Don’t Let Your Holiday Party Turn Into a Tragedy
Homeowners Insurance & Social Gatherings
Many homeowners enjoy throwing parties for holidays or special events. If a party is in the near future, be sure that individual homeowners insurance coverage is adequate. Guests who are injured may need to file an injury claim if they fall down or if a pet bites them.
Research shows that about 75 percent of adult homeowners who plan social gatherings in their homes do not have a personal umbrella insurance policy. This makes them more vulnerable to lawsuits stemming from guests who suffer injuries. The same research study showed that the remainder of the homeowners surveyed did not know what type of insurance coverage they had. This means it is likely that the percentage of homeowners who do not have adequate insurance coverage is more than 75 percent. However, they should have this extra coverage to protect themselves from lawsuits. Although dog bites and falls are common, alcohol is one liability issue that is often overlooked but is very risky.
Alcoholic drinks are viewed as a way to relax and enjoy socializing. However, there is one sobering fact that many homeowners who plan to serve these drinks should know. In 30 states, homeowners may be responsible for damages arising from any auto accidents caused by their intoxicated guests who choose to drive home. In a research survey, more than 50 percent of homeowners said they agreed that party hosts should be responsible for their guests’ safety. However, very few took any steps to obtain adequate insurance coverage. The research study concluded that most people avoid purchasing a personal umbrella insurance policy because they are under the impression that their regular homeowners insurance coverage provides adequate protection for such matters. Since many lawsuits include large awards and medical costs, it is easy for one incident to exceed the homeowners insurance liability limits.
Homeowners must take two steps to ensure they are protected. First, it is imperative for them to contact a Trusted Choice ® Insurance Agency to discuss umbrella insurance policy options. It is also important to take the agent’s advice to avoid facing a costly lawsuit. The second step homeowners must take is to read the following suggestions, which are designed to reduce their risk of lawsuits from intoxicated party guests:
- Ensure that there are filling food options and non-alcoholic beverage choices available.
- To avoid trouble from party-crashing strangers, limit invitations to friends or familiar people.
- For guests who appear drunk, provide transportation or overnight accommodations.
- Avoid serving alcohol to guests who appear intoxicated.
- Plan activities that draw attention away from drinking alcohol.
- If several guests are expected at a home party, consider hiring an off-duty police officer to handle problems and discreetly monitor guests’ alcohol consumption.
- Take away all alcoholic drinks at least one hour before the part is supposed to end.
Taking these small steps could save you from facing huge problems. After all, you want your holiday gathering to be remembered for the fun and the social interaction, and not remembered for a bad incident that resulted in injury or death.