SECURITY
The;Security;of
Being;Home
A conversation with Rebecca Woan
Principal | Chartwell Insurance Services
There are many qualities that define the idea of home.
It is more than shelter; it is a familiar retreat that makes
its owner feel safe and secure. This feeling can also come
from taking the appropriate precautions to protect your-self,;your;family,;and;your;property.;Insurance;expert;Re-becca Woan works with insurance companies like Chubb
to evaluate and make recommendations regarding security and fire safety for each of the her client’s homes. We
asked her about strategies to make your home feel a safe
place to be.
Live & Play: Give us your thoughts on security
concerns.
Rebecca Korach Woan: As we see it, there are two
distinct elements of security: security at home and life-
style security. It is not just about installing the best alarm
system - it is about making sure that the alarm system
fits the lifestyle. There are so many new and affordable
technologies that most people don’t realize that they can
have a fairly sophisticated system for a lot less than they
might imagine.
L&P: What are some of these new technologies?
RKW: Perimeter security is one. This is a key element in
home defense. As a property owner, you want to know
there is an intruder before they reach your door. You can
wire around the property to be alerted before someone
reaches the home, and the systems can distinguish between animals and people. There are also video monitors, which are triggered if someone enters the side of the
home, or in front of the garage in the alley. Some systems
allow you to remotely provide entry to someone and
watch while they are making a delivery, for example, to
be sure they don’t go any further into your property than
you want.
© ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/LAWRENCE SAWYER
Having sophisticated technology is useless if you
neglect the most basic elements of home security, such
as keeping side gates, windows, and garages locked, and
also making sure that no one leaves ladders lying around,
inviting criminals to enter. Also, newspapers lying on the
front stoop for more than a day announce to anyone who
walks by that you aren’t home.
L&P: Tell us more about lifestyle security
RKW: This starts with your home telephone and computer network. You should have a Virtual Private Network
(VPN) and a firewall to prevent hackers that can attack
cordless phones as well as computers. You should use a
cross-cut paper shredder for sensitive documents. We
highly recommend thorough background checks for
household employees and also for anyone who will have
regular access to the home, like contractors. Ask for references and check them personally. These are really basic
things that many people overlook. I can’t begin to tell you
how many times we see household employees opening
the door for anyone who rings the bell. An unexpected
caller knocks on your door for one reason — to get something from you.
L&P: What is your favorite part of your job?
RKW: I really enjoy being able to help our clients and anticipate their needs. Whether it’s recommending the right
security system for their new home or referring them to
an appraiser for a piece of art they want insured, I’ve seen
it all, and I love being able to pass my experience on to
the people who come in to my office.
At the same time, getting to know my clients personally is also important to me. I’ve had one client e-mail to
ask me to follow their progress in the Mackinac sailing race,
and I’ve had another request that I keep her engagement a
secret (after insuring her ring) while she made her prepara-tions;for;the;announcement.;Getting;acquainted;with;the
people I’m helping is always something I value. L & P
