Caught in the Headlights.

MetLife Auto & Home([R])offers tips and free brochures to help avoid deer collisions

WARWICK, R.I. -- The first hints of frost may call to mind comforting thoughts about the upcoming winter holiday season, but experts warn that it also marks the start of "deer season" across the country. October through December are the months where male deer activity dramatically increases, resulting in a significant rise in the number of vehicular collisions. And, with the deer population increasing across the country, and living space for wildlife habitat on the decline, the number of incidents involving a deer jumping into the path of a car is only expected to increase.

"Deer are bigger and heavier than people may think. Every year, we receive reports of hundreds of claims involving animal-related collisions during the fall months. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost for a collision claim is $2,800, although, when a bodily injury is involved, that cost rises to $10,000," said Mike Convery, vice president and chief claim officer of MetLife Auto & Home. "These collisions come from out of nowhere, occur in seconds, and can result in significant property damage and life-threatening situations. Fortunately, by staying alert and reacting appropriately, drivers can avoid many collisions."

During deer season, consider the following:

* Watch the clock. Deer are most active from sunset to midnight, and during the hours just before and after sunrise, which are feeding times.

* Watch the speed. When it comes to deer collisions, it's not just the speed of the animal that plays a factorCoit's the speed of the vehicle. Think about it: if you are driving your vehicle at a speed of over 60 miles an hour, you'll cover the length of a football field in the same time it takes to change a CD.

* Be vigilant. Deer don't run alone. If you see one, there are likely others nearby.

* Don't swerve. If a deer is suddenly right in front of you, sound your horn to frighten it away. Break firmly, but stay in your lane. Serious crashes happen when drivers swerve to avoid a deer, only to hit other vehicles or lose control of their cars.

* Wear your seatbelt. Most people injured in deer/car crashes were unbuckled at the time.

For additional information on avoiding deer collisions, MetLife Auto & Home([R]) is offering to the public a free new brochure, called "Deer Collisions: How to Avoid Becoming a Statistic." The brochure provides useful information, including other tips on how to avoid a deer collision, and what to do in the event that you are involved in a collision with a deer. The brochure is available by calling 1-800-MET-LIFE (1-800-638-5433).

MetLife Auto & Home([R]), a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), is one of the nation's leading personal lines property and casualty insurance companies, insuring over 3.8 million autos and homes. MetLife Auto & Home has developed a reputation for innovation in product design, being the first insurer to introduce certain product enhancements that provide greater value to consumers, including Identity Theft resolution services to both its auto and home insurance customers, offered at no additional charge. Identity theft resolution services are not available in all states, such as Massachusetts (available homeowners only) and North Carolina. The company was named among the industry's leaders in customer service according to J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Auto and Homeowners Insurance Studies (SM). For more information about MetLife([R]) and its affiliates, visit www.metlife.com.

MetLife Auto & Home is a brand of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its affiliates, Warwick, RI.