How Halloween can drive up your home insurance premiums

Most people associate Halloween with costumes, candy and pumpkins. But what about accidents, vandalism and property damage?

“Halloween is a night of fun and celebration—but it is also one of the most accident-prone holidays of the year,” says Steven Gruber of Gruber Law, a personal injury attorney in Wisconsin. “There are many hidden risks that people often overlook.”

According to a recent study, homeowner anxiety also increases around Halloween, with 36% worried about liability in accidents and 22% worried about property damage such as vandalism.

To ease these fears, you can take proactive and preventative steps in advance to prepare and protect your property.

Risks to have on your radar

There are some dangers associated with Halloween that homeowners need to be aware of before the spooky holiday.

These include “tripping hazards from trick-or-treaters or dog bites due to increased foot traffic,” says Peter Piotrowski, chief claims officer at Hippo.

Vandalism is also a major problem during Mischief Night, the night before Halloween, and on Halloween night itself. The risk of fire is also a concern.

“Exterior decorations can increase the risk of liability, such as problems with electrical wiring that can lead to fires,” says Piotrowski.

Inserting lit candles into carved pumpkins can also pose another fire hazard.

Preventive measures

As a homeowner, you are responsible for ensuring that your property is free from hazards that may pose danger or cause harm. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent accidents before they happen.

First, make sure there's a clear path to your door—no toys, dirt, or lawn equipment that could cause someone to trip.

“Make sure walkways are maintained, railings are secure and outdoor areas are well lit,” advises Piotrowski.

If it's snowing or icy outside, shovel snow and then use deicer, sand or kitty litter on steps, driveways and walkways to ensure they're slip-resistant.

Avoid outdoor decorations with extension cords that people could trip over.

If you have electrical wires in your front yard, cover them with wire covers or tape to secure them to the ground.

To avoid fires, use electric lights or glow sticks instead of candles in your pumpkins, and never nail or staple extension cords or wires.

Decorations like corn stalks, crepe paper and dried flowers are highly flammable — so you should keep them away from open flames or heat sources like heaters or light bulbs, according to the National Fire Prevention Association.

To prevent vandalism on your property, Piotrowski recommends “using video surveillance and appropriate lighting.”

If you own a pet, you should have a plan for your furry friend before Trick or treat is coming.

“Reserve pets, regardless of whether you think they are friendly,” says Gruber.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the best place to keep your pet during trick-or-treating is in a room away from the front door.

Check your insurance coverage

Once you've taken steps to accident-proof your home, it's time to make sure you're covered if unfortunate incidents do happen.

“A standard homeowner’s policy provides limited health insurance coverage for guests of the policyholder in the event a guest is injured on the homeowner’s premises and requires medical treatment, regardless of whether negligence is found on the part of the policyholder,” says Alex Burgess. a principal strategist at insurance software platform Hi Marley.

Review your insurance statements to make sure you have two types of liability insurance: Coverage E, which covers legal fees and damages, and Coverage F, which covers medical bills.

“We recommend around $500,000 in liability coverage for homeowners insurance,” says Jessica Edmondson, head of data journalism at Insurify.

But even if you have the right amount of coverage, Hippo says home insurance premiums typically increase by 7 to 10% after a single claim.

What to do if someone is injured on your property?

If someone is injured on your property, make sure the injured person receives immediate medical attention or call 911 (depending on the extent of the injuries). In the event of damage, medical records can be helpful.

Obtain the injured person's contact information and take photos and/or videos of the accident scene if you are able. Stay on site and call the police. Even if they don't file a formal police report, they can still document the incident and provide statements.

“Report possible cases of damage as quickly as possible,” says Piotrowski. “If in doubt, contact your insurer who can guide you through the claims process.”

What to do if your property is damaged?

When Halloween-related property damage such as vandalism occurs, you must first determine whether the repair costs would be more or less than your deductible. (If it is less, an insurance claim is probably not valid.)

If you decide to make a claim, contact your insurer – and check whether or not you need to file a police report, as one can speed up the process. Take photos of all damage and upload or email them to your insurance carrier as soon as possible.

Your insurance agent will then commission an expert to assess the damage.

Then, with a bit of luck, you will no longer have any tricks or tricks to use in the claims process.