Published: January 31, 2018
Everyone loves the getaway feeling of a vacation home. After all, that is why you have it most likely. Depending on where you have your vacation home, vacation homes and seasonal homes are at a greater risk of water damage due to prolonged time frames of inoccupancy. An undetected water leak in a secondary home can have astronomical damages.
If your vacation home is somewhere that it gets in the freezing temperatures, it is good to know the facts. Water is the top preventable cause of damage, even more than fire or theft. Though only 1 in 55 homes insured in the US has a water/freezing home annually. With proper maintenance and oversight you can reduce the risk drastically. Nationwide Private Client risk solution specialists recommend the following tips:
- Hire a professional caretaker or contract with a local building contractor to check on your vacation house daily to make sure the temperature is warm enough to keep pipes from bursting.
- Drain water lines to faucets and toilets.
- Shut off the water and draining the plumbing system before leaving for extended periods of time.
- Enhance your central station alarm system to include temperature monitoring and water flow monitoring. *Nationwide Private client policyholders have access to Water Security Solutions to install these systems.
- Consider a wireless and programmable thermostat installed.
- Install an emergency electrical generator to operate the heating system during freezing cold storms.
- Contact your agent to schedule a Risk Solutions infrared inspection. *This is complimentary service to eligible Nationwide Private Client policyholders.
We offer this information to assist you in making decision that can help mitigate your risk. Keeping you protected, Rick All Access Insurance in Littleton, CO, who represents multiple insurance companies as a “Broker” and provides products for auto, home, commercial, workers compensation, and much more! Call us today for a free quote at (303) 932-1700