What Insurance Covers a Deer Accident?
Navigate vehicle damage from deer collisions. Understand your insurance coverage, post-accident steps, and claim implications.
Collisions with deer are common for drivers, especially during seasons of higher deer activity. These incidents can result in significant vehicle damage and injuries. Understanding how auto insurance policies address these accidents is important for vehicle owners to navigate financial implications and administrative steps.
Identifying Applicable Coverage
Vehicle damage from hitting a deer is covered under the comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy. Comprehensive coverage protects against damages to your vehicle from events other than collisions with other vehicles or objects, such as theft, vandalism, fire, natural disasters, and animal impacts.
In contrast, collision coverage primarily addresses damage to your vehicle resulting from an impact with another vehicle or object, like a tree or a fence. If a driver swerves to avoid a deer and subsequently hits another vehicle or a stationary object, that scenario falls under collision coverage, not comprehensive. Carrying comprehensive coverage is necessary for financial protection against direct deer-related damage.
Actions Following a Deer Collision
Ensuring safety is the immediate priority after hitting a deer. If possible and safe, move your vehicle to the side of the road and activate hazard lights. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries, and call for medical assistance promptly if needed.
Contacting law enforcement is advisable, especially if there are injuries, significant vehicle damage, or if the animal is obstructing traffic. A police report provides valuable documentation for your insurance claim. Document the scene by taking photos of your vehicle’s damage, the animal (if safe), and the surrounding area. Notify your insurance company as soon as possible to begin the claims process.
Understanding Claim Impact
When filing a claim for deer-related damage under comprehensive coverage, a deductible applies. This is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance company covers the remaining repair costs. For example, if repairs cost $2,000 and your comprehensive deductible is $500, you pay $500, and your insurer pays $1,500.
Claims stemming from hitting a deer are considered “no-fault” accidents, as they are unpredictable and unavoidable events. This means that filing a comprehensive claim for an animal collision is less likely to significantly increase your insurance premiums compared to an at-fault collision claim. However, your overall claims history can influence future rates. Reporting the incident to local authorities can be beneficial for documentation, especially if damage exceeds a certain monetary threshold.