At a glance
If you hit a dog or a farm animal while driving, you must report it to the police
If you injure an animal while driving, report it to your local council
You should let your insurance provider know if you have an accident involving an animal
You may be able to claim on your car insurance if the accident wasn’t your fault.
What should I do if I accidentally hit an animal while driving?
Hitting an animal with your car or bike is upsetting, but it’s important to stay calm.
The first thing to do is to slow to a safe stop and put on the hazards. You’ll need to stay at the scene long enough for anyone else involved, such as the animal’s owner, to take your details. This applies even if the accident wasn’t your fault.
If you do not give your name and address at the time, you must report it to the police as soon as possible and within 24 hours.
An injured animal could try to defend itself, so take care. If it’s a pet, see if you can find the owner’s details on a collar if it’s safe to do so.
You can report an injured animal by calling the:
RSPCA (England and Wales) on 0300 1234 999
SSPCA (Scotland) on 03000 999 999
USPCA (Northern Ireland) on 028 3025 1000.
The RSPCA or police may recommend a local vet if it’s safe for you to transport the animal. You usually won’t have to pay for any treatment.
If the animal is dead, you can report it to your local council.
Check your car for any damage. Make sure it’s safe to drive before you leave.
What to do if you hit a dog?
If you hit a dog while driving, you must report it to the police. Not reporting it is a criminal offence.
Once you’ve found a safe spot to pull over and stop, call the police and explain the situation. If the dog’s owners are there, let them know you’ve contacted the police then give them your name and address, and the vehicle owner’s name and address if it’s not the same.
If the dog is alone, and it’s safe to do so, check to see if there’s a contact phone number on its collar.
If the dog doesn’t have a collar or you don’t know who the owner is, you still need to report it to the police.
In terms of liability for any damage, the dog’s owner is usually responsible for any accidents involving their pet running into the road. Letting a dog out on the road on its own, off its lead, is prohibited according to rule 56 of the Highway Code.
What to do if you hit a cat?
As it stands you don’t need to report it to the police if you hit a cat while driving.
If the cat survives the accident but it’s injured, take it to a local vet and let them know you’re not the owner. If there’s a contact number on the cat’s collar, call the owners to let them know what’s happened. In England, cats, like dogs, need to be microchipped, so the vet should be able to find the owner.
What to do if you hit a cow or other farmyard animals?
You must report it to the police if you hit any:
Cows or other cattle
Sheep
Horses
Goats
Pigs
Donkeys or mules
If an injured animal is blocking the road, park safely and use hazard lights to warn other motorists to slow down and take care. Remember to make sure you’re not blocking the road.
Use a warning triangle only where it is safe and legal and never on a motorway.
What to do if you hit a deer, bird or other wild animal?
If you hit a bird or a wild animal such as a badger, bird, rabbit, fox or deer, you don’t need to report it. You may want to though, if you think the injured animal in the road will be a danger to other drivers.
The RSPCA encourages that you call them, or their counterparts in Scotland and Northern Ireland – the SSPCA or the USPCA – if you injure or kill an animal.
Try to get close enough to the animal to see how badly hurt it is so you can pass on that information to the RSPCA. Be careful though, as wild animals can be unpredictable when scared. If you hit a small animal, like a bird or a hedgehog, and you can safely transport it, consider taking it to a local vet or wildlife rehabilitation centre.
Will hitting an animal while driving affect my insurance?
It could do, especially if you make a claim as you might lose your no claims bonus and your premium may go up when it’s time to renew. But you should tell your insurance provider if you have an accident involving an animal, even if you don’t intend to claim.
Tips to avoid hitting an animal while driving
Taking a few extra precautions could help you avoid hitting an animal:
Always stay within the speed limit
Keep an eye out for road signs indicating deer or other wildlife
Be extra careful early in the morning or late in the evening, when animals could be roaming and visibility is poor
Take care in residential areas where there might be pets
Make sure your lights are working properly
Keep your distance, especially in wildlife corridors where you may need to brake suddenly
Use your high beam on rural roads at night when there are no other cars around
Take extra care during deer-rutting season, between September and early November when stags may be more aggressive.
It’s unlikely you’ll be able to claim on your car insurance for any damage if you weren’t following the rules of the road or obeying signs.
For tips on driving safely in tricky conditions, read our guide to winter driving safety.
Can I claim on my car insurance for damage caused by hitting an animal?
You may be able to claim for damage caused by hitting an animal but it depends on the situation and your policy. If you’re not sure, your insurance provider will be able to help.
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FAQs
What should I do if I find a dead animal on the road?
If you find a dead animal on the road, whether it’s a pet like a cat or a dog, or a wild animal like a deer, badger or fox, you should report it to your local council.
Why doesn’t the law require you to report accidents involving cats?
Dogs and many farmyard animals are covered by section 170 of the Road Traffic Act of 1988 because they’re classified as working animals. Cats aren’t included because they’re classed as pets.
What evidence do I need to claim for accidents involving animals?
Hitting a big farmyard animal or a deer can cause massive damage to your car. So, collect as much evidence as possible to support any insurance claim. It’s an upsetting situation, but remember to:
Take photos of the scene and the surroundings
Look out for any broken fences or open gates that may have allowed an animal to escape onto the road
Talk to people at the scene and ask for their details – if possible, get a witness statements
Back up any dash cam footage you may have as soon as you can.
Will I be liable if I cause an accident trying to avoid hitting an animal?
It depends on the situation. Say you slam on the brakes, make an emergency stop or swerve to avoid hitting an animal and cause a crash. In this case, you may be liable for any damage or injury caused to other vehicles and the drivers and passengers inside.
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With more than eight years’ experience in writing and sub-editing content, Karen started her career in fashion before making the move to insurance. She now specialises in producing clear, engaging content that helps people make better financial decisions.
Karen’s areas of expertise include insurance products, such as car insurance, travel insurance and life insurance, as well as utilities such as energy comparison.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
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