Halloween is looming, and while you might still be thinking about costumes, you should also have mischievous car pranks on your mind too. And no, we don’t mean mischievous car pranks that you plan to carry out. Instead, we’re here to talk about how to avoid costly damage to your car this Halloween. Whether it’s from ghouls or goblins, you’re going to want to prevent Halloween trouble by protecting your car ahead of the big day.

The most common Halloween car pranks

Did you know that Halloween has 17% more home claims for theft, vandalism, and other crimes than any other day of the year? Pretty spooky, isn’t it? Data from the Highway Loss Data Institute found a similar Halloween-related uptick in auto insurance claims between 2008 and 2012, too, and even told CNBC in 2018 that these trends still hold true.

But what are these Halloween tricksters up to? Vandalism is a broad term and encompasses several activities. Below are just a few of the ghoulish activities Halloween tricksters have participated in:

• Egging
• Throwing firecrackers
• Stealing tires
• Smashing windows
• Toilet-papering or Saran-wrapping
• Putting rotten food or other objects in open windows
• Smashing pumpkins

Park smart and remember to activate your car alarm

If you can park your car in a garage on Halloween night, you should. And if you can’t? Consumer Reports recommends purchasing a car cover at your local auto parts store. Be sure to pick one up that’s lined with a soft material too, so it doesn’t scratch your car’s paint. 

If you do park your car outside, remember to not only lock your car but confirm that your car alarm is working properly too. Car alarms are incredibly loud and are a great way to protect your car from Halloween vandals.

Protect your car with a coat of wax

A protective coat of wax can also protect your car from Halloween messes. According to Consumer Reports, applying a protective coat of wax is a great way to protect your car’s paint from Halloween tricksters.

Be prepared to clean off small messes quickly

If you find that your car has been subjected to some Halloween vandalism, you’re going to want to clean up the mess. Policare recommends keeping a small spray bottle of water mixed with a dedicated car-washing soap on hand. Consumer Reports says that a spray-on car wax will also work well.

It’s essential to give your car thorough washing the next day, too, especially if a contaminant like eggs or rotten food has had time to set in and cause paint damage. (When you do get around to washing your car, be sure to keep our car wash tips in mind.)

Protect your car with an auto insurance policy

In the end, the best way to protect your car from ghoulish vandals is to have an up-to-date auto insurance policy. Forbes reports that having comprehensive auto insurance is the best way to ensure that your car is protected from vandalism this Halloween. Homeowner’s insurance can also be helpful, particularly if your car is broken into during the night. 

Keeping your car safe from ghouls, goblins, and late-night tricksters

Halloween should be about treats, not tricks. As true as that may be, though, Halloween remains one of the most popular nights for vehicle vandals, making it more important than ever to ensure that your car is protected.