Read these tips and help protect you and your loved ones during the holidays. Read about host liability, how to avoid holiday theft, how to stay safe in parking lots, and how to insure your collectibles. Also, remember that this is a great time of year to review your insurance coverage—update anything that has changed over the past year, whether it’s a new addition to the house, the family, or your art collection!

IIABA PARTY HOST TIPS

If Grandma got run over by a reindeer, you’d better hope the reindeer wasn’t drinking at your holiday party.

If a guest or third party is injured in an alcohol-related accident, and the drinking can be linked to your party, you could be held responsible. This includes paying medical bills, vehicle repair costs, lost time from work and, in the worst case, claims for wrongful death resulting in huge monetary settlements.

A social host’s liability when serving alcohol to guests is no joking matter.  Many courts have found non-commercial hosts liable for the damages their party guests cause as a result of consuming alcohol and then driving motor vehicles, and several states have enacted statutes that can be interpreted as mandating non-commercial social host liability.

“Most of your partygoers will be worrying about what ‘black tie optional’ means and what kind of wine to bring, but as a host, you need to be aware of your responsibilities,” says Madelyn Flannagan, IIABA vice president for education and research. “Drunk driving is a major problem during this season. And serving up a little too much holiday cheer may lead to being served a lawsuit, or worse, if you’re not careful.”

When hosting a holiday party, individuals should look to the liability portion of their homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy for protection if they are sued and found liable for an accident involving a guest who drank at their homes. Consumers should regularly review their liability coverage limits to ensure they are adequately covered should an accident occur. 

Many businesses typically host a holiday party in a given year. Employers must make sure their comprehensive general liability (CGL) policies provide coverage for third- party liquor liability through a special endorsement, or they need to purchase special event coverage or a separate liquor liability policy before hosting a holiday office party.

Businesses may want to take additional precautions as well, including limiting alcoholic beverages. Taking steps, such as instituting a cash bar, may not ease the problem. Charging employees for alcoholic beverages in an effort to limit drinking parties hosted in the office or at the boss’ home may not always be the best solution for businesses, cautions Flannagan.

“It’s important for businesses to remember that once they charge a fee for alcohol, they have technically entered the alcohol sales business, even if only for one night,” says Flannagan. “That carries with it requirements for a liquor license and an array of special liability protection needs.  It definitely does not let these employers off the hook.” 

You can’t entirely eliminate risks, but planning ahead and learning your responsibilities as a host is the best defense.  Purchasing a personal “umbrella” liability policy — providing $1 million or more in additional coverage over the limit of a standard homeowners’ or renters’ policy — may be a prudent move for the frequent party host, and can cost as little as $125 a year.

How to prevent holiday party accidents and protect yourself or your business:

·         Limit your guest list to those you know.

·         Host your party at a restaurant or bar that has a liquor license, rather than in a home or office.

·         Provide filling food for guests and alternative non-alcoholic beverages.

·         Schedule entertainment or activities that do not involve alcohol.

·         Arrange transportation or overnight accommodations for those who should not drive.

·         Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party is scheduled to end.

·         Do not serve guests who are visibly intoxicated.

·         Consider hiring an off-duty police officer to discreetly monitor guests’ sobriety or handle any alcohol-related problems as guests leave.

·         Stay alert, always remembering your responsibilities as a host.

·         Review your insurance policy with your agent before the event to ensure that you have the proper liability coverage.

HOW TO AVOID HOLIDAY THEFT—TIPS FROM IIABA

Don’t let the Grinch steal your Christmas!

Take the simple holiday safety precautions of breaking down or concealing the empty boxes that once held your brand new plasma TV, computer, DVD player or children’s toys. DO NOT place them on the curb in plain view for looming burglars to know what awaits them inside the home.

“Holiday theft can happen to you,” warns Madelyn Flannagan. “It is very easy to be consumed by the hectic pace that this season brings, but everyone needs to take time and put family and home safety at the top of their holiday wish list.

“Only half of the population appears to be aware of the risks involved with tossing an empty box out on the curb. That figure needs to be 100 percent,” stresses Flannagan. “Everyone is a target of holiday thieves. The box from your new computer is an open invitation. Boxes from toys inform criminals that you have children.”

After opening gifts, independent agents and brokers urge recipients to break down all boxes into small pieces and discard them in non-clear trash bags.

Home Burglaries—Homes are most often targeted during the holidays, particularly because owners are more likely to be away visiting relatives while their new, expensive gifts remain unattended inside.

Independent agents and brokers urge everyone to lock all doors and windows even when leaving home for a short period of time. Furthermore, leave spare keys with a neighbor rather than hiding them outside. Burglars know exactly where to look for spare keys. They are not fooled by fake rocks and other hiding places.

Auto Thefts & Break-Ins—Whether parked in your driveway or a mall parking lot, your automobile is one of the most common targets for thieves seeking expensive gifts during the holiday season.

Independent agents and brokers urge everyone to bring gifts into homes with you overnight rather than leaving them in your car. When shopping, put all of your packages in the trunk before departing one parking lot and driving to another. Waiting until your next shopping destination allows others to see packages go into the trunk of your car and then you departing into the mall or store.

Watch Yourself!—Americans carry more cash and credit cards on them during the holiday season. Independent agents and brokers urge consumers to use a single credit card when holiday shopping rather than carrying several different credit cards or large amounts of cash. To have freedom of motion and clear visibility, do not overload yourself with packages when leaving a store—you cannot defend yourself with your arms full of bundles. Keep purses zipped and close to your body in your possession rather than leaving it in your shopping cart. Avoid walking alone and leave stores well before closing time for a more active parking lot.

IIABA HOLIDAY PARKING LOT TIPS

Malls and shopping centers will be jammed this holiday season. Unpredictable traffic patterns and preoccupied drivers cause thousands of parking lot mishaps that cost consumers millions of dollars each year. Parking lot safety is especially important during the holidays. Consumers should be particularly cautious about where they park because parking lots are also prime territory for thieves, pickpockets, carjackers and vandals.

Surprisingly, many parking-lot mishaps do not involve two drivers —but rather the result of improper backing into parked vehicles. That increases the likelihood of hit-and-run incidents and the chance that you will be left to pick up the tab. Simple caution is the only real cure to avoid being a victim of parking lot accidents or crime.

Parking lot safety tips for holiday shoppers:

·         Watch for cars cutting diagonally across lots; drive slowly and use your turn signal.

·         When backing out of a parking spot, be aware of waiting cars, others who are backing out at the same time and motorists who speed through lanes.

·         Beware when mailing those holiday greeting cards. Post office parking lots have the highest incidence of accidents due to frequent customer turnover.

·         Don’t park between spots, especially in busy lots. You may gain only retribution from angry fellow shoppers.

·         During the day, park away from buildings to reduce the chance of dings from other car doors or shopping carts and the likelihood of vandalism; but avoid secluded areas, especially at night.

·         Park in well-lit areas. If the lot is inadequately lit, complain to management. Retailers and parking-lot owners can be and have been held liable for personal injury in these cases.

·         Ask mall security to walk you to your car if you feel you are not safe.

·         Always roll up your car windows and lock your car doors.

·         Always have your keys ready when approaching your car and check the back seat and under the car before getting in.

·         Put all shopping bags in your trunk.  Do not keep them in the front or back seat where they are visible to thieves.

·         Put all of your packages in the trunk before departing one parking lot and driving to another. Waiting until your next shopping destination allows others to see packages go into the trunk of your car and then you departing into the mall or store.

·         Review your insurance coverage with your agent.  Liability coverage will protect you if you hit another motorist, collision will cover the damage to your car, and comprehensive will insure you for damage by vandals or theft of your vehicle.

IIABA COLLECTIBLES TIPS

Jewelry. Fine art. Antique dolls. Fur coats. Rare coins. Autographs. Baseball cards. Fine Wine. All are expensive or rare holiday gifts for avid collectors that may not be covered by your homeowners or renters insurance policy. If you are giving or receiving a valuable or collectible gift this year, you could be at risk for a major loss if you are not properly insured. Standard homeowners or renter’s insurance policies are not intended to protect any items that tend to appreciate in value, only the everyday items in your home—furniture, clothing and appliances. Therefore, they limit coverage for unusually valuable items. Homeowners and renters policies also typically exclude coverage altogether in certain situations, such as floods, earthquakes, accidental breakage or during shipping either to you or from you.

Guidelines to Ensure That Your Investment in Collectibles Remains Secure:

•          If you own individual items or a collection worth more than $1,000, talk with your agent about additional coverage. For collections, you can choose a blanket policy that covers your entire collection for a stated amount. Items worth more than $2,500, such as engagement rings, generally must be insured under their own policy.

·         Choose a policy that insures your collection for replacement cost or a stated value based on book price, secondary market value or appraisal, rather than actual cash value.

·         Watch for policies that exclude coverage in cases of accidental breakage, flood or other events.  Pick a policy that is “all risk”—one that insures you for every potential hazard.

·         If you are in the collecting business, you will need to purchase business insurance to protect your inventory. Homeowners policies limit coverage for business losses.

·         Keep all purchase receipts and supporting ownership documentation in a fireproof box.

·         Keep a detailed inventory of items and their values, even if your insurer doesn’t require it.

·         Update your written appraisals every year or two.