Does Car Insurance Cover Animal Damage? 

Good news: When you include comprehensive coverage on your car insurance policy, you’re protected against lots of animal-related mishaps—from hitting a deer that jumps in front of you on a dark road to a nosy raccoon that scratches your parked car.

Here’s what you need to know about how car insurance covers animal damage. 

How does car insurance cover animal damage?

Comprehensive coverage is the main coverage that protects your car against animal damage. Here’s a quick look at how different types of coverage can help with animal-related incidents:

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive coverage helps cover the cost of repairs or replacements caused by things that aren’t accidents with another vehicle or stationary object—animal damage, vandalism, theft, or damage from natural disasters. The coverage amount is based on the car’s actual cash value (ACV), if your car is deemed a total loss, and is subject to your deductible, which is usually between $100 and $1,000.

Keep in mind that while comprehensive coverage is optional, if you’re leasing or financing your car, your lender might require you to have it.

Temporary transportation coverage

Temporary transportation coverage can help pay for alternative transportation methods while your car’s in the shop for animal-related damage. At Lemonade, pretty much any type of transportation is covered for up to a month while you’re waiting on repairs, if the damage is related to a covered incident. You have a daily limit and can use the money to help with the costs of rideshares, rental cars, or even public transport like buses and trains. 

Coverage for medical expenses

When it comes to covering medical costs after a collision with an animal, both personal injury protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage (MedPay) can play a role, but they work in slightly different ways. 

PIP is designed to cover medical costs, lost wages, and rehabilitation expenses if the driver or passengers of your car are injured in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. This coverage is typically required in no-fault states, with limits ranging from $10,000 to $15,000, while in other states, it may be optional or not available at all.

MedPay, on the other hand, focuses specifically on medical expenses, like doctor visits or ambulance costs, also regardless of fault. It generally provides smaller coverage amounts, usually between $1,000 and $10,000, and does not cover lost wages or extended rehabilitation like PIP does. Unlike PIP, MedPay is usually optional, while PIP is mandatory in certain states.

Most insurers provide the option to include either PIP or MedPay, but not both. The availability of these coverages depends on your state and whether they are legally required.

Does car insurance cover hitting a deer? 

Yes, comprehensive coverage covers your car if you hit a deer. But, if you swerve to avoid the deer and end up hitting something else—whether it’s a stationary object or another car on the road—your collision or liability coverage would cover that.

Collision coverage

Collision coverage helps cover accident-related damages to your car, like fixing a crushed bumper after hitting a guardrail when swerving to avoid a deer. You’re usually covered up to the ACV of your car (in the event of a total loss), minus your deductible, which generally ranges between $500 and $1,000.

Collision coverage is also optional. Though, you’ll probably be required to have it if you’re leasing or financing your car. You’ll usually need to get comprehensive coverage along with collision coverage since you can’t buy collision coverage on its own.  

Liability coverage

Liability coverage is mandatory in most states, and helps cover damage or injuries you might cause to others, like if you swerve to avoid a deer and end up hitting another car on the road. Your coverage amount depends on your policy and your state’s minimum requirements, which usually range from $10,000 to $50,000. There’s no deductible for liability coverage.  

When does car insurance cover animal damage? 

Picture this: You’re driving home at night when a deer suddenly jumps in front of your car. You slam on the brakes but still end up hitting it, resulting in $4,000 in damage to your car. Luckily you have comprehensive coverage with a $500 deductible, and in this hypothetical scenario your claim is approved, so after you pay your deductible you get reimbursed $3,500. Without comprehensive coverage, you’d be stuck paying the whole bill out-of-pocket.

What if the damage isn’t related to a collision with an animal? 

Vandalism caused to your car by animals is also covered by comprehensive coverage. 

Let’s say you park your car in the driveway on Friday night and decide to spend a relaxing weekend at home. Come Monday morning, you discover that a rodent family made itself at home in your car and your car seats are torn up and covered in rodent droppings. If you have comprehensive coverage, your car insurance could help cover the repair costs, minus your deductible.

When is animal damage not covered by car insurance? 

Car insurance doesn’t cover animal-related damage if you only have basic liability insurance. Since comprehensive coverage is optional, you won’t be reimbursed for damages caused by animal encounters unless you’ve specifically added it to your car insurance policy. 

If you have comprehensive coverage a few exclusions can apply, including: 

• Intentional acts: If you intentionally hit an animal with your car
• Negligence: AKA something you do that possibly leads to damage. For instance, leaving your windows open overnight can make it easy for animals to get into your car

Details vary from state to state, so it’s always a good idea to double-check your car insurance policy for any specific details or exclusions. 

What should I do if my car has been damaged by an animal? 

Whether a critter decided to turn your car into their new hangout, or you’ve had the unfortunate luck of hitting a deer, follow these steps to get back on the road:

1. Stay safe: In the event of an animal collision, pull over to the side of the road, turn on your hazard lights, and check yourself and passengers for injuries. 
2. Call for assistance: If the animal is injured, dead, or poses a danger, alert local authorities or animal control. 
3. Document the scene: Whether you’re dealing with vandalism or a collision, take photos of the damage, accident site, and the animal involved (if they’re still there) to include in your insurance claim. 
4. Contact your insurance company: Notify your insurance provider ASAP with the details of the event and your vehicle’s condition. 

At Lemonade, we designed our digital claims process to be as quick and easy as possible. Just submit your claim through the app with the help of our chatbot, AI Jim. We’ll pair you up with one of Lemonade Car’s claims adjusters to help you with the rest of the process.

Before we go… 

Car insurance helps with the unexpected, including accidents with animals. Adding comprehensive coverage can be worth it for the peace of mind and potential savings down the road.

Ready to get started? Get your quote today. 

FAQs

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A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.