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About 2 million times every year, animals and cars collide on U.S. roadways — often causing serious and even fatal injuries to drivers and passengers, along with about $1 billion in damage, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

And, these collisions spike in the fall and winter, thanks to migration and mating patterns, as well as reduced visibility caused by shorter days and weather conditions.

As random as these collisions might seem, there are things you can do to improve your chances of avoiding one.

Tips to Help You Avoid Wildlife on the Road

• Be especially careful at dusk and dawn: Not only are these active times for large animals to be out and about, but visibility is decreased as well. And, remember, animal vision is very different from ours. While deer see well in low-light situations, headlights can completely blind them.      
• Watch for signs, too: Areas with a lot of wildlife, or where frequent incidents have occurred, often have posted warning signs. Don’t disregard them. Watch your speed and be hyper-alert.      
• Expect more than one: Did you just see a deer? Don’t relax quite yet, even though you didn’t hit it — there likely are more in the area.      
• Stay calm: If an animal is in the roadway, try not to swerve wildly. You could hit something else, such as another car, or end up in a more dangerous situation than you were before. Hit the brakes and the horn, and make safe maneuvers whenever possible.

What to Do After an Animal-Vehicle Collision

Even if you drive with the utmost caution and follow the tips above, an animal-vehicle collision may still happen. Follow these guidelines if you ever do hit an animal:

• Call 911 immediately: If there are any injuries to you or your passengers, call for aid as soon as possible. But, even if everyone is OK, police can help deal with traffic issues and removing the animal.      
• Do not touch the animal: Even a harmless-looking deer can cause significant injury, especially if it is frightened. And, if you hit something even more dangerous, such as a bear (it happens!), stay in the car. Often, they can withstand being hit by a vehicle.      
• Document the damage: Once any injuries are treated, take photos of the accident scene and vehicle damage, if it’s safe to do so, and write down details. Get information from witnesses and file a police report, if necessary. This will help when it comes time to file an insurance claim.      
• Talk to your insurance company: Animal-related claims are typically covered under comprehensive coverage. Your insurance agent or carrier can help you determine your options after an accident, but it’s a great idea to learn more about your coverage before you need to use it.

Remember, stay alert, avoid distractions, wear your seatbelt and watch your speed. If you’re already a safe driver, you’re probably already doing these things. And, if you’re not, well, there’s no better time to start! Your fellow drivers (and your local animals) will thank you.

With Halloween only a little over a week away, you've likely seen those lists of safety tips for trick-or-treaters. You may remember the drill: Stick to familiar neighborhoods, carry glow sticks and flashlights, don't eat any of the goodies until you get them home for inspection.

But, what about the rest of us, the ones escorting kids from door to door, or the ones answering the door when they get there? Following are a few things we can do to help ensure the little ghosts and goblins have a fun night out without any serious scares.

Around the House

• Remove anything a child could trip over, such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations, from the porch and front yard.      
• Check all your outdoor lights before the big night and replace burned-out bulbs.      
• Sweep wet leaves or snow away from sidewalks and steps.      
• Keep jack-o'-lanterns and any other decorations lit by candles on sturdy tables, out of the reach of pets and small children. Don't put them near doorsteps, walkways, landings or curtains, and never leave them unattended.      
• Take care to prevent your cat or dog from darting out through the open door as you hand out candy. If you are having a party, put your pets in a room with some food and water where they won't be disturbed, and check in on them once in a while to let them know everything is fine.

In the Car

• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30-9:30 p.m., so be especially alert for kids during these hours. Turn on your headlights earlier in the day to help spot children from a greater distance.      
• A mobile phone can be a useful tool to keep in touch with your young spooks, but don't use it or any other electronic device while driving.      
• Pay extra attention, particularly to crosswalks, intersections and the side of the road. Kids tend to walk along the curbs, cutting across the street to get to other homes. Keep scanning all around you as you drive, whether you're driving or following along with your children. Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.      
• Stay below the speed limit in residential areas during trick-or-treating hours. This will allow you time to brake if you see a child dart in front of you. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.      
• Don't pass other vehicles that have stopped in the roadway; they could be dropping off children. This is more common in rural areas, but it can happen anywhere.      
• If you are dropping off or picking up children, pull off the road into a safe spot and turn on your hazard lights. If you go with your kids from door to door, leave the hazard lights on.

Finally, there’s nothing scarier than finding out you don’t have the homeowners coverage you thought you had once a mishap occurs. So, this might be a good time for a quick check on your homeowners insurance coverage. Does it include adequate protection in case your trick-or-treating guests are injured in your home or yard? If not or you’re not sure, be sure to connect with your local independent insurance agent for expert advice.

When it comes to car insurance, there’s no one price-fits-all scenario. In fact, car insurance costs can vary greatly from driver to driver, carrier to carrier and even state to state.

It’s not only about which coverages you select. Many other factors can also impact your car insurance premium – here are seven of them.

1. Driving history: If you’ve been involved in a lot of accidents and received more than your fair share of traffic tickets, the result is almost certain to be higher car insurance costs. The good news, however, is that the inverse is typically true as well. So, watching the speed limits and not driving distracted are two ways to not only stay safe but to potentially lower your car insurance rates, too.      
2. Deductible and discounts: Don’t forget these two factors if you’re trying to keep your car insurance costs low. Oftentimes, a higher deductible results in a lower premium, so select the highest deductible you can manage. Remember, you’ll need to pay the amount of your deductible out of your own pocket in the event of a covered loss. You also may save on car insurance by taking advantage of special discounts. These can vary depending on your carrier but are typically available if you insure both your home and car with the same carrier, if you take an accident prevention course or if you drive your car infrequently.      
3. Your vehicle and how you use it: The more time you spend on the road, the higher the chance of something happening. So, if you have a long daily commute, you should expect to pay more for your car insurance. Your vehicle makes a difference in your car insurance rates, too. If you drive a vehicle with solid safety ratings or one that has a high likelihood of theft, your rates may go down or up, respectively.      
4. Your home: What does your home have to do with car insurance rates? Where you live can oftentimes either increase or decrease your chance of an accident or other incident. For example, metropolitan areas have more traffic, so there’s likely a higher chance of being involved in an accident than a rural area with less traffic. So, those who live in a high-density area may pay more for auto insurance. Drivers in any area, however, may pay less if they own their homes. Many carriers offer a car insurance discount if you own a home, townhouse or condo.      
5. Age, marital status and gender: Believe it or not, married drivers typically have fewer auto accidents than non-married drivers, so the former may pay less for their car insurance. Young, inexperienced drivers typically pay more, so keep this in mind if your kids are nearing driving age. And, finally, female drivers often experience fewer accidents, so they may receive lower rates than males.      
6. Credit history: Data has shown that those with higher credit-based insurance scores typically have fewer claims over time. So, keep your credit in check if you want to keep your car insurance costs in check, too. Though, in some states, carriers are not allowed to use your credit history in determining your car insurance rate.      
7. Previous coverage: If you’ve ever had any gaps in your coverage or you’ve carried lower-than-recommended limits in the past, you may find yourself paying more for car insurance today.

So, you see, there are a lot of factors that go into determining your car insurance rate. In the insurance industry, we call them “rating factors.”

If you want to better understand which of the above rating factors may be impacting your car insurance costs, I encourage you to talk to your local independent insurance agent. And, remember, your rating factors can change, so check in with your local agent once a year to review your insurance policies and make sure they are still a good fit for you.

Fall brings more than just changing leaves and shorter days. In many areas, it also comes with a shift in weather conditions that can have a serious impact on your home. And, don’t forget, winter is right around the corner, too.

Before the rain and cold take over, it’s time to do some routine maintenance to get things in shape for the months ahead. Besides, preventative maintenance can help you save money and keep you and your family healthy and safe.

Here are some tips to help you get started:

Fall Maintenance Outside Your House

• Check your roof: Remove moss from sloped areas and clear any debris from gutters and downspouts. Additionally, look for signs of damage/wear and make repairs as soon as possible. Use binoculars if you need to. Fall is no time for a leaky roof!      
• Keep your yard free of debris: Pick up and properly dispose of fallen leaves and limbs on a regular basis to help reduce your risk of fire and other hazards.      
• Look out for critters: Rodents and other animals might be looking for warm places to hide out, and they can cause big problems if one of those places happens to be in your home or garage. Watch for termites, roaches and other insects as well, and call a professional if you need assistance.
• Get hoses ready for the cold: When the weather starts to turn, drain water from outdoor hoses, faucets and irrigation systems. Place covers on faucets as necessary.      
• Inspect your vents and ducts: Attic vents, dryer vents and exhaust ducts should be clear (check inside and out).      
• Watch those windows: Clean window wells and check drainage.      
• Walk around: If you have cracks in your driveway or other walkways, address them now — freezing weather will only make them worse.

Fall Maintenance Inside Your House

• Keep things dry in the crawlspace, basement and attic: If you have a sump pump, make sure it is in good working condition, and check for wet spots or puddles in the crawlspace.      
• Look for leaks: Give your water heater (have you drained it lately?) and boiler a quick exam, and don’t forget your water main/meter or well pump.      
• Do some fall cleaning: Clean and tune your furnace, boiler and/or water heater, along with your oven and range.      
• Seal things up: If you feel any drafts around windows or doors, address them now to help keep your energy costs down. And, check your attic insulation, too.      
• Check your smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors: Even ones that are powered through your home’s electrical system typically have a backup battery that might need replacing.      
• Get ready for fireplace season: Make sure there’s no soot or creosote accumulation, and consider having a chimney sweep conduct a fireplace safety inspection.      
• Speaking of fires ... do you have fire extinguishers in your home? You should (one per floor, at least). The pressure indicator should show a charge, and the lock pin should be intact.

One final tip: Since this list largely is about keeping your family safe and comfortable, this also is a fine time to revisit (or create) your family emergency escape plan and emergency kit. Make sure everyone knows how to get out of their room, and where to meet once they’re out of the house. Your home is replaceable, of course — your family isn’t.