Travel can be stressful, whether you’re leaving home on a vacation or traveling for work. While getting your belongings packed and planning out your travel schedule is important, you’ll want to get your home ready for your absence as well. Though your homeowners insurance policy will help cover the cost of repairs if anything happens to your house, it’s best to prevent any damage in the first place. Here are a few easy ways to protect your home while you’re away.

Make It Look Like Someone’s Home

The easiest way to reduce the risk of filing a homeowners insurance claim after a vacation is to make it look like someone is staying at the house. Set the lights on timers throughout the house so the home will look well-lit at night, even if no one is staying inside. Have a neighbor pick up the mail or newspapers from the house. This way, would-be thieves have no easy ways to identify a house that’s unoccupied.

Unplug Unnecessary Appliances

Electrical fires can and do happen. While they’re damaging if you’re at home, they can be catastrophic if you’re away. Reduce the risk of fires by unplugging unnecessary electronics like the television, computer, and home stereo. This will reduce the risk of power surges and sparking, which can cause electrical fires. To make things easy, consider using surge protectors and power bars with your electronics. This way, all you have to do is unplug a single cord instead of worrying about multiple cords behind a desk.

Look Out for Your Plumbing

The last thing any homeowner wants to do is come home to a burst pipe. If the temperatures are set to drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night, it’s best to stay prepared. Set your thermostat at 55 degrees to keep the house warm enough to prevent frozen pipes. If the weather takes a turn and freezes, have a neighbor stop by to check on the pipes. This way, you can catch any potential damage before the problem requires an expensive home repair.

Re-Evaluate Homeowners Insurance

Before heading out on vacation, make sure your homeowners insurance policy is up to date and meets your current coverage needs. If you’ve recently added new electronics, furniture, or redone a portion of the house, you may be short on coverage. Work with your insurance agent to find the right coverage limits and upgrade them as needed.

Getting ready to head out of town and want to make sure your homeowners insurance policy is up to date? Contact the experienced insurance agents at Mountcastle Insurance in Winston-Salem, NC. They’ve helped residents find the best coverage for their needs for more than 100 years. Their agents will help you evaluate current coverage needs, whether you’re a new homeowner or have had the same insurance policy for the last decade. Learn more about their services online, and call (336) 777-8500 for a free quote today.