|
Dammit!
Jan 30, 2017 12:39:58 GMT -5
Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jan 30, 2017 12:39:58 GMT -5
We hit a deer last night coming home from Vancouver. Driving up the road to our house, one bounded out into the middle of the street. We were going about 25 mph, and it knocked the doe off her feet but she was able shake it off and run away (guessing she's going to be hurting today).
My car has a broken headlight and the front bumper has been pushed in such that there is an uneven gap with the hood. Not the best of timing, as this is still our only car. Trying to figure out if it is worthwhile to run this through insurance.
|
|
alabamagal
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 11:30:29 GMT -5
Posts: 8,121
|
Post by alabamagal on Jan 30, 2017 13:03:25 GMT -5
Is it a nice car? Does it matter what it looks like? Definitely get a quick estimate, obviously you need to fix the headlight.
When my son hit a Jaguar (the vehicle, not the animal), the estimate to replace his bumper was $500 and we had a $1000 deductible. So we left as is for 3 years while he finished college. Thankfully he did not hit anything else. When he got a job with an auto insurance company, we paid $200 to get the dent knocked out and repainted. We only did this because we thought it would be bad for someone who worked for insurance to be driving a damaged car.
|
|
|
Dammit!
Jan 30, 2017 13:17:07 GMT -5
Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jan 30, 2017 13:17:07 GMT -5
Is it a nice car? Does it matter what it looks like? Definitely get a quick estimate, obviously you need to fix the headlight. When my son hit a Jaguar (the vehicle, not the animal), the estimate to replace his bumper was $500 and we had a $1000 deductible. So we left as is for 3 years while he finished college. Thankfully he did not hit anything else. When he got a job with an auto insurance company, we paid $200 to get the dent knocked out and repainted. We only did this because we thought it would be bad for someone who worked for insurance to be driving a damaged car. It is a 2007 Subaru Forester with 65K miles and it's in excellent shape according to KBB. Yes, it matters what it looks like to me as I'm going to be driving it until the wheels fall off. Right now, I'm scheduled to get an estimate at our preferred collision repair place (they did excellent work when the tree fell on TD's car) next Tuesday. I asked for what the cost would be both with and without insurance. I'm not sure if hitting a deer would be charged against me for my insurance, but considering that I've been dinged for a car theft, who knows?
|
|
Bonny
Junior Associate
Joined: Nov 17, 2013 10:54:37 GMT -5
Posts: 7,438
Location: No Place Like Home!
|
Dammit!
Jan 30, 2017 14:11:15 GMT -5
Post by Bonny on Jan 30, 2017 14:11:15 GMT -5
Is it a nice car? Does it matter what it looks like? Definitely get a quick estimate, obviously you need to fix the headlight. When my son hit a Jaguar (the vehicle, not the animal), the estimate to replace his bumper was $500 and we had a $1000 deductible. So we left as is for 3 years while he finished college. Thankfully he did not hit anything else. When he got a job with an auto insurance company, we paid $200 to get the dent knocked out and repainted. We only did this because we thought it would be bad for someone who worked for insurance to be driving a damaged car. It is a 2007 Subaru Forester with 65K miles and it's in excellent shape according to KBB. Yes, it matters what it looks like to me as I'm going to be driving it until the wheels fall off. Right now, I'm scheduled to get an estimate at our preferred collision repair place (they did excellent work when the tree fell on TD's car) next Tuesday. I asked for what the cost would be both with and without insurance. I'm not sure if hitting a deer would be charged against me for my insurance, but considering that I've been dinged for a car theft, who knows? Do you still carry collision? Check with your agent. I have the feeling this is one of those coverages where there isn't a deductible and because the amount is so low it's not going to affect your rates...unless you keep hitting deer.
|
|
|
Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jan 30, 2017 14:24:48 GMT -5
Yes, I still carry collision as it is a very minor portion of my total insurance cost.
This is the first deer that either of us hit. Ironically enough, we were stopped in the middle of the main drag last night (before we turn off to our development) waiting for small herd of deer to cross the road and we were talking about how there are a buttload of deer in the area (there are 4 hanging out in the neighbor's yard right now) and you see very few deer hit. Turn onto our road and before we went 100' we hit one. She bounced, rolled over and hopped up and ran away.
|
|
alabamagal
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 11:30:29 GMT -5
Posts: 8,121
|
Post by alabamagal on Jan 30, 2017 14:31:12 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure hitting a deer counts against the comprehensive deductible, not collision. And it could impact your rates, but sounds like it is a small $ loss if you file, so might not be too big an impact. minnesotapaintlady is the site expert on deer collisions, maybe she can provide some input. It has been over 30 years since my last deer collision.
|
|
andi9899
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 6, 2011 10:22:29 GMT -5
Posts: 30,460
|
Dammit!
Jan 30, 2017 14:35:55 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by andi9899 on Jan 30, 2017 14:35:55 GMT -5
Hitting a deer falls under the comprehensive coverage on your policy. It's a non chargeable accident. Use the insurance unless it's just a little over your deductible. I know you didn't really have time to react, but if the choice is ever swerve or hit the deer, hit the deer. It sounds horrible, hitting the deer carries no surcharge. Hitting the curb or another car is surchargeable.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: May 19, 2024 3:58:50 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Dammit!
Jan 30, 2017 14:38:54 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 14:38:54 GMT -5
Yeah...I've hit a lot of deer unfortunately. Last one was about 8 months ago. I've always been told that deer hits are like hail damage and they don't effect your rates. I've never had mine go up and we're talking I've hit at least one with every vehicle I've ever owned. A couple were 2-3 times. Now I'm having flashbacks of the last one. I always feel so damn bad for the deer. eta: This reminds me. I need to get my comprehensive deductible changed to zero. I was kind of hit off guard when I had to pay $500 for the last one. I had changed insurance and didn't notice that's what they had it set at.
|
|
Wisconsin Beth
Distinguished Associate
No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 11:59:36 GMT -5
Posts: 30,626
|
Dammit!
Jan 30, 2017 15:44:57 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Wisconsin Beth on Jan 30, 2017 15:44:57 GMT -5
I'm told that in Wisconsin if you hit and kill a deer with your car, you can load it up, go to a DNR site and get a tag g or it, then you can keep it.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: May 19, 2024 3:58:50 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Dammit!
Jan 30, 2017 15:54:03 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 15:54:03 GMT -5
I'm told that in Wisconsin if you hit and kill a deer with your car, you can load it up, go to a DNR site and get a tag g or it, then you can keep it. You can do that here too, but often the meat is really bad where they got hit, so most don't bother. I've only had a couple actually die right there, most run off dragging limbs.
|
|
andi9899
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 6, 2011 10:22:29 GMT -5
Posts: 30,460
|
Dammit!
Jan 30, 2017 16:12:50 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by andi9899 on Jan 30, 2017 16:12:50 GMT -5
I'm told that in Wisconsin if you hit and kill a deer with your car, you can load it up, go to a DNR site and get a tag g or it, then you can keep it. You can do that here too. Of all the deer claims I've worked I've only had one actually keep the deer.
|
|
tskeeter
Junior Associate
Joined: Mar 20, 2011 19:37:45 GMT -5
Posts: 6,831
|
Post by tskeeter on Feb 1, 2017 15:21:57 GMT -5
Yeah...I've hit a lot of deer unfortunately. Last one was about 8 months ago. I've always been told that deer hits are like hail damage and they don't effect your rates. I've never had mine go up and we're talking I've hit at least one with every vehicle I've ever owned. A couple were 2-3 times. Now I'm having flashbacks of the last one. I always feel so damn bad for the deer. eta: This reminds me. I need to get my comprehensive deductible changed to zero. I was kind of hit off guard when I had to pay $500 for the last one. I had changed insurance and didn't notice that's what they had it set at. My mom used to spend a lot of time traveling for work (driving to exotic locations in rural MN and the Dakotas). One year she was on her 3rd deer collision that year(!) and I told her one day the DNR called and said if she got any more they were going to require her to get a hunting license. I do always feel bad for the deer. They're such stupid jumpy things when it comes to roads and cars. They're mostly just minding their own business. True, deer are mostly just minding their own business. But, there are a few things that attract deer to roadways. In the snow belt, where roads are salted, vegetation along the road is coated with salt. Making for a very tasty deer salad. The second thing is that due to the heat absorbed by the roadway, water run off, and snow melt back along the road, the grass along the road is the first to green up in the spring. A salty green salad. Oh, my, is that good. Then, factor in that plowed roads make it easy for deer to move around as they look for food and water. A nice road sure beats the heck out of belly deep snow. And, if you're a deer in wolf or coyote country, a clear road gives you a running chance at survival.
|
|
Sam_2.0
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 15:42:45 GMT -5
Posts: 12,350
|
Post by Sam_2.0 on Feb 2, 2017 11:47:25 GMT -5
I'm told that in Wisconsin if you hit and kill a deer with your car, you can load it up, go to a DNR site and get a tag g or it, then you can keep it. You can do that here too. Of all the deer claims I've worked I've only had one actually keep the deer. Oh, so you've met my dad? LOL!
He's kept one he hit, and one that he didn't hit! He had a friend hit a deer and the first call they made was to him, not the tow truck. He was out there and met the highway patrol, who wrote him a tag and he took the deer straight home. Mom freaked out and refused to eat roadkill
|
|
Lizard Queen
Senior Associate
103/2024
Joined: Jan 17, 2011 22:19:13 GMT -5
Posts: 14,659
|
Dammit!
Feb 2, 2017 11:59:31 GMT -5
Post by Lizard Queen on Feb 2, 2017 11:59:31 GMT -5
My dad didn't hunt, but when he hit one with his Jetta, he had it butchered. They say it was very good, as it was a young deer. I don't care for venison, so can't say.
|
|
saveinla
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 2:00:29 GMT -5
Posts: 5,233
|
Dammit!
Feb 2, 2017 14:01:55 GMT -5
Post by saveinla on Feb 2, 2017 14:01:55 GMT -5
All this talk of eating the animal that you killed reminds me of the pgymy in Gods Must Be Crazy - who would explain to the animal that he was about to kill that it was not personal
|
|
wyouser
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 16:35:20 GMT -5
Posts: 12,126
|
Dammit!
Feb 6, 2017 15:30:42 GMT -5
Post by wyouser on Feb 6, 2017 15:30:42 GMT -5
Get an estimate, see how much you are talking about. Quiz your insurance agent without turning in a claim to find out what your insurance company does with comprehensive claims. Comprehensive claims did not used to count as far as raising your rates. That has been changing with some companies in this part of the world. Frequency of claims may also be an issue. As a consumer it's good to know how your company treats these losses.
|
|