Homeowners, Rejoice: Kids Can’t Afford To Egg Your House This Year

For some kiddos, Halloween is all about “trick” traditions. Think egging houses, TP’ing trees, and spraying homes with shaving cream.

While these pranks usually come from a place of playful intent, today’s rising costs have stripped the affordability out of them.

If you’re a homeowner, this news isn’t a bad thing for your bank account and sanity. 

After all, fewer pranks mean fewer insurance claims, repair bills, and of course, late-night cleanups.

The cost of Halloween mischief is up—way up

Thanks to inflation and tariffs, the prices of classic prank supplies have shot up significantly. Eggs, for example, are particularly volatile due to the 2023 bird flu outbreak that left fewer of them to go around. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that eggs jumped from around $1.33 per dozen in mid-2020 to about $6.23 in March 2025. That’s a 368% spike. Today, they fall roughly in the $3.50 range.

Toilet paper doesn’t come cheap anymore either—primarily because of tariffs on imported pulp and higher packaging costs that have been that way since the pandemic. In fact, Proctor & Gamble, which owns Charmin, the popular toilet paper brand, released a statement in July 2025 announcing a 25% hike on all its products.

Even shaving cream has gotten pricier as many of its ingredients are also imported and subject to tariffs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found the cost of personal care products, including shaving cream, increased by 3.5% over the 12 months ending in September 2025.

Let’s not forget the cost of celebrating Halloween these days. This can easily break the bank due to pricey costumes, decorations, and of course, chocolate, which has more than doubled in cost since 2024. All of this should lead to kids being more grateful for the treat than they are with pulling off the trick!

The upside for homeowners: fewer pranks, fewer problems

Pranksters may be let down this Halloween. Homeowners, on the other hand can can breathe a sigh of relief. 

The increased prices of everyday items will likely result in fewer pranks and vandalism incidents, ultimately reducing the risk of damage to property. However, if your home does get hit by some mischief, it’s important to know how it could affect your insurance coverage.

“Home insurance policies do cover damage from egging and other vandalism pranks. The deductible would apply, though, so in most cases, it wouldn’t make sense to file an insurance claim,” explains Melanie Musson, an insurance expert with Quote.com from Belgrade, MT.

So, let’s say your siding gets egged and causes $1,500 worth of damage. If you have a $2,000 deductible, you won’t receive a payout since your repairs don’t exceed it. On the other hand, if the damage is extensive and the repair costs go beyond $2,000, it would make sense to file a claim.

Pranksters may also toss toilet paper across your yard, which could cause an issue if they get in your gutters. According to Michael Benoit, president of Pacific United Insurance Services in San Diego, this can clog your downspouts and may cost a plumber between $75 to $200 to resolve. And then there is shaving cream, which can actually discolor some painted surfaces. A repaint job could cost between $50 to $200. 

Keep in mind that Halloween pranks may also wreak havoc on your vehicles and your car insurance may or may not help. Musson explains that only comprehensive auto policies cover vandalism damage and usually have deductibles that are upward of $2,000.

“A lot of people choose a $500 deductible. So, if egg or shaving cream damage to your car costs $1,500, and your deductible is $500, you would probably choose to file a car insurance claim,” explains Musson. However, if the repairs are less than $500, you’ll have to pay for them out of pocket.

At the end of the day, knowledge about your insurance coverage is important—but so is being proactive. 

“Keep outdoor lights on, install a door camera if possible, and park vehicles in a garage or under a cover if possible. Most Halloween nights pass without trouble—but if the “trick” gets out of hand, it’s good to be prepared,” says Jamie Ross, manager at Wedgwood Insurance in Newfoundland.