New homeowner’s guide: 6 safety tips and insurance essentials

Moving into a new home is an exciting time with your attention being pulled in multiple directions. Dora Novak, Director of Growth and Client Experience, Personal Insurance, AB, provides six tips to help keep protect your home and loved ones:
1. Review your homes contents and insure to their value
2. Change the locks immediately
3. Know where the water and gas shut-offs are
4. Review any maintenance items
5. Have an emergency exit plan
6. Invest in smart home sensors

Congratulations! You did it — you bought a home! You have moved in, hung that one picture that had to go up first, found a spot for the last lonely floor lamp and expertly hid the unpacked boxes.

You are probably still playing “which switch does what?” but before you fully sink into the couch, let’s talk about a few things to make your new home safe, sound and stress-free.

1. Know how much your stuff is worth

Remember how endless packing felt? Now imagine replacing all of it. That’s what your contents coverage is for. If you own a house, your coverage is usually a percentage of your home’s value. For condos or tenants, it’s a dollar amount you pick — and most people underestimate it.

Here is an easy fix: go room by room and pretend you’re online shopping to replace everything. Add it up, then call your insurance advisor to update your coverage. Don’t forget to list valuables like jewellery, art, instruments or high-end sports gear. Bonus points: take photos for your records — future-you will thank you in the event of a claim.

2. Safety & security

Change those locks. You have no idea how many keys are floating around from the previous owners. If your home has a smart keypad or doorbell camera, do a factory reset to boot out any old logins.

3. Find your water & gas shut-offs

Trust me, you do not want to frantically Googling “how to stop a water leak” at midnight. Find your main water shut-off valve now and test it. Same for the outdoor taps (before winter hits) and gas shut-offs. While you’re in the utility room, make friends with your electrical panel too. Knowledge = fewer panic-filled moments later.

4. Maintenance

If you had an inspection before buying (I strongly recommend it), now is a great time to review it again. Highlight what needs fixing soon, what can wait and what you’ll need to budget for. You don’t need to tackle it all at once – the joy of homeownership is that you can take your time.

Review our spring, fall and winter home maintenance tips for some additional guidance.

5. Plan your escape (just in case)

Finding your perfect reading nook is fun. Finding your emergency exit route? Less so — but just as important. Map out how to get out quickly in case of fire, test your smoke detectors and stash a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. You’ll sleep better knowing you’re prepared.

6. Invest in some smart technology

You can upgrade your home’s IQ with a few smart gadgets. My first add-ons? Water leak sensors and smart outdoor lights. Both connect to my phone — one prevents soggy surprises, the other keeps things bright and secure. Simple, affordable and peace-of-mind approved.

Don’t forget to update your insurance policy

Insurance plays an important role in helping protect your home. Before you move, contact your Acera Insurance advisor. We’re here to help you navigate your home insurance coverage and answer any questions you may have.

Contact us today to learn more.