Its time for Hannon-Murphys annual blog to address possible summer issues for your home and property! Whether you live in Pembroke, Plymouth, Marshfield, Hanover, Cape Cod or elsewhere in Massachusetts, summer is a great time to review your liability coverage and make sure your homeowners policy still fits your needs.
Summer’s Uninvited Guests
Summer in New England is short (this year it seems like it is going to take a while to even arive!) which means we try to pack as much fun into it as possible. Cookouts. Pool parties. Firepit nights. Family gatherings. Weekend projects that somehow turn into month-long projects.
Unfortunately, summer often brings a few uninvited guests along for the ride: accidents, injuries, and liability claims.
Before you fire up the grill or send the kids flying down a slip ‘n slide, here are a few things worth thinking about.
The Guest Who Slips by the Pool
You’ve planned the perfect pool day. The burgers are cooking, the drinks are cold, and someone decides to attempt an Olympic-worthy cannonball.
Then a guest slips on the pool deck.
Most homeowners never expect to face a liability claim from a friend or family member, but accidents happen. If you have a pool, make sure fencing, gates, and supervision (children or not) are part of your summer routine. FLOATIES AREN’T LIFEGUARDS.
The Firepit That Gets a Little Too Friendly
There’s something magical about sitting around a firepit on a cool summer night.
There’s nothing magical about a stray ember finding your deck, lawn furniture, or a neighbor’s property.
Keeping your firepit a safe distance from structures, having water nearby, and never leaving it unattended can help keep the evening memorable for the right reasons.
And, this should go without saying, supervise any children when around a fire pit.
The Backyard Attraction
Every neighborhood seems to have one.
The pool.
The trampoline.
The giant inflatable water slide.
The backyard that suddenly becomes summer headquarters for every kid within a three-mile radius.
While that’s great for making memories, it also increases your exposure to accidents. If you have a trampoline -or any other fun stuff in the backyard, it’s worth making sure we know about it and can check to make sure there are no exclusion and that your liability coverage is adequate.
The Grill Master Who Gets Distracted
We’ve all done it.
You walk away from the grill for “just a minute” to grab a plate, answer a question, or referee an argument about whose turn it is at the cornhole board or volleyball game.
Thousands of grill-related fires occur every year. A quick inspection of propane lines, a clean grill, and a little extra attention can go a long way toward preventing a costly accident.
The Project That Got Bigger Than Expected
Summer is prime season for home improvements.
New decks. New sheds. Patio expansions. Above-ground pools. Fences.
If you’ve made improvements to your property—or are planning to—let Hannon-Murphy know. Updating your policy after a project is complete can help ensure your home-one of your biggest investments is properly protected.
A Little Coverage Can Go a Long Way
The reality is that most homeowners don’t need to file a liability claim.
But if something does happen, you’ll be glad you took a few minutes to review your coverage. From Cape Cod to the South shore, we can help you make sure you know your insurance coverage.
Summer should be about making memories, not worrying about what could go wrong. If you’ve added a pool, trampoline, firepit, or other backyard feature—or if it’s simply been a few years since you’ve reviewed your policy—give us a call.
We’ll help make sure the only surprises this summer are who’s showing up for dinner.