Summer Insurance Claims & How to Avoid Them
Summer is a great time to go on vacation, relax, and spend quality time with friends and family. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there are hazards specific to this time of year that should be considered. Read on to find out some common summer insurance claims and how you can avoid them!
Car accidents
It may not come as a surprise that one of the most common summer insurance claims involve car accidents. If you have a teenage driver, take a moment to caution them about the dangers of distracted driving and encourage them to not text, mess with the radio, or engage too much with their passengers while driving.
However, there are other hazards on the road that everyone should look out for regardless of how many years experience you may have; for example, the summer months bring with them frequent road construction, inclement weather, and a higher risk of cars overheating.
In the event that your car overheats while on the road, pull your car over to a safe spot immediately. Wait for the vehicle to cool down before touching the radiator cap as removing it too soon when checking the coolant can result in third degree burns. Do not attempt to operate your vehicle after this point; you’ll need to take it to an auto repair shop to ensure that your car’s cooling system is working properly. Driving an overheated car can cause radiator hoses to burst, a blown head gasket, or any other number of costly repairs, so be sure you get your car checked out sooner rather than later!
Outdoor fires
With bonfires and barbeques comes another one of the most common summer insurance claim: outdoor fires. Standing around the grill and roasting marshmallows with family and friends is a great way to spend a summer evening, but this can unfortunately lead to a flame that goes out of control. On average, 10,200 home fires a year are started by grills with more than half of these fires occurring May – August.
July is the peak month for grill fires due to the festivities surrounding the 4th of July. However, grills are not the only source of a potential fire on Independence Day; according to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks cause an average of 18,500 fires per year including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires.
This being said, the best way to avoid any property damage caused by barbecues and fireworks is to exercise caution. Never leave an open flame unattended, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case the fire becomes difficult to manage. It’s also important to note that any personal belongings damaged in a fire are usually covered under a standard homeowner’s insurance policy.
Home Burglaries
Millions of families leave their homes to go on vacation each summer, leaving their personal belongings unattended. Because of this, the number of burglaries consistently rises during summer months. The resulting property loss from these burglaries is another one of the most common summer insurance claims we see.
If you’ll be on vacation for at least few days and you’re leaving an empty house behind, it’s a good idea to avoid giving any indication that your house is unattended. Ask a neighbor or hire a house-sitter to get your mail every day and turn on some lights to make it seem as if you’re home. You can also purchase lights that are triggered by a timer so you don’t have to worry about wasting power for nighttime.
Summer Insurance Claims & How to Avoid Them
Summer is a great time to go on vacation, relax, and spend quality time with friends and family. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there are hazards specific to this time of year that should be considered. Read on to find out some common summer insurance claims and how you can avoid them!