Nothing gets us into the festive spirit quicker than getting snuggled up on the sofa to watch a Christmas movie. They are full of magic and mishaps that make us laugh out loud and sometimes even shed a tear. But behind that festive chaos, there is often a very real lesson about risk and what happens when things go wrong. Naturally, that gets the team at Everywhen thinking about one thing: insurance.
From stolen presents to unexpected hospital visits, the season’s most beloved films are packed with scenarios that would make any broker wince.
In this article, we’re going to look at ten festive favourites and what they can teach us about protecting what matters most.
1. Home Alone and travel insurance
As the McCallisters race to catch a flight to Paris, chaos ensues and they wind up leaving their son, Kevin, behind. The film largely focuses on Kevin’s antics as he tries to thwart burglars, however it also highlights the importance of travel insurance.
Although specifics will vary from policy to policy, flight delays, cancellations, lost luggage and emergency accommodation are all covered under a typical travel insurance policy. If your trip takes an unexpected turn, having the right cover in place can make all the difference.
2. The Grinch and contents insurance
It’s a festive nightmare when, on Christmas Eve no less, the Grinch steals every present, decoration and morsel of food from the unsuspecting residents of Whoville. But what if the Whos had contents insurance.
Contents insurance helps protect the things that make your house feel like a home from theft, accidental damage, fire and more. Meaning the Whos could claim for all the stolen items and get back to celebrating in no time. Some insurers even include seasonal increases in contents cover during Christmas and other holidays.
3. While You Were Sleeping and life insurance
After being mugged and falling on to the train tracks, Peter ends up in a coma, leaving his family in turmoil. While it may not sound like it from that description, the movie is actually a rom-com at heart, but it does touch on the impact that a sudden illness can have on your loved ones.
Having life insurance and critical illness cover can help families stay afloat during uncertain and difficult times by providing financial support.
4. Die Hard and terrorism cover
It is highly debated whether this is a Christmas film or not, but for the purpose of this article, we’re going to say that it is. A Christmas party is rudely interrupted by terrorists who take over the building and hold the staff hostage, while John McClane is left to save the day.
For commercial property owners in this situation, terrorism cover including business interruption insurance would be a lifeline (especially considering the state of the building by the end of the movie). This combination can help businesses stay afloat and recover from major incidents. It would help cover the lost income, liability claims, property damage, and even the relocation costs.
5. Elf and public liability insurance
From attacking Santa to wrecking displays, Buddy the Elf causes chaos in a department store. For store owners, having public liability (PL) insurance is a must-have.
Any business that works with the public should invest in public liability insurance, especially during the busy festive period. It can cover the cost of injury to third parties or damage to their property caused by your business activities. So if a customer gets caught in the middle of a Santa-and-Buddy showdown, you’ll have peace of mind knowing we’ve got your back.
6. The Holiday and landlord insurance
Two women switch continents and homes for a festive escape. The exchange includes a cosy cottage in the English countryside for a glamorous LA mansion with all the mod cons. But what happens if something gets damaged or one of the parties gets injured?
Landlord insurance and legal liability cover can help protect homeowners from the risks of short-term letting. Whether you’re hosting guests, renting out your property or swapping homes for the holidays, having property insurance in place means you can truly relax.
7. Arthur Christmas and cyber insurance
When Santa’s high-tech delivery system nearly fails, it risks millions of presents going undelivered. In this day and age, it is clear to see that Christmas has gone digital and when technology falters, the consequences can leave you feeling like more like Krampus than jolly old Saint Nick.
Having cyber insurance can protect individuals and organisations from tech breakdowns and data breaches. After all, even Santa needs a plan B for when the servers go down.
8. The Nightmare Before Christmas and event cancellation insurance
When Jack Skellington tries to take over Christmas by kidnapping and replacing Santa Claus, things quickly spiral out of control to the point where the entire event is almost cancelled.
While event insurance doesn’t account for kidnap, it can cover the costs of postponed, disrupted or cancelled events due to unexpected circumstances, whether that’s illness, weather or a no-show headliner (like Santa himself).
9. The Muppet Christmas Carol and income protection insurance
Despite his low wages and precarious job security, Bob Cratchit works tirelessly to support his family. As the sole breadwinner for his family, if Bob found himself unable to work due to injury or illness, they would all face serious financial hardship.
Enter income protection insurance, which offers a financial safety net if your poor health renders you unable to work. It can help cover your mortgage/rent, food, and bills. It’s a stable way to protect your household – even if your boss is a grumpy, old Scrooge.
10. Gremlins and pet insurance
When Billy receives a pet Mogwai as a Christmas gift, he is given three simple rules, all of which quickly get broken. Soon, Kingston Falls is overrun with an army of destructive Gremlins.
Like Gizmo, even the cutest pets can come with unexpected risks. Whether you have a dog, cat or perhaps something more unusual (hopefully one that you can bathe without multiplying into monsters), pet insurance helps cover vet bills, death due to injury, theft, straying, kennel fees, and more.
Stay covered this Christmas with Everywhen
Christmas movies might be a great source of escapism, but the risks they highlight are very real. Whether it’s a stolen gift, a cancelled flight or event, or a surprise hospital visit, insurance helps us prepare for the unexpected.
So, this festive season, why not take a cue from your favourite films by thoroughly reviewing your policies and making sure you’re protected? It’s also worth having your claims details at the ready so you’re not having to dig them out amongst the seasonal chaos. Because while we can’t predict every festive fiasco, we can make sure we’re ready for them.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Please note that your insurance policy will include specific terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations. Failure to comply with these conditions may result in your policy being invalidated. We strongly recommend that you carefully review all aspects of your policy documentation, which will be provided to you upon quotation.
Consistent with our policy when giving comment and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems, we recommend that professional advice be sought.