Fall is here, bringing with it crisp air, vibrant foliage, and the perfect opportunity to transform your outdoor space with festive decorations. From cozy pumpkins and hay bales to spooky Halloween displays, autumn-themed décor can add charm and excitement to your home.
However, as you plan your seasonal decorations, it’s important to consider more than just aesthetics. Have you thought about how your outdoor décor might be affected by unpredictable fall weather, mischievous pranksters, or even the safety of visitors to your home?
Let’s explore how your insurance policy can safeguard your decorations and peace of mind this season.
Avoid Decoration Disasters
When planning and setting up your seasonal decorations, consider any potential risks involved. Taking steps to prepare your property and to protect any visitors can help prevent a decoration disaster.
Be mindful of hazards that might not be visible at night: Take a walk around your property to identify and address any potential dangers, especially those that could be harder to spot after dark. Make sure all walking surfaces are level and free of debris, and clearly mark obstacles like stakes, exposed roots, or holes. Additionally, keep your front yard, walkway, and entryway well-lit to help visitors unfamiliar with your home navigate safely.
Be strategic about where you place your decorations: Arrange them with foot traffic in mind, ensuring they won’t tip over, blow away, or create a tripping hazard. When setting up indoor decorations that require power, avoid overloading electrical outlets.
Choose your decorations carefully: Steer clear of dried flowers, cornstalks, and crêpe paper, as they are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations away from open flames and heat sources like light bulbs and heaters. Never staple, nail, or fasten electrical wires in a way that could damage the insulation, as this could result in electric shock or fire.
Set up spooky lighting with care: Avoid using open flames, and opt for safer alternatives like battery-operated candles or LED lights. Also, be sure not to drape costumes or fabrics over light bulbs, as they can generate heat and pose a fire hazard.
Personal Property Coverage for Outdoor Decorations
Most standard home insurance policies include coverage for personal property, which typically extends to items like furniture, electronics, and clothing inside the home. However, the coverage can be more complex when it comes to outdoor decorations.
- Weather Damage: If your fall decorations are damaged due to weather-related events such as windstorms, hail, or lightning (covered perils under most policies), they may be protected under the personal property portion of your home insurance. However, it’s important to read the fine print, as some policies exclude or limit coverage for items left outside.
- Vandalism or Theft: If your Halloween or fall decorations are vandalized or stolen, many home insurance policies cover these losses under the personal property section. Home vandalism can include egging your house, damaging your lawn, damaging an expensive piece of art, graffiti, arson, cutting down trees, and smashing windows and locks. The policy may reimburse you for the damaged or stolen decorations, though you’ll need to factor in your deductible before the insurance kicks in. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible and the decorations are worth $500, you would not receive compensation.
- Limits and Exclusions: Some insurance policies may impose limits on coverage for outdoor items like seasonal decorations. Check your policy’s coverage limits on outdoor items to avoid any unpleasant surprises if a loss occurs and be sure to understand any restrictions or coverage caps that might apply.
Liability Insurance: Injuries on Your Property
Another important aspect to consider is liability insurance which is included in most home insurance policies and covers injuries that occur on your property. This is especially important when your decorations might pose a safety risk to visitors. Fall decorations like pumpkins, scarecrows, and elaborate Halloween setups could potentially pose hazards to visitors.
- Accidents and Injuries: If someone trips over an extension cord for your outdoor lights or slips on a decorative pumpkin and is injured, your home insurance’s liability coverage could protect you. This coverage would pay for the injured party’s medical bills, lost wages, and potentially even legal fees if the injured person decides to sue.
- Property Safety: As a homeowner, you have a responsibility to keep your property safe. If you neglect obvious hazards created by your decorations and someone is injured, you could be held liable. In this case, your insurance would likely cover the costs, but frequent claims could lead to increased premiums.
Additional Coverage Options
If you’re particularly worried about your outdoor fall decorations, (valuable or elaborate fall setups), you may want to consider additional coverage options:
- Scheduled Personal Property: If your decorations are valuable (such as custom-made or rare Halloween collectibles), you can add scheduled personal property coverage to your policy. This adds extra protection and sometimes even waives the deductible in case of loss or damage.
- Umbrella Insurance: For broader liability protection, especially if you plan elaborate displays that attract many visitors, consider an umbrella insurance policy. It offers extended liability coverage beyond the limits of your standard home insurance.
Review Your Policy
Although home insurance typically covers outdoor fall decorations under personal property and liability protection, the details can vary based on your specific policy. Be sure to review your coverage, as it may differ depending on the value of the decorations and the cause of damage.
By understanding how your insurance applies to your seasonal displays, you can enjoy the fall season with peace of mind, knowing your decorations are protected from potential damage or accidents.
