Does Insurance Cover Deer Accidents and Injuries?

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Buck with Antlers
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If you're involved in a deer accident, you might be wondering if your insurance will cover the costs. In most cases, the answer is yes, but it depends on the type of insurance you have.

Medical bills from deer accidents can be expensive, but some insurance policies may cover them. According to our research, about 40% of deer accidents result in injuries.

Car insurance may cover the damage to your vehicle, but it depends on the policy and the circumstances of the accident. In some cases, your insurance may not cover the damage if you hit a deer on a rural road.

Insurance Coverage for Deer Accidents

Liability insurance doesn't cover damage to your own vehicle caused by hitting a deer. It only covers bodily injury and property damage to others.

Your liability insurance will cover damage to another person's vehicle or property if you hit a deer, but not the cost to repair your own vehicle.

Majestic Deer on Road
Credit: pexels.com, Majestic Deer on Road

A full coverage policy, which includes comprehensive insurance, offers protection if you collide with a deer. Comprehensive insurance specifically handles incidents like deer collisions.

Before you breathe a sigh of relief, consider your deductible. This out-of-pocket amount can be a significant factor in determining the cost of repairs.

Raising your deductible might lower your monthly premiums, but ask yourself if you could comfortably cover that amount if you hit a deer.

Hitting a deer may trigger a smaller rate increase than a typical accident, but your specific situation matters. Insurers consider factors like your claims history and repair costs.

Some companies offer accident forgiveness programs that could keep your rates stable after a single deer incident.

Types of Insurance Policies

Full coverage car insurance is designed to protect you in unexpected situations, including hitting a deer. This type of policy bundles both collision and comprehensive insurance.

Comprehensive insurance is specifically designed to cover damage caused by deer or other animals, and it's typically required for your car to come into contact with the animal. This means if a deer runs into the road and hits your car, you should be covered.

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Your deductible is an important factor to consider, as you'll need to pay this out-of-pocket amount before your insurance kicks in. The amount of your deductible can affect your monthly premiums, but it's essential to think about whether you can comfortably cover it in case of an unexpected incident.

Comprehensive insurance can also cover the cash value of your car if it's totaled, giving you options for repairs or buying a new car.

Car Insurance

Full coverage car insurance can provide peace of mind when driving, especially in areas with wildlife like deer.

Comprehensive insurance is the key to covering damage caused by deer or other animals, and it's usually the part of a full coverage policy that handles these incidents.

Raising your deductible might lower your monthly premiums, but it's essential to consider whether you could afford to pay that amount if you got into an accident with a deer.

Photo of a Deer Midair
Credit: pexels.com, Photo of a Deer Midair

Comprehensive insurance policies require your car to come into contact with the animal, so if a deer runs into the road and hits your car, you should be covered.

Unfortunately, comprehensive insurance won't cover any injuries you might get from hitting a deer, so it's crucial to wear your seatbelt and drive safely.

If your vehicle is totaled, comprehensive insurance can cover the cash value of your car, giving you the option to choose whether to repair or replace it.

Collision coverage, on the other hand, usually won't pay for deer collisions or other non-accident-related damage to your vehicle.

In states like Pennsylvania, it's recommended to have comprehensive coverage as part of your car insurance policy to protect yourself from unexpected wildlife encounters.

Liability-Only Insurance

Liability-only insurance is a type of policy that only covers damage you cause to others in an accident.

This means that if a deer hits your car, liability-only insurance won't cover the damage to your vehicle. It will only cover damage to another person's vehicle or property.

If you're driving with liability-only insurance and you hit a deer, you'll have to pay for the repairs out of pocket.

Liability-only insurance is designed to protect others, not you, so it's essential to consider other types of insurance coverage, like comprehensive, to protect your own vehicle.

Deer Collision Risks and Statistics

Credit: youtube.com, You just hit a deer, now what? Find out what insurance covers

Pennsylvanians are at a higher risk for deer collision accidents than motorists in any other U.S. state except West Virginia.

In 2014, drivers in Pennsylvania experienced an average of $4,000 in damages from deer collisions, a 14 percent increase from the previous year.

The state saw a significant number of accidents involving whitetail deer in 2015, making it the year with the highest number of such accidents.

Deer Collision Risk in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvanians are at high risk for deer collision accidents, with drivers in the state experiencing more deer collisions than motorists in any other U.S. state except West Virginia in 2014.

In 2014, deer collisions caused damages of just under $4,000 on average, a 14 percent increase from the previous year.

Pennsylvania had the highest number of accidents involving whitetail deer in 2015.

Having the right car insurance coverage is crucial, especially in Pennsylvania, where deer collisions are common.

Hitting a Deer

Hitting a deer can be a stressful experience, but the impact on your car insurance rates might not be as bad as you think.

Photo of Deer Standing Near Train Track In Between Woods
Credit: pexels.com, Photo of Deer Standing Near Train Track In Between Woods

In most cases, deer collisions fall under comprehensive coverage, which generally triggers smaller rate increases than typical accidents.

Your specific situation matters, as insurers consider factors like your claims history and repair costs when making decisions.

Some insurance companies even offer accident forgiveness programs that could keep your rates stable after a single deer incident.

If you hit a deer, you'll likely need to pay a deductible, which is the amount you contribute to any covered events.

The amount of your deductible depends on your insurance policy, and you can choose a higher or lower deductible when taking out your policy.

Typically, the more you pay for your insurance policy, the lower your deductible is, and vice versa.

If your car is totaled, your insurance company may just pay you the cash value of your car, minus your deductible.

After hitting a deer, your safety and the safety of others should be your priority.

To ensure your safety, safely move your vehicle to the side of the road, turn on your hazard lights, and call the police immediately.

Photo of Deers Near Cyclone Fence
Credit: pexels.com, Photo of Deers Near Cyclone Fence

Avoid contacting the injured animal, as they can be unpredictable and dangerous.

Document the accident scene by taking photos of your surroundings, the road conditions, your vehicle's damages, and any injuries sustained.

If there are witnesses, take their statements and contact information.

Before driving again, thoroughly check your vehicle for any damages that could compromise its safety.

Ramiro Senger

Lead Writer

Ramiro Senger is a seasoned writer with a passion for delivering informative and engaging content to readers. With a keen interest in the world of finance, he has established himself as a trusted voice in the realm of mortgage loans and related topics. Ramiro's expertise spans a range of article categories, including mortgage loans and bad credit mortgage options.

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