This document contains the hard information about cars, deer and one insurance company's statistical information about claims. I received it in response to a question asked of Erie Insurance Co. corparate communications office.  It covers several states that the Erie Insurance Co. has policies in effect for vehicle coverage.

        After the recent thread regarding deer and people, I figured that this would be the most direct source.  Information for the 2003 claims year has not yet be tabulated.  It will be a few months till it is available.  This document is current to 2002.

2002 Companywide Deer Claim Statistics

• 2.2 million vehicles insured for Comprehensive
• 27,100 deer claims
• Losses from deer claims in NY and PA account for about 45% of all Comprehensive losses in these states.
• The average number of deer claims per 1,000 vehicles insured was 12
• Deer claim frequency is the highest in WV (21 claims/1000 vehicles), NY (17 claims/1000 vehicles), and PA (15 claims/1000 vehicles).
• The average cost of a deer claim was $1,960

Findings

        The findings from the original 1999 deer study are still valid today, and the pattern of deer claims will probably continue into the future. Specifically, half of all our deer claims occur during the months of October, November, and December.  The month of November has more deer claims than any other month. In all states, the first two of weeks of November have more deer claims than any other two-week period during the year (this time period coincides with the peak of the mating season).

        Deer claims are most likely to occur in the early morning or evening hours. In fact, 50% of deer claims occur between 5 p.m. and midnight, and another 20% of claims occur between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Indiana

        Indiana was one of the few states that had an increase in deer claim frequency during 2002. The frequency increased from about 6 claims per 1,000 vehicles to 7 claims per 1,000 vehicles. From 1998 through 2002, deer claim frequency in Indiana has risen by 30%; however, the Indiana frequency is still well below the Companywide frequency of 12.

Here are Indiana statistics regarding deer claims in 2002 as compared to 2001:

• 98,000 vehicles insured for Comprehensive
• 676 deer claims
• The average number of deer claims per 1,000 vehicles insured was 7
• The average cost of a deer claim was $2,280
• We need to charge each vehicle insured $16 to cover the losses from deer claims.

Maryland

        Deer claim frequency in Maryland improved by 10% in 2002; however, deer claim frequency increased by 16% for the group of eastern counties that border Delaware (Kent, Queen Annes, Caroline, Talbot, Dorchester, and Wicomico).

Here are some Maryland statistics regarding deer claims in 2002 as compared to 2001:

• 252,000 vehicles insured for Comprehensive
• 2,200 deer claims
• The average number of deer claims per 1,000 vehicles insured was 9
• The average cost of a deer claim was $2,050
• Deer claim frequency is highest in the western counties, particularly Garrett County. In 2002,Garrett County had a frequency of 34 deer claims per 1,000 vehicles

New York

        Only West Virginia has a higher deer claim frequency than New York.

Here are New York statistics regarding deer claims in 2002 as compared to 2001:

• 72,000 vehicles insured for Comprehensive
• 1,200 deer claims
• The average number of deer claims per 1,000 vehicles insured was 17
• The average cost of a deer claim was $1,900
• Historically, deer claim frequency has been the highest along the southern tier (Allegany, Steuben, and Tioga Counties); however, there are several other counties throughout the state with high deer claim frequency (i.e. Franklin, Jefferson, Schoharie).

Ohio

        Deer claim frequency is much higher in the eastern and southern part of Ohio as compared to the western part of the state.

Here are some Ohio statistics regarding deer claims in 2002 as compared to 2001:

• 215,000 vehicles insured for Comprehensive
• 1,450 deer claims
• The average number of deer claims per 1,000 vehicles insured was 7
• The average cost of a deer claim was $2,300

Pennsylvania

Comparing deer claims in 2002 to 2001, the following facts are of importance:

• Deer claims during the two-week deer hunting season were down 18% (1,500 to 1,240).
• Deer claims on the opening day of hunting season were down 16% (200 to 169).
• Deer claims during October – December were down 7% (8,600 to 8,000).
• Deer claims during January – September were up 1% (8,600 to 8,675).
• For the 2003 hunting season (which will run from Dec 1 – Dec 13), the antlered and antlerless seasons will run simultaneously as they did in 2001 and 2002. As in prior years, we should expect a significant number of deer claims on opening day and the first Saturday of the season.

Here are some Pennsylvania statistics regarding deer claims in 2002 as compared to 2001:

• 1,149,000 vehicles insured for Comprehensive
• 16,700 deer claims
• The average number of deer claims per 1,000 vehicles insured was 15
• The average cost of a deer claim was $1,930
• Deer claim frequency was highest along the northern tier (Sullivan, Susquehanna, Potter, and Tioga Counties) and for some southern counties (Huntington, Fulton, and Bedford Counties). Sullivan County had a deer claim frequency of 76 claims per 1,000 vehicles, more than 30% higher than any other county. In Fulton County, deer claim frequency improved by almost 30%, but it still has one of the highest frequencies in the state.

Virginia

Here are some Virginia statistics regarding deer claims in 2002 as compared to 2001:

• 180,000 vehicles insured for Comprehensive
• 1,860 deer claims
• The average number of deer claims per 1,000 vehicles insured was 10
• The average cost of a deer claim was $1,750
• Deer claim frequency is the highest in the central part of the state.

West Virginia

        West Virginia's deer claim frequency is the highest of all states (21 claims per 1,000 vehicles insured).

Here are some West Virginia statistics regarding deer claims in 2002 as compared to 2001:

• 97,000 vehicles insured for Comprehensive
• 2,000 deer claims
• The average number of deer claims per 1,000 vehicles insured was 21
• The average cost of a deer claim was $1,780
• Deer claim frequency is the highest in the northern and central part of the state.

Tips for Avoiding Deer-Vehicle Collisions

Erie Insurance Group offers the following information and precautionary measures to help motorists avoid collisions with deer:

• Stay alert, awake, and sober. Always wear your seatbelt and drive at a safe, sensible speed for conditions. Deliberately look for deer, particularly when driving during peak collision times.
• Most deer-vehicle collisions occur in the months of October, November, and December. Peak times for collisions are the last week of October and the first two weeks of November. Motorists should also be extremely alert for deer while driving during hunting season. Deer are more active from hunting pressure, and thus, many deer-vehicle collisions occur during hunting season.
• Highest-risk periods are from sunset to midnight and the hours shortly before and after sunrise.
• Drive with extreme caution, at or below the posted speed limit, in areas with deer-crossing signs, in areas known to have a large population of deer, in places where deer commonly cross roads, and in areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forestland.
• When driving at night, use high-beam headlights when there is no opposing traffic. The high-beams will illuminate the eyes of deer on or near a roadway. Watch for the reflection of deer eyes and for deer silhouettes on the shoulder of the road. High-beam headlights will not necessarily frighten a deer, so do not rely on the high-beams to deter deer, but rather rely on them to better illuminate them.
• Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences, and reflectors to deter deer, as these devices have not been proven to reduce deer-vehicle collisions.
• Deer are often unpredictable, especially when faced with glaring headlights, blowing horns, and fast-moving vehicles. Sometimes they stop in the middle of the road when crossing. Sometimes they cross  quickly and come back. Sometimes they move toward an approaching vehicle. Assume nothing, slow down, and blow your horn to urge the deer to leave the road. If the deer stays on the road, stop, put on your hazard lights, and wait for the deer to leave the roadway; do not try to go around the deer while it is on the road.
• Deer frequently travel in groups and in single file. If you see one deer on or near the road, expect that others may follow.
• Don’t swerve your vehicle to avoid striking a deer. If a collision with a deer is eminent, then hit it while maintaining full control of your vehicle. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their cars.
• If you do strike a deer, and are uncertain whether or not the deer is dead, then keep your distance, as this is an injured, wild animal with sharp hooves that can inflict injuries. If the deer is blocking the roadway and poses a danger to other motorists, you should report the incident to the Game Commission or a local law enforcement agency.

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