Fall Is Here
Simple Ways to Protect Your Home, Car and Family
Fall brings cooler temperatures, changing leaves, football weekends and plenty of reasons to spend time outdoors. It is also a good time to think about a few seasonal changes that can affect your home, vehicle and insurance coverage.
A little preparation now can help you avoid some unwelcome surprises later in the year.
Keep Falling Leaves Under Control
Leaves may look great on the trees, but once they fall, they can create problems around your property. Wet leaves can make walkways and driveways slippery, while leaves collecting in gutters can prevent water from draining properly.
Keeping gutters, sidewalks, steps and driveways clear can help reduce the chance of falls and water related damage around your home.
Get Your Heating System Ready
Before temperatures really begin to drop, consider having your heating system inspected and replace your furnace filter if needed.
If you have a fireplace or wood burning stove, fall is also a good time to have the chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned. Never leave a fire unattended, and make sure it is completely extinguished before heading to bed.
Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
As homes get closed up and heating systems begin running again, working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors become especially important.
Test the detectors throughout your home and replace batteries when necessary. It is also worth checking the expiration date on the detectors themselves since they do not last forever.
Prepare Your Car for Shorter Days
Fall means fewer daylight hours, more leaves on the road and changing weather conditions.
Check your headlights, brake lights and windshield wipers. Make sure your tires have adequate tread and are properly inflated. Wet leaves can make roads surprisingly slippery, especially around curves and intersections.
Be Careful With Outdoor Fire Pits
A cool fall evening around a fire pit can be a great way to enjoy your backyard, but keep safety in mind.
Position fire pits away from your home, deck, trees and other combustible materials. Keep children and pets at a safe distance and have a way to quickly extinguish the fire nearby.
Think Ahead Before the Holidays
Fall quickly turns into the holiday season. That can mean more visitors, decorations, deliveries and valuable purchases around your home.
If you are planning a major purchase, home renovation or other significant change this fall, it may be worth checking with your insurance agent to make sure your current coverage still fits your needs.
Has Anything Changed Since Your Last Insurance Review?
Insurance needs can change gradually, which makes them easy to overlook.
Maybe you renovated your home, purchased expensive electronics or jewelry, added a new driver, bought a vehicle or started working from home. Changes like these can affect the type or amount of coverage you need.
Fall is a convenient time to review your policies before another year comes to a close.
Have Questions About Your Coverage?
At Kelly Insurance, we believe insurance should be understandable and tailored to the people and businesses we serve. If you have questions about your homeowners, auto, life or business insurance, our team is here to help.
Contact Kelly Insurance today to review your coverage and make sure you are prepared for the season ahead.
