Just hit a deer (in my personal vehicle) Questions:

[Douglas]

While ago a deer ran out in front of me and caused a bit of damage to my 2002 Toyota Camry. Although the damage doesn't appear to be too bad, (hood and bumper are bent, and the right headlight is a bit out of place though it still works fine, car drives fine) I didn't have my cell phone so I had to drive back home (not very far) from where the incident happen.

1. Will the insurance still pay because I left the scene? (I wasn't speeding, had my headlights on, and our seatbelts)

2. Will my insurance rates go up? (The damage can't be over $2000, so I can just pay that huge bill once, but that higher insurance will haunt me forever)

3. Will this go on my driving record? (The car is still very drivable and neither me nor my passenger were injured in any way). (I did not get a police report, at least not yet)

I know this is a trucking board, but this was the first place I thought to ask because I figured everyone here knows about this type of thing.

[Twilight Flyer]

I hit one a year ago Saturday. $4000 damage to a '95 Camry. Only had about 70K miles on it and insurance totalled the car. :shock: Bet yours goes higher.

1. Will the insurance still pay because I left the scene? (I wasn't speeding, had my headlights on, and our seatbelts)

You probably will want to call the sheriff or local PD and ask them if they'll fill out an accident report. If not, go get the deer. Take pictures of it and the car. The insurance company should be fine with that.

2. Will my insurance rates go up? (The damage can't be over $2000, so I can just pay that huge bill once, but that higher insurance will haunt me forever)

No. Non-preventable animal hit. Insurance won't go up.

3. Will this go on my driving record? (The car is still very drivable and neither me nor my passenger were injured in any way). (I did not get a police report, at least not yet)

If they do an accident report, it'll show up on your MVR. Keep a copy of the report handy and if anyone asks, fax it to them. Again, no problem.

[Mackman]

i did the same thing with my ford pickup i have allstate and the answer to your ?'s for me was

1- yes
2-no
3-no

I called them the next day. no police report or nothing. They didnt even ask for one.

[Douglas]

Mackman: I have Cotton States.

[RostyC]

I'm with Mackman,
1. yes
2 no
3 no

Three encounters with deer, two of them turned into insurance, never a hassle. Rates never went up.

[Jay B]

Hmm, thought you were going to ask for a recipe for venison stew. Nevermind.

[inmate1577]

If you report it to the insurance company and depending on your state they also send a copy to the DMV and it is recorded as an "accident".

[Jackrabbit379]

In the 2 years that I have been running linehaul, I've hit 3 deer. I got my 2nd pig, last week. Of course, that's in a truck. You could not pay me enough to drive out there on HWY 82 in my pickup, at night.

[Double R]

In the 2 years that I have been running linehaul, I've hit 3 deer. I got my 2nd pig, last week. Of course, that's in a truck. You could not pay me enough to drive out there on HWY 82 in my pickup, at night.

Did you keep them? Just throw them in the trailer and haul them home. In PA if you hit a deer, you have the option of keeping it. Easist way to get that "big one" in my opinion

[Jackrabbit379]

Nope, never have.

[Trukrswyfe]

Husband hit a deer in semi, dented right front fender causing 2000. for the bumper. Since it was the middle of the night and he has a perfect record, That night he had already sent message that his air conditioner went out but he was still rolling(this is only important because it was in the middle of that heat wave).
After hours was commenting about how no matter what he always delivered on time. Then the call comes in that he hit a deer and they were like ... finaly a late load. So they called him to discuss load and to their surprise he was on the road. Popped out the dent alittle bubble gum and scotch tape for the road lamp. Keep trucking

Yes
Maybe Depends on you, driver history, other accidents, the insurance that you carry.
NO