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Theft and property damage can happen at any home, but the second home left unoccupied for long spells is especially vulnerable. And because so many of these homes are in vacation spots (in Florida, for example, where hurricanes are a problem for a good portion of the year), they need a bit more attention when it comes to keeping them safe from theft and property damage.
 | No one likes to think about the frightening notion of someone breaking into their second home. The reality, however, is that it can and does happen, so take the following steps: |
1. Work to prevent a break-in.
• Get a monitored security system for your second home. You can get one for about $50 a month; it will be well worth the investment.
• Be sure to have good, solid locks on the doors, and most important, make sure they're locked when you leave. (Lots of times, crooks do nothing but walk around trying doorknobs and then rob whichever homes were left unlocked.)
• Install good lighting that features timers and motion detectors to help ward off would-be burglars who don't want to be in the spotlight.
2. Be prepared to handle the situation if your home is broken into.
If your second home is broken into and you're the first one to discover the break-in, don't enter the home. Call 911 from your cell phone or a neighbor's house and wait for the police to arrive before going inside. If, on the other hand, you're notified of a break-in and your trusted friend, neighbor, or family member is at the home handling the police and securing the place, then the first person you need to call is your insurance agent.
| If your second home is damaged due to weather, vandalism, or theft, you need to do the following: |
1. Call your insurance agent immediately to report the claim.
2. Secure the premises and protect the items inside and outside of the home.
For example, if a sliding glass door is broken, make sure the opening gets covered with plywood.
3. Take any other measures necessary to safeguard your investment.
For example, you may need to use generators to provide electricity and/or light, or you may need to put tarps on the roof and lock any gates or doors that may become entrances for unwanted individuals.
Because you won't be living in your second home full time — and if you don't have a property manager, friend, or neighbor checking up on your home — you may not even know about the damage or theft for a while if you don't have an alarm system. For this reason, make arrangements with someone whom you trust to do regular drive-bys and internal inspections of the home while you're away. Also, notifying the local police that the house will be vacant for a specific time period is a good idea.
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