Collision with a (crossing) wild animal: what does your car insurance cover?

Short answer: how does coverage work for wildlife collisions?

When you hit a wild animal, whether your insurance covers the damage depends heavily on your policy type. With basic third-party liability (WA), your own car damage is not covered. Limited casco (also called WA+) usually covers a direct collision with free-roaming wildlife. If you swerve to avoid an animal and cause damage, you typically need an all-risk policy to be covered.

What WA, limited casco and all-risk cover for wildlife damage

WA (wettelijke aansprakelijkheid) is the mandatory third-party insurance that covers damage you cause to others. It does not cover damage to your own car, so if you hit a deer and your car is damaged, WA won't pay out for your repairs.

Limited casco (WA+ / WA Beperkt Casco) covers your car for a set of specific perils, often including collision with free-roaming wildlife. The exact animals considered as wildlife can vary: deer, wild boar, roe deer, badgers and foxes are common, but smaller wild animals may also be included as long as they are not someone's pet. A collision with a loose dog, for instance, is not wildlife damage but would fall under the dog owner's liability.

An all-risk policy (fully comprehensive) covers virtually all damage to your own car, including both a direct wildlife collision and damage caused by swerving to avoid an animal. An excess (eigen risico) generally applies.

*Please note: exact coverage differs per insurer and policy. Always consult your own policy conditions and policy sheet.

Collision vs swerving: the crucial difference in coverage

The split-second decision can make a world of difference for your insurance payout. If you actually hit the animal, it's a direct collision. This falls under the 'collision with wildlife' clause found in most limited casco packages. Insurers typically regard this as a non-fault incident, so the claim is handled fairly smoothly.

If you swerve and crash without touching the animal, the insurer usually classifies this as self-inflicted damage. Even though you instinctively did the right thing to avoid a larger accident, without physical contact the event is not covered by the wildlife clause. Therefore, swerving damage is only covered under an all-risk policy. Damage from hitting an obstacle like a tree or guardrail is considered your own fault under WA or limited casco and is not insured.

• The insurer assesses whether force majeure applied; proving this is difficult without contact with the animal.
• Damage to a third party (e.g., a parked car) caused by swerving may be covered by your WA, but then it becomes a liability matter.
• Some all-risk policies impose additional requirements, such as the manoeuvre being 'reasonable'; this varies by policy.

What a wildlife claim means for your no-claim discount

In the Netherlands, the bonus-malus ladder determines your premium discount based on claim-free years. A claim can drop your step and increase your premium. However, wildlife claims are often treated differently.

Many insurers treat a wildlife damage claim as non-attributable. This means your claim-free years are not set back and your bonus-malus discount remains intact, even if repair costs are paid out. This leniency is not legally mandated and varies per company. It's wise to check your policy terms beforehand to see if wildlife damage is explicitly exempt. Some policies offer a 'no-claim protector', but that's often only needed if the insurer would otherwise count the claim.

• There is a high chance your bonus-malus discount remains untouched after a wildlife claim, but check your policy.
• Some insurers do internally record wildlife claims, so when you switch you could lose steps without an explicit exemption.
• If in doubt, consult the claim-free years premium impact checklist.

Step-by-step: what to do after hitting a wild animal

A collision with an animal is shocking and raises immediate questions about safety, the animal's wellbeing and claims handling. Following these steps helps you avoid extra risks and ensures a smooth claim process with your insurer.

Unsure about your cover? Here's how to check

Because wildlife damage terms vary between insurers, reviewing your policy can be worthwhile. Especially if you frequently drive through rural areas where wildlife is common, you want certainty about coverage. Using a commission-free car insurance comparison lets you see how your coverage stacks up against other policies without being tied to a specific insurer.

It's also sensible to consider whether you can downgrade from all-risk as your car ages, but only if you retain sufficient wildlife protection. The all-risk downgrade guide helps you with that decision.

PolisMoment offers a free non-life insurance check where an independent advisory office evaluates your policies. They assess whether your premium, coverage and excess still match your current risk profile, including the wildlife risk. This is particularly valuable if you've recently moved to a more rural area.

For international knowledge workers temporarily living in the Netherlands and owning a car, it's also important to know that the rules on mandatory insurance may differ from their home country. Read more about non-life insurance for temporary workers and which insurances are mandatory. This prevents you from driving around with a coverage gap.