The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) lists contact with an animal, such as a deer, under comprehensive (other-than-collision) coverage on a Washington auto policy, and a deductible may apply. If you only carry liability, your own car repairs aren’t covered. Around Wenatchee, deer collisions peak in October and November, so now is a good time to check your policy.
Does car insurance cover hitting a deer in Washington?
Often, yes, if you carry comprehensive. The OIC describes comprehensive as covering loss from something other than a collision with another car or object, including fire, vandalism or “contact with an animal, such as a deer,” and says a deductible may apply. Your policy’s exact wording, limits and deductible control what’s paid. If you’re not sure whether you carry comprehensive, look at your declarations page or ask us.
Why are deer collisions so common around Wenatchee in the fall?
Three agencies describe the same picture:
- Timing. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) says more than half of deer-vehicle collisions in the state happen in October and November, and that the rut (mating season) and peak hunting days may account for this. Its research found most mule deer collisions occur from October through January, with peak commute times falling at dawn and dusk when deer are most active.
- Our roads. WSDOT lists the Wenatchee vicinity among the areas with some of the state’s highest wildlife-vehicle collision rates: an abundant mule deer population means high deer collision rates on the busy highways north and west of the city.
- Our deer. A USGS data set on the Chelan mule deer herd puts its high-use winter range along the southeast shore of Lake Chelan, the breaks of the Columbia River, the lower Entiat River drainage and the foothills east of Cashmere. It names US-97A, which overlaps the winter range along the Columbia, and US-2, which cuts across several migration routes, as barriers the herd has to cross.
WSDOT has put up wildlife fencing in some places, including along US-97A north of Wenatchee, but says fencing can’t be used everywhere and animals can get in at gaps like side roads and ramps.
What if I swerve to miss a deer and hit something else?
The OIC defines collision coverage as paying for damage to your car if you collide with another car or object or your car flips over. So if you swerve and hit a guardrail, a tree or another vehicle, that is typically a collision claim, not a comprehensive one. Your policy language decides, and your collision deductible may differ from your comprehensive deductible. That is one more reason to know both numbers before a crash.
What if I only carry liability?
Liability pays for injuries and damage you cause to others, and the OIC notes property damage liability typically won’t cover damage to your own car. With a deer, there is no other driver to claim against. If you own your car outright and carry liability only, repairs would come out of your pocket. If you finance or lease, the OIC says most lenders require comprehensive and collision. We can price adding comprehensive across the companies we represent, and you decide whether the deductible and cost fit your budget.
What should I do right after hitting a deer?
- Get to safety. Move to a safe spot if you can. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or the car can’t be driven.
- Leave the animal alone. WDFW says only a law enforcement officer or someone authorized by WDFW may euthanize an animal injured in a collision.
- Report a dead animal on a state highway. WSDOT says to contact the local Washington State Patrol district office or local law enforcement, who will contact the right WSDOT facility.
- Take photos of the damage, and the scene.
- Contact your insurance company. The OIC says you must protect your car from further damage and keep receipts for roadside services such as towing.
How long do I have to file a deer claim?
It varies. The OIC says the time you have to file an auto claim depends on your policy and insurance company, so don’t wait. After you start a claim, the OIC says the insurer must approve, deny or explain a delay within 30 days. Claims are filed with your insurance company; our contact your carrier page lists claim contacts, and we’re glad to help you find the right number.
Will towing and a rental car be covered?
Maybe, depending on what you added. The OIC lists rental reimbursement and roadside assistance as optional coverages, so check your policy before you need them. Our car accident checklist and our Stevens and Blewett Pass winter driving guide cover towing limits and roadside coverage too.
Do deer whistles work?
WDFW says how well deer whistles work “is not scientifically known.” WDFW’s tips are simpler: slow down at night, watch near steep roadside banks, and remember one deer crossing can mean more are coming. If you see brake lights ahead, a driver may have spotted a deer.
Can I keep a deer I hit with my car?
WDFW says it is legal to salvage a deer or elk killed in a motor vehicle collision, but you must get a free salvage permit from WDFW within 24 hours of taking possession, and you can’t kill an injured animal to salvage it. WDFW does not vouch that salvaged meat is fit to eat, and testing rules for chronic wasting disease apply in some regions. Check WDFW’s roadkill salvage page for current rules before you do anything with the carcass.
FAQ
Do I file a deer claim with Blue Horizon or my insurance company?
With your insurance company. We’re an independent agency, not the insurance company, but we can help you find the claim contact and review your coverage.
Does the same rule apply if I hit an elk?
The OIC’s comprehensive description refers to contact with an animal, and WSDOT says most reported wildlife collisions involve deer and elk. How your policy treats it depends on its terms, so ask your insurance company or us.
Should I add comprehensive before deer season ends?
That depends on your car, your lender and your budget. We can compare comprehensive deductibles across the companies we represent so you can decide. We will never tell you to cancel or change a policy without you choosing it.
Related guides: Flood damage to your car is also a comprehensive-only loss, per the OIC; see our flood insurance guide for Wenatchee. Got a DOL letter or had a lapse? Read SR-22 and uninsured driver rules in Washington.
Talk it through with a local independent agent
Blue Horizon Insurance is an independent agency at 12 S Wenatchee Ave in Wenatchee. We are not an insurance company. Our licensed insurance agents shop many insurance companies for you and explain the trade-offs in plain English. We have also been Ramsey Trusted / Dave Ramsey endorsed for 10+ years. See our Washington auto insurance page for how we shop coverage.
- Call us: 509-293-7500 (Mon–Fri, 9–5)
- Text us (text only, not for calls): 509-300-3515
- Request a quote online:
https://www.bhifs.com/insurance-quotes.html
Sources
- Washington OIC, Learn how auto insurance works
- Washington OIC, Filing an auto insurance claim
- WDFW, An Analysis of Deer and Elk-Vehicle Collision Sites along State Highways in Washington State
- WDFW, Tips for Driving in Deer Country (PDF)
- WDFW, Roadkill salvage permit
- WSDOT, Wildlife habitat connectivity
- USGS, Washington Mule Deer Chelan Corridors
