Halloween is nearly upon us – also known as the one day of the year you can dress up in your scariest attire not raise any eyebrows. Although it may seem odd celebrating a pagan tradition filled with spooky legends, the day is sure gaining both traction and popularity right here in our own backyard!
Aside from the fan-fare of costumes, trick-or-treating or even a good ole’ haunted house, Halloween can actually be a Nightmare on Elm Street for insurance claims (pun intended).
At Youi, we receive numerous different claims each day - some of which relate to malicious damage, including intentional damage to a person’s property or personal belongings.
However, according to our claims data here at Youi*, on average there is a 42% increase in Malicious Damage claims on Halloween.
Now this cannot be a coincidence. Unless a suspicious figure has climbed through that door from the Underworld and is wreaking havoc among our streets… Highly doubtful. The majority of our claims on this day are Halloween related and result from trick-or-treaters causing intentional damage to cars and homes after dark.
Now, no need to sweat that meticulous scary-clown painted face of yours, because we are covering the Wackiest Halloween Crazes and how you could be covered under Youi Home and Contents Insurance.
Spooky Lighting
Halloween is all about setting the right mood at your house, so if you’re going all out this year then spooky lighting is a must. However you choose to illuminate your abode keep in mind that possible electrical faults can lead to a fire – which is not the sort of lighting you’re aiming for. Youi’s Comprehensive or Third Part Fire & Theft Home Insurance covers you for loss or damage to your property caused by an accidental fire, whether it be from a mechanical, electrical or electronic breakdown or failure.
Pranksters/tricksters
What’s a bit of harmless fun in your youth and especially on the day you can get away with being a bit of a trickster? But what’s not okay is when those pranks take a more sinister turn. Intentional damage to your home, whether it be from throwing eggs or something a lot worse, is a worry to any home owner, Halloween or not. That’s why it’s comforting to know that intentional damage to your property caused by any person not living at the premises is standard cover under Youi’s Comprehensive or Third Party Fire & Theft Home Insurance.
Decoration Horrors
Scary and creepy decorations are a major part of Halloween, as half the fun is trying to out- decorate your neighbour’s house to be the best on the street. But sometimes overdoing the decorations comes with the risk of causing damage to your home. Picture this; that blood-sucking Dracula ornament that hangs from your roof every Halloween has some inflicted wear and tear from previous years, and is falling apart. It eventually falls from the roof, smashing a window of your home, and before you know it, it’s seen its last Halloween. The good news is, your Comprehensive Youi Home Insurance covers the reasonable cost of replacing broken glass – up to 10% of the contents sum insured. No need for the garlic this year.
Trick-or-treater gets hurt
With kids roaming the streets in search of treats and sweets, the probability of an accident is high. From stumbling over decorations to tripping in the dark, trick-or-treaters could have an accident on your own property, making you liable for any injury they may sustain. It’s good to know Legal Liability is included as standard with our Comprehensive Home Insurance. You could be covered for up to $20 million dollars for an accident that results in an injury if the accident occurred at the insured premises.
So however you are choosing to spend the spookiest day of the year, it’s always a good idea to keep in mind how these wacky crazes could affect you and your home. Taking out Home Insurance may seem as scary as Halloween itself, but it could save you in the long run whether it be from trick-or-treaters, a silly prank or a quirky decoration. Happy Halloween!
*Statistics based on Youi Insurance data from January 2009 to October 2017.
