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A Checklist to Complete If You’re Leaving Your Home for an Extended Period of Time

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How to prep your Salt Lake City, UT home when you leave for vacationWhether you are a snow bird who flocks to warm weather in the winter or you’re taking a vacation, you should always protect your home while you’re away. The last thing you want to hear while vacationing is that a pipe burst or your home was burglarized. Follow these simple steps to ensure your home is safe while you’re away.

Protect from Theft

  • Alert the post office to hold your mail until you return. If you are staying at your vacation home for a long period of time, perhaps forward your mail to that mailing address.
  • Stage your home as if you are still there. Use an automatic timer to turn on and off your lights. You can set them up in different rooms to make it look like you’re moving around the house. To keep it efficient, use LED bulbs in your lamps you intend to leave running throughout the night.
  • Set an alarm. There are countless great, affordable video surveillance options that sends you a text when there is motion detected at your home, both inside and out. You can then pull it up and watch a live video stream allowing you to record the activity as well as call police. Additionally, if you see a package is delivered you could ask a neighbor to pick it up off the doorstep until you return.
  • Place small valuables in a hidden place or safe. If you own jewelry, guns or cash, or have social security cards, memory cards or other valuable items, put them into a safe. Safes are typically extremely heavy and unable to be moved by one person even if not bolted to the floor.
  • Hire someone or notify your neighbor to do the simple things. For example, if you are gone for the weekend and the trash gets picked up on Fridays, ask your neighbor to pull your waste bin in for you.

Protect Your Home From Damage

  • Always turn off your water. You would hate to have a pipe burst or refrigerator leak while you’re away. If you live in a cold weather environment, drain all your pipes of water. Laundry supply lines are bigger, so be sure to turn those off at the junction box if you decide not to turn off all water.
  • Set your thermostat. Keeping your thermostat on will stop pipes from freezing in your ceiling or walls. It doesn’t take much, say 60 degrees or so.
  • Clean out your gutters. If you’re planning to be away for a while, cleaning your gutters can ensure any heavy rains won’t overflow the gutters and flood your home or damage the roof.

Going away for a while can be exciting. You shouldn’t have to worry about your home while you’re away so completing some simple tasks beforehand can ease your concern.

Archibald Insurance Agency in Salt Lake City, UT is a different kind of insurance agency. We represent over 20 top-rated insurance companies to offer you comparative insurance quotes which means more coverage options, better pricing and flexibility.  Agency owner, Marc Archibald and his friendly and knowledgeable staff can quote your auto insurance, home insurance, business insurance & much more! With many payment options you’re sure to find the right company at the right price for your specific insurance needs! Both homeowners and auto insurance rates change, people change, situations change. Our goal is to be your preferred insurance agency for a lifetime.

Consider This Before Jumping into Vacation Property Ownership

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Vacation Property Insurance in Salt Lake City Owning a secondary home or vacation property can be a rewarding experience and allow you to build so many memories! While owning a vacation home can have countless advantages, it does bring some unique responsibility and maintenance.

Regardless of whether you’re buying a cabin just a few miles away on the lake or an oceanfront condo in Hawaii, you’ll use twice per year, you’ll want to make sure your property remains adequately protected. Renting the property adds an entirely new level of complexity to secondary home ownership and yet a better reason to review your coverages with your licensed insurance agent.

Consider these items when talking to your agent:

  1. Will you need a separate insurance policy for your vacation property liability?
  2. What liability limits are adequate for a home that is vacant more often than is occupied?
  3. If you’ll be renting the property, consider purchasing additional liability limits as well as an umbrella insurance policy to protect you.
  4. Is your vacation home in an area that is affected by natural disasters such as forest fires, hurricanes, floods or earthquakes? You may need a separate additional policy for these.

Follow these insurance tips to reduce the risk of having a claim:

  1. Keep valuables out of your vacation home. Take them with you when you leave.
  2. Ask a neighbor to keep an eye out for any unusual activity at your home.
  3. Consider getting a video surveillance camera such as a Canary or Ring to alert you if someone enters your home. These do not require service contracts and alert you by phone.
  4. Keep your heater set to 60 to prevent any pipes from freezing.
  5. Turn off your water if you plan to leave for extended periods of time. This takes only a few seconds.
  6. Consider a management company if you want to rent the property. They will help keep an eye on things.
  7. Check for obvious liability concerns if you plan to rent the property such as rotten decking, trip hazards, or other deferred maintenance.

We wish you years of memories and relaxation with your secondary home or vacation property. When you’re ready to insure your property, give us a call.

Archibald Insurance Agency in Salt Lake City, UT is a different kind of insurance agency. We represent over 20 top-rated insurance companies to offer you comparative insurance quotes which means more coverage options, better pricing and flexibility.  Agency owner, Marc Archibald and his friendly and knowledgeable staff can quote your auto insurance, home insurance, business insurance & much more! With many payment options you’re sure to find the right company at the right price for your specific insurance needs! Both homeowners and auto insurance rates change, people change, situations change. Our goal is to be your preferred insurance agency for a lifetime.

Planning a Road Trip or Vacation to a National Park This Year? Here Are The Top Five!

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The Most popular national parks to visit in the USThe United States is known world-wide for having amazing National Parks. There are 59 National Parks scattered throughout our beautiful country, with fourteen being considered UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS). Whether you are a nature lover or enjoy traveling, here are the top five most visited National Parks around the country.

1.) Great Smoky Mountains (WHS)

Nearly 10 million people visit a year to camp, picnic, hike or enjoy a tour. This park is known for their ancient mountains, wildflowers and plants as well as their animal life. There are many enjoyable hikes like Rainbow Falls, Charles Bunion, Alum Cave Bluffs or Andrews Bald.

2.) Grand Canyon (WHS)

At a mile deep and 18 miles wide this national park attracts nearly 5.5 million visitors a year. See with your own eyes the colorful landscape of this National Park.

3.) Rocky Mountains in Colorado 

Visit one of their 450 miles of streams or 150 lakes in this popular national park! They are known for Bear Lake and their famous Trail Ridge Road.

4.) Yosemite National Park (WHS)

This park is known for their granite cliffs, waterfalls and forests. Here you are able to see the glacier carved Yosemite Valley, waterfalls like Yosemite Falls and giant sequoias.

5.) Yellowstone (WHS)

It’s officially the first National Park and nearly 4.1 million visitors make a trip here a year. Its great expanse touches three states; Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Not only are they known for their geysers but the lakes and wildlife is equally amazing.

Traveling to one of these great National Parks is one of our nation’s greatest pastimes. Whether you’re pulling a travel trailer, driving an RV or motoring there in your car or motorcycle and staying in one of the park’s lodges, you’re sure to build fond memories for yourself or with your family. Be sure to plan ahead as reservations at these great parks fill up quickly, usually months in advance. Also, be sure to drive slowly through the parks and keep an eye out for wildlife. This will ensure both your and their safety.

Archibald Insurance Agency in Salt Lake City, UT is a different kind of insurance agency. We represent over 20 top-rated insurance companies to offer you comparative insurance quotes which means more coverage options, better pricing and flexibility.  Agency owner, Marc Archibald and his friendly and knowledgeable staff can quote your auto insurance, home insurance, business insurance & much more! With many payment options you’re sure to find the right company at the right price for your specific insurance needs! Both homeowners and auto insurance rates change, people change, situations change. Our goal is to be your preferred insurance agency for a lifetime.

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