Contents Insurance and Presents

Christmas is 11 days away and the amount of burglaries for Christmas presents is on the rise. Christmas is a popular time for homes to be targeted by burglars due to the likelihood of presents under the Christmas tree. American Heritage Insurance Group wants all of our customers to be protected from unwanted home burglaries. Keep reading to discover why and when you should consider a contents insurance policy.

Make Sure You Have Contents Insurance

Contents insurance protects items against theft, attempted theft, fire, flood, water damage and other unforeseen issues.* If any contents are damaged, you will typically be able to replace or repair any items that are damaged. If you need help, you can call your agent to see how much coverage you need, or use this handy contents calculator guide. Contents insurance is recommended for extremely pricey gifts that would be hard to replace if stolen (i.e. electronics and jewelry). If anything is a collectible inquire with your agent about collectible insurance policies. These policies typically provide a large coverage dollar amount for a fairly small premium.

Contents Insurance and Christmas

So the common question of “do I need to increase the contents coverage around Christmas?” is commonly heard from customers. We have good news: typically no.* Some insurers automatically increase your contents insurance during the Christmas season. There typically are certain limits, fine print etc. If you need help, call your agent. They can sift through and call the insurance company to see exactly what you have and don’t have.

What if I Don’t Have Content Insurance?

If you don’t have content insurance, you could have a Christmas Nightmare. Burglaries increase by 23% during the winter months. MoneySupermarket’s, Hannah Jones, says “it’s worth checking to see if your contents cover is adequate…[and] a call to your insurer if you think you might need extra protection over the coming weeks. It’s also worth hanging onto any receipts you have for presents you’ve bought [for claims].” MoneySupermarkets research shows that 1 in 5 homes have too little contents insurance.

Tips for Protecting Your Home from a Christmas Nightmare

Even with contents insurance, you still could be denied for a claim if you home was not properly secured. Follow these tips:

Lock All Door & Windows
Set a Burglar Alarm if You have One
Keep Keys Away from Openings into Your Home (Letterbox, Pet Door etc.)
Don’t Leave Gifts on Display, Especially if What They are is Posted on the Outside of the Box
Traveling?
- Lock Everything
- Turn Off Appliances
- Set Heat Low and on a Timer so Pipes Don’t Freeze
- Don’t Publicize You’re Travelling on Social Media
Don’t Feed Outdoor Lighting Plugs Through Windows – They can be Pried Open

When Do I Not Need Contents Insurance?

If your gifts are fairly inexpensive, don’t worry about the additional coverage. Unless you would mind replacing a stolen item, you can avoid a higher insurance rate by sticking with a simple homeowners/auto insurance plan. As a fair warning, do call your agent to make sure your current insurance plans include a small contents coverage.

Call today to inquire about contents insurance at 513.984.5255. Have a Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

*This depends on your specific and individual insurance coverage. Call your agent at American Heritage Insurance Group today at 513-984-5255 to make sure you are covered.