid broadcasting your location or valuables.
  5. Dispose of Packaging Discreetly: Don't advertise new purchases with visible boxes.
  6. Keep Your Plans Private: Be discreet about holiday plans, Avoid posting on social media until you have returned home.
  7. Strengthen Entry Points: Reinforce doors and windows.
  8. Create the Illusion of Presence: Use light timers and TV simulators.
  9. Secure the Perimeter: Maintain fences and gates and in good condition with no broken panels
  10. Join a Neighbourhood Watch: Stay connected with your community for shared vigilance.

While these tips can reduce the risk of burglary, break-ins can still occur unfortunately.

Ensuring you have the correct policy and that your insurance covers all your requirements is vital.

Having Insurance does not only provide cover for theft and burglary, but also it provides financial protection against a range of unforeseen event such as fires or flood, and storm damage.

The cost of repairs or rebuilding can be substantial after such events, and home insurance helps to mitigate these expenses.

For homeowners with a mortgage, Insurance companies often require home insurance to protect their investment. Even for those who own their homes outright, insurance offers peace of mind by safeguarding. In summary, home insurance acts as a safety net, providing financial security and protecting against potential risks associated with homeownership. This advice extends to commercial and public liability Insurance too.

In such unfortunate events, having a professional like Oakleafe at your side can be invaluable. As experienced loss assessors, we can help you navigate the complexities of insurance claims. Ensuring you receive fair treatment and get your full entitlement. Their expertise can be the difference between a prolonged, stressful insurance process and a swift, favourable resolution.

Remember, the best Christmas is a safe one – take proactive steps to protect your home and enjoy the festive season with peace of mind.

Related Claims and Topics

If you are Cheshire based and need help with your insurance claim, give Oakleafe a call. Oakleafe Claims offer insurance claims management services in all of Cheshire, and work for you not your insurer. So if you suffer a flood, fire, storm, burglary or leak in your Cheshire home or business, contact us. We are on hand 24/7 as your local insurance claim specialists and will get you and your property back on track.

Oakleafe Claims in Cheshire

Oakleafe Claims are the UK's leading Loss Assessors, operating all over the country, including in Cheshire. As multi-award winners, we are highly regarded across the industry and as claims specialists retain an enormous amount of experience in all manner of different types of claims. As a family business in its 8th generation, we have built up a long list of clients who have been successfully assisted with their claims, many of which have been in and around Cheshire.

Oakleafe insurance claim specialist response team
Oakleafe Claims out to deal with a restaurant fire.

Our services in Cheshire

Domestic Home Insurance Claims

  • Burglary
  • Fire & Smoke
  • Flood
  • Impact
  • Storm

Business Insurance Claims

  • Business Interruption
  • Fire & Smoke
  • Flood
  • Impact
  • Storm
  • Theft

Places in Cheshire we operate in

  • Alderley Edge
  • Alsager
  • Bollington
  • Chester
  • Chorlton
  • Congleton
  • Crewe
  • Culcheth
  • Daresbury
  • Disley
  • Faddiley
  • Frodsham
  • Hale
  • Handforth
  • Haslington
  • Helsby
  • Holmes Chapel
  • Kingsley
  • Knutsford
  • Lower Whitley
  • Lymm
  • Macclesfield
  • Malpas
  • Middlewich
  • Nantwich
  • Neston
  • Northwich
  • Penketh
  • Poynton
  • Prestbury
  • Runcorn
  • Sandbach
  • Stalybridge
  • Stockton Heath
  • Tarporley
  • Warrington
  • Weaverham
  • Widnes
  • Wilmslow
  • Wincham
  • Winsford
  • Wistaston
Related Claims and Topics

While the biggest mistake is not having insurance at all there are 3 Insurance Claim Mistakes Most People Make and therefore are best avoided. The first is not filing on time, the second is not providing adequate documentation or and the third is destroying evidence. You may be surprised at how often these occur; However, to be fair after a fire in your home the insurance company’s procedures are not at the forefront of anyone’s mind.

 Although, claims do get rejected for these reasons and when that happens it is a big deal.

According to the Association of British Insurers only “79% of home insurance claims are successful” .

So there is a real risk of a claim being rejected. Considering that the average UK home contains assets worth around £35,000 and that the repair or replacement costs of the damaged property can often be higher than its value it is well worth it to know how to file a claim properly.

First Insurance Claim Mistakes Made Is Not Filing On Time.

First Insurance Claim Mistakes Made Is Not Filing On Time. -Yes, contacting the insurer within a reasonable time is a standard policy requirement. Most insurers have written procedures about a reasonable amount of time to file a claim after an incident. You can check your policy or contact your insurer to find this out. If the issue is gathering the needed documentation for a reasonable claim, do let your insurer know that is what you’re doing.

 Filing on time is essential because the insurance company can deny your claim for an unreasonable delay and this is one of The First Insurance Claim Mistakes Most People Make. If the incident is a fire or burglary notifying authorities is also necessary and the insurance adjuster will require their report. Not filing on time is probably the most common mistake which causes claims to be rejected. So, if a fire or a burst pipe happens do not procrastinate – contact your insurance company as soon as possible.

Second Insurance Claim Mistake Made Is Generic Filing.

The second Insurance Claim Mistake Made Is Generic Filing - Proper record-keeping following an incident is the second most crucial thing when a claim is successful in avoiding making an Insurance Claim Mistake. This includes photographs of the damage, pre-damage photos, receipts or proofs of purchase, and any reports from authorities, such as the fire department’s report.

Photograph all damage as soon as it is safe to do so and obtain surveillance videos if you have cameras installed. An adjuster will require proof of loss so have it ready when they ask. It is also always a good idea to keep records of all communication between you and the insurance company.

You don’t have to wait for a disaster to strike to start keeping adequate records. You can prepare by having your home photographed and keeping the photos as well as any other documentation in a cloud-based platform such as Google Drive. It may give you peace of mind that in case any disaster strikes you know where to find what you need quickly.

Third Insurance Claim Mistakes Made Is Eliminating Evidence.

The Third Insurance Claim Mistakes Most People Make Is Eliminating Evidence. People who do this do not think of it that way. For instance, if your property is damaged by fire or water, the natural tendency may be to throw a burnt or water-damaged item away, but that is the last thing you should do. Could you keep everything as is until all damage is documented and your insurer has had time to verify the loss? There will always be time to clean up after filing your claim.

If you hire a Loss Assessor such as Oakleafe Claims they will guide you through all this. It is always helpful to have someone qualified who will pay attention to all those procedural details and who will make sure everything is done correctly with your claim so that you don’t have to worry about it.

Insurance Claim Mistakes That Result In Rejection.

Some of the Insurance Claim Mistakes That Result In Rejection are as follows - Refusing to cooperate with the insurer’s requests for information can be a reason to deny a claim. The adjuster needs proof of your loss, which means documentation such as photographs and any receipts or proof of purchase of items claimed. If you do not have anything to submit as proof, your claim will likely be delayed in processing or denied, and this is a pivotal Insurance Claim Mistake made by many.

Claims are also likely to be rejected for not being filed on time and in cases of inadequate coverage. If you file for a damaged laptop but you do not have Portable Items insurance, you may not be reimbursed for that item even though your policy may cover other damage. It is important to know exactly what your policy covers so that this is not an unpleasant surprise when something happens, and you have a million other things to worry about.

Conclusion

It may seem like a no-brainer to know your insurance policy, but with the busy lives we all lead, people often need to read them after purchasing them. Your home is not just the sum of its market value and contents but also where you and your family make your history. It’s important to know what you are covered for before anything happens.

Not filing on time, not keeping adequate documentation and eliminating evidence are the 3 Insurance Claim Mistakes Most People Make, but there are plenty of other mistakes you can make. Insurance companies are always on the lookout for any inconsistencies in a claim and they always look to minimize the settlement. One way to ensure that your claim is successful, that it is processed quickly and for its real value is to hire a Loss Assessor such as Oakleafe Claims. Having someone on your side is important when it is your home and your peace of mind at stake. Never mind looking incompetent – the bottom line is that you probably do not want to be a part of the 21% of claims that get rejected.

Related Claims and Topics
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If you have been declined whilst trying to claim on your domestic or commercial insurance, we can help. We can also help with professional services, for example, Brokers, VAR Valuations and Managing Agents.

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