According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, a clear understanding of all the risks you may encounter allows you to measure and prioritize them. It also gives you the opportunity to take appropriate steps to reduce the potential for loss.
For homeowners
Always according to Insurance Bureau of Canada, here are 5 questions to ask:
- What can go wrong?
- Know your liabilities. For instance, learn about your slip, trip and fall risks.
- What can I do to mitigate my risks?
- Limit alcohol consumption when you host events at home.
- Create an emergency preparedness kit and plan emergency exit routes with your family members.
- Prevent sewer overflow in your basement by installing a backwater valve.
- Ensure that all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.
- How do I handle a loss situation?
- Keep calm and learn the 7 things you need to know when making a property claim.
- In case I need to make a claim, how do I confirm the value of my contents?
- A current home inventory of your belongings makes it easier to file a claim.
- Can I protect my property against unpredictable events?
- Consider adding earthquake coverage to your policy for additional peace of mind.
For car owners
- Stay focused on the road
- Keep your cellphone out of sight and put it on silent
- Avoid drinking and driving
- Practice defensive driving
- Observe the roads by staying aware of your surroundings.
- Identify and adapt to hazards that you can come in contact with while driving.
- Expect others to make mistakes and plan how to react appropriately.
- Follow the law
- Respect speed limits
- Stop at all stop signs
- Yield pedestrians
- Use turn signals
- Wear your seatbelt
- Prevent car theft:
- Make sure electronics and valuables cannot be seen through your windows
- Always lock your doors
- Equip your car with a monitor device/GPS
