Knowing what to do can help you manage a situation. This is like accidentally hitting a deer or turning your way around to avoid them can save many lives. As the deer population growth and urban habitats continue to encroach on rural environments, there has been an increase in deer and auto collisions with many fatalities. We can’t deny that it is hazardous and risky if you don’t take this matter seriously. In this article, we will discuss deer coverage auto insurance.
Here are the top 3 tips for reducing deer-related vehicle accidents. These tips can help you prepare for unexpected deer encounters when you hit the road. We will also discuss deer coverage auto insurance.
Be smart
You should consider researching when or what season you want to travel because there are times when deers are often active and can cause you some trouble along the roads. Understanding the deer’s behavior can help avoid accidents like hitting one. When it comes to mating season, there are some differences between male and female deers. The season when deers breed is called the “rut.” Rut usually occurs in October and begins actively looking for mates. But, some bucks come into a rut by December, usually the younger or, the weaker ones. It is possible to advance the onset of the breeding season in bucks by controlling their melatonin levels. While female deer are short-day breeders, so they generally come into estrus in the fall, specifically from October to December.
There is also seasonality in breedings regarding different species of deer, such as Whitetail deer found in the U.S. and South America. This is where females heat for 24 hours from November until December. While deer and auto collisions usually appear at any time of the year. The fall breeding season is the peak time. This is when they are more active because of the broad shoulders on the highway. This usually provides green food during severe dry times and after a long hard winter. Like per day, deers are often most active at dawn and dusk. And, usually, on the side of the road during the early morning and the late evening. The majority of deer and auto accidents usually occur in the Midwest. This is according to an analysis of claims from 2006-2018 by the Highway Loss Data Institute.
Be alert
Deer migration and mating season cause a dramatic increase in the movement of the deer population. This is where more and more deer and auto accidents occur, over half a million a year. So, drivers need to be very cautious. There are about one million auto collisions annually. This involves deer and auto accidents killing about 200 people in the process. This is compared to sharks, about 1 person a year. And bears who were 28 in the past decade cost about 6,000-10,000 dollars. This depends on the situation and the property damage and human fatalities.
- If you somehow stumbled across a deer, expect a pack nearby. Since deers often move in groups, are very careful because deers are very unpredictable. Especially when faced with glaring headlights, blowing horns, and fast-moving vehicles.
- When moving through deer-crossing zones where deer populations are significant and areas where the roads between agricultural fields and forest lands are divided, drive safely.
- Always remember to wear your seatbelts for your safety. Most people injured in deer and auto accidents were not wearing their seatbelts.
- Consider using high-beam headlights at night. The higher light, the better to light up the eyes of deer on and off the road.
Here are some more tips regarding being alert
- If you stumbled across a deer, slow down and stay on your path. But if it’s too late, brake firmly if you can. And, if you manage, wait and observe the deer to see if it will cross or stay in its position before moving on. Do not swerve because swerving can result in losing control of your vehicle. This may lead to hitting objects like rocks, trees, or another vehicle. So long as it’s not dazzled by your headlight, the deer should recognize the danger and leap to avoid you.
- Look out for the deer or wild animal warning signs that mean to slow down, and when you see one, drive as if the deer encounter is inevitable or try blowing your horn to frighten the deer away.
- If you may have hit a deer, it’s not advisable to approach the scared and injured animal because they might react in another way and can hurt or attack you or hurt themselves further.
- Do not rely on deer-deterrent devices because deer whistles and other deer-deterrent devices have not been proven to reduce deer and auto accidents.
Learn what to do
Most accidents involving deer happen absolutely without warning. One second, the road is clear, but in the blink of an eye, there’s a deer in front of your vehicle, and you’ll hit it. Of course, you will be in shock if that somehow happens, which is natural. So before anything else, you must stay calm and compose yourself. But what will you do if you hit or collide with a deer?
Because deers can be big and heavy, that’s why they’re such a risk to motorists now you have dealt with the immediate impact and safety, next is to:
Move your car.
First, if your car is significantly damaged, move your vehicle to a safe place. Pull over to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights if possible. If you must leave your vehicle, stay off the road to avoid further collisions.
Call the police.
Tell the authorities if the deer is blocking the road, creating traffic, or threatening and hazardous to other motorists. If the collision somehow results in an injury or property damage, you may need to fill out an official report which can be useful when filing your insurance claim.
Document everything.
Document the incident, and if it’s safe to do so, take photographs of the roadway, your surroundings, and the damage and injuries your passengers sustained.
Call a tow or recovery service.
You may consider calling the recovery service after the police, and if somehow your car only has superficial damage, it’s still a good idea to get your car to the garage as soon as possible. The deer may have damaged your car in ways that aren’t immediately obvious, and it is best to avoid further damage.
Call your insurance provider.
Contact your insurance immediately because the sooner you report damage or injuries, the sooner your insurer can file and process your claim. Make an honest statement on what happened and tell your insurer all the details, even if you don’t intend to claim on your policy. Most insurance policies demand you tell your insurers every time you’re involved in an accident. If you somehow failed to inform your insurer, it could invalidate your policy.
Make sure you have the proper deer coverage auto insurance from the start
Before the collision occurs, ensure you’re protected with the necessary insurance. Damages from deer and auto collisions are typically covered under comprehensive insurance, not collision.
Comprehensive coverage might help pay to fix or replace your car if it was damaged after you hit a deer. Your vehicle must make physical contact or collision enable to be covered by your comprehensive insurance under your policy while swerving to avoid a deer accidentally hitting or crashing into an object will be considered covered by your collision coverage. Hitting other objects, such as trees and rocks, damages your vehicle differently when you hit the random and unpredictable act of a deer dashing across the road.
Comprehensive coverage also helps you to cover damage to your vehicle from accidental and unpredictable incidents such as theft and vandalism, which includes hitting a deer. On the other hand, you will have to pay a deductible if you file an auto insurance claim after hitting a deer with your vehicle.
When you purchase comprehensive or collision insurance, you can choose a set of deductibles: the amount you will pay out of pocket toward a covered claim. When your car is totaled when you hit a deer, your comprehensive coverage limit would command the maximum amount your policy would payout to help you with the damage or replace your vehicle.
We are here for you
We hope you learned a lot regarding deer coverage auto insurance. Every state has its differences regarding its regulations related to insurance policies, you may check your insurance agent in Denver, CO, or your state. If you need help or clarifications regarding the information above, contact us at Team AIS in Denver, CO.