Does Insurance Go Up If You Hit a Deer?
Does hitting a deer raise your car insurance? Explore coverage, the claims process, and premium effects.
Many drivers face the common concern of striking a deer while on the road, prompting questions about car insurance. Deer-related accidents happen frequently, particularly in certain regions or during specific seasons like autumn and spring when deer activity increases. Understanding how insurance policies address these incidents is important for navigating such events. This article clarifies the typical insurance response to deer accidents and what drivers can expect.
Insurance Coverage for Deer Accidents
Damage from striking an animal like a deer typically falls under the comprehensive coverage portion of an auto insurance policy. Comprehensive coverage protects against damage to your vehicle from events not involving a collision with another vehicle or object, also known as “other than collision” coverage. This includes incidents like fire, theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and animal strikes.
Deer accidents are generally considered “not-at-fault” by insurers because they are unpredictable and unavoidable. This classification is distinct from collision coverage, which applies when your vehicle hits another car or stationary objects like a tree or fence. If a driver swerves to avoid a deer and instead collides with another vehicle or object, that incident would typically fall under collision coverage, not comprehensive.
Comprehensive coverage includes a deductible, the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance covers repair costs. For example, if repairs cost $2,000 and your comprehensive deductible is $500, you would pay $500, and your insurer would cover the remaining $1,500. Comprehensive coverage is important for financial protection in a deer-related incident.
The Claims Process for Deer Damage
Immediately after hitting a deer, safety is the first priority. Move your vehicle to a safe location if possible and turn on your hazard lights. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries, calling emergency services if needed. Contact local law enforcement to report the incident, especially if the deer is blocking traffic or if required by local regulations. A police report can be helpful for the insurance claim.
Document the scene by taking photographs of the damage to your vehicle, the road, and the animal if it is still present. Do not approach an injured animal, as it may be unpredictable. Once safe, contact your insurance company to initiate the claim. You will need to provide your policy number, the date, time, location, and a description of the damage.
After filing the claim, your insurer will assign an adjuster to assess vehicle damage. They may request repair estimates from a body shop. The adjuster will review information, determine coverage, and guide you through the repair process, which may involve approved facilities. The goal is to get your vehicle repaired according to your policy terms, minus your deductible.
How Deer Accidents Affect Your Premiums
Because deer accidents are generally “not-at-fault” claims under comprehensive coverage, they are less likely to significantly increase your insurance premiums compared to at-fault accidents. Many insurers view these incidents as beyond the driver’s control. However, a premium increase is still possible, as various factors can influence rates.
Factors impacting rate adjustments include your claims history, claim frequency, and your insurer’s underwriting policies. While a single comprehensive claim for an animal strike might have minimal impact, multiple comprehensive claims in a short period could signal higher risk to an insurer, potentially leading to rate adjustments. Some states also have regulations that may influence how much premiums can increase for non-at-fault claims.
The total claim cost can also play a role, as higher payouts might be associated with larger increases. On average, a comprehensive claim might result in a small premium increase, ranging from 3 percent to 32 percent for three to five years, but it is often less severe than increases from at-fault incidents. Understanding your deductible’s role is important, as a higher deductible can lead to lower premiums.