Start into the marten season

Start into the marten season

The marten season begins in March and reaches its peak in May, as the vehicle damage statistics from car insurance companies show. At Allianz Insurance, for example, more than 26,000 vehicle damages caused by a marten bite were reported within six years - that was an average of around 12 reported incidents per day. Almost a third of all marten bites on vehicles occur in spring, with May being the most dangerous month at 10.8 percent. This is followed by June (10.1 percent) and April (9.9 percent) in second and third place. While November (fourth place with 8.8 percent) is also a busy phase for martens, peace returns in the following winter months of January (7.6 percent), December (6.8 percent) and February (6.3 percent). Vehicles are safest from small animals in February. The analysis of the Allianz damage statistics dates back to 2016, but has lost none of its relevance to this day.

The damage figures show that by far the most animal bites on vehicles occur in eastern Austria. In this ranking, Lower Austria is by far in first place with 28.4 percent of all marten bites across Austria. Vienna ranks second (16.1 percent), followed by Upper Austria (12.4 percent). According to Allianz figures, vehicles in Vorarlberg (3.6 percent) are safest from martens. The engine compartment is often chosen by martens as a venue for possible territorial battles. If a small animal has raged in the engine compartment of a car, it is usually because it has smelled the scent of a competitor there. To defend its territory, the small animal bites. Rubber and plastic parts are the martens' focus. Nibbled or eaten cables and punctured radiator hoses are often the result of primarily nocturnal activities. As a rule, fully comprehensive and partially comprehensive insurance policies cover the sometimes expensive consequences of an animal bite. There are many preventive measures to prevent things from getting this far in the first place: The most cost-effective solution is to place a chain-link fence under the car, as martens avoid the flexible and unstable surface. In addition, sensitive lines in the engine compartment can be protected with a corrugated pipe, and regular engine washing also ensures that traces of marten scent are removed. If you want to be on the safe side, have your trusted specialist workshop install a marten defense system in your vehicle. You can find recommended products in this newsletter.