Does Liability Insurance Cover Hitting a Deer?

When a vehicle collides with a deer, many drivers first consider their liability insurance. However, liability insurance primarily covers damage or injury to other parties and their property when the policyholder is at fault. Damage to one’s own vehicle from hitting an animal is typically addressed by a different type of automobile insurance coverage.

Understanding Auto Insurance Coverages

Automobile insurance policies include various types of coverage. Liability coverage, required in most states, protects you financially if you cause an accident resulting in injury to others or damage to their property. It helps pay for medical bills, lost wages, property repairs for the other party, and potential legal fees. However, it does not cover damage to your own vehicle or your own injuries, meaning hitting a deer falls outside its scope for your vehicle’s repairs.

Comprehensive coverage addresses damage to your vehicle from hitting an animal, such as a deer. This coverage is for non-collision incidents, events generally beyond your control. Examples include theft, vandalism, fire, natural disasters like hail or floods, and striking an animal. For coverage to apply in an animal collision, your vehicle must make physical contact with the animal. While often optional, lenders may require comprehensive coverage for leased or financed vehicles.

Collision coverage pays for damage to your own vehicle from a collision with another car or object, regardless of fault. This includes hitting a tree, a pole, or overturning your vehicle. If you swerve to avoid a deer and collide with another vehicle or object, the damage falls under collision coverage, not comprehensive. Comprehensive coverage is the relevant protection when your vehicle directly strikes a deer.

Immediate Steps After Hitting a Deer

After colliding with a deer, prioritize safety. If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location off the road and activate your hazard lights. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries, calling 911 if medical attention is needed. Avoid approaching the deer, as an injured or frightened animal can be unpredictable and dangerous.

Documenting the scene provides information for your insurance claim. Take photographs of your vehicle’s damage, the surrounding area, and the animal if safe. Note specific details like the exact time, location, and road conditions. These details are valuable during the claims process.

Contact authorities, especially if there’s significant vehicle damage, the animal blocks traffic, or injuries occurred. Call local law enforcement or highway patrol to report the incident. While not always legally mandated unless damage is substantial or injury occurs, an official police report assists with your insurance claim. Once safe and documented, notify your insurance provider promptly to begin the claims process.

Processing Your Insurance Claim

When filing an insurance claim for hitting a deer, understand your deductible. This is the out-of-pocket amount you pay toward repair costs before comprehensive coverage begins. Deductible amounts vary, from $100 to $2,000, depending on your policy. For example, if your vehicle has $2,000 in damage and a $500 deductible, you pay $500, and your insurer covers the remaining $1,500.

The appraisal process involves your insurance company assessing vehicle damage. This may include an adjuster inspection or requesting repair estimates from a qualified shop. If repair costs exceed the vehicle’s actual cash value, the insurer may declare it a total loss. In such cases, the insurance company pays you the vehicle’s actual cash value, minus your deductible.

You generally have flexibility to choose your preferred repair shop, though your insurer may recommend facilities. Once the claim is approved and deductible satisfied, the insurer processes payment for covered repairs. The impact on your insurance premiums after a comprehensive claim for hitting a deer is less severe than for at-fault collision claims, as deer collisions are classified as “no-fault” incidents and considered unexpected events beyond driver control. While a comprehensive claim is less likely to significantly raise your rates, some insurers may implement a small increase, around 5% on average, or factor it into your rates for three to five years. The frequency of claims on your record also influences future premiums.

If the deer is injured or killed, do not approach it due to potential danger. Authorities like local law enforcement, game wardens, or animal control agencies are responsible for handling the animal. Some states allow residents to claim a road-killed deer carcass, but this requires reporting the incident to the state’s game commission and obtaining a permit within a specified timeframe.