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Insurance tips for a Merry Christmas season by Dan Reith With Christmas approaching and the start of winter social season upon us we have lots to do and so little time remaining as holiday stress sets in. Before you become a victim of your own holiday misfortune here are a few personal insurance tips to consider: Prevent a loss on your auto insurance policy by; • When shopping, place valuables in the trunk and keep seats, drink holders and open trays clear of anything of value. In the absence of a trunk, hatch-backs and mini vans, place items in a covered container or cover with a blanket. • Park in a well-lit area of any parking lot. • Lock your car. Whether at home, work, the mall, downtown or even in your own garage, make sure your car is locked at all times. This will reduce the risk of it being stolen and the loss of any personal property stored in your car. • Do not leave your wallet or personal information in the car when unattended. Even a locked car cannot guarantee thieves will be kept out.
www.chambers.ca December, 2013
• Drive with due care and control no matter the weather or how rushed you are! Black ice, too much snow, not enough salt on the road or the driver in front of you who suddenly slammed on their brakes are not excuses for you to avoid being charged for an at fault loss and/or a conviction under the highway traffic act. Give yourself extra time to get to your destination to ensure your safe arrival. • Be prepared to stop and be alert! Just because you are obeying the rules of the road does not mean everyone else around you is. • Take a moment, and ensure your vehicle is prepared for winter driving before the snow hits. Ensure it is mechanically ready for winter, that you have equipped your vehicle with a winter safety kit and the snow tires that you have installed are in sound condition. • Stop texting, stop talking on the phone, set that coffee cup down and put your snack away! Driving requires attention, especially more so in the winter’s adverse conditions. More than ample studies have proved driver distraction is the root cause of many fatal accidents. • While it should go without saying, but too many still forget, the holiday season or not, DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE! If you drink, take a cab, stay over-night or find a ride home with a sober driver. Prevent a loss on your home insurance by; If you are • celebrating the season with a real tree ensure it is kept well watered and not placed in front of a heat source. Shut off the lights and electronic ornaments when not at home or out of the room for a prolonged period. Drying trees can lead to a total fire loss of your home in less than 5 minutes! While can• dles do lend a seasonal scent to air and help to remove cooking odors, they are still a leading cause of house fires. Do not leave candles unattended or place them close to flammable fabrics. Always extinguish them when leaving a room for a prolonged period or leaving the house. • Do not leave items on the stove or in the oven unattended. It is not
uncommon to find yourself short of an ingredient and making a quick trip to the grocery store without properly turning off your appliances. Keep a residential fire extinguisher near the stove, along with baking soda. Either can be used should a small fire flare up on the element. • Lock your home. When not at home, ensure all doors and windows are locked. Do not display wrapped or unwrapped gifts near open windows. When goods are visible, the home can be a greater target. Use your alarm if your home is equipped with one. • Take steps to secure windows and doors so they cannot be pried open from the outside. • Keep exterior lights on to illuminate walkways and doors. • If traveling: have your drive way and pathways shoveled to appear as though someone is home. Place your lights on timers; rotate throughout the house to mimic your usual pattern of light usage throughout the day and evening. This includes festive outdoor light displays. Be sure to cancel newspaper subscriptions, to avoid build up of papers at the front doors, a clear sign that no one is home. Maintain the heat of your home at a minimum and drain water from all lines/pipes before you leave. Have a neighbour, friend or family member collect mail on a daily basis again to prevent build up during your absence. Whoever is checking in on your home, leave them with your contact information but also the contact numbers for your insurance provider should a claim need to be reported. It is best it be reported sooner rather than later. This will allow for any damage to be taken care of immediately mitigating the possibility of further loss. • Last, protect yourself! When shopping, ladies, make certain your hand bag is zipped closed and cell phones secured in your hand bag or on your hip. Gentlemen, if you must carry a wallet put it in your front pants pocket not your back pocket. It is much easier for someone to steal it from the back. Keep track of all credit card and debit card receipts, and shred using a cross cut shredder. To maintain control of your personal information, restrict all gift purchases to only one credit card and reconcile your charges against your receipts. These tips are just a few things you and your family can employ to make your holiday experiences safe, happy and memorable and to reduce your chance for loss. For more detailed information and specific tactics contact your insurance provider, the St. Thomas City Police, OPP and/or your local fire department. Merry Christmas! This column appears regularly in Business Beat and has been submitted by Dan Reith BA(Hons) CAIB, Principal Broker, Reith & Associates Insurance and Financial Services Limited, 462 Talbot Street, St. Thomas. Questions and comments on this column are welcomed by the writer at 519-6313862 or via e-mail: info@reithandassociates.com
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