Posts Tagged ‘theft’

Who’s monitoring the homestead while you’re away?

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

Who’s Monitoring The Homestead While You’re Away?

There is no doubt always a part of you that wonders what could be happening in your home while you are away on vacation.  If you are fortunate enough to have a trusted friend or neighbour look in on things on a daily basis, then you’re likely to rest assured that any incidental issues will be handled promptly and with care in your absence.

But even a devoted and caring neighbour can’t be on hand 24/7 to ensure the safety of your home.  What if a burglar targets your house?  What if a break-in occurs?  What if there’s a fire or a water pipe break?  How can you protect yourself from unexpected dangers such as these?

The obvious solution would be a monitored alarm system.  Pay-per-month security systems have gained tremendous popularity in the last 10 years, and have become quite affordable.  Generally, monitoring companies will install the hardware for free and provide you with live monitoring on a contract basis.  Expect to pay anywhere from $30-$50 per month for a 3-year contract.  Service features typically include reporting to authorities any suspect behaviour that the monitoring system detects, and some insurers will even provide a discount on your insurance premium for a professionally installed and monitored alarm.

Another option is to install a surveillance system capable of sending a live feed to wherever you are, empowering you to take action immediately and address the situation without delay.  Here is a brief guide as to how you can set up this vacation camera and software recording while sitting in your favorite massage chair

The right software

Several versions of video capture software are available, and each has its pros and cons.  It’s best to get insight and advice from satisfied users.  Another option is to trawl the many online forums for information posted by users and experts on the subject.  Look for software that’s easy to use and fits your specific need.  Some software is activated by movement, recording and relaying footage if a physical change in the environment is sensed.  Other systems operate continuously, and provide an ongoing stream of video footage.  Budget may ultimately dictate which software is best for you.

Camera positioning

Cameras should be placed so that they best capture the most critical areas of your home.  These include doorways and entries, ground floor windows and areas that need to be monitored for changes such as water accumulation (basement, hot water tank).

Be careful not to place your camera facing a sunny window or the opening to a brightly lit room since the light may make it difficult to see properly.

If your goal is to be notified of any unwanted visitors to your home, then the camera should be angled to capture a good face shot.  You want to be sure you can see who has entered your home so that you can take appropriate action.  You’d hate to call in the authorities only to find out the so-called intruder was actually your cleaning lady, who was there for a legitimate purpose!  Be sure to inform anyone who has approved access to your home that you have installed a video monitoring system.  Consider also placing decals on your windows and doors that announce to all that your home is monitored by a video surveillance system.  These alone often serve as powerful deterrents to would-be thieves.

If you’ve selected the right combination of cameras and software, you’ll be able to log in fully and watch the happenings in your home whether you’re across the street or on the other site of the world, and take action immediately if required.

Concerns

Because of the many privacy laws and regulations in effect, it is strongly recommended that you inform all visitors to your home that you have a video surveillance system in place.  If you are unsure about the regulations or laws in place where you live, get in touch with a loss-prevention or community safety league that specializes in informing homeowners how to secure their homes and reduce the risk of loss.  Police departments may also be able to advise on the topic.  Whatever the situation, it’s common courtesy to let visitors to your abode know that they may be filmed by your system.

Whatever software and recording equipment you use, it is better to have the facility than not, but don’t spend your entire vacation watching your home online – remember to have fun, too!

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Insuring Your New Gadgets

Friday, January 27th, 2012

The last few weeks of 2011 saw more eBook readers and tablet computers sold than ever before. There is a good chance that one of these gadgets found their way into your Christmas stocking. It won’t have taken you long to realize that the items are extremely portable and will become obvious theft fodder. So how do you protect your wallet in case the worst happens?

Sales numbers

Just how many people received a new Kindle, Nook, iPad or Samsung tab isn’t known because most of the companies involved do not and will not relay their sales figures in exact numbers. Amazon did let it slip that they were selling over one million Kindle items a week before Christmas.

Amazon’s own charts showed the Kindle Fire as their number one sales item followed by the Kindle Touch and the plain Kindle.

You can find out that Apple has sold over 40 million iPads and with Kindle Fires at half the price or less of an iPad, then you can expect your neighbors to have a new one.

Not selling to Canadians

You’ll have some problems getting hold of one of these in Canada. Amazon has restricted the models it will sell here – you cannot buy a Kindle Touch or a Kindle Fire, but you can buy the basic model or the older version with a keyboard.

Barnes and Noble won’t sell you a color Nook or a Nook tablet. Hopefully the dates that they will ship over the border will change soon, thus relieving Canadians from devious tactics to get hold of the latest gadget.

To date, if you wanted the better models, you needed a US shipping address for the model to be delivered. This doesn’t cause Canadians too many problems. Since you all know someone down south who will carry out this task for you it was quite foolish of Amazon and others to inflict this problem north of the border. Do not panic as far as insurance is concerned, because even if you have the items Amazon doesn’t want to sell you in Canada, you own them legally in Canada and therefore, need insurance cover.

Insurance worries

You should talk to your insurance broker and find out if your new gadget is covered by your current insurance policy. If it isn’t, you should have it added to your policy quickly. If that involves any extra premium, you will know it is worthwhile should your toy go for a long walk without your permission.

The other important thing to determine is the type of cover your policy says you have. It is all good if your tablet is covered for home use, but the more portable models are likely to spend as much time away from your home as in it. Are you covered?

Business thoughts

Your company’s business insurance might cover your computer items when you work at your customer’s location or while travelling, but will it cover you for your new Kindle or tablet? Review your coverage with your broker to be sure you’ve got the protection you need.

Keeping your gadget safe

About 10% of people lose their cell phones every year. Despite knowing that cell phones are best protected when they are kept in a briefcase, pocket or somewhere else safe, they still go missing. How many are lost and how many are stolen are unknown figures. Cell phones are easily scooped up in the hand by a predator. You should be able to see a 10 inch laptop leaving its rightful owner, but the 7 inch devices like tablets and eBook readers are much easier to slip into a pocket. Know where yours is and look after it extra carefully. You wouldn’t want to become a statistic and lose your private downloads. When it’s not safely locked away, keep a hand on it.

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Liz Holden has lived all over the world and is well versed in US and Canadian investments, but she currently works for a savings rates comparisons firm in London, England.

 

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13 Things a burglar will not tell you.

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

THIRTEEN THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON’T TELL YOU :
 
  
  1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
 
  2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
 
  3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste… and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
 
  4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it..
 
  5. If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
 
  6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too easy.
 
  7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom – and your jewelry. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
 
  8. It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door – understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.
 
  9. I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don’t take me up on it.)
 
  10. Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
 
  11. Here’s a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids’ rooms.
 
  12. You’re right: I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.
 
  13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at http://www.faketv/..com/)

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Monday, July 4th, 2011

Even though auto insurance is mandatory, we feel it’s much more than a legal obligation. We will help you understand the coverage that is ‘mandatory’ and what additional ‘optional’ coverage is available to you. We have access to markets that offer competitive pricing for all types of vehicles, including seasonal autos, classic & antique. Your assets, your family and your financial future are all at risk when the policy you purchase doesn’t provide the protection you need.  Get an Instant Quote now!

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Monday, July 4th, 2011

Our 24/7/365 service is availabe to you for getting the best insurance rates for your home and property needs.  Access our quoting tool here.

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Insurers turn their attention to risks associated with Ontario cottage country

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

From Canadian Underwriter:

Ontario’s cottage country in North-Central Ontario has drawn the attention of the property and casualty insurance industry.
The industry is focused on three main risks associated with the cabins by the lake.
One is wildfire risk. The Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) is currently conducting research on wildfire risk in the region. The study does not have a timetable for a public release yet.
Wildfire is not a new risk to Ontario, but the concern is that it will become more damaging as more summer homes and cottages are built in the area. There has already been a significant amount of development over the past several years.
In the meantime, in advance of the October Thanksgiving weekend that signals it’s time to close the cottage for the winter, Allstate Canada has issued a reminder to consumers to take steps to protect against wind and water damage.
“According to Allstate Canada data, the Top 2 cottage insurance claims are due to damage caused by water and wind during the winter and early spring,” said Amy Woods of Allstate Insurance Company of Canada.
Roof leaks make up the majority of water damage claims, according to Allstate, which is asking policyholders to be careful to replace any missing or broken shingles on their cottages prior to closing up for the winter.

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