Cottage Life
The nice weather is upon us and soon many will be heading to their cottage to open it up for the season. This property is our home away from home and where many people spend a great deal of time over the late spring, summer and early fall.
There are many things to inspect and carefully review to help prevent issues or insurance claims to ensure a safe and enjoyable cottage season:
- Wind damage – Make sure you inspect the building (especially the roof) for any potential wind damage that occurred over the winter months. Don’t forget any screened in porch areas or bunkies!
- Rodent damage – In the cold winter months, it is common for many rodents and small animals to seek shelter in nearby cottages. When opening for the season, carefully inspect the cottage for any unwanted guests and inspect for any rodent damage.
- Smoke Detectors and Alarms – Make sure to replace the batteries in all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. These small devices are a simple measure to save lives and property damage.
- Water – As you turn on the water for the first time of the year, make sure to check the pipes for any leaks and cracks that may have occurred over the cold winter months. This could help prevent larger issues down the road.
When insuring a cottage property, there are many factors that go into the coverage and insurance policy. Like your home policy, you will need to know information on the cottage to ensure it is properly covered and insured (see March’s article for more information on this).
Many cottage properties consist of more than just the main building. With this, you will want to advise your broker of any other outbuildings or bunkies you have, as well as any water toys or boats you have. These all factor into the cost of the insurance for the property. Lastly, you will need to decide if you will be renting out the cottage, even if it’s just to family or friends, or to third parties on airbnb/cottage rental sites. Renting of a cottage can impact the type of insurance you are offered and coverages you may be eligible for.
Contact our team to talk more about cottage insurance and find the right solution for you.
Scott Sleightholm, CAIB, R.I.B.(Ont.), Vice President, Kenny Insurance Brokers
