Warning Pet On Board

Pet parents love to tag their dearest animals along wherever they are, be it on their way to grocery shopping, the beach, park or even travelling to another town or city. For pet lovers, no trip will be complete without their dearest animal. However, accidents happen and sometimes pets get injured. So, will a car insurance company pay for the pet’s treatments? That all depends on the cause of the accident. If someone crashes into your vehicle and injures your beloved animal, you can make a “third-party claim” from their car insurance company for your animal’s medical bills.

Dog on-Board

If something happens otherwise, you need to check with your car insurance company for exclusions. Of course, a car insurance policy covers the costs of repair to your vehicle, what you need to confirm is if it also covers any personal property that you were transporting at time of the accident, whether it was an expensive painting, an antique vase or your pet. If your insurance does not cover such, then you will not be able to make a valid claim. So, to ensure that is your pet is covered when you tag it along every time you drive your car, get an insurance policy that covers both the vehicle and your pet.

As a way of ensuring the safety of your pets even while driving around town and especially on long trips, you can follow these tips:

1) Make sure your dog has been surgically inserted with a microchip before you leave.

2) Bring your pet’s rabies vaccination record or, if travelling to another country, make sure you get a passport for your pet.

3) Dogs should be placed in a protective kennel that is fastened to the bed of the vehicle. You can also keep pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier, which should be large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down or turn around while inside it.

4) Get your pet accustomed to travelling in a car by taking him on short drives first, lengthening the duration of the trip each time you take it out for a ride.

5) Feed your pet with a light meal three to four hours before travelling.

6) Purchase harnesses, tethers and other accessories to secure pets on the duration of the trip.

7) Never let pets ride with their heads bobbing outside car windows. Dirt and small debris can enter their eyes, ears or nose and can cause injury or infection.

You may also want to purchase rubberised floor liners and waterproof seat covers when travelling frequently with pets.