We know the trope all too well, it’s the start of every great holiday movie — something always goes wrong! House fires, burglaries, and other catastrophes are at their peak during the holiday season, and it is important to take steps to mitigate them before they occur.
Here are some of the most common holiday homeowner’s insurance claims we see all too often this season, along with ways you can prevent them from ruining the holidays!
Fire Hazards
The holidays can be stressful, causing a lot of tasks to be done in a rush. From electrical mishaps to kitchen nightmares, December holds the record for most house fires in the U.S. Although there can be a lot of causes, most house fires can be prevented.
Kitchen Fires
The peak day for home cooking fires is Thanksgiving, followed by Christmas. So when in the kitchen, do not leave any cooking unattended.
If a fire does start while cooking, DO NOT USE WATER TO PUT IT OUT. There are countless videos of people putting out an oil fire with water, only to cause a huge explosion. Cover the flames with a metal pan or cooking sheet and if possible, transfer to the oven until it burns out.
Electrical Fires
Turning your front yard into a winter wonderland is a MUST for many homeowners, but just make sure you have the right equipment!
Only use extension cords that are made for use outdoors. And be sure not to overload any outlets, even if it means buying another extension. Don’t cheap out on electrical, according to Allstate, claims for electrical fires rise up 22% during the holidays with an average claim of $22,683!
Learn More > How to Properly File a Residential Fire Claim
Rooftop Safety
Outside of the holidays, there are not many reasons why we would be on top of the roof. While you’re hard at work trying to one-up your neighbor’s light display, remember these tips for your personal rooftop safety:
Avoid putting too much weight on the gutters.
Watch out for slick areas of the roof that may not be obvious!
Make sure your ladder is stable and on flat ground.
It isn’t a load of groceries, so take multiple trips to get all the equipment up there!
For the sake of your property, remember to anchor down any rooftop decorations. A gust of wind could knock down your display, potentially falling on people, cars, other valuable objects, or even property damage.
Although we likely won’t see snow around here, we’ll probably still get plenty of rain. If you are on your roof look for areas that need maintenance or repair. Letting those things go until after the holidays could lead to major issues that insurance won’t cover because proper maintenance was lacking.
Household Incidents
Water Issues
We talked fire, but water tends to be a homeowner’s nightmare come the holidays. We’ve seen it before, you leave for vacation and come home to a flood. Many homeowners are shocked by the damage that water can have even in a short time away.
Before you leave for Thanksgiving or Christmas, make sure all faucets and showers are fully turned off. Drips and leaks can lead to extensive damage and health issues due to mold. Check units like your HVAC and water heater to make sure that your units are able to handle your time away and not give you a very unpleasant holiday surprise.
Theft & Break Ins
Every year more and more people adopt online shopping, especially around the holidays. With so many gifts arriving, there is a huge rise in package theft and burglaries. December sees the largest rise in burglaries, with around a 20% increase compared to the rest of the year.
Personal property coverage may be there to help in some cases, but you can prevent thieves by investing in a locked drop box, and by not displaying all your presents in front of an easily breakable window.
These types of claims also happen with businesses where their employees may be enjoying time away for the holidays only to return to the office and find damages in need of repair.
Did the Grinch break in and cause property damage to your home or office? Make sure you get the most from your insurance claim and call Liberty Adjusters at 813-922-5129.
Keep the Holidays Happy
The holidays can be stressful to put together, leaving a lot of room for things to go wrong. Fires, burglaries, water damage, and electrical mishaps are at their peak throughout the holiday season.
Although some of these mistakes are preventable, if something happens, you should be able to rest easy knowing that your claim will be handled correctly by our team at Liberty Insurance Adjusters!
Lean on a public adjuster to get the settlement done right the first time. Let Liberty Adjusters manage the process and get the maximum value for your claims this holiday season. We work for you and not the insurance company. We are on your side - always. Submit your claim today!