The Question Under the Tree
The holidays bring some genuinely fun surprises under the tree, and a few of them come with a quiet insurance question attached. Nobody wants to think about coverage limits while unwrapping presents, but a quick call to your agent in January can save you a real headache later. Here’s a rundown of common gifts worth a second look.
Jewelry and Watches
A new engagement ring, a nice watch, or a family heirloom passed down over the holidays is exciting, but standard homeowners and renters policies typically cap how much they’ll pay out for jewelry and valuables without special scheduling. If your gift is worth more than your policy’s built-in limit, it’s worth adding a scheduled endorsement so it’s properly protected against loss or theft.
Drones
Drones are a popular gift, and they’re also a bit of a gray area on many home policies depending on how they’re used. If it’s purely a hobby item, it may be treated like other personal property, but liability if it damages someone’s property or injures someone can be a different story. It’s worth asking your agent how your policy treats drone ownership.
High-End Electronics and Home Theater or Home Gym Equipment
A new home theater setup, a high-end gaming rig, or a fully loaded home gym can add up to a significant amount of personal property value fast. Most policies have limits for electronics, and it’s easy to underestimate how much you’ve accumulated once you add it all up. A quick inventory update after the holidays helps make sure your personal property coverage still matches what’s actually in the house.
Firearms
Firearms received as gifts are another category with their own coverage limits on many standard policies. If you received a valuable firearm or built out a small collection, it’s worth a conversation about whether additional coverage makes sense.
A New Puppy
A new puppy is one of the best parts of the holidays for a lot of families, but it’s also worth knowing that some carriers ask about dog breed when it comes to homeowners or renters liability coverage. It doesn’t mean you can’t get coverage, but it’s a good idea to let your agent know about a new dog so there aren’t any surprises down the road.
E-Bikes
E-bikes have become a popular gift in recent years, and because they’re motorized, they don’t always fall under the same coverage as a traditional bicycle. Ask your agent whether your e-bike is covered under your homeowners or renters policy or whether it needs something additional.
A Car With a Bow on It
If someone in your household drove home a new car this holiday season, don’t wait to make the call. A new vehicle needs to be added to your auto policy right away, and if it’s financed or leased, your lender likely requires specific coverage levels. This is one gift that genuinely can’t wait until “sometime in January.”
The Simple Fix
None of this means you need to worry your way through the holidays. It just means it’s worth setting aside ten minutes once things settle down to call your agent, mention what showed up under the tree or in the driveway, and make sure your coverage actually reflects your life going into the new year.
One Call After the Wrapping Paper Settles
Got some new gifts that might need coverage? Rondon Insurance Services in Edmond is happy to help you sort it out and compare options across multiple carriers, so everything on your policy matches what’s actually in your home. Give us a call after the holidays and we’ll get you squared away.
