Halloween insurance liabilities: How to prepare for trick-or-treaters

Halloween, for many children, is a delightful evening full of spooks and treats—but for homeowners, the holiday can be truly frightening given the potential liabilities that come with dozens,  or even hundreds, of visitors stopping by in one night.

Almost 50% of Canadian households participated in Halloween in 2023, and this year will likely be just as busy. As a homeowner, it’s good to be prepared.

Your home insurance will protect you from most mishaps on Halloween night, so don’t worry. Vandalism, trips and falls, eggs smashed on your roof—it’s there for you irrespective of the time of year, and insurance doesn’t take holidays off.  

Insurance is designed for things unexpected and accidental, which generally most incidents that happen during the holidays fall under the definition of. If you’re at all concerned about the number (or nature) of visitors coming to your home, you might want to call up your broker the few weeks before Halloween to discuss your coverage and go over any potential gaps. 

Here are some examples of claims that could be covered by your property (or car) insurance on Halloween: 

Halloween costumes may be fun and even frightening, but they’re not always the most practical for walking around. 

Plus, it might be dark and there might be plenty of obstacles in your driveway and around your home (cords, decorations, signage, etc.) to trip on. If a child or parent injures themselves while walking up to your door to trick-or-treat, they may sue you for your negligence in adequately preparing your property. Luckily, your home or tenant insurance contains liability coverage that would help pay the cost of their medical bills or any legal case that may arise. 

While not necessarily always on Halloween night, Mitch has seen its fair share of slip and fall claims due to wooden porches becoming slippery or wet with frost and snow. Just because your driveway, walkway and porch are clear, doesn’t mean they’re not a hazard. Make sure everything is well lit and, if you’re aware something may be slippery, leave signage to warn visitors.  

While “egging” (the act of throwing raw eggs at someone’s house) might seem pretty harmless, it can damage paint, shingles, and even break windows. Vandalism and theft are both covered events in most home or tenant insurance policies, so you can generally depend on your insurance to pay for any needed repairs if your home is damaged after being egged. Note, however, that any payout is subject to your deductible, so you’ll have to pay that amount first before your provider covers the remainder. 

Some acts of vandalism or break-ins require you to provide a copy of the police report to your insurer for your claim to be considered. This isn’t always the case, but it’s a good idea to ask for a copy when you report the incident.  

Whether your home is lit up or not, thieves will sometimes use Halloween as a prime opportunity to break in and steal valuables. Your home insurance will cover theft, but it also helps to keep receipts for all your most valued belongings (other proof of purchase works too, like warranties or manuals) to show to your provider if they’re stolen.  

At Mitch, we’ve seen garages are a common target, especially on a night like Halloween if no one is home. Garages are much easier to break into than homes and are darker, so people seldom see thieves coming and going. If you’re not going to be home on Halloween, make sure to lock up, consider motion sensor lights or cameras, and keep your valuables indoors and secured. 

While no incident is 100% preventable, taking action in advance can help to reduce your risk of things going wrong. Here are some of our tips for preparing for trick-or-treaters on Halloween night: 

Not wanting to partake in the festivities? Turn off your lights and avoid the decor. Most of the time, this will signal to trick-or-treaters that you’re not participating in Halloween. This obviously won’t stop vandals and may even be more enticing to potential thieves who view your unlit home as unoccupied, so turn on security alarms and be vigilant. You may wish to invest in motion-sensor alarms as well. 

Cars are a frequent target of vandalism on Halloween, so make sure to park your vehicle in a garage if possible. If you can’t, consider investing in some outdoor lighting for your yard and driveway. Remember to lock your car as well.  

If you are participating in Halloween, make sure to keep your walkways and driveway well-lit. Dark and spooky might set the mood, but it’s also a quick way to send a trick-or-treater to the ER with a sprained ankle. Make use of lawn lights, porch lights, and turn on all your motion sensor lights (if you have them) to ensure kids and parents have a clear view of where they’re walking.  

Also, keep your walkways clear. Decorations are great, but make sure they’re not in the footpath of your visitors and that any cords are covered and clearly marked so as not to serve as a tripping hazard. 

Check the packaging of your treats to see if they’re allergy-friendly. Most brands that are manufactured in facilities without peanuts and tree nuts will have a label saying as much. Allergy-conscious parents will appreciate it!

About 500,000 dog bites occur every year in Canada. It doesn’t matter how friendly Fido is, all dogs can bite. With all the noises, costumes, and strangers coming up to the house, Halloween can be an especially difficult time for pet dogs. For their safety and for the safety of others, it’s a good idea to put your pets away in a secure room (or crate, if they’re crate-trained) with their bed, treats, and some calming music to drown out the background noise. Some vets will even prescribe anti-anxiety medications for holidays that can be particularly stressful for sensitive pets.   

Mitch has seen its fair share of mishaps. If you’re concerned about the extent of your coverage come Halloween, we’ve got your back. Give us a call to discuss your policy and to see what is and isn’t covered. And—happy Halloween!