Car insurance for animal collisions

*Listed countries were chosen based on most cars per capita; minimum population three million.¹²*The systematic collection of roadkill data (numbers) is not completed in most countries, so we’ve identified ‘hotspots’ for 10 selected countries using reliable sources.

Is hitting a kangaroo an at fault claim?

If you are concerned that colliding with a kangaroo or another large animal could be considered an at fault claim, it’s a good idea to check with your insurer. All policies differ from one another, so contacting the company you are looking to purchase with should give you more insight into what they cover and the criteria surrounding the making of a claim.

What are the leading causes that contribute to roadkill?

Urbanisation

The landscape has changed. Roads, bridges and tunnels have displaced and impinged upon millions of animals, forcing them to roam into human environments. What’s more, when roads and highways connect cities, they disrupt water and food source routes used by animals for centuries.¹³

Intentional vehicle-animal collisions

According to a journal article published in the Human Dimensions of Wildlife, motorists (2.7 per cent) intentionally hit animals.14 The Canadian researchers used fake reptiles along with inanimate objects (e.g. soda bottles) to test which drivers will more often hit. Unfortunately, the study found decoy snakes recorded a higher rate of collision. It’s less likely a human would hit a larger animal intentionally, in most cases a mixture of speed, low visibility and animal unpredictability are leading causes.

Delays in roadkill clean up – or no clean up at all

While most states and shires offer roadkill removal, there are still incidences of scavenger animals, like bald eagles in the United States, suffering the same demise as their meal.

The cost of collisions with animals

When a car collides with an animal, it can leave so much more damage than just a few scratches on the bumper. Often, the animal will be injured, or killed. What’s more, the deceased animal may leave behind orphaned offspring with little chance of survival without human intervention.

There is also a human toll in collisions with animals. Drivers and passengers may be injured in crashes, particularly if they collide with a large animal or swerve into the path of other obstacles, e.g. another car. One of the worst regions for fatalities is Ontario, Canada. Five people are killed on average every year in collisions with Cervidae, e.g. deer or caribou.¹⁵

The cost of animal-car collisions keeps rising when you consider injuries sustained in these accidents, damage caused to cars – not to mention the cost of roadkill removal by city services.

How are we minimising collisions?

Here are some preventative measures designed to enhance driver safety and protect native wildlife.

Older technology used throughout the years:

New technology that has recently rolled out or is currently in the works include:

In Australia, the Tasmanian Government released the ‘Roadkill TAS App’, which allows you to report the details of roadkill you encounter (e.g. species and precise location of the deceased animal) to the state government.¹⁷ The government then collates this data and deploys preventative measures in high-risk areas.

Other similar apps exist around the world, including Europe.¹⁸

Furthermore, researchers at Virginia Tech are refining detection technology, including sensors, both in the vehicle and in road infrastructure.¹⁹ The detectors would alert drivers of an animal’s presence in the area.

Organisations like Project Roadkill, coordinated by the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, aims to create awareness and reduce the
number of animals killed on roads in Europe.²⁰

While there’s no perfect solution, there’s a real possibility that with the advancement of technology (e.g. motion detectors, autonomous driving), animal roadkill can become a rare sighting in the future.

Seven ways to help avoid a collision with an animal

Whether you’re driving on the motorway, a country road or a residential street, the threat of a collision is ever-present. Use the following techniques to reduce the odds of a vehicle/animal collision:

Source: NSW Government.²¹ The Humane Society of the United States.²²

What should you do if you come across an animal on the road?

Use an animal rescue kit

This type of improvised kit can include dog biscuits to lure reluctant animals off the road, a looped collar to capture dogs or cats, a collapsible carrier (for small animals), a blanket and a list of numbers for veterinarians and animal shelters. Take caution when approaching any type of animal, including dogs which may have rabies.

Call local city services to move the deceased animal

Suppose you accidentally kill an animal or come across a deceased animal on the road. In that case, call your local council or city services so that they can organise the removal safely. Furthermore, removing the animal will deter other animals from being attracted to the area.

Check the area for survivors

As heartbreaking as it is, there may be orphaned babies nearby after a fatality. When the area is safe and clear, check for survivors. Once again, keep a list of numbers for vets and animal shelters to ensure these animals aren’t left abandoned.

Sources