How Halloween can make your home insurance premiums go up

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

“Halloween is a night of fun and celebration — but it’s also one of the most accident-prone holidays of the year,” says Steven Gruber of Wisconsin Personal Injury Lawyers Gruber law. “There are many hidden risks that people often overlook.”

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

To help alleviate these fears, there are proactive and preventative steps you can take in advance to prepare yourself and protect your property.

Risks to put on your radar

There are a few Halloween-related dangers that homeowners need to be aware of before haunted holiday.

These include “trip-and-fall 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 concern during “Mischief Night,” which is the night before Halloween, and on Halloween night itself. The threat of fire is also a concern.

“Outdoor decorations can increase liability risks, such as electrical wiring problems that can lead to fires,” says Piotrowski.

Putting lit candles in carved pumpkins can also be another fire hazard.

Preventive steps to take

As a homeowner, you have a responsibility to ensure that your property is free of hazards that could pose a danger or cause harm. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent accidents before they happen.

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

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

If it’s snowy or icy outside, shovel snow, then use de-icer, sand or cat litter on stairs, driveways and walkways to ensure they’re non-slip.

Avoid outdoor decorations that use extension cords that people can trip over.

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

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

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

To help prevent vandalism on your property, Piotrowski advises “the use of video surveillance and proper lighting.”

If you’re a pet owner, you need to have a plan in place for your furry friend before trick-or-treaters arrive.

“Keep pets, regardless of whether you think they’re friendly,” says Gruber.

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

Check your insurance coverage

Once you’ve taken steps to accident-proof your home, it’s time to make sure you’re covered should any unfortunate events occur.

“A standard home owner policy provides limited coverage for medical payments to the policyholder’s guests if a guest is injured on the homeowner’s property and requires medical treatment, regardless of whether there is a finding of negligence on the part of the policyholder,” said Alex Burgess, a principal strategist at Insurance. software platform Hi Marley.

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

“We recommend about $500,000 in liability coverage for home insurance policies,” says Jessica Edmondson, director of data journalism at Insurify.

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

What to do if someone damages your property

If someone is injured on your property, get the injured person immediate medical attention or call 911 (depending on the extent of the injuries). Medical records can be helpful in case of injury.

Get the injured person’s contact information and take photos and/or video of the accident scene if you can. Stay at the scene and call the police. Even if they don’t file a formal police report, they can still document the incident and take statements.

“Report any potential claims as soon as possible,” says Piotrowski. “If in doubt, contact your insurance provider who can guide you through the claims process.”

What to do if your property is damaged

If you experience any Halloween-related property damage, such as vandalism, first determine whether the repair costs will be more or less than your deductible. (If it’s less, it probably won’t warrant an insurance claim.)

If you do decide to file a claim, contact your insurance provider – and see if you need to file a police report or not, as this may speed up the process. Take pictures of all the damage and upload or email them to your insurance company as soon as possible.

Then your insurance agent will appoint an adjuster to come out and assess the damage.

Then, with any luck, you’ll have no tricks and all goodies as you navigate the claims process.