Does car insurance cover hitting a dog?

Every car accident is upsetting, but you may be especially concerned when you hit a dog while driving. You’ll want to do the right thing following the incident, but you may also be worried about the damage. In this case, will your car insurance cover you? We know that this can be a challenging time, and you need answers, so we have researched for you.

Does auto insurance cover hit dogs?

You will need comprehensive or collision coverage in place to file a car insurance claim if you hit a dog while driving. You will not be able to file a claim if you only have liability insurance.

Whether you need comprehensive or collision depends on the nature of the accident and if the animal was alive and moving at the time of the crash.

Does liability insurance cover dogs?

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.

This is different from a crash involving a pedestrian. If you hit a pedestrian, your bodily injury liability coverage would pay for their medical treatment if you were at fault for failing to yield. Insurance companies consider an animal to be personal property instead.

Read more: Does car insurance cover hitting a pedestrian?

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Are vet bills paid by car insurance?

No, a car insurance company will not pay for vet bills. If the animal was loose and running down the road, it was not under its owner’s control. The owner will have been negligent, and technically, you are not at fault. 

Also, remember that the pet is considered personal property for insurance purposes.

Who pays for a car hitting a dog?

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

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. Remember that you will need to pay a deductible before turning to the insurer for the other costs.

When an insurance company pays you for the damage, it may also try to recover the costs from the dog’s owner. The insurer will consider that person negligent when allowing the animal to run free or not taking the necessary precautions.

Will the insurance company raise rates following a claim?

When you file a comprehensive claim after hitting an animal running loose in the road, this will not impact your rates. However, the insurance company may increase your future rates if you file a collision claim after hitting a dead animal. In this situation, it may consider the incident to have been avoidable.

What should you do when you hit a dog?

In most states, such as New York, you must stop and try to find the owner of a dog you hit with your car or call the police. If you do not and the police consider this accident a hit-and-run, you may be required to pay a fine. At this point, the police will probably ask you for proof of insurance.

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Will my car insurance cover hitting a dog?

Your car insurance will provide coverage if you hit a dog, so long as you have the right policy. You will need comprehensive coverage if you hit a moving animal or collision coverage if you hit an injured or dead dog lying on the road. Your premiums may increase if you claim your collision coverage. The insurance company will not pay vet bills as the animal is considered personal property, and the owner may be negligent.

Case Studies: Car Insurance Coverage for Accidents Involving Dogs

Case Study 1: Comprehensive Coverage for Hitting a Dog

Sarah owns a comprehensive car insurance policy. One day, while driving in a residential area, a dog suddenly darts across the road, and Sarah is unable to avoid hitting it. The collision causes damage to her vehicle, including a cracked bumper and broken headlights. Sarah immediately contacts her insurance company to file a claim.

Since she has comprehensive coverage, her insurance company covers the cost of repairs to her car, minus her deductible. The insurance company assesses the damages and arranges for the necessary repairs to be made. Sarah is relieved that she has comprehensive coverage, as it provides her with the financial support she needs to get her car repaired without incurring significant out-of-pocket expenses.

Case Study 2: Collision Coverage for Hitting a Dead Dog

Mike is driving on a rural road when he comes across a deceased dog lying in the middle of the lane. Unable to avoid it, his car collides with the dog, causing damage to the front end of his vehicle. Mike has collision coverage as part of his car insurance policy.

He contacts his insurance company and files a claim. Since the collision involved hitting an inanimate object (the dead dog), it falls under the coverage provided by his collision insurance. Mike pays his deductible, and the insurance company covers the remaining costs to repair his car.

Although it was an unfortunate incident, Mike is grateful for his collision coverage, which helps him get his vehicle back on the road without bearing the full financial burden of the repairs.

Case Study 3: Liability Coverage for Hitting a Dog

Emily has a liability-only car insurance policy. While driving in her neighborhood, she accidentally hits a dog that runs out into the street. The dog’s owner witnesses the incident and confronts Emily, demanding compensation for the veterinary bills.

Emily explains that her insurance policy only covers liability, which means it protects her from claims made by third parties for bodily injury or property damage she causes to others. Unfortunately, Emily’s liability coverage does not provide coverage for damages to her own vehicle or injuries to animals.

In this case, Emily will need to handle the costs associated with repairing her car and any potential legal obligations separately, as they are not covered by her insurance policy.

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