1. Personal Protection:
With insurance, you can get a reasonable amount of money back if your pet is ever harmed in an accident. General liability insurance covers damage caused to third parties and property damage resulting from an insured’s negligence. This protects you against damages that are not covered in the policy.
2. Personal Property:
Personal property includes all of your personal belongings inside the automobile. This includes your pets and any other items you will use regularly. It is common for small items to cause a lot of damage in accidents, which is why personal property insurance is so important.
3. Medical Expenses:
Suppose you need medical attention, including pet care, after an accident. In that case, general liability insurance may cover some or all of the expenses incurred due to injuries or damages caused by someone else’s negligence. Personal injury insurance may also cover similar expenses if they have been caused by you or by another insured member’s actions or inactions, regardless of fault.
4. Collision Coverage:
Collision coverage will help pay expenses associated with damaged or destroyed vehicles. This includes the cost of a rental car, towing, or any other expenses that may occur during an accident.
5. Comprehensive Coverage:
Comprehensive coverage can help pay for any damages associated with your vehicles, such as vandalism or theft. It only pays out in the case of a loss, so it can reduce your premiums if you do not have too many claims. In some instances, pets are considered part of your household and are protected by your homeowner’s insurance policy. However, many policies do not cover animals and other household belongings. Some companies provide pet coverage; however, make sure you read the fine print before buying.
6. Death Benefit:
This benefit is only given to those who die during an accident or cause of death caused by another person’s negligence. It pays out if the insured dies within five years of the accident or cause of death, regardless of whether the beneficiary is already dead.
7. Additional Benefits:
Some insurance companies may provide extra coverage such as medical-related visits, physical examinations, prescriptions, funeral expenses, and counseling for emotional distress or mental trauma from an accident with your pet.
Choosing to insure your pet can be very difficult. The benefits you may receive may not seem very substantial at first. However, as with most financial decisions, choosing the right policy is important. Several different types of policies are available on the market today, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Before you choose a particular policy, some questions have to be answered:
a. Do I have a medium or large breed dog?
b. Would I like any coverage for my pet?
c. What is my deductible amount?
d. How much do I want to pay per year for insurance?
Types of General Insurance
1. Comprehensive:
This covers the damages caused by your pet and pays for any expenses resulting from a claim. This includes future veterinary bills and transportation charges if you need to take your pet to a hospital. Comprehensive coverage is limited to no more than one deductible, meaning you will only receive reimbursement for the first damages that exceed the one deductible.
2. Collision:
Collision coverage pays for damage to other vehicles or pedestrians in an accident caused by your car. It also helps pay for lost or stolen items inside the car, such as tires and windows but does not cover any losses from vandalism or theft.
3. Comprehensive:
Comprehensive insurance covers your car against losses other than collision, including flooding and theft. It also helps compensate you for any of your pet’s injuries or damages caused to the vehicle and its contents.
4. Personal Property:
This covers any personal belongings not damaged during the accident or lost altogether. Your possessions are known as loss of use coverage; they provide Protection for expenses such as temporary housing, meals, etc. Comprehensive insurance may cover the damage if the policy is purchased, but there is no coverage if pets are involved in the accident. Personal property includes appliances and expensive items such as jewelry and artwork that may not be insured under home insurance policies.
5. Medical Expenses:
This covers expenses for your pet’s injuries in an accident with another vehicle or a pedestrian. Medical expenses can also include costs associated with taking your pet to the veterinarian following an accident.
6. Excess Liability:
Excess liability coverage, more commonly known as umbrella coverage, is intended to help protect you from paying more than your deductible for a claim. This type of coverage only pays out if your claim exceeds the original amount you paid for your policy. Therefore, if the value of a damaged item is less than the amount you originally paid for insurance, umbrella coverage will not pay anything out on that claim.
General insurance may not provide you with much coverage for your pet. Researching different policies and companies to find the best policy to fit your current budget while providing you with the desired coverage is best. It is important to take the time to carefully read your policy and make sure that you understand what it does and does not cover. It is also important to make sure that you take the time to understand exactly what your policies do and do not cover, as well as what additional types of coverage may be available from your insurance company.