Your guests can be the liability!
Peggy Claytor
If your homeowners insurance policy doesn’t have enough liability coverage and a visitor is injured while visiting your home, you could be left footing a very pricey bill. Liability claims against homeowners are common.
- 1. Dog bites.- The III reports that the average dog-bite cost per claim in 2012 was $29,752.
- 2. Home accidents - If someone happens to slip on ice and snow that you fail to shovel on your walk,†you could be held responsible.
- 3. Falling trees- If you own a tree that poses a hazard, it’s up to you to trim the branches or have the tree removed entirely.
- 4. Intoxicated guests-If you host a party and one of your guests becomes intoxicated, you could be held responsible for any harm he or she causes to other people or property.
- 5. Injured domestic workers -If you hire domestic workers to clean your home or care for your lawn, you have the potential for liability claims when they are injured on the job.
A typical homeowners or renters insurance policy includes a minimum of $100,000 for liability, according to the nonprofit Insurance Information Institute III). A personal umbrella liability policy will provide you with additional protection. You typically can buy $1 million in umbrella liability coverage for $150 to $300 per year.
