We all have our own holiday traditions. One of my favorite things about this time of year is watching the holiday specials that air on TV each year. It’s been fun to revisit some of the classics with our kids in recent years.

My wife’s favorite holiday movie is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Clark Griswold (the main character) is sure to find his way on to our DVR when the movie airs this month.

Even in the insurance profession, we occasionally see some industry-specific humor float around the office. During the holiday season, one piece that often makes the rounds reimagines the classic “T’was the Night Before Christmas” tale from the perspective of a diligent insurance professional. Will Santa get burned coming down the chimney? Will he get stuck? Will the homeowner be responsible for his injuries? Essentially, the insurance company might have a difficult time accepting Santa as a customer (for more on insuring Santa, see our blog post Santa Claus: A Ho-Ho-High Insurance Risk!).

I think that Clark Griswold gives Santa some good competition as a customer insurance companies might prefer to avoid. Consider all of the possible insurance claims Clark and his family could have:

• Clark likes to tie things to the top of the family vehicle: Christmas trees, luggage, and if you go back to the original Vacation movie, something much worse! Look out if you’re driving behind the Griswold family vehicle!
• At Christmas time, Clark is determined to have the largest, brightest display of lights on his home. Clark’s wiring set-up, a sure fire-hazard, eventually shuts down power in the neighborhood.
• Cousin Eddie empties his RV’s waste container into the neighborhood sewer system which eventually becomes part of a much bigger problem.
• Cousin Eddie kidnaps Clark’s boss when Clark is upset about the lack of a holiday bonus.
• The movie’s conclusion includes a roof-top Santa and reindeer display on fire.

Whatever your holiday traditions, please remember to include safety and avoid a Christmas insurance claim! For some holiday safety tips, check out the Trim Your Tree Safely: Holiday Decorating Tips blog post. I hope you have a joyful (and safe) holiday season and a great start to the New Year!