The Holiday season of 2025 has begun and we will soon be ringing in the New Year! Right now many people are experiencing the hustle and bustle of the Holidays – shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking, cooking, hosting, etc. We never want –or expect– anything to go wrong especially during the Holidays, but sometimes it does. If/when it does, you don’t want to question whether or not you have coverage! Below is a fun little Holiday Q&A for those unexpected Holiday mishaps!
I’ve been robbed! Are my Christmas gifts covered?
Thankfully, theft is a common coverage on most homeowners and dwelling fire policies! The company will ask you for an itemized inventory of things that were taken. Bonus if you have all the receipts for items that were purchased! Your contents will be paid out at actual cash value – or replacement cost if you have the endorsement on your policy!
One of my guests fell during my Holiday party!
Will my homeowners pay for their medical bills?
If you have personal liability on your policy, and you were found to be legally liable, then yes! The personal liability coverage on your homeowners kicks in when you are found liable or negligent for someone getting injured on your property. Additionally, the injured party may decide to sue you over negligence, like a pot hole in the driveway or a broken step. This coverage can also help pay for lawyers and legal fees associated with the incident. Even if you are not sued, the policy can help pay their medical bills.
We’re traveling out of town! Is a rental car covered under my insurance?
Most likely! A majority of auto insurance companies will extend your most broad form of coverage on your policy to a rental car, including liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage if you have them. For example: Let’s say you drive a 2020 Chevy Silverado with liability, a $500 comprehensive deductible, and a $500 collision deductible. With most insurance companies, this coverage will automatically transfer to a rental car rented in the USA, Canada, or Mexico (some laws in other countries may differ). In this case there would be no need to purchase the “Damage Waiver” from the rental company as you already have full coverage on the car!
My dog bit the UPS delivery man! Now what?!
Call your agent! After the immediate shock and terror this causes, there may be more of a shock when you are served lawsuit paperwork or a pile of medical bills. While we know that ALL dogs can have a good, loving heart, there are some breeds that can be more unpredictable than others. Someone may remind your rescue dog of their abusive past, another animal may set them off, or even fear of someone/something can send them into fight-or-flight.
Lawyer fees and medical bills would typically be paid out from your homeowners personal liability coverage – however; many companies now have chosen to make certain dog breeds ineligible for this reason. If your dog is on the excluded list, the company may not pay a claim caused by the animal or sell you a policy altogether. If you’re unsure, please check with your agent. The most common dog exclusions are: Pit bull, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Doberman, Chow, Akita, Great Dane, Cane Corso, etc. So even though your chihuahua may be more vicious than the neighbor’s Pit Bull, the amount of harm they would cause would be much less than a larger dog.
Our real tree got too close to a candle…
With real trees being a popular Christmas must-have, they require a lot more care than an artificial one. You need to remember to remove dead branches, water the tree from the bottom, and sweep up old needles that have fallen. A dry tree can ignite and burn within 60 seconds!
Thankfully though, a typical homeowners policy will cover fire! Even a basic home or dwelling fire policy covers fire, lightning, and explosion. To be sure, call your agent immediately to report any fire when it is safe to do so!
We’re getting married! Is my ring covered?
Congratulations! Maybe! Most homeowners policies automatically cover jewelry between $1,500 – $2,500. However, jewelry items that are more expensive than this, or if you have numerous jewelry pieces, can be scheduled on a home policy. Some companies require an appraisal if they are over a certain amount while others may let you bring in the purchase slip. It is a pretty affordable coverage to add to your home policy!
Blitzen was borrowing the sleigh and crashed. Is it covered?
As long as someone has your permission to use the vehicle, your physical damage coverage should follow your car. For example: Say you own a 2020 Chevy Silverado with a $500 comprehensive deductible and a $500 collision deductible. Your licensed son borrows the truck and goes in the ditch. Since you have a $500 collision deductible, you would end up paying the deductible and your insurance would primarily pay for damages. Things get a little more complicated if the other driver causes injury or death to another person as you could both be sued.
If there are any other questions you would like addressed, please leave a comment, call, email, or stop by to see us!
Citations:
- https://www.progressive.com/answers/jewelry-and-engagement-ring-insurance/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/insurance/homeowners/learn/homeowners-insurance-cover-dog-bites
- https://www.auto-owners.com/ao-blog/-/blogs/car-insurance-and-rental-cars-everything-you-need-to-know
- https://www.michiganautolaw.com/blog/2025/07/28/friend-crashed-my-car/
- https://www.wvlt.tv/2021/12/24/watch-how-long-does-it-take-christmas-tree-burn/