Does Car Insurance Cover Hitting a Dog? Coverage and Exclusions

Car insurance can be a lifesaver, but what happens if you accidentally hit a dog while driving? The good news is that most car insurance policies will cover damage to your vehicle and injuries to you or your passengers, regardless of whether the dog is a pedestrian or a vehicle.

However, the coverage and exclusions can get a bit murky, especially when it comes to the dog itself. If you hit a dog, you may be liable for the animal's medical expenses, and your insurance company may not cover these costs.

In some states, such as California, you may be required to pay for the dog's medical expenses if you're found at fault in the accident. This is because California law requires drivers to stop and provide assistance to injured animals, just as they would for injured humans.

The type of car insurance you have can also impact how much you'll have to pay out of pocket for the dog's medical expenses. If you have liability-only insurance, you may be responsible for paying for the dog's medical expenses yourself.

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Liability coverage is a fundamental part of your auto insurance, but it's not designed to cover damages to your vehicle or pet injuries. Bodily injury liability covers medical expenses and other related costs for injuries to other individuals involved in an accident you caused, while property damage liability pays for damage to someone else's property.

If you hit a pet, property damage liability is usually the relevant part of your coverage. This means that if you're at fault for hitting a pet, your insurance company will help pay for the damage to the pet owner's property, such as their vehicle or personal belongings.

Unfortunately, liability insurance by itself will not pay for damage to your vehicle if you hit a dog. It will not cover vet bills or other costs either, as car insurance companies do not provide insurance for pet injuries.

If you hit a dog running loose in the street and you have comprehensive car insurance coverage, you can file a claim with your insurance company. In this case, an insurance company will consider such a collision unavoidable as the animal was moving.

Discover more: What to Do When You're Hit by a Car?

However, if you hit a dog that was already dead or injured on the road, it now becomes an inanimate object. If you want your insurance company to pay for the damage in this situation, you will need collision car insurance coverage instead.

You can't rely on liability insurance to cover damages to your vehicle or pet injuries, but you can consider adding optional pet injury coverage as an add-on to your car insurance. This coverage helps pay for your pet's medical expenses if they are injured in a car accident.

For more insights, see: What Does Pet Insurance Usually Cover

Insurance coverage for hitting a dog can be a bit tricky. Typically, car insurance covers hitting a pet, but there are some exceptions and exclusions to be aware of.

Uninsured motorist coverage may come into play if the owner of the pet can't be identified. This means you'll need to rely on your own insurance to cover the costs.

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Intentional acts can also impact your coverage. If it's determined that you intentionally hit the dog, your insurance company may deny coverage altogether.

Animal negligence is another factor to consider. If you were driving recklessly or negligently, knowing there were pets in the area, your coverage could be impacted.

Comprehensive coverage is an optional type of insurance that provides protection against various types of damage, including hitting an animal.

Here are some scenarios where comprehensive coverage might come into play:

If you hit a pet while driving, it's considered a form of property damage. This means the property damage liability portion of your car insurance can come into play.

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If you hit a dog with your car, your safety is the top priority. Pull over to a safe location and turn on your hazard lights.

You'll need to check on the dog, but be cautious as injured animals can be scared or aggressive. If it's safe to do so, assess the dog's condition and try to provide assistance if needed.

Consider reading: Renters Insurance Cover Dog Bites

You should report the incident to the local authorities or animal control. They can help locate the owner or take necessary actions.

To document the incident, take photos of the accident scene, the dog (if possible), and any damages to your vehicle. This documentation can be helpful when filing an insurance claim.

Here are the steps to follow in more detail:

In some cases, hitting a dog with your car can be covered by your car insurance policy. If you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance company will cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle, minus your deductible.

Sarah's experience is a great example of this. She was driving in a residential area when a dog suddenly darted across the road, and she was unable to avoid hitting it. Her insurance company covered the cost of repairs to her car, including a cracked bumper and broken headlights.

Collision coverage can also help if you hit a dog, even if it's a dead one. Mike's case shows that if you have collision coverage, your insurance company will cover the remaining costs to repair your car after you pay your deductible.

However, liability-only car insurance policies don't provide coverage for damages to your own vehicle or injuries to animals. Emily's situation is a good example of this. She hit a dog while driving, but her liability-only policy didn't cover the costs of repairing her car.

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Making a claim for hitting an animal with your car can indeed increase your insurance rates. Your rates might go up if you make a claim for running into an animal.

The cost of your auto insurance is based on various factors, including the insurance company you're with, your driving record, and claims history.

A comprehensive claim typically doesn't raise premiums as much as a collision claim. If you submit a claim for an animal-related accident, you can see an increase in your price at your next renewal.

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