There are so many things to spruce up outside, barbeques to plan, pool parties to attend – the list goes on and on. But did you know, that with summer come an increased risk of accidents? Spring and summer account for nearly 12 million more emergency room visits per year than fall and winter, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "You can't take a vacation from risks during the summer," says Lynne McChristian, a spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute.1
Here are a few considerations you may want to ponder before your summer gets booked up:
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That backyard BBQ may cost you more than burnt steaks. US fire departments responded to an estimated average of 10,600 home structure and outdoor fires involving grills per year during 2014–2018. These fires caused $149 million in direct property damage annually.2
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That tour of the Midwest may have more memories than the photo album shows. Stuffing the family and all the gear in the minivan may be a cost-effective way to travel, but when you're driving somewhere unfamiliar, the likelihood of an accident increases significantly. Your state’s minimum required auto insurance may not be enough coverage if you cause an accident on your trip!3
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That trip to the lake may be scarier than the speed of the boat you were riding. The US Coast Guard 2021 report revealed that out of the 4,439 accidents that occurred, there were 2,641 injuries and an estimated $67.5 million dollars in property damages.4
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That life jacket will be more fashionable than that swimsuit your daughter just had to have. More than 7,000 children are taken to the Emergency Room each year because of a drowning scare. Remarkably, most of these incidents happen in lakes, rivers, ponds, oceans, canals, reservoirs, retention ponds and other open water. Of all open water fatalities, 86% were not wearing life jackets. Survival is 90.9 times greater if a life jacket is worn!5
We can make your summer safer! Check with us on things like increasing your auto coverage and fire insurance. If you already have a boat or are planning to get a boat in the near future, we have coverage for you! Start your search off on the right foot, let us do the insurance work while you focus on your busy life, knowing we’re taking care of your insurance needs.
1 https://www.consumerreports.org/insurance/insure-yourself-for-summer-fun/
3 https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/how-much-liability-insurance-you-need