A car is approaching, and suddenly a deer runs out in front of your vehicle. You try to stop, hit the deer, and feel the car smash into a railing. The deer gets up and walks away. Your car suffers significant damage. Will auto insurance cover the losses? 
Whether you have car insurance coverage depends on the type of policy you have. There are a few things to keep in mind here.
Your Collision Insurance May Help
Damage from an animal collision falls under collision insurance. If you hit a small animal and the damage is insignificant, you may not want to file a claim.
However, in the case of a large deer, you may have thousands of dollars of loss to your car. When this occurs, filing a collision insurance claim makes sense. Collision coverage insures your vehicle’s damage when you hit another object, whether it is a moving or a stationary object. It should cover most or all resulting damage to the vehicle itself.
What If You Hit Another Car in the Process?
Let’s say that, when you strike the deer, you swerve quickly and hit the oncoming vehicle. In this case, you may be responsible for the losses of the other driver. That may mean you must pay for the damage to the other car.
This component of the accident generally falls under liability insurance. Your liability insurance pays for damage and other losses to the other driver.
The same applies if you collide with a railing or another person’s property. Your liability insurance covers the property owner’s losses. Liability insurance does not cover any damage to your vehicle, though. That’s important to remember.
What Should You Do After an Animal Collision?
When a collision like this occurs, pull off to the side of the road. Contact the police to document the incident.
Be sure every person is safe or seek out medical care. You also need to gather the information of anyone else involved. Talk to your insurance agent about the incident. He or she will provide information about the amount and type of auto insurance you have. In addition to this, your agent can help you to secure repairs for your vehicle.
An incident like this can happen to anyone. As a result, it is important to have up to date car insurance to cover your losses.
Also Read: The Benefits of Uninsured/Underinsured Coverage