If you’re one of those people who puts off holiday shopping until the last minute (hello, it’s Christmas Eve!), we have an idea that could save you time and hassle this year.

Rather than buying another toy your child doesn’t need, giving your wife a box of chocolates, or choosing another argyle sweater for grandpa, consider a healthier alternative that could bring an ear-to-ear smile and a happier, fuller life: a new pet!

Now, don’t get us wrong; we’re not advocating giving an animal to someone who can’t or won’t take care of it. We have enough strays roaming the streets, and our shelters are full of forgotten animals.

But for those responsible enough to love and care for them properly, pets offer a great gift-giving alternative—and can help their owners get and stay healthy. That means greater quality of life and lower health and life insurance rates, too.

If you’re looking for something special for a friend or family member this Christmas, consider visiting your local shelter or breeder and bringing home something furry this year (and we’re not talking slippers!)

If you need a reason to do so, here’s half a dozen health reasons to contemplate along the way:

• Lowered risk of heart disease
• Greater chance of survival following a heart attack
• Depression/dementia relief
• Reduced occurrence of doctor visits
• Increased ability to deal with stress or traumatic events
• A more physically active life

Pets add so much love and companionship to our lives. But they also help keep us healthy! So while you’re racking your brain trying to come up with unique gifts to give this year, consider giving someone you love a new best friend.

You’ll be helping them stay healthy in the process…and may just extend their life!

Additional Resource:

For more on how pets contribute to increased good health, read more on the subject here. Happy holidays!

If you’re an animal lover like me, you probably can’t imagine living without pets.

After all, there’s nothing quite as endearing as that perky little puppy who greets you at the door at the end of the day, tail wagging, or that sweet little kitten who wraps himself around your shoulders while you’re watching TV at night.

But there’s risk inherent in owning animals, too. Whether you live in the city and enjoy dogs and cats or reside in the country and raise cows, pigs, goats or some other type of farm animal, you’re responsible for your animal’s behavior.

So if they get out of their pen and injure someone or damage someone’s property, you’re the one who’ll be paying the bills.

Your homeowners insurance covers what’s referred to as “reasonable risk.” That means they’ll generally pick up the tab if there’s not excessive danger of your animal repeatedly causing irreparable harm to others.

If, however, statistics show that the type or breed of animal you own tends to be on the dangerous side, you’ll pay more to insure yourself against possible insurance claims—whether the animals are domesticated or on the wild side.

What if someone else’s animal injures you? The same rules apply: either that person’s own insurance policy will pay for the damages or they’ll be held responsible to cover that cost themselves. This is known as liability in insurance terms.

Sometimes weird situations happen involving animals. But if you’ve got the right insurance coverage, you should be prepared, no matter how strange or unusual the circumstances.

If you’ll be having company around your animals this holiday season, you’d best think ahead and possibly even imagine the worst. Then talk to your insurance agent about covering your animals with your home insurance policy. Add a rider, or extra insurance protection, if necessary. But make sure everyone stays safe around your animals while you’re celebrating this year.

For people who use bicycles for transportation, their wheels represent so much more than just fun and entertainment.

They’re also a money-saving way to commute around town and get some exercise without spending money on gas or car insurance.

When times are tight and people are out of work, many will do most anything to make a buck—including stealing that expensive bike you spent months saving to buy. That’s why it’s important to keep your bike locked up when you’re not riding it.

The more difficult you can make it for a thief to steal, the less likely they’ll take the time and energy to steal yours, and the more likely they’ll move on to someone else’s.

But besides locking up your bike, there’s something else you can do to protect yourself against bike theft, something many people aren’t aware of: include it in your contents coverage under your homeowner’s insurance policy.

It’ll cost you next to nothing to insure it (unless it’s a super expensive touring version or the like), yet you’ll have peace of mind that your ride will always be there—or be replaceable—should it ever turn up missing.

For tips on avoiding bicycle theft and keeping your bike safe and secure, read our article titled Thieves on Two Wheels. Then talk to your insurance agent about insuring your bike—before a thief beats you to it!

Planning to leave town for the holidays? If so, we’d advise you take steps to prevent burglars from invading your home while you’re gone, no matter where you live.

According to a press release by the Insurance Information Institute, one quarter of all home burglaries occur during the winter months, when many homeowners are out-of-town for the holidays.

With homes obviously empty of people but full of possessions, it doesn’t take long for a thief to scope out what’s inside, find entrance and steal your holiday joy!

Lessening the risk of invasion helps keep homeowners insurance rates low. So as you’re preparing to head out of town to join family and friends this year, don’t neglect to burglar-proof your home and minimize your chances of returning to a burglary disaster.

Then relax and enjoy the holidays, knowing you’ve taken care good care of your home, property and everything you own.