The data summary of BTA Baltic Insurance Company AAS (BTA) indicates an increased volume, for the past winter, of CASCO insurance claims and indemnities for car damages related to broken auto glass, collisions with wild animals and natural disasters.

Within the timeframe from December 2019 through February 2020, 17.2% of CASCO insurance claims were regarding broken auto glass compared to 15.1% for the same period a year ago. Whereas the proportion of damage due to natural disasters has increased from 0.4% to 0.9% of cases. Considerably – from 0.4% to 1.1% within a year’s period – has increased the number of claims for damages due to collisions with wild animals.

“The increased incidence of collisions with wild animals probably is attributable to the snowless winter, when the visibility on roads was poorer because of the dark season, and the lack of snow enhanced animals easier getting on the road,” explains BTA Insurance Claims Handling Department Director Kārlis Liepiņš.

The largest claim amounts have been for damaged auto glass. There has been a rise from 4.6% in previous year to 5.5% within the timeframe from December 2019 through February 2020. The total amount of CASCO insurance claims made for damages resulting from collisions with wild animals has had a yearly increase from 0.5% to 1.5% of the total claims made. 

“This winter, cars got damaged more by fallen trees during storms, smashing glass and damaging car body, while the year ago a larger threat came from snow and ice falling from rooftops,” says K. Liepiņš.

As the weather becomes more spring-like, drivers should be more watchful for pits in road surface that have originated during winter and not yet been mended. Also, the State Police urges drivers to take care of the safety of their own and other road users and not to rush with seasonal tyre change. As of 1^st of March, tyres meant for driving in winter conditions, may be replaced, nevertheless the police requests using common sense and acting according to the actual weather conditions, using tyres to maintain safety on roads.

“Although winter tyres on vehicles are not mandatory as of 1^st of March, the weather conditions are still changing – days become warmer and the bright rays of the sun may give the impression that spring is already here, temperatures during night and early in mornings may easily drop below zero centigrade, thus resulting in ice coating on roads,” the State Police has warned.

About BTA

BTA Baltic Insurance Company is one of the leading insurance companies in the Baltics, offering the broadest range of non-life insurance services in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. BTA employs more than 1,000 employees in the Baltics. The largest shareholder of BTA is Vienna Insurance Group AG with close to 200 years of experience in the insurance business. With about 50 companies in 25 countries and more than 25,000 employees, Vienna Insurance Group is a clear market leader in its CEE markets. Vienna Insurance Group is the best-rated company of ATX, the leading index of Vienna Stock Exchange with a rating of A+ with stable outlook from Standard & Poor’s; its share is also listed on the Prague Stock Exchange.

Additional information:

Elīna Rasmane

Marketing and Public Relations Department Director

BTA Baltic Insurance Company AAS

e-mail elina.rasmane@bta.lv