Does Car Insurance Cover Animal Collisions?

Auto · Originally published August 26, 2020 · Updated November 2026

If you drive in southwest Missouri long enough, you'll probably have a close call with a deer. Two-lane roads through wooded hills, early-morning commutes and fall breeding season all add up. When a close call becomes a collision, the next question is whether your insurance will pay.

The answer depends mostly on what coverage you carry.

Hitting an animal is usually comprehensive

On most auto policies, hitting a deer or other animal is covered under comprehensive coverage, not collision. That surprises some people, because it feels like a collision. But insurers generally group animal strikes with things like hail, falling trees and theft.

That distinction matters because:

• Comprehensive has its own deductible, which may be different from your collision deductible.
• Comprehensive claims are generally treated differently from at-fault accidents.

If you carry only liability, your policy generally won't pay to repair your own car after an animal strike. Our article on what full coverage means explains how these coverages work together.

Swerving can change the claim

Here's where it gets tricky. If you swerve to avoid a deer and hit a guardrail, a tree or another car instead, that damage is generally a collision claim. It may also be treated as an at-fault accident, depending on the circumstances.

That's one reason safety experts generally advise against swerving sharply for a deer. Brake firmly, stay in your lane and hold the wheel steady. Swerving can put you into oncoming traffic or off the road, which is often more dangerous than the impact itself.

Other animals

Deer are the most common, but the same general rules often apply to other animals, too. Coverage for hitting livestock, a dog or a wild turkey is usually handled under comprehensive on many policies. If someone else's livestock got loose and caused the damage, there may be other questions about who is responsible, so report the details accurately.

What to do after an animal strike

• Get to a safe spot and turn on your hazard lights.
• Don't approach the animal. An injured deer can be dangerous.
• Call police if the animal is blocking the road, someone is hurt, or your car isn't safe to drive.
• Take photos of the damage, the scene and any hair or marks on the car. These help show it was an animal strike.
• Check your car for leaks, broken lights or damage that makes it unsafe before you drive.
• Report the claim to your insurer. Our payments and claims page lists carrier contact information.

For more Missouri-specific detail, read deer collisions in Missouri.

Reduce your risk

• Be extra alert at dawn and dusk, especially in fall.
• Watch for deer-crossing signs and wooded edges along the road.
• If you see one deer, slow down. Others are often nearby.
• Use high beams on dark rural roads when there's no oncoming traffic.

Talk to a local agent

Not sure whether you have comprehensive coverage or what your deductible is? Call us at 417.865.4800 and we'll check your policy. You can also see our auto insurance options.

Common questions

Will hitting a deer raise my insurance rate?

Comprehensive claims for animal strikes are generally treated differently from at-fault accidents, but how a claim affects your rate depends on your insurer.

What deductible applies when I hit a deer?

Usually your comprehensive deductible. Check your declarations page, since it may differ from your collision deductible.

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