Is hitting a kangaroo an 'at fault' accident? No, it is not considered an at fault accident.
Drivers aren't expected to give first aid, but they should call the relevant local wildlife rescue organisation and seek their advice on how to safely help or ease the pain of an injured animal. If a kangaroo sadly hasn't survived, make conditions safe for other drivers by moving it to the side of the road.
Car insurance can cover hitting a kangaroo or other animal in Australia. It's considered an at-fault accident so you might lose your no claims bonus and you will probably have to pay an excess too. However, depending on the severity of the damage, it could be worth it.
Is hitting an animal an at-fault accident? Thankfully, no. If you accidentally hit an animal with your vehicle, your insurance agency will not find you at fault. There are other things that can void your car insurance, for example, if you are intoxicated or driving irresponsibly.
Report injured wildlife – call WIRES on 1300 094 737 or use the IFAW Wildlife rescue app to find a suitable wildlife rescue organisation for your location.
“If you encounter an injured kangaroo, it's best to contact the local wildlife rescue organisation or police station who can talk you through what to do.” Once you're safe and able, contact your insurer if you need to make a claim, he says.
Ordinarily, it is illegal to kill, buy, sell or possess a kangaroo in Australia. However, in response to the growing kangaroo population, the Australian government permits licence holders to 'cull' or shoot kangaroos.
In case a kangaroo inevitably jumps in front of your vehicle, it is best to just brake heavily instead of trying to swerve to avoid them. The best advice is to just slow down and try braking in a straight line. You should only try swerving once your vehicle has slowed down sufficiently.
AAMI Comprehensive Car Insurance may cover damage to your car in the event of a collision with animals and wildlife, such as kangaroos, wallabies and more, if the collision wasn't intentional. You will be insured up to the amount covered of your car, as listed on your Certificate of Insurance.
Kangaroos collisions can cost up to $5,000 in damages. In extreme cases, you may have to write off your car, as the cost of repairs can exceed the car's value.
Report the incident
Contact RSPCA ACT 02 6287 8100 (during business hours), or WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information and Rescue Education Service) on 1300 094 737.
Kangaroos are getting into the most trouble on the roads, with 7,992 kangaroo collision AAMI claims in the recorded year between March 2018 and February 2019. Roos made up a whopping 83% of all animal collisions. Wallabies were next with 392 collisions.
If you do have an accident with a kangaroo please pull over safely. When you have checked everyone in the car is safe, put your hazard lights on, and give us a call. Even if the kangaroo appears okay and jumps away it will probably be injured and need assistance.
If you have a comprehensive car insurance policy, depending upon the insurer and the policy, you may be covered if you hit an animal on the road such as a kangaroo. It would be advisable to have photographs of the scene in the event that there is any dispute about how the damage to your vehicle occurred.
Don't go near male kangaroos that are sparring, fighting or showing off their size and strength to each other. Don't go near a kangaroo that is growling or clucking. Don't move between a female and her joey.
While there may not be a time limit for making a claim on your car insurance policy according to the policy terms, we recommend not waiting any longer than you have to. It's important to gather all relevant details before you make a claim and we understand this can take some time.
Kangaroos, like all native wildlife, are protected in Victoria under the Wildlife Act 1975. While kangaroos are a protected species in Victoria, there are situations where kangaroos can cause damage which can negatively affect Victorian farmers, regional communities and biodiversity.
Significant penalties apply for illegally shooting a kangaroo, attracting fines of up to $2,500 or imprisonment of six months, plus an additional fine of $50 per animal.
A kangaroo collision can cause many different types of damage to your vehicle. These could be as relatively insignificant as a smashed headlight or cracked bumper, to a serious head-on collision that results in a crumpled-up bonnet and internal damage, potentially with your engine.
safe on the road. Kangaroos travel in large groups. Fast vehicles with headlights on will startle them, causing them to frantically hop in random directions. Kangaroos are most active at dusk and dawn, when they're hardest to see.
All Victorian kangaroo species are protected under the Wildlife Act. It is an offence to hunt, take or destroy protected wildlife unless in accordance with a licence or authorisation issued under the Wildlife Act.
Maximus Yaney is a serial entrepreneur, engineer, and avid inventor. Co-Founder of Mohawk. Founder, CEO, & CTO of Titan Aerospace. Maximus' latest venture is Kangaroo, which seeks to bring home security to everyone across the globe.
In a battle royale for Most Powerful Animal, a red kangaroo might take the martial-arts belt, thanks to a bone-shattering kick that delivers 759 pounds of force. Evolution has nudged wild creatures to hone their blows, bites, and brute strength for survival.