Virginia has that perfect mix of city and country all over the state. Like many other states, we often share the road with different types of vehicles and wildlife. Deer are one of the most common and costly types of animals to enter the roadways. But, will minimum auto insurance liability cover for car accidents involving deer?
Will minimum liability cover deer accidents?
Generally, no. Minimum liability auto coverage will not cover car accidents involving deer. Virginia has greater minimum liability requirements than most states with uninsured motorist, uninsured motorist property damage and underinsured motorist insurance for drivers with minimum coverage. Deer also generally have not been found to count as motorists.
So, am I out of luck if I hit a deer?
That depends on your insurance. Things like animal accidents usually will qualify for comprehensive coverage for drivers. While comprehensive coverage is not required for the minimum liability, it can be a good idea to review your policy for gaps in coverage.
Comprehensive coverage will also usually cover incidents like theft and natural disasters. Deer may not be top of mind when it comes to accident threats, but many times people need to lean on their own insurance for claims, even routine car accident claims.
How common are deer accidents?
According to one report, there are more than 1 million auto accidents involving deer annually nationwide. Deer also accounts for more than 1 billion dollars in damages, and cause hundreds of fatalities.
Unfortunately, while the animal does share the roads, they cannot share the responsibility for the massive costs and losses created from accidents. Remember insurance companies have an interest in minimizing losses or payouts. You must ensure you have proper coverage for unpredictable accidents, but you may find that you must fight your insurance company to make sure they pay when they are supposed to and the amount that you are entitled.