Before You Head South This Fall: Is Your Home Protected?

As the leaves begin to change and many homeowners prepare to head south for the winter, one important question often gets overlooked:

Who is watching your home while you're away?

Many homeowners assume that asking a neighbor to "keep an eye on things" or having a friend stop by occasionally is enough. Unfortunately, that assumption can become very costly.

Your Home Doesn't Stop Needing Attention Just Because You're Away

A small plumbing leak, failed heating system, electrical issue, pest infestation, or storm damage can quickly turn into a major insurance claim if it goes unnoticed for days or weeks. The sooner a problem is discovered, the less damage—and expense—it typically causes.

That's where a professional Home Watch company comes in.

A Home Watch company conducts scheduled, documented inspections of your home, looking for obvious signs of trouble before they become catastrophic. Rather than simply driving by or collecting your mail, a trained Home Watch professional performs a comprehensive inspection of both the interior and exterior of your property and provides you with detailed reports after every visit.

Your Insurance Company May Expect It

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that their insurance policy may contain provisions regarding vacant or unoccupied homes.

While every policy is different, many insurance companies require homeowners to have their property regularly inspected if it will be vacant for an extended period—often 30 days or more. If a loss occurs and the home has been left unattended without meeting the policy's requirements, certain claims could be reduced or even denied.

For that reason, we strongly recommend notifying your insurance carrier before you leave and letting them know that a professional Home Watch company has been hired to conduct regular inspections. This demonstrates that you're taking reasonable steps to protect your property and helps ensure your insurer has accurate information about how your home is being cared for.

Why a Professional Home Watch Company Is Better Than a Neighbor or Friend

Your neighbors and friends usually have the best intentions—but they also have their own lives, vacations, work schedules, and family commitments.

More importantly, most are not trained to recognize the early warning signs of developing problems.

A professional Home Watch company offers advantages that informal arrangements simply cannot:

• Scheduled inspections performed consistently throughout your absence.
• Detailed digital reports documenting every visit.
• Trained professionals who know what to look for.
• Immediate notification if an issue is discovered.
• Coordination with qualified contractors when repairs are needed.
• Proper insurance and bonding for added protection.
• Accountability and documented records of every inspection.

Unlike someone checking in as a favor, a professional Home Watch company is contractually committed to protecting your home.

Peace of Mind Is Worth It

Whether you're leaving for six weeks or six months, your home is one of your largest investments. Having a professional Home Watch company in place before you leave provides confidence that someone is regularly inspecting your property, identifying potential problems early, and responding quickly if something goes wrong.

Don't wait until after you've left to make arrangements. Fall is one of the busiest seasons for Home Watch services, and schedules fill quickly as seasonal residents head south.

If you're planning to be away this fall or winter, now is the time to put a professional Home Watch plan in place—and be sure to let your insurance company know that your home is being professionally monitored.

Because when you're hundreds or even thousands of miles away, knowing that someone is watching over your home can make all the difference.

From Ogunquit, Maine to Seabrook, NH, we have you covered!