From "Triple Dog Dares" to "Fra-Gee-Lay" Leg Lamps: Lockton Analyzes a Christmas Story of Holiday Risks

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Once again, the elves at Lockton have been busy in their workshop analyzing yuletide risks. This year, they have issued a stocking-full of seasonal analysis based on the risks found in the classic holiday movie, "A Christmas Story."

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According to the newest Lockton white paper, "Ralphie's Risk Management Story," Ralphie Parker has long left his fictional hometown of Hohman, Indiana and abandoned his childhood dream of bringing Black Bart to justice with the help of his handy Red Ryder BB gun.

Now, as a widely respected insurance professional, Ralphie has dedicated his life to helping companies and individuals avoid the many risks he remembers surrounded him during the Christmases of his youth:

Protection Against Theft and Crime: Just in case you don't have a Red Ryder BB gun to protect you and your possessions from Black Bart and his band of burglars, making sure that you have adequate property coverage is extremely important in ensuring that you and your family can have peace of mind and a happy holiday. This coverage not only insures the building itself, but also the contents held within it.

Tongue Stuck to Flagpole: A "triple dog dare" can quickly turn a harmless prank into a large liability. The Christmas holidays bring extra challenges to the already daunting task of ensuring student safety. Even with the best of intentions, some injuries are unavoidable and parents are bound to hold the school liable. Student Accident coverage combined with the school's general liability policy will make sure that this risk is covered.

Roadside Flat Tire: You can avoid uttering the "Queen Mother of dirty words" by making sure you have appropriate coverage on your auto policy. Automobile insurance with Towing and Labor coverage insures your carrier will send a service truck to change your tire, provide gas, and jump a battery with just a phone call. The professionals will have you back on the road quicker than an Indianapolis 500 pit crew.

Electrical Fire: An electrical outlet overloaded with an extra lamp and multiple cords of Christmas tree lights can case sparks to fly and fuses to blow. Adequate property coverage will ensure you and your family can have peace of mind and a happy holiday. This coverage not only insures the building itself, but also the contents held within it. Don't be left with a Scrooge spirit because you didn't adequately insure your home.

Leg Lamp: Some items are priceless, one-of-a-kind masterpieces that no amount of glue can replace. Make sure all of your "Fra-Gee-Lay" items are specifically scheduled and those building contents are included in your property insurance. For a truly unique and valuable piece of fine rare art, consider a special property policy through Lloyd's of London.

BB Gun Misfire: A must-have toy that causes kids to "shoot their eyes out" is a claims nightmare. Ralphie warns that a large-scale recall of holiday toys can lead to a less than merry Christmas and an unhappy new year. A solid and comprehensive product liability policy will provide the BB gun manufacturer with coverage for bodily injury and property damage caused by a defective product they manufacture.

Chop Suey Palace Employees: The repeated use of a large butcher knife to carve "Chinese Turkeys" is likely to lead to the occasional cut or lost finger. Urge employees to slow down and be cognizant of properly handling knives in order to avoid cuts or lacerations. Additionally, a good workers compensation policy will ensure that you are covered in the event of a workplace incident and will have your employees back singing "Deck the Halls" and "Jingle Bells" in no time.

A complete analysis of risks, claims scenarios, and coverages associated with the adventures of Ralphie Parker are located at: http://bit.ly/1bYeAyK

About Lockton
More than 4,950 professionals at Lockton provide 35,000 clients around the world with risk management, insurance, and employee benefits consulting services that improve their businesses. From its founding in 1966 in Kansas City, Missouri, Lockton has attracted entrepreneurial professionals who have driven its growth to become the largest privately held insurance broker in the world and 9th largest overall. Independent researcher Greenwich Associates has awarded Lockton its Service Excellence Award for risk management for large companies. For five consecutive years, Business Insurance has recognized Lockton as a "Best Place to Work in Insurance." To see the latest insights from Lockton's experts, check Lockton Market Update.

SOURCE Lockton