Does insurance cover hitting a deer?

Is hitting a deer covered by comprehensive or collision coverage?

Vehicle damage from hitting a deer is covered by your auto policy's comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive can cover damages to your car caused by events that are out of your control, like hitting a deer or other animal. For your comprehensive coverage to cover the accident, your car must come in contact with the animal. Here are a few common scenarios that can occur:

• You run into a deer or other animal on the road.
• An animal runs into your car.
• An animal burrows into your car (It sounds crazy, but raccoons can tear into seat cushions and rodents can chew wires under the hood.) Depending on the circumstances, coverage may apply.

Note: If you swerve to avoid hitting a deer or other animal and then hit another vehicle, collide with an object, or overturn your car, you'd need collision coverage to cover damage to your vehicle. If you have comprehensive, you likely also have collision, but check your policy to be sure.

See a comparison of comprehensive vs. collision.

Are injuries from a deer accident covered?

Because comprehensive and collision only cover vehicle damage, claims for medical bills after hitting a deer would be covered by your medical payments coverage or your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage — if you have either. Regardless, be sure to give your health insurance information to your health care providers. The injury-related coverage your auto insurance provides could pale in comparison to your total medical bills, and health insurance can help cover the difference.

What to do if you hit a deer

Common questions about hitting a deer

Do you have to call the police if you hit a deer?

Yes, you should always call the police because the deer could pose a potential threat to other drivers. Filing a police report can also help with the claims process for any property damage or injuries.

Remember, it's up to the authorities to move the deer if needed. For your safety, never approach or try to move an animal after an accident.

Do you have to pay a deductible if you hit a deer?

When you added comprehensive coverage to your insurance policy, you chose a deductible amount (typically between $100 and $2,000). If you hit a deer and file a claim, you'll have to pay that deductible, and your insurer can cover the rest. If your car gets totaled in the accident, your comprehensive coverage can pay out the actual cash value of your car, minus the deductible.

Learn more about how car insurance deductibles work.

Will hitting a deer make my insurance go up?

That depends on your state and insurer. You have little control over a random event like accidentally striking an animal in the road, so hitting a deer is usually a not-at-fault accident. Therefore, in some states, your rate won't increase at all; but in other states, your insurer could still increase your rate.

Can hitting a deer total your car?

Yes, your car can be totaled in a deer vs. car incident. Speed, point of impact, car size, and animal size can all play a role in how much damage your vehicle sustains. Smaller cars like sedans are more likely to be totaled than larger SUVs and trucks.

Learn more about what happens if your car is totaled in an accident.

Does hitting a deer go on your driving record?

A deer accident won't go on your driving record (formally known as your motor vehicle report) unless another person's vehicle or property sustains damage. If you file a claim with your insurance, though, it will be added to your claims history.

How to avoid hitting a deer

A few simple tips can help you avoid hitting a deer on or near the road. Deer often travel in groups, so slow down and stay alert for more if you see one while driving. Pay attention if you see a yellow, diamond-shaped sign with a deer on it — a signal that deer frequently cross the road in that area. Also, your headlights can reflect light off a deer's eyes, making them easier to spot while driving.

Most deer accidents occur during mating season, between October and December. Be especially vigilant during this time of year, particularly if you're driving at dawn or dusk when deer are most active.