As state heads into peak car-deer collision season, insurers have advice
Car vs. deer crashes can happen anytime, anywhere. But the chances that
The risk does not drop much when the calendar flips to December, another active month for deer and car crashes. And the odds remain high during the other 10 months of the year, too.
The insurance giant says that 1 of every 64 drivers in
By comparison,
Why so high here? Minnesota’s deer population is stable or trending upward throughout much of the state, said
But deer aren’t just in rural areas, the state’s
A
Drive reader Mary wanted to know if insurance would cover her if she swerved but hit a deer.
It’s always best to check with your insurance agent, but “auto accidents involving animals are, generally, covered under comprehensive or ‘Other Than Collision’ coverage on a personal auto policy,” said
Here are some other tips and suggestions to avoid car-deer mishaps, offered by traffic safety experts and insurance specialists.
Drive like a
Find middle ground: On a multilane road, stick to the middle. That provides more time to avoid hitting an animal that’s crossing, whether coming from the left or right.
Improve night vision: Deer and other animals are most active between dusk and dawn, so use high beams to illuminate the road, provided there’s no oncoming traffic. Or just drive during the day when visibility is better.
Think twice: Deer often travel in pairs or packs, so if you see one, expect others to follow. Scan the shoulders of the road and look for reflection of deer eyes and for deer silhouettes. If anything looks suspicious, slow down.
Expect the unexpected: Deer are unpredictable. They stop in the middle of the road when crossing and occasionally cross and quickly recross. Use your horn to coax them off the road, but don’t try to drive around deer.
If you do crash: Pull your car to safety, call 911 and stay away from the animal. It may panic and cause more harm to you or your vehicle.
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