- Someone egged my car. Is it covered?
- Does homeowners insurance cover vandalism of my home?
- My dog bit a trick-or-treater – am I covered?
- Lights are on, but nobody's home – is burglary covered?
- Is tombstone theft or vandalism covered?
- What happens if my car is stolen on Halloween?
- Are Halloween tricks covered by insurance?
- Resources & Methodology
Someone egged my car. Is it covered?
Vandalism to your car is covered by your automobile insurance as long as you have comprehensive coverage. Whether or not you should file a claim depends on the amount of your deductible – if you can clean the offending materials off your car without damaging the paint, it wouldn’t make sense to file a claim.
However, if your car is splattered by paint from paintballs or eggs that eat away at the car's paint, then filing a claim would be justified. To help you decide, you can get an estimate of the damage to see if it's significantly higher than your deductible.
Does homeowners insurance cover vandalism of my home?
Sometimes Halloween pranks can go too far and cross the line into vandalism. If items are thrown at your home and break windows or cause other damage, your homeowners policy will cover it. Take photos of the damage immediately and file a police report, then contact your insurance company.
My dog bit a trick-or-treater – am I covered?
Prior to planning any Halloween festivities, make a plan for how your dog will react. According to the Insurance Information Institute, around 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year, mostly children.
While every state has different rules, homeowners policies typically cover the liability and medical expenses of an accident in your home. If your dog is excluded from the policy, which isn't common, you would be responsible for the costs. If a dog joined your family after you took out the homeowners policy, notify your agent to ensure you're protected.
While Halloween is a festive time for many people, it can be downright spooky for dogs, which could result in your pooch biting one of your costumed visitors. Keep dogs away from the door when handing out candy.
Lights are on, but nobody's home – is burglary covered?
You might see Halloween as a time to escape to the movies or a night out far away from the costumed carousers. Of course, this makes your home more vulnerable to theft. If your house is burglarized on Halloween, your homeowners policy will cover theft of any belongings as well as any damage that occurs because of the break-in. In this case, your deductible will apply.
Remember that the burden falls on you to establish proof of ownership of the stolen items. You should take a regular inventory of your possessions and keep receipts when possible. To prevent theft on Halloween, stay home. If that's not an option, keep the lights on and make it appear like someone is in the house.
Is tombstone theft or vandalism covered?
A ghoulish but common prank on Halloween is the theft of or damage to a tombstone. Grave markers are typically covered by homeowners insurance for around $1,000. You can take out additional coverage of up to $5,000, which is prudent if a family member’s tombstone costs more than $10,000.
What happens if my car is stolen on Halloween?
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, or NICB, an insurance nonprofit, Halloween is the fifth biggest holiday for car thefts. If your car is stolen, it will be covered by comprehensive insurance.
On Halloween – and every day – you can guard against auto theft by:
- Removing your keys from the ignition when you leave your vehicle
- Locking your doors and closing the windows
- Parking in well-lit areas
- Parking your car in your garage
Are Halloween tricks covered by insurance?
Halloween is a good reminder to stay vigilant when it comes to protecting your home, vehicle and family. Make sure to watch out for little ghouls and goblins while you’re driving, lock your home and vehicle and make sure your kids are careful while they’re out trick-or-treating.
Happy Halloween!
Resources & Methodology
Sources:
- Insurance Information Institute. “Spotlight on: Dog bite liability.” Accessed October 2023.
- National Insurance Crime Bureau. “NICB Releases Annual Holiday Theft Report.” Accessed October 2023.
- National Retail Federation. “Halloween.” Accessed October 2023.
