Thousands of drivers who hit deer last year found out the hard way that their auto insurance did not cover damage to their vehicle. Typically comprehensive coverage under an automobile insurance policy pays up in such crashes. Nationally, 36 million auto owners don't have comprehensive coverage, says the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Many drivers drop comprehensive coverage because they decide their vehicles are too old or worth too little to justify the cost. Risky business for us auto owners in Texas.
Across the country, deer-related collisions result in at least $1.1 billion a year in vehicle damage, says the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. On average, the collisions cost $2,800 per insurance claim; $10,000 if there is injury to the driver or a passenger, according to the Insurance Information Institute. About 200 deaths every year are the result of animal-auto accidents — most involving deer, according to the federal government data.
Deer Tips for Driver
- Don't swerve to avoid striking a deer, as that increases the risk of hitting another vehicle or losing control of your car.
- If there is no opposing traffic, use high beams at night to better illuminate deer.
- Don't rely on devices such as deer whistles, which are attached to the outside of a car, to try to scare off deer with an ultrasonic or high-frequency sound. They have not been proved to reduce deer-vehicle collisions.
- If a deer remains on the highway after you strike it, report the incident to the game commission or a local law enforcement agency, as the deer poses a danger to other motorists. If the deer might still be alive, don't go near it because a wild animal with sharp hooves can inflict injuries
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