Stuffing, Safety, and Smart Coverage: A Thanksgiving Insurance Checklist
As families gather around the table this holiday season, the warmth and festivity of Thanksgiving can sometimes include unexpected hazards, which lead to unexpected insurance claims. From cooking mishaps in the kitchen to a burst pipe or a guest slipping and falling , the risks and potential insurance exposures can put a damper on the festivities. At ESC, we want to make sure you fully understand your coverage, the claims process and above all else, prevention measures.
Cooking and Kitchen Injuries and Fires
Thanksgiving is the peak day in the United States for home cooking fires. The simultaneous cooking to get everything to the table at the right time, relatives mingling around and other distractions can combine to create dangerous conditions.
Common things that can go awry include:
•A stovetop grease fire that ignites when someone steps away from the turkey or side dishes.
•A guest who brushes against a hot pan or oven door and suffers a burn.
•A deep fryer used too close to the house or with a partially frozen turkey, which can cause oil to erupt.
What Insurance May Cover
Most homeowners policies include dwelling and personal property damage coverage. If your kitchen sustains fire damage, it may be covered. Liability and medical payments coverage may be included if a guest is injured due to your negligence, such as leaving a hot pan unattended.
What To Watch Out For
Policies may have limits, exclusions or higher deductibles. If the incident occurred because of gross negligence, such as deep frying indoors against manufacturer instructions, some insurers may contest coverage. Preventing an accident is much easier than filing a claim. Stay in the kitchen while cooking, keep children and pets away from hot surfaces and follow safe fryer practices. For information on safe frying practices, check out our prior blog: https://escconnected.com/house-fire-turkey-fryer/
Guest Injuries and Host Liabilities
With extra guests brings more foot traffic in your home, hosting Thanksgiving can increase exposure to guest injuries. Homeowners should maintain a reasonably safe environment for visitors.
Typical Accidents Include:
•A guest slipping on a wet kitchen or bathroom floor.
•A visitor tripping on a loose rug or broken porch step.
•A child breaking an arm from the backyard trampoline, or falling off of a golf cart or side by side/ATV.
Coverage Discussion
Homeowners policies generally include liability protection for injuries to guests if the homeowner is found negligent. Coverage may appear under the medical payments or personal liability sections, which you should check to make sure you have coverage. These policies do not cover injuries to you or members of your household, which is why individual health insurance is important.
Practical Host Tips
Inspect walkways and entry areas and clear any debris. Place dry mats at entrances, in kitchens near the sink and check that lighting is adequate near your main entry way. Keep pathways free of clutter, spills and unsecured rugs. Consider monitoring alcohol consumption, because some policies include exclusions related to liquor liability. If a guest is injured, document the conditions immediately, including photos, incident details and timely reporting to your insurer.
Burst Pipes and Other Property Damage
Holiday hosting means homes are under more stress. More people use bathrooms, appliances running more frequently all increase the potential for water damage. A burst pipe or ruptured water heater can cause significant damage, especially if it goes unnoticed during a busy gathering.
Why it Happens Around the Holidays?
•Kitchens, bathrooms and laundry areas experience higher demand during the holidays. This increased use can cause unnoticed small leaks that can turn into bigger very noticeable leaks quickly.
•Homes may be left vacant while traveling, making them vulnerable to freezing pipes, furnace and power outages and more.
Insurance Considerations
Most homeowners policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, such as a pipe that bursts. Damage caused by neglect, gradual leaks or lack of maintenance may be excluded from coverage. Preventive measures such as insulating pipes, keeping your heat on and shutting off the water when away can significantly reduce risk. For more details on preventative measures you should take, check out our previous blog post: https://escconnected.com/frozen-pipe-prevention-tips/
Holiday Insurance Check List
Before guests arrive and the turkey goes into the oven, consider the following checklist to protect your home:
• Review your homeowner policy and understand coverage limits for fire damage, water damage and liability.
• Inspect high risk areas, including the kitchen, entryways, bathrooms and exterior steps. Make any changes to keep these areas safe for everyone.
• Use safe cooking practices, such as staying in the kitchen while food is on the stove and keeping flammable objects away from heat.
• Document and report any incident as soon as possible with photos and detailed notes.
• Consider additional coverage such as an umbrella policy. If it is decided that you are “the hostess with the “mostest” and your home is now the place to gather for holidays going forward, definitely look into an umbrella policy.
Thanksgiving should be a joyous occasion filled with gratitude, family and good food. With a little preparation and awareness, you can avoid unnecessary claims and keep the holiday focused on what matters most.
If insurance adjusting is something you are considering, give us a call for details on our state designation course offerings. Contact us at 1-800-309-2549.