As the leaves change and temperatures drop, Autumn brings a unique set of challenges for business owners. While it may seem like a relatively quiet season compared to winter snows or summer storms, the Autumn months introduce both environmental hazards and increased fraud opportunities. As your insurance partner, we’re here to help you prepare for and prevent seasonal losses—both accidental and intentional.
1. Slips, Trips, and Falls
With wetter weather and shorter daylight hours, slip-and-fall incidents often increase during Autumn. Wet leaves, early frost, and rain-slicked entryways can all contribute to customer or employee injuries.
How to protect your business:
- Keep walkways and parking lots clear of leaves and debris.
- Apply anti-slip treatments or mats to entrances.
- Ensure exterior lighting is adequate, especially as sunset moves earlier.
- Regularly inspect and repair sidewalks, stairs, and railings.
These preventative steps can reduce the risk of both legitimate injuries and opportunistic claims.
2. Maintenance Delays and Equipment Failures
Autumn is often a transitional period when businesses delay equipment maintenance, waiting until winter to address heating systems or building repairs. But cold snaps and increased moisture can accelerate equipment wear and structural issues.
How to protect your business:
- Schedule HVAC inspections early in the season.
- Clean gutters and check for roof leaks to avoid water damage.
- Inspect fire suppression systems before heating equipment kicks in.
Delayed maintenance doesn’t just lead to property damage—it can also open the door to fraudulent damage claims or exaggerated loss reports.
3. Seasonal Employment and Workers’ Compensation Claims
Many industries—retail, agriculture, hospitality—ramp up hiring in the Autumn months. Seasonal employees are more likely to be inexperienced, improperly trained, or unsupervised, which increases the risk of injury claims.
How to protect your business:
- Provide thorough onboarding and safety training to all seasonal hires.
- Document all incidents, even minor ones.
- Beware of injury reports where no one witnessed the incident. Unwitnessed injuries are a red flag in potential workers’ compensation fraud.
Fraudulent injury claims often increase in Autumn as unscrupulous individuals seek additional income sources before the holiday season.
4. False Premises Liability Claims
The combination of poor weather, earlier darkness, and higher foot traffic can lead to a rise in fraudulent slip-and-fall or injury claims from customers. Opportunistic individuals may fabricate or exaggerate incidents, especially in unmonitored areas.
How to protect your business:
- Install and maintain surveillance cameras, especially near entrances and walkways.
- Document any reported accidents immediately, including photos and staff statements.
- Train employees on how to handle and report accidents.
Fraudulent claimants may target businesses that appear disorganized, understaffed, or lacking surveillance.
5. Staged Property Damage or Burglary Claims
With longer nights and seasonal slowdowns, some businesses see an uptick in staged theft or vandalism claims—either by employees, third parties, or even struggling owners.
How to protect your business:
- Review your alarm and security protocols.
- Limit employee access to cash, expensive/easily portable goods, and sensitive systems.
- Regularly take inventory.
Insurers often notice a pattern: as holiday pressures approach, fraudulent activity tends to rise.
Partnering for Prevention
Autumn should be a season of preparation and opportunity—not loss. At ICW Group, we’re committed to helping you identify risks early and respond appropriately. By taking a few preventive steps now, you can reduce the chance of costly accidents or being the target of fraud.
Let’s head into the season with confidence.
