Just hit a deer 45 minutes ago...

Still shaking. Daughter and I are fine, car driveable but very smashy on my side.

I've never had to use my insurance before now; can anyone tell me what to expect in general, or more specifically, from Geico?

Glad you are okay!

Had my daughter (17) call 911 while I called insurance.

I wanted them to check for the deer, see if she was still alive. She was nowhere to be found, which is almost worse. As awful as it was to collide with her, I hate to think of her wounded.

It was a very cold 40 minute drive home.

Thanks for letting me ramble - husband is sleeping and I need to talk about it, I guess.


:hi:

I know it must be upsetting. My brother hit a deer on the way to work last year and he didn't have any problem with insurance paying for it.

The insurance person you are assigned (you'll may deal with the same person at a 1-800 and an extension) should help guide you through the process.

have to pay the larger deductible, but the lower one instead, especially if the damage was only caused by the deer, and not any curb, tree, pole, etc.

It should be pretty easy, but check to see if you get a rental car and all that stuff and shop around for your body shop.

The deductible is $500 and they said they'd pay $25/day for a rental while it gets fixed. I feel pretty OK about it, all things considered. I just hope there aren't any insurance pitfalls...thanks for the advice on shopping around.

deductible was $500, and I would have paid it if the damage was caused by then hitting a curb or something such as if I had swerved, but (with 20th Century) because we only hit the dog, I only had to pay the lower $100 deductible.

Definitely get personal recommendations on the body shop; if it's a nicer newer car, perhaps the local dealer for your make would be best. I have gotten great service from up-market places like Cadillac for repairs on my ford.

I've lived here 15 years and never hit one, always cautious. But it was very foggy, getting dark and this deer materialized out of nowhere. Wham!

I also called the Sheriff's Office to let them know, but the person who answered was very nonchalant. I went back the next day to see if there was a carcass, but there wasn't, so, believe me, I understand your concern about what happened to the deer. I couldn't go back that same evening it happened, had to take my car straight home because I wasn't sure how much damage was done.

My insurance is Farmers and they were wonderful but wouldn't budge an inch on the estimate, so my comp deductible was $500, which really hurts me. The only thing that makes me feel not so guilty is that the estimator and the body shop said that they've never seen so many people hitting so many deer as they have this year. One guy actually hit two in the same day.

Concentrate on the fact that you and your daughter are okay. That's what counts. One day this will be only a very bad memory. You did the best you could.

:hug:

The deductible hurts, a lot, especially this time of year with heating and presents and so-on. I'm very fortunate that we had started saving up for a new computer - that $300 stored away means only $200 will have to be put on a credit card. It could have been a lot worse.

And you are so right - I'm very, very grateful that my daughter and I are OK. We stopped at a gas station and got some tarp to cover my window(which shattered all over me - and it's about 5 degrees without factoring in windchill) and the guy behind the counter was an EMT. He told us that a few weeks ago he was called to the scene of an accident where a deer hit right about where we were hit, and the deer went through her windshield and killed her.

:hug: to you also...glad we're both still here.

:evilgrin:

I didn't think I could smile about. But I am...

Thank you! :hi:

:7

"Deer happen."

I'm sure the insurance company has dealt with this many, many times. As much of an annoyance that it is, it certainly could have been much worse. And, thankfully, your car was driveable.

Breathe slowly and deeply, and make yourself a cup of herbal tea... then get a good night's rest. I promise you that things will look better tomorrow morning.

:hug:

I'll make a cuppa immediately, and one for my daughter, too. I have a vacation day tomorrow, which makes things easier to deal with. But between adrenolin and C-Span's drama tonight, sleep may be a while in coming.

I choose Celestal Seasoning's Sleepytime, which has valerian in it. Water boiling now...

Thanks, RevCheesehead :hug:

I feel all snuggly just looking at the Bears on the box. :hug:

They're so heavy that, depending on your speed and the trajectory, it can easily be fatal to hit a deer.

She was going across the road diagonally. She hit the front side of my bumper, then the side of her body slammed along the side of my door, causing the window to shatter. Or maybe her head hit my window: my eyes were shut and I don't know. There was some blood on my face, and it wasn't mine. I hate that I hit her, but there was no way it could have been avoided.

We really are very lucky. My daughter was looking the other way, at the stars, and had no idea what happened.

during my life... The last was the night before 9/11 (surely a bad omen).

good luck with your insurance company

you and your daughter are alright. This truly is a traumatic experience. Take it easy the rest of the day. Sending the two of you a