If you hit a deer in Michigan, this step-by-step checklist comes down to eight moves: pull onto the shoulder with flashers on, stay away from the deer, call police (state law requires a report when apparent damage reaches $1,000), decide whether to keep the deer, photograph everything, call your agent, arrange a tow if the car seems unsafe, and get anyone hurt checked under PIP. Damage from striking the deer is typically a comprehensive claim.
The thud comes first, then the questions. Is the deer still alive? Do you call 911 or the local police? Can you drive home? Will your insurance go up? Many drivers who hit a deer have never filed a claim like this, and the side of a dark road is a bad place to learn the rules.
Michigan logged 58,324 vehicle-deer crashes in 2024, the latest full state report. This checklist covers what to do after you hit a deer in Michigan, in order, from the shoulder to the body shop, with a straight answer on rates. Source: Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, 2024 deer report.
What Should You Do After You Hit a Deer in Michigan, Step by Step?
Work through these eight steps in order: your safety first, then the police report, the deer itself, documentation, the claim call, the coverage that pays, the car, and anyone who's hurt.
- 1
Get to safety and stay away from the deer
Turn on your flashers and ease onto the shoulder if you can. Stand well off the road and away from the animal; Michigan State Police warn a wounded deer could be dangerous.
- 2
Call the police, or 911 if anyone is hurt
Michigan law requires an immediate report when a crash causes injury or apparent property damage of $1,000 or more. Call 911 if someone is injured or the deer or your car is blocking traffic, and ask for the report number.
- 3
Decide whether you want to keep the deer
The driver gets first claim to the carcass under MCL 324.40115. Get a free salvage tag, notify the DNR or police, or say so on your 911 call. Spotted fawns can't be kept.
- 4
Photograph the scene, the car and any injuries
Once it's safe, capture the roadway, each damaged area, the deer from a distance and any injuries. Collect witness names and phone numbers.
- 5
Call your agent or insurer
Report the crash promptly with the report number, photos, location and time. Ask which deductible applies and whether rental is on your policy.
- 6
Confirm which coverage pays
Damage from striking the deer is typically a comprehensive claim, while damage from swerving into something else is usually collision. Our comprehensive vs. collision explainer for deer crashes covers the difference in full.
- 7
Arrange towing, a rental and repairs
Don't assume the car is safe to drive. Leaks, loose parts or a hood that won't latch mean call a tow. Towing and rental pay only if your policy includes them.
- 8
Get injuries checked and use your PIP
Michigan no-fault personal injury protection pays covered medical costs and lost wages without regard to fault, at the level each person's policy carries. See a doctor if anyone feels hurt.
DIFS warns: "Do not approach the deer. … an animal that appears to be dead may only be stunned." Our advice: don't drag it off the road; tell the dispatcher where it is and let police handle it.
How Do You Stay Safe on the Roadside After Hitting a Deer?
Treat the roadside as the most dangerous part of a deer crash: make the car visible, get yourself out of the traffic lane and leave the animal alone.
Michigan State Police tell drivers to "Turn on your emergency flashers, stay buckled up, and move your vehicle to the shoulder of the road if you can," then to "Carefully exit the vehicle, and stand at the side of the road out of the way of oncoming traffic." Source: Michigan State Police.
On the animal, MSP is blunt: "Stay away from the deer. A wounded, frightened deer could be dangerous." When you call, be ready to give your location, any injuries, and whether the deer is alive or dead and blocking the road. DIFS repeated the stay-back warning on October 15, 2026.
Watch the tree line while you wait. MSP notes deer "typically follow one another in single file," so another may cross near your car, and 53% of Michigan's 2024 deer crashes happened on dark, unlit roads.
If you avoided the deer and struck a tree, ditch or another car, tell the officer and your agent exactly that. The claim is handled differently, and the facts decide how it's classified.
Do You Have to Report a Deer Crash to Police in Michigan?
Often, yes: Michigan law requires an immediate police report when a crash causes injury or apparent damage of $1,000 or more, and in our experience many deer strikes on a newer car reach that.
MCL 257.622 requires a driver in an accident that injures anyone or "damages property to an apparent extent totaling $1,000.00 or more" to "immediately report that accident" to the nearest police station or officer. The statute doesn't single out animals; we read it as covering a deer strike. Source: MCL 257.622.
Why we think many deer hits qualify: one Michigan body-shop owner told WILX in October 2025 that an average bumper repair "could be as much as a thousand to two thousand" dollars.
Call 911 if anyone is hurt or a lane is blocked; otherwise call the local police. MSP adds, "You may need a police report number to start your claim," so write it down before you leave.
Can You Keep the Deer After Hitting It in Michigan?
Yes: since 2014, Michigan law has given the driver first priority to keep a road-killed deer, provided you get a salvage tag or tell the DNR or police you're keeping it.
MCL 324.40115 offers three routes to legal possession: obtain a salvage tag; promptly notify the DNR or a local law enforcement agency, by phone or on the DNR website, that you intend to keep the deer; or, if you're the driver calling 911 about the collision, say so on that call. Source: MCL 324.40115.
The tag stays with the deer until it's processed, butchered or delivered for taxidermy, and a DNR conservation officer told WOOD TV that "Those permits don't cost anything." The law doesn't cover anyone who hits game on purpose.
What Should You Photograph and Write Down for a Deer Claim?
Photograph the road, the car and any injuries once it's safe, then write down the details while they're fresh, because the adjuster wasn't there and your evidence tells the story.
MSP's guidance: "After help arrives and if possible, document the incident, damage, and injuries in photographs." DIFS adds witnesses' contact information. These six items cover the basics.
Wide shots of lanes, shoulder and lighting.
Close-ups plus a full view of each side.
The safety checks DIFS lists.
Zoom in instead of walking up; MSP says stay away.
Photos of visible injuries and a note of who felt pain.
Report number, witness names and phones.
Add a short note: the time, road, direction of travel and whether you braked or steered. Write what actually happened; an accurate account keeps a claim clean.
How Do You File a Deer Claim With Your Insurance Company?
Call your agent or insurer once you're safe, with the report number, photos and location ready; quick reporting gets the claim moving, and your policy wording sets the notice rules.
State Farm's checklist, dated September 15, 2026, puts it this way: "The sooner you report damage or injuries, the sooner your agent can get the claim process started for you." Source: State Farm. That's industry guidance; we aren't appointed with State Farm.
One coverage rule matters here. DIFS Director Anita Fox calls coverage for hitting "things other than another vehicle, such as a deer" an optional coverage "that won't be part of your standard policy unless you select it." Without it, there's generally nothing on your policy for your own car.
On the call, ask which deductible applies, whether rental is on the policy and what your claim number is. If your policy was placed through our Battle Creek office, call (269) 404-4049 and we'll help you open the claim.
Will a Deer Claim Raise My Rates in Michigan?
As of October 2026, Michigan law keeps a deer strike paid under comprehensive out of the at-fault surcharge system, but it doesn't lock your premium, so your rate can still change at renewal for other reasons.
What Michigan law says
Under MCL 500.2111(3), every insurer's merit rating plan covers auto insurance "other than comprehensive coverage" and surcharges "substantially at-fault accidents" and certain violations. That means being "more than 50% of the cause," per MCL 500.2104(4). Sources: MCL 500.2111, MCL 500.2104.
Insurance eligibility points follow the same line. MCL 500.2103(4)(b) assigns them only for accidents where you were substantially at fault, plus violations. A direct deer strike is generally not treated as an at-fault accident. Source: MCL 500.2103.
Two narrow uses of comprehensive claims are allowed. An insurer may use that history to require a comprehensive deductible of no more than $150, or refuse coverage if you won't accept it (MCL 500.2118(2)(h)), and as an underwriting basis for insuring someone who refused that deductible, such as through a separate affiliate or rating plan (MCL 500.2120). Sources: MCL 500.2118, MCL 500.2120.
What each carrier decides
The law doesn't promise a flat premium. MCL 500.2111(9) lets an insurer use rating factors beyond the statutory list if its plan reflects reasonably anticipated changes in losses or expenses, and base-rate increases reach everyone at renewal. How a carrier treats a comprehensive claim in its discounts or filed factors varies, and no DIFS statement says rates can't rise after a deer claim.
| Your situation | How Michigan rules treat it | Rate risk |
|---|---|---|
| You hit the deer; paid under comprehensive | Outside the required at-fault surcharge plan; no eligibility points (MCL 500.2111(3), 2103(4)(b)) | Lower |
| Several comprehensive claims over time | Insurer may require a comprehensive deductible of up to $150 (MCL 500.2118(2)(h)) | Possible |
| Renewal, with or without a claim | Base rates and other filed rating factors can still change (MCL 500.2111(9)) | Varies by carrier |
| You swerved and were found more than 50% at fault | An at-fault collision claim, so the surcharge and points can apply | Higher |
That last row is why "brake, don't swerve" matters for your wallet too. Our guide on why swerving for a deer can change your claim walks through that scenario. And if your renewal climbed with no claim at all, here's why Michigan car insurance bills keep rising.
A deer hit handled as comprehensive isn't an at-fault accident under Michigan's surcharge rules, but your premium can still change at renewal for other reasons.
Who Pays for Towing, a Rental Car and Repairs After a Deer Hit?
Comprehensive typically pays the repair bill minus your deductible, while towing and a rental car are paid only if you added those optional coverages, so check your declarations page before booking anything.
First, should the car move at all? DIFS lists leaking fluid, loose parts, tire damage, broken lights or a hood that won't latch, and says, "If your vehicle seems unsafe in any way, call for a tow."
Rental works the same way. Progressive says rental reimbursement "only applies if your vehicle needs repairs or replacement after a covered event," with daily and total caps. Source: Progressive. Farmers says its rental reimbursement "Can cover the cost of a car rental for up to 30 days while your car is being repaired." Source: Farmers.
Farmers notes that not every coverage is available in every state, and limits differ by policy, so confirm yours before renting. For repairs, your car's estimate is the number that matters; no current Michigan average deer-claim cost is published.
What Happens If Someone Is Hurt When You Hit a Deer?
Injuries go through Michigan no-fault: personal injury protection pays covered medical costs and wage loss without regard to fault, at the PIP level chosen, so there's no other driver to pursue.
MCL 500.3105 makes PIP benefits payable "without regard to fault," and MCL 500.3107 lists allowable expenses, work loss for up to three years and replacement services. Sources: MCL 500.3105, MCL 500.3107.
Deer crashes do hurt people: 1,816 injuries and 14 deaths statewide in 2024, and 7 of those killed were motorcyclists. How much PIP pays depends on the medical level each injured person's policy carries; our plain-English guide to Michigan no-fault and PIP levels explains the choices.
What Changed for Michigan Deer Claims This Season?
Three things are new this fall: a State Farm ranking that puts Michigan fifth for animal-collision claims, Farmers data on how dominant animal strikes are, and an October 2026 DIFS reminder that comprehensive is optional.
Farmers reported on September 8, 2026 that animal collisions make up 72% of its own Michigan comprehensive losses (August 2023 to July 2026), second only to Montana. Source: Farmers newsroom.
The 2025 statewide total is in: 58,271 deer crashes and 13 deaths, per 97.9 WGRD citing Michigan Traffic Crash Facts.
Timing matters now: daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 1, 2026, pushing the evening commute into darkness, and November led 2024 with 10,017 deer crashes. Source: timeanddate.com. Our Calhoun County deer crash season guide breaks down when and where risk peaks.
Terry Smith Agency is independent, with direct appointments at Farmers, Progressive, Bristol West (auto only) and Foremost, and other carriers through the Kraft Lake brokerage. Carrier statistics are attributed industry data, not endorsements.
What Else Do Michigan Drivers Ask After Hitting a Deer?
These five questions come up most once the crash itself is handled.
Will a deer claim raise my rates in Michigan?
Not through Michigan's at-fault surcharge rules, if the claim is paid under comprehensive. Every insurer's required merit rating plan leaves comprehensive out (MCL 500.2111(3)), and insurance eligibility points come only from accidents where you were more than 50% of the cause, plus certain violations (MCL 500.2103 and 500.2104).
That isn't a promise your premium stays flat. Comprehensive claim history can be used to require a comprehensive deductible of up to $150 (MCL 500.2118(2)(h)), carriers may use other filed rating factors, and base rates can rise for everyone at renewal.
How soon should I tell my insurance company I hit a deer?
As soon as you're safe and the police have been called, ideally the same day. The notice requirement is in your policy wording, which generally asks for prompt notice of a loss, so read it rather than assuming a grace period. State Farm's guidance: "The sooner you report damage or injuries, the sooner your agent can get the claim process started for you."
Waiting only makes the claim harder to document, because the scene changes and details fade. If your policy was placed through our Battle Creek office, we'll help you open the claim with the carrier.
Do I need a police report to file a deer claim in Michigan?
It depends on the carrier, but plan on getting one. We found no insurer that publishes a police report as a strict condition for a comprehensive deer claim, yet Michigan State Police tell drivers, "You may need a police report number to start your claim."
Separately, MCL 257.622 requires reporting a crash with injury or apparent property damage of $1,000 or more. The report also records the deer as the cause of the damage, which helps the adjuster classify the loss correctly.
Is my car safe to drive after hitting a deer?
Don't assume it is. Michigan State Police say, "Do not assume your vehicle is safe to drive. Look for damage." DIFS lists the warning signs worth checking: leaking fluid, loose parts, tire damage, broken lights, or a hood that won't latch. If you see any of them, call for a tow.
Check the headlights and the hood latch before driving in the dark. A tow is paid only if your policy includes towing or roadside coverage, which Michigan doesn't require you to carry.
Can I keep a deer I hit with my car in Michigan?
Yes, if you follow MCL 324.40115, which gives the driver first priority. You need one of three things: a salvage tag, a prompt notice to the DNR or local police that you're keeping the deer, or a statement of that intent on your 911 call about the crash.
Expect to give the date, time and place, whether it's antlered, and your name, birth date, address, phone and driver's license number. A DNR conservation officer has said the permits are free, and spotted fawns can't be kept.
The Bottom Line If You Hit a Deer in Michigan
Get safe, stay away from the deer, call police, document everything and call your agent; a direct deer strike is typically a comprehensive claim outside Michigan's at-fault surcharge, though premiums can still change at renewal.
The better time to check coverage is before November: confirm comprehensive on every car you couldn't replace out of pocket, and decide whether rental and towing are worth adding. Call our Battle Creek office at (269) 404-4049, see our Michigan auto coverage overview or request a free auto quote.
Related Questions
Who do I call with insurance questions after a deer crash? Start with your agent or the claim line printed on your insurance ID card. For a complaint or a question about Michigan insurance rules, DIFS runs a consumer hotline at 833-ASK-DIFS, weekdays 8 to 5. Our Battle Creek office answers at (269) 404-4049.
Does hitting a deer affect a claims-free discount? It depends on the carrier. Michigan's surcharge rules leave comprehensive claims out, but discounts sit in each insurer's filed plan, and we couldn't verify how every carrier treats a comprehensive claim. Ask before filing, especially when the damage is close to your deductible.
Do I have to report a minor deer crash if nobody was hurt? If there are no injuries and the apparent damage is clearly under $1,000, MCL 257.622's reporting duty doesn't kick in. Michigan State Police still tell drivers to call the police after a deer crash, and a report number makes the claim easier to start, so we'd call anyway.
Will a deer crash put points on my insurance record? Generally, no. Under MCL 500.2103(4)(b), insurance eligibility points come from accidents where you were substantially at fault, 3 for a first one and 4 for each later one, plus violations. A direct deer strike generally isn't that kind of accident; a swerve crash where you're found more than 50% at fault can be.
Written by Terry Smith, a licensed Michigan insurance agent, for Terry Smith Agency, 153 Columbia Ave E, Battle Creek, MI 49015. As of October 2026, crash figures come from the latest full state report (2024).
Legal rules come from Michigan statute text, DIFS and Michigan State Police. Coverage varies by policy and carrier. General information, not legal advice.
Last reviewed by Terry Smith on October 26, 2026.