As the leaves start to turn and we embrace the sights and
scents of the autumn season in Western Pennsylvania we know that
another season is not far behind…..deer hunting season.
And with it usually comes the more frequent sight of deer
moving on or near the roads and an increase in comprehensive deer
claims. When you talk to
someone about the comprehensive coverage on their vehicle it is
usually deer claims that they are most concerned about – and in our
area, for good reason. Deer
can be unpredictable and erratic animals when it comes to the road and
our vehicles so it is beneficial that insurance companies do not
surcharge you for animal claims….BUT that doesn’t mean that deer
claims don’t affect your insurance rates or your ability to shop for
less expensive insurance.
First, comprehensive rates are based on everybody’s
experience. What I mean
is: if for example there were excessive deer claims in Indiana County
for a period of time, the insurance companies that sell coverage in
Indiana County would in turn have to raise their rates on
comprehensive coverage to compensate for the increase in claims.
That effects everyone that lives there – not just the people
who are having the claims. Second,
insurance companies will give discounts for policyholders that are
claims free – completely claims free – and that means a
comprehensive claim would disqualify you from receiving that discount.
Third, keep in mind that insurance companies have to look at
the bottom line when it comes to profitability.
As with any other business out there, if you can’t earn a
profit then you go out of business.
A policyholder can have a clean driving record with no moving
violations and no at-fault collision accidents but still be
unprofitable because they have repetitive comprehensive claims.
This can make shopping for new insurance difficult.
As I mentioned before, deer (and other wild animals) are
unpredictable and many times colliding with one is unavoidable.
But, the good news is there are things that you can do to
reduce your chances of having a deer-related collision and protecting
your good rates:
· Most deer-vehicle collisions occur in the months
of October, November, and December,
particularly during hunting season.
· The peak collision period is the first two weeks of November.
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· Other high-risk times include the last week of October and the
month of January.
· The highest-risk hours are between sunset and midnight and shortly
before and after
sunrise.
· Stay awake, alert and sober.
· Always wear your seatbelt.
· Drive at a safe, sensible speed for conditions.
· Increase the distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of
you, especially in wooded
areas.
· Deliberately look for deer, particularly when driving during peak
collision times.
· Be extra cautious in areas where deer commonly cross roads and
where roads divide
fields
from forests.
· When driving at night, use high-beam headlights - which illuminate
deer eyes - when
there is n
opposing traffic.
· Slow down and blow your horn to urge the deer to leave the road –
never rely on devices
such
as deer whistles, deer fences, and reflectors to
deter deer.
· If the deer stays on the road, stop, put on your hazard lights, and
wait for the deer to leave
the roadway.
· Never try to drive around a deer while it’s on the road.
· Never swerve your vehicle to avoid striking a deer - if a collision
is imminent, hit it while
maintaining full control of your vehicle.
