Veterinary Pet Insurance and Will My Car Insurance Cover My Pet in an Accident?
July 11th, 2009 by admin
Veterinary Pet Insurance can cover a wide array of pet health issues, and if you drive with your pet quite often, travel with your pet or drive long distances with your pet, you should know what will be the best policy to cover any issues should you be in a car accident with your beloved pet.
I recently saw an accident that involved some large dogs in the back of a pickup truck. It was sad and so tragic to see the owner/driver so distraught over his beautiful dogs which were obviously injured in the accident. Another passenger with the driver was being consoled by a police officer who had arrived to the scene of the accident. This can happen to any pet lover that travels or drives with their pets, even when the pets are properly restrained and you take every effort to keep your pet safe. You simply cannot know at any time getting into your vehicle that you will not encounter other drivers who may be under the influence, poor drivers, and uninsured motorists. Even road debris, road conditions and other variables can cause an accident that could cause an injury to your four-legged friend. Tell Me More About Pet Insurance! Free Quote!
Your pet would be entitled to a third-party claim if someone hits your vehicle while you are driving. However, if you are at-fault, you may want to check your auto insurance policy; there might be exclusions. For example, your collision coverage (if you have it) will pay for the damage and repairs to your car, but exceptions include the transport of personal property, such as a fragile box, a television set, or your pet. In this case, your pet will not be covered.
Your pet is your personal property, according to many auto insurance companies, which means that if your pet was injured in a car accident and it’s the other driver’s fault, you have the right to file a claim in order for your pet to be as it was before the time of the accident. However, if a pet’s passing is the result of the car accident, your compensation would be limited, since most insurance companies do not consider the loss of pets to fall under “loss of companionship” compensation because they are deemed “personal property.” Therefore, you may only make a claim for the market value of your pet, if they died in a car accident.
Note: some courts have actually allowed deceased pets to be deemed “pecuniary value” or “special value.” This is for personal property that has unlimited market value.
Protecting Your Pet For Optimal Auto Insurance
It is important that your pet is well protected, if you decide to take them along on a cruise in your vehicle. Therefore, be sure to follow these tips to ensure your pet has ultimate protection against other drivers as you drive:
•Make sure to keep your cat in a cat carrier or in a suitable cage. This will prevent them from roaming throughout your vehicle and eliminate distraction for you.
•Dogs should ride in the back of the car at all times. If you have a truck, dogs should ride on the truck bed in a comfortable kennel that is fastened to the vehicle.
•Do not let your pet ride with their heads out of the vehicle to prevent injury or infection due to dust particles or other passing vehicles.
Researching Pets And Auto Insurance Is Highly Encouraged
If you like to know more about car insurance and pets, you should research more on the topic, because it is a serious issue being addressed by many pet owners. Your pet is your family member, and it should be treated as one. Make sure you know what to expect with your auto insurance policy, before you and your pet live through a car accident together. Furthermore, if your auto insurance policy does not cover your pets, get a quote from a pet insurance policy that will. Simply the Best Pet Insurance - Let Us Prove It!
Author: Tom Lustina
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Lustina
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