After a long summer of fun in the sun, the autumnal season brings shorter days and cooler temperatures. There are also new seasonal hazards that come with this shift in weather which may lead to unforeseen accidents, collisions, and thefts. Certain types of insurance claims that are common this time of year can be attributed to everything from a higher volume of animals that wander outside their natural habitat to the rise in the use of candles and wood-burning fireplaces in the home.
At Doeren Mayhew Insurance Group, we educate our policyholders about how to minimize risk in the face of these seasonal dangers to protect their financial stability. With time-tested experience and specialized expertise, we offer customized insurance solutions to safeguard our clients’ personal and professional assets against the top five insurance claims in the fall.
Fire Damage & Injuries
While it’s nice to warm up indoors next to a fire or with a heated blanket, it’s important to understand the risks involved. House fires and related injuries increase in the fall when faulty chimneys, unattended candles or space heaters, and overloaded outlets lead to unfortunate consequences. Seasonal inspections — as well as extra vigilance in the company of fire-lit appliances — can prevent fire-related damage and injuries as we ease into the colder months.
Water Damage & Freezing Pipes
Other insurance claims that tend to rise as temperatures go down involve water damage and freezing pipes. Weather events like snow, rain, and sleet may cause pipes to leak — or even burst. Whether you stay at home during seasonal transitions, or vacate your home for a warmer climate, it’s important to keep up with seasonal home maintenance to ensure that pipes are properly insulated, thermostats are regulated, and any essential repairs are made. Dishwashers, ice makers, and toilet valves should all be checked regularly to prevent common water damage and related claims.
Parking Lot Accidents
While the holidays may seem far off, enthusiastic shoppers get started during the fall season. This means a high volume of cars make their way to shopping malls and fill up parking lots. From vehicle collisions to accidents involving shopping carts and unsuspecting shoppers, different types of parking lot accidents lead to a rise in related insurance claims.
Home & Auto Thefts
Both cars and homes tend to be more vulnerable to robberies and thefts in the fall than in the summer months. Protect your property and vehicles with proper insurance to minimize risk in the event that your valuables are stolen or damaged. Whether it’s packages taken off your front stoop or valued items removed from your cars, theft-related insurance claims tend to rise during the months leading up to the holidays.
Animal Collisions
More woodland areas are being taken over by developers, so deer, foxes, raccoons, and other animals are losing their natural habitat. As a result, they tend to find new homes in more populated areas — like near our houses and on the roads we drive. To avoid costly out-of-pocket expenses, talk to your trusted insurance broker about securing proper insurance that will provide adequate coverage if you collide with an animal.
At Doeren Mayhew Insurance Group, we take pride in delivering peace of mind to our clients with comprehensive risk management solutions. We help you protect your valued assets while mitigating risk against costly insurance claims that are common after the summer months. Contact us today to learn more about insurance claims in the fall, or to schedule a consultation.