Every year, millions of Americans are affected by burglary and other forms of property crime—incidents that, without home insurance, can be very costly. But thanks to advancements in security and smarter property owner practices, those numbers have been on the decline for the past decade. If you want to make sure you’re a part of that downward trend, the guide below offers advice for keeping your home secure.

Do:

Install a security system.

A home security system will alert you—and the authorities—to break-in attempts. It can also monitor for fires. For extra peace of mind, consider a system that offers surveillance—such as those that let you view your property from wherever you are. Having this equipment may also help lower your home insurance premium.

Invest in automatic lighting.

Automatic motion-sensor lights outside your home will alert you to activity that happens in the night—such as a prowler approaching the property. In many cases, this illumination will discourage prospective criminals.

You might also install automatic timed lights inside your home. When you’re at work or on vacation, these lights help give off the appearance that someone is inside—a major deterrent to burglars.

Review your coverage annually.

Even with a solid security system, it’s important to have home insurance to cover any losses that may occur as a result of theft. To make sure your coverage is optimized, review your policy—and your listed assets—with your agent at least once a year.

Don’t:

Post about upcoming vacations on social media.

Although it may be exciting to share vacation photos with friends and family on social media, these posts can also let burglars know that no one is home. To keep criminals off the scent, don’t post vacation news until you get back.

Hide spare keys in obvious places.

Planters, fake rocks, and doormats are just a few of the common hiding places for spare keys that burglars know to check. If you want to keep a spare around, put it somewhere secure—such as in a hidden lockbox that can only be opened with a code. You might also leave your extra key with a trusted neighbor or friend.

Let landscaping get out of control.

When bushes and other foliage become overgrown, they can provide a hiding spot for prowlers. To take away these opportunities, make sure your landscape is kept trim so entrances and windows aren’t hidden out-of-sight.

 

Protecting your family and property is simple when you’re a client of Michael E. Glick Insurance. Providing personalized service in Boerne, TX, for two decades, Glick and his team will develop a property insurance policy that provides optimal coverage for an affordable price. They can also help you explore opportunities to save—such as by bundling your auto and home policies. To learn more about these products, visit this local Farmers® Insurance agency online. If you’d like to review your coverage at no extra cost, call (830) 816-9488.