Every year, my family and I look forward to our Thanksgiving traditions. We eat Thanksgiving dinner, watch TV, eat more Thanksgiving dinner, and then start making our Black Friday plans. We research all of the big deals, and then start thinking about our strategy. When the time is right, and the turkey has settled, we head out on our epic quest for half-priced tablets, clearance kitchen sets, and all of the BOGO sheet sets you can imagine.

However, as much fun as the Black Friday bonanza can be, it can also be a bit dangerous. According to nerdwallet.com, parking lot accidents can increase as much as 25% on Black Friday compared to any other Friday of the year. There is also an increase in theft, identify theft, and liability claims.

Here are some tips to keep in mind this Black Friday.

Don’t drive drowsy. Wait for the turkey coma to pass before getting behind the wheel to help prevent parking lot accidents. Be sure your auto policy covers damage caused by fender benders or your car being hit while parked or backing up– these are the most common types of accidents during this time of year.

Keep your purchases out of plain sight. Theft rates also tend to increase this time of year. Be sure to store your purchases in your trunk while shopping, and try to schedule the delivery of your purchases for a time when you will be home.

Keep an eye on your wallet.  According to the Insurance Information Institute, about half of identity theft cases are caused by a lost or stolen wallet or checkbook. Make sure to keep your wallet and other information secure while shopping. Also, if possible, consider keeping physical documents separate from money/credit cards to minimize loss.

Make necessary updates to your policy. If you buy expensive items this year, such as jewelry or computers, be sure to ask your agent if your homeowner’s policy should be updated to add more coverage.

Happy shopping and Happy Thanksgiving!

Resources:

Insurance Information Institute. “Identity Theft Insurance.”

Nerdwallet. “Black Friday Snafus and the Insurance That Fixes Them.” Barbara Marquand. November 20, 2017.

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