Should You File An Auto Insurance Claim After Hitting A Deer?
Posted on: 27 June 2019
Deer accidents happen so suddenly and unexpectedly yet can result in a great deal of damage to a person's car. If you just hit a deer and do not know whether or not you should file a claim for the damages with your insurance company, here are several things to know and consider in this decision.
Do you have comprehensive coverage?
The first thing that you must find out before you contact your insurance company is whether you have comprehensive coverage on your policy or not. Comprehensive coverage is different from collision coverage, as it provides coverage for accidents involving deer, theft, or storm damage. If you have comprehensive coverage, you could file a claim for the damage, as your policy would provide coverage for this type of event.
How much damage is there in comparison to your deductible?
If you have comprehensive insurance coverage on your policy, you could always choose to file a claim; however, this is not always the best way to handle this. Before you file a claim, there are several things you should find out. The first thing to find out is the costs for repairs, and you can do this by visiting a body shop in your area. Secondly, you should find out what the amount is for your deductible, as this is the amount you will pay out of your pocket before the insurance company will pay the claim.
If your deductible is higher than the costs for repairs, it would not make a lot of sense to file a claim. If the cost for repairs is a lot higher than your deductible, filing a claim might be a good option.
Should you add comprehensive coverage if you do not have it?
If you currently do not have comprehensive coverage, you will not be able to file a claim for the damages and receive compensation, but this event could be helpful for your future insurance needs. After going through this type of experience and being responsible to pay the damages out of your own pocket, you might want to consider adding comprehensive coverage to your policy. While you may never hit a deer again, you could encounter other types of problems that result in damage that would be covered with comprehensive insurance.
Choosing the right coverage types is important if you want to protect your vehicle and finances, and you can learn more about the available options by calling an auto insurance agency today.
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