Comprehensive and Collision Insurance Coverage in Vermont
Reader’s Question:
Just yesterday, I was on my way home from work, I accidentally ran into a deer. I’m from Vermont. I would like to know whether it is Comprehensive or Collision auto insurance coverage that protects against “running into” wild animals.
Luke
Burlington, VT
Luke, it is Comprehensive coverage that protects you against running into a wild deer or any other wild animal. Otherwise known as Other Than Collision (OTC) coverage, comprehensive auto insurance coverage covers your car and other vehicles in limited scenarios for losses resulting from incidents other than collision, like theft, or being damaged by flood, fire, and animals. In other words, if it wasn’t your fault and it couldn’t have been helped, comprehensive coverage is what comes in.
Collision coverage is the other type of physical damage coverage that covers the damage to your car when it hits or is hit by another vehicle or other object. Collision coverage is the auto insurance coverage that kicks in when you drive your car and you hit another car. It’s also the same coverage that kicks in when you hit a fence or a lamp post. Collision insurance covers you when you are not at fault. When the other driver is at fault, his or her insurance should take care of the damages.
So, in your case, having hit a deer, check the details of your coverage, if you’re covered, contact your auto insurance agent and file a claim. We all know the deer is not going to pay for the damages. And a deer is never at fault.