Better Watch out for the “Season of Taking”

The Holiday joy is followed by a period of loss for some unfortunate victims of theft. State Farm® has new evidence that the “Season of Giving” comes right before the “Season of Taking.” The insurance company reviewed the number of homeowner claims filed monthly for theft of personal property over a 3-year period from 2023 to 2025. The company found that the month of January saw the sharpest rise in homeowner theft claims, an average of 11% higher compared to other months during the year. This may not be a total surprise considering that thieves know many homes contain a range of new items following the holiday season.

State Farm says this is an ideal time to take a Home Inventory of your home and make sure you have enough coverage in the event of a covered loss. A home inventory can be a written record, or you can utilize your smartphone to take photos or videos of your possessions. In the event of a burglary or a disaster like fire or severe weather, the inventory can help speed up the claim process. State Farm recommends reviewing your policy and policy limits and talking to your agent, especially if you’ve added valuable items into your home.

Homeowners might also consider making their place less appealing in the new year for thieves.

Things to consider

• Alarm system: Consider setting up a home security system with cameras. You might even qualify for discounts on your homeowners insurance.
• Security signage: Add a security sign to your yard or stickers to your door. It may not fool a burglar, but he may think twice about hitting your home.
• Exterior lighting: Install motion sensor lighting near entry points to catch intruders by surprise — but put it high enough that a burglar can't reach up and unscrew the bulb.
• Windows and doors: Lock and secure all entry points.
• PAP: A personal articles policy offers broader protection for treasured items like jewelry, furs, and collectibles where higher coverage limits area needed.