Deer are Comprehensive Claims under State Farm (if I understand my policy at all, which I don't, I just know the damn thing is lined in gold, or at least plated 14k). Deer are a $0 deductible under my policy. When I had the collision with a deer in April I was worried because most places don't include Comp. if you dont have Full Coverage (as is the case of my $700 97 Jetta). Lady at the office took my claim and the first shop, Ford Dealer, nearly totaled my car (Repairs at 97% Assessed value), second shop, VW Dealer, quoted about 90%. Only complaint I had with the whole claims process was that instead of offering me the option to go to the VW dealer (a preferred shop) they offered 3 other shops, all in the same city as the VW dealer I needed to choose from. Well that and they keep trying to send me almost to Lynchburg to get the quotes done ( How many times must I tell SF, I work in Roanoke, so driving to L-burg isn't an option, even if he did work to my standards).
OP get multiple quotes, in writing, before going to the "Preferred Service Provider". You have the right to choose who works on your car and who doesn't. When the preferred guy hands his quote over to the adjuster be sure to hand over at least 3 other quotes (High, Low, and Where you want to go). You then get to pick where it goes from there, many body shops will allow for payment plans (even if it is 1/2 down and 1/2 when you are satisfied, never ever leave a body shop without being 125% satisfied, when the insurance is paying 99% of the bill, I fought over having my hood replaced even though there was pre-existing damage, new VW hood cost 1/2 the cost of the labor to fix the existing one)