For many things short of a werewolf mauling, you may be covered.
Halloween is the highest time of year for burglary and vandalism home insurance claims, according to Lemonade data from the last five years. Whether it’s eggs on your siding, stolen lawn decorations, or a trick-or-treater taking a tumble on your porch, your homeowners insurance may have your back.
Here’s what’s covered, what isn’t, and what to do if Mischief Night leaves a mess behind.
TL;DR
- Vandalism and theft to your home and belongings are typically covered under your homeowners insurance policy
- Your car is a different story, car damage falls under your car insurance, not your homeowners policy
- Personal property coverage protects your stuff even when it’s outside your home, including lawn decorations
- If someone gets injured on your property on Halloween, your personal liability coverage may apply
What types of homeowners insurance coverage apply on Halloween?
Before diving into the scenarios, here’s a plain-English breakdown of the coverage types that come into play during Halloween and Mischief Night.
Coverage A: Dwelling coverage
This is the core of your homeowners policy. It covers physical damage to the structure of your home (walls, roof, windows, and built-in fixtures). If a vandal eggs your exterior, smashes a window, or spray-paints your front door, repair costs fall under dwelling coverage. Vandalism and malicious mischief are covered perils under Coverage A in most standard HO-3 policies.
Coverage B: Other structures
This covers structures on your property that are detached from your main home – a detached garage, shed, fence, swimming pool, or gazebo. Coverage B is typically 10% of your Coverage A limit. So a home insured for $400,000 carries $40,000 in other structures coverage. Halloween vandalism targeting your detached garage or fence falls here.
Coverage C: Personal property
This covers your belongings (furniture, electronics, clothing), and yes, Halloween decorations – against theft and certain types of damage. Personal property coverage applies even when your belongings are outside your home or away from your property entirely. A stolen animatronic lawn display or ripped-out holiday lighting would typically be claimed here.
Coverage E: Personal liability
If someone is injured on your property and you’re found legally responsible, personal liability coverage can help pay for their medical bills, legal defense costs, and any resulting settlement. On Halloween, this matters most for slip-and-fall accidents involving trick-or-treaters on your porch, steps, or walkway.
What is vandalism coverage in homeowners insurance?
Vandalism (also called “malicious mischief”) in policy language, means intentional destruction or defacement of property. Egging a house, spray-painting a garage, smashing a window, and destroying outdoor decorations all qualify. Vandalism is a named peril covered under both Coverage A and Coverage B in most HO-3 policies.
What is not covered by homeowners insurance on Halloween?
Your car is the biggest exclusion. Regardless of what happens to your car egging, keying, broken windows — your homeowners policy doesn’t apply. You need comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance for car vandalism and theft. Flood and earthquake damage are also excluded from standard homeowners policies year-round.
Egg damage to your home’s exterior
A surly teenager dressed as undead Harry Potter just egged your house. Funny costume, dumb prank – but your homeowners insurance may cover it as vandalism.
In the meantime, reduce the damage: clean the egg by hand with a brush, follow up with a power washer or hose, then treat with a cleaning solution like hydrogen peroxide or diluted white vinegar (the right mix depends on your facade material).
A hard-boiled egg smashes your front window
A broken window from Halloween vandalism is typically covered under your homeowners policy as malicious mischief, after you’ve paid your deductible.
Vandalism to your detached garage
Eggs and spray paint on your detached garage fall under Coverage B (other structures), not Coverage A (dwelling). Coverage B is generally 10% of your dwelling coverage, so with $500,000 in Coverage A, you’d have $50,000 for other structures. That covers your detached garage, fences, swimming pools, and gazebos too.
Stolen lawn decorations and outdoor displays
Your homeowners insurance may cover theft of outdoor Halloween decorations, even a full animatronic Ghostbusters display on your lawn. Personal property coverage protects your belongings against theft whether they’re inside your home, in your yard, or even somewhere else entirely. Your deductible applies.
Vandalism to your car
Your car doesn’t fall under your homeowners insurance, even though you may think of it as personal property. For vandalism like egging, keying, or smashed windows, you need comprehensive coverage on your auto policy. Basic state-minimum car insurance won’t cover it. Lemonade also offers car insurance, with bundling discounts if you already have a homeowners policy.
Valuables stolen from your car
Here’s where it splits: the broken car window falls under your auto insurance (comprehensive coverage). But valuables stolen from inside your car (a laptop, camera, or bag), are typically covered under your homeowners or renters insurance, which protects personal property against theft both in and out of your home.
How to deter vandals around Halloween
- Install motion sensors and lights that illuminate your yard
- Set up a security camera, or at least post visible signage suggesting you have one
- Temporarily move expensive outdoor items into a garage or basement
- Hand out generous treats, full-sized Snickers have been shown to reduce egging risk (probably)
Liability if someone is injured on your property
Personal liability coverage on your homeowners policy may apply if someone is hurt on your property on Halloween or any other day. A trick-or-treater who trips over a pumpkin on your porch, or a guest who takes a tumble at your Halloween party, could trigger this coverage. It can help pay for medical costs and legal fees if you’re found responsible.
One more thing before Halloween
Skip real candles in your jack-o’-lanterns. Artificial ones give you the same eerie glow with zero risk of burning your house down.
