Autumn Raises Risk of Wildlife Collisions on Latvian Roads: Insurer and Instructor Offer Advice
Insurer BTA says about 10% of autumn KASKO claims involve collisions with wild animals. A safe-driving instructor offers tips for driving in the dark.
In Latvia, roughly 10% of autumn KASKO insurance claims are linked to vehicle collisions with wild animals, according to data from the insurer BTA Baltic Insurance Company (BTA). KASKO is voluntary insurance covering damage to the policyholder's own car. Over the past three autumns, the company has paid out almost 1.9 million euros in such claims, so drivers are advised to take extra care as nights lengthen.
Claims are rising
This September BTA received 17% more claims for cars damaged in wildlife collisions than in the same period last year. In autumn, animals search more actively for food and shelter before winter. By the insurer's estimate, about two-thirds of collisions involve large animals: elk, deer and roe deer. Wild boar, foxes, badgers, raccoon dogs and hares appear less often.
Ivo Danče, director of BTA's claims department, says repairs can cost several thousand euros even if the car can keep driving. The most commonly damaged parts are the bonnet, headlights, windscreen, wings and doors, while radiators and sensors may also suffer. Collisions with wild animals are not covered by compulsory OCTA motor liability policies.
The most expensive payout, over 32,000 euros, was made last October for a passenger car that hit a large animal; the whole body was damaged and the airbags deployed. In Balvi municipality, a collision with a deer produced a payout above 25,000 euros. In Bauska municipality, a Jeep driver trying to avoid an animal hit a tree and rolled over; the repair claim reached 21,400 euros.
Instructor's advice
Andris Vovers, a safe-driving instructor at the Raceway Baltic motorsport complex, says there is no universal formula, as an animal's reaction cannot be predicted. Before dark, drivers should check headlights, wipers and windscreen. He suggests practising obstacle avoidance several times in a safe setting.
In good conditions, emergency stopping distance including reaction time is about 45 metres at 70 km/h and 70 metres at 90 km/h; on wet autumn roads it can be much longer.
Key tips: slow down near forests, bushes and fields, as animals may travel in herds; if a collision is unavoidable, brake and avoid the oncoming lane; after a crash, switch on hazard lights, set out a warning triangle and call 112. Do not approach an injured animal. Hit animals can also be reported via the "Mednis" app.
