Halloween week is considered the worst for vandalism insurance claims
Insurance statistics released recently have shown that the week of Halloween and Bonfire Night is the worst week of the year for vandalism and damage claims in the UK and Ireland, with the 5th November being the worst day of the year in the UK.
As families look forward to the fun of Halloween and Bonfire Night, parents are being urged to help law enforcers to ensure that homeowners do not become the victims of senseless acts of damage or anti-social behaviour linked to trick or treating and fireworks.
The figures show that the seven days from the 30th October to 5th November are the worst for malicious damage claims on home insurance policies, with a 270 per cent increase on an average day on the 31st October, Halloween night, and a 350 per cent increase compared to an average day on the 5th November, Bonfire Night. A malicious damage claim is one that involves damage that was caused by a deliberate and destructive act, rather than through accident or negligence.
Saturdays are statistically the worst day of the year for vandalism claims and fears for homeowners have been raised particularly this year, as Halloween falls on a Saturday. Last year the majority of claims on Halloween were for broken windows, walls being pushed over and damage to paintwork caused by broken eggs.
Bonfire Night claims included for fence panels that had been ripped down and thrown on a bonfire and for firework damage where devices had been pushed through letterboxes, with an average claim of almost ÂŁ1000.
A spokesperson for the company who revealed these statistics said, “We don’t want to ruin anybody’s fun on Halloween or Bonfire Night but people do need to be vigilant. Although it is difficult to avoid someone putting something through the letterbox, people should take extra care to ensure windows and doors are locked, garden gates are secured and outbuildings, such as garages or shed are locked. Any sort of damage caused to another person’s property is not only anti-social but also a criminal offence and while insurance can pick up the cost, it can’t deal with the emotional trauma. If property is damaged, customers should check their policy wordings as most home insurance policies will have a Home Assistance package where tradesmen can visit the property within hours to make it secure.”