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The over 50s are keen motorists but it appears animals are disrupting their daily journeys as they caused more than £500,000 worth of damage to people’s vehicles last year, according to analysis of Saga Car Insurance claims data*.

From crafty crows to crazy cows, here are some of the most unusual animal related car insurance claims that have left Saga customers in a quandary:

A different type of cow-lick
One Saga customer wanted to go on a long country walk so parked her car in a car park and set off on her hike. However, when she came back she noticed that her car wasn’t quite as she left it. A herd of cows had licked the paintwork off her car causing more than £6,000 worth of damage to the vehicle.

Crafty crows
One policyholder went to work and parked his car in the car park. However, when he went to leave at the end of the day he spotted some crows pecking at his retractable roof. The crafty crows damaged all the seals around the roof causing more than £1,000 worth of damage.

Darting deers
One customer was driving home from a day out when a deer dashed out in front of the car. The policyholder slammed on the brakes and fortunately missed the deer. However, when the driver tried to manoeuvre round the deer it charged at the car. Eventually the deer darted off but not before causing almost £1,200 worth of damage.

Frantic pheasant
One policyholder was driving to Yorkshire to visit family when they spotted a pheasant frantically flapping beside the car. The bird was clearly an adrenaline junkie as it had chosen to fly between two moving vehicles. Despite trying to move out of the pheasant’s way the bird knocked off the wing mirror and it cost more than £250 to replace.

Crazy cows
One customer wanted to take his dog on a long walk so he drove to the countryside and parked his car in a nearby layby. When he got back from his walk he noticed a herd of cows surrounding his car. He scared the animals off but not before they dented the vehicle. In fact, the cows caused around £600 worth of damage.

Horsing around
One Saga policyholder parked her car in the same spot outside her house every day. One day she heard a car horn and then a lot of commotion. When she went outside to see what was happening she saw a horse running up and down the street wrecking a number of properties and vehicles. The naughty nag caused £1,200 worth of damage to the Saga customer’s car.

Sue Green, Head of Saga Car Insurance, commented: “It seems animal antics can affect motorists at any time even when we are doing the most routine things. These customers seem to have taken it all in their stride and have been able to see the funny side of how unpredictable the animal kingdom can be.”

Saga aims to keep the over 50s on the road and moving. So if a customer’s car is accidentally damaged by animals then it will give them a hire car to use while their vehicle is in the garage being repaired.

ENDS

Notes to Editors
*Based on Saga Car Insurance claims data over the last 12 months

About Saga Car Insurance
• Saga is the leading specialist insurance provider for people aged 50 and over, offering cover tailored to their needs
• Saga is accessible via UK based call centres and there are no automated telephone menus
• Saga Car Insurance is a Which? Recommended provider and also holds a Defaqto 5 star rating
• Saga Car Insurance offers uninsured driver cover, up to £500 get you home cover, £1,000 of personal belongings cover and vandalism cover
• For more information, visit www.saga.co.uk/insurance/car-insurance or call 0800 015 0756