Car Insurance Rates and Premiums After You Hit a Deer

Deer collisions are common among drivers in the United States. Every year, hundreds of people are killed due to collisions with deer. The annual cost for vehicle damage caused by deer collision is more than $1 billion dollar. The number of accidents that involves animals has increase by approximately three times over the past decade.

If you hit a deer, your car insurance premium rate will rise. The premium rate increases because insurer assumes you have a reckless driving habit. The premium rate can increase by two to three times after the collision. Some insurance companies offer coverage for deer collisions while others don't. Majority of the insurance companies don't provide coverage for accidents that involves collisions with deer. You should check with your insurance company to determine whether you are covered.

There is a season when many deer will move to highway. This season usually lasts from October to November. During these months, you should be aware of deer while driving on the highway. Many deer also appear on the highway in suburban neighborhoods. Some states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois and Ohio have a high number of collisions with deer. Other states such as Indiana, Texas and Wisconsin don't experience as many collisions as them.

The cost of collision damage claim is about $2,500. If the collision causes injury, the cost of the claim will reach up to $11,000.

To reduce chances of deer collision, drivers should turn on the headlights while driving at night. You should turn on the brightest headlight so that you can see clearly. Most deer travels during the period in between sunset and night hours. Deer also like to move on the highway during the hours before sunrise. If you see a deer, you must quickly slow down and brake the down. Your car can overturn if it collides with the deer. This is because some car weight lighter than the deer.

If your vehicle collides with a deer, you must turn on the emergency flash and call the police. If there is anyone injured, you should call the ambulance. When the deer collapse, you must not touch or attempt to remove it from the road. Injured deer can be protective towards strangers and use its hooves to hurt you. After that, you must call the telephone number for the claims hotline and make a report. If you have a comprehensive auto insurance coverage, you can get compensation from the insurance company.