Keeping Vacation Homes Safe While Owners Are Away

Posted on: April 10, 2015 by Aegis General

For many Americans, the ability to own a vacation home is a symbol of success and achievement. Whether it’s a small condo in a favorite city, a cabin in the mountains or a bungalow by the sea, vacation properties can be the perfect place for families to unwind and escape from daily life. By nature these properties are meant to be used recreationally, and not as full time residences, which can leave these manifestations of years of hard work exposed to a number of hazards. Since owners of vacation homes are absent some or most of the time from the property, it is important to make plans to take care of the dwelling and grounds. If the vacation property is an apartment, condo or time-share unit, the maintenance responsibilities for the building, grounds and common areas will likely be taken care of by the association. However, vacation property owners still face exposures to property damage, vandalism, burglary and other hazards, which could cause serious losses.

While a strong specialty property insurance program can help mitigate the financial burden of these risks, proper monitoring, maintenance and upkeep can help prevent many losses all together. Many vacation home owners turn to a property management company or local caretaker to help keep tabs on their assets while the property is not in use. These property management groups and caretakers often offer a number of services including:

• Conducting frequent visits to the property to check the condition of the interior and exterior.

• Performing regular checks on utilities, if they are left on throughout the year, including water, gas and electricity to ensure that all lines are functioning properly.
• Checking for and identifying any problems in the property, such as mold, flooding, leaks, and other damages.
• Arranging for and overseeing repair, maintenance , and landscaping services.
• Acting as a local point of contact for alarm systems, security and emergency services.

Some property management companies offer even more services to their clients, such as housecleaning services, arrival and departure services, and more. Although property management services can be expensive, the cost is frequently outweighed by the benefits and security of having a well maintained property. These operations afford vacation property owners the peace of mind that their property is well looked after and any problems will be quickly identified and corrected.

At Aegis General Insurance Agency, we specialize in helping property owners protect their assets by providing quality personal insurance solutions for specialty and hard to place markets. Our Specialty Property Insurance products focus on safeguarding the property and assets of clients typically not served through the standard markets, whether they have past claims history, older properties or other unique exposures. Our programs are available to clients throughout New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Arizona. To learn more about our operation and all of our insurance programs, contact us today at (866) 662-5752.

Posted in: blog Specialty homeowner's insurance Specialty Property

Tagged: home Insurance property Specialty vacation