Decorating your house for the holidays is part of the fun of the season. Many people go all out with lights, wreaths, garland, displays, and of course – the Christmas tree. These are often beautiful displays of color, family heirlooms, and more. But they can also be dangerous. So, what are the risks of these festive firs? Here are a few to keep in mind, and how your insurance may come into play if an accident happens:
Tree Fires
As you would imagine, tree fires are a concern. But did you know there are an average of over 200 tree fires per year in the U.S. (according to National Fire Protection Agency), and that they result in millions of dollars in property damage? In fact, around 1 out of every 33 Christmas tree fires results in a death. Although not that common, these concerns warrant taking the right measures to avoid them. Having the right homeowners coverage is important, but what about Holiday collections or other high valuable articles that might be on display this season? Talk with an agent about making sure you have all the right coverages in place.
Water Damage
Live trees are beautiful, but they also need care – including water. Tree bases filled with water can often leak, causing damage to floors, furniture, rugs, and more. Not to mention, a slip and fall could occur when “rocking around the Christmas tree.” You homeowners coverage and contents protection is likely to cover most of the damage, but a fall of a friend or family member could result in a large hospital bill – or even a lawsuit. Make sure you have an umbrella policy in place for additional liability coverage.
Transporting the Tree
We’ve all seen movies like National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, where traveling with a tree can end in disaster. But in real life, accidents happen as well. Tree limbs can scratch and dent your vehicle, fly off and cause other damage, or even be the cause or contributor to an accident. Do you have the right auto coverage if the worst occurs? Make sure to talk with an agent and be prepared.
Don’t let one of these Holiday headaches ruin your season. Contact us at 865.453.1414 to discuss the coverages that you need to protect your family and your possessions.