September Newsletter

5 Weekend Tasks to Get Your Home Ready for Fall

As summer comes to an end, it’s important for homeowners to begin thinking about getting their house ready for the cooler temperatures that come with fall. These 10 tasks will help you make sure everything is in working order.

1.Schedule Furnace Maintenance

Don’t wait for a chilly fall night to discover your HVAC system is not operating efficiently. Schedule an appointment now with a professional for a thorough inspection of your system’s switches, burners, motor, blower, and safety controls. Also, put a new air filter on your shopping list. It’s important to change the filter every 1 to 3 months.

2.Check Your Windows & Doors

As you consider ways to keep your house warm, remember that precious heat can escape from your doors and windows if they aren’t properly sealed. Check for cracks of daylight that need caulk or weatherstripping.

3.Clean Out Your Fireplace & Chimney

Get out your flashlight and check the chimney for any blockages that may have accumulated during the warmer months. Clear away any leaves, ash debris, or even animal nests you encounter.

4.Inspect the Roof & Gutters

Well before the first snowfall hits, make sure your roof and gutters are in good condition. When you inspect your roof, look for shingles that are missing, broken, loose or beginning to curl. Replacing worn or missing shingles right away can help extend the life of your roof and prevent a small problem from becoming more serious. While you’re on the ladder, use your garden hose to flush away any debris that may be clogging your gutters and downspouts.

5.Cover Your Air Conditioner

Your A/C unit served you well all summer, but as it goes into hibernation for fall and winter, give it the protect it needs. An A/C cover provides the perfect shield against snow, hail, wind, rain, and ice. It also keeps critters from taking up residence for the winter in your unit.

It only takes a weekend or two to prep your home for cooler weather, but completing these important tasks now will help you save money on your heating bills and protect your home’s exterior from harsh weather when it arrives.

IS IT TIME FOR AN ANTI-THEFT DEVICE?

Gone In 60 Seconds… 

The Statistics are staggering. A vehicle is stolen every three minutes in Canada… That’s over 170,000 vehicles each year!

Auto theft is a global problem. Organized criminals have established theft rings in major Canadian cities, stealing and smuggling vehicles into foreign markets.  Car thieves know how to disable most vehicle alarm systems in a matter of minutes, and they know exactly what markets will buy the type of vehicles they steal.  This has proven to be not only a problem for high-end and rare automobiles, but also for expensive contractor’s equipment.

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOUR VEHICLES FROM SMART AND SKILL CAR THIEVES?
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First, never leave your keys in the ignition.  Almost 20% of all stolen cars have keys in them.  Always lock your car (even in your own garage), park in well-lit and busy areas and keep your vehicle registration certificate and proof of insurance on you at all times – not in the glove box.

Some newer cars use coded keys that make it impossible for thieves to start your vehicle without the key. Known as immobilizers, these electronic devices interrupt the power to the starter, ignition and fuel pump until the correctly coded key is used. Other anti-theft measures include steering wheel locks, alarms, parts marking and vehicle tracking systems.

Tracking systems, either GPS, GPS-cellular or wireless-based systems, are becoming popular. When a vehicle is stolen, the system is activated and a monitoring centre is notified of the location of the stolen vehicle. The tracking company then dispatches their recovery team to the vehicle. GPS and GPS-cellular  systems typically use satellites to alert officials to the location of the stolen vehicle. Not all systems can track vehicles underground, in parking lots, or in shipping containers. Wireless-based systems boast that their coverage is broader and their signal is stronger so they can track vehicles where others cannot.

Whatever you do to make a thief’s life harder is one step closer to preventing a loss.

IS IT A HOBBY OR HOME-BASED BUSINESS?

Has your E-Commerce hobby turned into a business? Do you run a business out of your house? Are you sure you have the right insurance coverage?

Whether you run a daycare, a computer repair business, an office from your home, or sell fresh produce at a roadside stand, you should talk to us. Your home or farm policy may not automatically cover you. A special policy, a rider to your current policy, or additional liability coverage may be required to protect your home-based business.

While a home-based business can provide freedom, wealth and personal satisfaction, it could also expose you to situations where your policy may not respond. Enjoy your hobby or home-based business, but remember to stay in touch with us to make sure your insurance coverage is always up-to-date.