AAA East Central reveals top insurance claim categories of 2021
AAA East Central has released the top insurance claim categories of 2021, as well as tips on how motorists can reduce the risk of needing to make a claim themselves.
The organization says that while some insurance claims may be an inevitability in some cases, most can be by driving safely and defensively.
The top three claim categories for 2021 are as follows:
-Rear-end collisions / Fender benders: Even a seemingly minor fender bender can cost over $7,000 in damages and increase the cost of insurance premiums. These types of accidents accounted for 15% of all auto insurance claims AAA East Central processed in 2021. Many of which resulting from distracted driving.
To avoid being in fender bender accidents, AAA East Central recommends motorists to avoid texting and driving. Pull over to send a text or ask a passenger to text for you in the event of an emergency.
-Backing up: Accidents caused by backing up a vehicle cost more that $1,800 in damages in 2021 and made up 12% of claims AAA East Central processed in 2021. Many of which occurring in parking lots or driveways.
To avoid accidents when backing out of your driveway or a parking lot, AAA urges drivers to drive slowly and obey all traffic laws and signs, avoid cutting through parking lanes and rows of parking spaces, watch for pedestrians, do not rely solely on backup cameras and be extra alert for small children and/or animals in parking lots.
-Animals/Fowl: Collisions involving animals/fowl made up over 8% of claims AAA East central processed in 2021 with an average cost of over $4,100 in damages. Deer collisions can be especially destructive to vehicles and cause serious injuries to motorists and passengers.
To prevent animal/fowl-related crashes, AAA urges motorists to pay attention to yellow diamond-shaped signs with an image of a dear indicating a heavy deer presence in the area as well as avoid distracted driving. Use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic and resist the urge to swerve as this could confuse the animal or cause an accident with a potential oncoming vehicle.
