Insurance expert cautions snowbirds against vacation social media posts

By Alex Robinson

As winter takes hold early this year and snowbirds start to head south, a Canadian insurance expert is warning seniors against posting their vacation whereabouts on social media.

Anne-Marie Thomas, of InsuranceHotline.com, told 1310 NEWS' The Rick Gibbons Show that snowbirds should make sure not to broadcast the fact that they are going away for the winter. She said people may think nothing of posting pictures of their vacation on Facebook or Instagram, but it can lead to break-ins. 

“Anyone who is looking at your Facebook feed — even if it's someone you don't know — they know 'oh they really are gone until March, OK I'm going to plan a break-in,'” she said.

While residents should not let their social networks know when they are away, Thomas recommended they speak to their insurance company to let them know how long they will be gone. 

She also suggested that residents who are going to be away for more than 30 days, should make sure to have someone come and check their home during winter months. If an incident were to occur, their insurance claim could be denied if they failed to have someone regularly check in. And as Canadians become more litigious, Thomas said it is always a good idea to arrange to have a neighbour shovel driveways to limit any exposure to possible lawsuits. 

Listen to the full interview here:

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