I have a pet that travels with me. What happens if I get into an accident and my pet gets hurt? Will the insurance pay for the damage?

By definition, pets are classified as personal property. The way they would be treated depends on the claim:

• You can make a third party claim (a claim to the other driver’s insurance) for your pet’s medical bills. That goes to the concept that states liability insurance must place you back where you were prior to the accident.

• If you were at fault for the accident and have to turn to your collision coverage, check the policy. Collision will pay for the repairs on your car. However, there may be an exclusion on damage to personal property you may be transporting. That could be either your cat or a guitar. If that exclusion is present, your claim for pet medical bills will not be paid. If you do not have collision coverage, you will have to pay for the bills yourself.

If your pet is killed, you most likely will only be able to make a claim for the market value of the pet, just like any other piece of property.

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