Kangaroo collisions to be covered by Huddle Insurance
Australia’s first ever kangaroo insurance cover has been introduced for drivers who face the risk of macropod collision. And the surprising most dangerous spot to hit Skippy in the NT has been revealed
Alice Springs
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Australia’s first ever kangaroo insurance cover has been introduced for drivers who face the dangerous risk of collision.
Huddle insurance last week launched their ‘Kanga Cover’ which is an optional feature of its car insurance product which covers drivers excess for their first accidental animal collision.
According to research conducted by YouGov, kangaroo collisions are costing Australian drivers more than $6 million in excess on insurance claims each year.
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Joint CEO and co-founder of Huddle Jonathan Buc said the initiative is the first of its kind.
“While comprehensive car insurance will cover the cost of damage in most cases, the majority of insurance brands including Huddle place the driver at fault, with an excess to pay when you claim,” he said.
“Our members have told us they think the industry norm of charging an excess in these events is wrong.”
More than 7,000 drivers have been involved in and claimed collisions involving a kangaroo in Australia within one year.
“By launching Kanga Cover, Huddle has made it possible for the first time in Australia, for drivers to avoid having to pay an excess when they collide with an animal, up to once per year,” Mr Buc said.
The winter period is known to have a higher frequently of collisions especially in July and August.
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The most frequent spots for kangaroo collision claims in the NT is in Darwin.
According to research conducted by the Queensland University of Technology, 47 per cent of animal collisions involved kangaroos and wallabies with stock animals being responsible for a smaller number of accidents.
Kangaroo collisions have been known to more likely result in serious injuries to drivers.
There has been very little information published on the health costs to drivers, however hospitalisation data from Western Australia revealed 46 patients were seriously injured and one was killed in kangaroo collisions in a six-year period.
90 per cent of these crashes were reported at night and majority were in rural areas.
It is understood kangaroos are drawn to roadside verge clearings to feed during drought when the amount of other vegetation is scarce.
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