Will My Insurance Go Up If I Hit a Deer with Geico?
Generally, hitting a deer is considered an “act of God” or a comprehensive claim, which usually doesn’t cause your insurance rates to increase with Geico. However, each situation is unique, and specific policy details matter, so understanding the nuances is essential.
Understanding Comprehensive Coverage and Deer Accidents
Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle from damage caused by events other than collisions with other vehicles or objects. This includes damage from natural disasters, vandalism, theft, and animal collisions, such as hitting a deer. Because these incidents are often outside of your control, insurance companies generally treat them differently than at-fault accidents. Will my insurance go up if I hit a deer Geico? It depends on your coverage and your claims history.
Why Deer Accidents Are Usually Considered “Not-At-Fault”
Deer accidents are typically considered unavoidable incidents rather than the result of negligent driving. Insurers recognize that drivers often have little control over whether a deer runs into their path. Therefore, filing a comprehensive claim for deer damage often doesn’t impact your rates as severely as filing a collision claim after an at-fault accident. Will my insurance go up if I hit a deer Geico? This is often a significant relief to drivers.
Factors That Could Influence Your Geico Insurance Rate After a Deer Accident
While most deer accidents won’t automatically raise your Geico premium, some factors might have an indirect effect:
- Your Deductible: Higher deductibles usually mean lower premiums, and vice-versa. If your deductible is close to the repair cost, filing a claim might not be worth it.
- Your Claim History: While one comprehensive claim may not significantly impact your rate, multiple claims within a short period, even comprehensive ones, might raise a red flag. Insurers may view you as a higher risk.
- State Regulations: Insurance regulations vary by state. Some states have stricter rules regarding rate increases after comprehensive claims.
- Policy Provisions: Carefully review your Geico policy for specific details about comprehensive coverage and rate increase policies.
The Geico Claims Process After Hitting a Deer
If you hit a deer, follow these steps:
- Safety First: Ensure your safety and the safety of any passengers. Move your vehicle to a safe location if possible.
- Report the Incident: Contact the police to report the accident, especially if there are injuries or significant damage.
- Document the Damage: Take photos of the damage to your vehicle, the scene, and the deer if it’s safe to do so.
- Contact Geico: File a claim with Geico as soon as possible. Provide them with all the necessary information, including the police report number (if applicable) and photos.
- Vehicle Inspection: Geico will likely require you to have your vehicle inspected by an appraiser to assess the damage.
- Repair or Total Loss: Depending on the extent of the damage, your vehicle will either be repaired or declared a total loss. Geico will work with you to determine the best course of action.
Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Deer Accident
- Leaving the Scene: Never leave the scene of an accident, even if the deer is deceased. This could result in legal penalties.
- Delaying Reporting: Report the accident to the police and Geico promptly. Delays can complicate the claims process.
- Failing to Document: Thoroughly document the damage with photos and notes. This evidence will support your claim.
- Starting Repairs Without Approval: Do not begin repairs until Geico has approved the claim and provided instructions.
- Accepting the First Offer: Review Geico’s settlement offer carefully. If you believe it’s insufficient, negotiate for a fair settlement.
Preventing Deer Accidents
While you can’t completely eliminate the risk of hitting a deer, you can take precautions:
- Be Vigilant at Dawn and Dusk: Deer are most active during dawn and dusk.
- Reduce Your Speed: Slowing down gives you more time to react if a deer crosses the road.
- Use High Beams When Possible: High beams can help you spot deer further away, but remember to dim them for oncoming traffic.
- Scan the Sides of the Road: Pay attention to the shoulders of the road for signs of deer.
- If You See One Deer, Expect More: Deer often travel in groups. If you see one, slow down and be prepared for others.
- Use Your Horn: A short blast of your horn can sometimes scare deer away.
FAQs: Deer Accidents and Geico Insurance
Will my insurance go up if I hit a deer Geico, even if I wasn’t at fault?
Generally, hitting a deer is considered a comprehensive claim, not a collision claim, and therefore doesn’t directly lead to a rate increase with Geico. However, as noted before, if you have multiple claims in a short period, even comprehensive ones, it could indirectly impact your premium.
Does filing a Geico claim for a deer accident affect my “safe driver” discount?
Filing a single comprehensive claim, such as for a deer accident, typically won’t affect your safe driver discount. These discounts are usually tied to avoiding at-fault accidents. However, read the specific terms of your safe driver discount as some may have clauses related to any type of claim.
What if the damage from hitting the deer is less than my deductible?
If the damage is less than your deductible, it’s generally not worth filing a claim. You would end up paying the entire repair cost yourself. In this situation, filing a claim could potentially mark your record without providing any financial benefit. It’s wise to get an estimate first.
Will Geico cover the cost of towing my car after hitting a deer?
Whether Geico covers towing depends on your policy. Most comprehensive policies include towing coverage, but you’ll need to review your specific policy details to confirm. If towing coverage is included, Geico will typically cover the cost of towing your vehicle to the nearest repair shop.
What information do I need to provide Geico when filing a deer accident claim?
When filing a claim, be prepared to provide: your policy number, date and time of the accident, location of the accident, a description of the damage, photos of the damage, the police report number (if applicable), and any other relevant information. The more detailed your information, the smoother the claims process will be.
Can Geico cancel my policy after I file a claim for hitting a deer?
It’s highly unlikely that Geico would cancel your policy solely for filing a single comprehensive claim for hitting a deer. Insurance companies typically cancel policies due to factors like non-payment, multiple at-fault accidents, or a history of fraudulent claims.
What if I don’t have comprehensive coverage?
If you don’t have comprehensive coverage, your insurance won’t cover the damage caused by hitting a deer. You would be responsible for paying for the repairs out of pocket. This highlights the importance of having comprehensive coverage, especially in areas with high deer populations.
What if the deer was already dead when I hit it?
Even if the deer was already dead, it’s still a good idea to report the incident to the police and your insurance company. While the damage might be minimal, documenting the incident protects you from potential liability if the deer caused a hazard on the road.
How long do I have to file a claim with Geico after hitting a deer?
While there’s no strict deadline, it’s best to file a claim with Geico as soon as possible after the accident. Delays can complicate the claims process and make it harder to gather evidence. Check your policy for specific timeframes.
What happens if the deer causes injuries to me or my passengers?
If you or your passengers are injured in a deer accident, your medical expenses may be covered by your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage or MedPay coverage, depending on your state and policy. Additionally, you may be able to pursue a claim against your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage in some situations.
Does Geico offer any discounts for installing deer whistles or other deer deterrent devices?
Geico typically does not offer specific discounts for installing deer whistles or other deer deterrent devices. While these devices might help reduce the risk of deer accidents, insurance companies generally don’t factor them into their pricing models.
If I hit a deer out of state, does that change how Geico handles the claim?
Hitting a deer out of state generally doesn’t significantly change how Geico handles the claim. Your comprehensive coverage applies regardless of where the accident occurs within your coverage area. However, be aware of any state-specific laws or regulations that might affect the claim process.