Should I contact my broker before heading south this winter?

If you are planning a trip south this winter, there is an important exclusion found in all homeowner policies which you should be aware of. This exclusion concerns damage caused by the freezing of your heating and plumbing system. During the usual heating season, if you are absent from your home for more than four days (96 consecutive hours), any loss or damage caused by freezing is not covered unless you've taken one of two precautions:

• You must make sure that the dwelling is entered daily by a competent and responsible person who carefully checks the thermostat and other areas of the home to verify that the temperature is high enough to prevent freezing.
  
  
• If you plan on being away from your home for a significant period of time, shut off the water supply and drain the system.

This is a simple solution that does not require the time of a friend or neighbour and will help make your winter vacation more enjoyable and worry-free.

Why shouldn't you make a small claim?

For one thing, you lose your claims-free discount, which can take 5 to 10 per cent off your annual premiums. Make two claims within a short span, and you could well be looking at a substantial premium increase. With three claims, an insurer might decide not to renew your coverage. Note as well that a claim is a claim, no matter the amount. A lower $200 claim affects you the same way as a $2,000 claim.