Does car insurance cover damage caused by a collision with an animal if I only have liability coverage?

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?

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.

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.