The number of group disability insurance claims filed are at their lowest in November and December, ahead of a New Year’s wave of new claims, according to an analysis by a U.S. seller of group disability insurance.

Glenn Shapiro

The Hartford Financial Service Group performed the analysis of more than 1 million short-tern disability claims filed with the company over the last five years.

“The holiday season can be a stressful time of year. But studies show that most Americans are happy when they’re celebrating with family and friends,” said Glenn Shapiro, vice president of claims for The Hartford’s Group Benefits Division, in a statement, “Our claims records back that up. Depression claims drop to their lowest point in December and then climb in January.”

Claims spike in January, with depression, respiratory illness and fractures the leading causes, according to the analysis.

Claims for respiratory illnesses soar in January and peak in February.

Overall, accident-related disability claims peak in the summertime, according to the analysis.

However, there’s another secondary spike in January of accident-related claims for workers in the Northeast and Midwest, where weather-related incidents seem to occur most frequently.

“Inclement weather is a key factor that makes these two regions disability danger zones during the winter,” Shapiro said.