Should I call the auto insurance company if my car hits a deer?

After the adrenaline fades and the accident is cleaned up, your first thought is probably if you should report hitting a deer to your insurance company. In almost all cases, the answer is yes, you do have to report hitting a deer.

However, there are times when drivers don’t know what type of insurance covers hitting a deer, and if they don’t have the right coverage calling the auto insurance company will be futile. We’ve outlined how to check whether car insurance cover hitting a deer and when to call your insurance company after hitting a deer.

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Does liability insurance cover hitting a deer?

Before you call, it’s important to know what insurance covers hitting a deer. Many drivers wrongly assume that liability insurance will cover hitting a deer. However, neither liability nor collision do cover hitting a deer.

Drivers who ask “Does liability car insurance cover hitting a deer?” should know that liability insurance does cover a deer hit. So, what coverage covers hitting a deer?

The only car insurance that does cover damage from animals is comprehensive insurance. 

Unfortunately, liability insurance does cover your car if you hit a deer. Similarly, collision auto insurance doesn’t cover deer hits. Hitting a deer is under comprehensive coverage, so unless you have comprehensive insurance on your policy, the insurance company won’t cover your deer hit insurance claim. However, if you sustained injuries and have medical payments coverage or personal injury protection (PIP), you should file a claim for hitting a deer to be compensated for any medical bills not covered by your health insurance. 

Since comprehensive does cover hitting a deer, read on to see when you should give your insurance company a call.  

When to Call Your Insurer After Hitting a Deer

Once you’ve verified that you have comprehensive coverage, you should call your insurer if any of the following is true: 

• Your car has extensive damages. If your car has any damages requiring more expensive repairs, such as a broken axle, you should file an insurance claim for hitting a deer with your insurer. If you’re not sure, give them a call. Not all damage may be readily visible.
• Property other than your own is damaged. For example, another car crashed into you when you crashed into the deer, or you swerved into a mailbox. Your insurer needs to be aware that another party may be filing a claim with them for damages. 
• There are injuries to you or a passenger. If anyone is injured in the accident, call your insurance company.

While reporting for hitting a deer is not legally required, you do have to call the police if you hit a deer when another’s property is damaged. You do need a police report to file a claim for hitting a deer as it removes any hearsay when a second party is involved. 

You should also call the police if the deer is blocking traffic, as they can remove the deer and prevent a hazard to other drivers.

When Not to Call Your Car Insurance if a Deer Hit Your Car

There are some instances where you can choose not to call your insurer. If the damages are minimal and you choose to pay out of pocket, you can forgo calling your insurance company. 

If you have a high deductible that exceeds the amount you’d pay for repairs, there’s really no need to file a claim since you still have to pay your insurance deductible if you hit a deer. 

For example, if your deductible is $500 but the cost to repair the small dent is only $200, you’d pay this amount either way. You may also be lucky enough to also escape with no damages to your vehicle, in which a call to your insurance company is unnecessary. 

Common Driver Concerns After Hitting a Deer

Many drivers want to know if hitting a deer will raise their insurance rates. If you are reluctant to call your car insurance company because you are worried about insurance rates or the accident going on your driving record, there usually isn’t cause for concern. 

Since it isn’t a driver’s fault, unless there is a clear case of negligent driving or impaired driving, hitting a deer doesn’t increase insurance rates. You can usually check the fine print in your insurance agreement to see if your insurer raises rates for accidents in which you aren’t at fault. 

If your insurers raise rates even if an accident wasn’t your fault, it’s best not to put it on record if the amount out of pocket is low. For the most part, however, hitting a deer will not raise insurance.

The other common question drivers have before calling their insurer that of whether hitting a deer goes on your driving record. If you file a claim, it will go on your claim history with an insurer. The only time hitting a deer would go on your driving record would be if there was a negligent or impaired driving charge. 

Therefore, hitting a deer very rarely goes on your driving record and only if other factors are involved. So don’t let fear of a blemished driving record stop you from calling your insurer or the police after an accident involving a deer. 

Hitting a Deer and Insurance: The Bottom Line

After an accident, the best course of action is usually to call your insurance company. Unless the damage is minimal and less than your deductible, your insurer will pay for any necessary repairs to your vehicle after hitting a deer.

Just make sure to carry comprehensive, the only coverage that covers deer hits and will pay for repairs after an animal collision. Shopping around at different companies can help you find an affordable comprehensive insurance plan and save you from expensive bills. 

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