Statistics on Holiday Drinking and Driving
With the holiday season upon us, there 's no better way to bring family and friends together to celebrate, than a party. With all the merriment, you never know what your family or your friends might do if they have a little too much fun. What happens if your wild brother-in-law sets the tree on fire? Or coworkers hurt themselves crashing through the coffee table? Hosts and homeowners should be prepared and know what they could be liable for when entertaining this holiday season.
As a host, keeping property damage to a minimum is usually the goal €”besides having fun, of course! You generally know that you are responsible to a point for injuries and damages within your own home, but you may not realize that you could be liable for the actions of inebriated guests once they leave your property. While an inebriated guest usually cannot successfully sue their host, the third-party victims of the damage done by your guests certainly can, and it can cost you a pretty penny. Social host liability can be even trickier if there are minors present and alcohol is served. Laws and charges vary from state to state but if alcohol is involved, as a host, it is probably a good idea to monitor your guests so that things do not get too out of hand. Even if alcohol is not involved, you can still be held liable for any issues that arise.
There are many things you can do to protect yourself and keep the merriment going this season. It is important to check with your insurance provider before entertaining to find out exactly what is covered regarding your guests and what potential problems may arise. Removing possible hazards on your property can significantly lower your liability. This may mean steering clear of sharp or flammable decor when strolling down the holiday aisle. However, with the increasingly wide variety of safe holiday decorations available, there is no reason that safety means sacrificing the €œmost festive € award this year. Protecting yourself could also mean holding your festivities at an off-site location €”maybe one that has a liquor license if alcohol is a must €”to limit your potential liability even more. As the saying goes, €œBetter safe, than sorry! €
We hope these informational points allow you to have a happy holiday season without a worry in the world! Contact Lofgren Agency for all of your New York insurance needs.