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During the winter holidays, most people would rather be spending time with family, than thinking about insurance. However, it is also one of the times of year when home and automobile insurance claims are at their highest. Take the time this season to make sure all your insurance needs are adequate, and that you take the necessary precautions to prevent having to submit a claim.

Your car
Your home
Your finances

Your car
Poor driving conditions contribute to the rise in automobile accidents during the winter and the first snowfall can be one of the worst times for automobile collisions (1999, Statistics Canada). Drive defensively this holiday season and make sure you have the proper safety equipment in your car in case you are stuck at the side of the road in the cold. Use our Winter Car Kit Checklist to make sure you are prepared for Jack Frost, and keep a list of our automobile Claims Filing Tips in your glove compartment in case you are in an accident.

Your home
Many people are away from their homes in the winter or during the holidays. When you are away, your home is more at risk to burglaries and to the elements. Deter theft while you are away by Burglar-proofing your home and have a neighbour check your home regularly for damage from the elements. The use of fires, candles and Christmas lights during the holiday season contribute to an increased risk of home fires. Make sure all fires in the home are supervised. When installing Christmas lights, follow our Clean wiring tips to reduce the risk of electrical fires.

Your finances
The holidays are also a time when you might want to reassess your family's financial protection and make sure you have enough life insurance to provide for them. A lot of employer's policies don't provide nearly enough coverage.

Part of having an enjoyable holiday is having a safe holiday. We wish you and your loved ones all the best this season.