August 1, 2024, 4:39 am | Read time: 3 minutes
A longer trip requires some preparation. Among other things, you should inform your home insurance about the extended absence. In some cases, this is even mandatory.
For burglars, nothing is more inviting than an apartment that appears to have been unoccupied for some time because the residents are on vacation. Solutions can include lights with timers or shutters that are activated on a schedule. Emptying the mailbox can also be helpful. Yet, all security measures cannot always reliably deter thieves. Home insurance protects those affected from the financial consequences in the event of an emergency–if policyholders observe essential points.
Inform Home Insurance About Extended Vacation
Those traveling for an extended period may need to report this to their insurance to ensure full coverage, according to the Bund der Versicherten (BdV). The extent and duration of absence that require notification of such an increased risk are determined by the insurance terms. If unsure, it’s best to check directly with your insurer.
An increased risk also regularly includes the failure of the alarm system or scaffolding mounted on the house. If you fail to fulfill your potential obligation to notify the insurance, the BdV states that you should expect the insurer to reduce or deny benefits in the event of a claim.
Should You Leave the Shutters up or Close Them to Prevent Burglary?
How Far Can Tenant Security Measures Go?
What to Do After a Burglary During Vacation
If you notice burglary damage upon returning from vacation, you should immediately inform the police and then the insurer. Without police confirmation, no home insurance will cover a burglary claim. The next steps should be coordinated with your insurer, and the damage site should remain unchanged until it is released.
To allow the police and insurance to assess the damage and understand what was stolen, you must also create an inventory list. Regularly documenting your possessions with photos and videos and keeping receipts can make this process easier in an emergency.
Good to know: Even if you fall victim to a burglary at your vacation destination, home insurance provides protection. For instance, if belongings are stolen from a locked hotel room or a secured vacation apartment. According to the BdV, compensation limits and exclusions vary from provider to provider.
Can You Be Partially Responsible for a Burglary?
Not only a longer vacation that wasn’t reported to the home insurance can result in bearing the loss. There are other cases where the insurance does not cover the damage. For example, if the ground floor windows were left ajar during the burglary, it constitutes gross negligence. When home insurance still covers if the front door wasn’t locked, you can read here.
With material from dpa