"Accidents Involving Wild Animals in Germany: What to Do and Which

If you hit a roe deer, wild boar, fox, or other wild animal in Germany, the most important thing is not to drive away or try to deal with the situation “later.” You need to secure the scene, call for help or the police, document the evidence, and obtain confirmation for your insurance company. For a payout, it’s usually not your emotions after the collision that matter, but the evidence: where it happened, what animal was involved, whether there was direct contact, and what’s specified in your policy.

When the risk of a wildlife accident is higher

Collisions with wild animals occur year-round, but the risk is particularly high at dusk, at night, and in the early morning. High-risk areas include forest edges, fields near the forest, roads that cross animals’ usual routes, curves with poor visibility, and locations marked with a “Wildwechsel” sign.

According to German insurers, in 2024 there were approximately 276,000 reported insurance claims involving wild animals and passenger cars covered by comprehensive insurance. Total damages exceeded 1.1 billion euros, and the average repair cost was approximately 4,100 euros. These are insurance claim statistics and do not represent a complete tally of all collisions on the roads.

This sign warns of the possibility of wild animals crossing the road.

Drivers particularly often encounter roe deer, wild boars, deer, hares, foxes, and other animals. One animal may be followed by another, so even after braking successfully, you shouldn’t accelerate immediately.

If the animal is already on the road

The driver must maintain control of the vehicle. Swerving sharply to the side is often more dangerous than a direct collision: you could veer into oncoming traffic, into a ditch, or into a tree.

Here’s what to do:

Slow down immediately as soon as you see a silhouette or eyes by the roadside;
switch from high beams to low beams so as not to blind the animal;
honk briefly;
brake immediately and hold the steering wheel firmly;
If a collision is unavoidable, do not make a sudden evasive maneuver;
After encountering the first animal, be prepared for the possibility of others.

From an insurance perspective, a direct collision is usually easier to prove than damage resulting from a maneuver without contact. Situations are particularly contentious when a driver swerves sharply to avoid a small animal and crashes the car into an obstacle.

What to Do Immediately After a Collision

People’s safety comes first, then the car and your documents.

Pull over to a safe place.
Turn on your hazard lights.
Put on a high-visibility vest.
Place your warning triangle at a sufficient distance.
If anyone is injured, call 112.
If no one was injured, report the incident to the police by calling 110 or through your local police station.
Record the exact location: road, direction, nearest town, kilometer marker, exit, or coordinates.
Take photos of the car, traces of fur, blood, dents, debris, the skid marks, and the surrounding area.
If the animal ran away, remember the direction it went.
Do not wash the damaged area or remove any evidence until you’ve consulted with your insurance company.

In Germany, your car must be equipped with a warning triangle, a high-visibility vest, and a first-aid kit; for more details, check standard checklists like and, which list what you’re required to carry in your vehicle.

Why You Need a Wildunfallbescheinigung

A Wildunfallbescheinigung or Wildschadenbescheinigung is a certificate confirming that the damage was caused by a wild animal. It can be issued by the police, a gamekeeper, a hunting leaseholder, or another authorized person, depending on the state and local practices.

If you weren’t given any documentation at the scene, don’t consider the matter closed. Contact the police station or the officer who took your report and ask how to obtain confirmation for your insurance company. In some regions, the document is issued separately upon request or through the responsible gamekeeper.

Insurance companies usually require:

policy number and vehicle information;
the location, date, and time of the incident;
photos of the damage and evidence;
A Wildunfallbescheinigung or details of the police report;
a description of the animal, if you saw it;
witness statements, if available;
Approving repairs before work begins, if required by the contract.

What Not to Do

Do not approach an injured animal. In a state of shock, it may injure a person, and tracking and capturing it is the responsibility of a gamekeeper or other authorized person.

Do not take the carcass with you. A wild animal does not become the driver’s property as a result of the accident. Unauthorized appropriation can lead to charges of Jagdwilderei—that is, illegal appropriation of game or violation of another person’s hunting rights.

Don’t drive away without saying anything. Even if the damage seems minor, hidden damage may become apparent later, and it will be harder to prove to the insurance company that it was indeed a wildlife accident.

What Does Each Type of Insurance Cover?

Here, everything depends on the type of policy and the wording of the contract. The general logic is the same as in a regular traffic accident: first, determine whose damages are covered, then prove the cause of the damage. The basic differences between German policies are described at , which explains the types of German auto insurance.

Policy	What It Typically Covers	What to Check in the Contract
Auto Liability Insurance	Damage to third parties: another person’s car, a fence, a traffic sign, people	Your own car is not covered for repairs under liability insurance
Partial Coverage	Often covers direct collisions with game animals (Haarwild): roe deer, red deer, wild boar, foxes, hares, and other species covered under hunting laws	Is the policy limited to game animals (Haarwild) or does it extend to all types of animals (Tiere aller Art)?
Comprehensive Coverage	Can help in disputed cases, such as maneuvers without direct contact or damage not covered by Partial Coverage	Deductibles may apply, and it may affect your no-claims bonus and premium rates

“Haarwild” is an important term in older and basic policies. It’s tied to hunting regulations and doesn’t mean “any furry animal” in the everyday sense. Modern policies often expand coverage to “Tiere aller Art” (animals of all kinds), but you need to check the contract for this—don’t just assume it’s included.

If the animal ran away

Compensation is possible even if there’s no carcass at the scene, but evidence becomes even more important. Take photos of the marks on your car, the point of impact, the roadside, and anything else that confirms contact. Calling the police or a gamekeeper helps link the damage to a specific incident.

If you drove away immediately, washed your car, and only reported the insurance claim several days later, the insurance company may request additional evidence or deny the claim due to an insufficient link between the damage and the reported incident.

A Maneuver to Avoid a Collision

The most contentious situation is when a driver swerved to avoid an animal—there was no direct impact, but the car is damaged. For a large animal, the argument of preventing a greater danger may be more understandable, but for a small one, it’s significantly weaker. The insurer will assess the proportionality of the maneuver, the evidence, witness statements, and the terms of the policy.

The practical conclusion is simple: if you have time, brake immediately and stay in your lane. Do not try to swerve around the animal at any cost, especially at high speeds or when there is oncoming traffic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you call the police if the damage is minor?

Yes, this is a practical and safe option. In many states, reporting a Wildunfall is expected precisely so that gamekeepers can locate the injured animal and the driver can obtain confirmation for the insurance company. If in doubt, call 110 or your local police station and follow the instructions.

Which number should you dial: 110 or 112?

112 — if there are injured people, you need an ambulance, or there is an immediate danger. 110 — to report a collision with an animal to the police if no one was injured.

Is it okay to touch a dead animal?

If the carcass poses a danger on the road, don’t put yourself at risk: mark the spot and notify the police. If you’re specifically instructed to remove a small dead animal from the roadway, do so only when it’s completely safe and while wearing gloves. Do not take the animal with you.

Does partial coverage (Teilkasko) cover a fox, a hare, or a bird?

It depends on the wording. Basic terms often include “Haarwild”; foxes and hares usually fall into this category, while birds and some small animals may not be covered. If the contract states “Tiere aller Art,” the coverage is broader. Always check your policy.

Is there a fine for the collision itself?

Usually, the problem isn’t the collision itself, but how you act afterward: the driver left the scene, failed to report an injured animal, didn’t secure the scene, or removed the carcass. Such actions can lead to legal and insurance consequences.

A Quick Checklist for Drivers

Brake straight ahead; do not make a sharp swerve.
After the collision, pull over to a safe spot and turn on your hazard lights.
If anyone is injured, call 112.
If no one is injured, report the wildlife accident by calling 110 or your local police.
Do not approach an injured animal.
Do not remove the carcass.
Take photos and preserve any damage to your car.
Obtain a Wildunfallbescheinigung or the call details.
Notify your insurer before having repairs done.
Check exactly what’s written in your partial or comprehensive auto insurance policy.

After a Wildunfall, the most costly mistakes are panicked maneuvers, leaving the scene without reporting it, and having repairs done without documenting the evidence. Following a calm procedure takes less time than a subsequent dispute with the insurance company.