Lessons from the Field: Why Most Home Watch Services Aren’t Enough — And How to Protect Your Home

I’ve been on the front lines adjusting claims after Hurricane Ian, Helene, and Milton, and over and over, I saw the same problem: homeowners assumed their insurance would fully cover their property — only to find out their claims were limited because their homes were vacant or documentation wasn’t done correctly.

Most homeowners think a “certified” home watch service solves this. But here’s the reality: standard certifications are not designed to protect your insurance coverage.

The Vacancy Clause Can Cost You

Almost every homeowners policy has a vacancy clause. If your home sits empty too long (often 30–60 days), coverage for losses like leaks, vandalism, or storm damage may be limited or denied.

Random photo logs or basic inspections aren’t enough to satisfy insurers. I’ve seen firsthand how poor documentation can turn a legitimate claim into a dispute — or worse, a full denial.

Why Standard Home Watch Certification Isn’t Enough

Many providers proudly display a Home Watch Professional certification, but here’s the reality:

Feature	Standard Home Watch Certification	A&A Home Watch Angels
Business Basics	✅ Training on running a home watch business, checklists, reporting, client communication	✅ All of the above, plus advanced insurance-focused workflow
Insurance Expertise	⚠️ Little to no training on vacancy clauses or insurer expectations	✅ Designed from years of claims-adjusting experience, knows insurer requirements
Documentation	⚠️Photos with timestamps and basic reports	✅ Sequential GoPro walkthroughs, properly ordered photos, immediate issue capture, claims-ready format
Risk Mitigation	⚠️ Basic property checks	✅ Comprehensive risk mitigation: storm, water, theft, damage documentation, and 24 Technology Monitoring
Claims Support	⚠️ Not included	✅ Reports and video formatted for insurer review, reducing risk of claim denial

Working With Your Insurance Before the Problem Happens:

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is waiting until something goes wrong to involve their insurer. By then, it’s often too late — insurers may question whether the home was properly monitored, leaving claims at risk.

At A&A Home Watch Angels, we coordinate proactively with your insurance company:

• We make sure they understand your property is under professional monitoring

• Confirm the type and frequency of documentation they require

• Ensure any endorsements or vacancy permissions are in place before a loss occurs

This proactive approach often prevents disputes before they start.

Our Video Walkthroughs: Insurance-Savvy Monitoring

At A&A Home Watch Angels, we go far beyond checklists and snapshots. Every inspection is:

• Continuous GoPro walkthrough, capturing 100% of the property

• Systematic and sequential, exactly how insurers expect

• Immediate issue capture, documented in the proper order

• Claims-ready, securely stored and shareable with your insurance company
  

Because I’ve adjusted hundreds of hurricane claims, I know what works — and what doesn’t. This isn’t just “home watch.” It’s insurance-smart protection.

The Bottom Line

A home watch certification may look good on a website, but it doesn’t guarantee your insurance coverage is protected. Random photos or disorganized reports often aren’t enough when a claim arises.

With A&A Home Watch Angels, you get:

• Structured, claims-ready documentation from an experienced professional

• GoPro walkthroughs and immediate issue capture

• Peace of mind that your home — and your insurance — are protected