When driving past the seemingly peaceful forests surrounding Albertville, Minnesota, it pays to keep an eye out for the unexpected, such as a run-in with a deer or any other wild animal. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, over 20,000 deer-vehicle accidents occur on a yearly basis. Hitting a wild animal can do more than just give you a scare – it can also result in significant damage to your car, depending on the size of the animal. Windshield damage, broken headlights and crunched fenders aren’t uncommon when dealing with animal collisions.
You might assume that any accident involving a wild animal will be covered by your policy’s collision coverage. However, your insurer will likely cover such an accident under your comprehensive coverage. This coverage also covers damage caused by vandalism, theft, natural disasters and falling objects.
Some companies may even consider an animal strike as an “act of God,” which means you won’t have to pay a deductible and your rates remain the same. If you do have to pay a deductible, it’s important to have an estimate of the damage caused during the accident. If the repairs cost less than the deductible amount, you’re better off paying for the damage out-of-pocket.
If you’re not sure about your coverage, it pays to read the fine print before making a claim. As your independent agent, we can help you better understand your auto insurance policy and how it best protects you from life’s uncertainties. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you need more information about your policy.
Disclaimer: The content of these blogs do not represent any type of specific coverage’s offered by the agency.