Nov. 1, 2018—On the eve of deer mating season, AAA Oklahoma has noted that the average cost of a deer-vehicle collision exceeds $4,500 for car owners.
Specifically, of the animal strikes reported by AAA Insurance policy holders in 2017, the average cost per claim was more than $4,500, according to a report by the Tulsa World. Tim Wolf, owner and president of Floyd and Son’s Body Shop in Tulsa, said the costs of vehicle repairs are only rising with new technology that’s installed in bumpers, side mirrors, headlamps, and on windshields. A $2,000 repair is almost a bare minimum.
“One of the newer trucks on a turnpike hitting a deer, it’s going to be $10,000 easy,” Wolf told the Tulsa newspaper. “You’re talking about some pretty expensive venison.”
Added costs for something like front radar sensors used with emergency braking and adaptive cruise-control systems are about $900-$1,300. Rear radar sensors used with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems can run $850-$2,050 in additional costs. Other items included $1,300-$1,650 added to windshield replacement, or $500-$1,100 for side mirrors.
