You stated that the exact wording in your version of the ISO PAP (Personal Auto Policy) collision coverage section says "Collision losses are defined as resulting from contact with another vehicle or any inorganic item, resulting in damage to the insured vehicle. Other than collision includes coverage for damage from falling objects, fire, theft, explosion, earthquake, windstorm, hail, flood, vandalism, riot, contact with animals and birds (not humans), and glass breakage."

As you are probably aware, "other than collision" coverage is commonly also called comprehensive coverage and it will be what would cover you it you hit a deer or other animal, per the terms of the policy.

The ISO, Personal Auto Policy (PAP) provides coverage for private passenger automobiles that meet certain criteria. The collision portion of a PAP refers to your covered auto which has hit or been hit by another vehicle or inorganic item. It is implied that the event would result in damage to your car.

Basically, you have a covered auto on your policy. When you purchase physical damage coverage you expect the physical damage to your vehicle to be covered. It is covered by collision OR other than collision (comprehensive) coverage.

The definition for collision coverage is simply upset or impact with another object. This refers to your covered auto or your non-owned auto which has either hit or been hit by another vehicle or some other inorganic item. Inorganic is put into some definitions of collision to clear up confusion about which portion of a covered claim is paid by other than collision (comprehensive) and which portion is paid by collision coverage.

The end result is that the car is covered by either collision or other than collision (comprehensive). If you collide with a tree or a fence (inorganic item) then you are covered under collision. If you collide with a deer (organic item) you are covered by comprehensive. It can start to get confusing when you discuss collision and other than collision coverage. Quite simply, your covered auto has coverage under collision coverage. If collision coverage doesn’t apply then it is covered by “other than collision” coverage.