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+ EXPERT ADVICE | Law
A Holiday Insurance
Checklist
Keep your family and your personal
property protected this holiday
season by making sure you have
the proper insurance coverage.
This holiday season, we will be relying on our cars
more than ever as we shop for gifts and visit relatives
who live far away or in other states. This extra time
on the road brings a greater risk to our personal property
and sometimes ourselves.
Before you hit the road, review your current insurance
to ensure your premiums are paid and that you have the
coverage you need. For your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance,
this means having “replacement cost” insurance that
will adequately compensate you for the loss of personal
property, including those gifts under the tree. Limits should
be considered based on an estimation of what it would cost
to replace every item in your house.
For your vehicle, make sure you have comprehensive insurance
to cover damage by vandalism or burglary. This usually carries
a deductible, sometimes as low as $250 or as high as $1,000.
However, it will protect
you should your car
be damaged while it’s
parked, and your renter’s
or homeowner’s
policy will most likely
cover any items stolen
from your car.
Mall parking lots
are a favorite place for
car burglars to shop.
While you’re inside
spending your hardearning
money, they’re
outside stealing what
you just paid for. Keep
your packages out
of view and consider
34 Central Florida Lifestyle | December 2019
moving your car to another spot after you load packages
so a surveilling thief will think you’re leaving for good.
Before you head out on a holiday road trip, schedule
a quick vehicle service such as an oil change or tire rotation.
These services usually come with a free safety inspection,
which might uncover a latent issue that could have
created a serious dent in your travel plans.
If you’re renting a vehicle, check with your insurance
company to make sure the rental vehicle will be covered
the same as your personal vehicle. If you don’t get confirmation
or you’re just unsure, consider purchasing the
rental car coverage insurance. It will be far cheaper than
repairing or replacing the rental car.
In the event of an accident, seek medical attention immediately,
even if it’s just an evaluation at a walk-in clinic. Oftentimes
injuries aren’t immediately known and symptoms can appear
days or weeks after the
collision. Make sure to
exchange information
at the scene or get a
police report number
and to photograph
all vehicles involved
as well as the roadway
and overall scene of
the accident.
Taking some
extra time to prepare
for the holidays in this
way will ensure that
you’re covered should
anything happen at
home or on the road
this season.
By Michael Brehne, Law Offices of Michael B. Brehne, P.A
Michael Brehne is an Orlando attorney with over 22 years of experience with representing injured people in accidents as well as against their own
insurance company when claims aren’t properly paid. This includes vehicle, homeowner’s, renter’s, disability, accidental death and life insurances. He is
a decorated former law enforcement officer, serving with the Orlando Police Department as a detective and with the Florida Highway Patrol.