Halloween and Bonfire Night result in huge rise in home insurance malicious damage claims

With the week around Halloween and Bonfire Night being the worst week for malicious damage claims on home insurance policies, people do need to be vigilant and make sure they have home insurance in place.

According to AXA, the worst day of the year for malicious damage claims is 5 November, Bonfire Night, with a 350% increase in these claims over an average day.

Claims include broken windows and firework damage, particularly where devices have been pushed through letterboxes, resulting in an average claim of around £1,000.

A fence panel was even taken down and used as a bonfire.

Making sure you have the best home insurance in place is vital and as Nick Kedd of Axa comments ‘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’.

Use a home insurance comparison website, such as Confused.com, Comparethemarket.com or Tescocompare.com, to check who offers what cover and where you can get your best home insurance from.

As Nick Kidd adds ‘people should take extra care to ensure windows and doors are locked, garden gates are secured and outbuildings, such as garages or sheds are locked.’

Make sure you try and have a safe and incident free time at Halloween and on Bonfire Night.