Are Dogs Hit by Cars Covered by Car Insurance?
- Whether an auto insurance company will pay in the instance of a dog's injury in an accident can be decided by who was at fault. If a driver other than the pet owner is determined to be at fault, that person's insurance company may pay some expenses associated with the pet's injury.
- If a pet owner hits his dog with a car, it is unlikely the auto insurance company will pay. Most insurance policies note that only bodily injuries to humans are covered by a policy. If a driver injures a pet while driving, the insurance company will not pay for the pet's injuries, because the owner would be deemed at fault in the car crash.
- If someone else's pet dies on a person's property as the result of a car accident or by other means, the homeowner can make a claim for the pet under his or her liability insurance. There is typically no deductible for liability insurance, and the pet will be valued as property.
- The insurance provider will pay if a dog covered by a pet insurance plan with accident coverage is hit by a car. Pet insurance companies typically do not ask who was at fault in an accident, but accidental coverage is an add-on to most pet insurance plans and does not come standard. Some auto insurers also provide additional pet coverage that can be added to a policy.
