Does Car Insurance Cover Hitting a Deer?

By Brad Davis, CIC (May 7, 2026)
Davis Insurance Associates – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Yes, car insurance can cover hitting a deer, but only if you carry comprehensive coverage on your auto policy. In most cases, a deer accident is not covered by liability-only car insurance.

This is an important question for drivers in and around Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Conway, Carolina Forest, and other parts of coastal South Carolina. While many people think of deer collisions as a rural problem, deer can be found near wooded neighborhoods, back roads, golf course communities, highways, and coastal development areas throughout Horry County.

If you hit a deer, the coverage that usually applies is comprehensive coverage, sometimes called “other than collision” coverage.

What Coverage Pays if You Hit a Deer?

If your vehicle hits a deer, comprehensive coverage may help pay to repair or replace your vehicle, minus your deductible.

Comprehensive coverage is the part of an auto insurance policy that typically applies to damage from things other than a collision with another vehicle. This may include:

• Deer or animal impacts
• Theft
• Fire
• Vandalism
• Falling objects
• Hail
• Some types of storm damage

So, if you are driving down Highway 17, Highway 31, Highway 90, or a back road near North Myrtle Beach and a deer runs into the road, your comprehensive coverage would usually be the coverage to look at.

What if I Only Have Liability Insurance?

If you only carry liability insurance, damage to your own car from hitting a deer usually is not covered.

Liability insurance helps pay for injuries or damage you cause to other people or their property. It does not normally pay to repair your own vehicle after you hit a deer.

That means if you have liability-only coverage and a deer damages your bumper, hood, windshield, lights, or airbags, you may have to pay for those repairs yourself.

This is one reason it is important to understand the difference between liability-only coverage and what many people call full coverage.

Is Hitting a Deer a Collision Claim or Comprehensive Claim?

In most cases, hitting a deer is considered a comprehensive claim, not a collision claim.

That matters because many people carry different deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverage.

For example, your auto policy may have:

• $500 comprehensive deductible
• $1,000 collision deductible

If you hit a deer and the claim falls under comprehensive coverage, you would usually pay the comprehensive deductible.

However, claim details matter. If you swerve to avoid a deer and hit a tree, ditch, fence, or another vehicle, the claim may be handled differently. In that situation, the damage may fall under collision coverage instead of comprehensive coverage.

Can a Deer Claim Raise My Insurance Premium?

Yes, it can.

Even though hitting a deer is usually considered a comprehensive claim and may not be treated the same as an at-fault accident, it is still a claim on your insurance record. Depending on your insurance company, claim history, location, policy type, and state rules, a deer claim could affect your future premium.

Some insurance companies may not surcharge a single comprehensive claim the same way they would surcharge an at-fault collision. Others may still consider the claim when rating or renewing your policy.

The key point is this:

Hitting a deer may be covered by comprehensive coverage, but it is still an insurance claim and could cause your car insurance premium to increase.

Before filing a claim, it may be worth comparing the repair cost to your deductible. If the damage is minor and the repair cost is close to your deductible, you may decide not to file. If the damage is significant, filing a claim may make sense.

What Should You Do After Hitting a Deer?

If you hit a deer, safety comes first.

Move your vehicle to a safe place if possible. Turn on your hazard lights. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911.

You should also avoid approaching the deer. Injured animals can be unpredictable.

After that, consider taking these steps:

• Call law enforcement if there are injuries, major damage, or a road hazard
• Take photos of the vehicle damage
• Take photos of the scene if it is safe to do so
• Do not try to drive the vehicle if it seems unsafe
• Contact your insurance agent or company
• Get a repair estimate if needed

If you are unsure whether to file a claim, your insurance agency can help you think through your deductible, the estimated damage, and how the claim may affect your policy.

Facts + Statistics: Deer vehicle collisions – article from the Insurance Information Institute.

Does Comprehensive Coverage Include Rental Car Coverage?

Not automatically.

Comprehensive coverage may help pay for the vehicle damage, but rental reimbursement is usually a separate optional coverage. If your car needs repairs after hitting a deer, rental reimbursement may help pay for a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop.

This can be especially helpful if you rely on your vehicle for commuting, school drop-offs, errands, or work.

Should Myrtle Beach Drivers Carry Comprehensive Coverage?

Many drivers in the Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach area choose comprehensive coverage because it protects against more than deer accidents.

In our area, comprehensive coverage may also be helpful for claims involving:

• Hail
• Falling tree limbs
• Theft
• Vandalism
• Flood-related vehicle damage
• Fire
• Wind-related damage
• Animal impacts

Whether comprehensive coverage makes sense depends on the value of your vehicle, your deductible, your budget, and whether you could afford to repair or replace the vehicle yourself.

If you have a loan or lease, your lender will usually require comprehensive and collision coverage.

Final Answer: Does Car Insurance Cover Hitting a Deer?

Car insurance can cover hitting a deer if your policy includes comprehensive coverage. Liability-only insurance usually will not pay for damage to your own vehicle after a deer accident.

For drivers in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Conway, and surrounding areas, deer accidents can happen on highways, neighborhood roads, and wooded areas near developing communities.

Before you need the coverage, review your auto policy and ask:

• Do I have comprehensive coverage?
• What is my comprehensive deductible?
• Do I have rental reimbursement?
• Could a deer claim affect my premium?
• Is my vehicle worth carrying comprehensive coverage on?

At Davis Insurance Associates, we help South Carolina and North Carolina drivers compare auto insurance options and understand what their policies actually cover before a claim happens.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not provide legal, claims, or coverage advice. Coverage depends on the specific policy language, endorsements, exclusions, deductibles, claim facts, and insurance company guidelines. Your actual coverage will depend on the terms and conditions of your policy.