How Insurance Can Help these 5 Halloween Headaches
As ghosts, goblins, superheroes and princesses run amok, only those houses with the right insurance will be in luck. Below are some examples of when your insurance policy might come in handy when a Halloween prank becomes more trick than treat.
Your car is egged
Last year, the days leading up to and following Halloween saw an uptick in insurance claims for car damage. Rocks, raw eggs, and pumpkins are all typical projectiles.
How insurance can help: Comprehensive car insurance typically provides coverage for major damage, like broken glass, or for accidents where your car cannot be cleaned.
Goblins toilet-paper the yard
It’s not uncommon for small ‘goblins’ to harm a home’s landscaping or trees while “TP’ing” a yard.
How insurance can help: Typically, your homeowners’ insurance will protect you. Before you clean up, if filing a claim, call your insurance company for an inspection. The harm must be documented by an adjuster.
Yard decorations ‘magically’ disappear
Whether it’s a three-story skeleton or a vintage lawn garden gnome, Halloween thieves could target your yard decorations.
How insurance can help: Losing outdoor decorations is frequently covered by a standard homeowners, condo, or renters insurance policy. Just make sure you’ve taken a picture of the receipts and called the police.
The jack-o’-lantern starts a fire
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, residential fires tend to increase around Halloween, much like car vandalism does. Cooking and heating are the main reasons, however negligence, open flames, electrical issues, and deliberate acts can also be to blame.
How insurance can help: The cost of living if you have to stay somewhere else while repairs are being made can be covered by homeowners insurance in the event of fire damage. Typically, the landlord’s insurance covers rented property, but in order to be reimbursed for personal goods, you must get renters insurance.
Pedestrians are unpredictable
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Halloween sees more pedestrian fatalities than any other night of the year, save from New Year’s. Sadly, a lot of the victims are kids.
Children in costumes can also be difficult to spot because they frequently wander around without their parents and are more prone to dart into the street.
How insurance can help: Your auto liability insurance covers injuries you cause while driving.
Halloween insurance tips
- Prevent problems: Use battery-operated candles or glow sticks in your pumpkin, park cars in the garage or a well-lit area. Drive carefully on trick-or-treat night.