Pennsylvania is among the top states in the U.S. for auto crashes involving animals, according to a recent report by State Farm Insurance. The report reveals that drivers in Pennsylvania have a one-in-61 chance of hitting a deer or other animal, significantly higher than the national average of one-in-128. The data, which covers the period from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, estimates that over 1.8 million auto insurance claims involving animal collisions were filed across the industry.
State Farm's data shows that deer are the most common animals involved in these collisions, followed by rodents, dogs, raccoons, and coyotes. The riskiest months for animal collisions are November, October, and December.
West Virginia tops the list as the riskiest state, with a one-in-40 chance of a collision involving wildlife. Other states with high collision rates include Montana (one-in-54), Michigan (one-in-59), and Wisconsin (one-in-63). Despite its fourth-place ranking in terms of risk, Pennsylvania had the highest number of claims, with more than 150,000 filed during the study period.
The report also provides safety tips for drivers to avoid animal collisions, including being especially vigilant during the high-risk months and considering comprehensive coverage, which typically covers repairs for collisions with animals.