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FAQ: Traveling With Auto Insurance Coverage
How will hitting an animal with my car affect my auto insurance coverage?
The animal lover in all of us always winces when we see a dead animal lying on the side of the road. Hitting an animal is not only gruesome and depressing, it can be also quite dangerous for the driver. On top of everything, a collision with an animal could mean bad news for your auto insurance coverage.
Deer, because of their large numbers, are most typically involved in collisions. On average, a collision with a deer results in an auto insurance claim yielding $2000 in repair costs. Even worse, people and animals can be injured. Annually, around 7000 motorists are injured from these collisions, with over 100 fatalities. These collisions are also responsible for the deaths of an estimated 350,000 deer every year.
Although accidents involving deer are much more common, a collision with a moose can be far more severe for the motorist due to the animal's greater body weight and higher center of gravity.
As with deer, to avoid crashing into a moose or other animal, be particularly cautious during early morning hours (from 4 to 6 a.m.) and evening hours (between 6 to 11 p.m.). When considering crash statistics involving all animals, nighttime is always the most dangerous for both drivers and wildlife.
Whether your accident involves another motorist or a four-legged friend, it's still an accident and must be reported. If you're an Esurance policyholder, you can report minor damage online. You can also call us 24/7 at 1-800-ESURANCE (1-800-378-7262.) It's also important to report the injured or killed animal to the highway patrol or animal control.
When you're driving in a wildlife-rich area (especially during peak hours) be sure to use caution. Bambi and Bullwinkle will thank you.
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