Auto Insurance and Pet Safety: Essential Coverage for Protecting Your Furry Friend
Your pets are like your babies. You want the best for them in life, and you have to protect them. That’s why understanding auto insurance pet coverage is essential.
Now, you might be thinking, “What does my auto insurance have to do with my dog or cat?” Well, even though you don’t always drive around with your dog or cat in the car, there are several instances when you may need to, such as when taking them to the vet, moving to a new state, or going on a road trip. In these situations, if an accident occurs and your pet gets hurt, auto insurance pet coverage can come in handy.
Find out how this works, whether your auto insurance covers your pet, and how to purchase auto insurance for pets.
What Is Pet Injury Coverage?
Pet injury coverage is a type of protection that helps cover your pet’s veterinary bills if they get injured in an accident while riding with you in the car. It also helps cover burial expenses if your pet passes on after the accident and sometimes covers the cost of purchasing a new pet.
Pets are considered your legal property, so some car insurance coverage compensates you if your pets get harmed in an accident. However, you should ascertain that your auto insurance includes pet injury coverage because it may not always apply. Pet injury coverage typically applies to dogs and cats only.
It’s worth noting that pet injury coverage isn’t the same as pet insurance. Pet insurance is a standalone policy that covers several medical expenses for pets, not just those related to car accident injuries.
What Types of Auto Insurance Policies Include Pet Injury Coverage?
Not all insurers include car insurance pet injury protection in their standard policies, although it’s commonly included in comprehensive car insurance and collision coverage. If it isn’t included in your existing standard or collision coverage, you can get it as an add-on or rider.
What Are the Benefits of Including Your Pet in Your Auto Insurance Plan?
Including pets in car insurance is beneficial for several reasons. The most important one is financial protection. Unexpected veterinary bills can be financially draining, especially if you don’t have pet insurance to cover them. Auto insurance pet coverage helps reduce this burden by covering some, if not all, of these expenses. Additionally, if your pet insurance has limits, pet injury coverage can help cover the expenses on top.
Another benefit is that you have peace of mind knowing that you’ve covered your pets. Therefore, you can travel with them anywhere and anytime. This peace of mind also extends to the aftermath of an accident. You can focus on attending to your pet’s recovery without the added stress of financial concerns.
“ ...if your pet insurance has limits, pet injury coverage can help cover the expenses on top. ”
How Does Auto Insurance Pet Coverage Work After a Car Accident?
If you get into an accident with your pet, there are two possibilities: you’re either at fault or not at fault. It's important to establish who's at fault because it determines if your auto insurance pet coverage will pay for your pet’s veterinary bills. Let’s explore both instances:
You’re At Fault
If you caused the collision, your collision coverage will cover the costs you incur for treating your pet’s injuries. However, this must be explicitly stated in your car insurance coverage or be included as an add–on.
You’re Not At Fault
If the other driver you collided with is at fault, your auto insurance pet coverage won’t cover your pet’s veterinary bills. Because the law considers your pets as property, you should file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company to have them pay for the expenses or reimburse you. In this case, the other party’s liability coverage will pay for the costs, but this may not be enough if they have a minimum level of coverage.
Are There Any Limitations or Exclusions in Pet Coverage Under Auto Insurance Policies?
Yes. As with most insurance coverage, pet injury coverage has a limit of up to $1,000. By the way, this limit applies even if you have more than one pet in the car at the time of the accident. However, it’s best to consult your insurer to determine the exact amount your policy will pay you should an accident occur.
How Can You Add Pet Injury Coverage to Your Existing Auto Insurance Policy?
Most comprehensive and collision car policies cover pet injuries after an accident. If your current car insurance policy doesn’t include pet injury protection, you can still cover them by purchasing pet coverage as riders or add-ons.
If your insurer doesn’t provide this add-on, you can shop around and compare quotes from other insurers in preparation for purchasing new insurance once the current one expires.
What Happens if You Hit an Animal?
Accidents involving animals are quite common. So, if you get into one, it’s important to know the steps to take.
If you hit a wild animal such as a deer, you should:
- Notify the Authorities. Call the police and let them know what happened, regardless of how small the accident is. Failing to do this can result in being charged with a hit-and-run offense.
- Document the Accident. Take pictures, if possible, to capture the extent of the damage to your car and for proof of the accident.
- Contact your Car Insurer. Call your insurance company immediately after the accident so that they can start processing your claim.
The same rules apply if you hit a pet. However, in this case, your liability insurance (not car insurance) will cover the pet’s injuries if you’re found at fault.
Cover Your Furry Friends With the Best Auto Insurance for Pets
Emergency veterinary bills are expensive, usually costing over $5,000. Even with pet insurance, you may still need additional financial help to cover the costs. Auto insurance pet coverage can come in handy in such situations so you don’t have to pay for medical bills out-of-pocket.
Need to find and compare quotes from auto insurance companies that provide pet injury coverage? At EverQuote we can help. Get quotes from the best insurers and connect with agents for the best auto insurance for pets.