In the event of a wildlife accident, there is not only the shock of losing an animal's life, but also the big question of what to consider and report after a wildlife accident.
Does a wildlife accident really have to result in exhausting communication with the authorities, countless phone calls and correspondence? We explain - in our wildlife accident guide.
- A collision with so-called "furred game" is a typical wildlife accident.
- Liability insurance does not pay for damage to your own vehicle. Only partial and fully comprehensive cover does.
- After a wildlife accident, the same steps must be followed as for a normal accident. The police and hunters must also be informed.
- A wildlife accident must always be reported - even if the injured animal moves away from the scene of the accident.
- As the wild animal is "ownerless" and therefore does not belong to anyone, you have no claims against other people.
Deer, wild boar and co: What is a wildlife accident?
A wildlife accident is a road traffic accident involving a wild animal that has been released for hunting. However, the term "wild animal" is narrowly defined by the insurance companies and refers exclusively to so-called "furred game", i.e. deer, stags or wild boar.
These animals belong to the "furred game":
Roe deer, wild boar, fallow deer, red deer (stag), fox, badger and hare. Accidents involving birds, dogs, cats or grazing animals are therefore explicitly not categorised as wildlife accidents.
In the event of a wildlife accident, there is regularly a collision with furred game or damage is caused by an evasive manoeuvre.
Wildlife accident insurance: Partially comprehensive, fully comprehensive or third-party liability?
A wildlife accident can happen quickly. But which insurance company has to pay?
If you are involved in an accident with a wild animal, you are usually covered by the regular partial accidental damage insurance; in the case of collisions with other animals, fully comprehensive insurance usually applies.
Which insurance pays what?
- Liability insurance: Only pays for damage caused to third parties. Repairs to your own vehicle are not covered.
- Partially comprehensive insurance: Also pays for damage to third parties. Only pays for repairs to your own vehicle in the event of damage caused by furred game with an excess. However, the burden of proof lies with the driver.
- Comprehensive cover: pays for all damage to your own vehicle. However, this may result in downgrading to a less favourable no-claims class.
It is often also relevant whether damage to your own vehicle was caused by evasive manoeuvres or a direct collision with the animal. If the damage is not caused directly by the animal, but is the result of an evasive manoeuvre, compensation for expenses (so-called "rescue costs") can be claimed from the partially comprehensive insurance. Basically, the following applies: With strong experts on hand, subsequent settlement is quick and easy. We will be happy to help you with this.
Wildlife accident - What to do?
When a driver is involved in a wildlife accident, the initial shock is palpable. The first step, as with any other accident, is always to keep calm. The following points should then be observed:
- The basic rule is: pull over and switch on the hazard warning lights. For your own safety, please do not touch the animal, but keep a sufficient distance and secure the accident site with the warning triangle. Wear a high-visibility waistcoat.
- Inform the police and, if necessary, the responsible forestry office. The police will usually do this for you. Wildlife accidents must always be assessed by a hunter. In any case, stay at the scene of the accident until the authorities arrive.
- Have the incident properly documented and obtain a wildlife accident certificate from the hunter before reporting the damage to your insurance company. The certificate is the most important proof that damage to the vehicle has been caused by a wildlife accident.
- Do not remove and clean the traces of the accident on the vehicle yet, as these could be assessed for the insurance company later on. We also recommend that you take photos of your vehicle.
Do not simply continue driving after the collision. It is not a hit-and-run offence to continue driving after a wildlife collision, but you are in breach of the Animal Protection Act. This is an administrative offence and is punishable by a fine. The game that has been hit must not be removed from the scene of the accident, otherwise you may be charged with poaching.
Is there an obligation to report wildlife accidents?
Do not hesitate to report a wildlife accident. Even if the injured animal moves away from the scene of the accident, you must report the incident.
Always call the emergency services if someone is injured. The police must always be informed even if there are no injuries. In many federal states, a hunter must also be informed in the event of a wildlife accident. In most cases, the police will do this for you. If in doubt, simply ask. Ask the hunter to give you a game damage certificate.
Small animals such as frogs, hedgehogs or birds do not have to be reported.
Am I entitled to compensation after a wildlife accident?
In the legal sense, a wild animal is usually an ownerless object. Therefore, you cannot claim damages from the gamekeeper or forest owner in the event of a wildlife accident. This is different in the case of pet accidents, where the owner often has to pay for the damage caused by their four-legged friend.
The road sign "Wildwechsel" must be displayed in front of special danger spots such as game crossing points or places with a high density of game. If this traffic sign is missing, there is a chance that the responsible road authority will have to pay for the damage caused by game.
Duty of proof: Was it a wildlife accident?
After a wildlife accident, it must be proven to the partially comprehensive insurance company that the road accident was caused in connection with a hazard posed by a wild animal. The burden of proof therefore lies with the driver. This is generally not necessary with fully comprehensive insurance.
There are various types of evidence to prove a wildlife accident. These are, for example
- Police report
- Certificate from the gamekeeper (an expense allowance may be payable for this)
- Photos of the accident scene and accident damage
- Remains of wild animals
- Witness reports (particularly important in the case of swerving wildlife accidents)
A thorough cleaning of the vehicle should also not be carried out too quickly after a wildlife accident, as the traces of the accident could be important for the insurance company - especially if an expert is to inspect the car.
An inspection of the scene of the accident and a detailed assessment of the vehicle involved in the accident are no exceptions.
The right steps for fair claims settlement
You can obtain a wildlife accident without wildlife damage report from us at faire-Regulierung.de:
- You get into a traffic accident through no fault of your own and want to claim compensation.
- You report the accident to us risk-free and free of charge by telephone at
0800 30 111 60 or even faster online. - Our competent team will examine your case immediately and explain how to proceed.
- The claims settlement is initiated and you no longer have to bother with paperwork.
Licensed specialists from the faire regulation network will take care of the necessary tasks and deal with your claims for compensation, with absolute competence and without risk to you.
