Why Deer Strikes Are Covered by Comprehensive
Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events—incidents that don't involve crashing into another vehicle or object.
Animal strikes fall into this category because:
- They're unpredictable and outside your control
- They're not collisions with other vehicles or fixed objects
- They're considered "acts of nature" similar to weather damage
This applies to all animals, not just deer. If you hit a moose, elk, bear, dog, cow, or even a bird that causes windshield damage, comprehensive coverage applies.
For a complete breakdown of what comprehensive covers versus collision, see our guide on comprehensive vs collision insurance.
What's Covered After Hitting a Deer
Comprehensive insurance pays for all vehicle damage caused by the deer strike:
Body damage: Dents, crushed hoods, broken bumpers, damaged fenders, and crumpled panels.
Mechanical damage: Radiator damage, broken headlights, damaged grilles, and any internal components affected by the impact.
Glass damage: Windshield cracks from impact or from the deer coming through the glass.
Safety system damage: Sensors, cameras, and airbag deployment (if triggered).
The average deer strike claim ranges from $3,000 to $6,000, though severe accidents can cause $10,000+ in damage or total the vehicle entirely.
Important: Comprehensive covers your vehicle only. It doesn't cover injuries to you or your passengers—that's what medical payments coverage (MedPay) or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) handles.
What You'll Pay: Deductible Basics
You'll pay your comprehensive deductible out of pocket before insurance kicks in.
How it works:
- Damage estimate: $4,500
- Your deductible: $500
- Insurance pays: $4,000
- You pay: $500
If the damage is less than your deductible, filing a claim doesn't make financial sense. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible and damage is only $800, you'd pay the full $800 yourself.
Your deductible choice affects your premium. Lower deductibles mean higher monthly costs but less out-of-pocket expense when you file a claim. For more guidance, see our article on car insurance deductibles.
Will Hitting a Deer Raise My Rates?
In most cases, no. Comprehensive claims are considered no-fault incidents, so they typically don't increase your premium the way an at-fault accident would.
However, there are exceptions:
Multiple comprehensive claims: Filing several comprehensive claims within a short period (e.g., three claims in 18 months) can lead to rate increases. Insurers may view this as higher risk.
Insurer-specific policies: Some carriers surcharge any claim, even comprehensive ones. This varies by company and state.
Loss of claim-free discount: If you had a "no claims" discount, filing any claim—even a deer strike—might cause you to lose that discount at renewal.
General rule: One deer strike claim usually won't raise your rates, but multiple claims in a short time frame might.
What If I Swerve and Hit Something Else?
This is where coverage gets tricky.
If you hit the deer: Comprehensive covers it.
If you swerve to avoid the deer and hit a tree, guardrail, or ditch: Collision coverage applies, not comprehensive.
This matters because:
- Collision deductibles are often the same as comprehensive, but not always
- Collision claims may affect your rates more than comprehensive claims
- If you only have comprehensive (no collision), you're not covered for swerving accidents
Insurance perspective: Hitting the deer is an unavoidable act of nature. Swerving into a tree is a collision with an object, which falls under collision coverage.
If you're unsure whether you need both types of coverage, read our article on do I need collision if I have comprehensive.
How to File a Claim After Hitting a Deer
1. Stop and assess safety. Pull over if it's safe. Turn on hazard lights. Check for injuries. Don't approach the deer—injured animals can be dangerous.
2. Call the police if necessary. Some states require a police report for animal collisions, especially if there's significant vehicle damage or if the deer is blocking the roadway.
3. Document the damage. Take photos of:
- Vehicle damage (all angles)
- The accident scene
- The deer (if visible and safe to photograph)
- Road conditions and location
4. Contact your insurance company. Report the claim as soon as possible. Provide:
- Date, time, and location of accident
- Description of what happened
- Photos of damage
- Police report number (if applicable)
5. Get a damage estimate. Your insurer will direct you to an approved repair shop or send an adjuster to assess damage.
6. Pay your deductible. Once the estimate is complete, you'll pay your deductible and the insurer covers the rest.
When Comprehensive Doesn't Apply
Comprehensive coverage has limits:
You don't have comprehensive coverage. If you only carry liability insurance or liability + collision, deer strikes aren't covered. You'd pay all repair costs out of pocket.
Damage is below your deductible. If repair costs are less than your deductible, filing a claim doesn't benefit you.
You hit another vehicle while avoiding the deer. That's a collision claim between two vehicles, not a comprehensive animal strike.
You were driving recklessly or under the influence. Insurers can deny claims if you were breaking the law or driving negligently at the time of the accident.
How Common Are Deer Collisions?
Deer-vehicle collisions are a significant risk in many parts of the United States:
- Over 1.5 million deer strikes occur annually
- Peak season: October–December (deer mating season)
- Peak times: Dawn and dusk, when deer are most active
- Highest-risk states: West Virginia, Montana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin
State Farm data: The odds of hitting a deer are 1 in 127 nationwide, but vary dramatically by state. In West Virginia, the odds are 1 in 38. In Hawaii, 1 in 6,267.
If you live in or frequently drive through high-risk areas, comprehensive coverage is essential.
How to Avoid Hitting a Deer
While comprehensive covers the damage, avoiding the collision altogether is always better:
Pay attention to deer crossing signs. These mark high-activity areas based on collision data.
Be extra vigilant at dawn and dusk. Deer are most active during low-light hours.
Scan the roadside, not just the road. Look for reflective eyes or movement in your peripheral vision.
Don't swerve. Counterintuitive, but swerving causes more severe accidents and deaths than hitting the deer. Brake firmly and stay in your lane if impact is unavoidable.
Use high beams when possible. Improved visibility gives you more reaction time.
Slow down in known deer areas. Especially during October–December when deer are most active.
If you see one deer, expect more. Deer travel in groups. If one crosses, others may follow.
Comprehensive Coverage: Worth Having Even If You Never Hit a Deer
Comprehensive doesn't just cover animals. It also protects against:
- Theft of your vehicle or parts
- Vandalism and malicious damage
- Fire or explosions
- Falling objects (tree limbs, debris)
- Weather damage (hail, floods, hurricanes)
- Civil disturbances or riots
For most drivers, comprehensive coverage costs $150–$300 per year—a small price for significant financial protection. For a full breakdown of what your policy covers, see our guide on what does car insurance cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Comprehensive covers collisions with any animal—deer, elk, moose, dogs, birds, livestock, and more. The type of animal doesn't matter; as long as you have comprehensive coverage, the damage is covered.
You pay 100% of repair costs out of pocket. Comprehensive is the only coverage type that applies to animal strikes. Liability and collision coverage don't help in this scenario.
It depends on your deductible. If damage costs less than your deductible, don't file—you'll pay the full amount anyway. If damage exceeds your deductible by a significant margin ($1,000+), filing usually makes sense.
Most insurers allow you to choose your repair shop, though they may recommend preferred providers. Using an in-network shop can streamline the claims process and sometimes includes repair guarantees.
Comprehensive covers windshield damage from animal strikes. Many insurers offer $0 deductible glass coverage in certain states, meaning you'd pay nothing out of pocket for windshield replacement.
It appears on your claims history but not typically on your driving record (MVR). Since it's a no-fault comprehensive claim, it usually doesn't affect your rates the way an at-fault accident would.