No one wants to pay to heat an empty house, but some home insurers recommend keeping thermostats at 65°F when you’re out of town—even if it’s just for the weekend. While a good homeowners policy should cover damage from a frozen pipe that bursts, if the insurance company suspects sufficient efforts weren’t made to keep the house warm enough, claims could be denied. Though proving you maintained a certain temperature may not be feasible unless you have a smart thermostat, your insurer can also check up on you by looking at utility bills, oil delivery schedules, or past usage. Another way to help heat reach plumbing pipes: Before you go away, open cabinet and vanity doors to encourage warm air to circulate.
Thanks to: Jason Metzger, Senior Vice President and Head of Risk Management, PURE Insurance