Deer collisions can be scary and dangerous, but what about the impact on your car insurance? If you’re wondering whether hitting a deer will raise your rates with Geico, you’re not alone. Here’s a quick answer: Yes, filing a comprehensive claim for deer damage will likely lead to increased premiums with Geico and most other insurance companies.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about how hitting a deer affects your Geico insurance rates. We’ll look at typical rate hikes after deer claims, steps you can take to minimize the impact, whether it’s better to file a claim or pay out-of-pocket, and more.

Geico’s Deer Claim Policy and Potential Rate Increases

Geico Considers Deer Claims ‘At-Fault’

When a driver hits a deer or other animal on the road and files a claim with Geico, the insurance company considers it an at-fault collision claim. This means even though hitting Bambi may not be the policyholder’s fault, Geico views deer collisions as avoidable accidents that increase the driver’s risk profile.

According to Geico’s claims evaluation process, “the inability of a driver to avoid an accident with an animal or object, whether stationary or moving, is normally considered to be an at-fault accident.”

So while deer claims may not increase premiums as much as a fender bender with another car would, drivers can still expect rate hikes after animal hit incidents.

Typical Premium Hikes After a Deer Collision Claim

Geico does not disclose a standard rate increase percentage for deer collisions or underwriting guidelines. However, industry data shows drivers often face premium increases between 10% to 15% after a first deer claim.

Rate hikes around 20% are more common after multiple deer collision claims within a few years. According to 2021 deer crash statistics from State Farm Insurance:

  • About 1 in 116 drivers hits a deer annually in the U.S.
  • West Virginia has the highest likelihood for animal collision claims.
  • November is the peak month for deer crashes.

Geico considers several variables when calculating rate changes after a claim, including:

Driver’s history Number of years insured with Geico
Number of past claims Estimated damage and claim payout
State and coverage type Geico’s current book of business
So while hitting a deer could increase your Geico premiums, the hike may be modest for first-time claimants compared to other at-fault accidents. Maintaining a long tenure and clean driving history can also minimize the rate impact.

When possible, take preventative measures like slowing down in high deer traffic zones, adding comprehensive coverage, and filing a claim only when damage costs exceed your deductible.

For more information, drivers can reference Geico’s claims page or this Insurance Information Institute article on deer collisions and insurance.

Steps to Minimize the Rate Increase After a Deer Claim

Consider Paying Out-of-Pocket for Minor Damage

If the damage from hitting a deer is relatively minor, it may make sense to pay for the repairs yourself rather than filing an insurance claim. Comprehensive claims like deer collisions often raise your premiums at renewal time, so paying a few hundred dollars out-of-pocket could save you money in the long run.

Get an estimate from your body shop and weigh the repair costs against potential rate hikes.

Ask About Claim Forgiveness or a Deer Insurance Rider

Some insurers like Geico offer “accident forgiveness” or “claim-free forgiveness” programs that allow one at-fault accident claim without raising your rates. This benefit may only apply to certain policyholders based on tenure, driving record, and other eligibility rules.

You may also be able to purchase a separate deer collision endorsement or rider that covers damage from animal strikes without affecting your premiums. Check with your agent.

Shop Around at Renewal to Find the Best Rates

Even if your current insurer raises your rates after a deer collision claim, you may be able to find a better deal by getting quotes from competitors when your policy renews. Usage-based programs like Geico‘s DriveEasy can also help offset rate hikes by giving safe drivers discounts based on actual driving data.

Shopping around and comparing quotes is the best way to ensure you have the most affordable car insurance after an at-fault claim.

When to File a Claim vs Paying Out-of-Pocket

Factors to Consider When Deciding

Deciding whether to file an insurance claim or pay out-of-pocket after hitting a deer can be tricky. Here are some key factors to weigh:

  • Cost of repairs – Get an estimate to see if it exceeds your deductible. If repairs are only slightly more than your deductible, you may want to pay out-of-pocket.
  • Impact on premiums – Filing a claim could increase your rates. Weigh the immediate repair costs vs paying more over time.
  • Type of coverage – Collision coverage vs comprehensive coverage have different impacts on premiums.
  • Number of claims – Frequency of claims can impact rate hikes. If this is your first, the effect may be minimal.

Pros and Cons of Filing an Insurance Claim

Filing an insurance claim has advantages and disadvantages:

Pros:

  • You only pay the deductible for covered repairs.
  • The claims process is easier than coordinating repairs yourself.
  • Repairs are guaranteed by the insurer. You know qualified professionals will fix your car.

Cons:

  • Your premiums will likely increase, sometimes substantially.
  • Too many claims may risk non-renewal or cancellation.
  • Minor damage may not be worth the premium increase.

Pros and Cons of Paying Out-of-Pocket

Paying for deer damage without filing a claim also has pros and cons:

Pros:

  • You avoid premium increases.
  • You maintain a clean claims history.
  • Paying out-of-pocket makes sense for minor damage.

Cons:

  • The financial burden falls entirely on you.
  • DIY repairs may not restore the vehicle to pre-loss condition.
  • Repairs could be delayed if you must save up to pay.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Evaluate your specific circumstances carefully. Get a repair estimate and discuss potential premium impacts with your insurer. This will provide the information you need to make an informed, smart decision.

How to File a Claim With Geico for a Deer Collision

Reporting the Claim

If you hit a deer while driving and have collision coverage with Geico, you’ll need to report the claim to start the process. The easiest way is to call Geico’s 24/7 claims hotline at 1-800-841-3000. When you call, a claims representative will ask you for some basic information about what happened and take down details about the damage to your car.

They’ll also ask for your name, policy number, and contact information so they can follow up.

You can also report a deer collision claim online through Geico’s website or mobile app. Just log in to your account and go to the claims section. Reporting the claim quickly can help speed up the process – Geico recommends contacting them as soon as possible after the accident.

The Claims Process

After reporting your deer collision claim, a Geico claims adjuster will be assigned to your case. They’ll investigate your claim by reviewing the details, looking at any photos you submitted of the damage, and getting an estimate for the repair costs. According to J.D.

Power data, Geico processes claims very quickly – in just 3.8 days on average.

If it’s determined the damage falls under your collision coverage, Geico will send payment for the repairs directly to the auto repair shop. You’ll just need to pay your collision deductible. Geico has a network of preferred repair shops, or you can choose your own – just note non-network shops may take longer to process payments.

For major damage, Geico may decide to total your car if the repair costs exceed a certain percentage of the vehicle’s value. In this case, they’ll pay you the actual cash value of your car minus the deductible so you can replace it.

What Documentation You’ll Need

To help Geico process your deer collision claim, there are a few key pieces of documentation you should have ready:

  • Photos of the damage to your car – The more photos from all angles, the better.
  • A police report – If a police officer responded to the scene, get a copy of their report.
  • The date, time, and location of the accident.
  • Repair estimates – Get these from auto body shops if you already had the car inspected.
  • Receipts for expenses like car rental or towing due to the accident.

Having this information handy will allow Geico to quickly determine if the damage is covered and evaluate how much it will cost to repair your car. Responding quickly to any additional requests from the claims adjuster can help speed up the claims process as well.

Deer Collision and Car Insurance Rates: The Bottom Line

Deer collisions can be extremely dangerous and damaging events. Unfortunately, they are also quite common in many parts of the United States. According to State Farm insurance company, there are over 1 million deer-related accidents each year, resulting in billions of dollars in vehicle damage and numerous injuries and fatalities.

So what does hitting a deer mean for your car insurance rates?

Higher Premiums are Common After a Deer Collision Claim

In most cases, making a comprehensive claim due to a deer collision will lead to higher car insurance premiums. Comprehensive coverage helps pay for damage from non-collision events like deer hits, vandalism, storms, and theft.

After using this coverage, insurers view drivers as higher risk and more likely to file future claims. As a result, they will generally raise rates at renewal time.

However, there are a few scenarios where deer claims may not impact premiums:

  • If the driver has accident forgiveness on their policy, their rates may remain unchanged after a single deer collision claim
  • Some insurers may not significantly raise premiums after a first minor comprehensive claim
  • Drivers may be able to negotiate with the insurer to limit rate hikes, especially if they have a long claims-free history

On average, a deer-related claim can lead to a 20-40% increase in premiums over the next few years, compounding each renewal period. So costs can rise substantially for drivers who are unlucky enough to hit multiple deer over time.

Annual Premium Before Claim $1,200
Annual Premium After 1 Claim $1,440 (+20%)
Annual Premium After 2 Claims $1,728 (+44%)

Shopping Around May Help Offset Rate Hikes

One potential way to combat steep rate increases is to shop around with other insurers after a deer collision claim. Some companies judge risk differently and may not raise premiums as aggressively. Drivers may be able to find comparable or even cheaper coverage after deer accidents by comparing quotes.

Usage-based insurance programs can also help offset deer claim rate hikes in some cases. These telematics plans track actual driving data to determine premiums instead of just relying on traditional factors like claims history and demographics.

So safer drivers can potentially save on costs after deer collisions if the usage data remains positive.

Preventing Deer Collisions is Key to Avoiding Rate Increases

At the end of the day, the best way for drivers to maintain affordable car insurance premiums is to prevent deer collisions whenever possible. This starts with awareness and caution during peak deer activity seasons in the fall and spring.

It also helps to research high-risk deer zones in your state and be extra vigilant when driving in those areas, especially at dawn and dusk. Other tips include:

  • Slowing down if you spot a deer near the roadside as they may bolt out suddenly
  • Using high beams at night to better illuminate the eyes of deer
  • Avoiding distractions and staying focused on scanning for deer
  • Braking firmly but not swerving if a collision seems inevitable

While not every deer crash can be avoided, cautious and defensive driving techniques can help reduce both collisions and the resulting insurance rate ramifications down the road.

Conclusion

Hitting a deer can be a scary and destructive driving experience. Unfortunately, deer collisions also tend to drive up car insurance costs due to resulting comprehensive claims. With Geico, a deer claim will likely lead to increased premiums at renewal time.

While paying out-of-pocket is one way to avoid a rate hike, it’s not always the best option depending on the severity of the damage. Working with your insurer and agent directly to understand all your options is key to minimizing the financial impact of a deer collision claim.

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