Allen Insurance Group Blog

Keep your Home Safe While You're Away with These 5 Tips

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:58:47 GMT

Are you planning your next big family vacation? Maybe you’re traveling for business, or need to be away from home for a few days. Although we don't like to think about the possibility of our home being damaged or burglarized while we're away, it's something to consider to ensure that it stays safe - and in one piece for your return.

Check out our five tips for ensuring that your home is safe while you're away.

Be sure to check all outlets before you leave. This may sound like a no-brainer, but checking all of the electrical outlets before you leave your home is a must. If you leave something that creates heat plugged in, like a curling iron or coffee pot, it could result in a fire. Taking a few minutes to do a once-over before you leave to ensure that all appliances are unplugged before you leave will give you peace of mind.
Lock all doors and all windows, even the ones that you don't think are easily accessible. One of the biggest mistakes that homeowners make is not checking all of their doors and windows before they leave. You want to be sure to check even the doors that you don't think are accessible from the outside - like the doors to your home from your attached garage, and other internal entrance points, like from your basement to your main level. This will ensure that you have various levels of protection in the event of a break in.
If you normally leave the blinds open, do so. You want to leave things looking as normal as possible, and not leave any reason for passersby to think that you're gone. Keep your home safe by leaving some blinds open to give people the impression that someone is still in the home.
Stop the mail for the time period that you're gone. Like we mentioned in the previous tip, you want to give the impression that you're still home. If passersby see that your mailbox is bursting at the seams, they might get the idea that you're gone, which is exactly what you want to avoid. Stop your mail delivery for the time period that you're gone, so that you don't have to worry about people becoming suspicious.
Insure your home properly. With proper home insurance, you can travel in peace. Be sure to talk with Allen Insurance Group about the right coverage for your home.

Now go enjoy a much-needed vacation!

Simple Household Pest Control Methods

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:58:47 GMT

No one likes the thought of having pests in their home, whether they be rodents, cockroaches, ants, or any other common household pests. If pest activity is common in your area, it is important to take steps to prevent them from infesting your home. Try these tips to help keep pests at bay over the years.

Seal Off Access Points

The best way to prevent pest infestations is to stop the pests from ever getting inside your house in the first place. To do this, you'll need to ensure there is no way for them to gain access. Check the weather stripping around your doors and windows, and ensure all vents are covered with screens. This includes in the eaves around your roof, as attics are common homes for pests.

Store Food Properly

Pests typically come inside looking for sources of food, so your goal is to make that task as challenging for them as possible. Once you have opened a package of food, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container rather than leaving it in the package. Pantries are the most common areas for pests to look for food, so make sure everything is sealed up tightly. The same goes for pet food. Invest in a storage container or choose pet food that comes in a resealable bag. If possible, keep it inside the house rather than in the garage.

Use Natural Deterrents

Before you resort to chemical pest control substances, try planting some natural pest deterrents, such as mint, basil, and lavender. Your local nursery or garden store can help you select varieties that are appropriate to the climate in your area, so don't be shy about asking. They can also advise you as to how to properly care for the plants to maximize their pest-deterring properties.

Know When to Call in the Professionals

Despite your best efforts, you may still end up with pests in your home. Particularly with wood borers, such as termites and carpenter ants, time is of the essence in getting rid of them to prevent damage. You generally won't be able to get rid of these types of pests on your own, so be sure to call in a pest control expert right away if you suspect you have an infestation. Regular visits from your pest control service can help keep most other common pests away as well, so you may wish to consider investing in an ongoing service if pests are a constant problem in your home.

The Smart Way to Secure Your Home

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 14:58:47 GMT

Smart technology has brought us many benefits, including new ways of securing our homes. Regardless of the type of home where you live, be it an apartment or a house or anything in between, you’re sure to find helpful options below that you can manage from anywhere with just your smartphone.

Smart Locks

Smart locks are a boon to both apartment dwellers and other homeowners. Many apartment management companies allow these or install them themselves because it saves their staff from dealing with lockouts and having to screen visitors.

Smart locks come in different varieties and can be configured in multiple ways, depending on your needs. For example, you can give a door passcode to your nanny or housekeeper to come and go without a key. If you change home workers, you simply have to change the code, with no worries about a stray key still in someone’s pocket.

You can also control some smart locks remotely with your smartphone. This is good for when a worker or delivery person is at the door and you want them to set a package inside, but you don’t want to give them the passcode to your home.

Door Cameras

Smart locks often go hand in hand with door cameras, also known as doorbell cameras. These record the comings and goings at your front entrance, and you can view it all on your mobile device.

Door cameras are ideal for:

Seeing who’s outside when an unexpected visitor rings the bell
Knowing when your kids come home from school when you’re not home
Monitoring your front door while you’re on vacation
Checking for a package delivery
Seeing if someone is stealing your packages or mail
Deterring would-be intruders on the front porch

Automatic Garage Door Features

Garage door technology has come a long way lately. Basic up/down features let you open and close the door from the comfort of your home’s interior or inside your vehicle.

Even better, new security elements let you control the door from afar with your smartphone or tablet. If you realize you left it open, you don’t have to wait until you go home again to close it.

Some garage door security options go one step further. You can get an alert if someone tries to raise or tilt the door, so you can stop an intruder by calling the police.

Lighting to Deter Intruders

Lighting has always been one of the best defenses against intruders. In addition to motion sensor lights and dawn/dusk features, you can now find lighting controlled by your cell phone.

Say you’re at work and your teen calls to say they're coming home early from sports practice. You can turn on the lights for them to make their entry safer. Likewise, you can turn lights on and off when you’re traveling to make it look like someone is home.

Alarms and Security Cameras

Alarms and security cameras are growing in both technology and popularity. There are DIY models and those that you must integrate with a security monitoring company for a fee. In the latter case, they usually provide the equipment and maintain it for you.

These systems let you watch who is in or on your property from a distance via your phone, whether you’re upstairs or halfway around the globe. Alarms will sound and you’ll get a mobile alert if someone opens a door, raises a window, or breaks glass. If you have a DIY system, you can call the police. If your system is part of a professional service, they will respond or alert local law enforcement.

Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

No home would be complete without smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Previously, these security elements were only helpful if you were present in the home. Now, however, you can get alarms on your mobile device with more sophisticated models that work with Wi-Fi to alert you to danger at home.

One more important thing to note about smart home security: be sure to let your insurance agent know about any features you add to your house or apartment. You may be entitled to savings on your homeowner's insurance or renter’s insurance, which is a nice bonus to the peace of mind you get with these security elements.

Avoiding Water Issues in Your Home

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:58:47 GMT

Water damage is one of the worst problems that homeowners can run into. Not only can it be incredibly expensive to repair, depending on the extent of the damage, but it can also create the potential for mold and mildew to form. This can pose a serious health risk to you and your loved ones, especially if anyone has allergies, asthma, or other breathing problems. Follow these helpful tips to minimize your risk of water issues in and around your home.

Know Where the Shutoff Valve Is

Everyone in your home should know where the water supply shutoff valve is located. In many homes, it is in the garage, in the basement, or along the side of the house towards the front of the property. Make sure that everyone knows how to operate it as well. This way, if you encounter a burst pipe or other complication, you'll be able to turn off the water supply as quickly as possible to minimize the extent of the damage.

Maintain Your Sprinkler System

As long as your plants and lawn are healthy, you probably don't give much thought to your sprinkler system. However, this is one of the most common areas for burst pipes, as plant and tree roots are often strong enough to puncture the pipes and hoses throughout your sprinkler system. When your system is running, take the time to inspect your yard, looking for any areas that are especially wet, as this could be a sign of an underground leak. Fixing the leak not only prevents the damage from spreading to your home but stops your water bills from skyrocketing as well.

Winterize All Outdoor Pipes and Faucets

If you live in an area that is prone to freezing in the winter, it is crucial that you winterize any exposed pipes. Water expands as it freezes, which can rupture the pipes, leading to a massive leak when the water thaws once again. Thermal wrappings for pipes are relatively inexpensive, but they don't last forever. Be sure to inspect them before the cold weather hits each year, replacing them as needed to keep your pipes protected.

The better you are able to keep watch on your water system, the easier it will be to spot any potential leaks before they can cause major damage to your property. So, stay vigilant throughout the year to keep your home safe!