Fremont Insurance Tips: Avoiding Deer-Car Collisions

FREMONT, Mich., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- As deer hunting season opens in Michigan, Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: FMMH) would like to remind drivers of the increased risk of a deer-car collision that accompanies this annual outdoor tradition.  Deer-related wrecks were up nearly six percent last year.  On average, there is a deer-car crash every nine minutes in Michigan; that's nearly 60,000 incidents a year with $130 million in damage, 1,700 injuries, and 9 fatalities.

"Deer hunting season in Michigan is among our most widely observed outdoor traditions," said Kurt Dettmer, vice president of marketing for Fremont Insurance.  "Deer are an important resource for the state. At the same time, between expanding populations and the encroachment of humans into the deer's natural habitat, they've become a serious safety hazard for Michigan drivers."

Fremont Insurance regularly shares tips and recommendations with its customers throughout the year to help homeowners avoid a wide variety of potentially devastating losses.  According to the Company, there are several steps you can take to put the odds back in your favor when it comes to avoiding deer collisions:

• Stay aware, awake, and sober.
• Car-deer crashes occur all year, but are more likely during spring and fall, and at dusk and dawn so drivers should take extra precautions during these times
• Pay attention to deer crossing and speed limit signs. Deer are creatures of habit and signs are installed at known deer crossing areas to alert you
• Be aware that deer are herd animals, and frequently travel single file. If you see one whitetail, watch for others.
• ALWAYS wear a safety belt. It is your best defense against injury in any roadway crash.
• Multiple independent studies have found that "Deer whistles" are not effective at warding off deer so even if you have one, remain vigilant.

In the event that a crash is unavoidable, Fremont Insurance offers this advice to drivers:

• Don't swerve. Brake firmly, stay in your lane, hold onto the steering wheel, and bring your vehicle to a controlled stop.
• Pull off the road. Turn on your emergency flashers and be cautious of other traffic if you leave your vehicle.
• Don't try to remove a deer from a roadway unless you are convinced it is dead. A wounded deer can cause serious injuries.
• Report the crash to the nearest police and your insurance agent.  Car-deer crashes are typically covered under the comprehensive portion of your policy.

Determining the Risk:

Estimates suggest Michigan is home to 1.8 million deer, a 400% increase since 1970. Of this total, 350,000 deer roam the Upper Peninsula, 500,000 are in northern lower Michigan, and 900,000 live in southern lower Michigan. Michigan ranks second only to Pennsylvania among the 10 US states reporting the highest deer-related wrecks and more than half of total deer claims.  As the deer population continues to grow, the risk to Michigan drivers will increase in coming years.  The average car-deer crash results in about $2,000 in damage, usually to the front end, often leaving the vehicle undriveable.  

High-risk counties in Michigan (more than 1,000 incidents in a year) include:

• Allegan
• Barry
• Branch
• Calhoun
• Clinton
• Delta
• Eaton
• Genesee
• Hillside
• Huron
• Ingham
• Ionia
• Isabella
• Jackson
• Kalamazoo
• Kent
• Lapeer
• Livingston
• Mecosta
• Montcalm
• Oakland
• Ottawa
• Sanilac
• Washtenaw

About Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc.

Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. is the holding company for Fremont Insurance Company. Headquartered in Fremont, Mich., the company provides property and casualty insurance to individuals, farms and small businesses exclusively in Michigan. Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp's common stock trades under the symbol "FMMH."

SOURCE Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc.