The frequency of deer related car accidents is at its peak from October through December each year. November is hunting and mating season for deer, so we see an increase of animal movement which can translate to higher number of accidents. A deer can cause severe damage to your vehicle, and can even endanger the lives of you or your passengers.
About 1.5 million deer, elk and moose are struck each year, causing more than $1 billion in insured losses and affecting about one in 169 drivers, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
So are you covered if you hit a deer?
Collision vs. Comprehensive Coverage - Physical Damage to the Vehicle
If you do strike an animal, damage to your car will be covered only if you have comprehensive insurance. Comprehensive insurance is a coverage that helps pay to replace or repair your vehicle if it's stolen or damaged in an incident that's not a collision. If you lease your vehicle or have a car loan, your lender likely requires you to have this type of coverage. Comprehensive coverage is strongly recommended for all drivers.
Collision coverage won’t pay for damage caused by hitting an animal. However, collision could apply if you swerve to miss an animal and hit something else instead, such as a fence or pole.
While both types of physical damage coverage will add additional premium cost to your auto policy, you can lower the cost by increasing your deductible (the amount of money you'll pay out of pocket before your insurance company pays the rest of the claim). This value can be adjusted based on your needs and what you feel comfortable with being able to cover in the event of an accident.
What can you do to help avoid a deer accident?
Deer are most active from dusk until dawn, be extra careful when driving during these hours and stay alert.
Be extra careful when driving in areas known to have many deer.
Deer often move in groups, so if you see one animal, slow down and look for others.
Use high beams at night unless there is oncoming traffic.
Do not swerve if you see a deer. Doing so could send you off the road or into oncoming traffic.
Unfortunately, deer can run out in front of you without warning, and at times the accident is unavoidable. What can you do if you hit a deer?
Safely move your vehicle off the road and turn on your hazard lights. Call the police. If possible, take pictures of the scene and any injuries to passengers or damage to the vehicle, for insurance purposes.
If the animal runs away after the accident, get a picture of hair or blood on the car to show that a deer was involved. Use this evidence to have the accident processed under comprehensive coverage.
Get contact information from any witnesses, especially if the animal runs off. If witnesses are able to wait, ask them to report what they saw to the police.
Even if you think the damage is minimal, check to be sure your vehicle is safe to drive. Look for tire damage, broken lights, fluid leaks or loose parts. You may need to call a tow truck.
Do not approach the deer, even if you think it’s dead. A wounded animal could injure you.
While a deer accident could happen any time, you’re more than twice as likely to hit a deer in October, November or December than in other months of the year. Use caution this season while driving, and contact our office to ensure that you have sufficient physical damage coverage on your vehicle.