How to Protect Your Pet with Auto Insurance

Auto insurance claims are designed to take care of the individuals that are harmed in an accident along with the vehicles that they drive. By taking care of everyone that was involved in an auto accident the insurance company is playing by the definition of indemnity. Indemnity in insurance is the act of getting you back to where you were before the accident you were involved in happened. Up until now most auto insurance companies did not consider your pet along the same lines as you and your vehicle, now some are doing just that.

For many years your pet's vet bills would have been paid under the other party's primary liability coverage as the pet was injured. However, this was only if the other party was completely responsible for the accident, if not, the burden would fall to your insurance. Most auto insurance companies did not provide coverage under the owner's coverage for the longest time.

Say you were in an auto accident that was your fault and your pet was in the vehicle and had to go to the veterinarian to treat minor injuries. This was not covered under any of your coverage and your pet was treated as they were almost invisible. As auto insurance companies try to catch up with the times this approach is changing and many auto insurance companies are offering the coverage for your pet.

For some auto insurance companies this coverage will automatically be a part of your collision coverage if you elect to have it. You would still be required to pay your collision deductible first, but once it is paid your pet's bills would be covered just the same as your own. Just remember, if you were to decline your collision coverage in this instance you would be declining coverage for your pet as well.

Other auto insurance companies are offering pet insurance through your policy, but only as a specifically separate coverage. This coverage, referred to as an "endorsement" to your policy, would specifically list what is and is not covered for your pet. This is the best way to get the coverage because if your vehicle was not damaged but your pet was injured you wouldn't have to pay the collision deductible.

In the end the coverage you get for your pet from your auto insurance company may not be ideal, but what you can get now is better than it has ever been. If you have questions about how your auto insurance company approaches pet coverage you should contact your insurance agent.