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Table of contents
• Introduction
• How to avoid hitting a deer
• Does my insurance cover hitting a deer?
• What to do if I hit a deer?
• How to convince your insurer to cover a deer accident
• Conclusion
Introduction
Oh Deer! Did you just hit one? Finding Bambi in the middle of a lonely road can be quite a traumatic experience. Unfortunately, hitting deer while driving is something that many of us have experienced at least once in our lives. In America alone, at least one million such accidents occur every year. However, this often raises the question: does my car insurance policy cover hitting a deer? The answer to this question may not be as black and white as we would like it to be. Our furry friends don’t carry a life insurance policy, and so it’s important to understand how this kind of accident will affect our own car insurance policies.
How to avoid hitting a deer
Are you tired of coming across deer on the road and damaging your vehicle? While it’s impossible to eliminate the risk of a deer collision altogether, you can still take some preventative measures.
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Understanding deer behavior is crucial in minimizing the risk of collisions. Deer are most active during dawn and dusk, so exercise extra caution when driving during these hours. Use high beams to increase visibility and scan for glowing eyes that reflect your headlights.
Be particularly careful when driving through known deer crossings, marked with warning signs by local authorities. If you see one deer, expect more as they are social animals that often travel in groups.
Remember, there’s no shame in slowing down, and it’s better to arrive late than not at all. Stay alert and stay safe.
Does my insurance cover hitting a deer?
Have you ever been driving on a dark night and suddenly come face to face with a deer? Not only is it dangerous, but it can cause significant damage to your car. So, the question arises, does my insurance cover hitting a deer?
The answer is yes, your car insurance might cover the damage caused by a collision with a deer, but it depends upon the type of policy you have. Comprehensive and collision coverage are the two types of insurance that can come to your aid in this situation.
Collision coverage is optional, and it will compensate for the damage caused to your car irrespective of the fact that it is hit by another car or a deer. On the other hand, comprehensive coverage is designed to protect your car from non-collision accidents like fire, theft, or vandalism, including animal collisions. So, if you have a comprehensive policy, you’re covered.
However, as with most insurance claims, you’ll have to pay a deductible. The deductible is the amount you’ll need to pay towards the repair or replacement of your car before your insurance company pays the rest. The amount of deductible will depend on the type of policy you chose.
If you hit a deer, be sure to document the incident and call your insurance provider as soon as possible. The claim filing process might differ depending on your insurance company; that’s why you should be aware of their claim-filing process in advance.
Bear in mind that your insurance premium might increase if you file a claim and depending upon the severity of the damage caused, your car’s value might decrease. However, the good news is that most insurance companies won’t consider deer accidents as “at-fault” accidents, so it won’t affect your driving record.
In summary, hitting a deer can be dangerous and cause significant damage to your vehicle, but if you have comprehensive or collision coverage, then you’re covered. However, make sure to document the incident and contact your insurance company if you’re ever involved in a collision with a deer.
What to do if I hit a deer?
We all hope that we never have to face an accident involving a deer, but in case it happens, here is what you need to do next. Firstly, check for injuries to yourself and any passengers in your car. Be cautious while doing so, as the panicked deer might still be around. If there are any injuries, call emergency services immediately.
Next, document the incident. Take pictures of the damage done to your car and the surroundings. If possible, get footage of the deer and its location. This will help you during the claim filing process.
Speaking of which, do not forget to contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. Most insurance policies cover deer accidents, but it’s always better to be sure by talking to your insurer. They will guide you through the claims process and let you know about the deductible value that needs to be paid.
Once you have filed the claim, it’s time to get your car repaired. You can take it to an authorized garage or repair shop, as suggested by your insurer. They might also offer assistance in arranging for a rental car while your car is getting fixed.
Remember, hitting a deer can be an incredibly jarring experience, and it’s easy to forget important details. So, take a deep breath and follow these steps. Everything will be alright.
How to convince your insurer to cover a deer accident
So, you hit a deer. And now, you’re wondering whether your insurer will cover the damage. The first thing you should do is maintain a clear perspective on the event. It’s important to accurately recall the incident and be prepared to provide in-depth information to your insurer.
Once you have a clear understanding of what happened, you should contact your insurance company and file a claim. Be sure to have all necessary documents on hand to provide to the company. This includes everything from the police report to photos of any damage.
If your insurer is hesitant to cover the cost of the incident, you may need to negotiate with them. However, keep in mind that remaining level-headed during these conversations will be beneficial. If you come at your insurer aggressively, they may not be willing to work with you.
In short, stay calm and collected, provide all necessary documentation, and be willing to negotiate if needed. Hopefully, with these steps, your insurance company will fully or partially cover the cost of the accident.
Conclusion
So, hitting a deer can be unfortunate, but it doesn’t have to be a complete disaster. If you’ve read this far, you already have a good idea of how