Insurance Adjuster's Viral Advice: Hit the Deer, Don't Swerve. Here's Why It Saves You Money

A claims adjuster’s TikTok has drivers rethinking one of the most instinctive moves on the road. Tia Jax, who works in insurance claims, went viral after explaining that when a deer jumps out and a crash is unavoidable, hitting the animal is better than swerving. Not for the deer, obviously, but for your wallet and your safety.

The reason comes down to how claims get classified. If your vehicle makes direct contact with the animal, it’s typically a comprehensive claim, which usually comes with a lower deductible. If you swerve, miss the deer, and hit a guardrail or another object, that becomes a collision claim with a higher deductible and a less favorable payout. Same split-second decision, very different bill.

Safety experts are on the same page. AAA and the Ohio State Highway Patrol both advise braking firmly and staying in your lane rather than swerving, since swerving can send a car off the road or into a rollover. Adjusters say they’ve seen crashes where dodging the animal caused far worse injuries than the strike itself would have. So the next time something bolts into your headlights, keep your hands steady and let the brakes do the work.

Would you hit the deer to save your deductible? Sound off in the comments.