BTA: This year's most expensive accident – a collision between a bus and a truck in Aizkraukle region

According to data from the insurance company BTA Baltic Insurance Company AAS (hereinafter – BTA), this year's largest CASCO insurance indemnity of EUR 88,000 was paid for a bus that was severely damaged in an accident in Aizkraukle region. As explained by Ivo Danče, Director of the BTA Insurance Claims Department, in this case, while driving on a slippery road, the trailer of an oncoming truck skidded perpendicular to the road, resulting in a collision with the bus. Overall, skidding on the road, black ice and collisions have been the causes of road traffic accidents on several occasions this year, for which the most significant CASCO claims have been paid. 

Road traffic accidents account for 62% of CASCO cases 

There is ana array of reasons that can cause car accidents – starting with the driving culture, road conditions, and finally the unexpected wildlife activity or the driver's health while driving a car. However, road traffic accidents are traditionally the ones that cause the most damage to vehicles and are also the most expensive in financial terms. Overall, this year, of all BTA KASKO insured events, the majority, or 62%, of indemnities were paid for road traffic accidents. 28% of indemnities was paid for broken car windows, and 7% for illegal activities by third parties. 

"Severe damage to the front of the car, broken sides, scratched paintwork, engine damage, entirely replaced windows and electronics, broken steering system, etc. – these are just some of the significant damages – this is only a part of your typical "combo" in a traffic accident, and the cost of repairs can run into tens of thousands of euros. It should be noted that nowadays most cars are equipped with computer technology, electric and hybrid cars are rapidly entering the market, so the cost of repairs is not "just a replacement of parts" – these are complex tasks that can only be performed by highly skilled technicians with the appropriate education and tools. And the cost of repairs is substantial, which, if you don't insure your car, you have to pay from personal funds," reveals Ivo Danče. 

Skidding, black ice and collisions – the main reasons for the largest claims 

Although this year BTA has paid out substantial CASCO indemnities for damage to cars in quite a wide variety of cases, such as a driver driving too close to the edge of the road and ending up in a ditch, as well as a car catching fire from a burning vehicle next to it, the dominant causes of the most expensive claims have been slippery roads, collisions, and black ice – these are the harbingers of seasonal change that constantly challenge even the most experienced drivers' skills. 

In Valmiera region, a car skidded on black ice and drove off the road into a ditch, sustaining various damages – among this year's accidents, this is the third largest claim, worth more than EUR 45,000. A substantial indemnity disbursement – almost EUR 38,000 – was made for an accident in which a car skidded on tram tracks in Riga, veered off the road and crashed into a house, damaging the front and right side of the car and damaging the paintwork. 

Danče explains that in many cases, skidding ends with a collision with an oncoming car, nearby objects, or running off the road, resulting in even more extensive damage to the car, which requires significant repairs and the replacement of a number of expensive parts: "For us at BTA, as insurers, it is important to work with certified service centres that are able to do a professional job – after all, responsible car repairs determines its safety in future journeys and its resilience in other road traffic accidents." 

In his opinion, over the years, awareness of the role of CASCO insurance in accidents and other incidents involving damaged cars is growing, but there are still many drivers who learn only from their own experience, continuing to risk their finances and refusing to accept that road traffic is one of the epicentres of everyday accidents.

 In rural areas, moose, deer, and roe deer cause serious accidents with costly consequences 

Every year, forest animals are one of the most common causes of road accidents in which cars are severely damaged. Regardless of the time of day, such collisions mostly occur in rural areas, especially near forests and open fields, but urban areas are no exception. For example, in Preiļi region, a car hit a moose on the Preiļi-Aglona highway, and insurance indemnity of EUR 24,000 was paid for the car, which was seriously damaged in the accident. In Ropaži region, a Toyota car veered off the road after colliding with a roe deer, damaging the entire front of the car, including the wheels, windows, and headlights, for which insurance indemnity of more than EUR 17,000 was paid.   

Ivo Danče emphasizes that no matter how confident drivers feel about their skills, encounters with wild animals, especially at dusk or in nighttime darkness, force even the most experienced drivers to reevaluate their confidence on the road: "Moose and deer weigh hundreds of kilograms and pose a significant threat – for example, when a car is traveling at a speed of 90 km/h, damage to the vehicle is caused not only by the impact of the wild animal itself, but also by the collision with other cars, which is often unavoidable. This means that it is not just a question of a damaged front end, as in such cases the entire bodywork is often damaged, which makes repairs to the vehicle considerably more expensive."