What should you do if you hit an animal with your vehicle?

Collisions with wildlife are more common in Canada than many drivers realize. Data shows us that between four and eight crashes with large animals happen every hour across the country. The Ministry of Transportation in Ontario says the province faces nearly 12,000 wildlife collisions each year, with close to 400 people injured in those incidents. Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) reports more than 17,000 wildlife collisions in 2024 in Manitoba alone.

You may think that this will never happen to you, but the fact of the matter is that even the most careful drivers can find themselves in this situation, especially since wild animals are known for their sudden movements and unpredictability. If it happens to you, knowing what to do in the moments that follow can protect your safety and help you handle the situation responsibly. Below, we walk you through the steps to take if your vehicle strikes an animal.

What should you if you hit an animal in Canada?

If an animal collision does occur, do your best to stay calm and follow these steps:

1. Check for injuries and call for help if needed

If anyone is hurt, if there’s serious damage, or if the animal is blocking the road and creating a danger for other drivers, it’s important that you call your local emergency services. If you are in a rural area, you might get redirected to the RCMP or the local force in that region, such as the Ontario Provincial Police. Call the emergency services.

2. Don’t approach the injured animal

When an animal is injured or scared, its behaviour can be unpredictable, and it may lash out at anything near it. Wild animals are really unpredictable. So even if the animal looks calm or unable to move, it may be best to keep your distance or wait in your car so that you aren’t accidentally injured.

3. Contact the right wildlife or road authority

In many parts of Canada, you are asked or required to report a collision with larger animals, such as deer, moose, elk, bears or other wild animals. Here’s a list of who to contact:

For all other regions, try reaching out to your provincial or territorial wildlife authority. Please note that you should never attempt to move a dead animal carcass yourself, especially something large like a moose or a deer. There’s more risk than most people realize, and the authorities are better equipped to handle it safely.

4. Gather evidence

You’ll want to take photos of:

• Your vehicle

• The road

• The animal

• Any skid marks

• The surrounding area

You’ll want to note the time, location, and current weather conditions. You’ll also want to gather any witness statements (if the witnesses are your passengers, make sure they are okay) and their contact information. This information can help with an insurance claim or police report.

5. Contact your insurance company or broker

After you’ve had a moment to catch your breath and the scene is under control, give your insurer or your BrokerLink advisor a quick call. We’ll go over how your coverage handles wildlife collisions and help you figure out the next steps without any guesswork. Don’t forget to put on your hazard lights.

How does car insurance cover animal collisions?

First things first: you must have optional collision and/or comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy in order for it to cover any collisions with wildlife, like a deer. If you do, then how your auto insurance will cover the damage to your vehicle will all depend on what happened in the moments before the impact. Here's what you should know:

Comprehensive coverage

If a live animal suddenly runs out onto the road and you strike it, the damage is usually handled under comprehensive coverage. This part of your policy is there for sudden events that are hard to avoid, which include wildlife crossing your path, along with things like fire, hail, theft, vandalism, and falling objects.

Collision coverage

The only time the claim may fall under collision coverage instead would be if the animal was already lying on the road and not moving. Since your vehicle hit a solid object that’s not moving, insurers would likely treat it the same way they would as hitting debris or another obstacle on the roadway, like a guardrail or pole. Please note that every policy is different, so the best way for you to understand how your coverage would respond is to speak with your BrokerLink advisor.

What are my legal obligations after hitting an animal in Canada?

If you hit an animal with your car, it’s generally expected of you to stop and make sure the scene is safe, and in many provinces, it’s actually the law to report the collision if the animal is large or if it’s creating a hazard for other drivers.

For example, under the Highway Safety Code in Quebec, drivers must report the incident to police if the animal weighs more than 25 kilograms (it doesn’t matter if there is visible damage or not), and face a $300 fine and nine demerit points if they don’t. For some animals, you must report them no matter how much they weigh.

Curious about what your province or territory requires after a wildlife collision? Visit your local transportation or wildlife authority to learn what the rules are where you live.

How can you reduce your risk of wildlife collisions?

The Traffic Injury Research Foundation found that between 2000 and 2020, wildlife collisions claimed 570 lives across Canada. Moose were involved in most of those fatal crashes, and deer made up nearly a third. Here are a few safe driving tips that can help you lower your risk of becoming another statistic:

Learn more with BrokerLink

When something unexpected happens on the road, such as a car accident involving wildlife, the right insurance coverage can make all the difference. If you want personalized car insurance that’s backed by people who truly care about your needs, BrokerLink is here to help! Reach out to us today by phone, email, or in person at any of our locations throughout Canada.

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