DEER CLAIMS AVERAGE $1,700

The average cost of an automobile claim directly attributable to a driver having a collision with deer or wildlife is more than $1,700 per claim and totaling approximately $33 million, according to an annual study sponsored by the West Virginia Insurance Commission in Charleston, W.Va.

West Virginia Insurance Commissioner, Jane L. Cline announced that according to the study over 19,000 deer and wildlife claims were paid by the auto carriers in the state. Auto related accidents involving deer and other wildlife increase during October, November and December.