Am I covered if I hit a deer with my car?

When driving on the highway, a deer runs out in front of you, and you hit it with your car.  Now your car is not drivable, and your passenger is injured. Are you covered?

What type of insurance do I need to cover this?

Your Auto insurance will help cover the damage to your vehicle as well as injuries to you or your passenger.  Comprehensive (Comp) coverage will help cover the damage done to the vehicle, less your deductible and, depending on your state, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Medical Payments coverage will help cover any injuries.

What special endorsements do I need to help ensure this is covered?

Comp coverage is not a state required coverage but having it on your auto policy is almost always a good idea to protect your vehicle from things other than a collision, including animal hits.

Your policy should include medical coverage for you as a driver and any passengers riding in the vehicle as well. Depending on the state, PIP or Med Pay limits can vary but coverage is no-fault and can be used to cover emergency room/primary care visits and other medical expenses.

Towing costs are also included in your comprehensive and collision coverage for all covered instances like deer hits. However, there is an additional endorsement called Towing and Labor that would offer some coverage for situations where your vehicle is disabled but is not otherwise covered by Comp or Collision. For example, if your vehicle broke down due to mechanical breakdown or you got a flat tire due to wear and tear (not covered losses), the Towing and Labor endorsement automatically provides access to a whole suite of services with our Roadside Assistance Program.

How do I check to make sure I have this coverage?

To make sure your vehicle has Personal Injury Protection/Medical Payments Coverage, and Comprehensive coverage, check the declarations page of your insurance policy or contact your independent agent today.  Your agent can also discuss what limits and deductibles and other valuable coverages make sense for you.