Michigan Ranked 4th State for Auto Animal Collision Claims by State Farm

State Farm data ranks Michigan as the fourth highest state in the U.S. for vehicle collisions involving animals, highlighting significant exposure to this type of auto insurance claim. From July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, an estimated 1.7 million animal-related auto insurance claims were filed nationwide, slightly down from 1.8 million claims the previous year. Deer accounted for the majority of these claims, with over 1.1 million incidents attributed to them during this period.

Michigan's likelihood of an animal collision is 1 in 61, placing it behind states like West Virginia (1 in 40), Montana, and Wisconsin. The data indicates regional variations, with lower collision probabilities in central Midwest and southern states such as Illinois (1 in 182), Missouri (1 in 97), and Texas (1 in 222). Michigan also ranks high in estimated industry claims, with about 126,000 claims, trailing only West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Deer lead animal collisions by a wide margin, followed by unidentified animals, rodents, dogs, and raccoons. Seasonal trends show that the highest risk period is from October through December, which accounts for 41% of all animal collision claims annually. This seasonal concentration suggests a focus for insurance risk management and claims forecasting.

Areas with lower risks for animal collisions have been identified, offering potential insights for underwriting and risk selection. State Farm also recommends safety practices to mitigate animal collision risks, although these are not detailed here.

This data is critical for auto insurers, risk assessors, and policymakers in prioritizing resources and interventions for mitigating animal collision risks. The insights also have implications for claim frequency projections, risk pricing, and resource allocation in states with high incident rates, such as Michigan. Understanding these patterns supports operational efficiencies and compliance with regional safety regulations in the insurance industry.