Is Hitting a Deer Covered By Car Insurance?
Does car insurance cover hitting a deer?
If you have comprehensive coverage, damage caused by hitting a deer will be covered. Usually paired with collision coverage, this coverage option provides physical protection for your vehicle. Let's explore ins and outs of car insurance after hitting a deer, including companies offering the best average rates for related coverage levels, typical costs, and what to do in the immediate aftermath of an accident. Already seeing increased rates from a previous accident? Enter your ZIP code above to begin finding a better rate.
Does liability coverage cover hitting a deer?
No. Liability insurance, whether bodily injury or property damage, only covers damage you cause. For instance, if you're in an at-fault accident and damage someone's vehicle, your liability property damage coverage would step in. In order to have insurance coverage after a collision with a deer, you would need comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage is designed to cover what is not covered by collision. In some states, it's actually referred to as "other than collision" coverage. See below exactly what is covered by comprehensive car insurance.
- Weather damage
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Animal damage
You will have coverage after hitting a deer through the "animal damage" clause. In addition to deer-related damages, this can include any animal that damages your vehicle. If you run over an animal — or if an animal chews or damages internal wiring — you're covered.
How much does comprehensive coverage cost?
Because comprehensive coverage is designed to cover your vehicle, the cost of this coverage depends on how much your car is worth. In this case, the more valuable your vehicle is, the higher your premium will be. We've outlined in our State of Insurance estimates based on an average-cost vehicle. See below what insurance on a 2013 Honda Accord would set you back with comprehensive and collision.
| Company | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $1,365 |
| Nationwide | $1,476 |
| GEICO | $1,542 |
| State Farm | $1,569 |
| Farmers | $1,786 |
| Progressive | $1,886 |
| Allstate | $2,413 |
Another feature specific to your insurance policy that will impact your premium is your deductible. Standard deductibles range from $500 to $1,000 but can vary depending on your policy and your insurer's pricing. The above data represents pricing with a $500 comprehensive deductible, while the below shows pricing for a $1,000 deductible.
| Company | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $1,189 |
| Nationwide | $1,343 |
| GEICO | $1,348 |
| State Farm | $1,457 |
| Farmers | $1,616 |
| Progressive | $1,668 |
| Allstate | $2,118 |
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
Will a collision with an animal raise my insurance premium?
Any insurance claim will increase your rates since your car insurance company has to pay for an adjuster to survey the damage and pay for the repairs. But unlike a collision claim — generally seen as an at-fault car accident — a comprehensive claim generally won't raise your rates by much. On average, a comprehensive claim will raise your rates by $98 per year. While it depends on your state and your policy, most violations will impact your rates for three to five years. See below how a comprehensive claim may impact your rates.
| Accident/Violation | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| None | $1,759 |
| One comp claim | $1,849 |
| Two comp claims | $1,936 |
Expect your insurance premium to increase by $8 per month after hitting a deer. If you've experienced a much higher rate increase after filing a deer-related claim, consider this a sign that it's time to shop around for car insurance. Enter your zip code below to see rates from other local and national insurance companies.
Find affordable comprehensive coverage.
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.