Summer is the season of road trips, family getaways, and long-awaited vacations. While you’re relaxing poolside, exploring a new city, or enjoying Oregon’s mountains and coastline, it’s important to know your home is protected while you’re away.

For more than 70 years, Elliott, Powell, Baden & Baker Insurance has helped Oregon families protect their homes, understand their coverage, and navigate the claims process when unexpected losses occur. As an independent insurance agency, we work with multiple insurance carriers and regularly help homeowners evaluate coverage for common risks such as water damage, theft, liability claims, and weather-related losses.

Before you pack your bags, there are several simple steps you can take to reduce risk and help protect your home during your absence. Just as importantly, it’s worth understanding how your homeowners insurance policy may respond if something unexpected happens while you’re away.

Secure Before You Go

A few simple precautions can significantly reduce the risk of damage or theft while your home is unoccupied:

• Lock all doors and windows. Don’t forget garage access points and basement windows.

• Set timers on lights. Strategic lighting schedules can create the appearance that someone is home.

• Pause mail and deliveries. Overflowing mailboxes and packages can signal that a property is vacant.

• Let a trusted neighbor know. Ask them to keep an eye on your property and collect any unexpected deliveries.

• Unplug electronics. This can help reduce fire risks and protect devices from power surges.

• Turn off the main water supply. Water damage remains one of the most common homeowners insurance claims, and shutting off the water can help prevent costly losses caused by burst pipes, appliance failures, or plumbing leaks while you’re away.

Before You Leave, Review Your Policy

Every homeowners policy is different. Before heading out on vacation, consider scheduling a quick review with your EPB&B agent. We can help:

• Confirm your current coverage

• Identify potential gaps or exclusions

• Review liability limits

• Discuss optional protections such as umbrella coverage, service line coverage, or discounts available through smart home monitoring systems

Travel With Confidence This Summer

Most vacations go exactly as planned. But when homeowners insurance claims occur, they often involve situations that could have been minimized through preparation and a better understanding of available coverage.

At Elliott, Powell, Baden & Baker, we’ve helped Oregon homeowners navigate insurance decisions and recover from unexpected losses for generations. Whether you’re concerned about water damage, theft, liability exposures, or extended vacancies, taking a few minutes to review your coverage before you leave can help you return home with greater peace of mind.

The best time to understand your homeowners insurance is before you need it. If you haven’t reviewed your policy recently, summer is an excellent opportunity to make sure your coverage aligns with your home, assets, and lifestyle.

Summer in Oregon means sunshine, outdoor adventures, and, unfortunately, the start of wildfire season. With record-breaking heat and increasingly dry conditions becoming more common across the state, wildfire risk is on the rise. Over the past five years, Oregon has experienced several destructive wildfires, including the 2020 Labor Day fires that burned more than 1 million acres, destroyed over 4,000 homes and structures, and became some of the most devastating in state history.

As we prepare for another dry summer in 2026 , now is the time to ask: Is your homeowners’ insurance ready to protect your home and belongings in the event of a wildfire?

At Elliott, Powell, Baden & Baker Insurance, our experienced Personal Lines team is here to help Oregonians like you understand exactly what your policy covers, and just as importantly, what it doesn’t. We’ll review your current coverage, identify any gaps or limitations, and ensure you have the proper protection in place for the season ahead.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Typically Cover in the Event of a Wildfire?

Most standard homeowners insurance policies in Oregon include wildfire protection, but it’s essential to understand each component of your policy:

If you are a business owner, make sure your business is protected this summer. At EPB&B Insurance we work with businesses across the Pacific Northwest, helping put a comprehensive plan in place. For more information from our team read: Safeguard your business during wildfire season, and how insurance can help