Deer activity increases sharply every fall, and November is consistently one of the highest-risk months for deer-vehicle collisions across most of the country. Between the annual deer mating season, shorter daylight hours, and deer moving more during dawn and dusk commute times, drivers face a significantly higher chance of an animal-related crash this time of year than in the spring or summer months.
Why November Is Peak Season
Several factors converge in the fall to raise the risk of a deer collision. Deer breeding season, often called the rut, generally runs through October and November and tends to make deer more active and less predictable, including a greater likelihood of darting across roads. At the same time, the shift back to standard time means more evening commutes happen in darkness, overlapping with the hours when deer are most active. Hunting activity in some areas can also push deer to move more than usual.
Where the Risk Is Highest
Deer-vehicle collisions are more common in rural and wooded areas, but they also happen on busy suburban roads near tree lines, parks, or waterways. Roads with posted deer-crossing signs are worth taking seriously, and reduced speed near these areas, along with a longer following distance behind other vehicles, gives drivers more time to react.
Driving Tips to Reduce Your Risk
A few habits can help lower the odds of a collision during peak deer season:
- Slow down in posted deer-crossing zones, particularly around dawn and dusk.
- Use high-beam headlights when there’s no oncoming traffic to spot deer sooner.
- Scan the roadside ahead, since deer often travel in groups rather than alone.
- Avoid swerving sharply to miss a deer, as this can lead to a more serious crash with another vehicle or a fixed object; braking in a straight line is generally considered safer.
- Stay alert after seeing one deer, since others may follow closely behind.
How Auto Insurance May Respond to a Deer Collision
Coverage for a collision with an animal generally falls under comprehensive coverage, rather than collision coverage, since most insurers classify an animal strike as an event outside the driver’s control. Comprehensive coverage is optional in most states, though it may be required by a lender if you’re still financing or leasing your vehicle. If a driver swerves to avoid a deer and instead hits a guardrail, tree, or another vehicle, that type of damage would typically fall under collision coverage instead, since it results from the vehicle striking an object rather than an animal.
What to Do After a Collision With a Deer
If you do strike a deer, it’s generally recommended to move your vehicle to a safe location if possible, contact local law enforcement to file a report, and document the damage with photos before deciding on next steps. Reporting the incident to your insurance provider promptly can help get the claims process started, and an adjuster can help explain how your specific policy responds to the damage.
Understanding Your Deductible on a Comprehensive Claim
If you do have comprehensive coverage and file a claim for a deer collision, you’ll generally be responsible for your deductible before your insurance covers the remaining cost of repairs. Comprehensive deductibles often differ from collision deductibles on the same policy, so it’s worth checking both figures rather than assuming they match. A lower deductible typically means a higher premium, while a higher deductible can lower your premium but increase your out-of-pocket cost at the time of a claim, which is a trade-off worth revisiting periodically as your circumstances change.
Reviewing Your Coverage Before Winter
Because comprehensive coverage isn’t automatically included on every auto policy, fall is a reasonable time to confirm whether you currently carry it, and to review your deductible to understand what you’d be responsible for out of pocket if a claim were filed. This is also a good moment to ask whether your vehicle’s current value still supports carrying comprehensive coverage, particularly for older vehicles.
Garcia-Taylor Insurance Agency Inc can help you review your auto insurance coverage ahead of peak deer season and answer questions about how comprehensive coverage works. Contact us at (610) 384-2884 or request a quote online today.
