Leaving Town? Everything You Should Take Care of Before You Go

Leaving Town? Everything You Should Take Care of Before You Go

The suitcases are packed. You've checked the flight information, arranged for somebody to take care of the dog, and made sure you've got your medications.

If you're one of those lucky snowbirds, you're probably looking forward to spending the next few months somewhere warm while everybody back home is shoveling snow.

But before you close the front door, let's talk about the house, the cars, and everything else you're leaving behind.

Whether you're going away for a week or spending the entire winter somewhere warmer, there are some simple things you can do now that could save you an awful lot of trouble later.

1. Keep your pipes warm, even when nobody's home

If you're leaving during freezing weather, don't turn your furnace off to save money.

Your house needs to stay warm enough to protect the plumbing, even when nobody's living there.

And don't assume every part of the house is the same temperature as the room where your thermostat is located.

**If you have sinks with water pipes along exterior walls, consider leaving those cabinet doors open while you're gone.** That allows warmer air from the room to circulate around the pipes.

If you have plumbing in other areas that tend to get cold, such as a room over an unheated garage, talk with a plumber about how to protect it.

What temperature should you leave the thermostat at?

There's no single temperature that's right for every house.

A well-insulated home is different from an older house with plumbing in cold exterior walls.

Many homeowners use 55°F as a starting point when they're away in winter, but that isn't a guarantee against frozen pipes. Your home's layout, insulation, and plumbing locations matter.

If you know your home has cold spots, ask your heating or plumbing professional what temperature is appropriate.

And if you have a smart thermostat, check that its schedule won't automatically lower the temperature after you leave.

2. Decide what to do about your water supply

Imagine a small supply line under your kitchen sink starts leaking the day after you leave.

If nobody's home to notice, that water could run for days—or even months if you're one of those lucky snowbirds who gets to avoid the cold weather altogether.

Now imagine coming home to find water throughout the house, mold growing behind the walls, and the possibility of having to live somewhere else for months while everything is repaired.

That's what we're trying to help you avoid.

Should you shut off your main water supply?

For many homes, shutting off the main water supply before an extended trip is a sensible precaution.

But first, make sure it's safe for your particular plumbing and heating systems.

Some heating equipment, fire sprinkler systems, and other household equipment need a continuous water supply.

If you don't know how your system works, have a plumber show you what can safely be shut off.

**Before you leave, locate the main water shutoff, make sure you know how to operate it, and show someone you trust where it is.**

And remember that shutting off the main supply doesn't necessarily remove water already sitting in the plumbing. If you're winterizing a home for an extended absence, ask a professional whether additional steps are appropriate.

3. Find out whether your insurance company offers home-monitoring equipment

Here's something that surprises people.

Some homeowners insurance companies offer devices that help monitor your home, sometimes at no additional cost.

Before you go out and buy equipment, it's worth asking whether your insurance company already has a program.

What kinds of devices are available?

**Temperature monitors** can alert you when the temperature inside your home drops below a set level.

If your furnace quits while you're in Florida, an alert gives you the opportunity to get somebody over there before the pipes freeze.

**Water leak sensors** detect moisture in places where it shouldn't be.

You can put them under sinks, near the washing machine, beside the water heater, or around other plumbing connections.

**Water flow monitors** watch the water moving through your plumbing and can identify unusual activity.

If nobody's home and water has been running continuously, that's something you'd want to know.

Some systems can automatically shut off the water when they detect a problem. Others only send an alert. Make sure you understand what the equipment actually does.

Why would an insurance company provide these devices?

Because catching a problem early is better for everybody.

Your insurance company would much rather help you catch a problem early than deal with a major water damage claim.

And nobody wants to come home to a flooded house, discover mold growing behind the walls, and find out they have to live somewhere else for months while their home is torn apart and repaired.

Some insurers offer monitoring programs to help reduce the likelihood or severity of that kind of damage.

The equipment, costs, and eligibility requirements vary by company.

Where should you put water leak sensors?

Start with places where water could escape without being noticed:

• Under kitchen and bathroom sinks

• Near washing machines and their supply hoses

• Beside the water heater

• Around the sump pump

• Near other plumbing connections that concern you

Remember, a sensor only detects water in the area it monitors.

A sensor under the kitchen sink won't detect a leak in an upstairs bathroom.

Follow the manufacturer's placement instructions, and consider more than one sensor if you have several areas you want to monitor.

What should you check before leaving?

Install and test the devices before your trip.

Make sure alerts reach your phone.

Check whether the equipment requires Wi-Fi, electricity, batteries, or a subscription.

Find out what happens if the power or internet goes out.

And if the system allows it, consider adding someone nearby who can receive alerts and respond.

A monitoring device is helpful, but it doesn't guarantee that a loss will be prevented or that an insurance claim will be covered. Coverage depends on the cause of the damage and your policy.

4. Prepare the vehicles you're leaving behind

If you're flying somewhere, your vehicles are probably staying home.

For a short trip, the basics are simple: lock the doors, remove valuables, and keep spare keys and garage door openers out of sight.

If you're leaving for several months, there's more to think about.

What happens to a car battery when it sits all winter?

A battery can gradually lose its charge while a vehicle isn't being used.

Depending on the vehicle, a compatible battery maintainer can help keep it charged during storage.

Some people disconnect or remove batteries, but don't automatically do that on a modern vehicle. Check the owner's manual or ask a qualified mechanic about the proper storage procedure.

If you're using a battery maintainer, use equipment designed for that battery and follow the manufacturer's safety instructions.

Should you reduce your car insurance while you're away?

If you're leaving a vehicle unused for several months and considering reducing its insurance coverage, call your agent.

We can help you determine which coverages can be adjusted while the vehicle isn't being driven and which ones need to remain in place.

For example, you might still want protection if the vehicle is stolen, catches fire, or is damaged while parked.

And if you have a loan or lease, your lender could require certain coverages even while the vehicle is in storage.

Don't cancel or change coverage without understanding what you're giving up.

5. Make sure your home looks like somebody's there

A house that's obviously empty can attract unwanted attention.

Fortunately, there are several simple things you can do before leaving.

Put a couple of lamps on timers so the house isn't dark every evening.

Arrange for someone to collect packages, or pause deliveries while you're away.

If you're going to be gone for an extended period, consider having your mail held or forwarded.

And during the winter, arrange for snow removal.

Think about what an untouched driveway looks like after three snowstorms when every other driveway on the street has tire tracks and footprints.

Before leaving, walk around the outside of your house.

Check that doors and windows are locked, secure outdoor furniture or decorations that could blow around, and make sure nothing obvious needs attention.

6. Think about what your family is posting on social media

You're sitting on a beautiful beach, enjoying a drink with one of those little umbrellas in it.

Naturally, you take a picture and post it.

*Two more weeks in paradise!*

But think about what you've just told everybody who sees that post.

You're not home, and you won't be home for another two weeks.

Whether you're posting on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, or somewhere else, consider who can see your pictures, stories, location information, and comments.

Don't forget to talk with your kids

You might be careful about what you post, but what about the rest of your family?

Your kids could be sharing pictures, videos, and location information without thinking about what those posts reveal.

Before your next family trip, talk about not announcing that the whole family is away, sharing the exact return date, or posting information that identifies your empty home.

You don't have to tell everybody to stop taking pictures.

One easy option is to take all the pictures you want and share your favorites after you get home.

The beach will look just as beautiful in the pictures a week later.

7. Choose someone who can actually help if something goes wrong

This might be the most important thing on the entire list.

Let's say you're in Florida and your phone sends you an alert.

The temperature inside your house has dropped to 43 degrees.

Who are you going to call?

And can that person actually get inside?

It's wonderful to have a neighbor who says they'll keep an eye on your house.

But watching from across the street isn't the same as being able to help.

What should you give the person watching your house?

Before leaving, make sure they have:

• A working house key or door code

• Your phone number and a backup contact

• The name and phone number of your heating contractor

• The name and phone number of your plumber

• The location of the thermostat

• The location of the main water shutoff and instructions for operating it

• Information about any monitoring devices and what to do if an alert comes through

If you'll be away for several months, arrange for someone to go inside periodically.

Ask them to check that the heat is working, look for signs of water leaks, and let you know if anything needs attention.

And make sure they're comfortable taking on that responsibility.

What if your neighbor is away when something happens?

Have a backup person.

You don't want to discover that your only contact is also out of town when you need help.

If you have monitoring devices that allow multiple contacts, consider including both people.

8. What if the power or internet goes out?

This is something worth thinking about if you're relying on smart-home equipment.

Some devices need Wi-Fi and electricity to send alerts. If your internet connection or power goes down, they might stop communicating.

Check how your equipment handles an outage.

Some systems have battery backup or cellular communication. Others don't.

If your system stops reporting, have someone local check the house rather than assuming everything is fine.

And remember that a power outage during freezing weather can affect your heating system, even if the thermostat was set correctly when you left.

9. A few questions worth answering before you leave

**Do I need a monitoring device if I'm only going away for a week?**

You don't have to be a snowbird to benefit from one. A furnace can quit or a water line can leak during a weeklong vacation, too. The longer you're away, the more valuable early notification can become.

**Should I shut off the water every time I travel?**

That depends on your home and its systems. For extended trips, it's worth considering, but make sure you understand what equipment needs water before shutting anything off.

**Is a smart thermostat enough to protect my pipes?**

Not by itself. A thermostat helps maintain the temperature where it measures it, but pipes in colder areas of the home can still be vulnerable. Keep adequate heat, address known cold spots, and consider monitoring where it will be useful.

**Can I just ask my neighbor to watch the house from outside?**

An exterior check is helpful, but someone who can enter the house can also check the heat, look for leaks, and respond when something needs attention.

**Can I leave my house empty for the entire winter?**

Yes, people routinely spend extended periods away from home. The important thing is preparing the property, keeping essential systems operating safely, and arranging for someone to respond if there's a problem. If you have questions about a particular insurance provision or unusual property situation, your agent can review it with you.

**Does having a water sensor mean insurance will cover a leak?**

No. A sensor helps you discover a problem sooner. Whether damage is covered depends on the circumstances and your policy.

Your before-you-leave checklist

Before you head out, make sure you've taken care of these things:

• Keep the thermostat at a temperature that protects your plumbing.

• Open sink cabinet doors where pipes run along cold exterior walls.

• Decide whether shutting off the main water supply is appropriate for your home.

• Locate and label the main water shutoff.

• Ask whether your insurance company offers home-monitoring equipment.

• Install and test any temperature or water sensors you're using.

• Prepare vehicles that will sit unused for several months.

• Review vehicle coverage with your agent if you're considering changing it.

• Arrange for mail, packages, and snow removal.

• Put a couple of lamps on timers.

• Talk with the family about sharing vacation details on social media.

• Give a trusted person a working key or door code and emergency contacts.

• Arrange for someone to check inside the house, with a backup person available.

Now you're ready to enjoy that vacation

You don't have to spend your entire trip worrying about what's happening back home.

The point of preparing your house before you leave is to give yourself fewer things to worry about while you're gone.

And before you spend money on temperature monitors or water leak sensors, give us a call. We can check whether your homeowners insurance company offers a program that could help.

Then go enjoy that sunshine. You've earned it.