Does car insurance cover damage caused by a collision with an animal if I only have liability coverage?
Colliding with an animal can be as dangerous and expensive as an accident with another vehicle. As such, it's understandable if you're wondering, 'Does my car insurance cover damage caused by a collision with an animal if I only have liability coverage?' Learn more about car insurance coverage for animal collisions.
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Tracey L. Wells
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
Tracey L. Wells is a licensed insurance agent and Farmers insurance agency owner with 23 years of experience. He is proud to be a local Farmers agent serving Grayson, Georgia and surrounding areas. With experience as both an underwriter and agent, he provides his customers with insight that others agents may not have. His agency offers all lines of insurance including home, life, auto, RV, busi...
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- If you collide with an animal and suffer injuries, your car insurance will cover your medical bills in most cases
- Basic mandatory liability cover, in most cases, doesn’t cover the cost of repairs after a collision with an animal
- To be fully covered for animal collisions, a comprehensive and collision car insurance policy will usually pay for damage caused by a collision with an animal
Given the risk of animal collisions, you may wonder whether car insurance covers damage caused by a collision with an animal if you only have liability coverage.
If that’s the case, read on to find out and learn what the various types of car insurance coverage will and won’t pay for in the event of an animal collision.
Understanding Liability Coverage
A liability-only car insurance policy covers the cost of injuries and damage that result after you cause an accident. Liability coverage is often required by law and comes in two forms; bodily injury liability insurance and property damage liability.
Liability Car Insurance and Animal Collisions
To put it simply, no. The purpose of liability coverage is to insulate you from the costs that come should you injure someone or damage people’s property during an accident. Therefore, a liability cover will not apply if you collide with a deer.
However, should the animal you collide with be someone else’s property, the cover will cover the costs. For instance, if a cow escapes from a farm and damages your vehicle, your liability coverage will cover the cost of repairs.
Regarding animals such as cats and dogs, liability covers do not apply as they’re considered ‘unpredictable.’ Therefore, it’s you’re responsibility to avoid hitting them while driving.
Read more: Does my car insurance cover damage caused by a deer or other wildlife?
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Insurance Coverage That Covers Animal Collisions
You must purchase comprehensive car insurance if you want protection against all collisions with animals. This insurance policy is not mandatory and covers damage to your vehicle caused by vandalism, theft, and extreme weather events.
As you can imagine, a comprehensive car insurance policy is more expensive than a liability cover but offers broader protection. So, consider comprehensive coverage if you live in an area where collisions with animals are common to make sure you are completely protected in the event of an accident.
Tips for Avoiding Animal Collisions While Driving
Colliding with an animal while driving, especially at high speeds, can be dangerous. It can cause significant damage to your vehicle, and you may also be injured. Therefore, it’s essential to know how to avoid hitting animals. Here are some pointers:
- Pay attention to your surroundings: Keep your eyes and ears open when you drive through regions like woodland areas or country roads where there is a higher chance of hitting an animal. Also, watch for signs warning about approaching wildlife and slow down if required.
- Use your high beams: To increase your visibility when driving at night, use your high beams.
- Avoid distractions: Driving while distracted increases your chance of hitting an animal. Avoid using your phone, eating, or doing anything else that would divert your focus from the road.
- Don’t swerve: Swerving to avoid hitting an animal on the road can cause you to crash into another automobile or lose control of your own. Instead, take it slower and brake hard.
Attention to these pointers can lessen the likelihood of hitting an animal while driving.
What to Do If You’re Involved in an Animal Collision
Despite your best efforts, you may still collide with an animal. This is because animals like deer and dogs are unpredictable and may spring into the road with little warning. Should you hit an animal while driving, here are some of the steps you should take:
- Check for injuries: Check for injuries first, both on yourself and any passengers in your automobile. Call for medical assistance immediately if someone is hurt.
- Move your car: To avoid obstructing traffic, move your vehicle to the side of the road if it is safe.
- Contact the authorities: If the animal is still alive, contact local animal control or police enforcement to get help managing the issue. You should also contact the local authorities to get the carcass off the road if the animal is dead.
- Document the damage: Take pictures of your car’s damage and any wounds you or your passengers have sustained. This evidence is one of the important steps of how to file an insurance claim.
- Speak with your insurance company: To report the incident and submit a claim for any losses, contact your insurance company. If you have comprehensive insurance, your insurance company could pay to fix or replace your car.
Following these steps is essential to protect you, your passengers, and other road users.
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Case Studies: Exploring Liability-Only Coverage on Car Insurance and Collision Damage From Animal Collisions
Case Study 1: Deer Collision Scenario
John only has liability coverage, his insurance policy will not cover the damages to his vehicle resulting from the collision with the deer. Liability insurance typically covers the cost of damages to other people’s property or injuries in an accident where the policyholder is at fault. However, it does not extend coverage for damages to the policyholder’s vehicle in collision scenarios, even if it involves an animal.
John would be solely responsible for the repair costs of his vehicle. He would need to cover the expenses out of pocket or explore alternative options like paying for repairs through savings, obtaining a personal loan, or seeking assistance from any applicable state or local programs related to wildlife collisions.
Case Study 2: Dog Collision Scenario
Sarah’s liability-only car insurance will not cover the damages caused by the collision with the dog. Liability coverage primarily focuses on protecting the policyholder from claims made by third parties for property damage or injuries resulting from an accident where the policyholder is at fault.
Sarah will bear the financial responsibility for repairing her vehicle. Depending on the extent of the damage, she may need to use personal funds, explore alternative payment options, or consider seeking assistance through local animal control or other charitable organizations that may provide support for such situations.
Case Study 3: Collision With Livestock Scenario
Mike only has liability coverage, his car insurance will not cover the damages resulting from the collision with the cow. Liability insurance primarily focuses on protecting the policyholder from claims made by other parties for property damage or injuries caused by an accident where the policyholder is at fault.
Outcome: Mike will be responsible for covering the repair costs of his vehicle. He may need to explore personal funds, and other financial resources, or potentially file a claim with the owner of the cow or their insurance, if applicable, to seek reimbursement for the damages caused by the escaped livestock.
The Road Ahead: Car Insurance For Animal Collisions
Animals can be unpredictable, making collisions with them a likely occurrence if you drive in areas with high animal populations. Sadly, if you only have liability coverage, you won’t be protected from most collisions with animals.
Consider getting a comprehensive car insurance policy or speak to your insurance provider to understand your options for more protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my liability car insurance policy cover damage to my vehicle if I hit an animal?
No, liability insurance only covers damages you cause to another person’s vehicle or property.
Do I need additional coverage for animal collisions if I only have liability insurance?
A comprehensive car insurance policy is necessary to enjoy full coverage from animal collisions.
How can I reduce the risk of animal collisions while driving?
Always focus on the road, be aware of your surroundings, use your high beams at night, and don’t swerve if you see an animal.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
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Tracey L. Wells
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
Tracey L. Wells is a licensed insurance agent and Farmers insurance agency owner with 23 years of experience. He is proud to be a local Farmers agent serving Grayson, Georgia and surrounding areas. With experience as both an underwriter and agent, he provides his customers with insight that others agents may not have. His agency offers all lines of insurance including home, life, auto, RV, busi...
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.