If you run over an animal, you generally need to stop for livestock (cattle, horses, sheep, etc.) and large wildlife (deer, kangaroos, wallabies), as hitting them is a legal requirement to report and can be dangerous for you and others; for smaller animals like cats or foxes, while not always legally mandated, stopping to check and report (if injured) is strongly recommended to help the animal and prevent road hazards. Always prioritize your safety by pulling over in a secure spot and using hazard lights before assessing the situation.
If you hit and injure an animal (apart from a bird), you are required by law to do whatever you reasonably can to ease its pain. If it's not a wild animal then the injury must be reported to the police or the animal's owner.
WIRES suggests following these steps if you accidentally hit a kangaroo with your car: Stop and check the animal, where safe: pull over using your hazard lights and don't stop on a corner. Wear hi-vis or bright clothing, if you have any.
In over 70 percent of the 50 states, the most commonly hit animal on the road is the deer. From some of the most isolated states, like Alaska, to some of the sandiest, like Florida, deer lead as the top victim of motorists more than any other animal.
With RACV Comprehensive or Complete Care® Car Insurance, you're covered for a range of incidents, including collision with an animal. You'll need to pay the applicable excess. Damage caused by swerving to avoid hitting an animal and then hitting something else, such as a pole, is considered an at-fault incident.
Does car insurance cover an accident involving an animal? Budget Direct's Comprehensive Car Insurance covers loss or damage to your car in an unforeseen or unexpected event, like a car accident. This does include damage caused by road hazards (like stray animals) that were outside your control.
If you hit a wombat, stop your vehicle and put on the hazard lights to ensure you don't cause further accidents. If the wombat is still on the road use its front legs to turn it on its side or back and pull it off the road, this will avoid further injures should there be a live joey in the pouch.
A "silent killer" animal can refer to predators known for stealth like leopards, owls, or snakes (like the Common Krait), but also to seemingly harmless creatures like the venomous slow loris (a mammal) or even the disease-carrying mosquitoes, highlighting threats that are quiet, unassuming, or invisible, from stealth hunters to disease vectors.
When this happens, there are several things you'll want to do:
The Amur leopard is one of the rarest big cats in the world, with only around 100 individuals left in the wild.
Under section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, a driver is required to stop & report accidents involving specific animals including dogs, but not cats. This requirement arises from their status as working animals rather than as domestic pets, but many dogs are pets, not working animals.
Data from Wildlife Victoria shows that kangaroos were by far the most common native wildlife hit by a vehicle (HBV) on Victorian roads during 2024, with 10,137 recorded incidents. Kangaroos are more active at dawn and dusk and often graze close to roads or cross busy roads in search of the best grazing land.
Yes. You'll likely have to pay your policy's excess if you claim any damage involving a kangaroo or other wildlife. Your no-claim bonus may also be affected if you claim, which may lead to an increase in your next premium.
The 3-3-3 rule is a roadmap for the first three days, three weeks, and three months after pet adoption. It emphasizes patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement to help pets acclimate to their new environment.
New South Wales (NSW)
In NSW, you can travel with your pet in the front seat as long as it does not impede your ability to control the vehicle.
Similar to if you hit a snake, you should contact a reptile care group or local wildlife rescue organisation and should not try to touch or capture the animal.
Contact your agent.
Let your insurance agent know what happened so they can help you determine if a claim should be reported. If you have comprehensive coverage, deer-related damage is typically covered under your auto policy once any applicable deductible is met.
They will know that being hit is a bad experience and that it hurts, but they won't know that the action is all on you. Do your best to reassure them in the future that you love them. Dogs simply don't understand the concept of forgiveness, but they're very good at it all the same.
If you hit a cat
1. Mosquito (780,000 deaths per year) The tiny mosquito is the most dangerous animal in the world as well as the most dangerous insect, claiming 780,000 lives annually.
🦒 Giraffes Have No Vocal Cords—But They Hum in the Dark By day, they move in silence— tall shadows across the savanna.
In most cases, a raccoon needs only four inches to squeeze through — think roughly the diameter of a small piece of fruit. Many property owners believe they should spot a hole that size, especially if it is around their attic or garage, but raccoons are intelligent and capable animals.
Use a towel or blanket to cover smaller animals if you need to move them, but avoid handling large or dangerous species like kangaroos, wombats, snakes, or birds of prey. Instead, call a wildlife rescue organisation such as WIRES (1300 094 737) in NSW.
Found out a fun fact about wombats. They run to their den and stick their butts out to defend against predators. The rears are made of heavy cartilage so seems like a good idea. If the predator manages to get its head past the buttocks, the wombat will twerk it to death.
1. Speedy Gonzales. These furry marsupials sure are stocky, but don't let that fool you! They can run at speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour, which is just under retired sprinter Usain Bolt's fastest recorded speed!