Even the most careful homeowners can become a victim to Halloween “tricks.” The good news is that some of the damage caused by mean-spirited trick-or-treaters, may be covered by insurance.
- Vandalized vehicles -Personal vehicles are almost twice as likely to be vandalized than any other day of the year. Moving a vehicle into a garage is the best way to protect against vandalism, but that’s not always possible. Most comprehensive auto coverage will cover splotches from paintballs or egg splatters. Whether a victim should file a claim or not depends on the amount of damage. If the paint is damaged, filing a claim is justified. If it only takes a few washes, it may not meet a policyholder’s deductible, which usually ranges from $100 to $500.
- Getting TP’d – Adorning peoples’ trees with toilet paper is a common Halloween prank. While toilet paper doesn’t usually damage trees, if a tree does become damaged in an act of vandalism, most homeowners policies will cover it. Experts recommend that there should be damages of $100 or more to make a claim worthwhile.
- Dog bites – Halloween can be a stressful time for our canine friends. Your dog’s anxiety by the constant stream of trick-or-treaters to your door may provoke your dog to bite a visitor. Each state has different rules regarding dog bite claims. Check with your insurance agent to see if you are protected. In the meantime, when families are out trick-or-treating in your neighborhood, put your dog in a quiet room until it’s safe to let him (or her) out.
- Halloween burglary – Leaving your home to attend a costume party or go trick-or-treating with your children makes your home more vulnerable to theft. A homeowners policy will cover the theft of any belongings as well as damage that occurs because of a break-in. However, the homeowner must establish proof of ownership of items that are stolen. The best defense of theft on Halloween is to leave the lights on so that potential burglars believe someone is in the house.
- Grave matters – A common Halloween prank is the theft or damage of a tombstone. Grave markers are usually covered by homeowers’ policies. The typical amount covered for a tombstone is about $1,000, but homeowners can take out additional insurance of up to $5,000.
