QUICK ANSWER
Comprehensive insurance is what typically covers damage when you hit a deer or another animal on the road. Even though it feels like a collision, insurers usually treat animal strikes as “other than collision” events, which is why they fall under comprehensive coverage instead.
Things get a little different if you swerve to avoid an animal and end up hitting something else, like a tree or a guardrail. In that case, the damage is usually handled under collision coverage instead, since the impact is with a fixed object.
One good thing about animal-related claims is that they’re generally not considered your fault, so they usually don’t affect your insurance rates as much as a typical at-fault accident might.
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Hitting an animal while driving is an unexpected and stressful experience. It often happens in low visibility conditions, like early mornings or after sunset.
Drivers are left thinking, how the damage will be paid for, and will their car insurance cover the damages.
It’s not always as straightforward as it seems. Even though it feels like a collision, insurance doesn’t always classify it that way, which is where a lot of confusion comes in. Understanding how this type of claim is handled matters, because the wrong coverage could leave you paying for repairs out of pocket.
In this article, CheapInsurance.com breaks down how these situations are typically covered, and why the type of insurance you have makes such a big difference.
Which Auto Insurance Coverage Pays for Hitting an Animal?
The single most important fact you need to know is this: comprehensive coverage is the specific insurance category that pays for vehicle damage caused by hitting an animal, such as a deer, elk, or moose.
A collision with an animal is almost universally categorized by insurance companies as an “Other Than Collision” event. It is considered an unexpected event or an “Act of God” that is generally outside of the driver’s control.
If your car insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage, it will pay for the repairs to your vehicle, minus your deductible. If you only have minimum liability coverage, the cost of repairs from the animal strike not be covered.
What Are the Differences Between Comprehensive vs. Collision?
Most drivers assume that hitting an animal would fall under collision coverage because, there was a crash.
With auto insurance companies, this is not the case.
The main distinction is not whether your car was damaged in an accidint, but what caused the damage.
How Does Comprehensive Coverage Work?
Comprehensive coverage applies to damage caused by events to your vehicle that are not collisions with another vehicle or a stationary object like a pole or guardrail.
Comprehensive covers damage such as:
- Hitting an animal
- Theft or vandalism
- Fire, hail, flooding
- Falling objects
This coverage is designed for incidents other than collision.
What Is Covered Under Collision Coverage?
Collision coverage covers damages when your vehicle hits something that is considered a fixed object or when you are involved in a more traditional driving accident.
Common examples include:
- Accident with another vehicle
- Colliding into a fence, mailbox, guardrail, or building
- Rolling or flipping your vehicle
So where do animal strikes fit in?
Even though it feels like a collision in the moment, insurance companies treat animal strikes differently. A deer or other wild animal is not owned and is not considered a fixed object or another driver.
Because of that, damage from hitting an animal is almost always covered under comprehensive coverage instead of collision coverage.
Do You Need Collison and Comprehensive Coverage?
Fausto Bucheli Jr, licensed insurance broker and owner of CheapInsurance.com recommends: “Collision and comprehensive coverage should protect your financial stability. If your car is older and paid off, adjusting or removing these coverages can reduce your car insurance costs by hundreds of dollars per year without increasing financial risk.”
What Happens if I Swerve Away From an Animal and Crash?
This is an important exception, and one that can make a big difference in how your insurance claim is handled.
If a deer or other animal suddenly appears and you swerve to avoid it, coverage for damages are different than a direct animal strike.
- Accident becomes a collision coverage claim: If your car hits a tree, guardrail, curb, or another vehicle while swerving, the damage is treated as collision claim.
- Coverage matters more than you think: If you only have comprehensive coverage on your polic, you would be responsible for the cost of repairs.
Many safety experts note that swerving can create a more dangerous situation, especially if it sends the vehicle into oncoming traffic or a fixed object. In those moments, braking firmly and maintaining control of the vehicle is often the safer option.
Which Animals Are Most Often Hit?
Deer are involved in most animal related crashes across North America. Their large population and habit of crossing roads during dawn, dusk, and seasonal migration make them the most common risk for drivers.
After deer, smaller animals like coyotes, raccoons, opossums, and skunks show up in collision reports. These incidents are common, but typically result in less severe vehicle damage.
Elk and moose are far less common, but when collisions do occur, the damage can be significantly more serious.
According to data from sources such as the U.S. Federal Highway Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS-HLDI), deer collisions account for the majority of animal related vehicle accidents, making up well over 75% of reported incidents.
Is Hitting an Animal Considered an At-Fault Accident?
This is one of the biggest fears for drivers in this situation, as an at-fault accident can increase insurance rates for years.
The good news is that for most animal collisions, the answer is No, hitting an animal is generally not considered an at-fault accident.
- Why It’s Not Your Fault: Insurance companies recognize that a deer or elk darting into the road is an unpreventable, unpredictable event. Since there is no at-fault party for an animal, the claim is processed as a not-at-fault comprehensive claim.
- Effect on Rates: Because it is not an at-fault accident, filing a comprehensive claim for an animal strike typically has a much lower (or no) impact on your future rate rate compared to an at-fault collision claim. However, filing multiple comprehensive claims in a short period could still flag you as a higher risk.
The Exception: If you are found to be driving recklessly or speeding excessively in a clearly posted “Deer Crossing” zone or if your crash resulted from swerving and hitting another car (a Collision claim), you could be assigned fault.
Immediate Steps: What to Do Right After an Animal Collision
A collision with an animal can be unsettling, but the steps you take right after the incident can help keep you safe and make the insurance process smoother.
Pull over safely
Turn on your hazard lights and move your vehicle to the side of the road as soon as it is safe to do so. If traffic is still moving quickly, stay inside your car and wait until you are completely out of harm’s way.
Call law enforement
If the animal is large, such as a deer, elk, or livestock, contact local law enforcement or highway patrol. They can document the incident and help secure the area.
Keep distance from the struck animal
Avoid approaching the animal. Wildlife can behave unpredictably when frightened or hurt, the safest option is to remain in your vehicle until help arrives.
Document the scene
Take photos of the damage, the roadway, and the surrounding area. Note the time, location, and the type of animal involved.
Contact your car insurance company
Report the incident to your car insurance company. Provide any police report details and photos you collected. Damage from an animal strike is covered under comprehensive insurance.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Animal Collisions and Car Insurance
What insurance coverage pays if you hit a deer (or another animal)?
In most cases, comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your vehicle if you hit an animal like a deer, elk, or dog. Insurers typically classify animal strikes as “other than collision” events. If you have comprehensive coverage, the claim is paid minus your deductible. If you only have liability (state minimum), you would usually pay for your own repairs out of pocket.
What if you swerve to avoid the animal and hit a tree or guardrail?
If you avoid the animal but crash into a stationary object (like a tree or guardrail) or another vehicle, it is typically treated as a collision claim, not comprehensive. That means collision coverage (minus your collision deductible) is what usually pays. This is an important difference because having comprehensive without collision may leave you paying the full repair bill in this scenario.
Is hitting an animal considered an at-fault accident?
Usually, no. Animal collisions are generally not treated as at-fault accidents because they are considered sudden, unpredictable hazards. That said, any claim can affect premiums depending on the insurer, your overall history, and local risk factors. The biggest cost factor you can control is your deductible and whether you carry the right coverage (comprehensive for animal strikes, collision for object/vehicle impacts).
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