Homeowner's Insurance and Vacancy: Protecting Your Home While You're Away We all enjoy the spring and summer months, as the weather warms and the welcome sunshine beckons us toward outdoor activities and family vacations.
But departing our homes for greener pastures means leaving them unattended--and vulnerable.
When this happens, we face a greater likelihood of burglary, loss, and home insurance claims.
Keeping Costs Down So how can we keep our home insurance costs down and our abodes safe from invasion? With the average loss from home burglary presently hovering around $1300, securing our homes and possessions could be just the answer to saving us hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
In fact, nine out of 10 home break-ins could be prevented if homeowners would take steps to burglarproof their homes, says the Insurance Information Institute (III), a leading expert on consumer insurance issues.
Preparing for Departure The best way to keep your home safe in your absence is to make it appear you're home--even though you aren't.
Light, time and noise are your best weapons to help accomplish this.
If you're getting ready to leave home, follow these tips to prepare your home for your departure:

Tell your neighbors when you'll be away, and ask someone to keep an eye on your house.

Stop mail and newspaper delivery, or ask a friend or neighbor to pick them up for you.

Provide noise and illumination by using timers on your televisions, lights and radios.

Trim bushes and shrubs around your home to keep burglars from hiding there.

Keep blinds and curtains in their normal positions to make it appear you're home.

Turn on outside lights, or place them on timers to discourage burglars.

If it's warm enough for your grass to grow, arrange to have your lawn mowed.

Lower the sound of your telephone and answering machine so they can't be heard from outside.

If the weather will be warm enough while you're away, turn on your air conditioner.
A silent compressor on a hot day is a good indication you aren't home.

Unplug automatic garage doors and lock all deadbolts and windows to keep thieves from entering your home.

Leaving home to relax with family and friends should be an enjoyable experience.
And it can be--with the right mix of preparation and care.
So keep home insurance costs down and protect your castle by taking these tips to heart.
Then relax and get away from it all, knowing you'll return to find your home sweet home safe and sound! About InsureMe Penny Hagerman is a copywriter and insurance information expert with InsureMe in Englewood, Colorado.
InsureMe links agents nationwide with consumers shopping for insurance.
Specializing in auto, life, long-term care, health and home insurance quotes, the InsureMe network provides thousands of agents with insurance leads every year.
For more information, visit InsureMe.
com.