Hitting a Deer Usually Does Not Raise Your Rates
A collision with a deer is treated as a comprehensive claim, not a collision claim, by most insurance companies. This distinction matters because comprehensive claims — which cover damage from weather, theft, vandalism, and animal strikes — typically do not trigger a rate increase the way at-fault accidents do. Your rates may stay the same, though you will owe your deductible.
The reason is straightforward: you did not cause the accident. The deer ran into your path, not the other way around. Insurance companies use rate increases to penalize risky driving behavior. A deer strike shows no pattern of unsafe driving, so most insurers treat it as a one-time event that does not reflect your risk as a driver.
That said, the word "most" matters. A small number of insurers do raise rates after comprehensive claims, and a few states have rules that affect how companies can use them. Your specific policy and your insurer's underwriting rules determine what actually happens to your premium.
Key Takeaways
- Comprehensive claims for animal strikes are not considered at-fault accidents, so they rarely trigger rate increases.
- You will owe your deductible out of pocket, but the claim itself should not affect your premium at renewal.
- A handful of insurers do raise rates after comprehensive claims, so you should ask your agent directly what your company does.
- If your rates do increase after a deer strike, shopping for a new quote from another insurer often reveals lower premiums elsewhere.
How Comprehensive Claims Differ From Collision Claims
Insurance companies separate claims into two categories that affect your rate differently. A collision claim covers damage when you hit another vehicle or object — and you are considered at-fault. An comprehensive claim covers damage from events outside your control: weather, theft, vandalism, falling objects, and animal strikes.
Collision claims almost always raise your rates because they signal that you were involved in an accident you caused or contributed to. Comprehensive claims do not carry that same signal. The deer did not know your car was there. You did not make a driving error that led to the strike. From an insurance company's perspective, the claim tells them nothing about your future risk.
When you file a claim for hitting a deer, your insurer will classify it as comprehensive. This classification is what protects your rate. If you were somehow found to be at-fault — for example, if you swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid the deer and caused a multi-car accident — the situation changes. But a straightforward deer strike stays in the comprehensive bucket.
What Happens to Your Premium at Renewal
At your next renewal date, your insurer will review your claims history. A single comprehensive claim for a deer strike will appear on your record, but most companies do not use it as a reason to increase your premium. Some insurers may not even factor it in at all when calculating your new rate.
However, the claim does stay on your record for three to five years, depending on your state and insurer. If you file another claim during that window — especially a collision or at-fault accident — your insurer may view your overall claims history less favorably. One comprehensive claim is usually forgiven; a pattern of claims is not.
The best way to know what your specific insurer does is to call your agent or insurer directly and ask: "If I file a comprehensive claim for hitting a deer, will that raise my rates at renewal?" Most companies can answer this question in seconds, and the answer is usually no.
When Your Rates Might Still Go Up
A small number of insurers do raise rates after comprehensive claims, though this is less common than rate increases for collision or at-fault accidents. If your insurer is one of them, the increase is usually smaller than what you would see from a collision claim — often 5 to 15 percent rather than 20 to 40 percent.
Some states also have rules about how insurers can use claims history. A few states prohibit rate increases for comprehensive claims altogether, while others allow them but with limits. If you live in California, Florida, or a handful of other states with strict rate regulation, your insurer's ability to raise your rate for a deer strike may be restricted by law.
The only way to know if your rate will increase is to ask your insurer or check your policy documents. If you are told a rate increase is coming, that is the time to shop around. Many insurers offer better rates to new customers, and you may find a company that does not penalize comprehensive claims at all.
Your Deductible and Out-of-Pocket Costs
Even though a comprehensive claim usually does not raise your rates, you will still owe your deductible. If your deductible is $500 and the damage to your car is $3,000, you pay $500 and your insurance covers the remaining $2,700. If the damage is less than your deductible — say, $300 — you pay the full amount and do not file a claim at all.
This is why some people choose not to file a claim for minor deer strikes. If your deductible is high and the damage is low, paying out of pocket and skipping the claim keeps your record clean and avoids any possibility of a rate increase. You have the choice to make this decision yourself.
For major damage — a shattered windshield, crumpled hood, or damaged radiator — filing the claim makes sense. Your insurer covers most of the cost, and the comprehensive classification means your rate should not suffer for it.
What to Do If Your Rates Increase After a Deer Strike
If your insurer tells you that your rates are going up because of a comprehensive claim, do not accept it as final. Get a quote from at least two other insurers to see what they would charge you. Many companies offer significantly lower rates to new customers, and some do not penalize comprehensive claims at all.
When you shop, be honest about the claim. Tell each insurer that you filed a comprehensive claim for hitting a deer. Some will ignore it completely; others will factor it in but charge less than your current insurer. The difference can be substantial — sometimes $200 to $400 per year or more.
If you find a better rate elsewhere, switching is straightforward. Your new insurer will handle the paperwork, and you can usually start coverage within days. There is no penalty for switching insurers, and your claims history follows you, so there is no hiding anything.
Documenting the Deer Strike for Your Claim
When you file a claim for hitting a deer, your insurer will want evidence that the accident actually happened. Take photos of the damage to your vehicle, the scene where it occurred, and any visible signs of the deer if it is still present. If other people witnessed the strike, get their contact information.
If you hit the deer on a highway or major road, you can also file a report with local police or animal control. This creates an official record that supports your claim. Some insurers ask for a police report; others do not require it but appreciate having one.
Keep receipts for any emergency repairs you have to make to drive the car safely. Your insurer will need to see an estimate from a repair shop before they approve the claim. If you have already had repairs done, provide the invoice. This documentation speeds up the claims process and reduces the chance of disputes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a deer strike claim show up on my insurance record when I switch insurers?
Yes. Your claims history is part of your insurance record and follows you to any new insurer. However, most companies do not penalize comprehensive claims, so the fact that it appears on your record does not mean your new insurer will charge you more for it. You should still disclose it when you get a quote.
What if the deer damage is less than my deductible?
Do not file a claim. Pay for the repairs out of pocket. Filing a claim when the damage is below your deductible costs you nothing in coverage but adds a claim to your record. Skipping the claim keeps your record clean and avoids any possibility of a rate increase.
Can I file a claim if I hit a deer on a private road or parking lot?
Yes. Comprehensive coverage applies anywhere your vehicle is damaged by an animal, regardless of where it happens. The location does not change the classification from comprehensive to something else.
How long does a deer strike claim stay on my record?
Most insurers keep comprehensive claims on your record for three to five years. After that time, the claim has less weight in rate calculations. Some insurers stop considering it entirely after three years.
If I hit a deer and also hit another car while swerving, what happens to my rates?
The collision with the other car becomes an at-fault accident and will raise your rates, even though the original cause was the deer. This is why it is important to try to brake and steer straight rather than swerve into other traffic. A deer strike alone does not raise rates; an accident caused by your reaction to the deer does.