The Most Common Causes of Holiday Claims

The holidays are supposed to be all cozy lights, good food, and “just one more cookie.” But from an insurance standpoint, this season also brings a predictable spike in claims.

The good news: knowing the most common causes of holiday claims can help you stay a step ahead of potential mishaps — and often avoid them altogether (or at least make them less expensive and less stressful).

Below are the top culprits we see around the holidays, plus simple prevention tips and a quick “policy check” list so you can protect your home, your guests, and your wallet.

1) Cooking fires (the classic holiday claim)

Holiday kitchens work overtime. More cooking, more distractions, more people in the way, and sometimes… more grease.

Common scenarios

• Grease fire from stovetop cooking
• Oven mishaps (food left too long, towels too close)
• Kids or pets bumping into hot surfaces
• Multiple appliances running on the same circuit

Stay ahead

• Never leave the stove unattended
• Keep a lid and baking soda nearby for grease fires (and never use water)
• Keep flammables (dish towels, paper towels) away from burners
• If you deep-fry a turkey: do it outside, on level ground, and away from structures.

2) Candles, fireplaces, and “cozy” heat sources

Ambience is great. Fire risk is not.

Common scenarios

• A candle left burning in another room
• Mantle décor too close to flames
• Fireplace or chimney buildup
• Space heater too close to furniture or curtains

Stay ahead

• Use flameless candles where you can
• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from space heaters
• Turn off heaters and extinguish candles before going to bed (every time)
• If you use a fireplace regularly, get the chimney inspected and cleaned as needed.

3) Holiday lights and overloaded outlets

More decorations = more power draw. Add older wiring, extension cords, and outdoor moisture, and you have a recipe for problems.

Common scenarios

• Damaged cords that spark or overheat
• Indoor lights used outside (and get wet)
• Daisy-chaining extension cords and power strips
• Tripped breakers and power surges that damage electronics

Stay ahead

• Check cords for frays and replace questionable strings
• Use lights rated for indoor vs outdoor use correctly
• Avoid overloading one outlet or one power strip
• Consider surge protectors for expensive electronics.

4) Water damage: leaks, backups, and surprise puddles

Holiday gatherings stress plumbing too: more showers, more dishes, more laundry, more bathroom trips. And even in milder climates, sudden cold snaps can create pipe issues.

Common scenarios

• Overflowing toilets from extra guests
• Leaks under sinks from heavy use
• Garbage disposal jams
• Water backup (especially if drains are already slow)

Stay ahead

• Know where your main water shutoff is (and label it)
• Do a quick under-sink check before hosting
• If you have a history of slow drains, handle it before guests arrive
• Ask about Water Backup coverage if you do not already have it (this is a separate coverage on many policies).

5) Theft: porch pirates and opportunistic break-ins

Holiday deliveries and travel plans are basically an advertisement that “stuff is here” and “people might be gone.”

Common scenarios

• Packages stolen off the porch
• Break-ins while homeowners are traveling
• The garage door left open during busy days.

Stay ahead

• Use delivery lockers or require signatures for higher-value items
• Hold mail and packages if you travel
• Use timers for lights and keep a car in the driveway when possible
• Do not post real-time travel updates on social media.

6) Guest injuries (liability claims you did not see coming)

Hosting is fun until someone slips, trips, or takes a tumble — especially with wet entryways, extra clutter, and excited kids running around.

Common scenarios

• Slip and fall on wet floors or front steps
• Injuries from stairs, rugs, toys, cords, and décor
• Dog-related incidents (even friendly dogs can get stressed with a crowd)

Stay ahead

• Put a mat and towel station at the door for rainy days
• Tape down cords and remove tripping hazards
• Use rug grips
• Give pets a quiet “break room” away from guests if needed.

Smart coverage tip: Ask your agent about increasing Medical Payments coverage on your Homeowners, Renters, or Condo policy. Med Pay can help with smaller guest injuries without turning into a major situation.

7) Alcohol-related situations (the part nobody likes to talk about)

Even if you are not “over-serving,” alcohol can increase accident risk — falls, arguments, impaired driving decisions.

Stay ahead

• Offer plenty of food and non-alcoholic options
• Have a plan for rides (rideshare gift cards are a great host move)
• If you are hosting a larger gathering, consider Event Insurance for extra peace of mind (especially if you are renting a venue or have a big guest list)

Smart tip: Check our Are Social Hosts Liable for Injuries in California? post for additional information.

8) Travel and “vacant home” problems

Many policies have specific rules about how long a home can be unoccupied or vacant before coverage is impacted (it varies by carrier and situation).

Stay ahead

• If you will be away for an extended time, tell your agent
• Have someone check the home, bring in packages, and look for leaks
• Do not turn your heat off completely in cooler weather (aim for a safe baseline temp)

Smart tip: Install smart water leak detectors. Ask your agent if your Homeowners, Renters, or Condo policy offers discounts for that.

Bonus tip: check our How to Protect Your Smart Home from Tech-Savvy Burglars for more.

Quick “Policy Check” Before You Host (or Travel)

Here’s a simple list to review with your insurance agent or broker:

• Liability limit (is it enough for today’s lawsuit costs?)
• Medical Payments (consider bumping it up)
• Personal property limits (especially if you buy a lot of gifts)
• Special limits for jewelry, watches, collectibles, art, firearms, and electronics
  • If you received or gifted something valuable, you may want to schedule it
• Water Backup coverage (often optional)
• Deductible amount (know what you would pay out of pocket)
• Umbrella policy (extra liability protection above your home and auto)
• For bigger gatherings: Event Insurance

A simple holiday “prevention sweep” (5 minutes)

Before guests arrive, do this quick lap:

• Clear walkways and entry rugs
• Move cords and décor away from high-traffic areas
• Check candles, heaters, and the kitchen setup
• Confirm that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working
• Put pets in a calm, secure space if they get anxious.

Final thought: The goal is not “perfect,” it’s prepared

Most holiday claims come from totally normal moments: distracted cooking, one slick step, one overloaded outlet, one package left out too long. A few small adjustments can prevent a big headache.

Perfect California Insurance Agency is here to help you live well and be protected.