Drivers filed 1.7 million animal-collision insurance claims from 2024 to 2025Cars, animals and roads don’t mix well.Drivers filed 1.7 million animal-collision claims from July 2024 to June 2025, leaving insurers with an average bill of around $5,000, according to an analysis of national auto insurance claims by Texas-based Aulsbrook Car & Truck Wreck Injury Lawyers. Nationally, the total cost of animal collisions - which includes emergency services and medical bills - is staggering.“Beyond driver safety, motor vehicle/animal collisions also cost the U.S. economy more than $10 billion every year due to medical expenses, vehicle damage, emergency response callouts, and insurance payouts,” the study noted.AdvertisementAdvertisementDeer are the most common collision victims, making up 1.1 million of the 1.7 million claims filed.The odds of hitting an animal vary widely by state. Using data from insurer State Farm, the study found that West Virginia has the highest odds of animal collisions at 1 in 38 drivers.One fall month is considered the most dangerous for collisions between animals and vehicles (AFP via Getty Images)Following West Virginia were Florida (1 in 46), Kansas and North Dakota (1 in 54) and Idaho, Wisconsin and Wyoming (1 in 57).Meanwhile, Hawaii had the lowest odds of animal collisions at 1 in every 7,983 drivers, followed by Rhode Island (1,256), California (1 in 1,140), Arizona (1 in 482) and Massachusetts (1 in 471).AdvertisementAdvertisementOne month is the most dangerous for animal collisions due to several different factors.“November consistently ranks as the danger month, driven by a combination of the deer mating season and the end of daylight saving time, which means dark roads and low motorist visibility just as deer are most active,” the study noted.Drivers in states with high animal collision rates can take several steps to protect themselves, said Franklin Manchester, principal global insurance advisor at risk management firm SAS.Swerving to avoid a collision is dangerous for multiple reasons, Manchester told The Independent.AdvertisementAdvertisementDrivers with comprehensive car insurance - commonly bought along with collision coverage - are covered if they hit an animal, in most cases, and won’t face premium increases because of it.However, comprehensive may not cover a driver if they swerve and hit a tree or oncoming traffic, Manchester said.“If you swerve and damage the vehicle, your insurance company may say that's a collision loss, which can come with fault assignment and surcharges,” he said.If the driver is assigned fault by the insurance company, they’ll likely face higher premiums.Swerving can increase the chances of a more serious accident, too, Manchester said.Driving at night in November increases the chances of drivers colliding with an animal (AFP via Getty Images)While it’s common for car owners to drop comprehensive coverage once their car is older, dropping comprehensive may not make sense for drivers in states with high animal collision rates, such as West Virginia and Florida. Even those who don’t live in high-risk states can benefit from comprehensive’s relatively broad coverage.AdvertisementAdvertisement“I would counsel those with older vehicles to not drop comprehensive coverage, because it's significantly less expensive than collision as a percentage of overall policy premium,” Manchester said. “While it's not a required coverage in most cases, in addition to animal collision, comprehensive also provides coverage for theft, fire and even windshield damage.”
+75 others
