“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)

“Current State Farm driving data and claims experience show a considerable decline in miles driven and fewer accidents,” said VPA Terry Barton. “As a result, we’re looking for ways to continue supporting our South Dakota customers while we monitor and adjust to trends.”

In addition to the auto rate reduction, the discount for participating in Drive Safe & Save™ is increasing to 10%, and empowers drivers to save more on their auto premiums through driving behaviors.

Rate changes in South Dakota are subject to regulatory review. Customer rate reductions will vary based on their individual renewals. Customers are encouraged to visit with their State Farm agent about individual policies, coverage and any opportunities for discounts, including Drive Safe & Save.

“Deer” is the fourth commercial to launch in the 2018-19 basketball season. Four more are scheduled in 2019. They all communicate that whether it’s the game of basketball or the game of life, when you have a trusted playmaker like a State Farm agent on your team, you can always trust that they’ve “got you.”

State Farm kicked off the 2018-19 NBA season with three spots that debuted on NBA Opening Day (October 16, 2018). They continue the relationship between Chris Paul and his State Farm agent Cole Perez, played by actor Oscar Nuñez. The spots also feature Chris’ Houston Rockets teammate James Harden, and a cameo by Ty Teveldal, a real State Farm agent from Sioux Falls, SD.

Links and details about the commercials:

• In RoboAgent, Cole, Chris and James receive a visit from a knockoff robot created by a rival insurance company to compete with State Farm and the value of its agents. To James and Chris’s bemusement, the robot looks like Cole. In the end, a robotic display of emotion reveals the knockoff .can’t replicate the humanity and compassion of a State Farm agent.

• Nice Moments has Chris and Cole staring at clouds sitting on Cole’s car while they wait for help with a flat tire. To Chris’s confusion, Cole thinks every cloud looks like an overly detailed insurance disaster waiting to happen. This prompts Chris to suggest a vacation, to which Cole replies, “You know Chris, some of us don’t have an offseason.”

• In 19k Jerseys Cole shows Chris his new State Farm agent league jersey, numbered 13,172. Why such a high number? Cole explains that State Farm has over 19,000 agents. “I wanted number 13,171,” Cole says, “but Ty from Sioux Falls is in town, and he called dibs.” That’s when real State Farm agent Ty makes his cameo appearance.

In the News:

• Sports Illustrated: Chris Paul Q&A: Playing with Carmelo Anthony, Battling the Warriors and More (10/17/18)
• NYSportsJournalism.com: State Farm Brings Starters Chris Paul, James Harden Back For NBA Campaign (10/17/18)

Norma Horkey never expected her sweet suggestion to support local troops would send the good neighbor spirit sweeping through Custer, S.D.

A few months ago, Norma, a team member in Agent Steve Engelbrecht's office, suggested the office offer to buy back Halloween candy from the children in the community, which they could then have sent to local troops deployed overseas.

A Sweet Idea

"Steve really liked the idea," Norma says. "My daughter's dentist did the same thing, and it was a huge success."

Just before Halloween, Steve's office was a co-host of a Custer Chamber of Commerce mixer. During the event, they talked to several other business owners about their candy buy-back, which was scheduled at Steve's office on Nov. 2. From there, word spread.

Children would get $1 for every pound of candy.

A Pleasant Surprise

Norma said the superintendent of schools dropped off candy, the Rotary Club had candy, and one local business put a box in front of its store for customers to make donations for the buy-back.

"It wasn't just the kids," says Team Member Sara Barrick, whose son, Phoenix, 2, and daughter, Jersey, 5, contributed to the candy collection. "It was awesome how the whole community got involved."

When the collection was complete, the city of 1,800 had amassed two totes filled with 120 pounds of Halloween candy. The sweets are on the way to troops from the Rapid City area, thanks to the local VFW.

"Something like this, for a little bit of time and energy, stands out in the community," Steve says. "When all was said and done, we sent 26 boxes of candy to the troops. The VFW was thrilled, and we already have ideas for how we are going to do it next year."