Does Car Insurance Cover Transporting Pets?
Pets are an important part of many households, and are treated like family by most pet owners. Besides the fact that pet owners often treat their pets like beloved children, they also spend billions of dollars a year on pet care – from the basics like food and treats, to boarding and play dates, to expensive surgeries and medication.
As such, it is not surprising that pet owners are concerned about their pet’s safety while they are passengers in a vehicle, just as drivers look out for their own safety and that of their human passengers. However, for many years, car insurance companies did not offer coverage for pets riding in motor vehicles. This was traditionally covered by a separate insurance plan, so that a pet insurance comparison would be necessary as well as comparing car insurance rates.
Image by Charlie Brewer
Pet Cover in Transit
A few years ago, several insurance companies saw the need for pet owners to have some form of assurance that they will have financial support for necessary veterinary treatment should anything happen to their pets while in a motor vehicle. Several companies started offering this coverage as an extension to comprehensive car insurance plans for customers who wanted to purchase it. Although many insurers don’t advertise it as an option, you might want to ask your insurance representative whether additional pet cover is available. It may make sense, if you regularly drive with your pet in the car.
This kind of insurance is different from a normal pet insurance policy, and does not cover the everyday veterinary bills or other expenses a pet incurs. It starts when a pet rides in a vehicle and ends when the pet gets out. Nowadays, many companies worldwide are offering insurance for pets during car rides.
What Car Insurance to Look For
When looking for car insurance that offers cover for you, your vehicle, and your pets, keep in mind that coverage differs between individual insurers, and there is no blanket standard. Many companies will only offer coverage for domestic household animals, so make sure you read all the fine print in the policy. Animals used for income, such as racehorses and cows, are generally excluded from this coverage as well, so you may need to consider business insurance if you want cover to include such animals.
Also, you should consider the likely cost of emergency medical care for your pet, versus the cost of the additional premium for pet cover as part of your car insurance. You may find that getting this option with your car insurance is not as cost effective as a traditional pet insurance policy, or simply paying out of pocket for your pet’s medical needs in the event of an accident.
Take a look at your options and decide which car insurance cover you think might be best for you, your pet and your budget. There are many websites that offer a car insurance comparison with pet coverage, so that you can easily see what the terms are and ask for a quote. Remember that you might still want to take out a separate pet insurance plan if you want to cover all your bases, so it’s good to weigh the pros and cons of everything before making a decision regarding car insurance and your pet.
This article contains general advice about car insurance. The author has not taken into account your financial situation or needs and you should consider whether the advice provided is appropriate for your own circumstances before relying on it.
Filed Under: Insurance Tips
