The holidays are all about enjoying time together – with families, friends, and co-workers. It’s a time for celebration, relaxation, and cheer, but the holidays can also bring about unwelcomed property damage and personal liability claims. Cayuga Mutual wants everyone to be safe this holiday season, so here are a few tips and reminders to ensure a safe, fun, and magical holiday season.
Check on your Home Insurance Policy
As we gear up for parties and celebrations throughout December, now might be the time to speak to your agent about your home insurance policy. Most likely, a standard homeowners’ insurance policy will cover the types of damage most common during the holiday season – like fires, burglaries, and guest injuries. However, certain covered incidents may vary based on the type of policy you have. If you’d like to learn more about what your home insurance policy covers over the holidays, then speak with a Cayuga Mutual Agent today! We are also happy to provide a home insurance quote as well.
Fire Insurance is Dwelling Coverage
While we don’t like to think about fires and burglaries over the holidays, they are the most filed claims during this time of year. Therefore, fire insurance and coverage are especially important during the holidays. Dwelling Coverage is part of a home owner’s insurance policy that may help pay to rebuild or repair the physical structure of your home if it’s damaged by a covered hazard. Your house and connected structures, like an attached garage, are typically protected by dwelling coverage. Some commonly covered risks include fire, windstorms, and vandalism. Generally, dwelling coverage does not cover flood, sewer backups, or damage that occurs from a lack of maintenance. You may be able to purchase additional coverage for these perils by speaking with a Cayuga Mutual Agent.
As you get ready to enjoy this time with family and friends, Cayuga Mutual would like to provide some friendly and helpful reminders.
If you’re having family or friends spend the night, they may need a space heater. Space heaters are effective for temporary heat but are not suitable for permanent installation. We advise you to use it with caution. Always keep your temporary heater on non-combustible floors; do not hang from rafters, electrical wires, or hooks. Space heaters should also be kept at a safe distance away from curtains, papers, furniture, pillows, and bedding – and definitely far away from wet locations like a kitchen or a bathroom. Lastly, do not alter the heater’s power cord. Instead, inspect it for damage and replace the heater if wear on the power cord is present.
Flooding can be costly, so remember to check on your sump pump. One of the best ways to reduce the risk of water damage is to install a battery-operated sump pump as a backup. Periodically check to ensure the battery is fully charged and that the pump has not seized. As sump pumps often spend long periods of time idle, a defective sump pump won’t be obvious until it fails to operate when it’s really needed. By then, basement flooding and water damage could be extreme. We recommend having routine sump pump maintenance every three to four months with a more comprehensive procedure annually.
When it comes to putting up Christmas lights, use a ladder and have someone help you. Make sure to inspect the safety of your lights and discard any that show wear. As you decorate your tree, make sure to use indoor-specific extension cords and avoid running cables under carpeting. If your family prefers a live Christmas tree, then keep it well-watered and away from items that may cause a fire, like candles. And lastly, avoid attaching multiple extension cords together as this can pose a serious fire hazard.
Holiday Wishes
At Cayuga Mutual, we are sending our best to all our policyholders, co-workers, family, and friends. We wish you a safe and joyous holiday season. And we are always here to help with any of your insurance needs – whether that means discussing your home insurance policy, purchasing insurance, or answering your questions, we are happy to serve you.
