Vehicle animal collisions are on the rise, according to State Farm, surpassing 2 million in its latest 12-month reporting period. According to its new data, taken from July 2020 to June of 2021 during the pandemic, animal collisions increased 7.2% from the prior reporting period. State Farm says an increase in speeding during the pandemic could be a factor in the increased number of animal vehicle collisions.
State Farm lists the top 5 states in terms of animal collisions (as tallied by the number of insurance claims) as:
There is a notable increase in the percentage of crashes in both Texas and California. The most dangerous months for animal collisions are November, October, and December.
For another perspective, State Farm looked at the LIKELIHOOD of drivers hitting an animal, and the results are a little different. In this analysis, researchers looked at the number of drivers and compared it to the number of insurance claims filed.
Compare those numbers to the District of Columbia where drivers have a much lower probability of 1 in 569 of hitting an animal.
“Animal collisions remind us of the intrinsic risk that comes with driving a motor vehicle that has the potential of travelling very fast. Scanning the road while we drive and avoiding speeding, which has been very prevalent during the pandemic, can avoid and reduce the severity of all kind of car crashes, including those where pets or wild animals are involved,” said Operations Vice President Kimberly Sterling, Auto Claims teams lead at State Farm.
As for what types of animals are most involved, it's a varied list. Here are the statistics for the recent 12-month reporting period:
For the calculation of the industry claim estimates, State Farm says it took into account the number of animal collisions claims it received, the company's market penetration (proprietary), and the number of licensed drivers in each state.
State Farm shares a list of 10 tips that could help you avoid a dangerous collision with an animal.:
If you do hit an animal, make sure you and your passengers are ok. State Farm advises you to call 911 if the animal is large and still there after you hit it. Also make sure your vehicle is safe to drive after the incident. It's also a good idea to take photos (when it's safe to do so).
Source: State Farm.