Santa’s yearly visits could have some hefty risks from roof tiles shattered by his sleigh to reindeer-related vehicle mishaps. Whether it’s dodgy rooftop landings or even damaged gifts, here’s everything you need to know to ensure you’re covered for Santa’s surprises. 

Risky Roof Top Landings, Chimneys & Property Insurance 

Alt Text: A living room setting decorated with Christmas decorations including presents with red tartan ribbons under a Christmas tree with golden lights and baubles, in front of an unlit fireplace.  

Since Santa’s sleigh will be packed with all sorts of weird and wonderful gifts, from bikes and laptops to Pelotons and air fryers, it isn’t exactly light.  Santa’s super sleigh landing on your roof with a great thud could lead to shattered tiles, cracks in your chimney, or even structural damage that his magic will have a hard job repairing. Luckily, you’ll at least have some home insurance in place (hopefully).  

Depending on your policy, your property insurance may cover accidental damages like these, but we recommend looking at your policy schedule to see what you’re covered for. Keep an eye out for any exclusions involving ‘unconventional air traffic.’ 

However, Santa doesn’t just stay on the roof, so that won’t be the only area at risk. Father Christmas will enter your home via the chimney – a very impractical yet creative method we do not recommend.  

Sliding down a chimney isn’t easy (especially after Santa has spent the best part of an evening downing milk, cookies, mince pies, and the odd tipple of sherry). It’s not uncommon for chimneys to crack or bricks to come loose under a certain amount of stress. Especially after Santa has just crash-landed his sleigh on the roof, which has already put plenty of pressure on your home’s structure and chimney.  

Some home insurance policies might cover chimney repairs, but you’ll want to avoid any grey areas involving unauthorised entry. After all, Santa is technically a trespasser. 

Dashing Through The Open Snow (And Perhaps Your Car) 

Our insurance experts always recommend storing your car in your garage or parking on your driveway to avoid a dangerous parking area. However, it’s not every day that Santa Claus comes to town. We know the sleigh is his preferred mode of transportation, but it’s a bit of a hassle for insurers and the greater public in the event of an accident. 

For example, it’s not unheard of for Santa to make an emergency landing on a vehicle in the driveway. And what’s more, there’s also the potential issue of the reindeer damaging cars. If Prancer scratches your paintwork or Rudolph dents the bonnet with his antlers, your comprehensive car insurance could have you covered. And if Santa’s sleigh accidentally collides with your car during takeoff and landing? That’s a collision claim right there. 

However, if anyone who knows Santa is reading this, please tell him it’d be safer (and less anxiety-inducing) for us if he delivers gifts in the Coca-Cola truck instead of his sleigh. We’re more than happy to help him renew his HGV insurance, too!  

Gifts Damaged In Transit 

Santa’s operation is much like a courier service (albeit with more magic and extra speedy). Father Christmas will certainly be delivering some precious cargo: Christmas presents. During delivery, accidents can happen between drop-off points. Maybe that shiny new gadget gets scratched, or your dream pair of trainers is crushed.  

Since Santa is acting as a courier, he’ll likely have goods in transit insurance. This type of cover is specifically for couriers carrying goods between drop-off zones. Goods in transit policies cover damage during delivery, though magical sleigh rides aren’t typically listed as a standard risk. 

Remember that in other non-magical circumstances, if you’ve ordered goods to be delivered from a retailer and they get damaged, do not contact your courier. Contact the retailer to investigate, mediate with the courier, and replace or refund the item.  

Will Santa’s Magic Be Covered Under My Policy? 

Insurance policies can be a bit tricky when it comes to magical beings. Here are some things to remember when you double-check your policy to see if any magical or festive accidents are covered: 

• Some policies exclude extraordinary events, known as ‘Acts of God’. Santa’s magical presence might fall into this category. 

• Damage caused by the policyholder’s negligence or lack of maintenance is generally not covered. 

However, there are circumstances in which Father Christmas might need to rely on his insurance instead. For instance, if Santa causes damage due to reckless flying or clumsy chimney entries, insurers might argue whether he was negligent. Examples of such negligence could include parking his sleigh too close to your gutters or flying recklessly. In these cases, the odds might shift in your favour for a compensation claim, requiring Santa to claim on his liability insurance. 

Double-Check Your Cover & Deck The Halls 

While Santa’s visits bring yuletide joy, they also come with a sprinkle of risk. The good news? Most comprehensive insurance policies may offer some coverage for damages and losses if the root cause is ‘an insurable event’. That being said, if you need any support with your policy or want to add more to your coverage in time for Christmas, we’re happy to help – just call us on 0800 912 0128. 

So, as you celebrate the festive season and wait for the sound of sleigh bells to ring, take some time to double-check your insurance policies before Santa Claus starts his journey – just in case.