Does car insurance cover hitting a deer?

While no one wants to think about colliding with a deer on a dark highway, it’s a statistical reality that affects a small but significant number of drivers on the road.

If you’ve wondered what hitting a deer with your car might mean for your finances, you should learn what auto insurance coverage you’ll need. Keep reading to find out what type of car insurance covers hitting a deer and which one of the best auto insurance companies offers the best rates for coverage.

Does auto insurance cover deer damage?

Full coverage auto insurance covers hitting a deer since it includes comprehensive coverage to pay for your car’s damages due to a natural disaster or potential road hazard like wildlife. It also pays for damages or market value for your totaled car. So yes, full coverage covers deer accidents.

What type of auto insurance covers hitting a deer or swerving to miss a deer?

There are a few scenarios where you might hit a deer, swerve to miss a deer and hit another object, or, in rare instances, all of the above. State Farm auto insurance conducted a study to find states where animal collisions are more likely.

States With the Highest Chance of Hitting a Deer

If you worry about deer collisions on your daily commute based on geographic location and time of day, consider collision and comprehensive auto insurance coverage to protect yourself from an automobile accident involving a deer on the highway.

Under your full coverage auto insurance plan, comprehensive and collision coverage covers everything.

Does comprehensive car insurance cover hitting a deer?

Yes, comprehensive covers you if you hit a deer. Comprehensive auto insurance pays for vehicle damage whether it’s your fault or not since, in this case, the potential guilty party isn’t held to any legal standard. It also covers the following scenarios that don’t qualify as collision.

• Theft
• Vandalism, riots, or elevated levels of civil disobedience
• Qualified inclement and extreme weather events
• Fire damage
• Collisions with other animals
• Destruction from flooding

However, comprehensive coverage isn’t a silver bullet, so there are situations where it won’t help you.

• Poor road conditions leading to damage, like a pothole
• Cost to arrange a tow truck or roadside assistance
• Rental vehicle reimbursement
• Accident damage caused by others

It’s important to review your policy to know what you’re getting and what you’re paying for before something happens. If those coverages are important to you, discuss your options before you buy auto insurance. 

Does collision car insurance cover hitting a deer?

Collision insurance covers your car if you attempted to evade a collision with a deer but accidentally hit another vehicle, a person’s property, or an inanimate object. In other words, you are at fault for the damage due to your reaction to the deer. Thus, you’re still liable, and collision covers it minus your deductible.

Does liability car insurance cover hitting a deer?

Liability coverage won’t pay if you hit a deer with your car. If you only have liability, you’ll pay for everything, which could require you to buy a new car altogether. Most people can’t afford an unexpected expense like this, so it’s good to prepare ahead of time.

How much does comprehensive auto insurance cost?

The average annual cost of comprehensive insurance coverage is around $150, less than most other insurance types.

National Average Collision and Comprehensive Auto Insurance Rates

However, this number most likely includes group policies, which are frequently less pricey than online policies. Always check to see what auto insurance discounts you may qualify for to bring your overall bill down.

The car’s actual cash value determines how much your policy will cost. After subtracting the vehicle’s depreciation, you get the cost of replacing the vehicle. As a result, cars with higher values cost more to insure, though the real cost of your policy is also contingent upon your deductible.

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Average Rates and Availability from Top Providers

It’s easy to see how spending a little extra in the near term could be a useful deer collision mitigation strategy. However, that may likely be the case only if you’re in a higher-risk category due to geographic and environmental factors. Smaller, lighter animals cause less vehicle damage.

Will hitting a deer increase my insurance rates?

If you have accident forgiveness, hitting a deer won’t raise your insurance rates. Companies typically charge a small fee for accident forgiveness, guaranteeing your premium won’t go up after a collision. However, is running over a deer a negligent accident?

No other cars are present when you hit a deer, so it’s not your fault the accident happened. However, accidents you’re at fault for, like those caused by speeding or texting while driving, cause injuries or property damage to another driver. Find out which insurance companies have accident forgiveness.

Do you have to pay a deductible for a car accident hitting a deer?

If you file a claim with your auto insurance after hitting a deer or animal with your vehicle, you’ll typically have to pay a car insurance deductible. When you initially purchase comprehensive coverage, you select a deductible amount.

Your deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket for a covered claim. Review all concerns with your agent before signing your future policy’s bottom line, and understand how it could shape your next five years.

For example, consider a scenario where a deer struck your car, causing damage — your car now requires $3,000 in repairs. If the deductible for your comprehensive insurance is $1,000, you must contribute $1,000 to the cost of your car’s repairs, and your insurer pays the remaining $2,000. 

On the other hand, let’s say you hit a deer, and your car gets totaled. Your policy’s maximum amount depends on your comprehensive coverage limit. 

If your deductible is higher than the repair costs, your insurance won’t pay for the damages if you hit a deer. After you contribute your deductible, your comprehensive coverage pays your car’s actual cash value in the event of a total loss.

Does auto insurance cover hitting a deer?

Yes, car insurance covers hitting a deer when you carry comprehensive or full coverage auto insurance. Full coverage car insurance includes both collision and comprehensive policies, so you know you’re covered no matter what happens to your vehicle.

The likelihood of you hitting a deer is very low — barely 1%, but that risk increases if you live in a state with a higher chance of hitting a deer, like West Virginia or Pennsylvania.

You may also see that comprehensive auto insurance rates are higher in these states, so shop around with multiple companies to find the most affordable quotes. Take advantage of our free comparison tool below to find cheap car insurance that covers hitting a deer.