‘Tis the Season to Seek the Advice of a Public Adjuster

We don’t purchase car insurance after we have been in an accident and we don’t sign up for health insurance after a visit to the hospital. Evaluating a public adjuster to deliver you the best result possible in the event of a loss is no different.  More often than not, after a loss the first call a property owner makes it to their insurance company.  Many property owners are not aware of the value a public adjuster can add to their claim, both financially and with ease of execution.

The holidays are most often a time of joy with family and friends. Special seasonal preparations can add risk that isn’t present other times of the year. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the holiday season is THE MOST likely time for a fire to occur at private residences, the leading cause being Christmas trees.

According to John Hall of the National Fire Protection Association, “U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 230 home structure fires that began with Christmas trees. Home Christmas tree fires caused an average of six civilian deaths, 22 civilian injuries, and $18.3 million in direct property damage per year.”

Make fire safety one of your holiday traditions. A quick and simple checklist like that provided by HomeFireSafety.com is a great place to start.

• Never leave cooking, heaters, open fires or candles unattended
• Don’t overload power boards
• Keep electrical appliances in good working order
• Ensure cigarette ash and butts are extinguished. Never smoke in bed
• Do not dry clothing less than one meter from heaters
• Clean lint filters on clothes dryers after every use and always let dryers
  complete the cool-down cycle
• Store all matches and lighters out of reach of children
• By law every home must have at least one working smoke alarm installed
  on each level of the house. Clean and test your alarms regularly and make
   sure they are working
• Install a fire extinguisher and fire blanket and know how to use them
• Have a home fire escape plan and practice it regularly
• Never deadlock yourself inside the house. Keep keys in the lock when you
  are at home

Regardless of your holiday celebration traditions, it is important to be cognizant of the risks that can be associated with the holiday season.  A public adjuster would be glad to advise you on ways to best mitigate these risks.

Additional Reading on Holiday lights statistics