We are not aware of any type of Bill pending or that has passed and become law in New York State that requires the comprehensive deductible for an accident with a deer is reduced to only $50.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates there are about 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions each year. In NYS the Department of Environmental Conservation keeps statistics on the number of deer reported killed by vehicles but says its own numbers tell only part of the story. For every deer reported killed and claimed by a motorist they believe another six are estimated to be hit and killed by motorists who do not file reports.

We have read that in NYS most police officers carry deer possession permits with them, and an investigating officer at the scene of an accident may issue a permit, free of charge, if the driver wants to keep the deer he or she has hit.

A collision with a deer is considered normally to be an act of God, and therefore is covered under comprehensive insurance, which generally speaking carries a low premium and has a low deductible. If you crash your vehicle though trying to avoid a deer, for instance run into a tree, it is considered a collision, and not only will the deductible usually be higher but the premium may go up after a claim is filed.

While some insurance companies may have internal guidelines that allow claims for hitting a deer to have their deductible reduced or waived entirely it is not a New York State law to do so. Typically your comprehensive deductible is due in full when you place a claim for damages your vehicle suffered in an accident with a deer or other animal.

If you have heard about a new NYS law regarding a $50 only deductible for an accident with a deer and want to see if this could possibly something that may come about in the future due to legislature that is being discussed, try contacting the New York State Insurance Department to see if they have any knowledge if any such law is in the makings or if this is just a myth that someone has put out there.