Of course, you may have already done a heating system check prior to the really cold weather, however it is a good plan to do this again. It is not too late to check that you have not left anything out, as well as re-check these systems for any other signs of maintenance that may be required.

First and Foremost, if you have an outdoor air conditioner, you will want to make sure it is being protected while not is use. Your air conditioner unit should be kept clear of any leaves, branches, sticks, etc. It is also recommended that you place a cover over it to protect it, in particular the heating coils. from any moisture that can accumulate from the snow or ice.

Maintaining the Furnace & Fireplace Components

Moving onto the heating unit themselves, there are some steps you can take to ensure these are in working condition, in order to support the needs of your home during the winter months. When it comes to your furnace, it is recommended that you have a professional examine and the filters. Secondly, if you have a fireplace in your home, this will also need to be inspected prior to use each year.  At the same time, heat vents should be checked for any blockages as well as this can mean that the heat is not effectively making its way into the proper parts of your home.

Examining Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Additionally, at the top of the list should be the inspection of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This is so that you ensure they are doing their job effectively and keeping you, your loved ones and your home, safe.

Overall, the goal here is to make sure that when you are relying on all of these various heating systems, they are in fact, working as they should, while also ensuring you feel safe and secure in your own home.

Also, a key element is keeping your home warm during the winter is the task of inspecting all doors and windows. This step also helps support the effective heating of your home, whereby ensuring that excess amounts of heat are not being lost to the outdoors.

Some specific aspects to look for include, checking that the weather stripping around the doors and window frames are not showing any gaps or signs of wear and tear. If you do identify this type of damage, it is best to repair it as soon as possible, so that you don’t have to suffer with unnecessary drafts as well as major heat loss in your home this winter.

In addition to prepping your house itself, you also need to remember to have your necessary winter gear on hand. These can include snow shovels, snow blowers, ice scrapers and snow brushes, and of course, ice. Having these items within reach will really save you in a pinch, when you are rushing to get out the door and also on your way to any one of your essential destinations.

You will also want to stock up on items like food, water, batteries, and flashlights, etc. as it is helpful to have these at your disposal, in the event that travelling is not an option, and also in the case of a power outage.

With winter weather in Canada being unpredictable as times, it is best to be as prepared as possible in order to deal with the demands of the season. Not only will you and your family be safe, your home will be as well.

With both your financial and your loved one’s well-being in mind, you can also look to home insurance as a key element of your winter home preparedness plan.

Reach out to the Leaders Insurance team to learn more about our services, and to find a home insurance policy that will best meet the needs of you – and your home as you look ahead to another season.

One of the main ways that business have taken steps towards digitalized services involves using resources that enable online collaboration. By now you are likely more familiar with video call tools such as Zoom and of course email and other online messaging services have been in use for sometime. However,  another method of virtual collaboration that is gaining more traction are services that allow for employees to collaborate not just with each other, but also with their clients.

For example, insurance companies have started to rely more heavily on applications that allow for documents to be completed and processed virtually, and one of these main tools includes smart documents and e-signature capabilities. This not only can help with efficiency, but during times when it isn’t possible to have in-person contact, these services can still be offered and as a result, the insurance needs of clients can continue to be fulfilled.

Another avenue that companies have pursued in order to set up their digital approach to business is through the use of self-service tools. Again, in order to counteract the necessity for restricted in person services, businesses have moved towards using self-service portals and mobile apps to provide continuity and accessibility to customers on a broader scale. Through digital methods like these, insurance clients avoid the need to only be able to move forward with their insurance policy changes when only limited to reaching an insurance broker directly by phone or email.

As such, insurance brokers can effectively serve their clients and in turn, clients also have more ease and flexibility with regards to how and when they manage and access their insurance policies or other related services.

The Cloud, perhaps one of those technology pieces that although has been around for quite sometime, not everyone has found the time to gain a completed understanding of what it does exactly. In fact, many individuals are already using it in their daily lives without full awareness of its range of benefits.

Fortunately, Cloud technology has the ability to enable businesses to stay connected when using a broad range of devices, so that they can also provide more efficient costumer support and continuity of services. With the reality that employees are more likely to work from home or work remotely from different locations, businesses can still run smoothly without the need for everyone to be in the same place at the same time.

From an insurance perspective, this scenario also most certainly applies.  Digital aspects of the Cloud can also help to protect insurance documents and the loss of information. Due to the strong nature of its data security, insurance companies can rely on the Cloud for storage, accessibly and protection of their insurance files; and in turn, clients can also rest assured that this information is kept safe with the help of this existing technology.

As insurance companies continue to be committed to serving the needs of their clients, the future prospects of incorporating more digitalized options can help them to rise up and meet these needs through a variety of unique and effective ways.

Contact Leaders Insurance to find out how we can help you manage your insurance policy needs, while both safety and efficiency remain at the forefront of our business goals this year.