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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.

From severe weather risks to busy highways, Oklahoma City, OK faces unique driving risks. If you’re a driver and resident of OK, you may be wondering how you can add more coverage to existing auto insurance policies with an umbrella policy that works for you. At S & S Insurance Services Inc., we specialize in providing clients with solutions that protect drivers anytime they are behind the wheel.

What Umbrella Insurance Adds to Existing Auto Coverage

Umbrella insurance policies add additional liability protection beyond the limits of standard auto insurance policies. This means, if you cause an accident and damages or medical bills exceed your auto liability limits, your umbrella policy can come in handy. This includes:

• Property damage you have caused
• Legal fees if you’re involved in a lawsuit
• Bodily injury expenses

Adding More Protection to Your Auto Insurance

If you want to optimize the protection you have in your vehicle, you can do so by working with an agency you can trust regarding umbrella insurance. For stronger protection, consider the following options:

• Increase your auto liability limits. Increasing liability insurance limits can provide peace of mind and financial security.
• Add underinsured/uninsured protection in the chance that you experience in accident with another driver who does not currently have insurance.
• Consider comprehensive and collision upgrades with existing auto insurance policies while comparing umbrella insurance options. 

At S & S Insurance Services Inc., we’ll work with you if you’re a driver in OK or a resident of Oklahoma City, OK. Whether you’re a new driver or looking for ways to add more protection to existing policies, we’re here for you. To learn more about your options when calculating umbrella insurance you require, contact us for your consultation today.