Pennsylvania’s most dangerous animal isn’t what you think: It’s deer. Deer-related collisions are common across the state and can cause injuries and costly damage to your car. This is why it is essential to understand your auto insurance coverage, know what to do if you hit a deer, and learn how to stay safe from them in the future. Staying informed can help you prevent problems with deer down the road.
Coverage
If you hit a deer, that is a comprehensive claim on your auto policy. As long as you have comprehensive coverage on your vehicle, you have coverage for it. This coverage is not limited to deer. If you hit any other wild animal like an elk, coyote, or even smaller animals, your coverage still applies. Even though you did collide with an animal, it is not collision coverage. Something like a deer hopping out in front of your car falls under comprehensive coverage since it is not your fault.
What to Do if You Hit a Deer
The first thing to do if you hit a deer is to stop your vehicle and make sure it’s drivable. Sometimes they can do considerable damage to a windshield, bumper, or in the worst-case scenario destroy your radiator so your car can overheat and possibly catch fire. You want to make sure that you are okay and your car is okay. If you determine it is undrivable, you want to call a towing company to come tow your car to a repair shop to get it fixed back up. Then, call your insurance agent to make sure all your expenses are covered from your policy. Get the claim started and filed right away so you can get your car fixed up as soon as possible.
Deer Driving Safety Tips
- The whole idea of insurance is let’s not make things worse. If you’re coming down the road and your option is to swerve and hit another vehicle, head on or hit the deer, you just want to hit the deer. You should still brake and try to take evasive actions as best you can, but you don’t want to swerve out of the way into more danger. A lot of times it is the better option just to hold steady, brake, and not panic.
- Deer are more active from October through December during the rut. They are also seen more on the roads in the mornings and evenings around woods and farmland. So, if you are driving at these times and in those places, keep an eye out for deer, and stay extra cautious on the road.
- It’s easy to just cruise down the road and not think about anything, but just kind of check out to the sides. You can see their eyes letting up at you, and if you see that, just hit the brakes quick and slow down beforehand so that when they do jump out, you can take a base of action easier.
- If you’re on a back road, use your high beams. It illuminates them more. You can see their eyes a little better so you may be able to have a split second longer to brake and avoid serious damage.
These are a few tips that you can use when you’re driving in the fall during deer season. Ask an Agent at Susquehanna Insurance if your auto insurance policy has everything in place to cover all the expenses you may encounter if you hit a deer.