Hit a deer? What to do, and how the claim works

Deer are a real hazard on Scottish roads, and not only in the Highlands. NatureScot has estimated that collisions between deer and vehicles could be as high as 9,000 a year in Scotland, injuring 50 to 100 people. Most happen between early evening and midnight, with another peak between 6am and 9am.

Autumn is the rut, when deer move around more than usual, and once the clocks go back the evening drive home falls in the hours of dusk when they are most active. Highways England (now National Highways) has described October to December as a high-risk period. Late spring is the other, when young deer leave to find ground of their own.

Slow down where you see deer warning signs and on roads through or beside woodland. Use full beam when there is no oncoming traffic, but dip your lights when you see a deer, as deer can freeze in the glare. Where there is one deer there are often more, so expect others to follow.

If a deer is in the road, brake firmly in a straight line if it is safe to do so. Do not swerve hard: hitting an oncoming car, a tree or a wall is usually far worse than hitting the deer.

Stop where it is safe, put your hazard lights on and check everyone in the car. Call 999 if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked.

Do not go near an injured deer: a frightened, injured animal can kick out and cause serious harm. NatureScot asks drivers to report every deer collision to the police, even if nobody is hurt and the car is not damaged, so that an injured animal can be found and dealt with. If no one is hurt, call 101.

Take photos of the damage and the scene, and note the time, the exact location and the weather. They help your insurer and your repairer.

Hitting a deer is not like a crash with another car, because there is no other driver or insurer to claim from. If you have comprehensive cover, the damage to your car goes through your own policy, in the same way as a fault claim. If you only have third party, or third party, fire and theft cover, damage to your own car is not covered.

Because it is a claim on your own policy, you normally pay your excess, and it may affect your no-claims discount unless that is protected. If you swerved and hit another vehicle or someone's property instead, your insurer deals with their claim as well.

Scottish Accident handles fault claims as well as non-fault ones. We guide you through telling your insurer, arrange the repair, inspect your car during the repair to check the work is being done properly, return it to you valeted, and help with your excess where we can.

If you have hit a deer, you can start your claim here or call us on 0141 258 2030.