What To Do If You Hit an Animal: A Guide for Rural Driving

If you’ve spent any time driving the highways and back roads of Eastern Oregon, Eastern Washington, or rural Idaho, you know the feeling. It’s dusk, you’re rounding a bend, and a flash of green eyes catches your headlights.

Hitting an animal is one of the most common auto insurance claims filed in Oregon, and in Wallowa and Union counties, it’s nearly a rite of passage. We’ll use deer as our example here, but this information applies to most animals. If you've hit an animal while driving or want to be prepared, here’s what you need to know.

How to Avoid As Much Damage As Possible

When a deer appears in your headlights, your instincts may work against you. Protect yourself, your passenger, and other drivers by responding appropriately.

If you have time to react…

• Brake firmly and stay in your lane. Slowing down reduces the severity of damage and may give the deer a chance to clear the way.

• Use your horn. A honk can sometimes startle a deer off the road before impact. Remember that deer are unpredictable and may move in a direction that you didn’t expect.

• Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.

• Scan the road ahead. Deer are often near their herds. If you miss one, keep a watchful eye as there may be more.

If impact is unavoidable…

• Do not swerve into oncoming traffic. Although a natural reaction, this is one of the most dangerous instincts. A head-on collision with another vehicle is almost always more severe than hitting an animal and tends to involve a more significant claims process.

• Brake as hard as you safely can. Reducing your speed as much as possible can help reduce damage.

• Hold the wheel firmly. Keep control of your vehicle after impact. This is especially important on icy roads.

Deer are most active at dawn and dusk. Collisions spike during fall. If you’re driving rural roads during these times, slow down and stay alert.

What To Do Immediately After Hitting an Animal While Driving

After the impact, take a breath and move through these steps.

1. Pull over safely. Get your vehicle off the road as quickly and safely as possible. Turn on your hazards.

2. Check yourself and passengers. Make sure everyone in the vehicle is ok. If anyone is injured, call 911.

3. Do not approach the animal. An injured animal can be unpredictable. Stay in your vehicle or a safe distance away. If the animal is dead, check out the next section.

4. Document. Take photos of the damage, location, and animal if it’s still present. This documentation will be valuable when you file your insurance claim.

5. Call for a tow if needed. If your vehicle isn’t drivable, call a friend or for a tow. Your insurance policy may include roadside assistance coverage. If it does, you can file for a reimbursement for travel to the nearest body shop later. Do not drive a vehicle with a damaged hood, broken windshield or headlights, or fluid leaks.

   1. Wallowa Valley - SPS of Oregon, 541-569-2352

   2. Wallowa Valley - Mike’s Garage, 541-432-3221

   3. Union County - Fenn’s Towing LLC, 541-963-6050

      
      

What Should I Do With the Animal?

Do not approach an injured deer. They may behave unexpectedly and injure you.

If the deer is dead, clear it from the road or contact local law enforcement to request help.

You are not required to report hitting a deer in Oregon, but you may be legally allowed to keep the animal for meat if you wish. Contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife or local enforcement to get a permit or salvage tag. Idaho and Washington are similar. Be sure to check with your local law enforcement before assuming you can take the deer.

Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office: 541-426-3131

Oregon State Police: *677 or 800-442-0776

Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife: 800-720-6339

Idaho Fish and Game: 208-334-3700

Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife: 360-902-2200

How to File an Auto Insurance Claim After Hitting an Animal

Once you and your passengers are safe, filing your claim promptly is the next priority. Here is how the process works:

Step 1: Locate your claims information. Your insurance company’s claims instructions are provided on your insurance ID card. If you have insurance with Hillock Insurance, you can also find claims information on our claims page.

Step 2: Report the incident. Call the claims line or file online. Have this information ready:

• Date, time, and location of the incident

• A description of what happened 

• Photos of the damage

• A copy of any police reports, if applicable

It’s best to file your claim with the insurance company since they will need to speak with you directly. Your agent may be able to start the process for you, though, if desired.

Step 3: Work with your claims adjuster. Your insurance company will assign a claims adjuster who will review the damage and determine the payout based on your coverage and deductible. This is a good time to contact your insurance agent as they may be able to provide support. 

Step 4: Get a repair estimate. Your adjuster may direct you to a preferred repair shop or you may be able to choose your own. If you’re in Wallowa County, a few locally trusted options are: 

• Gregg’s Glass for windshield damage

• Neil’s Body Shop for body and mechanical repairs in Enterprise

• Main Street Motors for body and mechanical repairs in Enterprise

• Alpine Auto for body and mechanical repairs in Joseph

We recommend not getting any work done until your claims adjuster approves it. This can prevent you from getting stuck with a bill you didn’t expect to need to pay.

Comprehensive Insurance for Animal Claims

Many people are surprised to learn that hitting a deer or other animal is covered under your comprehensive insurance instead of collision.

This can be confusing because “collision” sounds like it should apply. In insurance, collision applies when your vehicle makes contact with another vehicle or stationary objective. Hitting an animal is considered an unpredictable event which puts it in the comprehensive category alongside causes of loss like theft, fire, flooding, falling objects, and vandalism.

We like to say that you don’t collide with a deer. A deer hits you. ;)

What this means practically is:

• If you carry comprehensive coverage, a deer will be processed under that portion of your policy.

• The comprehensive deductible will apply.

• If you only have liability insurance, you won’t have coverage if you hit a deer.

  
  

What Does Comprehensive Insurance Cost?

The rate will depend on your vehicle as well as some other factors. Hillock Insurance can provide you a quote at any time. Get started at https://www.hillockins.com/request-a-quote or reach out to us if you are an existing customer.

If you drive rural roads regularly and don’t currently have comprehensive coverage, it’s worth a conversation. The average cost of deer-related repairs can run from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.

Other Helpful Insurance Coverages for Animal Incidents

It’s important to remember that comprehensive coverage does not include coverage or reimbursement for tows or rental vehicles. Drivers who are frequently on the road, don’t have family/friends nearby, or don’t have extra vehicles should be sure to consider these optional coverages.

Get Local Support When It Matters Most

As agents based in Enterprise, Oregon, we’re no strangers to deer and animal accidents. Our team has helped plenty of local drivers, so we know how stressful these situations can be.

If you want to review your current auto coverage to make sure you’re protected, or get support through the claims process, we’re here to walk with you through it all. 

Helpful Phone Numbers

Claims and Insurance

Hillock Insurance: 541-426-4208

Find a full directory of claims phone numbers for Hillock Insurance’s partners at https://www.hillockins.com/claims 

Towing and Repair Services

Towing

SPS of Oregon: 541-569-2352

Mike’s Garage: 541-432-3221

Fenn’s Towing LLC: 541-963-6050

Repairs

Gregg’s Glass: 541-263-2016

Neil’s Body Shop: 541-426-4194

Main Street Motors: 541-426-2100

Alpine Auto: 541-432-2277

Law Enforcement

Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office: 541-426-3131

Oregon State Police: *677 or 800-442-0776

Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife: 800-720-6339

Idaho Fish and Game: 208-334-3700

Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife: 360-902-2200

Frequently Asked Questions

Does hitting a deer raise my insurance rates?

In most cases, a comprehensive claim like a deer strike is not held against you the same way an at-fault accident might be. However, policies vary.

What if the deer ran off and I'm not sure I actually hit it?

Inspect your vehicle carefully. If there's damage, document it and report it to your insurance company. Don't assume a small dent or cracked bumper isn't claim-worthy; repair costs can add up quickly.

Do I need to file a police report after hitting a deer?

Oregon does not require you to file a police report for a deer strike unless there are injuries or significant road hazards involved. However, a report can support your insurance claim, so it's not a bad idea,  especially in remote areas where documentation may be limited.

What if I swerved to avoid a deer and hit something else instead?

If you swerved to avoid a deer and hit a guardrail, ditch, or another object, that claim would fall under your collision coverage instead of comprehensive. This is an important distinction, and another reason to carry both types of coverage.

Can I keep the deer?

It depends on local rules and regulations. Check with the law enforcement and/or fish and wildlife department in the area.