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Deer Collision on I-29 in Missouri: Why Hitting the Deer and Swerving Around It Are Different Insurance Claims

By AutoInsuranceBundle.pro · Published October 29, 2026

Autumn evenings on rural interstates bring a hazard that no amount of defensive driving fully removes: deer. A crash in northwest Missouri this month shows how fast a routine drive can end in the median, and it is a good excuse to clear up one of the most misunderstood points in auto insurance.

The crash near Watson

On Sunday, October 18, 2026, at about 8:56 p.m., a 2017 GMC Sierra was northbound on Interstate 29 near mile marker 115.8, south of Watson in Atchison County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report summarized by KTTN, the pickup struck a deer, traveled off the road, and came to rest in the median.

The driver and a passenger, both from Omaha, had minor injuries. The patrol reported that both were wearing seat belts. The truck had moderate damage and was towed.

Source: Deer collision on Interstate 29 injures two people from Omaha, KTTN (citing the Missouri State Highway Patrol), October 19, 2026. Basic facts are summarized from that report; this explainer is our own writing.

Why the details of an animal crash matter to insurers

Most policies split physical damage to your own car into two parts:

• Comprehensive covers damage from things other than a collision with another vehicle or object, such as theft, fire, hail, falling objects, and contact with an animal.
• Collision covers damage from hitting another vehicle or object, or rolling over, regardless of fault.

So when a car makes contact with a deer, the damage from that impact is typically a comprehensive claim. If the driver swerves to avoid the deer and hits a guardrail, a tree, or ends up in a ditch without ever touching the animal, it is often treated as a collision claim instead.

Why should you care? Comprehensive and collision often have different deductibles, and some insurers treat a collision claim with no other driver involved as an at-fault accident when setting future rates. A comprehensive animal claim usually is not treated that way, although practices vary.

In a crash like the one on I-29, where the truck struck the deer and then left the road, an adjuster will look at the sequence of events. Damage from the impact with the animal and the resulting run-off may all be handled under comprehensive, or split, depending on the policy language and the facts.

What to do if you hit a deer

1. Get to a safe spot and turn on your hazard lights. Stay well away from traffic, especially at night.
2. Don't approach the animal. An injured deer can kick and cause serious harm.
3. Call the police or highway patrol, especially on a highway, if anyone is hurt, or if the car cannot be driven. A report helps document that an animal was involved.
4. Photograph the damage and anything that shows an animal was involved, such as hair or blood on the bumper, and the location.
5. Check before driving away. Look for leaking fluids, broken lights, a damaged radiator, or a hood that won't latch.
6. Call your insurer and say clearly that you struck an animal.

The case for not swerving

Safety groups and many state agencies advise drivers not to swerve sharply for a deer, because leaving your lane can mean hitting oncoming traffic, a tree, or rolling over. Brake firmly, hold your lane, and accept the hit if you must. That advice is about safety first, but it also lines up with how insurance tends to work: a straight-on deer strike is usually a comprehensive claim, while a swerve into a ditch can become a collision claim.

Other tips for deer season:

• Be especially alert at dawn and dusk.
• Where one deer crosses, others often follow.
• Use high beams on dark roads when there's no oncoming traffic.
• Treat deer crossing signs as real warnings, not decoration.

What if you only carry liability insurance?

Liability coverage pays for damage you cause to others, not to your own vehicle. If you hit a deer and carry only liability, your own repair bill is typically yours alone. That's a common surprise for owners of older cars who dropped comprehensive to save money. In Missouri, the minimum liability limits are $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage, plus required uninsured motorist coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute. None of that pays for a deer strike on your own truck.

Injuries are a separate question. Health insurance and, if you carry it, medical payments coverage can help with medical bills after a single-vehicle crash.

Common mistakes after a deer strike

• Driving off without documenting it. If you can't show an animal was involved, the claim may be handled as a collision.
• Not checking your deductibles. Some drivers carry a $1,000 comprehensive deductible and are surprised when a $1,400 bumper repair pays only $400.
• Assuming damage is cosmetic. Modern bumpers house sensors and cameras. Have a shop check them.
• Keeping the deer. Rules on keeping a road-killed animal vary by state and often require a permit or report. Check with your state's wildlife agency.

Is your coverage ready for deer season?

If you drive rural roads at night, comprehensive coverage with a deductible you can afford may matter more than you think. A licensed agent can compare comprehensive and collision options and deductibles with you. Call (888) 217-5854 for a free quote comparison.

FAQ

Is hitting a deer covered by comprehensive or collision?

Contact with an animal is typically covered under comprehensive. Swerving to avoid the animal and hitting something else is often treated as collision. Policy wording and state rules vary.

Does a deer claim raise my insurance rates?

Comprehensive claims are generally less likely to raise rates than at-fault collisions, but multiple claims of any kind can affect pricing at some insurers.

Do I need to call the police after hitting a deer?

Requirements vary by state and depend on injuries and damage. Calling is a good idea on highways or when the car can't be driven, and a report helps document the claim.

Does comprehensive cover other animals too?

Generally, yes. Contact with animals such as elk, moose, or livestock is typically covered under comprehensive, subject to your deductible.

Important: This article is general information, not legal, tax, or insurance advice, and coverage rules vary by state, insurer, and policy. AutoInsuranceBundle.pro is a free, independent insurance comparison and referral service. We are not an insurance company, we do not issue policies, and we do not provide insurance advice. Calls to the number on this site are routed to licensed insurance agents or agencies in our partner network, who may receive compensation. Calling is completely voluntary and there is no obligation to buy. Rates, discounts, and availability vary by carrier, state, and individual eligibility; not all carriers, products, or discounts are available in all states. Calls may be recorded for quality and compliance purposes.