Canadians may be taking summer vacations from work, but burglars aren’t. Claims data shows that residential burglaries spike in summer months with a 13 percent, 22 percent and 32 percent higher frequency in June, July and August respectively, than February, which shows the lowest occurrence of residential theft claims.

However, criminals tend to be opportunists. The more difficult it is to break into a home, the less likely it is to be burglarized said the U.S.-based Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.)
Research shows that if it takes more than four or five minutes to break into a home, the burglar will go elsewhere.

In addition to having the right insurance coverage, the I.I.I. offers these five preventive measures to keep your home safe:

• Make it time-consuming to break into your home. Dead-bolt window and door locks can slow a burglar down. You may also obtain a discount on your insurance policy for installing these devices.
• Make it noisy to break into your home. Invest in a burglar alarm. The most effective systems ring at an outside service, which alerts the police, fire department and other emergency services. A sophisticated alarm system could result in additional insurance discounts.
• Make sure you have strong doors. Outside doors and frames should be made of metal or solid hardwood and be at least 1¾-inches thick. Each door must fit its frame securely. Even the best lock will not deter a burglar if it is installed in a weak door. Garage doors also need strong locks. If you have a tool shed, keep it locked since burglars can use the tools to break into your home.
• Turn off your computer and disconnect it from the Internet. If you save personal information on your computer, make sure it is difficult to access. You don’t want a hacker at work while you are on vacation.
•  Keep valuables under lock and key and well hidden. Do not leave personal documents in your home office or desk–burglars know to look for them there. Put critical documents in a lock box or safe somewhere else in the house. Keep copies of important documents at another location–a relative’s home, for example. Expensive jewelry should also be hidden somewhere other than the bedroom or left in a safety deposit box at the bank.

As you prepare to leave on vacation follow these additional steps:

• Keep your home well lit. Mount exterior lights out of reach of would-be burglars in your yard or on your house. Put indoor lights on a timer so that they go on and off at appropriate times, making it look as if the house is inhabited.
• Make the house look inhabited. Leave blinds or curtains open in their usual position. Put indoor lights on a timer. If you are going to be away for an extended period, arrange to have your lawn mowed in the summer and your driveway shoveled in the winter.
• Arrange to have mail picked up or held by the post office. Stop newspaper deliveries and ask a neighbor to pick-up “throw-away” flyers.
• Ask a neighbor for help. Ask a neighbor you trust to keep an eye on your home while you are gone. You may also want to tell your local police you will be away.
• Only tell people you know and trust that you are going away. Be careful not to discuss your vacation plans at the supermarket or hairdresser or other public places where you don’t know who may be listening.

Insurance claims for jewelry losses rose 4 percent in 2011 surpassing electronics as the top insured loss category, jewelry losses accounted for 17 percent of contents claims, based on data reported by over 300 U.S. property insurers.
2011 Content Claims Trends Revealed – Top Ten Categories
Jewelry topped the list at 17% of Replacement Cost Value, followed closely by Electronics at 13%. Apparel and Furniture are tied for the number three spot at 11%, followed by Home Goods at 9%.
Contents Claims Index for 2011
Top contents categories as compiled from claims filed with insurers in 2011. Ranked by dollar value as a percent of total claims.
1. Jewelry
17%
2. Electronics
13%
3. Apparel
11%
4. Furniture
11%
5. Home Goods
9%
6. Tools
4%
7. Appliances
4%
8. Sporting Goods
3%
9.Books & Magazines
3%
10. Bed and Mattress
1%

Sewer backup makes up 39% of water-related claims

Water-related losses are mounting for Canadian homeowners – and insurers. Data from the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) found that losses related to water damage costs insurance companies and Canadian policyholders at least $1.7 billion each year.

It’s not necessarily all from direct rain and run-off, either. It was found that sewer backup accounts for 39 percent of all water-related claims.

Even if your neighbourhood has never experienced problems with basement flooding or sewer backup, your home can still be at risk. Overloaded sewers can back up through household sewer lines and flow into basements or ground level apartments

Sewer backups can happen during intense rainstorms when aging municipal sanitary and storm sewer infrastructures become overloaded. While there is no flood insurance in Canada that protects against rising water levels outside the home, you should contact your insurance provider to find out what additions can be made to their basic homeowner’s policy to protect them from sewer backup and other damage.

To further reduce the risk of water damage we suggest:

Safeguard your possessions

• Create a flood file containing information about household possessions and keep it in a secure place, such as a safety deposit box or waterproof container. This file should have a copy of insurance policies and contact information for the insurance agency.
• Conduct a household inventory. Be sure to keep a list of all major household items and valuables. Keep receipts from major appliances and electronics purchases. These documents are important when filing insurance claims.

Prepare for Water Escape

• Install a backwater valve to prevent sewage from overloaded sewer lines from getting into the house. As well, connect a sump pump, an electric pump placed in the basement of a home, to pump water from the basement outside, and install a battery-operated backup in case of a power failure. Installing a water alarm will also indicate if water is accumulating in the basement.
• Disconnect the house’s downspout from the sewer system by extending it 6 feet away from the house. A downspout is a home’s rain-carrying system and is designed to catch rainwater and melting snow from the roof and funnel water away from the foundation. Doing this will help reduce the amount of storm water that is sent through the combined sewers. Less storm water in the system will help prevent wastewater from backing up through sewer pipes where it can escape through floor drains or any other low lying plumbing fixtures in the basement.
• Don’t use washing machines and dishwashers during rainstorms since they will add more water into an already full sewer system.
• Raise electrical components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers, and wiring) and appliances at least 12 inches above the home’s projected flood elevation.

Develop an Emergency Plan

• Have a safety kit on hand with drinking water, canned food, first aid, blankets, a radio and a flashlight. Plan and practice a flood evacuation route. Have a safe location to stay, such as a loved one’s home or a hotel.