Holiday Travel Plans: Ontario Homeowners’ Essential Insurance Checklist
Planning a getaway? This guide helps Ontario Homeowners secure their property and manage Home Insurance obligations before they leave. Follow practical steps to protect your house, notify your insurer correctly, and reduce the risk of a claim while you travel.
Meet Lisa, a Toronto homeowner who learned the hard way that a forgotten phone call to her broker can turn a simple trip into a long insurance headache. Her experience will illustrate each step below.
When to make an Insurance Provider Notification before leaving
Notifying your broker or insurer is often required when your home will be vacant for extended periods. Different companies have varying vacancy thresholds, so check your Insurance Policy and speak to your provider well in advance.
Lisa called her insurer 10 days before a month-long trip and discovered her policy required a special vacancy endorsement after 30 days. That quick call protected her from a potential denial after a burst pipe. Insurance Provider Notification early can prevent surprise coverage gaps.
For travel-specific guidance and timing details, review our holiday travel insurance tips to know what to tell your insurer and when to tell it.
Vacation Preparation: home security steps every Ontario homeowner must take
Secure your property with targeted actions that insurers expect and thieves notice. Basic checks reduce the chance of theft, water damage, or costly claims while you’re away.
- Set timers for lights and consider smart plugs to create an occupied look; this supports Home Security and deters burglars.
- Arrange trusted neighbours or a property manager for mail and snow removal—accumulated mail is a clear sign of vacancy.
- Shut off water to nonessential appliances or install leak detectors to prevent frozen-pipe damage during Ontario winters.
- Unplug high-risk electronics and back up sensitive data to protect against power surges and theft.
- Document valuables with photos and serial numbers for faster claims processing if needed.
For more comprehensive safety advice before you leave, see our practical insurance safety tips that align with what insurers look for during risk assessments.
Key insight: a few proactive security moves cut both risk and anxiety, and make any future claim smoother.
Watch practical demonstrations on setting smart devices and timers to mimic occupancy. These steps are low-cost and highly effective for Property Protection while you travel.
Travel Safety and deliveries: protecting parcels and services while away
Parcel theft spikes during holiday seasons. Stop deliveries, forward packages, or use secure pickup to avoid losses. Your insurer may ask whether parcels were left unattended during a loss event.
If you must receive items, arrange limited deliveries or invest in a lockbox. Learn more about options and related coverage in our guide to holiday delivery insurance.
Key insight: controlling deliveries and service visits reduces both theft risk and claim disputes.
Which parts of your insurance policy to review before departure
Review vacancy clauses, water damage limits, and theft coverage. Many policies specify a vacancy period—commonly 30 days—after which certain perils are excluded unless you purchase an endorsement.
Consider travel-specific protections too. For example, some travellers add trip interruption or cancellation coverage. Our comparison pages such as ultimate travel insurance and cancel for any reason insurance explain options that complement your home policy.
In 2025, insurers are increasingly offering remote monitoring discounts and temporary vacancy endorsements, so ask about modern policy add-ons when you call. Property Protection begins with understanding these policy details.
Use this short walkthrough to prepare the exact information your insurer will ask for: dates of absence, contact person, and any security measures in place. Clear communication speeds approvals and reduces misunderstandings.
Travel Plans and trip-level protections that complement home coverage
While your Holiday Travel is underway, personal travel insurance can protect against medical emergencies and trip interruption. If your trip involves prepaid, nonrefundable costs, consider policies discussed in our travel insurance holiday guide.
For frequent travellers using premium cards, check product-specific options like travel insurance American Express to see if extra travel protections are already included. Combining home and travel coverages gives layered safety for both property and people.
Key insight: pairing a reviewed home policy with targeted travel insurance closes gaps that neither alone might cover.
Quick checklist for Ontario homeowners before leaving on holiday
Use this short list to ensure you’ve covered essentials. Each item is tied to either risk reduction or insurer expectations.
- Notify your insurer or broker about travel dates and vacancy length.
- Secure the home with timed lights, cameras, and neighbor checks.
- Manage deliveries and stop mail to avoid visible vacancy.
- Shut off or winterize water systems if away during freezing months.
- Document valuables and update inventory photos for claims support.
Key insight: check these five items the week before departure to minimize surprises.
Want deeper reading or product options? Browse our related pieces on advanced trip and home protections, including ultimate travel insurance choices and specific cancel for any reason policies that may match your needs.
Do I have to tell my insurer I'm leaving for vacation?
Yes—if your home will be vacant beyond the vacancy period in your policy, most insurers require notification. Contact your broker to confirm timelines and whether a temporary endorsement is needed.
What security steps will help a future claim be accepted?
Simple measures such as setting timers, arranging snow removal or mail collection, and installing leak detectors show you took reasonable precautions. Documenting these steps and providing contact details for a local check-in can strengthen your claim.
Does travel insurance replace home insurance while I'm away?
No. Travel insurance protects people and trip costs, while home insurance covers property risks. Use both if you want coverage for health/emergency travel issues plus protection for the physical home.
What if my delivery is stolen while I'm on holiday?
Report theft to local police, notify your insurer, and keep delivery records and photos. Preventive actions like holding deliveries or using secure pickup reduce this risk—see our guide on