Common homeowners insurance claims during Thanksgiving & Christmas

As Americans prepare to stuff the turkey and deck the halls, homeowners should make sure to avoid common mistakes that cause claims during the holidays.

Unlike the fallout from Halloween mischief, holiday insurance claims tend to be caused by homeowners themselves.

Bill Martin, president and CEO at Plymouth Rock Home Assurance, told Insider that cooking accidents are the most common claims filed during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. He advised against deep frying turkeys indoors or in the garage, and said that not following manufacturer instructions for deep frying a turkey can cause the turkey to explode and set structures on fire. He also noted that cooktop fires are common — don’t forget to set the cook timer and regularly check items in the oven and on the stovetop.

Homeowners insurance protects your home, belongings, and offers liability coverage for injuries that happen on your property. There are three main components to homeowners insurance: dwelling coverage, personal property coverage, and personal liability coverage.

Martin offered Insider more tips to safely decorate your home, securely shop online, and avoid fires caused by exploding turkeys.

7 common homeowners insurance claims you can avoid this holiday
“Homeowners insurance policies are becoming the hub and umbrella of insurance coverage,” Martin told Insider, because they offer coverage for so many different scenarios.

Below are Martin’s tips to avoid becoming a victim of theft or property damage during the holidays.

1. Fire hazards
A dry Christmas tree is a fire hazard. Make sure you have a sturdy base to avoid a tipping hazard. If you decorate a tree with candles, don’t light the candles. If you are lighting a menorah, have it in a safe place.

Homeowners insurance offers protection against fire damage, but prevention is better than having to file a claim for something that was avoidable. If your home is damaged by fire, homeowners insurance repairs or rebuilds the structure under dwelling coverage. If your belongings are damaged, they are replaced under personal property coverage.

2. Accidents and electrical hazards
Be careful using a ladder or staple gun to secure decorations. Make sure the ladder is stable. Use care securing electrical cords and wires with a staple gun, because improper usage can cause electrical related accidents. Although homeowners insurance offers personal liability coverage if a guest is injured on your property, it doesn’t cover you or your household. You will need medical insurance to cover injuries for yourself and household members.

3. Injuries
Homeowners insurance offers personal liability coverage if someone is injured on your property. Unstable roof decorations fall on people. Be careful attaching lights to gutters, because the gutters can fall with too much weight. Be sure to properly anchor decorations so a strong wind doesn’t blow them away or knock them down.

4. Online shopping
Many homeowners insurance policies offer coverage for cyber exposure, also referred to as identity theft coverage. If your homeowners insurance doesn’t include coverage for cyber exposure, it may be optional coverage that you can add on. Package theft from your property is usually covered under personal property coverage.

5. Cyber liability
If you accidentally release a virus or say something wrong online, cyber liability coverage helps. In the event of a ransomware attack, cyber liability coverage will replace equipment. If you are sued for saying something online, cyber liability coverage can offer protection. Cyber liability may already be in your homeowners policy or it may be optional coverage. Check with your homeowners insurance provider.

6. Theft
Unfortunately, hosting people for the holidays sometimes means items go missing. Homeowners insurance offers personal property coverage against theft. However, most homeowners insurance policies have limits for high-end electronics, fine art, cash, and special jewelry like wedding rings and family heirlooms. You may want to get separate coverage for those items via an add-on rider or an umbrella policy.

7. Liquor
Homeowners insurance providers might cover hosts for liquor at parties under its personal liability coverage. However, you should check with your provider. Plymouth Rock offers additional coverage through its “get home safe” program where homeowners can send guests home in a ride-share vehicle. The program varies state by state for homeowners policies.

Note that optional add-on coverage is treated differently by providers, so it is important to contact your homeowners insurance to see what is included already, and what is optional coverage you can add.

COVID-19 safety tips for holidays
Because we are spending more time at home due to the coronavirus, there is more usage of equipment and a higher likelihood of accidents. Ask your homeowner insurance provider if you have “equipment breakdown” coverage for your heating and cooling systems.

And if you are inviting people to your home for the holidays, make sure walkways aren’t slippery, he continued. Be sure to put down salt or put up signs to avoid injury from ice or snow.

Check your homeowners insurance before you need to file a claim
As you prepare for the holiday season and practice social distancing, make sure your home, guests, and gifts are protected. If you are concerned whether you have proper coverage, contact your homeowners insurance agent and discuss your coverage before you need to make a claim.

Ronda Lee
Founder, Editor-in-Chief
Ronda is an attorney, writer, and entrepreneur. She is a contributing writer for the Huffington Post. Originally from Chicago, she has lived in Los Angeles and New York. She loves to travel and is passionate about education equity, especially for first generation college students.