Home. What does it mean to you? It’s a place to celebrate the holidays and life’s milestones. We make our most cherished memories in our homes. It’s where we bring babies home from the hospital and watch toddlers take their first steps. We laugh and cry in our homes and share warm moments with those we love.

Throughout the holiday season, we get festive at home by decking the halls and lighting the menorah. This year especially, many of us spent time in our own home rather than visiting the homes of friends and family, due to COVID-19.

Because home is such a special place and its contents hold sentimental value, it is extremely devastating when we suffer property damage. During the holidays, people may have spent time at a vacation home they haven’t been to in months and discovered property damage that wasn’t there the last time they visited. For example, here in South Florida, we experienced high winds and tropical storms this hurricane season. The Glassman Legal Group can be a resource to anyone who has experienced wind damage as a result of the big, powerful gusts. 

Some property damage is even caused by holiday-related incidents. According to an Allstate survey, fireplace-related fires increase significantly during the holiday season. Not too many homes in Florida have fireplaces, but some certainly do…and we do get some chilly nights every so often to cozy up next to a fire. This Christmas morning was actually colder in Florida than parts of New York!!! In Colorado, where many South Florida residents have vacation homes, fires caused by fireplaces increase by 211% during the holidays. The median insurance claim for this is $10,149.

Typically, homeowners insurance policies do cover damage caused by fires, but check with your agent to see if you have sufficient dwelling coverage to rebuild your home. If you took out your policy years ago and haven’t updated it to reflect current costs, new purchases, and renovations that increased the value of your home, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise when you are already at your lowest.

Also take some time to think if you want coverage for the replacement value of your belongings or cash value. Cash value takes into account depreciation for older, used items. To prepare for potential property damage and file a comprehensive, accurate claim, take an inventory of the contents of your home and the purchase price of each item. There are apps to help you do so. While you are at it, have a chat with your insurance agent about umbrella policies to increase your liability protection, InsuranceQuotes.com suggests.

Fires can also be caused by faulty holiday lights or improper use of lights. If decorating outdoors, make sure to only use lights and extension cords meant for outside use. Fire damage to trees, plants, and shrubs are covered under standard homeowners insurance, but it is limited. Remember to water your Christmas tree regularly. Dry trees are a fire hazard! Don’t wait too long beyond New Years to dispose of your tree.

It’s important to avoid overloading power outlets. The median cost of an electrical fire claim is $22,683, reports Allstate.

Besides fires, another common cause of property damage this time of year is sewer backups. People are cooking at home more, this year in particular, and pouring things down the drain that shouldn’t be. Plumbing can also get clogged by increased toilet and shower usage. In order to be covered for this damage, you likely need to purchase an endorsement to your homeowners insurance policy.

If you are victim to property damage, it’s recommended to seek out advice from a trusted advisor, such as an attorney, who is familiar with insurance claims. Take that 15 minutes to place a call or send an email. Many homeowners don’t understand the business model and how to properly file a claim.

Insurance companies do not care that it’s the holiday season. They are not going to be extra kind and easily grant your claim. They will be just as stringent as they are the other times of year. To them, business is business and all they see is dollars and cents. They do not take into account what your home means to you.

Time and time again, insurance companies will pay out as little as possible. Homeowners need to approach insurance claims as a business transaction. Pulling at heartstrings likely won’t help.

Call The Glassman Legal Group for a free consultation if you discovered property damage this holiday season. We are able to help at any stage of the game, whether to reevaluate a policy to make sure you are properly covered, help you file a claim, report a loss, navigate an active claim, or fight a dispute with what the insurance company is covering or not covering, we’ve got your back. The Glassman Legal Group can take on both active and recent claims. We’ll fight your battle for you, so you can continue enjoying the new year.