Does Insurance Cover When You Hit a Deer?
Learn how your auto insurance addresses vehicle damage from deer strikes, from understanding policy specifics to navigating the claim process.
Collisions with deer are a common occurrence for drivers across the United States. These incidents, often sudden and unavoidable, can cause significant damage to vehicles. Understanding how your auto insurance policy responds to a deer strike is essential for navigating the aftermath and ensuring appropriate financial protection.
Understanding Relevant Insurance Coverage
When a vehicle strikes an animal, the damage sustained is typically covered under comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive insurance protects against damage to your vehicle from events “other than collision,” including theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and animal strikes. This coverage addresses incidents beyond direct collisions with other vehicles or stationary objects.
In contrast, collision coverage addresses damage to your vehicle from an impact with another vehicle or object. Hitting an animal is classified under comprehensive coverage, not collision coverage. However, if you swerve to avoid a deer and then collide with another vehicle or object, that incident would likely be covered under your collision policy.
Most states require drivers to carry liability coverage, but comprehensive coverage is optional. If you only have liability coverage, which pays for damages you cause to others, you will not be covered for damage to your own vehicle from hitting a deer. Leasing companies or lenders often require comprehensive and collision coverage as part of the financing agreement.
Deductibles apply to both comprehensive and collision coverage. A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket towards a covered claim before your insurance company pays the rest. For example, if your comprehensive coverage has a $500 deductible and the repair cost is $2,000, you would pay $500, and your insurer would cover the remaining $1,500. Comprehensive deductibles are often lower than collision deductibles.
Actions Immediately After the Incident
After hitting a deer, prioritizing safety for yourself and any passengers is important. Move your vehicle to a safe location, such as the side of the road, and activate your hazard lights to alert other drivers. If you must leave your vehicle, ensure you are out of the flow of traffic.
Once in a safe spot, assess the damage to your vehicle and document the scene thoroughly. Take photographs and videos of the vehicle damage, the surrounding area, and the deer. This visual evidence can be valuable when you file your insurance claim. Note the date, time, and specific location of the incident.
Contacting local law enforcement, such as the police or state patrol, is an important step. A police report can provide official documentation of the incident, which can be beneficial for your insurance claim, especially if there is significant damage or personal injury. Law enforcement can also help if the deer is blocking traffic or creating a hazard.
Avoid approaching an injured or deceased deer. A frightened or wounded animal can be unpredictable and dangerous, potentially causing harm with hooves or antlers. If another vehicle was involved, exchanging information would be necessary, similar to any other motor vehicle accident.
Navigating the Insurance Claim Process
After taking immediate actions, initiate the insurance claim process. Contact your insurer promptly to report the incident. Having your policy number, the date and time of the incident, photos of the damage, and any police report number ready will expedite the process.
An insurance adjuster will be assigned to your claim to assess the damage to your vehicle. The adjuster will inspect the vehicle, take photographs, and determine whether repairs are feasible or if the vehicle is a total loss. They will then prepare an estimate for the cost of repairs, considering parts, labor, and the vehicle’s market value.
Your comprehensive deductible will be applied to the repair cost. For example, if repairs cost $3,000 and your deductible is $500, your insurance company will pay $2,500 after you pay your portion. The payout from the insurer, minus your deductible, will cover the approved repair costs.
Once the repair estimate is approved, you can proceed with getting your vehicle fixed at an approved repair shop. Insurers work with a network of repair facilities, but you have the right to choose your own. If the damage is severe and the repair cost exceeds a certain percentage of the vehicle’s actual cash value, your vehicle may be declared a total loss. In such cases, the insurer will pay you the actual cash value of the vehicle, minus your deductible, and the vehicle will be salvaged.