Go the Extra Mile
Here are a number of things to keep in mind if quarantine fatigue has you ready to fly the nest for a bit .
After being cooped up in our homes for the past year , most of us are itching to pack up and get away . But what about the home-turned-sanctuaries we ’ re leaving behind ? Before you book that long or faraway trip , consider looking into the following to keep your property and belongings safe while you travel .
EDITED BY KAITLYN MURRAY
ENLIST THE HELP OF A TRUSTED HOUSE SITTER This should be a reliable friend or family member . If you ’ re considering hiring someone , however , always perform a background check ( PURE insurance members are eligible for complimentary background screening services ). Once a trusted caretaker has been selected , establish the frequency of their visits and outline what is expected of them . PURE recommends caretakers check on your home at least once a day during mild weather and at least two times a day during colder months . Provide your caretaker with a list of vendors and emergency contacts whom you would like to respond in the event of a loss and empower them to take action in your absence .
SAFELY STORE YOUR HIGH-VALUE POSSESSIONS It ’ s often best to leave expensive jewelry and other possessions at home . Your home safe should be hundreds of pounds , made of steel and bolted into the frame of the building . But if you must bring your valuables with you , hold your hotel room ’ s safe to the same standards . If you are uncomfortable with your room ’ s safe for any reason , request that your possessions be stored in the hotel ’ s master safe .
AUTOMATE YOUR HOME WITH SMART-HOME TECHNOLOGY Products like Google ’ s Nest allow you to monitor and manage the systems within your home while you are away . Depending on the system you select , you can control the thermostat , security and video systems , lights , appliances and more from anywhere on your smart device .
MAINTAIN AN IDEAL TEMPERATURE IN YOUR HOME Either adjust your settings using smart-home technology or leave instructions with your sitter . In cold weather climates / seasons , maintain an inside temperature of at least sixty-five degrees to help avoid burst pipes . Open cabinets under sinks and in front of plumbing to help circulate warm air . In warm weather climates / seasons , maintain an interior relative humidity at or below 40 percent to help avoid mold .
Once you ’ ve ensured your home will be in good hands , you can start thinking about how to safeguard your actual vacation . In the spring of 2021 , the Transportation Security Administration announced the number of U . S . airport passengers screened reached its highest levels since March 15 , 2020 .
“ We still have a long way to go until travel gets back to pre-COVID-19 levels , but there are encouraging signs of a recovery underway ,” says Cheryl Golden , vice president of ecommerce for InsureMyTrip .
As the travel industry begins to rebound from a pandemic-related slump , trip insurance is top-of-mind for travelers .
“ We are doing everything we can to ensure travelers have the right travel insurance before leaving home ,” says Golden .
PANDEMIC TRAVEL INSURANCE COVERAGE During the coronavirus pandemic , more traditional travel insurance companies are expanding or adapting coverage for travelers . Here are some general examples for those who meet eligibility requirements :
• Reimbursement for covered medical treatment during a trip due to COVID-19 illness .
• Get sick with COVID-19 and must cancel a trip by physician ' s order .
• Physician orders a quarantine before trip .
• Lost a job during the coronavirus pandemic by no fault of your own .
CANCEL FOR ANY REASON Travel insurance agents at Warwick-based InsureMyTrip also recommend travelers strongly consider a comprehensive travel insurance plan that includes a Cancel For Any Reason ( CFAR ) upgrade . This upgrade offers the most trip cancellation flexibility and is the only option available to cover fear of travel . Full terms of coverage will be listed in state-specific policy . If eligibility requirements are met , reimbursement is up to 50 – 70 percent of the insured prepaid , non-refundable trip cost .
PURE Insurance : Coverage Designed for High Net Worth Individuals Whether you own multiple homes and vehicles ; collect fine art , wine and antiques ; or travel extensively , PURE ’ s suite of products are optimized to help protect you from the risks and liabilities presented by your unique lifestyle .
STARKWEATHER AND SHEPLEY 60 Catamore Blvd . ( home office ), East Providence , 401-435-3600 , starshep . com
84 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY ’ S NEST | 2021