What to Do After Hitting an Animal: Your Essential Guide

When you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of unintentionally hitting an animal with your vehicle, what do you do? It’s a moment that can bring about panic and uncertainty, and it’s perfectly normal to feel a bit overwhelmed. You want to act responsibly, right? The first and most critical action to take is to file a Collision claim. Why, you ask? Let’s break it down.

Filing a Collision claim is straightforward and specifically designed to address damages from any collision. Yes, that includes running into an animal! It doesn’t matter if it’s a deer bolting across a highway or a curious raccoon making an ill-timed dash; your Collision coverage is there to help cover repair costs for your vehicle. Isn’t it a relief to know that your insurance has your back in these scenarios?

Now, you might be wondering about other routes you could take. For instance, filing a Third Party Liability claim generally applies when you’ve caused damage to someone else's property or injured someone. So, unless that animal had a pet ownership card with a human backing it, this route is not applicable here.

Reporting the incident to the police? Generally, that’s reserved for when there's significant property damage or injury involved. It’s important but doesn’t address the insurance coverage you need for your car. So while you might feel the urge to call the cops out of sheer instinct, remember it won’t solve your immediate coverage concerns.

Let’s talk about contacting Animal Control. That’s sometimes the recommended course of action, especially if the animal might be injured or poses a danger to others. This step is crucial for the well-being of the animal and public safety. Still, it doesn’t directly contribute to getting your vehicle repaired.

You see, the best approach in this situation is to focus on your vehicle's condition. A Collision claim effectively handles your repair needs and puts you on a path to getting back on the road, all while staying in line with your insurance policy. Isn’t that what we all want—a smooth recovery from an unfortunate event?

But life happens, right? There might be both emotional and practical turmoil in these moments. It’s natural to feel sad for the animal and worried about your car’s condition. Remember, though, after filing the claim, you’ll take a big step in managing this experience.

So when you find yourself in such a situation, think: Collision claim. It’s your safeguard against additional stress and worry while ensuring you're addressing the situation effectively. Let's be honest—dealing with an accident is challenging enough without having to guess how to manage your insurance.