If You Hit a Deer Does Insurance Cover It?

Collisions with deer are a common occurrence for drivers across the country. A primary concern is whether auto insurance will cover the resulting damage. This article clarifies insurance responses to vehicle damage caused by deer.

Understanding Relevant Insurance Coverage

Comprehensive coverage is the specific type of auto insurance that addresses damage from animal collisions, including deer. This coverage protects against non-collision incidents such as theft, vandalism, fire, and natural disasters. If a vehicle sustains damage solely from hitting a deer, comprehensive coverage applies.

This coverage pays for repairs to the vehicle or its actual cash value if it is totaled, after a deductible is met. Deductibles for comprehensive coverage can vary widely, often ranging from $100 to $1,000. Selecting a higher deductible can lower premium costs, but it also means a larger initial expense during a claim.

Collision coverage, in contrast, is designed for damage resulting from a vehicle striking another vehicle or an object like a tree, guardrail, or pole. If a deer collision causes a driver to swerve and then hit another stationary object or another vehicle, the subsequent damage from striking the object or vehicle might be covered under collision. The initial impact with the deer falls under comprehensive. A policy lacking comprehensive coverage would not cover direct damage from a deer impact.

Actions Immediately After a Deer Collision

After a deer collision, ensuring personal safety and the safety of any passengers is the first priority. Drivers should move the vehicle to a safe location away from traffic, if possible, and activate hazard lights. Check for any injuries to occupants after securing the vehicle.

Contacting law enforcement is advisable, particularly if there is significant vehicle damage, injuries, or if the animal poses a hazard. A police report provides an objective account for the insurer, including details like date, time, and location.

It is also important to document the scene thoroughly by taking photographs or videos of the vehicle damage, the surrounding area, and any relevant road conditions. Capturing images of the deer, if it is safe to do so, can also be helpful for the insurance claim. Approaching an injured or deceased deer should be avoided due to unpredictable behavior or potential health risks.

Navigating the Insurance Claim Process

Once immediate safety measures and scene documentation are complete, the next step involves initiating the insurance claim. Policyholders can typically contact their insurance provider through various channels, including a dedicated claims phone number, a mobile application, or an online portal. Providing accurate details about the incident, such as the exact date, time, and location of the collision, is important for the claim’s efficient processing.

If a police report was filed, providing the report number to the insurer will expedite their review. The insurance company will then begin an appraisal process to assess the extent of the vehicle damage. This may involve sending an insurance adjuster to inspect the vehicle in person, or they might request the policyholder to submit detailed photographs and videos of the damage.

After the damage assessment, the insurer will provide an estimate for repairs. Policyholders can then proceed with getting their vehicle repaired at a chosen repair shop, which might be one recommended by the insurer or one of their own preference. The comprehensive deductible will be applied at this stage, and the policyholder will be responsible for paying this amount directly to the repair facility or the insurer, depending on the arrangement.

How Deer Collision Claims Are Processed

Deer collisions are typically classified as “no-fault” incidents under insurance policies. This designation means that the policyholder is generally not deemed responsible for the accident, similar to claims involving hail damage or theft. Consequently, a claim filed for a deer collision under comprehensive coverage is less likely to directly impact insurance premiums in the same manner as an at-fault collision with another vehicle.

The primary financial responsibility for the policyholder in such a claim will typically be the comprehensive deductible. After this deductible is satisfied, the insurance company covers the remaining repair costs up to the vehicle’s actual cash value.

A key distinction arises if the initial impact with a deer causes the driver to swerve and subsequently collide with another vehicle or stationary object. In such scenarios, the damage from the secondary impact might fall under collision coverage, rather than comprehensive. Depending on the specifics of the policy and the incident, this secondary collision could potentially alter the “no-fault” classification and its implications for future premiums, as it introduces elements of driver action beyond the initial animal encounter.