Car Insurance With Pet Injury Coverage

Car accidents can be costly and stressful enough, but if your pet is riding shotgun and is injured, it can unleash a pack of extra bills that can hound you while you’re coping with the emotional distress in the aftermath. Some car insurance policies help pay for collision-related medical costs for a pet, which leaves you more cash for get-well treats and toys.

Here are the basics of pet injury coverage in auto insurance policies:

• Pet injury insurance reimburses you, up to the coverage limits, for vet bills and burial expenses if your pet is riding in your car when you have an accident and is injured or dies as a result of the car accident.
• Pet injury insurance also often covers the cost of a new pet.
• Typically, this benefit falls under the collision coverage on your car insurance policy. Collision insurance is optional, and pays to repair or replace your vehicle regardless of who caused the accident. It has a deductible, which is the amount the insurance company subtracts from your claim check.
• Many insurance companies waive the collision deductible for pet injury claims, but others may not.
• Though it’s rare, pet injury coverage is included automatically as part of standard coverage from a few auto insurance companies.
• In some cases you have to pay for add-on coverage beyond collision insurance to get pet injury coverage.
• Pet injury coverage is commonly limited to dogs and cats.
• The pet must be owned by you or a household member.
• The pet must be in the car during the time of the accident.

Not all car insurance companies include accident coverage for pets, and details vary among those that do.

Here’s a roundup of some auto insurers that provide injury coverage for furry friends.

Acuity

If you have an Acuity car insurance policy with collision coverage, the company pays up to $500 for vet bills and services if you have an accident and your dog or cat is hurt or dies as a result. The benefit is capped at $500, regardless of the number of pets or claims. These expenses will only be paid within one year of the date of the car accident.

Chubb

If your pet dies or is injured in an accident in your car or trailer, Chubb will pay up to $2,000 per accident in medical or burial expenses under your collision coverage, regardless of the number of pets involved. There is no deductible for pet injury coverage with Chubb.

Cincinnati Insurance Co.

Cincinnati Insurance Co. includes pet injury coverage of up to $2,000 with its Capstone Auto Endorsement. The deductible is also waived under this add-on benefit when you file the claim.

Elephant Insurance

Pet injury coverage for dogs and cats is included in Elephant’s collision coverage. If your pet gets injured when riding with you at the time of the accident, you can file a claim and get up to $1,000 to help pay for vet bills and related expenses. Elephant Insurance covers up to two pets with this coverage.

Erie Insurance

Pet injury coverage is included in all Erie car insurance policies. If your pet is hurt in an accident while riding in your car, an Erie policy will pay up to $500 per pet, with a total limit of $1,000 for associated medical costs. Be aware that Erie is only available in 12 states and Washington, D.C.

The Hanover

Pet injury protection at The Hanover pays up to $2,500 for medical expenses and burial costs if your pet is injured while in your car when an accident occurs. There is no deductible for pet injury protection.

The Hartford

You must have collision coverage to buy add-on pet injury benefits from The Hartford, and you have to purchase it for each individual car if you want all the vehicles on your policy covered. This coverage reimburses you for medical costs if your dog or cat is injured while a passenger in your car, or for the cost to buy another pet if yours dies.

Integon

Integon will pay up to $1,000 per incident of pet injury, regardless of the number of pets involved. If you have multiple incidents, Integon’s pet injury coverage caps benefits at $3,000 for a policy term for vet bills or the cost to buy a new pet.

If you are in the hospital and unable to care for your pet, Integon will pay $25 per day and up to $125 per policy term for pet boarding fees. If your pet is missing after an accident, Integon will pay $75 per policy period for recovery costs. If pet-related travel equipment is damaged in the accident, Integon will pay $125 per policy period to replace the equipment. There is no deductible for pet protection coverage with Integon.

Metromile

Pet injury coverage for dogs and cats that you or your relatives own is included in Metromile car insurance policies that have comprehensive and collision coverage. Metromile provides pay-per-mile car insurance that calculates your monthly bill partially on how many miles you drive. (Metromile was recently acquired by Lemonade Insurance.)

A pet’s injuries will also be covered if you have an accident while driving someone else’s car. Metromile pays up to $1,000 for vet’s fees, regardless of how many pets are injured. If your dog or cat passes away because of an auto accident, you can receive $1,000 in death compensation, deducting any payments for vet expenses. If your pet is left in your car and the car is stolen and your pet is not found, you may receive up to $1,000 in compensation. There is no deductible.

Nationwide

Nationwide’s pet injury insurance comes with collision coverage. It pays up to $1,000 for treatment and medicine for your dogs and cats when injured in your car during an accident. The benefit also pays out if your pet dies. There is no limit on the number of animals that are covered. There is no deductible.

Progressive

Progressive pays up to $1,000 for medical care for your dog or cat if they are hurt during a car accident and you have collision insurance.

PURE

Reasonable vet expenses are paid for injuries to a pet you’re caring for or own when the animal is riding in the car and is injured in a car accident. This coverage applies to PURE car insurance policies with collision coverage, and you’re also covered if you’re borrowing a car. Pet injury coverage from PURE has no deductible.

Pet Injury Coverage FAQ