Pet Coverage: Does Car Insurance Cover Pets?

Car insurance can cover pets in some cases, whether you’ve hit a dog or cat or you’ve gotten into an accident with a pet in the car. The term “pet coverage” also applies to wild animals, so the same rules apply if you hit a wild deer as if you hit someone’s pet.

What’s Covered: Collision and Liability

• Unintentional collisions: As long as you hit a pet unintentionally, collision coverage would cover any damage to your car. But note that no state requires collision insurance, so it’s something you’d have to add to your policy optionally.
• Pets’ veterinarian bills and other expenses: Pets may feel like members of the family, but in the eyes of the law, they’re your property. If you hit someone else’s pet with your car, liability coverage will cover the pet’s veterinary bills and any other expenses under property damage coverage. Unlike collision coverage, property damage coverage is required in every state except New Hampshire and Virginia, so if you have car insurance, you’ll have this minimum coverage.

Let’s dive into the ins and outs of liability and collision coverage, which together make up pet coverage in car insurance.

Costs

Collision and liability coverage costs $947.64 a year on average, although the price depends on many factors, including which state you live in. Find your state’s average liability and collision coverage costs below.

• Liability coverage: Liability coverage is not only worth it, it’s a requirement in every state that requires auto insurance. It covers bodily injuries as well as property damage. If you unintentionally hit a pet and it’s your fault, property damage coverage means you wouldn’t have to pay for the pet’s medical care out of pocket. Considering that a broken bone can cost an average of $2,371 for a dog or $2,257 for a cat,³ paying an average of $596.96 annually for liability coverage is worth it.
• Collision coverage: Collision coverage is worth it for any new car that you drive on roads, because property damage coverage only covers damages to the other party’s property in at-fault accidents. If you get into a collision with a pet (or any other property) that’s your fault, collision coverage would also cover the damage to your car.

If you’re in an accident with a pet in the car, your property damage to either your vehicle or your pet may or may not be covered.

At-Fault Accidents

In an at-fault accident, collision coverage would still cover your property damage to both your car and your pet (if it had any injuries).

Not-at-Fault Accidents

If you weren’t at fault in an accident with your pet in the car, the at-fault party would pay your property damage costs. If the other party lacks insurance or has inadequate insurance, you could get covered under uninsured motorist coverage if you have it. If you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage, you may have to either pay out of pocket for your damages or file a subrogation claim, meaning your insurance carrier would sue the other party to receive damages.

Any car insurance company can provide pet coverage under liability and collision coverage. To find the right one for you, check out our list of car insurance companies.

Car insurance isn’t the only type of insurance that covers pets.

Pet Health Insurance

If you are a pet parent, we recommend getting pet insurance, which can cover your pet’s vet bills if they are injured in an accident or otherwise ill.⁴ Pet insurance is, in a nutshell, health insurance for pets, with coverage for the following:

• Hospitalization
• Lab tests
• Prescriptions
• Surgeries
• X-rays⁴

Whether or not an accident is your fault, pet insurance can cover your pet’s veterinary bills.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Pets?

Homeowners insurance only covers damage that your pet does to someone else’s property, like if they chew on your neighbor’s curtains. It doesn’t apply to car accidents.

While it’s always a good time to cruise with your beloved best friend, you should take certain precautions to make sure your pet is safe and sound.

1. Don’t let them hang out of the window. Once you start driving, close the window so your pet can’t hang their head out.
2. Roll down the windows. If you have to leave your pet in the car, make sure you crack a window so they don’t get too hot.⁵
3. Take breaks. Just as you need rest stops during a long car ride, make sure your dog is also getting enough snacks, water, and bathroom time.
4. Use a belt or harness. We recommend securing your pet with either a seat belt or a pet harness. In Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, you’re legally required to harness your dog while driving.⁶
5. Keep them in a crate. You could also use a travel crate to house your pet. Put a blanket over it to prevent your dog from barking at other dogs.
6. Use a fence. If you don’t want to put your pet in a crate, install a fence in your car that separates the front seats from the back seats. Make sure you get a fence that fits your type of car, as they’re not one-size-fits-all.

That’s everything you need to know about car insurance and pet coverage, but keep reading for even more answers to the questions we’ve come across the most.