We love haunted houses, spooky costumes, and trick-or-treating. So what’s the harm in dressing up and eating free candy?

Insurance is likely the last thing on your mind. It’s easy to forget about the risks associated with decorations, crowds, parties, and dark streets. Halloween perils may not be completely avoidable, but there’s a lot you can do to avoid a claim or lawsuit.

Halloween-Related Risks

Halloween isn’t just spooky – it can be risky, too! Keep these risks in mind to stay safe this month:

Being out in the dark. When it’s hard to see, you are at a higher risk of tripping or falling, especially in unfamiliar territory. You may not be able to see that a walkway is obstructed when you’re out in pursuit of candy. I believe this is also the only holiday where it’s completely fine to walk up to a stranger’s doorstep? Risky, indeed.

It’s also hard for drivers to see pedestrians on the streets. If you’ll be driving this holiday, be aware!

Wearing costumes. They are a lot of fun, but they can sometimes be startling, hard to walk in, or made of flammable material. We wouldn’t want your costume to lead to an injury or a fire!

Putting up decorations. Candles and lights have fire risks and decorations can be hazardous to party guests or trick-or-treaters if they block a sidewalk or entryway. When decorating for the spookiest night of the year, be mindful of where you are placing your items, particularly ones that could be fire hazards.

Being in a crowd. Lots of people on the streets can be dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians. Be patient, whether you're walking or on the road, and trick-or-treaters should always use and stick to the sidewalks. It can be difficult to stay alert and remember to look both ways before crossing when you’ve got a candy-induced sugar high, so take caution!

Hosting a party. Like any party, as the host you could face risks inviting others into your home. Be aware of the risks associated with serving alcohol, like what’s being served, who’s drinking, and how people are getting home.

Leaving your home or vehicles unattended. According to Property Casualty 360, Halloween Day has an average of 24% more crime-related claims than any other day of the year. Halloween vandalism is not a joke. Take precautions to prevent against theft and vandalism such as egging or spray-painting cars.

Tips to Help You Reduce Risk and Exposure to Damages

  • Review your current insurance coverage.
  • Decorate safely. Use battery powered lights, put candles and matches out of reach of children. Check for flame resistant costumes. Tie down wires and put pumpkins to the sides.
  • Prep your home. Make sure your entryway, porch, front yard, and sidewalks are well-lit and not obstructed. Secure railings. Check for any sharp objects and clear any that could cause a fall.
  • Trick-or-treat safely. Make sure all of your little trick-or-treaters wear reflective tape, have flashlights, look both ways before crossing, and avoid dark homes.
  • Drive safely, slowly, and with no distractions.
  • Follow the law. If you host a party or a haunted house, be sure to party-proof, abide by the law, and have the proper liability coverage. Consider a one-time event policy. Purchase extra liquor liability coverage if necessary. Have a sober eye present and make sure there are designated drivers.
  • Protect your unattended home. If you aren’t home, make sure to lock up, set alarms, and make your home look occupied.
  • Consider extra liability coverage. If you don’t have an umbrella insurance policy, look into getting one. You can also opt for raising your liability limits on your other plans.

What Your Policies Likely Cover

Homeowners/Renters

Homeowners and renters insurance policies will likely cover:

  • Injuries to trick-or-treaters on your property, as long as you are not considered negligent (e.g., if you do not clear walkways, have adequate lighting).
  • Damage to your home or possessions due to a fire.
  • Damage to your home or possessions due to Halloween vandalism. It’s important to know whether the repair cost is more than deductible.

Check out our piece, Beware of Halloween Homeowner Risks, for more details!

Auto

Unfortunately there is no specific Halloween vandalism or Halloween car accident coverage. The best thing you can do is to make sure that you have the appropriate amount of car insurance in place so you’re prepared if your car is vandalized or you get into an accident.

Check out our Ultimate Guide to Buying Auto Insurance for more information on what car insurance covers and the minimum car insurance requirements for your state. Reevaluate your car insurance because you may want more coverage depending on your driving history or how busy your roads get on Halloween.

Commercial

If you’re hosting a party or event, purchase special events coverage.

Otherwise, the appropriate commercial insurance will cover damage to any of your commercial vehicles or property. Just as you would with your home, keep your space well lit and use battery run lights. Additionally, be sure that decorations do not get in the way of fire extinguishers, exits, etc. Be sure to also lock and set alarms for your car, and put it in a garage if you are able.

Umbrella

If you don’t have umbrella insurance, this could be a great time for you to get some or to start looking into it. Umbrella insurance is extra liability insurance. It will cover you when your other policies have hit their limits. Take a look at our article What is an Umbrella Policy? for more information.

 

Trick or Treat!

 

Sources:
https://www.integrityinsurance.com/tips/top-10-halloween-safety-tips
https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/growth-strategies/2016/10/protect-your-commercial-property-on-halloween.html
https://www.sparksins.com/blog/take-the-scream-out-of-halloween-by-having-the-right-insurance.aspx
https://www.ewinghines.com/blog/item/58-halloween-tips-for-homeowners-drivers.html
http://www.lordandassociatesins.com/blog/how-to-avoid-spooky-insurance-claims-this-halloween.aspx