Hit a deer? What your insurance covers

Auto · Updated October 2026

Comprehensive, not collision

Hitting a deer is generally treated as a comprehensive claim, the same coverage that handles hail and theft, rather than collision. That matters for two reasons:

• You pay your comprehensive deductible, which some people keep lower than their collision deductible.
• Comprehensive claims are generally viewed differently from at-fault accidents when it comes to future rates, though each company has its own rules.

If you carry only liability, damage to your own car from a deer is not covered.

Why swerving changes things

If you swerve to miss a deer and hit a guardrail, a tree or another car, the claim usually becomes a collision claim instead, because you hit something other than the animal. You pay the collision deductible, and the claim may be treated as at fault. Swerving is also how many deer-related injuries happen. Safety experts generally advise braking firmly and staying in your lane.

When deer are most active

Deer movement increases in the fall, during mating season, and around dawn and dusk. Rural highways and roads near wooded creeks and fields are common spots. Slow down at night, use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic, and remember that where there is one deer, there are often more behind it.

What to do after you hit one

1. Move to a safe spot if you can, turn on your hazards, and check for injuries.
2. Do not approach an injured animal. Call local law enforcement if the deer is in the roadway or anyone is hurt.
3. Take photos of the damage, the scene and the animal if it is safe to do so. Photos help show it was an animal strike, not a collision with another object.
4. Check whether the car is safe to drive. Damage to headlights, the radiator or the hood latch can make it unsafe.
5. Report the claim to your insurance company. You can find their claims line on our payments and claims page.
6. Call us if you have questions about deductibles or how the claim is being handled.

Deer damage costs more than people think

Modern bumpers hide sensors, cameras and radar units. A collision that crumples a grille and headlight can easily run into thousands of dollars. If you have been carrying a high comprehensive deductible, or no comprehensive at all on a newer car, it may be worth revisiting.

Rental and towing

If the car cannot be driven, towing is covered only if you have roadside assistance or the policy otherwise includes it. A rental while yours is in the shop requires rental reimbursement coverage. Both are inexpensive add-ons worth checking before deer season.

Common questions

Is hitting a deer covered by collision or comprehensive?

Usually comprehensive. If you swerve and hit something else, it usually becomes a collision claim.

Will hitting a deer raise my insurance?

Comprehensive claims are generally treated differently from at-fault accidents, but each company has its own rating rules.

Is a deer collision covered with liability only?

No. Damage to your own car requires comprehensive coverage.

Should I swerve to miss a deer?

Safety guidance generally favors braking firmly and staying in your lane. Swerving can cause a more serious crash and changes how the claim is handled.

Related

• Auto insurance
• What "full coverage" really means
• Will my insurance go up after an accident?
• How to lower your car insurance without gutting it

Questions about your own situation? Call 417.206.3733 or send us your current policy. We are licensed in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma, and you can buy by phone without coming in.