More collisions with wild animals in spring – 69% of cases involve damage to cars caused by roe deer

With the increased activity of wild animals, the number of CASCO insurance claims for collisions with wild animals is 40% higher in the spring months, according to data from the insurance company BTA Baltic Insurance Company (hereinafter – BTA). Last year, 69% of claims involved collisions with roes, while the most expensive insurance claims were paid out for collisions with elks. Ivo Danče, Director of the BTA Insurance Claims Department, explains that collisions with wild animals are not only unpredictable but also tragic – both for drivers and animals. Even when driving at low speeds, such accidents can cause significant damage to the vehicle, destroying the front of the car, lights, as well as safety features and sensors. 

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

The risk of collisions with wild animals increases significantly in spring 

Although collisions with wild animals can occur throughout the year, their intensity increases in spring and autumn. Comparing the number of claims by month, January, February, March, and April stand out the most—during these months, as well as in the fall, 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 roes, elks and other animals crossing roads more frequently, moving in herds or suddenly running out of the forest. At the same time, with the arrival of spring, drivers often have a false sense of security – winter is behind them, driving seems easier, the hours of darkness have decreased, However, factors such as poor visibility at dusk or road conditions in changing weather can still be decisive, especially in situations where the time to avoid a collision with an animal is measured in seconds. For example, in Gulbene district, during foggy weather, a driver hit a wild boar that suddenly ran out onto the road, damaging the car's body and gearbox, for which BTA paid compensation in excess of €25,000 in this case," says Ivo Danče, Director of the BTA Insurance Claims Department. 

Overall, looking at the breakdown by district, in the last three years, the most frequent accidents involving collisions with wild animals and for which compensation claims were filed occurred in Valmiera district, followed by Tukums, Kuldīga, Augšdaugava, Talsi, Cēsis, Limbaži, Dobele, Aizkraukle, and Ogre districts. 

The most frequent collisions are with roe deer, the most expensive with elks 

Roe deer are the most common surprise for drivers on Latvian roads – last year, they were involved in 69% of BTA CASCO insurance claims for collisions with wild animals. Significantly fewer accidents involved elks, deer, and wild boars – a total of about 14% of cases. Significantly fewer collisions were caused by foxes, hares, raccoons, 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 the distress of seeing an 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 a 500 kg elk can be a serious threat to road safety. Often, the driver or passengers are also injured in such accidents, especially if the animal ends up inside the car as a result of the collision," says Ivo Danče. 

For example, one of the largest claims, amounting to EUR 32,000, was paid by BTA for a collision with an elk – the driver turned on his low beams in the dark because another car was approaching, but did not notice the elk that had come out onto the road. The collision damaged the entire front of the car, including the windshield, the left fender, and the coolant reservoir. A similar situation occurred in Balvi district, where a collision with an elk damaged the windshield, roof, and front of a car, resulting in compensation of €25,600. A similar case was recorded on the Preiļi–Aglona road, where the compensation exceeded €24,000, and in the Ogre and Smiltene districts, where the entire front of the car was damaged after a collision with an elk, with losses amounting to approximately €22,800. 

Ivo Danče explains that after such accidents, the car is mostly unusable in traffic. This means that the person is left with a written-off or severely damaged vehicle and repair costs amounting to tens of thousands of euros. For this reason, people also include a car replacement service in their comprehensive insurance policy, which allows them to maintain their daily mobility. 

What should drivers consider when encountering wild animals on the road? 

Latvia has extensive forested areas, so drivers should pay special attention to road sections marked with warning signs about wild animals. You should also be careful when driving at dusk, i.e., early in the morning and late in the evening, when animal activity is at its highest. Animals can gather not only in wooded areas, but also along roadsides where various crops are grown, including winter crops, where animals feed on plant shoots. If you see one roe deer, keep in mind that there may be others nearby, as these forest animals often move in herds. 

"If a forest animal suddenly runs out onto the road, an instinctive attempt to avoid it by turning the steering wheel sharply can often lead to even more serious consequences – running off the road or colliding with an oncoming vehicle. If possible, reduce your speed and brake in a straight line, holding the steering wheel firmly. If a collision does occur, first check whether anyone has been injured and whether medical assistance is required. Under no circumstances should you approach an injured animal – it may be aggressive and unpredictable. Switch on your hazard lights, place a warning triangle and report the accident to the State Police. In the case of comprehensive insurance, it is important to inspect the car, photograph the scene of the accident and the damage to the vehicle, and then contact the insurer to file a claim," advises Ivo Danče.