How Does Auto Liability Insurance for Pets Work?

If you're ever involved in a car accident while your pet is in the car, auto insurance for pets may or may not be part of your coverage policy. Most of the time, whether you're car insurance will provide coverage for injuries to pets or not, will depend on who is at fault and that type of policy that is maintained.

Liability Insurance and Injuries to Pets
If you are involved in a car accident and it's your fault, your liability car insurance will not provide coverage for you or a pet that was injured while in your vehicle; however, your policy may provide some coverage for pets that are injured in other vehicles that are involved in the accident. However, coverage for injuries to pets will generally be provided for under a property damage provision. While most people consider pets a member of the family, your insurance company simply regards them as propertpp

However, if you strike a pet running loose, such as a dog that runs into the road, your liability insurance probably will not cover injuries to the dog. Furthermore, you may not be liable for injuries to the pet since most municipalities have laws that require pet owners to keep pets on a leash or restrained.

Understanding Pet Coverage: Auto Liability Pet Insurance
There are 2 things to consider if you're a pet owner and drive a car; one is vehicle insurance and the other is pet coverage. These two items are not mutually inclusive. There will be times your pet will be one of the occupants of your vehicle. It might just be taking your pet to the vet or taking him to a family outing. Most pets are usually left loose in the car and not restrained with seat belts. If you're involved in a vehicle accident, your unrestrained pet can sustain more injuries because of the lack of restraints. Does your auto insurance cover injuries to your pets as a passenger in a vehicle accident?

Vehicle Coverage for Pets
Most auto insurance policies only cover medical expenses for your pet's injuries if you are considered not "at fault" in the accident. This coverage is under the personal damages part of the insurance policy which covers the damages. Even though you consider your pet as member of the family, for insurance purposes, your little furry friend is considered property.

Other Limitations
If you caused the accident, most companies will not cover any of your pet's injuries. You need to review your policy and look for any exclusion covering pets and property damage. If you crash into a car or any other property owned by others, your collision insurance usually only pays for repairs to your vehicle; most have exclusions in your policy that limit payments for any personal property you are transporting. If your coverage has such exclusions, you have no valid claim. If you do not have any collision coverage in your policy, any injuries to your pet or damages to your car or personal property will have to be paid by you.

If your pet is not in your vehicle and is hurt by another vehicle such as sleeping under a car parked on your property, the veterinary fees will be covered by the owner of the vehicles property damage insurance. Many States or local city's have pet restraint laws. It is illegal to let your pet lose in public. If your pet runs into the street or is lose in a parking lot and hit by a vehicle, there is probably nothing you can do to the vehicle owner. If there was any damage to their vehicle, you can be liable for these repairs and may also receive a violation for allowing your pet to be out and unrestrained.

Insurance for Pets
There are some companies that offer pet insurance. There are different levels of plans available. Basic plans mainly cover veterinary fees for the well being of your pet. They cover vaccinations, yearly checkups and basic needs. There are other policies that will give you coverage from basic care to major surgery. There are also some plans that will cover injuries to pets in vehicle accidents or other incidents.

With the climbing insurance costs and expensive veterinary fees, pet insurance coverage is something you need to consider. When an accident occurs the last thing you need to worry about is where you're going to find the money to pay for such needs.

Insurance for Pets: Getting Auto Insurance Coverage
Insurance for pets isn't unusual but auto insurance coverage for pets might cause people to do a double take. It does exist, however. There's insurance to cover your pet in the event of an accident with your vehicle. If someone hits your car when your pet is with you and injured, you can claim against their insurance for the pet's medical bills. But what happens when it's your fault?

1. Coverage.As things stand with most insurance coverage, if your car is hit, any vet bills for your pet will be covered under the other driver's insurance, so you don't need to worry about that. The problems begin if you're at fault. It doesn't matter whether you hit another car or a road sign. Your insurance will pay for damage to the car and to yourself. What it might not cover is damage to your personal property, and in this instance your pet might be classed as personal property. You'd need to check your policy to be certain about what's covered and what isn't. Some companies won't cover injuries to pets.
2. Personal property.Even if your pet is classed as personal property, there will be limits as to how much you can be compensated as insurance for pets. If the pet dies, then you'd receive no extra money for loss of companionship.
3. Pet auto insurance.Even if you have insurance for pets, it will only cover your pet for illness, not for injuries sustained in an auto crash. You might well believe that there is no auto insurance for pets, but you'd be wrong. One company, Progressive, does offer it. They have collision coverage for pets, which offers up to $1,000 in the event your pet is injured or dies. The best part is they don't charge for the coverage. It doesn't just cover your own pet, but the pets of people living with you if they're in the car and injured. This coverage is a standard part of the company's collision insurance, so it doesn't cost anything more. Whether you use it or not it's a standard part of the policy. There's not even an opt-in or opt-out to it. It's simply there and you can use the insurance for pets if you choose.
4. Keeping your pet safe. You can lower the possibility of your pet being injured in a car accident by not letting it roam freely in the vehicle. With cats in particular, the animals should be secured in a carrying case in the vehicle.

Don't let dogs sit in the passenger seat if your vehicle is equipped with an airbag, and never let a dog ride on your lap. The safest way is for a dog to be in the back seat with a tether to the seat belts. With a pickup truck, any dog in the truck bed should be in a dog cage or carrier, and that should be firmly secured to the truck bed. Never let your dog travel with its head out of the window. That's an invitation to a serious injury.

Related Questions and Answers

Can I Buy Horse Travel Insurance?

Purchasing horse travel insurance is actually performed in two parts. Most all car insurance policies have some type of provision dealing with trailer towing. However, because most horse trailers are very expensive, it only makes good sense to purchase additional coverage for it. Especially when you consider vandalism, theft, fire, and acts of god, they are not covered. Typically, insurance must be purchased separately to cover the horse itself. If the accident is caused by another driver, their policy's liability coverage will cover injuries to the horse. However, you will need additional insurance coverage if the accident was caused by you.

Will My Car Insurance Provider Cover My Horse Trailer Repairs in a Car Accident?

Most car insurance policies have provisions that cover damage to trailers, and will pay for horse trailer repairs, as long as they fit into the provision. Reviewing your car insurance policy is a good way to see what your policy actually pays for, and if there are any gaps in coverage. Remember, this basic coverage will not guard against theft, vandalism, acts of god, or fire. When traveling, it would be wise to purchase additional insurance in order to safeguard your expensive horse trailer. Additionally, since your horse is considered property, by the law, contents coverage is another option that should be considered.