The festive season is well and truly upon us. But as your clients go about getting ready for the big day, finding the perfect present, stocking up on all the Christmas essentials and planning parties, is their Christmas protected and what can you do as their adviser to help them prepare?
Here are a few tips that will ensure you remain on your client’s Christmas card list both this year and in the future:
Keeping gifts safe
We all spend a lot of time and money finding the right presents for family and friends. If we are lucky we may also receive some of the things we really wanted. A good home insurance policy will offer increased contents cover at Christmas and also cover possessions for those staying with you. But what about once Christmas has passed?
If your client receives a particularly expensive present such as an item of jewellery or the latest must-have gadget, it is also important that they check the limits their insurance imposes for single items and increase cover where necessary.
Christmas unfortunately usually sees a rise in burglaries. No one wants to be a victim of crime at any time, especially not during what should be a magical time of year, but knowing that we have more contents in our properties than normal it is very tempting for thieves.
Parties and family get togethers
Christmas is a time to be with the ones you love. Your clients must ensure that their home insurance policy covers them when they are away by protecting their belongings outside of the home, or if they have people coming to stay, that their own policy covers visitors’ possessions.
Bracing for the cold snap
October and November may have been fairly mild but as the inevitable cold snap approaches it is important to advise clients on the steps they should take to prevent damage to their property and limit the risk of having to make a claim, especially if they leave their home for any length of time.
Burst pipes are one of the biggest causes of claims for insurers during the year and not only can a claim run into thousands of pounds, it can take months to fix and be very distressing to the home owner as personal mementos, such as family photos, can be ruined.
Small steps such as checking pipes are lagged correctly, keeping the loft door ajar to keep warm air circulating, keeping the heating on low to prevent freezing or turning off the stopcock will go a long way towards protecting them. Likewise, using timer switches on lights and locking up properly will keep properties secure from burglary.
Food and domestic purchases
In the same way that we all spend a lot of money on presents, we also stock up on food and drink in the fridge or freezer. Home insurance is designed to protect your clients all year round but never is it of more important than at Christmas. Help your clients understand the risks by actively contacting them with tips and suggestions.
Not only will you help make sure all their hard work, preparations and expense are protected and Christmas 2013 goes without a hitch, but you will also reap the rewards well into the New Year by further demonstrating the added value you deliver as their adviser.
