Aah, the festive season! Holidays are a time for relaxing, taking a breather and enjoying stress-free time with your family. Downtime is great and all, but don’t let your guard down over the festive season.
Few people realize just how much they let go and forget about the insurance risks over the festive season and don’t think about how to reduce these risks.
Let’s start with the top basic risk scenarios: You’re partying, having a good time and drinking. This puts you at high risk of causing or getting into a car accident if you still intend to drive after the party.
Next most common insurance risk over the festive season – going away on holiday.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your festive season holidays.
Reduce Risk on Your Home
If you’re going away on holiday it’s important you take precautions to protect your home and the belongings inside. Here are a few steps to keep in mind:
- Let your security company and insurer know exactly how long you’ll be away and what security precautions you have installed or set up.
- Supply your security company with a trusted friend or family members number; someone they can call to check in on the house in case your alarm goes off.
- Ask a reliable, trusted friend to regularly go to your house and bring in newspapers, take out the trash, turn lights on and off at appropriate hours etc. It’s highly recommended to give the impression that someone is home.
- Do NOT close all your curtains and leave the lights on when you leave, this looks very obvious to anyone who could’ve been watching your street.
- Don’t tell everyone you’ll be away. Avoid posting on your social media handles about your holiday and especially the exact dates you’ll be gone. Rather keep that information for your close friend group.
- When packing your car, if possible, rather do it in your garage behind closed doors.
- If you’re organizing a house sitter, make sure you’ve agreed on their responsibilities and have it in writing. This is a good insurance risk precaution to take.
- Don’t forget to lock away your valuables!
Your belongings
When going away, you want to be able to relax while not having to worry about your precious TVs, laptops, computers etc. back home. Here are some tips to help:
- Review your insurance policy and what’s covered.
- If you’re getting a new expensive appliance or technology over the holidays, speak with your insurer about how to include it in your policy.
- Better safe than sorry. If you can, lock away your valuables. For things such as laptops that you won’t be taking with you, ask a reliable friend to keep it safe while you’re away.
Your Car
By the advice of many, be aware of the risks involved while driving over the festive season and what could affect your insurance claim.
- Make sure your vehicle has been thoroughly checked, serviced and is safe for the road.
- Do NOT overload your vehicle or do anything that could hinder the control you have while driving.
- Do NOT drive under the influence. Same goes for if you are getting tired, rather take a break to rest or take turns with someone else who can drive.
- Make sure the person you take turns driving with is included in your policy.
- If you’re crossing into another country, make sure you have a confirmation letter from your insurer that states you are covered for cross-border travel.
Lastly
These are just a few of the precautions you can take to reduce your insurance risks over the festive season. Be responsible. And always remember, even when you think it’ll be ok, “Better safe than sorry.”
Happy Holidays!
