I hit a deer. Filed a police and insurance report. Can that have an effect on my driving/insurance records?

Question

I'm thinking of switching to another insurance company. Would that be a good idea? Thanks!

Answer 1

Well, as long as there's blood and fur, this won't count as an at fault accident for you - but it STILL counts as a claim.

When you're shopping around, leave plenty of time, so if you can't get as good a rate as you have now, you can still renew the current policy.

Answer 2

Actually the deer hit you, unless you went off road to run over it. It is no fault. I suppose there could be insurance points applied but i doubt it. If you change companies they will look at how many claims you had.

Answer 3

Probably not, since hitting an animial is considered a Comprehensive loss, not a Collision loss.    Comprehensive losses, unless you have several in the course of a year, usually do not increase your rates.  Ask your agent.

Answer 4

Driving Record- Only if you caused damage to public/private property or broke the law.

Insurance Record- If the insurance company fixes it, it will surely go on your record and depending on the company, most likely your rate will go up.

Answer 5

a deer is a non-fault accident, it shouldn't affect your rates...

Answer 6

no do not switch then the insurance will go up

Answer 7

It may depend on your insurance company.  My insurance company (USAA) declared my older car totalled several years ago when I hit a deer.  However, they considered the accident  "no fault" and it did not affect my rates.  Like you I also filed police reports.  For information, it is often possible  to buy a totalled car  back from the insurance company for salvage value.  If it is feasible to repair the totalled vehicle, and  you do your own auto repair and use junk yard parts, this may be worth considering.  Cars are declared "totalled" when the repair cost exceeds some percentage, maybe 80% or less, of the book value of the car.  At body shop rates, an older, good vehicle is easily totalled for body damage that is not very extensive.