MCF

Happy Halloween from the Massey, Clark, Fischer team! Halloween can be a scary time for most, and it’s not only because of the spooky decorations and costumes, but because your home and car could be in danger of being damaged. We sat down with our president, Hank Massey for some insight on how insurance can help with certain claim-type problems and some safety precautions parents can take if they have children who will be out trick or treating. 

Vandalism 

• Unfortunately, Halloween isn’t just a night for crazy costumes and candy, it’s also when the “crazy and mischievous” come out to play. To avoid your car being vandalized, park it in your garage or somewhere where it is less accessible to strangers and in a well lit area if possible.
   
• In the event that someone decides to vandalize your home, take into consideration the cost of the damages/loss. While it is possible to claim for simple vandalization such as TP-ing or spray paint or egging, if the cost of the damages are close to your deductible, then Hank advises it’s generally not worth making the claim in the long run.

Fire

According to this US Fire Administration article, for each year from 2014 to 2016, an estimated 10,100 fires were reported to fire departments in the United States over a three-day period around Halloween. While its not very common, fire hazards such as lit jack-o-lanterns, overloaded electric sockets, or lighted candles can quickly become serious fires. We advise you to be extremely cautious with your festive decorations.  That said in the event of a fire, your homeowner’s insurance should cover any fire-related losses. 

Liability

• The risk of injury is great when children are roaming the street at night. You should be mindful of how your footpath and lawn are decorated as the last thing you want is for someone to slip and fall on your property. Even though homeowners policies can protect you...you could be faced with an injury related lawsuit, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
   
• You should also be extremely cautious if driving on Halloween night, especially in residential areas as there will be lots of young children and teens in the streets, many times they are not paying attention to oncoming vehicles. Your auto insurance may cover you in the event of an accident, but this is another situation where you’d rather be safe than sorry, especially considering that young innocent lives may be at risk.
   
• If you plan on accompanying your child, or a group of children from the neighborhood while trick or treating, remember to lock up your house and activate your alarm system. And once your night of fun is over, take a moment to screen your child’s candy stash before they dig in. Don’t just look for the sweetest treats that might drive them up the wall, but also check to ensure none of their candy has been tampered with.  

All of this said, the entire Massey, Clark, Fischer team extends a happy and safe holiday to you all! “Hopefully it’s a good family time for parents and children who get to go out and go into the neighborhood and to visit with some of the neighbors and have a good, safe family outing” said Hank Massey. Stay safe this Halloween and most importantly, don’t forget to have fun!

Disclaimer: The above description provides a brief overview of the terms and phrases used within the insurance industry. These definitions are not applicable in all states or for all insurance and financial products. This is not an insurance contract. Other terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please read your official policy for full details about coverages. These definitions do not alter or modify the terms of any insurance contract. If there is any conflict between these definitions and the provisions of the applicable insurance policy, the terms of the policy control.