Insurance Tips - Concord Insurance & Financial Planning Group Inc.

Insurance Tips & Resources


Preventing vehicle theft
You cannot guarantee that your car will be always safe, but there are ways to lower the chances of your car being stolen. Your car is an expensive investment so it's important to know how to avoid car theft and keep your car safe.
  • Park in a well lit and monitored area.
  • Never keep spare keys in the vehicle.
  • Ensure that the ignition is off and the windows are shut whenever you leave the car.
  • Take valuables out of the car or at least conceal their location.
  • Install theft deterrents such as alarms or ignition disablers.
  • Never leave important documents in the vehicle. This includes your auto insurance information.
Being safe in the vehicle
Sometimes bad things happen to your car, whether the car has a flat tire or if the car fails to start. Keeping your car safe and reliable can be done by following a few steps.
  • Read your vehicle owner's manual to understand its maintenance needs.
  • Maintain your vehicle according to the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule.
  • Have your vehicle checked by a qualified mechanic whenever you notice a change in braking or handling.
  • Consider taking a driver's safety course.
  • Improving your driving habits may also improve the life of your vehicle.
Protecting your home
The lack of adequate security measures can lead to a higher risk of burglaries. Here are some tips to reduce the risk of a home invasion.
    Internally
    • Close the blinds and curtains.
    • Lock all doors and windows before leaving.
    • Invest in a home alarm system.
    • When not home at night, leave the lights on.
    • Regularly inspect the inventory of your house.
    • Keep valuables in a safe or unlikely place. (Never place valuables in your bedroom).
    • Mark valuables with personal identification.
    Externally
    • Keep shrubbery cut back so they don't block windows and doors.
    • Secure window air conditioners from the inside.
    • Keep your property as illuminated as possible.
    • Use strong doors and locks. There have been large security concerns over deadbolt locks as most locks can now be compromised without any evidence of a break-in occurring. For more information click here.
    • Protect glass windows that are easily accessible by individuals from the outside. Prevent glass windows from shattering on impact.
    • Use high quality, commercial grade deadbolt lock. Residential grade deadbolt locks are easily opened by picking the lock.
    • Investing in a barking (but not biting) dog may be a good idea.
    • Ensure a burglar cannot access the roof from a tree or a ladder left outside.
What NOT to do
  • Never put any form of identification outside of your house with your full name. Burglars can check if you are home before breaking in.
  • Never leave a note on your door stating that you are not home.
  • Never leave spare keys in a easy or obvious location.
  • Never leave cash or valuables in direct view of a window or door.
  • Never leave the door unlocked even when you are home.
What to do when your on vacation
  • Stop all mail delivery or arrange a neighbour to pick up the mail for you.
  • Arrange a neighbour to cut the grass or shovel snow
  • Maintain lighting patterns in your home, or have a neighbour turn on the lights in your house when needed.
  • Ask a neighbour to put a garbage bag in front of your house on collection day.
  • Leave at least one car in your driveway. If you don't have a car, ask your neighbour to park their car in your driveway.
  • Do not talk to strangers about your vacation plans. Tell someone you trust your vacation plans, when you are expected to return, and your contact information.
  • Remove valuables from your home and let someone you trust keep them until you return. If that is not possible store them in a safety deposit box,
  • Ensure that all of the doors and windows are locked, including the garage doors.
What to do if your house is broken into
  • Immediately leave the house. The burglar may break in your house again.
  • Never confront a burglar or block their exit route. The burglar might be armed with a weapon.
  • Immediately call 911 when you are safely outside your home or in a neighbour's home.
Knowing your Credit Score
  • Knowing your credit score allows you to be able to keep track with your current or previous loans for the previous 6 years.
  • Without regular checking your credit score may be lower than expected. Missing or late loan payments or mistakes in your report can reduce your credit score.
  • A low credit score can prevent you from making large loans in the future (such as mortgages).
  • More information about checking your credit score can be found here.

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