As the busiest week for malicious damage approaches, AXA is warning households that having home insurance in place could mean the difference between a trick or a treat costing them dearly.

Parents and the police should do what they can to ensure that homeowners do not become the victims of damage resulting from irresponsible or anti-social behaviour which arises from trick or treating, AXA urges.

Statistics from AXA show that the week from 30 October to 5 November has the highest number of home insurance claims resulting from malicious damage, with 31 October seeing a 270 per cent increase in claims compared to the average day.

The figures also show that Saturdays are usually the worst day for instances of malicious damage, so the insurer is concerned that the double whammy of Halloween falling on a Saturday this year could have ghoulish consequences for homeowners.

Last Halloween, some of the home insurance claims resulting for malicious damage – where it is caused deliberately rather than by accident – included broken windows, damage caused to paintwork from eggs being thrown, and walls being pushed over.

Commenting on the upcoming weekend, Nick Kidd, head of AXA home insurance, said: “We don’t want to ruin anybody’s fun on Halloween 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 sheds are locked.”

Mr Kidd added: “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”.

© Fair Investment Company Ltd