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 property damage?

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

Homeowner anxiety also intensifies 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 several hazards associated with Halloween that homeowners should be aware of before the haunted holiday.

These include “trip and fall hazards from crooks or dog bites due to increased foot traffic,” says Peter Piotrowski, Hippo’s chief claims officer.

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.

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

Placing 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 hazards 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, debris, or lawn equipment that could get in the way.

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

If it’s snowy or icy outside, shovel the snow, then use coolant, sand, or kitty litter on steps, driveways, and walkways to make sure they don’t 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 cord covers or tape to secure them to the ground.

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

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

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

If you’re a pet owner, make a plan for your furry friend ahead the tricksters arrive.

“Work with pets, regardless of whether you believe they’re friendly,” says Gruber.

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

Check your insurance coverage

Once you’ve taken steps to protect your home from accidents, it’s time to make sure you’re covered just in case an unfortunate incident occurs.

“A standard homeowners policy provides limited medical payments coverage to the policyholder’s guests if a guest is injured on the homeowner’s premises and requires medical treatment, regardless of whether there is a finding of negligence on the part of the policyholder. “, says Alex Burgess. a lead strategist at insurance software platform Hi Marley.

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

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

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

What to do if someone is injured on your property

If someone is injured on your property, make sure the injured person gets immediate medical attention or call 911 (depending on the extent of the injuries). Medical records can be useful in the event of a claim.

Get the injured person’s contact information and take photos and/or video of the accident scene if you are able. Stay at the scene and notify the police. Even if they don’t file an official 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, you first need to determine whether the repair costs will be more or less than the deductible. (If it’s less, then it likely doesn’t merit an insurance claim.)

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

After that, your insurance agent will schedule an adjuster to come out and assess the damage.

Then, with any luck, you’ll have no trick-or-treating as you navigate the claims process.