The holidays are a time for joy, celebration and making memories with loved ones, and keeping your home and family safe adds peace of mind to the festivities. While we all hope the season goes off without a hitch, it’s reassuring to know that your auto and home insurance can be a lifeline if unexpected mishaps occur. From theft to parking lot accidents and even hitting a deer—holiday accidents and surprises are more common than you might think. With the right coverage, you can focus on enjoying the holidays instead of worrying about what you’ll do if the unexpected happens.
Decorations or Fire Hazards?
Candles and menorahs, Christmas trees and lights all add to the beauty of the holiday season, but they can also be fire hazards if you aren’t careful. To avoid fires started by candles:
- Keep them out of reach of children, pets or anything flammable.
- Don’t let your clothing touch the candle’s flame.
- Extinguish all the candles in your house completely before you go to bed.
- To avoid fires when you put up your tree, keep it away from heat, check its water daily, use GFCI outlets for lights and avoid overloading circuits.
- Hopefully, you won’t have a fire, but if you do, homeowners insurance can help you rebuild your home. Ask your insurance agent if you have actual cash value, market value, restoration cost or expanded restoration cost coverage.
Theft
Theft is on the rise this time of year. Whether you are out shopping, going out to a party or going out of town, remember these tips to avoid becoming a victim:
- Keep your purse tucked tightly in front of you. If you keep it in your cart, a thief can grab it.
- Stay alert in parking lots and park in well-lit areas, preferably close to an entrance—especially at night.
- Don’t unlock your car doors until you’re at your car and never leave packages or valuables in sight in your car.
- Lock all your doors, windows and garage doors.
- For online orders, have packages sent to a trusted address or require a signature.
- Use timers for indoor and outdoor lights to make your home look occupied if you’re away.
- If you’re traveling during the holidays don’t post about your trip on social media.
Some theft may be covered by your homeowners insurance. Check with your agent so you know what’s covered and what’s not.
Holiday Shopping
You can expect more traffic at stores and malls during the holidays, which can lead to car accidents and parking lot mishaps. In a parking lot, a rogue shopping cart could damage your car or you could hit another vehicle. Wildlife like deer can also be a hazard if you’re traveling to rural areas. Comprehensive and collision coverage may help you fix the damage, but they are optional coverages that must be purchased ahead of time, so check with your insurance agent to make sure you have it in time for the holiday season.
