There are differences between how collision coverage and comprehensive coverage handle deer or animal collisions. Comprehensive coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged when you hit a deer because it’s considered a random, unpredictable incident. You must make physical contact with the deer for the accident to be covered under the comprehensive insurance on your auto policy. If you swerve to miss the deer and crash into oncoming traffic or hit a light pole, this would be considered a collision claim.