Valley Home Check

10/20/2025

If you're planning a vacation this fall or an escape from the winter weather, there are a few things you need to consider when leaving your home empty for an extended period of time:
*Empty homes can lose insurance coverage after just 30 days.
*Having a security licensed home check company check your home regularly can protect your coverage.
Most British Columbia insurance policies have a 30-day rule. Leave your home empty for more than 30 days without telling your insurance company, and you could lose coverage completely.
Some companies start the vacancy clock after just a few days, depending on the season and other circumstances. Other insurance providers may give you up to 60 days. But don't count on having the full time frame, especially during winter when freeze risks are high.
What's often excluded from insurance coverage for an empty home:
# Water damage (almost always excluded)
# Vandalism and malicious acts
# Theft or attempted theft
# Glass breakage
Damage from freezing
Home check services are more affordable than you might think compared to paying out of pocket for damages incurred from a lack of coverage.
In order to maintain your insurance coverage while your house is empty, take the following steps:
1. Call a security licensed, fully insured, Home Check company before you leave.
2. Explain how long the house will be empty and why.
3. Arrange for home check services with frequent, scheduled checks.
4. Have a contract in place before you go.
If having your home cared for by a home check specialist is of interest to you, contact
Robert McLennan, Valley Home Check,
for a complimentary assessment of your most valuable asset before leaving this fall.
Cell: 250 465-2578
Office: 250 897-3349
email: [email protected]

09/18/2025

If you're planning a vacation this fall or an escape from the winter weather, there are a few things you need to consider when leaving your home empty for an extended period of time:

*Empty homes can lose insurance coverage after just 30 days.
*Having a security licensed home check company check your home regularly can protect your coverage.

Most British Columbia insurance policies have a 30-day rule. Leave your home empty for more than 30 days without telling your insurance company, and you could lose coverage completely.

Some companies start the vacancy clock after just a few days, depending on the season and other circumstances. Other insurance providers may give you up to 60 days. But don't count on having the full time frame, especially during winter when freeze risks are high.

What's often excluded from insurance coverage for an empty home:
# Water damage (almost always excluded)
# Vandalism and malicious acts
# Theft or attempted theft
# Glass breakage
Damage from freezing

Home check services are more affordable than you might think compared to paying out of pocket for damages incurred from a lack of coverage.

In order to maintain your insurance coverage while your house is empty, take the following steps:
1. Call a security licensed, fully insured, Home Check company before you leave.
2. Explain how long the house will be empty and why.
3. Arrange for home check services with frequent, scheduled checks.
4. Have a contract in place before you go.

If having your home cared for by a home check specialist is of interest to you, contact

Robert McLennan, Valley Home Check,
for a complimentary assessment of your most valuable asset before leaving this fall.

Cell: 250 465-2578
Office: 250 897-3349
email: [email protected]

01/12/2024

-10 C overnight and still liquified using a 40w bulb. If you have a hummingbird feeder, it's not too late to pick up a heater from the MARS gift shop. The gift shop is open today, Saturday and Sunday. Keep in mind, these heaters are assembled by volunteers and donated to MARS. A win-win for the hummingbirds and the MARS organization.

Note: the gift shop is closed this weekend for a planning session. My mistake.

10/21/2023

Valley Home Check is pleased to announce that we have been awarded the A+ designation by the Vancouver Island Better Business Bureau. The designation compliments Valley Home Check's commitment to continuous improvement in providing the best services to our clients.

10/18/2023

Beware Thy Well-Intentioned Neighbor

Before asking a neighbor to look after your home while you’re away on holidays, you’ll want to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Does your neighbor have liability insurance to cover any damages that may result from improper home check procedures?
2. Does your neighbor follow proper home check procedures?
3. Do you know your neighbor well enough to entrust them with your home’s keys and alarm codes?
4. Is your neighbor willing to commit themselves for the period of time you are away?
5. If your neighbor cannot continue to do home checks, do they have a back-up plan and what is the plan?
6. Is your neighbor aware of the responsibility they are committing themselves to and the possible repercussions?
7. What will happen if the neighbor gets hurt or does damage to your home while performing house checks?
8. Is your neighbor aware of the insurance consequences of not performing proper home checks and that your home insurance may be nullified in the event of a claim?

Valley Home Check can answer all your questions and remove any uncertainty you have when you are away on holidays.

Valley Home Check is liability insured and carries BC Work Safe coverage. Their employees are Licensed Security Professionals with current criminal record checks on file and follow home check procedures customized to your home. An extensive report is issued to you after each home check.

Don’t leave your most valued possession, your home, to unlicensed, uninsured individuals. It’s not worth the risk.

09/16/2023

Hello everyone. Recently, some of my clients have been approached by individuals offering home check services at a reduced price. Be very leery of this if it happens to you, even if you're not a Valley Home Check client.

If you are offered home check services, you'll want to ask the following questions:
1. Are the people offering the service bonded and liability insured?
2. Do the people offering the service hold current security guard licenses and criminal records checks?
3. Do the people offering the service have a current BC Security Business and City Issued license?
4. Are the people offering the service willing to provide proof of documentation?

If these people cannot answer these questions with proof of documentation, you are likely dealing with fraudulent individuals. Do not let them into your home!

Valley Home Check can and will provide proof of documentation to the questions asked above.

Using any other "home check service provider" is putting you and your biggest asset, your home, at risk. It's just not worth it.

09/12/2023

Hello all, a friendly reminder starting September 11, 2023, the Comox Valley moved to Stage Three watering restrictions. Remember to reset your irrigation schedules.

Current Water Restrictions in the Comox Valley Water Local Service AreaWater RestrictionsBlack Creek-Oyster Bay Water Local Service Area​​​​​​Map of Service AreaBlack Creek-Oyster Bay Water Conservation BylawBCOB Watering Schedule Stage 3News ReleaseComox Valley Water SystemCity of Court...

07/04/2023

Hi Folks, A quick reminder that the Comox Valley is under Stage 2 Water Restrictions. https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/services/water/current-water-restrictions/stage-2-water-restrictions
I hope everyone is having a great summer!

The regional district has a wide range of active initiatives and programs that improve quality of life in the Comox Valley.

05/05/2023

Planning a vacation this summer? Here are some of the steps Valley Home Check will take to make sure your home is secure and looks lived in. These steps are part of our regular home check services.
1. Arranging lawn cutting/landscaping
2. Set up lights and timers
3. Clear front entry of papers/mail/flyers
4. Adjust blinds occasionally
5. Checking outbuildings/sheds
6. Disconnect garage door openers
7. Change batteries in smoke/CO2 detectors when necessary
8. Ensure windows/doors are closed and secure
9. Remove any ladders from the yard and secure in garage/shed to eliminate means of access
10. Arrive at your home in an unmarked vehicle

Contact Valley Home Check for the complete list of services.

Robert McLennan
250-897-3349
[email protected]

Send a message to learn more

04/17/2023

Going on holidays this summer, book your home check services early while there are spots available. Follow this link:

For more information about Valley Home Check services in the Comox Valley and surrounding communities, please contact Robert by phone or email: Continue readingContact Us