Unfortunately, it’s not just trick-or-treaters you have to deal with on Halloween it’s also acts of vandalism and sometimes theft. Generally, more incidents occur on Halloween with more trickery than any other holiday. It is advisable that home and auto owners, take precautions to protect their property. This will reduce the chances of falling victim to Halloween’s practical jokes. Keep areas well-lit and put things that can be vandalized, such as pumpkins, in an area that is not easily accessible. If you’re not around for the passing out the candy, make sure to keep on a light or two and even consider leaving the television on.
Since egging seems to be the common means of pranks during Halloween, try to keep your vehicle off the street or covered with a tarp. It’s mostly expensive cars that are particularly prone to these attacks. So, it’s wise to take measures protecting it. Even the most careful owner can end up falling victim to a Halloween prank. Rest assured you could have the proper homeowners/auto coverage. Check and see if you do.
Let’s take a look at some scenarios and the types of policies that can cover them:
1. My car is covered with eggs, am I covered?
Vandalism can be covered by insurance if you have comprehensive coverage on your auto policy and most will have deductibles of $100 to $500. Depending on the amount of the damage will determine whether or not you should file a claim. If your car is just dirty it will certainly take a lot of car washes to meet a $250 deductible. But, if the car is covered by paint or the eggs and it eats away at the car’s paint job, then a claim is justified.
2. Does my homeowner’s cover toilet paper in my trees?
Although, this is a common prank on Halloween, toilet paper won’t typically damage trees. However, if the tree or trees are damaged by vandalism, the damage will have to be more than your deductible to make a claim worthwhile.
3. No one was home, I was just burglarized, am I covered?
Halloween is sometimes a time to escape to the movies or even a house party. But, of course, not being home makes your house more vulnerable to theft. Thieves can come and go unnoticed on an evening where visitors are prevalent at homes and yards. Your homeowners’ policy will cover theft of any belongings as well as damage that is incurred during a break-in. In this case, your deductible will apply. Be advised that proof of ownership on items stolen is necessary to fulfill a claim. Your best prevention is to stay at home.
Here at Donald J. Medeiros Insurance Agency our goal is to try to help our viewers by outlining potential exposures and suggest solutions for all insurance needs. By no means can we address each reader’s specific concerns in every incident. So, we strongly advise to check with an insurance representative to address your specific needs. However, you can also contact us for any questions or concerns and we will be happy to help you.
Come visit us at www.donmedeirosinsurance.com or give us a call at 508-678-1271. We look forward to hearing from you! If you have a Facebook account, fan us at http://www.facebook.com/donmedeiros.