As wildlife activity increases, the number of CASCO insurance claims for collisions with wild animals is 40% higher during the spring months, according to data from the insurance joint-stock company “BTA Baltic Insurance Company” (hereinafter – BTA). Last year, in 69% of claims drivers “encountered” roe deer, while the most expensive insurance payouts were made for collisions with elk. Ivo Danče, Director of the BTA Insurance Claims Department, explains that collisions with wild animals are both unpredictable and tragic – for drivers and animals alike. Even when travelling at low speed, such accidents can cause substantial damage to a vehicle, wrecking the front of the car, the lights, and also safety components and sensors.

Over the past three years, BTA has paid out 5.8 million euros in insurance claims for accidents involving collisions with wild animals; last year alone these amounted to more than 2 million euros. The average payout for such cases reached 3,270 euros last year.

In spring, the risk of colliding with wild animals increases substantially

Although collisions with wild animals can occur all year round, their frequency rises particularly in spring and also in autumn. Comparing the number of claims by month, January, February, March and April “stand out” the most – in these months, as well as in autumn, the number of claims for collisions with wild animals is 40% higher than in other periods of the year.

“In spring, animal activity increases rapidly, with roe deer, elk and other animals crossing roads more often, moving in groups or suddenly running out from the edge of the forest. At the same time, with the arrival of spring, drivers often develop a false sense of security – winter is behind them, driving seems easier, the hours of darkness have shortened, yet factors such as impaired visibility at dusk or the road surface in changeable weather conditions can still be decisive, especially in situations where the time available to avoid a collision with an animal is measured in seconds. For example, in Gulbene municipality, in foggy weather a driver hit a wild boar that suddenly ran out onto the road, damaging the car’s body and gearbox, and in this case the payout made by BTA exceeded 25,000 euros,” says Ivo Danče.

Overall, looking at the breakdown by municipality, over the past three years accidents in which cars collided with wild animals and for which claims were submitted occurred most frequently in Valmiera municipality, followed by Tukums, Kuldīga, Augšdaugava, Talsi, Cēsis, Limbaži, Dobele, Aizkraukle and Ogre municipalities.

Collisions with roe deer are the most frequent, those with elk the most expensive

Roe deer most often take drivers on Latvian roads by surprise – last year they were involved in 69% of BTA CASCO claims for collisions with wild animals. Considerably fewer accidents involved elk, red deer and wild boar – together roughly 14% of cases. Far fewer collisions were caused by foxes, hares, raccoon dogs, badgers and beavers.

“Every collision with a wild animal on the road is traumatic, both psychologically and financially. For the driver and passengers, it is not only the shock of what has happened, but also distress over the injured or killed animal. It is also a financial blow, as the damaged vehicle will most likely require extensive repairs. In practice we see that the larger the animal, the greater the damage – it is clear that an elk weighing 500 kg can pose a serious threat to road safety. In such accidents the driver or passengers are often injured as well – especially if the impact sends the animal “into” the car’s interior,” says Ivo Danče.

For example, one of the largest payouts, amounting to 32,000 euros, was made by BTA for a collision with an elk – the driver switched to dipped headlights in the dark because another car was approaching, and as a result failed to notice an elk that had stepped onto the road. The collision damaged the entire front of the car, including the windscreen, the left wing and the coolant tank. A driver in Balvi municipality found themselves in a similar situation, where a collision with an elk damaged the car’s windscreen, roof and front end, with the payout reaching 25,600 euros. The same kind of case was also recorded on the Preiļi – Aglona road, where the payout exceeded 24,000 euros, and in Ogre and Smiltene municipalities, where a collision with an elk damaged the entire front of the car and the losses came to around 22,800 euros.

Ivo Danče explains that after such accidents a car is mostly unfit for use on the road. This means that the person is left, at that moment, with a write-off or a badly smashed vehicle and repair costs running to several tens of thousands of euros. For this reason, people also include a replacement car service in their CASCO insurance policy, which allows them to retain the mobility they need day to day.

What should drivers bear in mind when encountering wild animals on the road?

Latvia has extensive forested areas, so drivers should pay particular attention to stretches of road marked with wild animal warning signs. Care should also be taken when driving during the twilight hours, i.e. early in the morning and late in the evening, when animal activity is at its highest. Animals may gather not only on wooded stretches of road, but also along stretches bordered by various crops, including winter crops, where the animals feed on the shoots. If one roe deer is visible, bear in mind that there may be others nearby, as these wild animals often move in groups.

“If a wild animal suddenly runs out onto the road, the instinctive attempt to avoid it by sharply turning the wheel can often end in even more serious consequences – running off the road or colliding with an oncoming vehicle. If possible, reduce speed and brake in a straight line, holding the wheel firmly. If a collision does occur, first make sure that no one is injured and that medical assistance is not required. Under no circumstances should you approach an injured animal – it may be aggressive and unpredictable. Switch on the hazard lights, set up a warning triangle and notify the State Police. In the case of CASCO, it is important to inspect the car, photograph the scene and the damage caused to the vehicle, and then contact the insurer to submit a claim,” urges Ivo Danče.