Does car insurance cover hitting a deer?
Yes, but only if you have comprehensive coverage. If you've only got the minimum required liability, your vehicle won't be covered. Usually paired with collision coverage (often called 'full coverage' when you've got both), this coverage option provides physical protection for your vehicle.
Which companies offer the best average rates for comprehensive coverage? Find out below.
Does liability car insurance help if you hit a deer?
No. Liability insurance only covers damage or injuries you cause to others. For example, if you’re at fault in a crash and damage another driver’s car, liability property damage coverage applies.
If you hit a deer, you’ll need comprehensive coverage for insurance to pay for repairs. Comprehensive coverage, sometimes called “other than collision” coverage, protects your car from non-crash-related damage, including weather damage, theft, and vandalism.
Comprehensive vs. Collision Insurance Coverage
What's the difference between collision and comprehensive insurance? Our insurance experts dive into the details of each.
How much does comprehensive car insurance cost?
Because comprehensive coverage protects your car, its cost depends on your vehicle’s value. In general, the more your car is worth, the more you'll pay (The data below reflects a 2013 Honda Civic).
Another factor that affects your premium is your deductible. Most fall between $500 and $1,000, but this can vary by policy and insurer. Check out the table below to see rates from top insurers at several coverage levels and deductibles.
Table could not be displayed.
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.
Use our handy claims calculator to find out whether you should file a claim.
Will a collision with a deer raise my rates?
Any insurance claim will increase your rates, since your car insurance company has to pay for an adjuster to survey the damage and 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. While it depends on your state and policy, most violations will affect your rates for 3 to 5 years. See below how a comprehensive claim may impact your rates.
Updating data...
| Company | No claims | 1 comp claim | 2 comp claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,556 | $1,599 | $1,645 |
| American Family | $811 | $904 | $987 |
| Farmers | $1,261 | $1,318 | $1,411 |
| GEICO | $939 | $952 | $968 |
| Nationwide | $1,189 | $1,189 | $1,189 |
| Progressive | $1,098 | $1,238 | $1,317 |
| State Farm | $1,213 | $1,213 | $1,213 |
| Travelers | $766 | $928 | $999 |
| USAA | $867 | $867 | $867 |
Source: The Zebra
Expect your insurance premium to increase by about $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.
FAQs: Is hitting a deer covered by insurance?
Hitting animals or objects
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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.