We are nearing the middle of football season, and the excitement of watch parties and the camaraderie of cheering on your team with friends and family continues. While football season is a time for fun, it can also introduce risks—not just on the field, but for homeowners as well. As an independent agent, it is important to engage with clients proactively, to educate them about the potential risks of hosting these (and other types of) parties. By starting the conversation, you can help your clients prepare for the unexpected and enjoy the football and winter season free of hazards.
While no one likes to think about accidents during the game, having a preemptive conversation about safety can help ensure your clients are protected.
Tossing around a football? Be aware of unexpected injuries
Football is not just for the professionals. Playing catch is a great way for fans to get excited before a big game—or Thanksgiving dinner—but in the unfortunate event that a guest trips and is injured, it is the homeowner who may be held responsible for medical expenses.
Most homeowners insurance policies include dollar limits on personal liability claims. When a severe loss occurs these limits may not be sufficient, putting the homeowner’s personal assets at risk. This is where umbrella coverage comes into play.
An umbrella policy offers higher levels of liability coverage beyond the limits of your homeowner and auto policies. They are designed as an extra layer of protection—shielding personal assets from claims arising from injuries that may occur during these gatherings.
Independent agents should take the time to reach out to homeowners, review their current policies, assets and risks that clients may face. Based on that analysis they should recommend an umbrella policy with adequate limits to protect what their clients value most.
Serving alcohol? Plan ahead for safe transportation
Alcohol is often a staple at football watch and holiday parties, which can pose a significant risk. If a guest drinks too much, and he or she decides to drive home and gets in a car accident on the way, the homeowner could be held liable for the injuries to passengers, any victims and other damages from the accident.
In 2022 alone, 13,524 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Beyond physical tragedy for the injured party, it could lead to potentially dire financial consequences for the homeowner who hosted the party.
In some states, homeowners can be sued if they overserve a guest who causes an accident. This kind of lawsuit could have profound financial repercussions for clients. To protect them, it’s important to discuss the option of adding host liquor liability coverage to their insurance policies. Many standard homeowners policies don’t cover alcohol-related incidents, making this additional coverage essential for clients who frequently host gatherings. Liquor liability insurance can cover legal fees and settlements resulting from such accidents.
Food and fun? Yes. Fire hazards? No.
Everyone knows that wings and nachos are crucial for a great football party, and deep-fried turkeys continue to grow in popularity. However, outdoor grills and ovens can be sources of danger if not handled properly. The U.S. Fire Administration estimates there were 178,600 residential cooking fires in 2022—a number that highlights the importance of caution.
Agents should remind their clients to move their grills away from buildings and flammable materials, and to handle and store propane tanks properly. It also is important for clients to stay in the kitchen while food is cooking to prevent fires caused by forgotten nachos or other foods. Agents should remind their clients to keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergency—and to make sure they know how to use it.
Football and the holiday season is a great time to bring people together, but it’s also an ideal opportunity for independent agents to re-engage with clients. Use the end of the year as a reason to remind them of potential hazards—whether related to alcohol, grilling or general home safety—and review their current policies to ensure they’re adequately protected.
By proactively helping clients prepare for the risks that come with hosting game day and holiday parties, you can give them peace of mind and allow them to focus on what really matters: enjoying the game, and their friends and family.
Andrew Leeds
Andrew Leeds, chief claims officer at Plymouth Rock Home Assurance, joined Plymouth Rock in February of 2021 after serving in a variety of roles within Liberty Mutual where he began his insurance career in 2004. Prior to joining Liberty Mutual, Andrew was a captain in the United States Army where he served as an Infantry officer in the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y.
