Seasonal
Common Holiday Insurance Claims and How to Prevent Them
Imagine you’re hosting a holiday party and the kitchen is buzzing with activity, the oven is working overtime, and the stovetop is covered in pots and pans. The aromas of delicious food and baked desserts fill the air, but suddenly, a pot boils over and causes a small grease fire. Shortly after, a guest trips over a toy left in the floor, resulting in a minor injury, and the night ends with an emergency room visit.
While disasters can strike any time of the year, the holiday season comes with its own set of risks that often lead to insurance claims. From icy sidewalks to cooking mishaps, this time of year is ideal for accidents. To avoid accidents that could turn your holiday plans upside down, it’s crucial to take preventative measures.
Common holiday insurance claims
Although it seems like holiday disasters only take place in movies, they actually happen more than you’d think. The numbers might surprise you:
- Holiday decorating results in about 160 injuries per day during the holiday season
- Cooking fires during the holidays occur about 360,000 times per year
- House fires due to Christmas trees and unattended open flames cause over 10,000 injuries per year and nearly $56 million in property damages
- In 2023, over 150,000 holiday toy-related injuries resulted in emergency room visits
House fires
While the holidays bring joy and warmth, they also come with a higher risk of fires due to cold and dry weather. One significant fire hazard can be your Christmas tree, whether it’s live or artificial. Live Christmas trees are magical and festive, but they can become a serious fire risk if they’re not maintained properly. To minimize the risk of fire, keep your tree well-watered to prevent it from drying out. If you prefer artificial trees, consider buying one with a “fire resistant” label. Additionally, make sure the lights on your tree aren’t frayed or broken. Always turn off decorative lights when you leave home or go to bed. Although the cozy aroma of a holiday candle is tempting to place right by your tree, it’s crucial to keep open flames away from your tree. When the holidays are over and your live tree has dried out, remove it from your home.
Wondering what to do with your live Christmas tree when it dries out? For starters, avoid burning it in your fireplace. Instead, check with your local community for tree recycling organizations. You can also get creative and use the branches in your garden, as mulch, compost, or donate it to fishermen to be an underwater fish habitat.
Wondering what to do with your live Christmas tree when it dries out? For starters, avoid burning it in your fireplace. Instead, check with your local community for tree recycling organizations. You can also get creative and use the branches in your garden, as mulch, compost, or donate it to fishermen to be an underwater fish habitat.
Online shopping risks
Holiday shopping is a favorite activity for many, with some even starting as early as January to secure deals. However, the gift-giving season also attracts cyber criminals and package thieves. In 2023, there were over 380,000 reports of credit card fraud, and the risk only increases during the holidays.
If you frequently shop online, ensure your orders get delivered to the correct place. Avoid purchasing high-value items online, especially if they’re likely to be delivered when you’re away from home. Consider installing a smart doorbell or outdoor camera to monitor your deliveries. Additionally, be cautious of the websites you shop from; make sure the site is secure before entering any payment or personal information. Social media advertisements and pop-ups can be tempting, but deals that seem too good to be true might be scams.
If you frequently shop online, ensure your orders get delivered to the correct place. Avoid purchasing high-value items online, especially if they’re likely to be delivered when you’re away from home. Consider installing a smart doorbell or outdoor camera to monitor your deliveries. Additionally, be cautious of the websites you shop from; make sure the site is secure before entering any payment or personal information. Social media advertisements and pop-ups can be tempting, but deals that seem too good to be true might be scams.
Home burglaries
The number of house burglaries typically increases during the holidays, as many families leave their homes for holiday trips. In fact, crime and theft during the holidays accounts for more than 8% of all crimes committed throughout the year. Jewelry, computers, money, and other expensive valuables are more likely to be stolen during the holidays than any other time of the year.
To prevent the risk of losing your personal belongings, keep your home well-lit when you’re gone, lock your doors and windows, and consider adding extra surveillance. For more protection on your items, talk to your insurance agent about additional personal property coverages or a personal articles policy.
To prevent the risk of losing your personal belongings, keep your home well-lit when you’re gone, lock your doors and windows, and consider adding extra surveillance. For more protection on your items, talk to your insurance agent about additional personal property coverages or a personal articles policy.
Storm damage
Winter snowstorms and blizzards can be severe, causing damage during the holiday season. Although heavy snow is rare in the southern United States, heavy rain, icy roads, sleet, and wind are frequent threats. Be cautious of where you place your outdoor holiday decorations, as strong winds could cause them to damage your home or break your windows. To further protect your home and prevent damage during the winter, clear your gutters, trim overhanging branches, keep an emergency kit ready, and insulate outdoor pipes.
Car theft
In addition to safeguarding your home, don’t forget your vehicle can also be an easy target. While holiday shoppers spend hours inside stores searching for the perfect gifts, criminals may be scanning parking lots for valuables or money. To protect yourself, park in well-lit areas, lock your car, and keep your seats clear of items that may catch a burglar's attention. Always stay aware of your surroundings; it’s easy to get distracted by crowded stores and full shopping lists.
Your homeowners insurance may cover stolen items from your vehicle through your personal property coverage. Personal property coverage typically extends beyond your home to include personal items in your car, up to your policy limits.
Your homeowners insurance may cover stolen items from your vehicle through your personal property coverage. Personal property coverage typically extends beyond your home to include personal items in your car, up to your policy limits.
Injuries
Holiday gatherings with friends are merry, but crowded homes and increased travel can lead to common injuries like falls, sprains, and slips. If you’re hosting this year’s gathering, keep your guests safe by ensuring all walkways and stairways are free of clutter and tripping hazards. Clear sidewalks of snow and ensure outdoor areas are well-lit at night. Be cautious when decorating, especially in elevated places.
Make sure you have the right amount of liability insurance coverage for your home and your vehicle. Liability coverage can protect you against accidents or injuries that happen on your property or are caused by you.
Make sure you have the right amount of liability insurance coverage for your home and your vehicle. Liability coverage can protect you against accidents or injuries that happen on your property or are caused by you.
Stolen luggage
With an increase in travel volume at airports during the holidays, the chances of your bags getting stolen rise significantly. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, your personal property insurance might be able cover your loss. Your personal belongings are covered when you travel, subject to your deductible and coverage limits. If you’re planning a flight, it might be wise to review your policy details or contact your insurance agent to understand the extent of your coverage. Regardless of your insurance coverage, always keep an eye on your luggage when you travel.
Insurance coverage you can rely on
From house fires and home burglaries to injuries and identity theft, preparing for the holidays with the right insurance coverage is crucial. Having reliable insurance can help you spend less time worrying about what might go wrong and more time focusing on what truly matters—enjoying time with your loved ones. For questions on insurance coverages, reach out to your local Alfa® agent.
All coverages are subject to deductibles and policy limits. This is not an insurance policy. It is intended only to provide a general description of Alfa Insurance® and/or its product lines and services. An actual policy contains the specific details of the deductibles, coverages, conditions and exclusions. Your Alfa® agent can explain the policy and benefits and answer any questions you may have before you buy.
All coverages are subject to deductibles and policy limits. This is not an insurance policy. It is intended only to provide a general description of Alfa Insurance® and/or its product lines and services. An actual policy contains the specific details of the deductibles, coverages, conditions and exclusions. Your Alfa® agent can explain the policy and benefits and answer any questions you may have before you buy.