According to Highway Loss Data Institute or HLDI, animal-vehicle collision rates increase during deer mating season. Because of its large population, the number of deer in highways and roads also increase contributing to a higher rate of colliding with a vehicle. Auto insurance companies have confirmed that during this time, they receive an amplified number of claims regarding deer-vehicle impact. Their records show that from spring, it will gradually increase through fall; they have November as the prominent month where reports of collisions are at its peak. Last year, according to USAA, a leading auto insurance company, a 70% increase in the number of claims filed about animal-vehicle collision were recorded when fall arrived.
Covering this type of claim is very expensive, auto insurance companies declare. In the average, they spend almost $3000 in damage repair and legalities. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or IIHS also said that these collisions can be fatal. There was an increase of 19 percent on human deaths related to deer-vehicle collision from the year of 2001 to 2008. With this data, auto insurance companies try their best to warn and remind their auto insurance policyholders during this fall season. Auto insurance companies have conducted their own research about the behavior of deer that can help auto insurance policyholders avoid accidents when they enter deer territory.
Make sure you drive defensively during dawn and dusk as deer’s are most active during these hours. Auto insurance companies remind motorists to make sure that they are alert during those times because they might not know when deer will pop out on the road. Driving slowly and carefully really helps avoiding accident.
Auto insurance companies emphasize the importance of driving slowly because motorists are able to anticipate how they will be able to handle their vehicle when a deer crosses their path. Safety experts also remind motorists to make use of their safety gear like their seatbelt and their helmet. They also encourage and stress on motorists not to swerve when trying to avoid something especially animals because this will cause the vehicle to run out of control. Animals are mobile and are very unpredictable. Safety experts say that it would be much better to just honk on the horn until the deer passes. In the event that a collision with a deer occurred, authorities advise that motorists and travelers stay inside the vehicle because the animal might still be alive and can cause harm. The best way to solve this problem according to USAA is to call road assistance or contact your auto insurance company immediately for help.
