Pets ride in cars all the time, but what if they’re injured in a car accident? Whose car insurance company pays to treat their injuries? The answer depends on the cause of the accident.
Riding in cars can be dangerous for pets (as well as distracting to the driver), especially because they ride without the benefit of seat belts. If someone crashes into you and causes injuries to your pet, you’re entitled to make a “third-party claim” with their car insurance company for your pet’s medical bills. That’s because their liability car insurance policy must put you “back where you were” before the accident.
If you are at-fault in a car accident in which your pet is injured, you’ll want to check your car insurance policy for exclusions. Say you crash into another car or a fence: Collision insurance pays for the repairs to your own vehicle. But you may have an exclusion on your collision insurance coverage for damage to personal property that you are transporting, whether it’s your antique vase or your pet. If your car insurance policy has such exclusions, you won’t have a valid claim. For example, State Farm says that its policies don’t provide coverage for pet injuries. Car insurance coverage may vary depending on the car insurance company, so be sure to carefully check your policy.
In this scenario, if you don’t carry collision coverage at all, you must pay for all damage from the accident, including your car and pet.
Perhaps someone comes to visit you and your dog goes to lie down under their car. Then, unknowingly, the visitor backs over your pet. Is the visitor liable for your dog’s injuries? Yes, he is, but not under the bodily injury section of his car insurance policy. Bodily injury pays out for injuries sustained by any “one person” in an accident. Your pet doesn’t qualify as a person so he’s not covered by this portion of the car insurance policy policy.
However, for car insurance purposes, your pet qualifies as your “personal property,” and you have the right to be “put back where you were” before the accident in this case, meaning having a healthy dog. You’d have the right to make a claim on your visitor’s car insurance policy for your dog’s medical bills, just as you would have the right to make a claim if the driver backed over your lawnmower.
The death of a pet
Certainly pets are part of the “family,” and the death of a beloved pet can lead to extreme grief. But your pet’s status as your “personal property” may limit your options for compensation if someone causes an accident that kills your pet. State laws do not recognize the loss of personal property as valid claims for “loss of companionship” compensation, unlike the loss of a spouse. In the event your pet is killed in an accident, you can likely make a claim only for the “market value” of your pet.
Some courts have allowed damages for deceased pets to go beyond “market value” by applying “pecuniary value” or “special value,” which applies to personal property that has no ascertainable market value.
Tips for traveling by car with pets
Source: American Veterinary Medical Association
-Cats should be in a cage or in a cat carrier to allow them to feel secure and prevent them from crawling under your feet while you are driving.
-A dog that must ride in a truck bed should be in a protective kennel that is fastened to the truck bed.
-Dogs riding in a car should not ride in the passenger seat if it is equipped with an airbag, and should not be allowed to sit on the driver’s lap.
-Harnesses, tethers and other accessories to secure pets during car travel are available at most pet stores.
-Pets should not be allowed to ride with their heads outside car windows. Particles of dirt or other debris can enter the eyes, ears and nose, causing injury or infection.
Car insurance coverage for pets has been a long standing issue between car insurance companies and pet owners. There are certain scenarios in which car insurance policies do cover pets, as well as those that do not. It is important to be safe when traveling with pets in your car, hopefully you will remember the tips that we provided. Check with your car insurance company to determine if your pet is covered by your car insurance policy.
Amy Danise is an editor for Insure.com. Visit Insure.com for a comprehensive array of comparative auto, life and health quotes, including a vast library of originally authored insurance articles and decision-making tools that are not available from any other single source. Insure.com is dedicated to providing impartial insurance information to consumers. Visitors can obtain instant insurance quotes from more than 200 leading insurers, achieve maximum savings and have the freedom to buy from any company shown.
Although each car is different from the other there is one aspect which is common to all – the need for car insurance. Irrespective of its make, model and price, every car owner needs to get their car insured to protect it from the various perils that it is exposed to in its day-to-day usage. However, it is important to look at the different benefits and risk coverage offered by the insurance company before getting the car insured. Usually, the insurance provider that offers a whole lot of benefits at low premium rates is deemed to be the best.
In Australia, there are some car insurance companies that provide flexible, convenient and affordable car insurance. These car insurers offer multiple insurance benefits and cover the automobile against damage/loss of the car, damage caused to other vehicles or damage caused to other people or their property by the use of the insured car. The best part is that you get all these benefits at a very low cost premium! The premium amount of the car is variable, and depends upon some factors such as:
- The make, model and price of the automobile - The driving history and age of the people driving the car - Any optional factory extra accessories that are fitted in the car - The policy holder’s residential address - The finance arrangement of the car
Depending upon these factors, the car’s premium value is calculated.
Most of us never realise the importance of a car insurance policy until we have to make an insurance claim. This can also be when we realise that we have been literally taken for a ride! Since most of us overlook all that is written between the fine lines of the car insurance policy papers, we are never able to fully comprehend the risks we are covered against. The best way to avoid this is to go for comprehensive online car insurance. This would ensure that you get a low cost car insurance policy that covers your automobile against most of the risks and hazards.
Some Australian car insurance companies offer low cost car insurance and also facilitate an easy claim process. They provide low cost car insurance with high risk coverage against accidental and malicious damage, fire or theft for the insured car and physical injury of the car owner. Apart from this, the online car insurance offered by them also covers collision, physical and property damage for third parties. This ensures that your car is covered against all the possible problems that you can face.
Having decided to take an indefinite career break, Hugh is touring Australia in his ute and paying his way by writing freelance.
From lowering your insurance premiums to adding a teen driver to your policy, buying car insurance can be a confusing, overwhelming, and expensive process. However, it is a necessary part of life, and can save you a lot of stress and money in the future. It may seem like a daunting task, but there is an easier way to shop for car insurance quotes and rates. Before shopping for car insurance, read these frequently asked questions to ensure you get the best possible car insurance rate.
Q: Am I required to have car insurance?
A: Almost every state requires that you carry liability car insurance, which pays when you do damage to others. States that require liability car insurance each set minimum limits that you must have; even in states that don’t require car insurance, you must show proof of financial responsibility, meaning evidence that you can pay for any damage you cause.
Buying collision and comprehensive car insurance, and other optional coverage to protect yourself financially, is your own choice.
Q: Do I need to buy car insurance before I buy a new car?
A: If this is your first car and you don’t already have car insurance, you’ll need it before you drive the car off the lot. In addition, if you’re financing the vehicle, your lender will likely require you to have insurance at the time of the purchase.
If you have car insurance and you’re replacing your car, you generally have 14 to 30 days to notify your car insurance company of the purchase. Your car insurance rate will then be adjusted based on the new vehicle model. Make sure you inform your car insurance company about the new car within the appropriate window, or you could be driving without coverage.
If you’re adding a new car, rules vary by car insurance company. For example, some car insurers provide automatic coverage for the additional car, but you must still notify them within 30 days, while other car insurers provide no automatic coverage for additional cars.
Q: How can I lower my car insurance rates?
A: First, comparison shop for car insurance quotes to make sure you’re not overpaying. Then, always make sure you are getting all the discounts to which you’re entitled.
When you’re shopping for a new car, you can ask your insurer how much your car insurance rates will go up or down based on the vehicles you’re considering. For example, vehicles with high theft rates will cost more to insure.
There are other ways to reduce car insurance rates, although you’ll increase your potential financial risk. For example, you can increase your deductibles if you can pay more out-of-pocket in the event of an accident. And on older cars you might consider dropping collision or comprehensive coverage if repair costs will likely exceed the value of the car.
It’s generally not a good idea to save money by reducing your liability limits to your state minimums – that opens you up to substantial financial risk.
Q: How can I lower my car insurance rates for my teen driver?
A: First, don’t rush out to add your child to your policy when he/she is just starting to learn; you may be able to wait until he has his permanent license, which buys you some time before you start paying car insurance premiums on your teenager.
Second, find out if there are discounts your teen may be able to get, such as a “good grades” discount.
Third, consider buying an older, low-profile car for your teen to drive that will be less expensive to insure.
Most importantly, your teen driver needs to keep a clean record and follow any “graduated licensing” laws in your state; a teen with an accident record is an expensive proposition, no matter how much you comparison shop for a car insurance quote.
Shopping for car insurance can be much easier for you with the advice and tips above. Car insurance companies provide you with a very valuable service, but that doesn’t mean you should have to pay top dollar. Comparing car insurance rates can be time-consuming, but it will save you a lot of money in the future.
Amy Danise is an editor for Insure.com. Visit Insure.com for a comprehensive array of comparative auto, life and health quotes, including a vast library of originally authored insurance articles and decision-making tools that are not available from any other single source. Insure.com is dedicated to providing impartial insurance information to consumers. Visitors can obtain instant insurance quotes from more than 200 leading insurers, achieve maximum savings and have the freedom to buy from any company shown.
*New York State Auto/Car Insurance Coverage Laws Explained We have two types of insurance in New York State required of every motor vehicle. One deals with no fault insurance, which pays for medical benefits, lost wages, and some out of pocket expenses, regardless of fault. The other is liability insurance and they are not the same. What I want to urge each of you, is that you cover yourself as well as someone who is involved in a car accident with you. And by that I mean, if you carry $100000 worth of liability insurance, your protecting me, if you hit me with your car. If you get into a collision with another car, and you only have $25,0000 worth of underinsurance coverage, then you’re protecting yourself only to the extent of $25000. It pays for you to make certain that your underinsurance rates are as high as your regular insurance coverage. The cost is minimal and the protection is priceless. Now with no-fault insurance your medical expenses are paid. Within 30 days of the auto accident, you are required to notify your insurance company that you have been involved in a automobile accident. They will assign a claim number to your case. You will give that claim number to any treating doctor/physician or any other medical provider and they will bill your insurance company directly regardless who is at fault in this car accident. Your insurance company will submit you to a physical examination by a doctor of their own choosing in about 30 days after you start receiving …
Auto insurance is one industry which always remains full of activity due to several various reasons. Most of the potential auto insurance buyers do not get correct and timely information about the suitable coverage they need, the extent of risk that must be covered by them, cost of coverages, claim processing, customer service, etc. For this very reason, the internet has provided a way to help consumers complete a car insurance comparison to ensure that they are receiving reliable protection from a reputable company at an affordable price. Individual’s need to also take the time to understand the limits which are required by their particular state in order to be properly protected and abide by the state’s laws. Like any other state, Michigan requires that each owner and driver of an automobile must carry the proper liability coverage and it must be maintained at all times while their vehicle is being operated.
Minimum Liability:
Michigan auto insurance laws require No-fault insurance and it is against state law to operate a car without no-fault insurance. The minimum limits of a satisfactory policy issued has three parts:
Minimum BI/PD coverage limits for the state of Michigan
Up to $20,000 for a person who is injured or killed in an accident. Up to $40,000 for more than one person are hurt or killed. Up to $10,000 for property damage.
These limits are often described as 20/40/10.
However, in case of legal proceedings, courts sometimes award more than these minimum limit amounts. In such case, the insured would be responsible for paying the amount not covered by the limit on the policy. To protect themselves against these situations, consumers should compare additional coverage in order to ensure that they have adequate protection. If within a person’s budget, they can choose higher limits to protect against incurring financial hardship in the event that they are involved in a collision in which they are found to be at fault and their policy’s payout has been exhausted.
Obtaining and comparing auto insurance quotes for higher amounts of liability may surprise many, as they may find that the difference of being covered more extensively may not be as expensive as they thought. Similarly, there are some optional insurance coverages one may wish to consider. These optional coverages are not mandatory but can prove to be quite beneficial. Such options include collision and comprehensive coverage, which unlike basic liability, will compensate the insured if they suffers a loss and not just the other party.
The advantage of utilizing the internet for the purpose of receiving prices for premiums is that within minutes, web surfers can receive multiple rates from a variety of insurers. This gives them the opportunity to compare not only prices but the companies as well. Although price is important, the integrity of an insurer should be considered as well. There are agencies that rate carriers that anyone can access to help determine who they would like to do business with. The internet also provides a way for potential customers to make a comparison of different types of coverage which may benefit them. Quotes can be provided to inquirers free of charge and with absolutely no obligation. The option to purchase is also made available so that customers can become insured instantly and receive instant proof of insurance.
I am sure your quest for cheap car insurance has come to an end as you read this article. Yes, gone are those days when we have to search endlessly for cheap car insurance information or other such information like health insurance oh, car insurance, cheapest vehicle insurance, California low cost auto insurance program, insurance policies or even low cost auto insurance. Even without articles such as this, with the Internet all you have to do is log on and use any of the search engines to find the cheap car insurance information you need.
Lower the coverage company’s risk. Using seatbelts, not smoking, and having alarm systems can mean cheap coverage. Ask your agent about any discounts that are available.
Otherwise, saving money on sports cars works in much the same way as saving money on any form of car coverage, be a good driver and keep a clean record. coverage companies love clean records and will reward you with lower costs. Keeping the teenagers out of the driver’s seat is always a good idea, you wouldn’t want them behind the wheel of your powerful beast anyhow, and given that they are already four times more likely than adults to wrap the car around another object.
Teenage drivers – who also fall into the category of what coverage companies call “new drivers” – tend to pay the highest car coverage premiums of all. Most teens of course, are inexperienced drivers with no lengthy record of safe driving and the higher premiums are in place to cover the increased possibility of an auto accident. Statistics indicate that 16-year old drivers get into accidents almost 10 times more frequently than drivers aged between 30 and 59.
If you have the patience to go through the remainder of this article related to cheap car insurance you will certainly learn one or two things that will prove very helpful to you. Keep right on reading and be well informed about cheap car insurance and other related health insurance coverage quote, cheapest car ins, Missouri insurance car, cheap car hire insurance, auto insurance coverage and motor insurance information.
Finding affordable car coverage for students can be something of a challenge. coverage companies tend to classify students as “higher risk” along with teens and new drivers. Furthermore, of course, most students need all the savings they can possibly get. Unfortunately, car coverage isn’t cheap – a typical student pays anywhere from $3,500 to $13,000 in coverage premiums in a year.
Take precautions to theft proof your car. This can affect your risk profile immensely, apart from giving you a general peace of mind. Cars equipped with anti-lock brakes, air bags and automatic seatbelts are also eligible for coverage discounts.
Add your teen driver to your own car coverage policy. There is no reason to purchase a completely separate car coverage policy for your teen driver when you can add him or her to your own car coverage policy. This alone will save you money, and you may even be able to get a multi-policy discount, too. Ask your own car coverage agent.
Get rebates. Some states that allow “rebating”. California law, for example, allows agents to rebate part of their commission to you. If you live in a non-rebating state, find a California company online!
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