Pet Injury Auto Insurance Coverage (2024)
If you are in a car accident with your pet in the car, you may have pet injury coverage through your auto insurance company that will help pay for any necessary medical care. Your auto insurance policy likely only offers pet injury coverage if you carry collision insurance. If you do not currently have pet injury coverage included in your auto insurance policy, you can look into purchasing pet insurance or shop around for another auto insurance provider.
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Jeff Root
Licensed Insurance Agent
Jeff is a well-known speaker and expert in insurance and financial planning. He has spoken at top insurance conferences around the U.S., including the InsuranceNewsNet Super Conference, the 8% Nation Insurance Wealth Conference, and the Digital Life Insurance Agent Mastermind. He has been featured and quoted in Nerdwallet, Bloomberg, Forbes, U.S. News & Money, USA Today, and other leading fina...
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UPDATED: Sep 4, 2024
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Sep 4, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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If you have a pet that travels in the car with you, you may be curious about what would happen if you were ever in a car accident. Would auto insurance cover any necessary vet bills if your pet were to get injured? Is there specific pet injury coverage you should carry in an auto insurance policy?
Because every auto insurance company handles things differently, you will need to check your policy to see whether your pet is covered in the event of a car accident.
- Pet injury coverage is often included in collision coverage for most auto insurance companies
- Most insurance companies will only cover dogs and cats that are injured in a car accident
- You will need to read through your current auto insurance policy to see if your pet is covered in the event of an accident
What happens if my pet is injured in a car accident?
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), around 70% of American families, or around 90.5 million families in the U.S., own at least one pet. Because many people travel with their pets in the car, pet safety in the event of a car accident is a significant concern for a lot of people.
There are some auto insurance companies that will help to pay for collision-related medical expenses, but there are plenty of insurance companies that do not include this type of coverage.
When it comes to pet injury coverage within an auto insurance policy, the basics tend to include:
- Reimbursement up to coverage limits for vet bills or burial expenses as a result of a car accident
- Coverage for the cost of a new pet
- Reimbursement up to coverage limits for damaged pet restraint or pet carrier equipment that was damaged as a result of a car accident
The coverage listed above is typically included in a collision insurance policy. If you only have liability, or if you have liability and comprehensive coverage without collision, your pet’s injuries may not be covered by your insurance policy.
Some insurance companies will not require you to meet your collision deductible before they pay for your pet’s injuries, but you will need to read through your policy to be sure.
If your auto insurance company does not include pet injury coverage within its collision coverage, you may have the option of purchasing an add-on to cover your pet.
Most auto insurance companies will limit pet injury coverage to dogs and cats. If you have another kind of pet in your car during an accident and that pet is injured, you may have to pay for any vet bills or burial costs out of your own pocket.
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What if my auto insurance doesn’t offer pet injury coverage?
If your auto insurance provider does not offer pet injury coverage, you can look into purchasing pet insurance that would cover your pet in a car accident. For pet parents who make a lot of trips to the vet — even for simple wellness routines — pet insurance may be a wise investment.
You can also shop around to find auto insurance that would cover your pet if you’re ever in an accident. It may be possible to find a collision policy that includes pet injury coverage with cheap auto insurance rates compared to what you currently pay.
Be sure to use our free quote tool below to find and compare collision auto insurance rates from top companies in your area today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pet injury auto insurance coverage?
Pet injury auto insurance coverage is an optional add-on to your auto insurance policy that provides coverage for veterinary expenses if your pet is injured in a car accident. This coverage helps cover the cost of veterinary bills, medications, and other necessary treatments for your injured pet.
Does my standard auto insurance policy cover injuries to my pet?
No, a standard auto insurance policy typically does not cover injuries to pets. Liability coverage in an auto insurance policy is designed to cover injuries to other people and their property, not injuries to pets or animals.
What does pet injury auto insurance coverage typically include?
The specifics of pet injury auto insurance coverage can vary depending on the insurance company and policy. However, it generally includes coverage for reasonable and necessary veterinary expenses resulting from a covered car accident. This can include emergency care, surgery, medication, and other treatments deemed necessary for your pet’s recovery.
Are all pets covered under pet injury auto insurance?
The coverage under pet injury auto insurance typically extends to dogs and cats. Some insurance companies may have specific breed restrictions or limitations on the number of pets covered. It’s important to review the policy details or consult with your insurance provider to understand the specific coverage for your pets.
Is pet injury auto insurance coverage mandatory?
Pet injury auto insurance coverage is not mandatory and is considered an optional coverage. Whether or not you choose to add this coverage to your auto insurance policy depends on your personal preference and the value you place on protecting your pets in the event of a car accident.
How do I add pet injury auto insurance coverage to my policy?
To add pet injury auto insurance coverage to your policy, you can typically contact your insurance provider or agent and inquire about the availability and cost of adding this coverage. They can guide you through the process and provide you with the necessary information and options to include pet injury coverage.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Jeff Root
Licensed Insurance Agent
Jeff is a well-known speaker and expert in insurance and financial planning. He has spoken at top insurance conferences around the U.S., including the InsuranceNewsNet Super Conference, the 8% Nation Insurance Wealth Conference, and the Digital Life Insurance Agent Mastermind. He has been featured and quoted in Nerdwallet, Bloomberg, Forbes, U.S. News & Money, USA Today, and other leading fina...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.