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After a harrowing encounter with a deer in southeastern Pennsylvania this fall, Chrissi Rhodes Villa has a simple message for you.

“Please be careful on the roads and watch for deer,” she said.

In an instant, a deer bounded into the road and collided with their car, one of nearly 2 million crashes with animals every year.

“We weren’t going fast,” Rhodes Villa said. “It just happened so fast.”

It’s not an unusual occurrence, especially in October, November and December. U.S. drivers on average have a 1 in 116 chance of a collision with an animal, according to the State Farm^® annual study. There were over 1.9 million animal collision insurance claims in the U.S. between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020.

Pennsylvania ranks third in the country with drivers having a 1-in-51 chance of an animal collision. West Virginia (1-in-37) again tops the list, followed by Montana (1-in-47). South Dakota and Michigan round out the top five, followed by Wisconsin, Iowa, Mississippi, Minnesota and Wyoming.

The large majority of animal collisions are with deer. For the year July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 there were estimated to be 1.5 million deer claims industry-wide.

“Claims after collisions with an animal range from small dents to totaled vehicles and injured drivers and passengers,” says Michael Braaten, director, Enterprise Research. “By sharing ways to help drivers be aware of the increased dangers this time of year – including inclement weather, shorter periods of daylight and students driving home after evening activities – State Farm hopes to help decrease the number of collisions and injuries.”

Hawaii (1-in-649), Nevada (1-in-551) and California (1-in-427) are the states where drivers have the least chance of an animal collision.

How Can You Avoid Deer in Your Headlights?

Growing deer and other animal populations combined with the displacement of animal habitats are making animal crashes more likely. There’s no real way to keep large animals like deer, moose, and elk off the road, but these safety tips can help you prevent animal-car collisions.

• Stay alert. Pay attention to "deer crossing" and other signs and be cautious in areas near woods or water.

• Use high beams. Flicking your high beams on a deer in the road may cause the animal to scurry away. High beams also help illuminate dark roads.

• Don't swerve. If an animal-car crash is inevitable, maintain control of your vehicle and don't veer off the road.

• Brake as necessary. If you can avoid hitting the animal, reduce your speed, honk your horn and tap your brakes to warn other drivers. If there are no drivers behind you, brake hard.

• Remember peak season. Deer crashes happen most during October through December, which is hunting and mating season. Collisions are most likely to happen in West Virginia, Montana, Pennsylvania and South Dakota.

• Remember meal time. Watch for animals in the road between dusk and dawn.

• Watch for herds. If you see one deer, there are probably more nearby.

• Don't rely on a whistle. No scientific evidence supports that car-mounted deer whistles work.

• Wear seat belts. Always obey speed limits and wear seat belts.

“Please be careful on the roads and watch for deer,” she said.

In an instant, a deer bounded into the road and collided with their car, one of nearly 2 million crashes with animals every year.

“We weren’t going fast,” Rhodes Villa said. “It just happened so fast.”

It’s not an unusual occurrence, especially in October, November and December. U.S. drivers on average have a 1 in 116 chance of a collision with an animal, according to the State Farm^® annual study. There were over 1.9 million animal collision insurance claims in the U.S. between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020.

Pennsylvania ranks third in the country with drivers having a 1-in-51 chance of an animal collision. West Virginia (1-in-37) again tops the list, followed by Montana (1-in-47). South Dakota and Michigan round out the top five, followed by Wisconsin, Iowa, Mississippi, Minnesota and Wyoming.

The large majority of animal collisions are with deer. For the year July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 there were estimated to be 1.5 million deer claims industry-wide.

“Claims after collisions with an animal range from small dents to totaled vehicles and injured drivers and passengers,” says Michael Braaten, director, Enterprise Research. “By sharing ways to help drivers be aware of the increased dangers this time of year – including inclement weather, shorter periods of daylight and students driving home after evening activities – State Farm hopes to help decrease the number of collisions and injuries.”

Hawaii (1-in-649), Nevada (1-in-551) and California (1-in-427) are the states where drivers have the least chance of an animal collision.

How Can You Avoid Deer in Your Headlights?

Growing deer and other animal populations combined with the displacement of animal habitats are making animal crashes more likely. There’s no real way to keep large animals like deer, moose, and elk off the road, but these safety tips can help you prevent animal-car collisions.

Stay alert. Pay attention to "deer crossing" and other signs and be cautious in areas near woods or water.

Use high beams. Flicking your high beams on a deer in the road may cause the animal to scurry away. High beams also help illuminate dark roads.

Don't swerve. If an animal-car crash is inevitable, maintain control of your vehicle and don't veer off the road.

Brake as necessary. If you can avoid hitting the animal, reduce your speed, honk your horn and tap your brakes to warn other drivers. If there are no drivers behind you, brake hard.

Remember peak season. Deer crashes happen most during October through December, which is hunting and mating season. Collisions are most likely to happen in West Virginia, Montana, Pennsylvania and South Dakota.

Remember meal time. Watch for animals in the road between dusk and dawn.

Watch for herds. If you see one deer, there are probably more nearby.

Don't rely on a whistle. No scientific evidence supports that car-mounted deer whistles work.

Wear seat belts. Always obey speed limits and wear seat belts.

In the News

• AccuWeather.com:  Ways to steer clear of deer this year (11/10/20)

“IT” happens here

Instead of soaring to a city far away, the annual conference, called the IT Symposium, takes place within the walls of State Farm. It’s open to more than 50,000 employees, and no one has to travel out of town. Held in October, the event is known for hosting tech experts, award winning keynote speakers, digital workshops, interactive presentations and a multi-day Tech Expo packed with vendors, booths, IT demonstrations and giveaways.

“Technology is changing the economic landscape. This event keeps us ahead of the curve,” said Infrastructure Analyst Casey Biddle.

It's a can’t-miss.

Biddle joined State Farm in 1983. He’s been to every IT Symposium.

“Some may call me a dinosaur,” he smiled. “But, witnessing firsthand how technology has evolved from then to now is amazing.”

When Biddle came on board, email, smartphones and social media didn’t exist.

“We had a basket on our desk where paper memos were dropped – that’s how we got information,” said Biddle. “In those days, my computer didn’t even have a mouse. I used arrow keys.”

Fast Forward to 2019 – a lot has changed.

“There isn’t a symposium that goes by that I don’t learn something,” Biddle said. “This event sheds light on new projects and ways of working. When leaders share their vision for the future, it promotes change adoption. This is a great way to get people on board as we continue to evolve.”

What’s the secret to staying current?

"Get as much exposure as you can,” said Biddle. "I would have never thought technology could change jobs as much as it has. From drones, to cloud-based services, to artificial intelligence. No matter your role, learn about tech, follow it. The IT Symposium makes the task easier.”

It's an investment in talent, teamwork and the future - that Biddle says, is paying off.

“I've been a software developer, worked on apps, supported unified media - needless to say, State Farm is a great place to work. Just look at my track record! Thirty-six years and counting.”

New Hires: Here’s What They’re Saying

“State Farm lives up to its title as a Good Neighbor company. I see it in many ways – including how it develops employees. Events like the IT Symposium foster collaboration among departments.”

-Jacob Schroeder (3 years) Software Developer

“The IT Symposium not only teaches me about current technologies, it also makes me aware of future-state capabilities. It feels good to work for a company dedicated to continuous improvement.”

- Sudha Nandam (2 years) Software Developer

“I’m amazed by the company’s commitment to knowledge. This event is a fun and educational way to learn about technology. It truly promotes understanding.”

- Thomas Emola (9 weeks) Software Developer

Fun Facts:

• The IT Symposium began in 2009.
• It’s open to more than 50,000 employees.
• In 2019 the Tech Expo hosted more than 200 booths.
• Award winning keynote speakers including tech evangelist Guy Kawasaki have presented there.
• In 2019, a 120-pound drivable robot rolled through. It also shot basketballs.

Teaming up with Amazon, State Farm is developing a new skill for Alexa that could allow seniors to stay independent longer in their homes. Their care circle of family and friends can have an easy way to stay connected and help coordinate care virtually. A limited trial is currently being conducted, with plans to launch broadly in 2020.

“Through this work, we’re able to provide a new, innovative offering that could improve the quality of life and care for seniors and help give their family members added peace of mind,” said Mark Oakley, Senior Vice President of Labs @ State Farm. “We are committed to helping life go right, and this unique voice solution will enhance our ability to do so right from peoples’ homes. As one of the caregivers to my late father, I know first-hand how impactful this capability could be for users and look forward to bringing this offering to life through Alexa.”

How it works

State Farm is developing an Alexa skill that is optimized for Amazon’s Echo Show, allowing the senior to use voice and touch interface. The Alexa skill then connects to the care circle through a State Farm-developed mobile app. The senior gets a personalized experience and virtual support through coordination and communication with their care circle.

Some of the features planned for this Alexa skill and care circle mobile app include:

• Quick check-in with the Alexa skill can reassure care circle via the mobile app
• Interactive dashboard on Echo Show with scrolling list of daily activities
• Tools in the mobile app to coordinate key tasks across the care circle
• Smart-suggestions from the mobile app to the senior’s Echo Show for events and activities
• Music and photos sent from the mobile app to the senior’s Echo Show
• Ability to view full calendar on both the Echo Show and mobile app with audio commands and visual display
• Social features on both Echo Show and mobile app to help everyone stay connected

The need is there

State Farm research indicates only about a third of people feel current technologies available today are useful in helping manage care of a loved one. And over half indicated they are interested in trying out an app that would help them coordinate care with their aging loved one. A report released earlier this year from a White House Task Force focused on aging adults says technology can help. Support aimed at helping seniors with daily living, transportation and social connection will be key in helping older Americans to ‘age in place’.

In the next decade, the U.S. will see an important demographic turning point according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By 2030, 1 out of 5 U.S. residents will be over the age of 65. A 2018 survey by AARP reveals 3 out of 4 adults age 50 and older want to stay in their homes as they age, and a 2017 Pew Research Report shows a significant increase in tech adoption among the aging population.

State Farm is working to help meet the needs of current and future customers in ways they may not ordinarily expect from a traditional insurance company. We have a rich heritage of innovation and continuously work on new technologies that will help us deliver products and services enabling people to live life more confidently.

Subrogation is typically the last phase of an insurance claims process, when one insurance company recovers claim costs it paid to its customer for damages from the at-fault party’s insurance company, which includes its customer’s deductible.

“Today, subrogation is a relatively manual, time-consuming process often requiring physical checks to be mailed on a claim-by-claim basis between insurers,” says Mike Fields, Innovation Executive, State Farm. “In 2018 alone, the total amount of dollars demanded and issued through the subrogation process was over $9.6 Billion for all insurance carriers. You can imagine the time and resources required to complete these transactions.”

Companies across many industries are using blockchain technology to securely store data and manage transactions. USAA and State Farm are testing how blockchain can be used to gain efficiencies in the subrogation process by securely and automatically compiling all subrogation payment amounts, netting the balance, and facilitating a single payment on a regular basis between insurers.

“The blockchain solution we are working on has many potential benefits,” says Ramon Lopez, Vice President, Innovation, USAA. “It helps us automate a manual process securely and creates a permanent transaction record of each payment which can easily be verified for accuracy. It also has the potential to decrease the amount of time for consumers to receive their deductible reimbursement.”

The blockchain subrogation solution is the first of its kind between two major leaders in the insurance industry. The companies began working together in early 2018 and plan to continue testing to determine if the blockchain solution can be a viable product for industry adoption.

What is Blockchain?

Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that can be used to manage transactions and store information using cryptography (i.e., mathematical algorithms and secret keys that encrypt data), peer-to-peer networking and data storage. This type of digital technology can create value for customers in ways that they wouldn’t expect from their insurance company. Subrogation is one example of where blockchain technology has the potential to reduce expenses while making processes more efficient and secure.

What is Subrogation?

Subrogation describes the right held by most insurance carriers to legally pursue a third party that caused a loss to an insured. Information about the claim is collected and the two insurance companies negotiate the claim amount. If an agreement is reached, the at-fault insurer submits payment to the other insurer on an individual claim basis. Insurance companies only share claim numbers and dollar amounts for subrogation purposes. No sensitive personal information is shared.

In the News:

• Forbes (7/18/19) State Farm And USAA See Stark Increase In Efficiency When Testing Blockchain Subrogation

• Digital Insurance (4/29/19) Inside State Farm's blockchain journey

• Forbes (4/16/19) Block Chain 50: Billion Dollar Babies