Just because most homeowners’ insurance policies cover vandalism and burglary doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t protect your property from vandals and burglars. Taking a few precautions and knowing common burglar tricks can help you avoid these costly incidents.
Best Tips for Preventing Vandalism and Burglary
- Have a friend or a neighbor you trust to keep an eye on your house while you are gone – this could include having someone pick up your mail, mow your lawn, or even house sit. If you can’t find someone to pick up your mail, call the post office and have your service stopped until you return home.
- Never post your vacation plans on the Internet, such as on your blog or your social media accounts like Facebook or Twitter. Also, avoid telling acquaintances that you are leaving your home for an extended period of time.
- Lock up your home well and consider an alarm system if you are often not at home or if you live in an area where break-ins are common. Check to make sure all of your windows are not only closed but also locked.
- Keep valuables out of sight, or better yet, keep them hidden or in a safe.
- If you are taking your car with you, consider covering your garage window so that no one can see that you aren’t home. Or consider asking a neighbor to park in your driveway.
- Make sure your property is well lit. Get motion-activated lights for the exterior of your home. Put a few lights in your home on timers so that they come on at night.
- Don’t give burglars a good place to hide on your property. Trim back bushes and shrubs, especially around doors and windows.
If your home is damaged while you are gone, alert your insurance company as soon as possible and collect all information that is pertinent to the vandalism and/or burglary.
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