Working from home has taken on a whole new meaning since the start of the pandemic. For most people, working from home went from being an occasional or even semi-regular occurrence to a daily reality. This shift in work from home culture has changed quite a few things for many. Here are a few tips to consider if “home” is your new workplace.
Your car still needs some love If your daily commute has disappeared, you may not be driving as much, or you may have decided to park your car for an extended period of time. Proper car maintenance is even more important when your car is not in use consistently.
Keep your oil changes on schedule even if you haven’t driven as many kilometres as usual
Check your tire pressure to make sure they haven’t deflated over time
Use a trickle charger to keep your battery from running down
Make sure your fluids — including your gas tank — are filled up
Even if you’re not driving, start your car from time to time
If you’re no longer commuting and/or your annual kms driven has changed, you may be able to adjust your insurance coverage without cancelling your policy. Ask about keeping your coverage active and your car protected with comprehensive insurance.
Making a home away from home
Working remotely may have opened the opportunity to work away from the office — like at the cottage. You can usually keep your home vacant for up to 30 days without affecting your insurance but have someone check on it regularly.
Have someone check in at least once a week and collect mail every day
Keep the heat on during winter months to avoid burst pipes
Turn your water heater to vacation mode
Use timers for lights and unplug unnecessary appliances
Don’t post on social media that your home is vacant
Take care of yourself One of the most challenging parts of working from home is the blurred lines between your work life and home life.
Make a conscious decision to set up boundaries to reduce that blur
Keep work-related items, like laptops and monitors in their own space — even if it’s just a corner of a room
Make personal care a priority
Use your calendar to block off time for lunch, walks and breaks
Set an alarm to remind you to walk away from your designated space at the end of the day
Can we help? While we can’t help you build more work-life balance, we can help you figure out your home and auto insurance needs. For questions or to get a quote, call Red Tunic Insurance today! 1-833-673-7269