With the season of trick-or-treating and Halloween mischief approaching, it’s a great time to reassess your home safety and liability insurance to avoid any insurance nightmares. Today, we will discuss what precautions you can take to guarantee visitors don’t get injured on your property, as well as any protection you may need if your home is vandalized.  

Liability Insurance and Halloween Mischief 

The Halloween season is always rumored to be covered with toilet-papered trees and ding-dong-ditching kids, which may seem like seasonal fun, but if any real damage is done, it can be costly. If someone is injured and you do not have proper insurance, you will be responsible for their injuries and medical needs. As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to protect visitors, whether wanted or unwanted, from potential threats present on your property.  

What is Liability Insurance? 

Liability insurance, which can be part of your homeowner’s insurance, protects you against claims of damage and injury towards a guest on your property. If you already have liability insurance, review your policies with an agent to make sure you have adequate coverage for your concerns. 

• Personal Liability Coverage: Responsible for covering legal fees and medical expenses if someone is injured on your property.  

• Medical Liability Coverage: Covers minor medical expenses if someone is injured, regardless of fault. 

How to Prevent Halloween Mischief on Your Property 

Creating a safe home environment is key to preventing unwanted injuries on your property. Especially with young trick-or-treaters, it is important to stay extra cautious. Here are some home safety tips to keep in mind: 

• Exterior Lighting: Have ample lighting surrounding your home, especially around stairs and blow-up decorations that often have invisible strings to tie them to the ground. Motion sensor lighting is especially helpful.  

• Stairs: Make sure the stairs and doorbell area are easily accessible and clear. Check that railings are secure. If you have many decorations on your steps, you can always set up a table in your driveway with candy. 

• Outdoor Cameras: Having security cameras surrounding your house can provide you with both proof of vandalization and a recording of an injury that will be helpful when filing an insurance claim. Make sure the footage is being recorded and not only streamed so you can access it after the incident. 

• Locking Doors and Fences: Lock all areas any sneaky visitors could access, whether it is the fence surrounding a pool in your yard or your car and basement door. 

• Secure Your Setup: Make sure all your decorations are installed properly and won’t blow away or trip any trick-or-treaters.  

With over 30 years of experience servicing the Worcester area, the Safeside Insurance Agency has vast experience in working with customers on their individual needs. To review your liability insurance and other coverages with us, you can visit our website or call us at (508) 752-8862. We look forward to giving you the services you and your family needs for the years to come!