Auto Insurance And Deer Collisions: What's Covered?

Hitting a deer with your car is considered an accident by insurance companies due to the impact. If you have comprehensive insurance, your policy will cover the damage caused by hitting a deer. However, if you only have liability insurance, you will have to pay for the damage yourself. Comprehensive insurance covers damage caused by things other than collisions, such as theft, vandalism, weather, fires, and animals. On the other hand, liability insurance only covers bodily injury and property damage that you cause to another person or people in an accident. Collision insurance covers accidents with other cars or inanimate objects.

Comprehensive insurance covers hitting a deer

If you hit a deer with your car, your comprehensive insurance will cover the damage. Comprehensive insurance covers damage caused by things other than collisions, such as theft, vandalism, weather, and fires, and animal collisions. In the case of hitting a deer, your comprehensive coverage will protect you from damage caused by the collision with the animal. It's important to note that comprehensive insurance typically requires that your car comes into contact with the deer, and it will not cover any injuries you may sustain in the accident.

If you swerve to avoid hitting a deer and collide with another object or vehicle, your collision coverage, rather than your comprehensive coverage, would come into play. Collision insurance covers accidents involving other vehicles or inanimate objects. It's worth mentioning that if you have liability-only insurance, you will not be covered for damage caused by hitting a deer, as liability insurance only covers damage to another person's property or injuries caused to another person in an accident.

When filing a claim for deer-related damage, it's advisable to have a police report on file, document the scene of the accident with photographs, and contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Additionally, it's important to note that you will likely need to pay a deductible when making a claim.

Liability insurance doesn't cover hitting a deer

Liability insurance does not cover damage to your own vehicle caused by hitting a deer. This type of insurance only covers bodily injury and property damage that you cause to another person or people in an accident. So, if you hit a deer and your car is damaged, you will have to cover the repair costs yourself.

Liability insurance will cover any damage caused by the collision to another person's vehicle or property, but only up to the policy limit. This means that if you hit a deer and it causes damage to someone else's car or property, your liability insurance will cover the cost of repairs for the other person, but not for yourself.

If you want to be financially protected in the event of a collision with a deer or other animal, you should consider purchasing full coverage car insurance. This type of insurance includes both collision and comprehensive coverage, which will cover the cost of repairing your vehicle if it is damaged in an accident with a deer.

When purchasing comprehensive coverage, it is important to consider the deductible amount. The higher the deductible, the lower your premium tends to be. However, make sure you can afford to pay the deductible amount out of pocket when filing a claim.

It is worth noting that swerving to avoid hitting a deer could be dangerous and may result in you being found at fault for the collision. If you swerve to avoid a deer and hit another car or object, your collision coverage may apply, but it might be safer to hit the deer instead of risking a more serious accident.

Collision insurance covers swerving to avoid a deer

Comprehensive coverage is an optional add-on to your auto policy, but most drivers choose to include it. It covers damage to your car caused by events outside of your control, such as hitting an animal. Collision coverage, on the other hand, covers damage to your vehicle when you collide with another vehicle or object.

If you swerve to avoid a deer and cause a crash involving another driver or someone's property, you may be found negligent and deemed at fault for the collision. In this case, your collision coverage may apply if you have full coverage insurance. However, it is generally safer to hit the deer than to risk a more serious accident.

It's important to note that while comprehensive claims typically do not increase your insurance rates as much as collision claims, filing a claim for an accident involving a deer will likely result in an increase in your premium.

Deductibles must be paid when filing a claim

If you have comprehensive coverage, your auto insurance will likely cover the cost of damages from hitting a deer. However, you will need to pay a deductible when filing a claim.

A deductible is the amount of money that you, the policyholder, are responsible for paying towards an insured loss. In the context of auto insurance, the deductible is what you pay "out of pocket" on a claim before your insurance covers the rest. In other words, after you pay the deductible amount, your insurer will cover the remaining cost to repair or replace your vehicle.

For example, if you have a $500 deductible and your insurer determines that you have an insured loss worth $10,000, you will receive a claims check for $9,500. It's important to note that the deductible applies each time you file a claim, and you need to be comfortable with the amount in case of a loss.

When choosing a deductible, you typically have a choice between a low and high deductible. A low deductible means a higher insurance rate, while a high deductible results in a lower insurance rate. For instance, increasing your auto insurance deductible from $200 to $500 can reduce your premium costs. However, keep in mind that you will be responsible for paying the deductible amount when filing a claim, so ensure that you can afford the out-of-pocket expense.

In summary, while comprehensive coverage can provide financial protection if you hit a deer, you will need to pay a deductible when filing a claim. Understanding how deductibles work is crucial to making informed decisions about your insurance policy and ensuring you are prepared in the event of a covered loss.

Hitting a deer is not considered an at-fault accident

However, if you swerve to avoid hitting a deer and hit another car, you may be deemed at fault for the collision and held responsible for the damage to the other vehicle. In this case, your collision coverage may apply, but it is generally safer to hit the deer than risk a more serious accident.

Comprehensive insurance covers hitting a deer, but if you only have liability insurance, you will have to pay for the damage yourself. Liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage that you cause to another person or people in an accident. It will not cover the cost to repair your own vehicle if you hit a deer.

Frequently asked questions