It’s no secret that the holidays can be a stressful time of year. Last minute shopping and wrapping up the end of the year details can take its toll on even the most patient of people. Let's not forget the pressure of holiday guests that will soon be visiting your home. Whether it's out-of-town family or friends coming over for a New Year’s Eve party, mishaps seem to increase during the holidays.But if you have the right coverage, there is no need to worry about your home being protected. Most incidents that occur with or because of holiday visitors may be covered under your homeowner's insurance.
Holiday Mishaps Covered by Your Homeowners PolicyVisitors in your home during the holidays can give you concern, and for a good reason. The house is clean, the food is ordered, and you're down to the final touches. You have hung the stockings by the chimney with care, and everything is in place, but the more people you have coming through your home, the greater chance there is of an accident occurring.For example, let's say a relative drank too much and decided to relive his youth. As he was showing off his twisting skills, he fell into the coffee table. As a result of his exuberance, he breaks his leg. As he is taken away in the ambulance, you begin to worry about your responsibility in the ordeal. Since your uncle broke his leg in your house, his medical expenses could be your responsibility. Luckily for you, the liability portion of your homeowner's policy can provide the coverage needed to make sure that your uncle gets the care he needs. Many incidents can occur in your home that may also be covered under the liability portion of your
homeowners policy.These events include:
- A guest slips on your icy front porch
- A party guest gets food poisoning
- A guest trips on the rug on your stairs and falls
- Your dog bites a partygoer
- One of your kids throws a snowball and breaks a car window
Injuries and property damage are just a few of the worries when you have guests in your home. Thefts also increase during this time of the year. For example, let’s say at your New Year’s Eve party, a relative brings a friend from the office. As everyone is celebrating, she creeps away. While wandering through your home, she discovers your jewelry box and helps herself to its contents. Sadly, you don’t discover anything missing until the next day. Under the contents portion of your homeowner's policy, you may have coverage for your missing jewelry.Maybe you have placed all the presents under the tree safely, but a thief breaks in and steals the gifts. Your homeowner's insurance provides coverage for your contents, including gifts. Remember though, it is subject to the deductible you have set in your policy. If the amount exceeds your deductible, then you will want to file a claim. If the costs of your gifts stolen are under the deductible, you may want to hold off on filing the claim. Our insurance professionals will be happy to go over your best course of action in this type of situation.
Final ThoughtsAs we reach the end of the year, it's important to review your homeowner's policy to make sure that your limits are set high enough, and coverages meet your current needs. An accidental
Christmas tree fire in your living room is not the time you want to find out you don't have enough coverage. You also want to review your policy to add items you have received over the year in the form of gifts or additions to your home.To learn more about the homeowner's coverage you have for the holiday guests visiting your home or a review of your current policy, contact the professionals with
Demontinsurance.com at (850) 942-7760. Our licensed insurance experts will be happy to answer any questions you have.
