Your Vacation—An Invitation to Burglars?

    Coming home from a trip to a burglarized home can be an unpleasant jolt after a relaxed vacation. The truth is—an empty home is an easy target for burglars. The peak times for vacations, unfortunately, show the highest number of break-ins. However, there is good news. Taking the time to make your home less inviting to potential burglars may prevent most of these crimes.

    Keeping your house looking occupied while you're away is key. Between packing, and booking reservations for your trip, you may be able to deter them with the following precautions:

Stop mail and newspaper deliveries, or ask a trusted neighbor to collect them for you.

Lower the ring on your phone so it cannot be heard outside. Similarly, turn down the volume on your answering machine if you have one.

Leave shades, blinds, or curtains in the normal positions. However, keep any valuables away from windows so they cannot be seen.

Trim the shrubs and large trees so trespassers have fewer hiding spots.

If possible, leave a locked vehicle in your driveway, or ask a neighbor to park there.

Connect your light switches and a radio to an automatic timer.
 

Ask a neighbor to put out your garbage and mow your lawn.
 

Make sure all windows and doors are locked. Deadbolts or cylinder locks may be best for doors.

If you have a sliding glass door, put a steel or wooden rod in the door channel.

Be leery of talking about your trip plans with acquaintances who might let it slip that you will be away.

Consider installing an alarm system that directly alerts a monitoring station or the police department. If the system is
too expensive, simply sticking an alarm decal in a visible
        location may be enough to scare away a burglar.

    Before you leave for a vacation, try to make your home as burglar-proof as possible. Feel confident coming home to things the way you left them by taking the right precautions. Your trip will be much more relaxing and enjoyable if your home is safe while you're away.

Avoid the Static. . . Are Cell Phones Covered?

    Many people today would be lost without cellular phones—especially in their cars. Unfortunately, accidents do happen. If your car is wrecked or stolen, so is your cell phone. Your damaged or missing cell phone is not generally covered under your auto insurance policy. Special insurance coverage, however, can protect you from such a loss.

    Most auto policies exclude any equipment designed for the reproduction or transmission of sound unless it comes from the manufacturer already installed. This may exclude your cell phone. To cover your phone in case of theft or damage, you can purchase a special endorsement or a "floater" policy designed to cover such equipment. The endorsement is designed to cover sound-transmitting equipment that you purchase separately from the car and have installed.

    Your cellular phone may be small in size, but it plays a much bigger role in making your daily life easier. Something this important to your daily life needs to be protected.

Does Your Insurance Coverage Still "Fit"?

    As the seasons change, many of us reach into our closets only to discover our clothes no longer fit or suit our current needs. If this has happened to you, you're not alone. Life is constantly changing. What worked well in the past often needs to be "altered" to fit better, as our lives and circumstances change.

    The same holds true for your insurance. Are your policies still adequate for your needs? If you haven't reviewed your coverage lately, it's possible your policies no longer fit your current circumstances. Periodically reviewing your coverage can help you avoid costly insurance gaps. Here are some considerations for the six basic types of personal insurance:

Homeowners Insurance

    The largest investment many people will ever make is the purchase of a home. A general rule of thumb is to protect this valuable asset by purchasing enough homeowners insurance to be able to rebuild it and replace the contents at current replacement costs. Remember, the replacement cost of your home and its contents changes as building costs rise and as you acquire new possessions. It's wise to periodically review your coverage to make sure it's sufficient. Even renters should occasionally review and update their renters policies as they accumulate possessions.

Auto Insurance

    Your main concern with auto insurance is to keep the liability limits high enough to protect your income and assets if an accident should result in a lawsuit. To save money on premiums, consider increasing your deductibles.

Personal Umbrella Insurance

    It's possible the liability coverage on your homeowners and auto insurance policies may not provide adequate protection if you're sued. Personal umbrella insurance provides a layer of coverage above and beyond your primary limits. It is available in million dollar increments and is relatively inexpensive.

Life Insurance

    Ideally, one should maintain life insurance adequate enough to replace the income of those upon whom the family financial responsibilities rest. A very general rule of thumb is to carry coverage equal to five to eight times your annual income. If you're the main breadwinner, life insurance can help your loved ones continue to pay the bills and maintain their current lifestyles if something should happen to you. Be sure to adjust the coverage as your income increases and as you go through major life stages, such as the birth of a child or retirement.

Disability Income Insurance

    Your chances of becoming disabled during your working years are much higher than your chances of dying. Yet, many people don't carry disability income insurance, which provides income if you're unable to work. Check to see if your employer offers coverage. If not, give us a call and we can discuss your options. Being proactive pays—once you experience major health problems, it may be difficult or impossible to obtain disability income coverage.

Health Insurance

    Like most people, you may need only basic health coverage. However, lengthy hospital stays and costly medical treatment may require a major medical policy. If your employer does not provide health insurance, individual and family policies may be available. If you're temporarily between jobs, you may want to consider a short-term policy.

    Take the time to review your coverage. One of our qualified insurance professionals would be happy to help you determine what's right for you and your family. As you can see, having the right insurance "fit" is important.