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Could a garage sale put you at risk for a liability claim?

February 24, 2022 by PEMCO Insurance
You can clean up and earn extra money selling your unneeded treasures at a garage sale. But inviting people onto your property for a garage sale can create liability risks ranging from dog bites to trip-and-fall injuries. And that’s not all. You could be held responsible if an item you sell turns out to be recalled or defective and later injures someone. That’s especially true if you knew it might be dangerous.

How to reduce risks at your garage sale

Ensure a worry-free sale for you and your customers three ways:
 
  1. Keep your dog indoors. Even friendly dogs may confuse shoppers (who carry away your family’s belongings) with burglars. Also, the noise and activity of a garage sale can trigger fear or protective instincts that lead to a bite.
 
  1. Create a safe environment. People of all ages and abilities may browse at your garage sale. To make it secure and accessible for everyone:
 
        • Leave plenty of space between displays so shoppers have room to move around.
 
  • Take care that garden hoses, children’s toys and other potential trip hazards are safely stored away.
 
  • Wait until the sale is over to water lawns and planters so that runoff doesn’t create a slippery walking surface.
 
  • Use sturdy display tables that won’t collapse if someone leans on them.
 
  • Position breakables or choking hazards out of the reach of young children.
 
  1. Check for recalls. Some items like small appliances and exercise equipment are prone to recalls. Check the manufacturer’s website to see if the item you plan to sell has any safety concerns. You can also use the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall finder to see if your item is listed in its database.

    Avoid selling some types of baby gear. Cribs, for example, may not be sold unless they meet current safety standards, as spelled out here under Washington law. Drop-side cribs are prohibited from donation and resale by federal law.

    If you’re unsure if something is safe, it’s best to discard it rather than sell or donate it.

PEMCO protection extends to your garage sale

Insurance claims resulting from injuries at garage sales are unusual, yet your PEMCO homeowners or renter policy can protect you from trouble you never saw coming. Small, occasional neighborhood garage sales are covered for liability and legal defense costs up to the limits of your policy (and beyond if you also have umbrella coverage).

However, if you hold frequent garage sales (and they’ve become a source of income) or your event will be so large that you may earn more than $2,000, let us know. We can check your policy to determine if coverage for your garage sale may be subject to business-use limitations. Contact your local PEMCO agent or PEMCO  at 1-800-GO-PEMCO and we’ll  be glad to help.

To learn more about how PEMCO protects you in ways you might not expect, read Pemco: Why Homeowners Get Sued | PEMCO Insurance.
 

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