For most, Halloween is a night of fun and trick-or-treating. However, others view the holiday as an excuse for causing mischief, and that can lead to destruction and damage. This extends beyond the stereotypical egging of houses or practical jokes, and it may even include vandalism of your car.
Studies from the Highway Loss Data Institute looked at the number of vandalism reports involving automobiles on Oct. 31 compared to other days throughout the year. The organization found that Halloween had the highest average number of auto insurance claims. In fact, the holiday featured about double the average amount of vandalism claims than a normal day.
Typically, the daily average of auto claims involving vandalism is around 692, with the average cost per report coming at $1,528. On Halloween, the average number of claims jumps to 1,253. That outpaces other raucous holidays like the Fourth of July and New Year's, both of which also see above-average rates of vandalism.
Luckily, there are several things drivers can do to protect their vehicles. The most obvious is taking advantage of a garage or private driveway whenever possible. Unfortunately this isn't always an option, and if you must leave your car on the street, be sure to have a backup plan in case you have to bring it to an auto repair franchise.