Does hitting a deer affect auto insurance rates?

If you hit a deer, insurance typically covers it. But does hitting a deer affect auto insurance rates? That depends on the company and the type of policy. You need the right deer accident insurance to cover repairs, and liability-only policies won’t be enough.

Is hitting a deer covered under collision or comprehensive insurance? In general, comprehensive auto insurance covers deer car accidents and collisions. The good news is deer accident insurance claims will not raise rates because hitting an animal doesn’t carry the same risk as hitting another vehicle.

However, carrying comprehensive coverage costs more than a liability-only policy. It also comes with deductibles you must pay before your insurer covers any deer collision repairs. Keep reading to get free insurance quotes and compare car insurance rates after hitting a deer.

Auto Insurance Rates After Hitting a Deer

Does hitting a deer raise your insurance? No. Hitting a deer does not affect auto insurance rates, but insurance costs can vary based on the odds of hitting a deer by state. Having the right deer collision coverage can be also more expensive than average.

You need comprehensive or full coverage insurance when hitting a deer, and monthly auto insurance rates for full coverage will be higher than other types of policies. Comprehensive car insurance that covers hitting a deer comes with the cheapest annual rates.

Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by State & Coverage Type

Does full coverage cover hitting a deer? Yes, and you can combine liability with comprehensive and collision insurance for full coverage insurance for deer car accidents. Use our guide to find the cheapest full coverage auto insurance near you.

Deer Collision Insurance Deductibles

Is there a deductible for hitting a deer? Yes. The higher your auto insurance deductible, the lower your auto insurance rates. 

Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Deductible Amount & Coverage Level

But don’t choose a higher deductible you can’t afford, because you are responsible for paying it before the insurance covers any deer damage to your car.

For example, if your comprehensive policy comes with a $1,000 deductible, you will have to pay at least $1,000 before your provider covers any repair costs. So if front-end damage from hitting a deer costs $6,000, you must pay $1,000 toward repairs before your insurer covers the remaining $5,000.

Learn More:

• How do you pay your auto insurance deductible?
• What is a good auto insurance deductible?
• How do vanishing or diminishing deductibles work?

When Deer Collisions Are Covered by Auto Insurance

Does hitting a deer count as collision? No, and a lone incident of hitting a deer won’t usually affect the cost of auto insurance, but there’s also no guarantee that your insurance policy will pay for the damages. Whether the incident is covered depends on what kind of car insurance you carry. 

Does liability insurance cover hitting a deer? No. What type of insurance covers hitting a deer? You need comprehensive auto insurance coverage so you can file an insurance claim for hitting a deer.

Basic liability insurance will not pay for hitting a deer, and in most states, the minimum car insurance requirements do not include comprehensive coverage.

It’s possible to get auto insurance for hitting a deer with a comprehensive coverage policy. For example, Geico deer coverage is a comprehensive policy that pays deer collision claims and those involving incidents with larger animals. Read more about your coverage options in our Geico auto insurance review.

However, you cannot buy comprehensive insurance as a stand-alone policy. You need to carry liability coverage and add comprehensive insurance to cover when a deer hits your car. Again, it does come at an additional cost, with rates varying based on your personal driving record and eligibility for special discounts. 

Deer Insurance Coverage by Company

You may be wondering if the largest auto insurance companies in the U.S. offer hitting deer insurance — they do:

• Does State Farm cover hitting a deer? Yes, State Farm comprehensive insurance covers deer accidents. Compare policy rates in our State Farm review.
• Does Progressive cover deer accidents? Yes, Progressive comprehensive insurance covers deer accidents. Compare rates in our Geico vs. Progressive auto insurance review to see which is cheapest in your state.
• Does Geico cover hitting a deer? Yes, Geico deer collision coverage is included with a comprehensive policy. If you have Geico accident forgiveness, you may not have to pay a deductible for minor damages. Learn more in our Geico insurance review.
• Does Allstate cover deer accidents? Yes, Allstate comprehensive insurance covers deer accidents. Allstate deer accident coverage comes with a deductible, so use our Allstate auto insurance review to compare costs.

Does insurance go up after hitting a deer with these companies? No, unless you have multiple claims on your record already, you won’t have to anticipate your auto insurance rates going up after a deer accident.

Deer Collision Safety Tips

What should you do after hitting a deer? If you’ve struck a deer, there are no laws that require you to stay on the scene. However, it is best to take time to assess the situation immediately.

Follow these steps to take care of yourself, the needs of the animal, and other motorists on the road: 

1. Pull your vehicle over to the side of the road. Turn into a safe location and turn on the hazard lights.
2. Phone the local non-emergency police number to report the situation. They will contact the appropriate agencies if there is a carcass to dispose of or if medical assistance is needed.
3. Document the accident. Include photos or descriptions of the surroundings, any damage or injuries that occurred, and any witness information.
4. Stay away from the wounded deer. If the animal has fled, don’t chase after it.
5. Contact your auto insurance company. Report the accident and send your documentation.
6. Assess your vehicle. If you can’t drive the vehicle home, contact roadside assistance or arrange to have it towed.

Being aware of your surroundings can help reduce the chances of colliding with a deer. You can further protect yourself from the financial costs of hitting a deer by purchasing full coverage auto insurance on your vehicle. Full coverage car insurance is more expensive, but it will cover the cost of repairs after hitting a deer.

Shop around and compare auto insurance quotes for full coverage from multiple companies to lock in cheaper rates. 

How to File an Insurance Claim After Hitting a Deer

Getting hit by a deer while driving can be a potentially dangerous experience. Not only can it cause damage to your vehicle, but an animal collision poses a safety risk to you and other drivers on the road. 

Can you claim on insurance for hitting a deer? Yes, and if you find yourself in this situation, it’s crucial to know how to file a deer insurance claim promptly and effectively:

• Contact the authorities. Is it illegal to hit a deer and drive off? Yes, in some states it’s required by law to report accidents involving wildlife. So call the police or non-emergency line to file a deer accident report.
• Document the incident. Take photos of any damage to your vehicle and any visible signs of the deer. The police report can also help validate your deer insurance claim.
• File the claim. Call your insurer as soon as possible to initiate the deer claim on insurance. Provide all the necessary information, including the date, time, location of the accident, and any photos or documentation you have gathered. Learn how to file an auto insurance claim.
• Speak with the adjuster. Once you file a claim, an adjuster will reach out to assess the damage to your vehicle and determine the extent of your policy coverage. Stay in communication and provide any additional information or documentation they request. Find out how insurance adjusters determine the value of a vehicle.

How long do you have to report hitting a deer to insurance? That depends on your company. In general, most insurance companies give policyholders up to 30 days to file a claim.

Does hitting a deer count as a collision? No, not in the same way as an auto accident or a claim for colliding with a stationary object. With this in mind, remember you will be filing a comprehensive auto insurance claim after a deer collision, which will have a deductible you must pay upfront before coverage applies.

How Hitting a Deer Affects Driving Record

Does hitting a deer go on your driving record? No, but having an officer respond to the scene has several benefits. A police report strengthens your claim with the insurance company, and an officer can direct traffic and contact a towing company while you assess your car for damage.

Drivers with increased risk, like those with at-fault accidents, are more likely to pay higher rates. Is hitting a deer an at-fault accident? No, but filing multiple deer insurance claims in one year could potentially increase your risk, so comparison shop online to find out how hitting a deer affects auto insurance rates with multiple insurance companies.

Bottom Line: How Hitting a Deer Affects Auto Insurance

Does insurance cover deer accidents? Yes, as long as you have comprehensive auto insurance, your policy will cover repair costs after an animal collision, minus your deductible.

Does hitting a deer increase insurance? Fortunately, hitting a deer will not raise your insurance rates. Unlike an accident where drivers are responsible for their behavior on the road, drivers cannot anticipate an animal’s behavior. 

Hitting a deer is generally considered a random, one-time event, which separates it from the category of at-fault accidents. For this reason, insurance companies will not raise your rates if you file a claim for hitting a deer.

Deer also move unexpectedly, creating a distinction between hitting the animal vs. hitting a stationary object like a tree. Therefore, car insurance rates will not go up after hitting a deer, and you won’t have any other negative consequences on your driving record.

However, you will need comprehensive or full coverage to act as deer accident insurance and cover damages caused by animals, which can be more expensive.  Compare car insurance quotes below to find affordable deer insurance rates on comprehensive and full coverage policies near you.