Hit a Deer in Pennsylvania? What to Do Next and Who Pays for the Repair

Fall is deer season on Pennsylvania roads. From October through December, deer are on the move at dawn and dusk, and a lot of drivers in and around Philadelphia find out the hard way. If you just hit one, here's what to do, how insurance usually handles it, and what to look for before you drive much farther.

1. Get safe first

Pull over as far as you can, turn on your hazards, and stay in the car for a moment. Don't walk up to an injured deer. A hurt animal can kick hard and can get up suddenly.

2. Call the police when you need to

In Pennsylvania you need to report a crash to police if anyone is hurt or if a vehicle can't be driven away. Even when it isn't required, a police report makes the insurance claim easier, so it's worth calling if you're on a busy road or the damage is serious.

3. Take photos

Get the front, sides, and any fluid on the ground. Take pictures of the deer and the spot where it happened too. Your insurer will want them.

4. Check before you drive

Look for these before you get back on the road:

• Leaking coolant or other fluids under the front end, or a temperature gauge that climbs (driving it can ruin the engine)
• Headlights or turn signals that don't work
• A hood that won't stay latched
• Warning lights on the dash
• Steering that pulls or feels off

If you see any of them, have the car towed instead of driving it. Call us at (215) 463-1755 and we can help you get it to the shop.

5. Who pays: comprehensive vs. collision

Hitting a deer is usually covered under comprehensive coverage, not collision. Comprehensive has its own deductible, which can be different from your collision deductible, and an animal strike usually isn't treated as an at-fault accident.

If you swerved to miss the deer and hit a guardrail, a pole, or another car, that's usually a collision claim instead. That's one reason a lot of experts say not to swerve hard.

If you only carry liability coverage, the damage to your own car generally isn't covered. Check your policy or call your agent to be sure.

6. Watch for hidden damage

A deer hit can look like a cracked bumper and nothing more, but the damage behind it is often worse:

• Radiator and AC condenser. These sit right behind the grille and get pushed in.
• Bumper reinforcement bar. This is the metal beam behind the plastic cover, and it can bend even when the cover only looks scuffed.
• Headlight mounts and brackets. These can break even when the lens looks fine.
• Sensors and cameras. Many newer cars have radar or cameras in the grille or bumper, and they need to be recalibrated after a repair.
• Hood and fender alignment.

That's why the first estimate sometimes goes up once the bumper comes off. Our post on why repair estimates go up explains how that works.

7. You choose the body shop

Your insurer may recommend a shop, but in Pennsylvania the choice is yours. Read more in Can My Insurance Force Me to Use Their Body Shop?

Get a free estimate in South Philly

Auto Show Collision Center has fixed deer damage at 932 Reed Street since 1974. We work with every insurance company. If your policy includes rental coverage, your insurance company books the rental, and we can have Enterprise pick you up at the shop. Call (215) 463-1755 or book a free estimate.