Animal collisions can be frightening, and they’re surprisingly common even in urban settings like Oklahoma City, OK. These collisions can also be expensive if you don’t have auto insurance that covers the incident. Here’s how to properly insure against this risk, and what to do if you do hit an animal while driving.
Get Comprehensive Auto Coverage
There are two main types of auto insurance coverage that protect your vehicle against damage: collision coverage and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage is for accidents involving at least one other vehicle or stationary objects, like a light pole. Comprehensive coverage includes protection against other events, such as hail, flood, theft, vandalism, and animal damage.
Hitting an animal isn’t technically a “collision” according to auto insurance policy standards. Instead, it’s considered a comprehensive claim. You’ll need comprehensive coverage if you want to be insured against animal-caused vehicle damage. You should also verify that you have auto insurance that covers injuries to passengers in your vehicle, like medical payments (MedPay) or personal injury protection (PIP).
At S & S Insurance Services Inc., we can provide you with a quote for comprehensive auto insurance and add-ons, like MedPay or PIP, to cover injuries and other essential protections.
What To Do If You Hit an Animal
Should you ever hit an animal while driving around Oklahoma City, OK or anywhere else, first make sure everyone is alright.
Seek medical attention if you’re injured
If medical attention is needed, call an ambulance or dial 911 immediately. Getting medical help will not interfere with your ability to file an auto insurance claim.
Document the Accident
Once you know everyone is okay, document the accident for your claim. When it’s safe to do so, take photos and/or videos of your vehicle from multiple angles to document the damage. Also, photograph the animal on scene and the surrounding area if you’re able to do so. Documenting the scene, including tire skid marks and road weather conditions, can help support your claim. You may want to call the non-emergency number to request a report. A report can be helpful in unusual accident situations, but it is typically not needed for the most common comprehensive claims.
File an Insurance Claim
You’ll have to notify your insurance company. You can do this by contacting your insurance agency. At S & S Insurance Services Inc., we regularly assist our clients with their auto insurance claims to help them navigate the claims process with their carrier.
Contact us if you’d like assistance selecting a new auto policy or for a review of your existing auto policy.
