Should I call the auto insurance company if my car hits a deer?
Liability insurance does not cover deer hits, but you can file a claim if you have comprehensive coverage. However, if your deductible is higher than the cost to repair the damages, you should pay out of pocket.
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Jimmy McMillan
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Jimmy McMillan is an entrepreneur and the founder of HeartLifeInsurance.com, an independent insurance brokerage. His company specializes in insurance for people with heart problems. He knows personally how difficult it is to secure health and life insurance after a heart attack. Jimmy is a licensed insurance agent from coast to coast who has been featured on ValientCEO and the podcast Modern Li...
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UPDATED: Sep 4, 2024
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Sep 4, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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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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- Hitting a deer is only covered under comprehensive insurance, not collision or liability insurance
- You should call your insurance if you hit a deer in case the repair costs exceed the deductible
- If you don’t have comprehensive coverage, there is no need to call the insurance company
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.
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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.
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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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Frequently Asked Questions
Who do you call when you hit a deer?
It is recommended to call your auto insurance company if your car hits a deer.
Will liability cover hitting a deer?
If you have liability insurance and you hit a deer, you won’t be covered. The only insurance coverage that covers animal collisions is comprehensive insurance.
Should I file a claim if I hit a deer with comprehensive coverage?
Yes, if you have comprehensive coverage, you can file an insurance claim for a deer accident. However, if your deductible is higher than the cost to repair the damages, it may be more cost-effective to pay out of pocket.
When should I call my insurer after hitting a deer?
You should call your insurer if any of the following is true:
- Your car has significant damages that require repairs.
- You sustained injuries and have medical payments coverage or personal injury protection (PIP).
- Another person’s property is damaged, in which case involving the police may be necessary for filing claims.
Are there instances when I don’t need to call my insurance if you hit a deer?
Yes, if the damages are minimal and you choose to pay out of pocket, or if your deductible exceeds the cost of repairs, you may choose not to file an insurance claim for a deer collision.
Does insurance cover deer hitting car?
Yes, comprehensive car insurance does cover deer accidents.
Can hitting a deer total your car?
Yes, hitting a deer can cause significant damage to your car, to the point of being declared a total loss by the insurance company.
Is hitting a deer covered under comprehensive or collision coverage?
Hitting a deer is usually covered under comprehensive coverage, as it involves damage caused by something other than a collision with another vehicle.
Do you have to pay a deductible if you hit a deer?
Many insurance companies require you to pay a deductible for comprehensive coverage. So, yes, you do pay a deductible if you hit a deer.
Do I need a police report if I hit a deer?
In most cases, you do not have to file a police report if you hit a deer, but it’s always a good idea to document the incident and contact your insurer.
Does Allstate cover deer accidents?
Yes, Allstate typically covers accidents involving hitting a deer under comprehensive coverage.
How long do you have to report hitting a deer to insurance?
It’s best to report any incident to your insurance company as soon as possible.
What happens if you hit a deer and don’t call the police?
If there are no injuries, you may not need to involve the police, but you should still contact your insurance company to report the incident.
Will insurance fix my car if I hit a deer?
If you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance should cover the cost of repairing your car, minus any deductible.
Will insurance go up if you hit a deer?
Your insurance rates won’t go up after hitting a deer, but it depends on your insurance company and your policy.
What should I do if I hit a deer?
After ensuring your safety and the safety of others, document the incident, contact your insurance company to report the claim, and seek medical attention if necessary.
What’s the deductible for hitting a deer?
If you have comprehensive coverage to your auto insurance policy, you chose a deductible amount which can range between $100 and $2,000.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Jimmy McMillan
Licensed Insurance Agent
Jimmy McMillan is an entrepreneur and the founder of HeartLifeInsurance.com, an independent insurance brokerage. His company specializes in insurance for people with heart problems. He knows personally how difficult it is to secure health and life insurance after a heart attack. Jimmy is a licensed insurance agent from coast to coast who has been featured on ValientCEO and the podcast Modern Li...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.