Does Liability Insurance Cover Deer Hits?

Deer collisions are unfortunately a common occurrence for drivers, especially in rural areas. When a deer suddenly darts in front of your car, it can be difficult to avoid hitting it. The damage from these accidents can be costly. So does liability insurance cover the damage if you hit a deer?

What is Liability Car Insurance?

Liability car insurance is required in most states. It covers bodily injury and property damage that you cause to others when you are at fault in an accident.

Liability insurance has two components:

• Bodily Injury Liability – Pays for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering of other parties if you injure them in an accident where you are at fault.

• Property Damage Liability – Covers damage that you cause to another vehicle or property if you are deemed responsible for the collision.

Liability insurance does not pay for any damage to your own vehicle or cover your own medical bills. For that, you need collision and comprehensive coverage.

Does Liability Insurance Cover Damage to Your Car from Hitting a Deer?

If you hit a deer and cause damage to your vehicle, your liability insurance will not pay for repairs. Liability only covers damage you cause to others, not your own car.

So if you hit a deer and have basic liability insurance, you will have to pay out of pocket for any repairs your vehicle needs. This can be very costly with deer collisions often causing thousands of dollars in damage.

Will Liability Insurance Cover Damage You Cause to Other Vehicles or Property?

Yes, the property damage liability portion of your car insurance policy will cover damage that you cause to another vehicle or property as a result of hitting a deer.

For example, if when avoiding a deer you swerve off the road and hit another vehicle, your liability coverage would pay for the repairs to the other driver’s car that you damaged. Or if you cause damage to a building or other property when trying to avoid a deer collision, your liability insurance would cover those costs.

The key is that liability insurance only pays if you are deemed at fault for causing damage to someone else’s property. It does not cover any damage to your own vehicle.

Collision and Comprehensive Coverage for Deer Collisions

To fully protect yourself when you hit a deer, it’s highly recommended drivers carry more than just basic liability coverage. Collision and comprehensive insurance provide important protection.

Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle if you collide with a deer or other object. So if a deer runs in front of you and you hit it, collision insurance helps pay for vehicle repairs.

Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from non-collision events, including animal strikes. Hitting a deer would fall under your comprehensive insurance.

With collision and comprehensive insurance, you simply pay your deductible amount and your insurer covers the remainder of repair costs up to your coverage limits. This provides essential financial protection that liability insurance lacks.

Key Points About Liability and Deer Collisions

• Liability insurance only covers damage you cause to others, not your own vehicle.

• You need collision and comprehensive coverage to fully protect your car when hitting deer.

• Liability insurance will pay if you damage another vehicle or property trying to avoid hitting a deer.

• But liability will not pay for any damage to your car from a deer collision.

What to Do After You Hit a Deer

If you collide with a deer, here are important steps to take:

• Move your vehicle to a safe place and turn on your hazard lights.

• Call the police to file an accident report.

• Document the damage and scene with photos.

• Check on all passengers for injuries and call 911 if anyone needs medical assistance.

• Call your insurance agent or company to report the claim.

• Do not try to move an injured deer or dead carcass. Wait for law enforcement.

• Save all documentation related to repairs for your claim.

• Pay your collision or comprehensive deductible to get your car fixed quickly.

Will My Rates Go Up for Deer Collision Claims?

Filing a claim for hitting a deer could potentially increase your car insurance premiums at renewal time. However, comprehensive and collision claims typically have a smaller impact on rates than at-fault accidents.

Most insurers understand that animal collisions are often unavoidable. So while your rates may go up somewhat after a deer-related claim, the increase should be modest with most insurance companies. Maintaining a good driving record can also help offset any premium hike.

How to Avoid Deer Collisions

While deer hits can be unpredictable, there are defensive driving techniques that can potentially reduce your risk:

• Slow down and be extra alert near wooded areas and at dusk/dawn when deer are most active.

• Scan roadsides and ditches thoroughly for any sign of deer movement.

• Use high beam headlights when possible to increase visibility.

• Apply brakes firmly upon sighting a deer but do not swerve suddenly.

• Honk your horn and flash lights to try and scare deer away from your path.

• Always wear your seatbelt to minimize injuries in case an accident occurs.

• Look for road signs indicating areas with high deer populations so you can be extra vigilant.

• Avoid distractions and give driving your full attention to maximize reaction time.

Other Ways to Protect Yourself from Animal Collisions

In addition to carrying proper insurance coverage and driving defensively, here are some other ways you can limit risks from deer and other animal collisions:

• Consider deer whistles or reflectors: There are deer whistles you can install on your vehicle to emit high-frequency sounds when driving over 35 mph that may help warn deer of your approaching vehicle. Reflectors and deer fences can also help deter deer.

• **Use extra caution at high-risk times:**prime times for deer accidents are dusk through dawn, October to December during mating season, and in the spring. Be extra careful when driving at these high-risk times.

• Install an animal detection system: High-tech systems using thermal imaging and sensors can now detect larger animals entering the roadway ahead and provide alerts to the driver. This technology is still relatively new but shows promise for avoiding animal collisions.

• Lobby for wildlife crossings: Initiate or support construction of overpasses and underpasses that allow deer and other wildlife to safely traverse highways and major roads without intersecting traffic. This can significantly reduce animal-related accidents.

• Share information on high-risk areas: Notify transportation departments or insurance companies of stretches of road where deer strikes frequently occur so extra signage or precautions can help lower future accident risk.

Key Takeaways on Liability Insurance and Deer Collisions

• Liability insurance only covers damage you cause to other vehicles or property, not your own car.

• Collision and comprehensive coverage protect your vehicle when hitting deer.

• Premiums may rise somewhat but deer claims don’t impact rates as severely as at-fault accidents.

• Drive slower and more alertly, especially at dawn, dusk, and in high deer areas.

• Consider adding deer whistles, reflectors, or animal detection systems to your vehicle.

• Support wildlife crossings and share info on high-risk roadways to help improve safety.

Conclusion

Deer collisions happen frequently across the U.S., even to the most cautious drivers. Having adequate insurance along with safe driving practices is key to protecting yourself on the road. Liability insurance alone will not cover damage to your vehicle from a deer impact. Purchasing comprehensive and collision coverage provides financial protection when you inevitably have that deer dart out in front of your bumper along a dark country road.