Oh Deer! What to Do After Hitting a Deer and How Car Insurance Can Help in Pennsylvania

You’re driving home along a quiet, tree-lined road. The leaves are turning, the sun is sinking low, and your favorite song is on the radio. Then, out of nowhere, a pair of glowing eyes appears in your headlights. You hit the brakes, your heart jumps into your throat, and in a split second it’s over.

If you’ve lived in Pennsylvania for any length of time, you either have a story like this or know someone who does. Deer are a part of life here, from the back roads of Montgomery County to the busy stretches near Collegeville. And this time of year, they seem to be everywhere.

So what should you do if you have a deer collision? And the big question we hear all the time: does car insurance cover hitting a deer? Let’s walk through it together, step by step, in plain English.

Why Fall Is Peak Deer Season on Pennsylvania Roads

Have you noticed more deer along the roadside lately? You’re not imagining it. Autumn is breeding season for white-tailed deer, and it turns them into restless travelers. Bucks roam far and wide, often chasing does across roads without a second thought about traffic. The Pennsylvania Game Commission reminds drivers every fall that deer are on the move and crossing roads more often.

Timing makes it trickier. Deer are most active around dawn and dusk, which are the same hours many of us are heading to work or driving home. And once Daylight Saving Time ends on November 1, 2026, that evening commute will suddenly happen in the dark. Picture it like a busy intersection with no traffic lights: lots of movement, low visibility, and very little warning.

What to Do Right After You Hit a Deer

First, take a deep breath. A deer collision is scary, but staying calm helps you make good choices. Here’s a simple checklist to follow:

• Pull over safely. Move to the shoulder if you can, and turn on your hazard lights so other drivers can see you.
• Check on everyone. Make sure you and your passengers are okay. If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away.
• Keep your distance from the deer. An injured deer is frightened and can kick hard. Never try to move or help it yourself.
• Call the police if needed. In Pennsylvania, you must notify police right away if anyone is injured or your car is too damaged to drive and needs a tow. Even when it isn’t required, a police report can be helpful for your claim.
• Take photos. Snap pictures of your car, the road, and the surrounding area. Photos tell the story better than memory ever will.
• Look before you drive. Check for leaking fluids, broken lights, a loose bumper, or a damaged hood latch. If something doesn’t look right, call for a tow instead of risking it.
• Call your insurance agent. Let us know what happened as soon as you can so we can help you get your auto insurance claim

Do You Have to Report a Deer Collision to the Game Commission?

No. In Pennsylvania, you aren’t required to report hitting a deer to the Game Commission. However, if you’re a Pennsylvania resident and want to keep the deer, you can claim it by contacting the Pennsylvania Game Commission within 24 hours of taking possession. They’ll give you a free permit number to keep for your records. Special rules apply in areas affected by Chronic Wasting Disease, so be sure to ask when you call.

Does Car Insurance Cover Hitting a Deer?

Here’s the good news: yes, it usually does, as long as you have the right coverage. The key is a part of your policy called comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive Coverage: Your Best Friend in Deer Season

Think of comprehensive coverage as the “life happens” part of your car insurance. It typically covers damage from things outside your control, such as theft, falling trees, hail, fire, vandalism, and yes, hitting an animal. If a deer runs into your path and you hit it, comprehensive is generally the coverage that pays to repair your car, minus your deductible.

Another bonus: because you can’t exactly predict a deer leaping out of the woods, insurance companies often treat these claims differently from an at-fault accident. How a claim affects your rate varies from company to company, so it’s always worth asking your agent.

What If You Swerve and Hit Something Else?

This is where things get a little surprising. Let’s say you swerve to avoid the deer and hit a guardrail, a tree, or another car instead. In that case, the damage to your vehicle is usually handled under collision coverage, not comprehensive. Collision claims can come with a different deductible and may be viewed as an at-fault accident.

That’s why many safety experts give the same advice: don’t swerve. Brake firmly, hold your lane, and stay in control. It feels backward in the moment, but swerving can turn a fender bender into a much more dangerous crash, especially if you veer into oncoming traffic or off the road.

What If You Only Have Liability Coverage?

Pennsylvania requires every driver to carry liability insurance, but liability only pays for damage and injuries you cause to other people. It doesn’t fix your own car. If you only have liability coverage and you hit a deer, the repair bill would likely come out of your own pocket. If your vehicle is newer, financed, or leased, or if you’d have a hard time paying for repairs on your own, adding comprehensive and collision coverage is worth a closer look.

Other Coverages That Come in Handy After a Deer Collision

A deer collision can throw a wrench in your whole week. These optional coverages can make the recovery much smoother:

• Rental reimbursement: Helps pay for a rental car while yours is in the shop, so you’re not left stranded.
• Roadside assistance or towing coverage: Helps get your car off the side of the road and to a repair shop.
• Medical benefits: Pennsylvania auto policies include first-party medical benefits, which help pay medical bills for you and your passengers after a crash, no matter who is at fault.

Not sure which of these you have? That’s okay. Most people don’t know their policy by heart, and that’s exactly what your agent is for.

Deer Season Driving Tips to Help You Stay Safe

Of course, the best deer collision is the one that never happens. Here are some easy deer season driving tips to keep you safer on the road this fall:

• Slow down at dawn and dusk. These are the busiest times for deer, so give yourself extra reaction time.
• Watch for deer crossing signs. They’re posted where deer travel often, so take them seriously.
• Use your high beams when it’s safe. Brighter lights help you spot eyes shining along the roadside sooner. Just remember to dim them for oncoming traffic.
• Expect more than one. Deer rarely travel alone. If one crosses, slow down and watch for others following close behind.
• Scan both sides of the road. Keep an eye on the shoulders and tree lines, not just the road straight ahead.
• Buckle up and put the phone down. Your full attention and your seat belt are two of your best defenses.
• Brake, don’t swerve. If a crash can’t be avoided, stay in your lane and brake firmly.

And a quick word of caution: don’t count on gadgets like deer whistles to keep you safe. There isn’t strong evidence that they work, so alert, careful driving is still your best protection.

A Fall Coverage Check-Up Is a Smart Move

Fall is a great time to give your car insurance a quick check-up, much like you’d check your tires before winter. Ask yourself a few simple questions:

• Do I have comprehensive coverage, or only liability?
• Is my deductible an amount I could comfortably pay tomorrow if I had to?
• Would I need a rental car if mine were in the shop for a week or two?
• Have I added a new driver, a new car, or a longer commute since I last reviewed my policy?

If any of these questions give you pause, it’s a sign that a quick conversation could bring you some real peace of mind.

Let Arnao Agency Help You Drive Into Deer Season with Confidence

At Arnao Agency, we’re your hometown insurance team right here at 379 E Main Street in Collegeville, PA. As an independent insurance agency, we work for you, not for one insurance company. That means we can compare car insurance options from multiple carriers and help you find the right mix of comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, and extras like rental reimbursement and roadside assistance, all at a price that fits your budget.

And if you ever do have a run-in with a deer, you won’t be left on your own. We’ll help you understand your coverage, walk you through the claims process, and answer your questions along the way.

Beyond auto, we also help families protect their homes, motorcycles, RVs, boats, and more, so you can keep everything that matters to you covered in one place. Call Arnao Agency at 610-489-1122, Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, or visit our Contact Us page to request a free quote or a coverage review. We’d love to help you stay safe and covered this fall.