Holiday Hosting - What’s Covered & What’s Not

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Holiday Hosting

What’s Covered & What’s Not

By: Chris Templeton, Morris & Templeton Insurance

The most wonderful time of the year is almost here, which means holiday traditions and family gatherings are right around the corner too. As you get ready to plan your party, make sure you include insurance on your guest list.

I think we can all agree that one of the most exciting things about the holidays is having your family and friends all under the same roof. But, you’ll want to make sure you understand your insurance policy should the unexpected happen. What happens if Grandpa slips and falls or cousin Johnny throws a baseball through the window? At Morris & Templeton Insurance, we strive to give you peace of mind to enjoy your company to the fullest during the holidays.

There are a few different scenarios to consider. What happens if a guest damages your valuables? Or if they cause harm to your home itself? What are you responsible for if an accident happens and a guest gets injured? 

Let’s start with the last situation. If something goes wrong at your party and a guest gets hurt on your property, it’s important to have liability coverage, because you are held liable for their injuries. In most cases, your insurance will help cover accidents resulting from alcohol, a guest slipping or falling on your property, or someone getting sick from the food served. The more people you have in your home, the more potential liability.

However, if a guest damages your property then they, not you, are held liable to fix the damage. Hopefully your guest will realize they are at fault and offer to cover the damages without making things unpleasant. But, worst case scenario, your homeowners insurance policy may cover things such as fire or smoke damage, vandalism, theft of items in your home, and broken windows. Creating a home inventory before entertaining a house full of guests is a good idea. It’s also important to remember that not all items in your home are covered, as many may be more valuable than what’s covered under your policy. That’s where a personal articles policy comes in and can help make sure you’re fully protected. But each policy is different, so make sure you review the details of yours before hosting. Some policies only cover the house or structure, and not the items inside your home.

Now the most important question arises: when do I use my policy? The best thing to do is call your agent before filing a claim. The answer can be complicated. If you use your homeowners’ policy to cover small damages, you may end up costing yourself in the long run. Your premiums can be affected by the claims you file, which means activating your policy to cover damage caused by a guest could impact your future rates.

Before the holiday rush begins, make sure to call Morris & Templeton Insurance at  912.355.4549. They’ll make sure you’re the holiday “hostess with the mostest!”