Your car insurance could cover your pets if they’re injured in a car accident.
Your pet is an important member of your family. And they often ride along with you in the car. If your pet is injured in a car accident, pet injury coverage can help pay for medicine and veterinary bills to get you back on your two — and four — feet.
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Is pet injury car insurance worth it?
Yes, this can be a huge bonus for pet owners who already have collision coverage. You won’t pay extra for this coverage, since it’s usually included with your collision or comprehensive coverage, and you won’t typically pay a deductible to take advantage of your coverage.
Pet injury coverage is ideal for people who frequently drive with your cat or dog and don’t have funds set aside for unexpected vet bills that can run in the thousands, depending on the injury.
Ask your car insurer if pet injuries are included in your policy and how much you’re covered for. If you’re looking for an insurer who offers pet injury coverage, it’s a good idea to shop around to make sure you won’t pay more for a policy than you’re getting in benefits.
What does pet injury coverage include?
Pet injury insurance covers veterinary bills, medicine and related costs if your pet is injured in a car accident. Some insurers provide up to $2,000 to cover medicine and veterinary bills for your cat or dog.
Your existing auto insurance policy might cover pet injuries as part of collision coverage. For example, Progressive and Metromile cover pets for up to $1,000 at no additional cost as long as you carry collision on your policy.
Other car insurers categorize pet injuries after an accident as property damage. As callous as it might seem, considering pets as property is unfortunately very common in the insurance and legal industry. This also limits pet coverage to accidents that aren’t your fault. In this case, you’d pay vet bills upfront, saving the receipts to file a liability claim if you’re found to be not at fault for the accident.
Pet injury insurance in action
Jack rear-ended a stopped car on the way to the pet groomer, causing his dog Molly to hit her head on the windshield.
Jack’s liability coverage covers the costs for the other driver, and collision insurance covers his injuries. Because he has pet injury coverage included with his collision coverage, his policy would kick in for veterinary bills. Molly’s vet check-up and X-ray or CT scan are covered by the maximum coverage, saving Jack $1,000 out of pocket.
What’s not covered by pet injury insurance?
Pet injury insurance covers veterinary bills and medicine up to your insurer’s limits if your pet becomes ill or injured after a car accident. But insurers typically extend it to cover cats and dogs only.
Pet injury insurance differs from pet insurance, which is like health insurance for your furry friends, complete with deductibles, copays and premiums, extending coverage beyond car accidents.
Bottom line
Your car insurance policy could already protect your pet as part of your collision coverage or general property damage. Otherwise, you may need to add pet injury insurance to extend your policy to the furriest members of your family.
Ask about limits that can top out at $2,000 with some insurers. And know what is and isn’t included by your insurer.
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