Recently this writer moved to an area of Tennessee outside Nashville onto a peninsula surrounded by a lake and populated with a large deer herd. The residents of the peninsula have a designated plot of land for the herd including a shelter house. The first night I drove through the winding dark streets I was shocked by their sheer numbers at the side of the road, with their little eyes staring back at me as I carefully drove home. It's late summer and the deer are active, darting across the roads with young fawns in tow. Already a few have been injured or worse, and several vehicles were recently towed away with heavy front-end damage.
Having handled many many claims involving animals and vehicles, I am aware of the many losses animals cause. West Virginia has the largest number of animal claims, and chances of a deer claim were 1 in 37; nationwide chances were 1 in 116. The top ten states for animal collisions per State Farm between 2019 – 2020 are:
West Virginia Montana Pennsylvania South Dakota Michigan Wisconsin Iowa Mississippi Minnesota Wyoming
Because deer collisions and other animal-related claims are considered to be no-fault accidents they are handled under the other than collision (comprehensive) coverage on auto policies. The standard ISO PP 00 01 provides the following list of events that are considered other than "collision" losses:
1. Missiles or falling objects; 2. Fire; 3. Theft or larceny; 4. Explosion or earthquake; 5. Windstorm; 6. Hail, water or flood; 7. Malicious mischief or vandalism; 8. Riot or civil commotion; 9. Contact with bird or animal; or 10. Breakage of glass. If breakage of glass is caused by a "collision", you may elect to have it considered a loss caused by "Collision".
Even though most carriers do not assign points for such losses, several deer hits or other losses under this coverage may lead to an increased premium or nonrenewal notice at the end of the policy period.
In addition, the vehicle must actually make contact with the deer or other wildlife and not just swerve off the road into an embankment, other object or vehicle in order to be covered under the other than collision coverage. Timing is essential; if the vehicle strikes the deer or another animal first, then the loss will be considered an other than "collision" loss. If the vehicle swerves to miss the animal and hits another object, that is a "collision" loss. "Collision is a defined term, and is defined as the upset of "your covered auto" or an impact with an object or another vehicle.
This coverage is optional unless the insured has a lien on the vehicle. If there is a lien on the vehicle, the lender will require an insured to carry both collision and other than collision coverage.
If there are injuries to the occupants of an insured vehicle, then the medical payments coverage or PIP coverage will respond. If the injuries are severe enough or exceed the medical payments or PIP coverage limits then an individual's health insurer will come into play as well. The health insurer should be notified of any animal collision loss with injuries.
Damage to vehicles from hitting a deer or other wildlife can vary from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars with most in the range of $4,000. With newer technology on vehicles such as sensors, and cameras the cost to repair a front end, windshield or side panel has gone up significantly. Gone are the days when a bumper like the ones on an old 1973 Beetle could be reattached and a few dents on the body of the vehicle pounded out. Today's vehicles are simply more expensive to repair, and insurers spend over $1 billion a year on such claims.
So next time you are out and about in suburban and rural areas, be aware of any deer or other animal crossing signs as they tend to be put up in areas where the animals live. When driving through wooded areas and by water, slow down and stay on alert for these magnificent creatures we share this world with.