Chestnuts, rheas and martens: How to protect your car in winter!

Chestnuts, rheas and martens: How to protect your car in winter!

As the leaves fall and the days get shorter, drivers in West Mecklenburg are often made aware that the dangers on the roads increase. Drivers often hear popping noises caused by falling chestnuts in avenues. These small but nasty balls can leave dents in car paint, which is an unpleasant awakening for many. But that's not the only thing travelers should keep in mind in autumn and winter.

The likelihood of colliding with a wild animal such as a deer or wild boar is high, especially in rural areas. Insurance agent Sebastian Patzelt explains that accidents involving wildlife not only occur frequently in Germany, but can also cause significant damage. Comprehensive insurance usually offers protection, but the provisions vary depending on the provider and contract. A wildlife accident is specifically defined as a collision with a wild animal, and drivers should be well prepared for this.

Car insurance and wildlife accidents

In 2024, wildlife accidents in Germany caused damage worth over 1.1 billion euros in comprehensive insurance, which represents a new high. German motor vehicle insurers settled over 276,000 cases, and the average damage rose from around 3,850 euros to around 4,100 euros. The main reasons for this are the increasing repair costs, more expensive spare parts and higher hourly rates in workshops, as asscurat.de reports. Drivers should therefore definitely check whether their insurance coverage adequately covers accidents involving wildlife and seek advice if necessary.

In the event of an accident involving wildlife, it is important to react quickly. The police must be notified and the scene of the accident must be secured. Partial comprehensive insurance not only covers repair costs, but under certain conditions also allows you to claim a rental car if the vehicle is no longer roadworthy.

Further risks in winter

In addition to wildlife accidents, the risk of damage from martens, which are more active in the cold season, is also a major issue. Marten bites can often cause serious damage to cables or hoses, but are covered in many partial insurance policies. However, consequential damage is not always included here, which is something drivers should keep in mind. It is also a prerequisite to drive with winter tires or all-season tires with a snowflake symbol in winter, otherwise you could face performance or fines [ostsee-zeitung.de].

The best tips for minimizing risks? Drive carefully in areas with a high density of wild animals, adhere to speed limits and observe wildlife crossing signs. Ultimately, autumn is also a good time to think about changing your car insurance, as many contracts can be canceled by November 30th. It is important to consider the scope of services in addition to the price and possibly choose a tariff with additional services that provide support in the event of accidents involving wild animals and other unforeseen events.