Although it’s important to practice safe driving on the roads year-round, when it comes to avoiding car accidents with deer, it’s crucial to be extra cautious behind the wheel during our fall season. This is because October typically marks the beginning of deer migration and mating season, which lasts until December. During this time, we tend to see an increase in deer movement, which results in a spike in the number of deer-vehicle collisions, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
In the unfortunate event that you collide with a deer, you may wonder if you have coverage, and the answer depends on which types of coverage are included under your auto insurance policy. You may be surprised to find out that damage caused by an accident with a deer is covered under the comprehensive, not the collision, portion of your policy. In addition to covering damage resulting from contact with an animal, comprehensive coverage also provides your vehicle against perils like fire, theft, vandalism, hail and windstorm.
According to the I.I.I., an estimated 1.23 million deer-vehicle collisions occurred in our country between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012. Considering the costly nature of these accidents, which resulted in more than $4 billion worth of vehicle damage, it’s important to ensure that your auto policy includes comprehensive coverage.
At Knapton, Reade & Woods, our agents can help you secure auto insurance coverage you can count on to protect you not only against collisions with other vehicles, but also against car accidents with deer and other animals. To get a free quote for auto insurance in Hillsboro NH and the surrounding area, please call us today at 603-464-3422 or click the button below and submit our online quote request form.
Once you ensure that your auto policy includes comprehensive coverage, you can use the following safety tips to help protect you and your passengers in the event of an unexpected deer encounter on the road:
- If you notice a deer while driving, slow down and use your horn to attempt to frighten the animal off the road.
- Remain in your lane and brake firmly instead of swerving to avoid the deer, as this can cause you to strike another vehicle or lose control of your car.
- After seeing a deer, drive with extreme caution, even after the animal is out of your path. This is because deer are known to travel in groups, so if you encounter one, the odds that there are others in close proximity to you are high.
- Refrain from using devices like deer whistles, which have not proven to reduce the number of car accidents with deer, according to the I.I.I.
Keeping these safety tips in mind can help you feel better prepared for an encounter with a deer while driving, but accidents can still happen. If you hit a deer, you should never exit your vehicle and touch the animal, as it is likely frightened and could injure you. Instead, it’s best to drive off of the main road and call the police. Provided that you and/or your passengers haven’t sustained any injuries that require medical attention, you can then contact your insurance agent to report the damage to your vehicle.
For additional safety information and answers to common coverage questions, please contact us, read our blog, or visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.
