Cost of Halloween tricks may be picked up by insurance

Axa has advised its home insurance customers that their policy should cover them if somebody plays a trick on them over the Halloween period and their property is damaged.

Nick Kidd, head of household at Axa, said that the company does not want to spoil anyone's fun, but he advised people to check that their doors and windows are locked during the festivities. His comments were made following research by the organisation which showed that the week between October 30th and November 5th is the worst of the year for malicious damage claims.

Mr Kidd said: "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." The firm also reported that over 1,000 people are injured every year as a result of fireworks.

Recently, Axa revealed that a third of businesses are unaware of their legal requirements to insure their employees.