Have you read our guide about keeping your home safe while you travel?
There we mentioned that announcing your travel plans on social media probably isn’t the best idea.
Think about it: If your Twitter account is public, a tweet about how you’re leaving now for two weeks in the sun won’t just make your friends and family envious. It will also let certain unscrupulous sorts know that your home will be unoccupied for the foreseeable.
Any criminals savvy enough to spot this opportunity won’t have too much trouble scouring your other social media accounts for clues that will enable them to identify precisely where you live. This done, they won’t have too much trouble pinpointing your home: It’ll be the one where the lights are left on all day.
They’ll be able to effect a break-in, safe in the knowledge that their crimes won’t be discovered for days, or even weeks. They’ll rob you blind, which means that you’ll return from your holiday with significantly fewer possessions.
And as if that wasn’t bad enough, once you finally gather your composure and make a claim, your insurers probably won’t take kindly to the fact that you announced to the world that your home would be unoccupied all those weeks ago.
Yes, your insurer will check your social media account. And if they find something that may have encouraged a break-in, it may invalidate your entire claim.
Your insurers may view an update as evidence that you didn’t take “reasonable care” to secure your property. So as well as inadvertently encouraging a break-in, misuse of social media may also eliminate your chances of receiving the settlement you need to recover.
Short answer – be very careful what you share on social media.
It’s not just “we’re going away” announcements either. Photographs from your holiday send a similar message to would-be criminals.
And as this Huffington Post blog argues, even something as simple as a photo of your living room might alert thieves that you’ve valuable property. And this might be enough to convince them that a break-in would be a risk worth taking.
But beyond taking care over what you share, you can also take steps to secure your social media accounts.
Click here for information on how to secure your Twitter account, and here for tips on how to secure your Facebook account.
At this point, you would hope that your insurance company is there to help but unfortunately, this is not always the case. We have known families who have felt intimidated by insurers and have been treated as though they have done something wrong, or are in some way to blame for their situation.
How to respond to a Loss Adjuster
Why they ask
This is to compare your version of events against your policy coverage and timelines.
Smart answer
Always stick to the facts. Avoid speculation or emotional exaggeration.
With a loss assessor
A loss assessor will help you structure your account clearly so you don’t over- or under-share.
How to respond to a Loss Adjuster
Why they ask
They’re basically verifying if the event falls within your coverage period.
Smart answer
Be as specific as possible with the date and time.
Avoid
'I think it was last week sometime...'
Tip
A loss assessor will ensure that this matches other documentation, like alarm logs or photos.
How to respond to a Loss Adjuster
Why they ask
They want to confirm the circumstances and establish liability or negligence.
Smart answer
Answer honestly and clearly, and mention if others were present.
Tip
If others witnessed the event, a loss assessor may advise collecting statements from them to bolster your claim.
How to respond to a Loss Adjuster
Why they ask
They want to validate the items you’re claiming for.
Smart answer
Where possible, provide receipts, invoices, photos or warranty documents.
No receipts?
No stress, a loss assessor may be able to help you establish the value using alternative methods.
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