Does Liability Insurance Cover Hitting a Deer?

In most states, it is legally mandatory to have liability coverage with at least the state minimum coverage limit. Just because it’s mandatory doesn’t mean it covers everything!  

If you’re under the impression that liability insurance covers deer-vehicle crashes, it actually doesn’t when your car directly hits a deer. So, the short answer is no; liability auto insurance does not cover hitting a deer. 

However, there are situations when your liability insurance may cover hitting a deer, mainly when you swerve and accidentally crash into another car, injuring someone else, and damaging their car or property. 

Understanding how car insurance works for deer-related accidents can help you know when liability coverage applies and what other coverage may protect your vehicle. In this article, you’ll learn what liability coverage protects and which optional coverages can help pay for damage after hitting a deer.

What is Liability Car Insurance and What Does it Cover?

Liability car insurance is the most basic type of auto insurance and is required by law in most states. It is designed to cover the cost of injuries and property damage you cause to others if you’re at fault in a car accident. However, it does not pay for damage to your own vehicle.

Liability coverage has two main components: 

• Bodily Injury Liability: This covers medical expenses, lost wages, and legal costs if you injure someone in an accident. It may apply to drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or cyclists who are harmed due to your actions.   
• Property Damage Liability: This pays for damage you cause to someone else’s property, such as another person’s vehicle, fence, building, or other structures.

Liability insurance only covers damages you cause to others. If your own vehicle is damaged in an accident, you would need other types of coverage, such as collision or comprehensive insurance, to help pay for repairs or replacement.

Similarly, if you or your passengers get injured in a car accident, you would need PIP (Personal Injury Protection) coverage, or MedPay (Medical Payments) coverage to cover emergency treatments, hospital bills, doctor visits, and other medical costs.

Why Does Liability Car Insurance Not Cover Hitting a Deer?

When a deer suddenly appears in front of your car in the middle of the road, it may not be possible to immediately stop the car or swerve to avoid hitting it. Typically, this is a sudden accident that’s beyond your control, and liability insurance does not cover random or unexpected events. 

Liability car insurance is designed to cover accidents where you cause injuries or property damage to others. It helps pay for the medical expenses, vehicle repairs, or property damage suffered by another person when you’re at fault. 

However, a deer is a wild animal and not considered anyone’s personal property. Since no other driver or property owner is involved when your car directly hits a deer, liability coverage does not apply to the damage to your vehicle.

Are There Any Situations Where Liability Insurance Applies to a Deer Accident?

Yes, if a deer suddenly appears on the road, and if you hit the deer and due to the impact, you end up crashing into another vehicle, your liability coverage may pay the medical bills, or vehicle damage expenses to the other driver and their passengers.  

In this case, if a pedestrian or any other person gets hit as well, your liability coverage will also pay their medical bills. On the other hand, if you swerve to avoid hitting the deer, or any other animal that comes in the way, and crash into someone else’s property like their fence, house, or any other tangible property, your liability coverage will cover their loss up to your coverage limits.

What Types of Car Insurance Cover Deer-Vehicle Crashes?

If you want to stay adequately protected against a sudden deer crash, then you need to consider having optional car insurance coverage like collision and comprehensive coverage, along with MedPay or PIP coverage. 

According to Purdue University, there are approximately 1.5 to 2.1 million deer-vehicle crashes in the U.S. every year, resulting in over 10,000 injuries, about 150 to 200 fatalities, and over $1 billion in vehicle damage.

As a high number of deer-vehicle crashes occur in the U.S., there’s always a substantial risk, and it’s best to stay prepared with the right car insurance policy from a reliable insurance provider.

When it comes to selecting optional coverage, comprehensive coverage is specifically designed to cover accidental deer crashes, while other coverage options can provide protection based on the situation. Let’s explore how these optional car insurance coverages work in case of an automobile deer accident.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage is designed to cover the repair and replacement cost of your car when it gets damaged due to any unexpected event that’s beyond your control. When a deer suddenly enters the road, it may no longer be possible to avoid hitting the deer.  

After hitting the deer, your car’s windshield may crack or break, along with vital components like your car’s transmission and even the engine. On average, it can cost you $2,500 to $6,000 to repair a car after a deer collision. The actual cost depends on the severity of the damage.  

If your car is declared a total loss, your comprehensive insurance coverage may help pay for the vehicle’s replacement based on its actual cash value (ACV) after your deductible is applied.

Collision Coverage (Only When You Swerve)

If you swerve to avoid hitting a deer, you may end up crashing into another vehicle, a pole, a tree, or another object. In these situations, collision coverage is designed to pay for the damage to your car caused by the crash. 

For example, if you swerve and collide with another vehicle, your collision coverage may help cover your car’s repair or replacement costs up to its actual cash value (ACV). At the same time, your liability coverage may help pay for the other driver’s vehicle repair costs if you are found responsible for the accident. 

Similarly, if you swerve to avoid a deer and crash into a tree, pole, or another object, collision coverage may help cover the repair expenses after your deductible is paid.

MedPay or PIP Coverage

While liability coverage specifically pays for third-party medical expenses, if you or your passengers are injured in a deer-vehicle collision, MedPay or PIP coverage may help cover your medical bills up to your policy’s coverage limits.  

MedPay, and PIP offer similar protection with a few distinctive differences. Here’s how these coverages may help pay for injuries after a deer-related accident.  

• MedPay (Medical Payments Coverage): MedPay helps pay medical expenses for you and your passengers after a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. In a deer collision, MedPay may cover hospital visits, doctor consultations, X-rays, ambulance fees, surgery costs, and other necessary medical treatments up to your selected coverage limit.   
• PIP (Personal Injury Protection): PIP coverage provides broader protection than MedPay and is commonly required in no-fault states. In addition to medical expenses, PIP may also cover lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and essential services if injuries from the deer accident prevent you from working or performing daily tasks.

Will Hitting a Deer Increase Your Insurance Premium?

Generally, your car insurance premium won’t increase when you file a claim and get covered for hitting a deer, as it’s covered by comprehensive coverage, which specifically covers accidents where you’re not at fault and have no control over the incident whatsoever.  

Even if your rates increase, it shouldn't affect your premiums much. According to the Zebra, on average, car insurance premiums may increase by $8 per month after getting covered for hitting a deer.

Does Liability Insurance Cover Deer-Vehicle Crashes in Michigan?

The rules of liability insurance coverage for deer-vehicle collisions in Michigan are the same as they are in any other state in the U.S.  So, if you accidentally hit a deer in Michigan, your liability insurance won’t cover your car’s damage repair or replacement costs unless you have comprehensive coverage.   

Then again, if you accidentally hit a deer, and anyone else gets hurt, or if their vehicle and property get damaged due to the impact of the collision, then your liability coverage may cover their medical expenses, and any repair/replacement costs up to your coverage limit. Similarly, if you swerve to avoid hitting a deer and crashing into someone else’s car or property, your liability insurance coverage may cover their expenses as well.

What to Do After Hitting a Deer with Your Car?

If you accidentally hit a deer with your car, the situation can be stressful, frightening, and overwhelming, especially at high speed. In these circumstances, it’s important to remain calm and act responsibly to ensure your safety and handle the insurance claims process properly.

• Move to a Safe Location: If your car is still drivable, pull over to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights to avoid further accidents.   
• Check for Injuries: Check yourself and your passengers for any injuries. If anyone is hurt, call emergency services immediately.   
• Call the Police: In many states, reporting a deer collision to the police is recommended, especially if there are injuries or significant vehicle damage.   
• Avoid Approaching the Deer: Do not approach the deer, even if it appears injured. A frightened or wounded animal can become dangerous. 
• Document the Damage: Take photos of the accident scene, the deer (if safe to do so), and the damage to your vehicle. This documentation may help when filing an insurance claim.   
• Contact Your Auto Insurer: Report the accident to your insurance provider and start the claims process if your policy includes comprehensive or other applicable coverage.

The Bottom Line: Consider Comprehensive Coverage for Deer-Related Car Accidents

If you want to keep your car protected against sudden accidental deer collisions, then you must consider getting comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage is the only car insurance coverage that specifically covers your car’s repair or replacement costs when your car accidentally hits a deer.

When you have adequate liability coverage, along with PIP/MedPay and collision coverage, you’re equipped with greater financial protection. If you need help determining what car insurance coverage you should have to protect your car and finances from deer-related accidents, you should contact us to get expert help and a free quote.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What to do if I hit a deer and only have liability?

If you hit a deer and only have liability insurance, your policy will not cover the repair or replacement cost of your own vehicle. Liability coverage only pays for injuries or property damage you cause to others. However, if the accident causes damage to another person’s vehicle or property, your liability insurance may help cover those expenses up to your policy limits.

Is it worth filing a claim for hitting a deer?

Yes, it is often worth filing a claim for hitting a deer if you have comprehensive coverage and the repair costs are higher than your deductible. Deer collisions can cause significant vehicle damage, and comprehensive insurance may help cover the repair or replacement costs. However, if the damage is minor and close to your deductible amount, you may consider paying out of pocket.

Is hitting a deer considered an at-fault accident?

Hitting a deer is usually not considered an at-fault accident because it is an unexpected event beyond the driver’s control. Claims for deer collisions are typically covered under comprehensive insurance.

Who is liable if you hit a deer?

In most cases, no one is considered liable if you hit a deer because it is treated as an unavoidable accident involving a wild animal. Since a deer is not owned by anyone, there is usually no responsible party. If you have comprehensive coverage, it may help pay for the damage to your vehicle.