Insurtech disruptor Huddle, which sells products underwritten by Hollard, has launched an excess-free cover specifically for vehicle collisions with kangaroos.

“Kanga Cover” is an option for comprehensive car insurance policyholders and applies to a customer’s first accidental animal collision during the policy term.

More than 7000 kangaroo-related vehicle accident claims are made each year in Australia, taking the total damage bill to $28 million.

Huddle says the optional cover evolved from a study it commissioned which suggests more than a third of drivers are concerned that crashing into a kangaroo could leave them with huge damage bills.

The study found a kangaroo collision causes damage averaging $4000, and 15% of vehicles involved in such accidents are complete write-offs.

Huddle joint CEO Jonathan Buck says there’s often very little a driver can do to avoid colliding with a kangaroo, “and we understand the stress that comes with going through this experience”.

“Our members have also told us they think the industry norm of charging an excess in these events is wrong.”