Lions

Principal Partner of The British & Irish Lions

east

13 December 2024

Twelve risks of Christmas

By Steve Moores Dip CII, Client Director

6 minutes

The arrival of Christmas often brings with it an influx of gifts, parties and outings, but unfortunately it also brings risks. From bad Santas and online grinches to party mishaps and more – here are some things to think about.

1. Accidental Damage

Over the festive period, more people tend to be in the home which increases the chances of accidental damage. Typical accidental damage claims over Christmas could include common party mishaps such as spillages on carpets and furniture or broken tableware.  We’d therefore recommend that you check your home insurance policy for Accidental Damage cover, to ensure you can either repair any damage or replace any items that are irreparable. For more information on accidental damage and the cover available, read our article: Accidental damage – are you covered?

2. Break-ins

Christmas is a great time of the year for opportunistic burglars. So try to place any valuables out of sight and check your doors and windows are locked properly

Over the last few years, we’ve seen a worrying rise in the number of home safes that are being stolen, along with their precious contents. Remember to have your safe professionally installed.  Simply relying on a safe being hidden in the home is not good enough – thieves will find it.  For more information on the installation of safes, read our article: Safe and Sound

3. Vehicle theft and personal possessions

It’s not just your property which is at risk – burglars are just as opportunistic when it comes to cars. The overwhelming majority of cars are now being sold with keyless entry as standard and keyless car theft is becoming more common. There are various ways in which you could prevent yourself from being the victim of keyless car theft, from keeping your keys in a safe place to purchasing a signal blocking device.

For more advice on how to help secure your vehicle, read our article: Car insurance and vehicle security.

Any valuable items in your car also present an attractive target for opportunist thieves, so take care not to leave expensive gifts in your vehicle, however briefly.

Sometimes it can be unavoidable, in which case you may need to rely on your motor insurance in the event of a theft. Standard comprehensive policies offered by most car insurers are unlikely to cover personal possessions worth £400 or more. That means if you leave anything of a higher value in your vehicle and it gets stolen, you may not be able to claim it back.

We understand that some of our clients need higher levels of personal possessions cover and we have solutions available that can cater for limits of up to £2,500, giving you peace of mind that if any valuable items are stolen from your vehicle, you will be better placed to claim on your motor insurance policy. Please note that possessions will only be covered if out of sight or locked in the boot or glove compartment.

4. Jewellery mishaps

If you’re taking your fine jewellery out of the safe for a glamorous event, remember to check your stones’ settings and clasps. To avoid that party ending in tears, we would recommend that you take your jewellery to be checked by a specialist jeweller every twelve months. For more advice on how to care for your jewellery you can read our article: Looking after your jewellery: cleaning tricks to storage tips.

If you have a particularly precious piece, then consider specialist jewellery insurance which can include pairs and sets cover and cover whilst outside the home. Money from an insurance payout can’t fully compensate for the loss of a wonderful piece of jewellery but having the right insurance cover in place will at least help with the financial loss. To read more about Howden can help, read our article: Why your need a broker for your jewellery insurance

5. Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries are now commonplace and you’ll find them in many Christmas gifts - for example, laptops, cameras, e-bikes or e-scooters.  They give thousands of hours of reliable service and are relatively light weight. But lithium batteries have a problem – they catch fire. Fires caused by lithium batteries rose by 43% in 2023 compared to the previous year and batteries that power electric vehicles such e-bikes, e-scooters and e-cars - were responsible for almost three fires a day across the UK last year1. To read more about lithium batteries including why they catch fire, the warning signs and how you can prevent a lithium fire, read our article: Lithium batteries and home insurance

6. Fire

It’s not just Lithium batteries which can cause a fire. These include:

  • Candles
  • Portable heaters
  • Open fires and wood stoves with spitting embers
  • Christmas tree lights
  • Overloaded sockets

Consider, too, the sun’s rays reflecting off glass.  This might not be such an obvious hazard, but the winter sun can still be strong and cause a fire. One of our clients placed a mirror opposite a window and the concentration of sunlight caused a fire which created over £90,000 worth of damage to the property. Candles, lights on trees, glass trinkets and ornaments all pose a similar risk.

Fire risks aren’t limited to inside the home. There are also outdoor lights to consider and cables which someone might trip over.

To remind yourself of good practices around fire risks, visit the Government website.

7. Snow and Ice

A white Christmas is a beautiful sight but freezing pipes can be a harsh reality.  25% of the claims we see are due to escape of water and there’s a spike in escape of water claims during the winter months2. So take steps to reduce the risk of pipes freezing. These should include servicing your boiler, insulating any exposed pipes, and maintaining the water temperature by keeping your heating on low. For more information read our article: Escape of water and the winter months

8. Flood

Not every Christmas is a white Christmas and it’s no secret that this year the UK has battled some very wet weather. If the Met Office issues a warning for heavy rains and flooding in your area, make sure you are prepared.  For more information visit our library - Flood Insurance – what you need to know.  Here, we take a look at everything you need to know. From Flood Re, to resistance and resilience measure, through to finding the right home insurance.

9. Escape of water

If you have a small undetected leak it could turn into something bigger – particularly if you have more guests than usual using your home and putting pressure on your pipes. Water leaks can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage and properties can take months to dry out before repairs can be completed. Acting quickly when you discover a water leak can mean the difference between a small clean-up job or extensive damage and inconvenience. To help stem the flow of escape of water situations and potential claims, we’ve put together some frequently asked questions and answers.

10. Underinsured contents

It’s Christmas – there will be decorations, food, and fine wine, not to mention gifts under the tree. Therefore, the total value of the contents in your house will likely peak over the holidays. Some insurers may automatically increase your contents cover over the festive season, but it will not be the case for every policy, so it’s worth checking in with your broker or insurer in the lead-up to Christmas.

The realisation of being underinsured usually only becomes clear when you’re making a claim on your home insurance and it’s easier than you think to fall into the underinsurance trp. To find out more read our article: Contents underinsurance. 

11. Leaving your home unoccupied

Christmas can be a great time of the year to get away but, amidst the excitement, it’s easy to forget about the things you need in place to keep your home safe whilst you’re away. Whether you’re away for a few days or a couple of weeks, here are some things to think about. Steps to take if you’re going away this Christmas (link pending)

If your home is unattended for more than 30 days, you may need to tell your insurer, as many policies will include an unoccupancy condition.

12. That extra special gift

When it comes to that extra special gift – whether it’s a diamond necklace for a loved one or a piece of art for your wall – one of the most important things to do is to let your insurance company or insurance broker know. Why? Find out here: What is a single article limit on a home insurance policy?

We wish you a safe and Merry Christmas!

Sources

  1. britsafe.org/safety-management/2024/fires-caused-by-lithium-ion-batteries-up-46-last-year
  2. Based on data from Howden UK Brokers Limited – Private Client Division. Date correct as of 02/10/2024.