Brrrr, it’s awfully cold out there! That means pumpkin spice lattes, peppermint candy canes, and presents under the tree. I absolutely love the holidays, especially the yummy holiday treats my grandma makes. However, Christmas is also a time where many insurance claims occur, so how can we avoid these? Here are few tips to think about when celebrating your holiday season:

• Make sure to be safe coming home from those holiday parties! When hosting or going to a holiday party, do not drink and drive. Police officers are on high alert for drinking and driving, and the cost of a DUI starts around $10,000 between the court costs and the effect on your auto insurance. If you are hosting, make sure your attendees are obtaining a safe ride home, which will reduce your personal liability exposure.
• Make sure to keep fire hazards to a minimum. Candles, roaring fires, and lots of lights on the tree/exterior can all be potential fire hazards. Make sure you are not overusing your electrical outlets as well, as a power surge could potentially happen, causing damage to your electronics. Many carriers do not offer power surge coverage, so this would also be a good time to check your policy!
• Make sure to add any new presents under the tree to your contents coverage. Many burglars are looking for empty boxes next to the driveway, usually indicating the homeowners have purchased new items. Make sure to check with your insurance on your theft deductible and how much contents coverage you currently have.
• When the weather drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, your home’s pipes could freeze (and I have experienced this first hand). It is so frustrating to wake up the next morning, and not be able to use your water. I would keep an eye on the weather in your area, and when the temperature could get that low, have your faucets drip water over night. This keeps the water moving through the pipes, making freezing or bursting much more difficult.
• Depending on the weather, some parts of the road could be very icy. To avoid a physical damage auto claim, make sure to check your tires and the road conditions before a long road trip. I recommend also checking your auto policy to see if comprehensive (or other than collision) and collision are covered for each vehicle in the household.

When it comes to a claim during the holiday season, it could ruin your travel plans or having people come to your home. Hopefully these tips and tricks will be helpful to reduce any claims for auto or home, and keep the holiday cheer alive!  I hope everyone has a very happy holiday season, and you are all on the nice list!

Alexandra Lysik is a licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Agent in North Carolina and South Carolina. Her independent insurance agency, Cavik Insurance, helps people save money and receive free insurance reviews to make sure they have the right coverage for auto, home, condo, umbrella, boat and all lines of commercial insurance. For more information visit www.cavikinsurance.com.