Michigan Deer Season and Your Auto Insurance: What to Know Before November

Michigan's Deer Collision Problem Is Real

Michigan consistently ranks in the top five states nationally for deer-vehicle collisions. The Michigan State Police and insurance industry data both show a sharp spike in claims every October and November — coinciding with deer breeding season (the rut), when deer are more mobile, less predictable, and crossing roads at higher frequency.

If you drive anywhere in Michigan — but especially in rural and suburban areas with wooded corridors — this is a real risk. Tens of thousands of deer-vehicle accidents happen in Michigan every year. Many result in total losses or significant repair bills.

Which Coverage Pays for Deer Damage?

This is the most important thing to understand: hitting a deer is covered under comprehensive coverage — not collision.

Many drivers assume collision coverage handles deer strikes. It doesn't. Collision coverage applies when you hit another vehicle or a stationary object. Deer are considered "other than collision" events — which means comprehensive is the relevant coverage.

If you've dropped comprehensive to save money on your premium, a deer strike will come entirely out of your pocket. A deer totaling a $15,000–$30,000 vehicle is not a hypothetical scenario in Michigan — it happens thousands of times every fall.

What Comprehensive Coverage Includes

Comprehensive covers damage to your vehicle from events other than a collision, including:

• Deer and other animal strikes
• Hail and windstorm
• Flood and water damage
• Fire
• Theft and vandalism
• Falling objects

Comprehensive comes with a deductible — typically $250, $500, or $1,000. A lower deductible costs more in premium but means less out-of-pocket if you file a claim.

What to Do If You Hit a Deer

1. Move to safety first. Pull off the road if you can do so safely. Turn on hazard lights.
2. Don't assume the deer is gone. A stunned deer can move suddenly and unpredictably. Stay in your vehicle if the deer is still on or near the road.
3. Call 911 if there are injuries or if the deer is blocking traffic.
4. Document the damage. Photos of your vehicle and the scene before moving anything.
5. File a comprehensive claim. Call your carrier's claims line — the number is on your insurance card and declarations page. A deer strike is a comprehensive claim, not at-fault collision, so it should not raise your rates.

Should You Carry Comprehensive?

If your vehicle is worth more than $5,000–$8,000, comprehensive coverage almost always makes financial sense — especially in Michigan. The annual premium for comprehensive on most vehicles is a few hundred dollars. One deer strike can cost $5,000–$15,000 in repairs.

If you're financing or leasing your vehicle, your lender requires comprehensive coverage. If you own the vehicle outright, it's still worth running the numbers.

Check Your Coverage Before November

The easiest time to confirm your comprehensive coverage is before deer season — not after you've hit a deer at 60 mph on US-131 at 6am. Pull up your declarations page or call your agent. Confirm you have comprehensive coverage and know what your deductible is.

If you're not sure what you have, or if you want to compare comprehensive coverage options across multiple carriers, we can help.

Call or text: 269-400-4834
Email: go@clutchrisk.com
Quote tool: clutchrisk.com/get-a-quote

Clutch Risk is a division of Clutch Administration LLC, a Michigan licensed independent insurance agency. Agency NPN: 22231445. Producer NPN: 22213905. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance advice specific to your situation.