Top 5 Summer Losses and How to Mitigate Them

We have almost made it to summer and after the year we have had, I think everyone is ready for some fun in the sun. It is also the perfect time to share some friendly reminders and tips on how to avoid an insurance loss from clouding your day. I am here to provide you with some of the most common losses that occur in the summertime and what you can do to minimize your exposure over the next few months.

Outdoor Fires

As if our summers are not hot enough, outdoor fires are one of the most common insurance claims during the summertime. One of the main causes of an outdoor fire loss comes from using your grill without proper maintenance. There are several ways to help minimize a grill fire loss from occurring, which are described below:

Check your grill for any damaged hoses, making sure they are free of any holes, tears, and brittleness.
Check for blockages in the Venturi tube that can be caused by food drippings or insects.
Use a grill cover to help prevent your grill from being damaged by weather and insects. Just remember to wait until the grill is cooled down before covering.
Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
Grill a safe distance away from your house, children, and pets.

Car Accidents

Whether it is the fall, winter, spring, or summer, we never seem to have a shortage of car accidents. Memorial Day is the start of summer driving season, as well as the start of the “100 Deadliest Days”, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Sadly, the highest number of deaths during this time are related to auto accidents involving teen drivers. Here are some tips to help prevent you or a family member from being involved in an auto accident this summer:

Refrain from using a cell phone while driving. According to the National Safety Council, using a cell phone while driving is the cause of 1.6 million crashes each year.
Minimize the number of passengers in vehicle while driving, especially with youthful drivers. When it comes to teen drivers, one passenger doubles the risk of getting into a fatal car accident.
Complete a maintenance vehicle check–up prior to each summer trip. Make sure to check your coolant levels, radiator, and cooling fan to avoid your car from overheating.
Check your DOT website for information on road construction in your area. Road construction increases in the summertime, which can lead to more car accidents.
Review your auto insurance policy with your local agent! Knowing your level of auto insurance and how you are protected is key if involved in an auto accident.
Always keep your current insurance card in your covered vehicle. Your auto insurance card includes important policy information and phone numbers to call and file an insurance claim.

Boating Accidents

Summertime is synonymous with boating season, and who does not love boating season? While boating can create some of the best memories, it can also be the reason for creating memories you wish you could forget. Owning a boat comes with incredible responsibility and boating accidents are one of the top insurance claims during the summertime. Here are some tips to minimize the risk of being involved in a boating accident:

Pay Attention! I know, seems obvious. However, one of the top causes of boating accidents stems from operator inattention.
Taking boater education courses is an important way to educate yourself and your family members on the proper way to operate a boat. Inexperienced operators are more prone to being involved in a boating accident.
Maintain the maintenance of your watercraft, and make sure your safety equipment is up to date. Not doing so can lead to equipment failure, which can leave you stranded or cause an accident with surrounding boaters.
Stay within the speed guidelines out on the water and coming into shore.
Appoint a lookout when guests of your watercraft are involved in watersport activities, such as tubing or water skiing.

Pool Accidents

A great way to entertain your family and friends is hanging out by the pool on a hot summer day. Unfortunately, pool accidents are also another reason for insurance claims during the summer months. Check out these tips to reduce your risk and costly losses from occurring:

Install a fence around your pool with a locked gate. This can help to keep small children or uninvited guests from entering your pool unattended. Your insurance carrier may require this protection and if you are thinking of purchasing a pool, check with your agent to see what safety features may be required by your carrier.
Do not swim alone. A pool accident can occur to even the most experienced swimmer, and if you slip and fall near water alone, your chances of making a bad situation worse increase. Use the buddy system!
Keep the beer drinking to a minimum. According to the CDC, 70% of water recreational deaths are due to alcohol.
Maintain your pool equipment. Using defective equipment can lead to serious injury or accidents.
Electricity and water do not mix, so avoid any drop cords or electrical equipment that is not properly secured from being near your pool.

Home Burglary

Not only does summertime bring the hot temperatures, but it is also a hot season for home burglaries to take place. With people traveling more, it is no wonder summertime can lead to an increase in home burglaries. Here are some ways that you can minimize your risk and make sure you are properly protected if you are a victim of burglary:

Installing a security alarm system can be a great tactic to scare off any burglar who tries to enter your home.
Make sure that your valuables are scheduled on a personal articles policy. Many people are not aware that certain types of personal property include sub-limits on their homeowner’s policy. In the event you are a victim of a home burglary and you need to file a claim, you may be surprised by what your policy will pay out for items like jewelry and firearms. Check with your agent to make sure your valuables are protected.
Let a trusted neighbor know that you are going to be away and have them collect your newspapers, mail, and packages during this time. Nothing says “we are on vacation” like a stack of newspapers piled at the end of your driveway.
Install motion detectors near entryways of your home.
Wait to post your trip photos on social media until you return home. By posting daily activities while on a 7-day vacation, you are increasing your risk of the wrong person now having knowledge that you are away.

If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about how to protect yourself and your assets, please feel free to contact Bagwell & Bagwell. Have a safe, happy, and event-free summer!

References

https://www.iii.org/article/grilling-safety-and-insurance

https://www.edgarsnyder.com/car-accident/cause-of-accident/cell-phone/cell-phone-statistics.html

https://www.ncdot.gov/Pages/default.aspx

https://www.stewartlawoffices.net/common-causes-boating-wrecks

https://www.goingslawfirm.com/articles/common-causes-of-swimming-pool-accidents/