Does Car Insurance Cover Me If I Hit A Deer?

Popular Questions:

Which Kind of Car Insurance Covers Damage Caused by Accidents with Deer?
Does Comprehensive Coverage Pay for the Costs of Injuries After Accidents Involving Deer?
How Much of My Vehicle's Damage Is Covered by Comprehensive Insurance?
Will Filing a Car Insurance Claim Affect My Premium?
Steps to Take If You Hit a Deer with Your Car
Avoiding Accidents with Deer
How an Independent Insurance Agent Can Help

Sometimes, unfortunately, accidents with deer are unavoidable. But while you can't prevent these accidents from happening altogether, you can help prevent unnecessary costs by having the right car insurance coverage. With comprehensive coverage, you can get reimbursed for accidents involving large animals like deer.

An independent insurance agent can help you get set up with all the comprehensive coverage and other types of car insurance you may need. They'll get you matched to the right policy fast. But first, here's a breakdown of when and how car insurance can help cover you if you get into a collision with a deer.

Which Kind of Car Insurance Covers Damage Caused by Accidents with Deer?

Unfortunately, many drivers mistakenly think their collision coverage under their car insurance policy would cover accidents involving large animals like deer. However, this isn't the case as collision coverage is only designed to cover collisions with other vehicles or objects like fences or curbs. Collision coverage doesn't pay for accidents with deer, but comprehensive car insurance does. Here's a quick breakdown of the two coverages:

• Collision coverage: Pays for damage to your car from a collision with another driver, regardless of fault. Also pays for damage to your car sustained from collisions with objects like fences or curbs.
• Comprehensive coverage: Pays for damage to your car due to a non-collision event such as a flood or theft. Also pays for damage to your car from collisions with large animals like deer.

If you're concerned about damage to your vehicle after incidents of hitting deer or other large animals, you'll need to ensure that your car insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage specifically. An independent insurance agent can help you with this.

Does Comprehensive Coverage Pay for the Costs of Injuries After Accidents Involving Deer?

No, comprehensive car insurance doesn't cover any injuries to yourself or your passengers if you collide with a deer. However, the medical payments coverage portion of your car insurance policy could reimburse you for such medical bills. 

Personal injury protection could also cover you in these instances. It's possible that either of these coverages under your auto insurance wouldn't fully cover your medical bills, however. In such a case, you might have to rely on a health insurance policy to reimburse you for necessary medical treatments, surgeries, etc., after an accident involving a deer.

How Much of My Vehicle's Damage Is Covered by Comprehensive Insurance? 

Typically, your comprehensive car insurance coverage limit is the actual cash value of your vehicle. This means that it could pay the actual cash value of your vehicle if it got totaled after hitting a deer. Keep in mind that actual cash value coverage factors in the depreciation of your vehicle, so if you want to be certain you could replace your car for one of the same value, make sure to add new car replacement coverage to your policy.

If you get into an accident with a deer and file a car insurance claim, as long as you have comprehensive car insurance, the full claim should be covered after you pay your deductible. Common comprehensive car insurance deductibles come in amounts of $250, $500, $1,000, or even higher. 

You have to pay this amount out of your own pocket each time you submit a claim. So, if the total damage to be reimbursed after the accident was $8,500, but you had a $500 deductible, you would receive a total of $8,000 from your car insurance company.

Will Filing a Car Insurance Claim Affect My Premium?

If you file even one car insurance claim, there's a likelihood that your premiums will increase. Sometimes, the raise can be significant. Keep this in mind when deciding if you want to file a car insurance claim. 

When to file a car insurance claim after hitting a deer

If you hit a deer and the damage to your vehicle is minimal and something you can easily cover yourself, you may choose not to file a car insurance claim. It may not be worth it to file a claim, considering you'll have to pay the deductible first and then continue to pay an increased premium going forward. However, if the damage to your vehicle is substantial, filing a claim may be well worth it.

Steps to Take If You Hit a Deer with Your Car

Before you even think about car insurance claims, there are certain steps you should take if you ever get into a collision with a deer. Follow this checklist of action steps if you ever hit a deer with your vehicle.

1. Move your vehicle off the road: Make sure to get your vehicle over to the side of the road, safely out of the way of traffic and away from the deer you hit. Turn on the hazard lights, and don't exit your vehicle until it's safe.
2. Call the police right away: You should always contact the police after an accident involving a deer because the animal could also be a risk to other drivers. Filing a police report can also be helpful if you decide to file a car insurance claim.
3. Avoid the deer: If you hit a deer or another large animal with your vehicle, steer clear of it, even if you're tempted to help. Leave the decision to move or help the deer up to the authorities you've contacted to avoid potential injuries from a frightened animal.
4. Document the damage: You'll need to take pictures of the damage to your vehicle if you decide to file a car insurance claim, but you may also want to get pictures of the road and your surroundings, such as if there was any damage to nearby road signs or trees. Document any injuries to yourself or your passengers as well.
5. Seek medical attention: If anyone is injured in the accident, seek appropriate medical attention right away. Keep documentation of all treatments for your records so you can submit it to insurance.
6. Contact your independent insurance agent: Your agent can help file car insurance claims for you. Be sure to give them all the accident details and send them any photos or receipts you have.
7. Inspect your vehicle: Ensure your car is safe to drive before you leave the scene. Check for leaking fluids, unlatched trunks or hoods, or broken headlights or taillights. If your vehicle needs immediate service or a tow, you can call your car insurance company if you have towing and roadside assistance coverage.

Ensuring everyone's safety, including that of other drivers and vehicles on the road, should be your top priority after a collision with a deer.

Avoiding Accidents with Deer

As previously stated, you can't always avoid accidents with deer. However, there are a few tips that can help minimize the likelihood of deer-related collisions. Follow these tips on the road to help prevent accidents with deer:

• Stay on alert if you see even one deer when driving.
• Pay extra attention in areas with yellow, diamond-shaped traffic signs that indicate deer crossings.
• Keep your headlights on at night, and use your high beams when necessary. Your headlights can help illuminate a deer's eyes in the distance and give you appropriate time to react.
• Remember that most deer-related accidents occur between October and December, which is mating season for deer. Stay on high alert during this time of the year, especially if you drive at dusk or dawn. Most accidents with deer occur during these hours since that's when the animals are most active.

The more effort you make to reduce the risk of deer-related accidents, the less likely you'll be ever to have to file a car insurance claim or repair your vehicle.

How an Independent Insurance Agent Can Help

Independent insurance agents can shop and compare car insurance policies from multiple carriers to find you the overall best coverage and price available. They'll get you set up with every type of protection you need, including comprehensive coverage. And down the road, your agent will be there to help file claims for you or update your coverage as necessary.