Does Car Insurance Cover Damage From Hitting an Animal?

Hitting an animal while driving can damage your car and lead to costly repairs. In Malaysia, comprehensive car insurance generally covers accidental damage caused by hitting an animal, subject to your policy terms and the insurer’s assessment. Third-Party and Third-Party, Fire and Theft (TPFT) policies generally do not cover damage to your own car.

Here’s what you need to know about coverage, NCD and making a claim.

Does car insurance cover animal collisions?

Yes, if you have comprehensive car insurance, you may claim for damage caused by hitting an animal. This is generally treated as an Own Damage claim because the accident damages your insured vehicle.

For example, this may include collisions involving:

• Wild animals, such as wild boars or deer.
• Livestock, such as cows, goats or buffaloes.
• Domestic animals, such as dogs or cats.

However, approval depends on your policy wording, the circumstances of the accident and the insurer’s assessment.

Which types of car insurance cover animal collisions?

Your insurance type determines whether you can claim for damage to your own vehicle.

Insurance type	Covers damage from hitting an animal?
Comprehensive	Generally covered, subject to policy terms
Third-Party, Fire and Theft (TPFT)	Not covered
Third-Party Only	Not covered

Comprehensive insurance covers eligible accidental damage to your own car. TPFT covers third-party liability, fire and theft, while Third-Party Only covers specified liabilities to other people.

Neither TPFT nor Third-Party Only generally covers accidental damage to your own vehicle.

You can learn more in our guide to first-party and third-party car insurance.

Will hitting an animal affect your NCD?

Yes. If you claim for the damage under your own comprehensive policy, it will generally be treated as an Own Damage claim and may affect your NCD.

For example, if you have a 55% NCD, you may lose that discount at your next renewal after making an Own Damage claim.

An Own Damage Knock-for-Knock (OD-KFK) claim generally does not apply because there is no other insured vehicle involved. OD-KFK is intended for eligible accidents involving another insured motorist who is not at fault.

Before claiming, ask your insurer how the claim will affect your NCD.

What should you do after hitting an animal?

Follow these steps to protect yourself and support your insurance claim.

1. Stop somewhere safe

Turn on your hazard lights and check whether anyone is injured. Avoid approaching injured or frightened wild animals.

2. Take photos

If it is safe, photograph the damage to your car, the accident location and the animal involved. Record the date, time and location.

3. Make a police report

Report the accident promptly and follow the applicable reporting requirements. In Malaysia, road accidents generally need to be reported within 24 hours.

4. Contact your insurer

Notify your insurer and ask about the claims process. They can explain the required documents, inspection arrangements and approved repair workshops.

Avoid starting repairs before getting the insurer’s guidance or approval where required.

Should you claim insurance or pay for repairs yourself?

Even if your policy covers the damage, making a claim may not always be the best option.

Consider these factors:

Situation	What to consider
Minor scratches or dents	Compare repair costs with the potential loss of NCD.
Major damage	An insurance claim may be more worthwhile, depending on the repair cost and excess.
Serious damage affecting safety	Contact your insurer and arrange an assessment before repairs.

For minor damage, paying for repairs yourself may be more practical if the cost is lower than the financial impact of losing your NCD. For expensive repairs, making a claim may provide more financial relief.

Check your car insurance coverage

Animal collisions can happen unexpectedly, especially on rural roads or near forests and plantations. Comprehensive insurance may help cover eligible repair costs, but always check your policy terms, exclusions and excess.