“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 Kenneth Whitehair. “As a result, we’re looking for ways to continue supporting our Wyoming 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 Wyoming 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.

“The company’s financial strength is allowing us to pass along rate savings to our Wyoming customers," said State Farm Senior Vice President Denise Hardin. “We continually evaluate how we can best serve our customers and are very pleased to be able to offer this rate decrease in Wyoming.”

Overall changes in premiums for individual motorists will vary depending on the specific details of an individual customer’s policy and chosen coverages. The average Wyoming customer savings will be approximately $16 per year. The effective date for new and renewal business is July 9, 2018. Wyoming customers with questions can contact their local State Farm agent to discuss their individual situation.

In addition to this rate reduction, State Farm agents are able to review with new and existing customers the many opportunities for additional discounts that may apply to an individual’s unique circumstances. A rate decrease combined with discounts offers an exceptional long-term value to State Farm customers.

“I couldn’t believe he dialed 911 and then reached a neighbor,” says Vicky. “He knew what to do because he recalled the training. He asked me two simple questions. When I couldn’t answer them, he knew I needed help. It could have been much more serious if he didn’t know what to do in that situation.”

As a retiree, Paul, who lives in Bayside, Calif., still reaches about 3,000 children a year with the 911 simulator. He has also helped schools purchase Fatal Vision goggles to teach students about impaired driving and a Seat Belt Convincer to stress the importance of wearing seatbelts.

Several years later, the family – which included Vicky, her husband, Lee, and their son, Isaac – moved from California to Wyoming.

At 16, Isaac was an adventurous teen who loved the outdoors. He and a friend were in a remote mountainous area of with family. The teens wanted to stay a little longer. When they didn’t return at dusk, Vicky and Lee became worried. They reported the boys missing and a search began.

Tom Newman, a member of the search and rescue crew, assured the families they would not stop looking until the boys were found. Tom and another member of the rescue squad found the boys, unharmed, on the third day.

Tom is also a State Farm agent in Lovell, Wy.

Nine months later, in July 2017, tragedy struck the family. Isaac, then 17, was killed in a crash. He was driving his car too fast on a dirt road and failed to navigate a sharp turn. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

“As parents you never want to think about losing your child,” Vicky says. “We were grieving and we were scared. We had to make plans to return to California for the funeral services, and the expenses from medical bills and the funeral arrangements were adding up.”

Paul, their former California agent, called as soon as he heard the news. He reminded Vicky they’d purchased life insurance on Isaac before they moved. That policy was now with the local agent, Tom. They wouldn’t realize until later it was the same person who helped find Isaac when he was lost in the mountains.

“Paul called Tom and the two worked together to get us a check for life insurance proceeds in a little over a week, which was about $34,000,” Vicky says. “I honestly don’t know what we would have done without it.”

Today, Vicky is looking for ways to get involved and reach students about seatbelt safety.

“Vicky and I have talked about how we can visit schools and educate teens about the importance of wearing a seatbelt,” Tom says.

Vicky also doesn’t miss a chance to tell friends and family about the value of life insurance.

Looking back, she reflects on how State Farm has been there for her family over the years.

“Paul’s involvement saved my life because Isaac knew how to call 911,” she adds. “Tom’s participation in search and rescue saved Isaac’s life and gave us nine more months with him. After the accident, life insurance helped ease our financial worries during an incredibly painful time. Even if relieving some worries only makes it a small percentage better – it is better than 100 percent awful.

“I tell my friends, ‘Call State Farm and someone will help you.’ I am grateful for the role State Farm has played in our lives.”

Insurance provided by TNCs may be limited in scope and coverage. Personal auto policies generally do not extend coverage to the use of personal cars as taxis or livery vehicles, including their use in TNC services.

To adapt to changing customer needs, beginning June 26, 2017, State Farm will offer a Transportation Network Company Driver Coverage endorsement in five additional states, Arkansas, Maryland, Nevada, Vermont and Wyoming.

The endorsement will be available starting June 26, 2017.

Earlier this year Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington, D.C. received the coverage endorsement, and twenty-three jurisdictions obtained the endorsement in 2016: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

"Adapting and innovating to our customers' changing needs is critical," said Vicki Harper, State Farm Public Affairs Specialist. "This new product is an example of our commitment to our customers and provides them coverage, and peace of mind, when they use their personal cars to provide TNC services."

TNCs may provide high liability coverage limits while a paying passenger occupies the driver's vehicle or when the driver has been connected with a passenger and is on the way to pick that person up. But TNCs tend to provide a much lower limit of liability coverage when drivers are just available for hire and may not provide the drivers with any medical payments, comprehensive, or collision coverages at all. The TNCs may not be providing coverage for injuries to the driver or coverage for any damage to the driver's personal car.

This new, optional State Farm TNC Driver Coverage endorsement is cost-effective and provides an opportunity for our customers to obtain coverage that will fill the gaps between their base auto policy and the coverage provided by a TNC.

Customers in these states who drive for a TNC should contact their local State Farm agent to learn more about the new State Farm TNC Driver Coverage endorsement.

(Individual State Graphics Available for Download Below)

In rural Wyoming there are two high schools that are rivals in just about everything. From sports to academia, the schools in Riverton and Lander battle it out. These days though, thanks to Injury Prevention Resources (IPR) of Wyoming, the schools have added something new to their list of rivalries: seat belt usage.

“We noticed students, teachers, and even bus drivers were not regularly buckling up when entering and exiting the schools’ parking lots,” says IPR Executive Director Noel Cooper. “Seat belt usage numbers were actually decreasing.”

Looking for a unique way to increase seat belt usage at both schools, IPR teamed up with administrators to introduce the annual ‘Battle of the Belts,’ competition. This program uses the rivalry between schools and challenges students to always wear their seatbelt.

The winning school gets bragging rights and anda one-of-a-kind pro wrestling style championship belt for the year.

First, IPR conducted unannounced seat belt usage surveys at each school. At Riverton High School, 57 percent of students and staff wore seat belts compared to 54 percent at Lander Valley High School.

Following the initial surveys, IPR introduced the Battle of the Belts competition at school assemblies. The organization shared each school’s initial survey results and challenged the students to do better.

A few weeks later, IPR conducted a follow up survey to see if seat belt usage had changed. At Riverton High School, seatbelt usage increased to 77.5 percent and at Lander Valley High usage increased 81.5 percent.

Crowned the 2014 Battle of the Belts champions, Lander Valley High received their championship belt at a school pep rally.

“I’m looking forward to defending the belt in the future,” said Lander Valley High School Vice Principal Brad Neuendorf. “This competition is a great way for our school resource officers, students and staff to be involved and productive in a good way for our community.”

“There’s still room for improvement at both schools,” says IPR Safety Education Coordinator Tom Cunningham. “We’re trying to remind all drivers, that buckling your seatbelt is the single most important thing you can do to save your life while driving.”

State Farm is committed to improving teen driver safety and provides funding to Injury Prevention Resources in support of their teen driver safety program.