If you ride in rural or wilderness areas near Sioux Falls, SD, encountering wildlife on the road is a real possibility. Animals can appear suddenly, leaving little time to react. Having the right motorcycle insurance can provide critical financial protection for medical care and repairs after an accident.
Wilcoxon Insurance Inc., serving Sioux Falls, SD, helps riders understand how motorcycle insurance applies when accidents involve animals.
Animal Collisions Are Considered Acts of Nature
Insurance companies typically classify collisions with animals as other-than-collision events. South Dakota has one of the highest populations of wild deer in the country, making these types of accidents relatively common.
Comprehensive coverage is usually the first line of protection when you collide directly with wildlife. This coverage can help pay for repairs or replacement of your motorcycle, minus your deductible, as long as physical contact with the animal occurred.
If you swerve to avoid an animal and crash into another vehicle, a tree, or a ditch, collision coverage applies instead. In this scenario, the insurer may consider the accident at fault. If your policy only includes comprehensive coverage and not collision coverage, the claim may be denied unless there is clear evidence of contact with the animal, such as fur or blood on the motorcycle.
Medical Payments Coverage Helps With Injuries
South Dakota is an at-fault state, which means the liability portion of your motorcycle insurance policy covers injuries to others, not your own. Collisions with large animals like deer can result in serious injuries.
Medical payments coverage, often referred to as MedPay, can help cover medical and dental expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of fault. This coverage can help bridge the gap before health insurance applies.
Contact Wilcoxon Insurance Inc.
To learn more about how motorcycle insurance can protect you during wildlife-related accidents, contact Wilcoxon Insurance Inc. Serving Sioux Falls, SD, the team is ready to help you find coverage that fits your riding needs.
