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BACKYARD BARBEQUE SEASON IS HERE . MAKE SURE YOUR INSURANCE DOESN ’ T LEAVE YOU BURNED !
Have the right liability coverage for your next gathering .
At long last summer is finally here and with it are plans for back yard gatherings of friends and family . Summertime cookouts , pool parties , and bonfires are all great ways to bring people together to relax and enjoy each other ’ s company . However , the last thing on anyone ’ s mind is the liability risks that can arise from hosting a party . Homeowner ’ s coverage provides liability coverage up to a certain amount but it may not be enough . Here are some common risks and tips on avoiding claims and protecting yourself if one arises .
Swimming pools and Trampolines Despite both being a lot of fun to have , when it comes to liability risk these two items are always at the top of the list . A pool is a lot people ’ s dream addition and adds a source of entertainment and beauty to an otherwise drab yard . But sadly each year hundreds of pool drownings occur , often with younger children . Serious slip and fall injuries can also happen on wet pool decks . It ’ s imperative to take proper safety precautions . Install a 4 foot high fence surrounding the pool with a lockable gate . Use a safe pool cover to keep someone from becoming trapped if they fall in after hours . Have proper life saving devices such as a pole and life preserver always on hand .
As for Trampolines , most insurance agents myself included , would advise you to forego them entirely . They are considered an attractive nuisance and the risk of injury is very high . However , if it ’ s something you enjoy having you will need to be very careful about how it is installed and used . They should always be equipped with a surrounding net and placed in an open part of the yard with no nearby trees or structures someone could collide into . Only one individual should be on the trampoline at a time and doing flips that could risk possible neck and head injuries should not be allowed .
Grilling and Fire pits The smell of hotdogs , hamburgers and beer soaked kielbasa cooking on the grill is hard to beat . It ’ s a common ritual of summer , but at the same time should be approached with a healthy sense of caution . Over 8000 home fires annually are started by outdoor grilling mishaps . Be sure to keep your grill far away from your house and other flammable structures like wood deck railings and trees . Melted vinyl siding is never a good look , even if it doesn ’ t catch fire . Be sure that your grill is free from fat buildup and is properly cleaned . In the case of a gas grill be sure to check for any leaks and have a professional replace faulty lines and connections . As for charcoal users , it may be tempting to hurry the coals along but adding excessive lighter fluid is never a good idea . When your meal is fully cooked be sure to let coals cool completely before removal . Dispose of them in a safe metal container away from anything flammable .
Fire pits should always be placed in an open area far from any flammable objects or plants and with no overhanging tree branches , be sure to check wind direction before lighting and don ’ t use accelerants such as gasoline or lighter fluid to start your fire . Keep children and guests at least 3 feet from the flames and always have a means to extinguish the fire nearby . Once done be sure to soak any remaining ashes completely at the end of the event so that they do not reignite .
Host Liquor Liability
What is a get together without a few beers and glasses of wine to go around ? Some of your guests may end up having a few too many , and if they end up injuring themselves or someone else on the way home the liability can land right back in your lap . This liability can arise whether you provided the alcohol at your home or even another venue like a park or fire hall . Bottom line if you hosted an event and provided alcohol the liability for what happens will always fall back to you . Some homeowners policies provide host liquor liability as long as you are not charging for the drinks . This is a coverage issue that is imperative to discuss with your insurance agent as it can vary greatly . Bottom line is if you are planning to host an event call your agent to see if you are adequately covered in regards to liquor liability .
Talk to your agent about an Umbrella policy
Taking precautions is obviously the first line of defense to avoid a possible claim . Unfortunately accidents do happen and if it involves a pool or trampoline related injuries then lawsuits could follow . You could find yourself responsible for a large settlement over a million dollars . Most home policies only have on average $ 300,000 in liability coverage . That is why speaking to your insurance agent about an umbrella policy is important . They are surprisingly inexpensive and provide an additional million dollars of liability coverage over what you have on your underlying home and auto policies .
Stay safe this summer by planning ahead and taking the right precautions , including discussing your liability protection with your insurance advisor , we are here to keep you protected !
Most homes are underinsured
by an average of 19 % *
Do you have enough coverage to rebuild ?
Company A $ 47,000 Underinsured
Erie Insurance 100 % Guaranteed
Bill Flinn Agency Inc
2754 S Park Rd Bethel Park , PA 15102-3858 www . billflinnagency . com
412-833-5351
Company B $ 51,000 Underinsured
Company C $ 38,000 Underinsured
* 64 % of homes are undervalued — and potentially underinsured — by 19 %, according to Marshall & Swift / Boeckh , a leading provider of building cost data to real estate professionals . ** ErieSecure Home SM with Guaranteed Replacement Cost requires home improvements over $ 5,000 to be reported within 90 days . Coverage of costs to comply with laws or ordinances is subject to limits . Depreciation may be deducted until repair or replacement is made . Visit www . eriesecurehome . com / details or talk to your ERIE Agent for more information . Not all companies are licensed to operate in all states . Go to erieinsurance . com for company licensure and territory information . Equal opportunity insurer . S1420b 5 / 12
BETHEL PARK ❘ SUMMER 2022 27