Deer-vehicle collisions spike car insurance rates in West Virginia
From the Offices of the Insurance Commissioner – The state of West Virginia has completed a study concluding that the number of deer-related car accidents has gone up in the last decade, also increasing the state-wide losses to $52.1M, according to the West Virginia insurance Commission (http://www.wvinsurance.gov).
The average amount per car insurance claim for property damage involving a car collision with a deer has also increased to nearly $2,500 per claim.
- Worst months to drive: October, November, and December. This is both hunting season and mating season because deer have high population and are constantly on the move. In addition, daylight savings time and rush hour traffic coincide with dusk and dawn, when deer are most active.
- 1 in 63 licensed drivers had a car accident involving a deer in 2010.
- Deer account for 19% of car insurance claims for physical auto damage in 2010.
- The car insurance cost per auto for physical damage because of a deer is $50.16.
- Last year, West Virginia car insurance companies spent $46M on deer-vehicle collisions.
In 2010 there were 20,106 car insurance claims filed in West Virginia and the historical average had steadily climbed from about $1,600 per claim to now nearly $2,500, as you see in the graph below.
In addition, the total costs of car insurance claims involving deer also are higher than ever in West Virginia.
DID YOU KNOW? West Virginia drivers are 75% more likely to encounter deer on the roads than any other state!
The economic impact of such car insurance claims is evident. Car insurance companies in West Virginia compete to retain their consumers as their premiums go through the roof. Fewer and fewer people in West Virginia can afford such collision coverage; the car insurance companies in West Virginia and the State cannot afford it any longer.
How to Keep Your Rates Low and Get Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in West Virginia
There are 2 things that auto insurance companies in West Virginia must offer to their consumers:
- Comprehensive coverage – Comprehensive car insurance is sometimes called collision coverage and provides a driver with coverage for incidents not already included in their car insurance policy. Fire, theft and collision, for example, are covered under comprehensive car insurance.
- Offer a high deductible – This is the part of your car insurance benefits that pays for the damages after a deer-vehicle collision. Get the highest deductible you can for the lowest monthly rate.
By law, your deductibles for car insurance in West Virginia should match the following:
$10,000 for property damages
$20,000 for one accident, one injury/death
$40,000 for one accident, two injuries/deaths
Searching online for cheap car insurance quotes in West Virginia is the best thing you can do. Find a cheap insurance quote and present it to your current car insurance company. Ask them to match it, or offer you additional coverage for a lower price. If your car insurance company won’t match the cheaper car insurance quote, then consider switching car insurance companies.
The numbers above are minimum deductible and you can always purchase more coverage.
Car Insurance is the Law
In West Virginia, when you register your vehicle or renew your registration, the DMV will request proof of insurance. You may also be required to provide proof of insurance randomly throughout the year. You must carry this proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times because law enforcement officers will ask for it as well.
