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10 States Where You’re Most Likely to Hit a Deer

Make sure you have great car insurance coverage the next time you take to the road in these states.

By Jenny Cohen

Edited by Michael Kurko

Updated Jan. 22, 2025

There are numerous things in a variety of states that can lead to substantial damage to your vehicle.

Deer, in particular, can cause serious damage that might require you to file a claim with your car insurance company. The risk of collisions with a deer is highest from October to December, but you should be careful all year long in the following states.

Using extra caution in these top 10 states where State Farm says you are at the highest risk of hitting a deer (according to data gathered in July and June 2024) can keep you safe and help you avoid the financial stress of having to repair or replace your vehicle.

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Rhode Island

Likelihood: 1 in 75

Despite its small size, Rhode Island has a relatively high deer density due to favorable habitats like forests, wetlands, and suburban areas, creating more chances for deer-vehicle encounters.

Poorly lit rural roads and high-speed highways cutting through natural habitats further amplify the danger of deer collisions.

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Virginia

Likelihood: 1 in 73

Virginia's varied terrain encompasses dense forests and farmland intersecting with major road networks. The state's burgeoning deer population, alongside rapid suburban expansion encroaching upon their habitats, amplifies the likelihood of collisions on its thoroughfares.

South Dakota

Likelihood: 1 in 69

Like its neighboring state to the north, South Dakota has vast tracts of natural land. Visitors to the state may not realize how much of a threat the deer population poses.

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Iowa

Likelihood: 1 in 68

Iowa is well-known for producing crops such as corn, soybeans, and oats, and those fields often attract deer.

Enjoy the scenery as you drive along farm fields, but watch out for deer and other animals that can jump in front of your car at any moment.

Mississippi

Likelihood: 1 in 65

Deer can find cover in the trees and brush that dot the Mississippi landscape. So drive with care as you travel across the Magnolia State.

Wisconsin

Likelihood: 1 in 63

Wisconsin is a Great Lakes state that has an abundance of deer. The woodsy parts of the state provide cover for deer, which can make it hard to see them before they bolt across the road.

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Pennsylvania

Likelihood: 1 in 61

Pennsylvania's Poconos are a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains. Deer and bears are prevalent here, so it pays to drive cautiously.

Michigan

Likelihood: 1 in 59

Michigan (tied up with Wisconsin) is another Great Lakes state and borders four of the five large freshwater lakes. Deer and other wildlife thrive here, raising the risk of collisions with drivers.

Montana

Likelihood: 1 in 54

Montana's vast swaths of untouched nature are an ideal place for deer to roam. In fact, mule deer and white-tailed deer are the most abundant big-game wildlife in the state.

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West Virginia

Likelihood: 1 in 40

West Virginia has a large deer population, with 200,000 hunters pursuing the animals through the state every year, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

However, all those deer pose a problem for unsuspecting motorists.

Bottom line

Maintaining robust car insurance coverage is crucial to protecting your finances. Paying for collision coverage ensures that your insurance policy will cover damages should you hit a deer or other animal.

So remember to shop around for affordable car insurance coverage that will protect you the next time you take to the road.

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