Halloween Drivers Should Be Scared! How To Stay Safe on Spooky Roads

Candy is great on Halloween, but the right car insurance is even better if you get into an accident. With trick-or-treaters on the streets and drunk partygoers behind the wheel, the likelihood of getting into an accident increases on this spooky holiday. Fortunately, Halloween car insurance can provide financial protection against collisions, vandalism and theft.

Keep reading to learn what to watch out for this Halloween to stay safe and how the right auto insurance coverage can benefit you if your holiday ends up more trick than treat.

On This Page

• 

  Why Do You Need Car Insurance on Halloween?

• 

  How To Protect Your Car and Others When Driving This Halloween

• 

  What Type of Coverage Do Drivers Need for Halloween-Related Claims?

• 

  How To File a Halloween Car Insurance Claim

• 

  FAQs

Why Do You Need Car Insurance on Halloween?

Your chances of getting into an accident on Halloween increase because of more pedestrians and drunk drivers celebrating holiday festivities. Your car may also be vulnerable to theft and vandalism on Mischief Night, either due to intoxication or reckless traditions. Full coverage — your state’s insurance requirements plus collision and comprehensive coverage — can help protect you in most accidents and against many types of Halloween pranks.

Below, we’ll discuss how Halloween activities and scenarios could lead to an accident, vandalism or theft of your car — and the type of coverage you need to stay protected.

1. Kids and Pedestrians

With more children on the street on Halloween, the chances of striking a pedestrian increase — especially after dark. Children ages 4 to 8 are 10 times more likely to be killed by a motor vehicle on Halloween than on any other day of the year, with most child pedestrian deaths happening in residential neighborhoods – where kids often go trick-or-treating.^[1]

Not all children are supervised and may wear costumes that obstruct their vision or make them harder to see at night. They may also cross the street, thinking it’s clear when a car is approaching. Ideally, avoid driving at night when visibility is limited. If you can’t, maintain a lower speed when driving through neighborhoods and stay alert for pedestrians.

Are You Covered?

If you strike a pedestrian with your car, liability insurance will cover their injuries and property damage. Collision coverage will pay for your repairs if your car is damaged in the accident.

2. Drunk Drivers

For some people, just one drink can significantly impair their driving capabilities. Between 2019 and 2023, there were 198 fatal crashes on Halloween involving at least one driver who had been drinking.^[2] Averaging 49.5 deaths per year, Halloween sees a 37% increase in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities compared to the daily average.^[3]

Your insurance carrier may pay for accidents caused by drunk driving, but your premiums will likely rise considerably. Beyond higher premiums, a DUI can also cost thousands of dollars in attorney fees, fines, court costs, lost wages and more.

Are You Covered?

If a drunk driver hits you, they will likely be held responsible and their liability coverage may pay for your losses. If they are uninsured, the following Halloween car insurance coverages could protect you:

• Collision: Pays for your property damages.
• Medical payments/Personal injury protection (Medpay/PIP): Pays for your medical bills if you are injured.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage: Pays for your property damages and medical expenses if the other driver is uninsured or does not have enough coverage. UM/UIM coverage may not be necessary if you already have collision and Medpay/PIP coverage.

3. Car Theft

Halloween is a holiday of pranks, mischief and, for some, reckless behavior such as car theft. In 2023, nearly 3,000 vehicles were stolen on Halloween — far more than on other holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.^[4]

Are You Covered?

Comprehensive insurance covers theft, but your car insurance will only pay you the actual cash value of your vehicle if it cannot be recovered. This amount accounts for depreciation factors such as age, mileage and wear and tear. Renters or homeowners insurance may cover items stolen from inside your car.

4. Tricks and Pranks on Vehicles

Personal vehicles are nearly twice as likely to be vandalized on Halloween as on any other day.^[5] Between 2017 and 2019, approximately 9,200 fires were reported in the U.S. during the three days surrounding Halloween, with 16.4% of those fires involving vehicles.^[6]

As a result, be watchful for both harmless pranks and criminal mischief, such as:

• Egging
• Toilet papering
• Vandalism
• Break-ins
• Smashing windows
• Sugar in the gas tank
• Theft
• Flipping your car

Are You Covered?

If you have comprehensive insurance, your auto policy may cover losses related to the Halloween pranks listed above.

5. Halloween Decorations

If Halloween decorations in your neighbor’s yard, porch or roof are poorly anchored, a strong gust could dislodge them and damage your car.

Are You Covered?

Damage to your vehicle caused by another person’s Halloween decorations will likely be covered under the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy. On the other hand, if you drive over someone else’s jack-o’-lantern or other decorative property, your liability insurance may pay for their damage.

6. Cars With Costumes

For extra festivity, some people put costumes and Halloween accessories on their cars — just be careful that the decorations do not impede your driving or the visibility of other drivers. If you decorate your car, make sure the costume is securely fastened, since it could scratch or dent your vehicle or fly off and hit a pedestrian or another car.

Are You Covered?

Damages to your car by its costume may be covered under collision coverage — but confirm with your provider. If the damage is minor, it may not be worth filing a claim worth filing since doing so could raise your premium. If the costume injures someone or damages their property, your liability insurance may apply.

How To Protect Your Car and Others When Driving This Halloween

On Halloween, practice these fall driving safety tips to protect yourself, your passengers and others on the road:

• Drive slowly through neighborhoods: Reducing speed gives you more time to stop safely if a trick-or-treater darts across the street.
• Avoid driving during peak trick-or-treating hours: Trick-or-treating typically occurs from sunset to around 9 p.m., but some children may stay out later.
• Park your car inside a garage or behind a gate: Limiting access can help deter car thieves, vandals and Halloween pranksters.
• Triple-check when pulling in and out of driveways: Small children can be hard to spot. Check your mirrors and over your shoulder multiple times before moving your car.
• Turn down your radio volume: Loud music can distract and drown out noises that might alert you to danger. For example, hearing children laughing or shouting should remind you to reduce your speed and increase your vigilance.
• Avoid eating candy while driving: Unwrapping treats takes your hands off the wheel and slows your reaction time. Save the sweets for when you’re safely parked or home.
• Do not let your costume interfere with your driving: Masks can reduce visibility, long sleeves may affect your grip on the wheel and large hats can obstruct your view. Remove accessories that impede driving or let someone else drive.
• Use your hazard lights when picking up or dropping off passengers: Hazard lights alert other drivers to slow down because pedestrians are nearby.
• Ensure your insurance coverage is up to date: Vandalism and other pranks tend to spike around Halloween. When renewing your auto policy, consider reviewing or increasing your comprehensive coverage limits.

What Type of Coverage Do Drivers Need for Halloween-Related Claims?

Liability insurance is mandated in most states and covers you if you are held responsible for another person’s injuries or property damage on Halloween or any other day of the year.

Below, we highlight how core types of auto insurance work, along with optional add-ons that may be useful on Halloween. Keep in mind that you will need to pay your deductible for certain non-liability claims.

How To File a Halloween Car Insurance Claim

If you get into an accident on Halloween, follow these steps to file a car insurance claim with your carrier:

1. Check for injuries: If anyone is injured, call the police immediately and avoid moving the injured person. If everyone is safe, turn on your hazard lights and pull over to a safe spot.
2. Exchange information with the involved party: Get contact information from the other person and any eyewitnesses. If the accident involved another driver, also obtain their car insurance details.
3. Document the accident: Take photos of property damage and injuries, along with the accident location, road conditions and weather.
4. Get a copy of the police report: If you contacted the police, write down the officer’s name and badge number and ask how to obtain the report, as it can serve as evidence for your claim.
5. Contact your insurance company: Your insurer will guide you through the claims process and explain how to submit the documentation you gathered. If injuries occurred, they may also request copies of medical bills.
6. Get your car repaired: If your car has been damaged, you can have it repaired at an approved repair shop or one of your choosing.
7. Report the accident to the DMV: Some states require reporting accidents that involve major property damage or injuries. Confirm with your state DMV.

Most insurers do not set a strict deadline for filing a claim, but they generally require prompt action. Some states, especially those with a no-fault system, have specific deadlines. For example, New York gives you 30 days to file a claim, so check your local laws before delaying.^[7]

Filing quickly also helps preserve evidence and witness testimony while the details are still fresh, which may expedite the process and improve the likelihood of claim approval.