Is it better tech? Better brakes? Smarter deer? Whatever it is, don’t let your guard down.

  • Sharp drop in car-deer accidents reported to insurance companies
  • COVID-19 pandemic reduced the number of drivers on the road, resulting in fewer deer strikes
  • Claim frequency rebounded to around the 10-year average in 2021
  • Last year, the number of car-deer accidents plunged even lower than during peak lockdown
  • Insurers are unsure of the cause, but speculate changes in commuting patterns or variations in data
  • Newer automatic emergency braking systems and high-tech headlight systems may play a role
  • No evidence of fewer deer, as deer populations are believed to be stable or increasing
  • Drivers should remain cautious and follow recommended safety measures during deer mating season

Auto insurers are puzzled by a significant decrease in car-deer accidents reported last year. The COVID-19 pandemic played a role in reducing the number of drivers on the road, resulting in fewer deer strikes. However, claim frequency rebounded to the 10-year average in 2021. Last year, the number of car-deer accidents plunged even lower than during peak lockdown, leaving insurers scratching their heads. Possible factors such as changes in commuting patterns, newer automatic emergency braking systems, and high-tech headlight systems have been considered, but no definitive cause has been identified. Despite the decrease, drivers are advised to remain cautious and follow recommended safety measures during deer mating season.

Factuality Level: 7
Factuality Justification: The article provides information based on data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute. It acknowledges that the reason for the drop in car-deer accidents in 2020 is uncertain and presents possible explanations without making definitive claims. The article also provides recommendations from insurers for drivers to be cautious during deer mating season.
Noise Level: 4
Noise Justification: The article provides some relevant information about the decrease in car-deer accidents reported to insurance companies during the pandemic. However, it lacks in-depth analysis and evidence to explain the sharp drop in accidents last year. The article also includes some unrelated information about deer mating season and general tips for drivers, which adds to the noise level.
Financial Relevance: No
Financial Markets Impacted: No
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Rating Justification: The news article does not pertain to financial topics and does not describe any extreme events.
Public Companies: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (N/A)
Private Companies: Highway Loss Data Institute
Key People: Matt Moore (Senior Vice President of the Highway Loss Data Institute)

Reported publicly: www.marketwatch.com