Does Car Insurance Cover Accidents with Animals?
July 23, 2024
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So, you're cruising down the road, jamming to your favourite tunes, when suddenly a deer darts out in front of your car. Bam! You've just had an encounter of the furry kind. Now what? Does your car insurance cover this kind of thing? Let's dive into the wild world of car insurance and animal accidents.
First things first, not all car insurance is created equal. The coverage you have can make a big difference in how much you'll be shelling out for repairs after your unexpected animal encounter.
There are a few main types of car insurance coverage you should know about, as each one handles animal accidents a bit differently.
This is the golden ticket when it comes to animal accidents, as comprehensive coverage typically includes damage from collisions with animals. So if you've got this, you're probably in good shape. It's a bit like having an invisible safety net for those unexpected wildlife encounters.
Now, collision coverage is a bit trickier. It usually covers accidents with other vehicles or objects, but animals? That's a grey area. Some policies might cover it, others might not. It’s a good idea to speak with your insurer to find out if you’re covered or not, especially if you live in the countryside and animal sightings are commonplace.
Unfortunately, liability coverage is pretty much useless when it comes to animal accidents. It's designed to cover damage you cause to other people or their property, not your own car, so if you hit a deer, liability coverage won't help you one bit.
By the way, if you're curious about how different types of accidents affect your insurance, you might want to check out our article on the impact of non-fault accidents on bonuses. It's good to know how these things work.
Now, even if you have comprehensive coverage, there are still some factors that can affect whether your animal accident is covered.
Insurance policies can be as confusing as trying to read a foreign language sometimes. Each policy has its own terms and conditions, and these can affect your coverage. Some might have specific clauses about a non fault car accident with an animal, while others might lump them in with other types of incidents. In short, it's always a good idea to read the fine print - and yes, it's boring to do so, but it could save you a lot of bureaucracy later.
Okay, so let's say you've had an unfortunate run-in with a furry friend. What should you do?
First things first, make sure you're safe. Pull over to the side of the road if you can, and turn on your hazard lights. The last thing you want is to cause another accident.
Check yourself and your passengers for any injuries - your safety is the most important thing here.
If the accident is serious, or if the animal is still on the road and could cause more accidents, call the police. They can help manage the situation and create an official report, which can be helpful for your insurance claim.
If it's safe to do so, take some pictures of the damage to your car and the scene of the accident, as this can help support your insurance claim. Just don't go chasing after the animal for a photo op, okay?
You should also give your insurance company a call as soon as you can - they can guide you through the next steps and let you know what your coverage includes.
Your insurance company will likely have specific procedures for you to follow. Make sure you do everything they ask to ensure your claim is processed smoothly.
Even if you feel fine, it's a good idea to get checked out by a doctor. Sometimes injuries from accidents don't show up right away, so it’s always better being safe than sorry.
So there you have it - the ins and outs of car insurance and animal accidents. It's not the most exciting topic, we know, but it's definitely good to understand. Remember, the best way to handle animal accidents is to try to avoid them in the first place. Stay alert, especially in areas where animals are common, and always drive safely.
