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One of the biggest fears many drivers may have when they're headed down the highway, particularly through wooded areas, is that they might end up being unable to avoid hitting a large animal such as a deer or moose. The damage from such a collision can often be as bad as if they'd hit another car, and as such, the costs can add up quickly. For this reason, agents who want to make sure their clients have as much peace of mind as possible, if they do end up having to make such a claim, will want to explain all the contingencies that may be in place on their policies.

In the late autumn months, many deer are more active in a large number of places across the country because they're migrating, and that therefore increases the risk that motorists will hit them, according to a report from the Macon Telegraph. The latest data from the Insurance Information Institute shows that drivers who hit deer end up filing claims averaging some $2,800 if only their vehicles are damaged, and $10,000 if a person is injured.

What's covered and what isn't?
The problem for many drivers is that they're often not aware of whether their plans even cover such damage, and in many cases they might not, the report said. As a result, consumers who live in areas where there may be a decent number of deer or other large animals might want to make sure they are covered in the event that they end up colliding with one, as well as any other pertinent information about their policies, such as the size of their deductible and what they'll be required by their insurers to do in the aftermath of such an accident.

The more insurance agents can do to assuage any concerns their clients have about the ins and outs of their coverage, the better off they're likely to be in terms of keeping customer satisfaction ratings as high as possible. Consumers typically say they prefer good customer service to even something as important as keeping their ongoing insurance costs down, but agents who can find the right mix of both these issues will likely be those with the highest retention rates and more new clients from recommendations going forward.

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