Accidents in Latvian regions – where should drivers be most careful?

Over the last three years, most (46%) CASCO insurance claims have been received for accidents in the Vidzeme region, according to information compiled by BTA Baltic Insurance Company AAS (hereinafter – BTA). Although road traffic accidents dominate in all regions of Latvia, the second most significant risk to cars is windshield damage. At the same time, the largest and most expensive accident was related to fire risks – in Ogre, a bus caught fire and burned two adjacent vehicles, causing losses of more than €340,000. As explained by Ivo Danče, Director of the BTA Insurance Claims Department, the claims data reflects not only the importance of safe driving, but also the risks to cars posed by changes in road surface conditions. 

Overall, the highest number of CASCO claims were registered in Vidzeme – 46%, followed by Kurzeme, where 21% of claims were recorded. Fewer claims – 18% – were recorded in Zemgale and Latgale – 15%. Looking at the municipalities, the highest number of accidents occurred in Liepāja, Jelgava, Ropaži Municipality, Valmiera Municipality, and Tukums Municipality. 

Damaged car windshields – in the regions, this is the most common risk to vehicles alongside traffic accidents 

In all regions of Latvia, a significant number of claims are for damage to cars caused by road traffic accidents – 69% in Zemgale, 68% in Vidzeme and Kurzeme, and 63% in Latgale. The second most common risk is windshield damage, and in the past three years, 26% of CASCO claims in Vidzeme were for damaged windshields, 25% in Kurzeme, 22% in Zemgale, and 19% in Latgale. 

"The compensation data clearly shows that drivers have to reckon not only with classic road accidents, but also with everyday risks arising from road surface conditions and seasonal circumstances. Gravel particles on the road can "bounce" while driving and cause an impact, damaging the windshield. Often, a single stone thrown up by the car in front is enough to cause a crack in the glass, which can later develop into more serious damage. For this reason, drivers should maintain a driving distance of at least 50 m and reduce their speed when traveling on gravel roads, which are particularly common in Latvia," says Ivo Danče. 

He adds that although windshield damage is often perceived as a relatively minor incident, if not repaired in time, it can impair visibility and endanger traffic safety. In addition, timely repairs are usually significantly cheaper than complete glass replacement, but in any case, a CASCO insurance policy covers these expenses. 

The largest compensation payments were made for accidents in Ogre, Jelgava, Tukums, Aizkraukle, and Smiltene 

Looking back over the last three years, the largest CASCO insurance claim was paid for an accident in Ogre – in this case, a short circuit caused one bus to catch fire, which then spread to two adjacent buses, with the total compensation for this accident reaching €340,000. 

Ivo Danče explains that although the average CASCO insurance payout is between €1,500 and €1,800, in serious accidents the losses can reach tens or even hundreds of thousands of euros, consisting of both repair costs and the cost of the lost vehicle. 

For example, in Jelgava district, in a serious collision involving several vehicles, one of the cars veered off the road after the impact and overturned. The insurance compensation paid amounted to €145,017. In Tukums district, in a serious accident involving a bus that veered off the road and crashed into a tree, causing extensive damage to the vehicle, the insurance compensation exceeded €81,000. In another case in the Aizkraukle area, a collision with a bus on a slippery road, caused by a trailer of an oncoming truck spinning out and blocking the other lane, resulted in losses of more than €77,000. Meanwhile, in the Smiltene district, a passenger car failed to observe the "Give Way" sign at an intersection and collided with a truck traveling on the main road, and the insurance compensation paid by BTA amounted to €50,280. 

Zemgale has the most accidents, Latgale has the most third-party damage to cars 

In Zemgale, road traffic accidents account for 69% of all CASCO claims, which is the highest proportion among Latvian regions, while in Latgale, damage caused by third parties is relatively more common than elsewhere, accounting for 3.8% of all claims. 

"There may be a number of reasons for the higher proportion of accidents in the Zemgale region, each of which has a greater or lesser impact on the circumstances of each accident – road surface quality, higher traffic intensity, frequent movement of trucks and, of course, the driving culture of motorists, etc. In contrast, in Latgale, we see relatively more frequent situations where vehicles are damaged in parking lots, courtyards, or near residential buildings as a result of the actions of third parties – for example, carelessly opening doors, manoeuvring in narrow areas, or deliberately damaging property. Although such cases often seem less significant than serious accidents, they account for a stable proportion of the overall statistics and generate regular expenses," concludes Ivo Danče. 

In his opinion, these data also confirm the need to think about car safety in a comprehensive manner, so it is important for drivers not only to adapt their driving style to road conditions, but also to carefully choose where to park their car and regularly monitor its technical condition.